Downhole probes and systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9874083-B2
Application number	US-201314650511-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 18, 2013
Priority date	Dec 19, 2012
Publication date	Jan 23, 2018
Grant date	Jan 23, 2018

Abstract

Disclosed are downhole probes in which electrical interconnections between different modules are achieved without wiring harnesses. Modules may be coupled to one another and/or to bulkheads in the probe my couplings that provide substantially rigid couplings. The couplings may be configured to connect together only in one orientation. Electrical connectors may be fixed relative to components of the couplings so that the electrical connectors are automatically aligned for connection by the couplings.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A downhole probe comprising:
an elongated housing and
first and second modules arranged in a row and fixed relative to one another within the housing, each of the first and second modules comprising one or more electrical components and being electrically connected to the other one of the first and second modules by way of an electrical connection;
wherein the electrical connection comprises:
a first electrical connector attached to the first module and electrically connected to one or more of the electrical components of the first module by one or more immobilized first electrical conductors; and
a second electrical connector attached to the second module and electrically connected to one or more of the electrical components of the second module by one or more immobilized second electrical conductors; and
the first and second electrical connectors are either directly coupled to one another or electrically connected to one another by immobilized conductors,
the first module mechanically coupled to the second module by a non-rotational coupling, the non-rotational coupling comprises a male portion attached to one of the first and second modules and a female portion attached to the other one of the first and second modules, wherein engagement of the male portion and the female portion restricts the relative movement of the first and second modules
wherein each of the first and second modules is substantially filled with a potting compound and the first and second electrical connectors are embedded in the potting compound.

2. A downhole probe according to claim 1 wherein the potting compound embeds portions of the first and second electrical connectors.

3. A downhole probe comprising:
an elongated housing and
first and second modules arranged in a row and fixed relative to one another within the housing, each of the first and second modules comprising one or more electrical components and being electrically connected to the other one of the first and second modules by way of an electrical connection;
wherein the electrical connection comprises:
a first electrical connector attached to the first module and electrically connected to one or more of the electrical components of the first module by one or more immobilized first electrical conductors; and
a second electrical connector attached to the second module and electrically connected to one or more of the electrical components of the second module by one or more immobilized second electrical conductors; and
the first and second electrical connectors are either directly coupled to one another or electrically connected to one another by immobilized conductors,
the first module mechanically coupled to the second module by a non-rotational coupling, the non-rotational coupling comprises a male portion attached to one of the first and second modules and a female portion attached to the other one of the first and second modules, wherein engagement of the male portion and the female portion restricts the relative movement of the first and second modules
wherein the housing comprises first and second bulkheads coupled together by a tubular member and the first module is inside the tubular member.

4. A downhole probe according to claim 3 wherein the tubular member is coupled to the first and second bulkheads by threaded couplings.

5. A downhole probe according to claim 4 wherein the threaded coupling of the tubular member to the first bulkhead comprises threads on an outside surface of the first bulkhead and the projection extends co-axially with the threads and overlaps axially with the threads.

6. A downhole probe according to claim 3 wherein the first module is coupled to the first bulkhead by a coupling that holds the first module axially and prevents rotation of the first module relative to the first bulkhead.

7. A downhole probe according to claim 6 wherein the second module is on an opposing side of the first bulkhead from the first module.

8. A downhole probe according to claim 7 wherein the first and second electrical connectors are electrically connected to one another by immobilized conductors extending through a bore in the first bulkhead.

9. A downhole probe according to claim 7 wherein the coupling comprises a rotary coupling that permits the second module to rotate relative to the first bulkhead.

10. A downhole probe according to claim 9 wherein the first bulkhead is penetrated by a bore, the rotary coupling comprises a sleeve engaged in the bore and a projection having a first part engaged in the bore and a second part projecting axially into the sleeve, wherein electrical connections between one or more conductors in the projection and one or more corresponding conductors in the sleeve are provided between corresponding sets of brushes and conducting rings.

11. A downhole probe according to claim 10 wherein the conducting rings extend circumferentially on an outside diameter of the projection and the brushes are mounted to the sleeve.

12. A downhole probe according to claim 6 wherein the coupling comprises a male part attached to the first bulkhead and a female part attached to the first module, the male part comprising a body that is circular in cross section and has a plurality of longitudinally-extending fins projecting radially on an outside surface thereof.

13. A downhole probe according to claim 12 wherein the female part comprises a cylindrical shell defining an axially-opening cavity dimensioned to receive the body of the male part, the shell having longitudinally extending slits or grooves dimensioned and spaced circumferentially to receive the fins of the male part.

14. A downhole probe according to claim 13 wherein the fins and the corresponding slits or grooves are arranged asymmetrically around the body such that the male part can be engaged with the female part in only one orientation.

15. A downhole probe according to claim 6 wherein the non-rotational coupling that couples the first module to the second module comprises a male part attached to one of the first and second modules and a female part attached to the other one of the first and second modules, the male part comprising a body and a plurality of longitudinally-extending fins projecting radially on an outside surface thereof.

16. A downhole probe according to claim 15 wherein the female part comprises a shell defining an axially-opening cavity dimensioned to receive the body of the male part, the shell having longitudinally extending slits or grooves dimensioned and spaced circumferentially to receive the fins of the male part.

17. A downhole probe according to claim 16 wherein the fins and the corresponding slits or grooves are arranged asymmetrically around the body such that the male part can be engaged with the female part in only one relative orientation.

18. A downhole probe according to claim 17 wherein the coupling comprises a plurality of threaded fasteners passing through apertures in the shell into threaded openings in the body.

19. A downhole probe according to any claim 18 wherein the fasteners comprise screws.

20. A downhole probe comprising:
an elongated housing and
first and second modules arranged in a row and fixed relative to one another within the housing, each of the first and second modules comprising one or more electrical components and being electrically connected to the other one of the first and second modules by way of an electrical connection;
wherein the electrical connection comprises:
a first electrical c

Assignees

• Evolution Engineering Inc

Inventors

• Logan Aaron W
• Derkacz Patrick R
• Logan Justin C
• Switzer David A

Classifications

• H01R13/523

  for use under water · 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

• 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

• E21B33/0385

  electrical connectors · CPC title