Centralizer for downhole probes

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018371848-A1
Application number	US-201816017676-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 25, 2018
Priority date	Nov 6, 2012
Publication date	Dec 27, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole 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.

First claim

1 . (canceled)

2 . A centralizer for supporting an electronics package within a bore of a drill string, the centralizer comprising a tubular member having a wall formed to divide an annular space within the bore surrounding the electronics package into a first plurality of inner channels inside the wall of the centralizer and a second plurality of outer channels outside the wall of the centralizer wherein each of the inner channels lies between two of the outer channels and is separated from the outer channels by a part of the wall of the centralizer.

3 . The centralizer according to claim 2 wherein the centralizer comprises a plurality of sections.

4 . The centralizer according to claim 2 wherein the centralizer is non-magnetic.

5 . The centralizer combination according to claim 2 in combination with the electronics package inserted longitudinally into the centralizer wherein the wall of the centralizer comprises curved, pre-tensioned flexed parts that tend to exert a restoring force that urges the electronics package back to a centralized equilibrium position when the electronics package is moved out of the equilibrium position.

6 . The centralizer combination according to claim 5 wherein the channels are open to receive drilling fluid and drilling fluid, when present in the inner and outer channels, tends to damp motions of the electronics package.

7 . The centralizer combination according to claim 5 wherein the centralizer cooperates with the electronics package to increase resonant frequencies of the electronics package.

8 . The centralizer according to claim 3 in combination with the electronics package received inside the wall of the centralizer wherein the plurality of sections extend substantially continuously for at least 60% of an unsupported portion of the electronics package.

9 . The centralizer combination according to claim 8 wherein the plurality of sections extends for substantially all of the length of the unsupported portion of the electronics package.

10 . The centralizer combination according to claim 2 in combination with the electronics package wherein the centralizer is sized to snuggly grip the electronics package.

11 . The centralizer combination according to claim 10 wherein insertion of the electronics package into the centralizer resiliently deforms the material of the centralizer.

12 . The centralizer combination according to claim 10 wherein an outer surface of the electronics package comprises a metal and a material of those parts of the centralizer that contact the electronics package is softer than the metal.

13 . The centralizer combination according to claim 10 wherein the centralizer comprising a layer of a vibration damping material between the electronics package and the centralizer.

14 . The centralizer according to claim 2 wherein the wall of the centralizer is configured to provide longitudinal ridges that twist around a longitudinal centerline of centralizer to form helixes.

15 . The centralizer according to claim 2 wherein one end of the centralizer is notched.

16 . The centralizer according to claim 2 wherein the centralizer is electrically insulating.

17 . The centralizer according to claim 2 wherein the centralizer is made of a fiber-filled plastic material.

18 . The centralizer according to claim 2 wherein the wall of the centralizer has a thickness that is substantially constant.

19 . The centralizer according to claim 18 wherein the wall of the centralizer has a thickness in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 inches.

20 . The centralizer according to claim 2 wherein the wall of the centralizer is configured to provide four or more inward lobes each configured to contact the electronics package.

21 . The centralizer according to claim 2 wherein the wall of the centralizer is provided with apertures or holes.

22 . The centralizer of claim 2 wherein the wall if the centralizer is configured to provide three or more outwardly-convex lobes arranged to contact a bore wall of the bore at a plurality of spots spaced apart around a circumference of the bore wall.

Assignees

• Evolution Engineering Inc

Inventors

• Logan Aaron W
• Logan Justin C
• Derkacz Patrick R

Classifications

• E21B47/13

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

• E21B47/135

  using light waves, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet waves · CPC title

• E21B17/00

  Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; {Cables;} Casings; Tubings · CPC title

• E21B23/02

  for locking the tools or the like in landing nipples or in recesses between adjacent sections of tubing (E21B23/03 - E21B23/06 take precedence) · CPC title

• E21B17/16

  Drill collars · CPC title