Self-expandable cylinder in a downhole tool

Abstract

A self-expandable cylinder insertable into the bore of a downhole tool includes a resilient material rolled into a substantially cylindrical shape. The outside circumference of the self-expandable cylinder is variable to allow the self-expandable cylinder to be inserted into a narrowed bore of the downhole tool near the box end or pin end. Once past the narrowed bore, the outside circumference of the self-expandable cylinder self-expands within the bore of the downhole tool. The outside circumference of the self-expandable cylinder may expand to contact the inside surface of the bore. In selected embodiments, a transmission line may be routed between the bore and the outside circumference of the resilient material. The self-expandable cylinder may be effective to protect the transmission line from materials traveling through the bore.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.