Downhole drilling apparatus and method for using same
First Claim
1. A downhole drilling tool for drilling a wellbore into an earth formation, the drilling tool having a drill string with a drill bit at an end thereof, the downhole drilling tool comprising:
- a drill collar connectable to the drill string;
a housing positionable within the drill collar;
a gyroscope sealably positionable within the housing; and
at least one centralizer positionable between the housing and the drill collar whereby the housing is supported in the drill collar.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided to support a gyroscope within a downhole drilling tool. A packaging system is positioned within a drill collar of the drilling tool and includes a housing for the gyro and at least one centralizer supporting the housing within the drill collar. The system may also be provided with a down-hole end cap, an up-hole endcap and a loading device. A gyro compression mechanism that is capable of holding wires may also be included to provide power and communication while compressing the gyro to isolate it from shock or vibration.
72 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A downhole drilling tool for drilling a wellbore into an earth formation, the drilling tool having a drill string with a drill bit at an end thereof, the downhole drilling tool comprising:
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a drill collar connectable to the drill string;
a housing positionable within the drill collar;
a gyroscope sealably positionable within the housing; and
at least one centralizer positionable between the housing and the drill collar whereby the housing is supported in the drill collar. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 12, 13)
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- 5. The downhole drilling tool of clam 4, wherein the plug has an alignment rod extending therefrom, the alignment rod positionable adjacent the gyro.
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14. An apparatus for supporting a gyroscope in a drill collar of a drill string, the drill string forming at least a portion of a downhole drilling tool, the apparatus comprising:
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a housing adapted to receive a gyroscope, the housing sealingly positionable within the drill collar; and
at least one centralizer for supporting the housing within the drill collar whereby the gyroscope is protected from downhole conditions. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An apparatus for supporting a gyroscope in a drill collar of a downhole drilling tool, comprising:
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a housing adapted to receive a gyroscope, the housing positionable within a drill collar;
at least one centralizer for supporting the housing within the drill collar;
a downhole end cap;
an uphole end cap; and
a gyro compression mechanism capable of providing axial support for the gyroscope. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A method of supporting a gyroscope within a drill collar of a downhole drilling tool, comprising:
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positioning a gyroscope within a housing in a drill collar;
inserting a plug into a downhole end of the housing; and
securing the gyroscope into the housing by applying axial compression to the gyroscope and locking the downhole end of the gyroscope in place.
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30. A method of supporting a gyroscope within a drill collar of a downhole drilling tool, the drilling tool comprising a drill string connectable to the drill collar, the method comprising:
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inserting a gyroscope into a housing between a first compression rod and a second compression rod, the first compression rod seated against an end of the housing;
positioning the housing within the drill collar; and
applying a compressive force to the gyroscope by advancing a plug into the housing adjacent the second compression rod whereby the gyroscope is compressed between the compression rods. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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Specification