Gamma detector protection for downhole operations
AssigneeTolteq Group, LLC
InventorsPaul R. Deere, David Chandos, Jacob Thomas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for protecting sensitive electronics in a gamma radiation detector tool configured to be disposed in a borehole. The apparatus comprises a scintillator crystal and a photomultiplier tube disposed in either a single or individual housings. The housing(s) are bordered by springs configured to dampen axial vibrations. The housing(s) may be dampened from lateral vibrations by a lateral shock reducer on a sleeve that circumscribes the housing(s). The method comprises dampening axial and lateral vibrations to the crystal/photomultiplier during a drilling operation.
Claims29
An apparatus for detecting gamma radiation in a borehole, the apparatus comprising:
- a chassis configured to be disposed in the borehole;
- a gamma detector disposed in the chassis and comprising:
- a scintillation crystal responsive to gamma radiation;
- and
- a photomultiplier tube optically coupled to the scintillation crystal;
- a housing configured to circumscribe the gamma detector and having a first end and a second end;
- a sleeve configured to circumscribe the housing;
- a lateral shock reducer configured to circumscribe the sleeve and comprising a contiguous passage between a first end and a second end of the lateral shock reducer, wherein the contiguous passage is configured to allow passage of wires from the first end of the lateral shock reducer to the second end of the lateral shock reducer;
- a first axial shock reducer configured to be in mechanical communication with the first end of the housing and the chassis;
- and
- a second axial shock reducer configured to be in mechanical communication with the second end of the housing and the chassis.
An apparatus for detecting gamma radiation in a borehole, the apparatus comprising:
- a chassis configured to be disposed in the borehole;
- a gamma detector disposed in the chassis and comprising:
- a scintillation crystal responsive to gamma radiation;
- a housing configured to circumscribe the scintillation crystal and having an outside end;
- a photomultiplier tube optically coupled to the scintillation crystal;
- and
- a housing configured to circumscribe the photomultiplier tube and having an outside end;
- a sleeve configured to circumscribe the housings and comprising a recessed portion contiguous between a first end and a second end of the sleeve, wherein the recessed portion is configured to allow passage of wires from the first end of the sleeve to the second end of the sleeve;
- a lateral shock reducer configured to circumscribe the sleeve;
- a first axial shock reducer configured to be in mechanical communication with the outside end of the scintillation crystal housing and the chassis;
- and
- a second axial shock reducer configured to be in mechanical communication with the outside end of the photomultiplier tube housing and the chassis.
A method for performing a gamma ray detection operation in a borehole, the method comprising:
- dampening an axial shock to a gamma detector tool, the gamma detector tool comprising:
- a chassis configured to be disposed in the borehole;
- a gamma detector disposed in the chassis and comprising:
- a scintillation crystal responsive to gamma radiation;
- and
- a photomultiplier tube optically coupled to the scintillation crystal;
- a housing configured to circumscribe the gamma detector and having a first end and a second end;
- a sleeve configured to circumscribe the housing;
- a lateral shock reducer configured to circumscribe the sleeve and comprising a contiguous passage between a first end and a second end of the lateral shock reducer, wherein the contiguous passage is configured to allow passage of wires from the first end of the lateral shock absorber to the second end of the lateral shock absorber;
- a first axial shock reducer configured to be in mechanical communication with the first end of the housing and the chassis;
- and
- a second axial shock reducer configured to be in mechanical communication with the second end of the housing and the chassis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.