Centralizer for downhole probes
AssigneeEvolution Engineering Inc.
InventorsAaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, Patrick R. Derkacz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported by a centralizer. The centralizer comprises a tubular member that extends around the downhole probe. A wall of the centralizer is fluted to provide inward contact points that support the downhole probe and outward contact points that bear against a bore wall of a section of drill string. The downhole probe may be supported for substantially its entire length.
Claims33
A centralizer for use in subsurface drilling, the centralizer comprising:
- an elongated tubular member having a wall formed to provide a cross-section that provides first outwardly-convex and inwardly-concave lobes, the first lobes arranged to contact a bore wall of a bore in a section of drill string at a plurality of spots spaced apart around a circumference of the bore wall;
- and
- a plurality of inwardly-projecting portions, each of the plurality of inwardly-projecting portions arranged between two adjacent ones of the plurality of first lobes.
A centralizer for use in subsurface drilling, the centralizer comprising:
- an elongated tubular member having a wall formed to provide a cross-section that provides first outwardly-convex and inwardly-concave lobes, the first lobes arranged to contact a bore wall of a bore in a section of drill string at a plurality of spots spaced apart around a circumference of the bore wall;
- and
- a plurality of inwardly-projecting portions, each of the plurality of inwardly-projecting portions arranged between two adjacent ones of the plurality of first lobes wherein each of the plurality of first lobes has a radius of curvature that is less than a radius of a smallest circle enclosing the centralizer.
A downhole assembly comprising:
- a drill string section having a bore extending longitudinally through the drill string section;
- a downhole probe located in the bore of the section;
- and,
- a centralizer in the bore, the centralizer comprising a tubular member having a wall extending around the downhole probe, the wall formed to contact an inside surface of the bore and an outside surface of the downhole probe, a cross-section of the wall following a path around the downhole probe that zig zags back and forth between the outside surface of the downhole probe and the inside surface of the bore wall.
A downhole assembly comprising:
- a drill string section having a bore extending longitudinally through the drill string section;
- a downhole probe located in the bore of the section;
- and,
- a centralizer in the bore, the centralizer comprising a tubular member having a wall extending around the downhole probe, the wall formed to contact an inside surface of the bore and an outside surface of the downhole probe, a cross-section of the wall following a path around the downhole probe that zig zags back and forth between the outside surface of the downhole probe and the inside surface of the bore wall
- wherein the downhole probe comprises a layer of a vibration damping material between a housing of the downhole probe and the centralizer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.