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US 9,850,751 B2Granted
Axially-supported downhole probes
AssigneeEvolution Engineering Inc.
InventorsAaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, David A. Switzer, Patrick R. Derkacz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported by a locking mechanism with a bore of a drill string section. The probe comprises a first spider and a second spider at the uphole and downhole sections of the probe. The locking mechanism secures the probes in the bore against axial and rotational movement relative the drill string section.
Claims43
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;
- the probe supported in the bore by first and second spiders at respective first and second locations spaced apart longitudinally within the bore;
- and
- a resilient electrical contact in a bore of the second spider and in electrical contact with both the second spider and the probe;
- wherein the first and second spiders each comprise a hub connected to the downhole probe and a rim connected to the hub by a plurality of spokes, the rim of each of the spiders dimensioned to be received in the bore of the drill string section at the corresponding one of the first and second locations;
- the first spider is fixed axially in the bore and a first end of the probe is fixed axially to the first spider and a second end of the probe is supported by the second spider in a manner that allows the second end of the probe to float axially relative to the bore;
- and
- the second spider is attached to the drill string section and the probe is slidably received in a bore in the hub of the second spider.
6 more elements
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;
- the probe supported in the bore by first and second spiders at respective first and second locations spaced apart longitudinally within the bore wherein the section comprises a first landing adjacent an uphole end of the probe and second landing adjacent a downhole end of the probe, the first spider is configured to engage the first landing and the second spider is configured to engage the second landing, at least one of the first and second spiders fixed axially in the bore;
- and
- a clamp forcing the rim of the first spider toward the first landing;
- the clamp compressing against the first spider reducing a gap between the first spider and the first landing so that the rim of the first spider abuts the first landing;
- wherein the first and second spiders each comprise a hub connected to the downhole probe and a rim connected to the hub by a plurality of spokes, the rim of each of the spiders dimensioned to be received in the bore of the drill string section at the corresponding one of the first and second locations;
- a longitudinal distance between the first and second landings is less than a longitudinal distance between edges of the rims of the first and second spiders that engage the first and second landings by a clearance distance and the clamp holds the probe in compression;
- the probe comprises a compliant material;
- and
- the arms of at least one of the first and second spiders are resiliently deformable by the clearance distance.
8 more elements
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;
- the probe supported in the bore by first and second spiders at respective first and second locations spaced apart longitudinally within the bore, at least one of the first and second spiders fixed axially in the bore;
- and
- a fastener on the probe configured to clamp the first spider against a shoulder on the probe;
- wherein:
- the first and second spiders each comprise a hub connected to the downhole probe and a rim connected to the hub by a plurality of spokes, the rim of each of the spiders dimensioned to be received in the bore of the drill string section at the corresponding one of the first and second locations;
- the hub of the first spider comprises a bore and the downhole probe comprises a shaft portion engaged in the bore of the hub of the first spider;
- and
- the fastener comprises an acorn nut.
7 more elements
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;
- the probe supported in the bore by first and second spiders at respective first and second locations spaced apart longitudinally within the bore, at least one of the first and second spiders fixed axially in the bore;
- wherein the first and second spiders each comprise a hub connected to the downhole probe and a rim connected to the hub by a plurality of spokes, the rim of each of the spiders dimensioned to be received in the bore of the drill string section at the corresponding one of the first and second locations;
- the downhole probe comprises an electronics package;
- and
- the downhole probe comprises a housing having first and second sections that are electrically insulated from one another, the first and second spiders are electrically conducting and are respectively coupled to the first and second sections of the housing, the electronics package comprises an EM telemetry transmitter having first and second terminals respectively electrically connected to the first and second sections of the housing and the first and second locations are in parts of the drill string section that are electrically insulated from one another.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.