Weight module for use in wellbore tool string

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12091920-B2
Application number	US-202318302471-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 18, 2023
Priority date	Mar 31, 2021
Publication date	Sep 17, 2024
Grant date	Sep 17, 2024

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments relate to weight modules for use in a wellbore tool string. In some embodiments, the weight module may comprise a conductive body, extending in an axial direction, and an insulating cover. The conductive body may be configured to fit within a hollow interior of a weight module housing, and the insulating cover may be configured to electrically isolate the conductive body from the weight module housing. In some embodiments, the conductive body may have a first contact portion, provided at a first end of the conductive body, and a second contact portion, provided at a second end of the conductive body, with the first contact portion in electrical communication with the second contact portion through the conductive body.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A weight module assembly for a wellbore tool, comprising:
a weight module housing having a hollow interior extending in an axial direction;
a weight module positioned in the hollow interior, the weight module including a first end, a second end, and a conductive body extending between the first end and the second end, wherein
the conductive body has a center of gravity radially offset from a central axis of the housing, and
the first end is configured for being in electrical communication with a first electrical contact of a first tool assembly, and the second end is configured for being in electrical communication with a second electrical contact of a second tool assembly.

2. The weight module assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an insulating cover covering an outer radial surface of the conductive body.

3. The weight module assembly of claim 2 , wherein the insulating cover is configured to electrically isolate the conductive body from the weight module housing.

4. The weight module assembly of claim 2 , wherein
the first end includes a first conductive portion,
the second end includes a second conductive portion, and
the insulating cover extends between the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion.

5. The weight module assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a rotation fixing mechanism configured to rotationally fix the weight module and the weight module housing relative to one another or relative to the wellbore tool.

6. The weight module assembly of claim 5 , wherein the rotation fixing mechanism includes:
a key ridge disposed on or extending outward from an outer radial surface of the conductive body, and
a key groove formed in an interior surface of the weight module housing.

7. The weight module assembly of claim 5 , wherein the rotation fixing mechanism includes:
a key ridge disposed on or extending outward from an outer radial surface of the weight module housing, and
a key groove formed in an interior surface of the wellbore tool.

8. The weight module assembly of claim 7 , wherein the rotation fixing mechanism is configured to hinder rotation of the weight module housing within the wellbore tool.

9. A wellbore tool, comprising:
a weight module housing having a hollow interior extending in an axial direction;
a weight bar positioned in the hollow interior, the weight bar including a first end, a second end, and a conductive body extending between the first end and the second end, the conductive body including a cylindrical surface portion and a non-cylindrical surface portion;
a first electrical contact in electrical communication with the first end; and
a second electrical contact in electrical communication with the second end,
wherein the first electrical contact is in electrical communication with the second electrical contact through the conductive body.

10. The wellbore tool of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact includes a biasing member.

11. The wellbore tool of claim 9 , wherein the conductive body comprises a main body and an extender coupled to the main body.

12. The wellbore tool of claim 11 , wherein the extender forms the second end and is in electrical communication with the second electrical contact.

13. The wellbore tool of claim 12 , wherein the extender is disposed along the central axis of the weight bar.

14. The wellbore tool of claim 13 , wherein the conductive body has a center of gravity radially offset from a central axis of the housing.

15. The wellbore tool of claim 9 , wherein the weight module housing is a tubular member configured for being coupled to adjacent wellbore tools.

16. The wellbore tool of claim 9 , further comprising:
a rotation fixing mechanism including a key ridge and a key groove, wherein
the key ridge is disposed on or extends outward from an outer radial surface of the conductive body, and the key groove is formed in an interior surface of the weight module housing; or
the key ridge is disposed on or extends outward from an outer radial surface of the weight module housing, and the key groove is formed in an interior surface of the wellbore tool.

17. A wellbore tool string comprising:
a first wellbore tool comprising:
a first weight module housing having a hollow interior extending in a first axial direction, and
a first eccentric weight bar positioned in the hollow interior of the first weight module housing, the first eccentric weight bar including a first end, a second end, and a first conductive body extending between the first end and the second end;

a second wellbore tool comprising:
a second weight module housing having a hollow interior extending in a second axial direction, and
a second eccentric weight bar positioned in the hollow interior of the second weight module housing, the second eccentric weight bar including a first end, a second end, and a second conductive body extending between the first end and the second end of the second eccentric weight bar;

a tandem seal adapter (TSA) positioned in between and coupled to the first wellbore tool and the second wellbore tool, the TSA comprising:
an electrical feedthrough assembly having a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact,

wherein the first electrical contact is in electrical communication with first end of the first eccentric weight bar, and the second electrical contact is in electrical communication with second end of the second eccentric weight bar.

18. The wellbore tool string of claim 17 , wherein the TSA is an alignment TSA.

19. The wellbore tool string of claim 17 , wherein at least one of the first wellbore tool or the second wellbore tool comprises:
a rotation fixing mechanism including a key ridge and a key groove, wherein:
the key ridge is disposed on or extends outward from an outer radial surface of the conductive body, and the key groove is formed in an interior surface of the weight module housing; or
the key ridge is disposed on or extends outward from an outer radial surface of the weight module housing, and the key groove is formed in an interior surface of the wellbore tool.

20. The wellbore tool string of claim 17 , further comprising:
a first insulating cover covering an outer radial surface of the conductive body of the first eccentric weight bar; and
a second insulating cover covering an outer radial surface of the conductive body of the second eccentric weight bar.

Assignees

• DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH

Inventors

• Eitschberger Christian
• Scharf Thilo

Classifications

• E21B17/028

  Electrical or electro-magnetic connections · CPC title

• E21B17/10

  Wear protectors; Centralising devices {, e.g. stabilisers} · CPC title

• E21B47/12

  Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling · CPC title

• E21B17/0285 Primary

  characterised by electrically insulating elements · CPC title

• E21B43/128 Primary

  Adaptation of pump systems with down-hole electric drives · CPC title