Seal and sacrificial components for a drill string

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10934784-B2
Application number	US-201816052124-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 1, 2018
Priority date	Dec 9, 2016
Publication date	Mar 2, 2021
Grant date	Mar 2, 2021

Abstract

A gap joint for use with a gap sub for electromagnetic telemetry. The gap joint has a replaceable uphole shoulder on the male gap joint component, which may be composed of a sacrificial material, to extend gap joint useful life where there is electrolysis of the component outside diameter. The gap joint also has a thicker outside diameter seal to reduce the risk of underlying O-ring extrusion and failure, again extending gap joint useful life. The thicker seal may also be able to withstand higher pressures before collapsing or experiencing punctures in unsupported areas. The replaceable shoulder and outside diameter seal can be used separately or together in a gap joint.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A downhole telemetry tool for transmitting a pressure pulse telemetry signal in a drilling fluid, comprising:
a pressure pulse generator operable to generate pressure pulses in a drilling fluid, wherein the pressure pulse generator comprises a rotor and stator valve mechanism;
at least one circumferential recess on the pressure pulse generator; and
a wear part indicator received in the at least one circumferential recess on the pressure pulse generator, wherein a thickness of the wear part indicator is not greater than a depth of the at least one circumferential recess.

2. The downhole telemetry tool of claim 1 wherein the depth of the at least one circumferential recess is equal to the thickness of the wear part indicator.

3. The downhole telemetry tool of claim 1 wherein one of the at least one circumferential recesses receives a placeholder constructed of a similar material as the pressure pulse generator.

4. The downhole telemetry tool of claim 1 wherein the wear part indicator comprises at least a portion thereof that exhibits a degradation during use at a higher rate in comparison to the pressure pulse generator.

5. The downhole telemetry tool of claim 4 wherein the degradation is selected from wash, pitting, electrolysis, and corrosion.

6. The downhole telemetry tool of claim 1 wherein the wear part indicator is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of copper, beryllium copper, a zinc-based material, aluminum allows, iron, and mild steel.

7. The downhole telemetry tool of claim 1 wherein the wear part indicator is located near an uphole end of the downhole telemetry tool.

Assignees

• Evolution Engineering Inc

Inventors

• Derkacz Patrick Robert
• Logan Justin Christopher
• Logan Aaron William
• Francoeur Angelica J B
• Wackett Jason B
• Normandeau Danick R J
• Berry Riley J

Classifications

• E21B47/18 Primary

  through the well fluid {, e.g. mud pressure pulse telemetry} · CPC title

• E21B17/003 Primary

  with electrically conducting or insulating means (E21B17/028 and E21B17/023 take precedence) · CPC title

• E21B17/04

  between rod {or the like} and bit or between rod and rod {or the like} · CPC title

• E21B47/13

  by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency · CPC title

• E21B17/028 Primary

  Electrical or electro-magnetic connections · CPC title