Weight module for use in wellbore tool string

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022316283-A1
Application number	US-202217700024-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 21, 2022
Priority date	Mar 31, 2021
Publication date	Oct 6, 2022
Grant date	—

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 for use in a wellbore tool string, the weight module comprising:
a conductive body extending in an axial direction, the conductive body having 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, opposite the first end in the axial direction; and an insulating cover covering an outer radial surface of the conductive body; wherein: the first contact portion is in electrical communication with the second contact portion through the conductive body; the weight module is configured to fit within a hollow interior of a weight module housing; the insulating cover is configured to electrically isolate the conductive body from the weight module housing; and the weight module is configured to substantially fill the hollow interior of the weight module housing.

2 . The weight module of claim 1 , wherein the conductive body has a longitudinal axis, and the conductive body is substantially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis.

3 . The weight module of claim 1 , wherein the conductive body comprises a high-density material extending between the first contact portion and the second contact portion, the high-density material having a density greater than a density of steel.

4 . The weight module of claim 3 , wherein the high-density material comprises at least one of tungsten and lead.

5 . The weight module of claim 1 , wherein a gap between the conductive body and the weight module housing is substantially filled by the insulating cover.

6 . The weight module of claim 1 , wherein the conductive body comprises a high-density, electrically-conductive material, and wherein the weight module housing comprises at least a portion of a perforating gun carrier.

7 . The weight module of claim 1 , wherein the conductive body comprises:
a cylindrical main body, and a rod piece extending from and electrically coupled to the main body; wherein the rod piece comprises the second contact portion.

8 . The weight module of claim 7 , wherein the main body is a solid cylinder of high-density material having a density greater than a density of steel.

9 . A weight module for use in a wellbore tool string, the weight module comprising:
a conductive body extending in an axial direction, the conductive body having 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, opposite the first end in the axial direction; and an insulating cover covering an outer radial surface of the conductive body, wherein:
the first contact portion is in electrical communication with the second contact portion through the conductive body;
the weight module is configured to fit within a hollow interior of a weight module housing;
the insulating cover is configured to electrically isolate the conductive body from the weight module housing; and
the conductive body comprises a high-density material extending between the first contact portion and the second contact portion, having a density greater than steel.

10 . The weight module of claim 9 , wherein the weight module is configured to substantially fill the hollow interior of the weight module housing.

11 . The weight module of claim 9 , wherein a gap between the conductive body and the weight module housing is substantially filled by the insulating cover.

12 . The weight module of claim 9 , wherein the conductive body has a longitudinal axis, and the conductive body is substantially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis.

13 . The weight module of claim 9 , wherein the conductive body comprises at least one of tungsten or lead.

14 . The weight module of claim 9 , wherein:
the conductive body comprises:
a cylindrical main body, and
a rod piece extending from and electrically coupled to the main body;
the rod piece comprises the second contact portion; and the main body is the high-density material throughout, having a density greater than steel.

15 . The weight module of claim 14 , wherein the main body consists essentially of tungsten.

16 . A wellbore tool string comprising:
a weight module housing having a hollow interior and extending in an axial direction; and a weight module comprising:
a conductive body extending in an axial direction, the conductive body having 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, opposite the first end in the axial direction; and
an insulating cover covering an outer radial surface of the conductive body;
wherein:
the first contact portion is in electrical communication with the second contact portion through the conductive body;
the weight module is disposed within the hollow interior of the weight module housing;
the insulating cover is configured to electrically isolate the conductive body from the weight module housing;
the conductive body comprises a high-density, electrically-conductive material; and
the weight module is configured to substantially fill the hollow interior of the weight module housing.

17 . The wellbore tool string of claim 16 , wherein:
the conductive body comprises:
a cylindrical main body, and
a rod piece extending from and electrically coupled to the main body;
the rod piece comprises the second contact portion; and the main body comprises a solid cylinder of the high-density, electrically-conductive material extending between the first contact portion and the second contact portion, having a density greater than a density of steel.

18 . The wellbore tool string of claim 16 , wherein the weight module housing comprises coupling elements on each end.

19 . The wellbore tool string of claim 16 , further comprising a tandem seal adapter (TSA) coupled to a first end of the weight module housing, the TSA comprising an electrical feedthrough assembly having a first electrical contact;
wherein the first electrical contact of the electrical feedthrough assembly is in electrical contact with the first contact portion of the conductive body.

20 . The wellbore tool string of claim 19 , further comprising a perforating gun housing coupled to the TSA, wherein:
an outer diameter of the weight module housing is substantially equal to an outer diameter of the perforating gun housing.

Assignees

• DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH

Inventors

• Eitschberger Christian
• Scharf Thilo

Classifications

• E21B17/0285 Primary

  characterised by electrically insulating elements · 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

• E21B43/128 Primary

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

• E21B17/028

  Electrical or electro-magnetic connections · CPC title