Apparatus, System and Method for Flexibly Coupling Sensors to a Downhole Tool

A downhole drilling system for gathering formation data from inside a borehole, the downhole drilling system comprising:

• a downhole drilling string;
• a source operably connected to the downhole drilling string, the source adapted to generate at least one of seismic and sonic waves;
• a receiver operably connected the drilling string and adapted to receive at least one of the seismic and sonic waves, the receiver comprising:
• a substantially tubular housing adapted for axial connection to the drill string;
• at least one sensor;
• a damping element between the tubular housing and the at least one sensor, the damping element flexibly coupling the at least one sensor to the tubular housing;
• and
• an actuator to extend the at least one sensor substantially radially with respect to the tubular housing.

A method for gathering formation data from inside a borehole, the method comprising:

• providing a substantially tubular housing adapted for axial connection to a tool string;
• providing at least one sensor;
• flexibly coupling the at least one sensor to the tubular housing;
• and
• extending the at least one sensor substantially radially with respect to the tubular housing.