Compressible load shoulder for dampening shock in downhole telemetry tool

A method of operating a mud pulse telemetry tool comprising:

• providing a drill string having a bore formed therethrough, the drill string including the mud pulse telemetry tool, the mud pulse telemetry tool including a housing having a shoulder formed therein, a pilot valve disposed in the housing, a piston assembly longitudinally movable in the housing, and a dampener disposed longitudinally between the piston assembly and the shoulder;
• opening the pilot valve causing a piston of the piston assembly to move in a first direction from a retracted position longitudinally spaced from the dampener to an extended position contacting the dampener;
• and
• continuing to move the piston assembly in the first direction after contacting the dampener.

A mud pulse telemetry tool comprising:

• a housing having a shoulder formed along an inner surface thereof;
• a piston longitudinally movable in the housing between a retracted position and an extended position, the piston including a first end in fluid communication with a first piston chamber formed in the housing and a second end facing away from the first end, the second end being in fluid communication with a second piston chamber formed in the housing;
• a spring mandrel disposed longitudinally between the piston and the shoulder, the spring mandrel having a cylindrical sleeve portion and a flange;
• and
• a dampener disposed about the cylindrical sleeve portion and being in contact with the flange and the shoulder.