Downhole electronics puck and retention, installation and removal methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11834944-B2
Application number	US-202017628046-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 2, 2020
Priority date	Jul 24, 2019
Publication date	Dec 5, 2023
Grant date	Dec 5, 2023

Abstract

An electronics module or “puck” is positioned in a recess formed in the outer surface of a downhole tool. The puck body includes a flange segment having a first outer diameter, and an adjacent seal-engaging segment having an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the flange segment. An annular seal is disposed about the seal-engaging segment and seals between the puck and the perimeter wall of the recess. A cover ring is disposed over an intermediate segment of the puck body, capturing the seal between the cover and the flange segment. A retainer ring is employed to selectively engage and disengage the perimeter wall of the recess, retaining the puck, seal and covering ring in the recess. A method for installation and removal of the puck is disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A downhole tool configured to be disposed in a borehole having borehole fluids, the tool comprising:
a tool body comprising an outer surface configured for exposure to borehole fluids and a recess in the outer surface, the recess including a perimeter wall and a recess opening;
an electronics module positioned in the recess, the module comprising a body housing electronic devices that are retained within a cavity internal to the body, and wherein the module body comprises:
a flange segment having a first outer diameter;
a seal-engaging segment having an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the flange segment; and
a first annular shoulder between the flange segment and the seal-engaging segment;
a retainer positioned adjacent to the recess opening and comprising a wall-engaging outer surface configured to selectively engage and disengage the perimeter wall of the recess; and
an annular seal disposed about the seal-engaging segment between the retainer and the first annular shoulder of the module body and sealing between the module body and the perimeter wall of the recess;
an intermediate segment, an end segment, and a second annular shoulder between the intermediate segment and the seal engaging segment; the downhole tool further comprising:
an annular cover axially spaced from the retainer and engaging the second annular shoulder and comprising a cover opening, wherein the intermediate segment of the module body extends through the cover opening, and wherein the retainer is positioned between the recess opening and the cover.

2. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein the retainer further comprises a retainer opening, and wherein the end segment of the module body extends into the retainer opening.

3. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein the retainer is a spring-loaded retaining ring.

4. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein the perimeter wall of the recess includes an annular groove, and wherein the wall-engaging outer surface of the retainer is disposed in the annular groove.

5. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein the cover opening is defined by a circumferential edge, and wherein the edge comprises one or more tool receiving features.

6. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein the module body is threadless on its outer surface.

7. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein the outer diameter of the retainer exceeds the outer diameter of the first annular shoulder and exceeds the outer diameter of the cover.

8. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein the retainer is in engagement with the cover.

9. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein a seal gland is defined by the cover, the seal-engaging segment, the flange segment, and the perimeter wall of the recess, and wherein a back up annular member is positioned in the seal gland between the first annular shoulder and the annular seal.

10. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein the intermediate segment has an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the seal-engaging segment, and wherein the end segment has an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the intermediate segment.

11. The downhole tool of claim 10 wherein the wherein the module body further comprises a third annular shoulder between the intermediate segment and the end segment and wherein the retainer is in engagement with the third annual should.

12. The downhole tool of claim 11 wherein the retainer is a spring-loaded retaining ring having a retainer opening, and wherein the retainer opening has a diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the intermediate segment and is greater than the outer diameter of the end segment.

13. The downhole tool of claim 11 wherein the retainer has an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the cover.

14. A method of installing or removing an electronics module within a recess formed in a downhole tool, wherein the downhole tool includes an outer surface and wherein the recess is formed in the outer surface and includes a perimeter wall and a recess opening, the method comprising:
positioning the module in the recess;
positioning an annular seal about the module after the module is positioned in the recess;
after positioning the annular seal about the module, positioning a cover having a cover opening within the recess such that a segment of the module extends through the cover opening;
after positioning the cover, positioning within the recess a retainer such that the outer surface of the retainer releasably engages the perimeter wall of the recess.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein positioning an annular seal about the module is performed using a tool having an annular extension, the annular extension being used to press the annual seal in a direction away from the recess opening and into sealing engagement with the perimeter wall of the recess and the module.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the retainer is a spring loaded ring, and wherein the positioning of the retainer in the recess comprises actuating the ring to cause the ring to expand from a compressed position to an expanded position, the outer edges of the ring engaging the perimeter wall of the recess upon expansion of the ring.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
removing the retainer from the recess; and

using a tool, engaging a tool-engaging feature of the cover with the tool and prying a segment of the cover away from the module.

18. A downhole tool configured to be disposed in a borehole having borehole fluids, the tool comprising:
a tool body comprising an outer surface configured for exposure to borehole fluids and a recess in the outer surface, the recess including a perimeter wall and a recess opening;
an electronics module positioned in the recess, the module comprising a body housing electronic devices that are retained within a cavity internal to the body, and wherein the module body comprises:
a flange segment having a first outer diameter;
a seal-engaging segment having an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the flange segment; and
a first annular shoulder between the flange segment and the seal-engaging segment;
a retainer comprising a retainer opening and a wall-engaging outer surface configured to selectively engage and disengage the perimeter wall of the recess; and
an annular seal disposed about the seal-engaging segment between the retainer and the first annular shoulder of the module body and sealing between the module body and the perimeter wall of the recess;
an intermediate segment, an end segment extending into the retainer opening, and a second annular shoulder between the intermediate segment and the seal engaging segment;

the downhole tool further comprising:
an annular cover engaging the second annular shoulder and comprising a cover opening, wherein the intermediate segment of the module body extends through the cover opening.

19. The downhole tool of claim 18 wherein the module body is threadless on its outer surface.

20. The downhole tool of claim 18 wherein the retainer is a spring-loaded retaining ring.

21. The downhole tool of claim 18 wherein the retainer has an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the cover.

22. The downhole tool of claim 20 wherein the outer diameter of the retainer exceeds the outer diameter of the first annular shoulder and exceeds the outer diameter of the cover.

Assignees

• Nat Oilwell Varco Lp

Inventors

• Schen Aaron
• Riddel Jacob

Classifications

• E21B47/017 Primary

  Protecting measuring instruments · CPC title

• E21B47/01 Primary

  Devices for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits, pipes, rods or wirelines; Protecting measuring instruments in boreholes against heat, shock, pressure or the like · CPC title

• E21B2200/01

  Sealings characterised by their shape · CPC title

• G01V2200/16

  Measure-while-drilling or logging-while-drilling · CPC title