Sensor Container Shock Absorber for Downhole Tool Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole tools in drilling environments face challenges due to harsh conditions such as extreme temperatures, pressures, vibrations, and thermo-mechanical stresses, which can damage sensitive components like sensors and electronics, and the transportation of these tools to remote locations adds additional stress.
Innovation Solution
A sensor container with a shock absorber positioned at a lateral side, configured to buffer shock and vibration forces, and integrated with a biasing assembly and Belleville washers to tune the harmonic response, is designed to protect sensitive sensors and electronics within the downhole tool, and the container can include a PCB housing to reduce the length of connecting wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If downhole tools are shipped to remote locations and installed in harsh environments, then the tools can perform drilling and measurement functions, but the sensitive sensors and electronics are subjected to elevated mechanical stress, vibration, thermal shock, and extreme temperatures that can damage them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-installing shock absorbers and vibration dampers in the sensor container before the downhole tool is deployed. These cushioning elements are positioned to absorb impact forces during shipping and installation, and to dampen vibrations during drilling operations, thereby protecting sensitive sensors and electronics from mechanical stress and thermal shock in the harsh downhole environment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies nesting by placing the sensor container with its protective elements inside the downhole tool housing. The sensor container is nested within the larger tool structure, allowing the sensitive components to be protected within the robust outer housing while maintaining adaptability to the downhole environment through the hierarchical protective structure
2Reliability
If shock absorbers and vibration dampers are added to protect sensors, then sensor protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the shock absorbers and vibration dampers directly into the sensor container structure rather than adding them as separate external components. The cushioning elements are combined with the container walls and mounting fixtures, creating a unified protective structure that reduces overall device complexity while maintaining effective sensor protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing the shock absorbers and vibration dampers to serve multiple functions: they absorb impact forces during shipping, dampen vibrations during drilling operations, and provide thermal isolation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while comprehensively protecting the sensors
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sensor container effectively buffers forces applied to the sensors and electronics, improving measurement accuracy and prolonging the operational life of the sensors, leading to reduced maintenance and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a shock absorber positioned at a lateral side and configured to buffer shock forces and vibration forces acting thereupon
Implementation Method 2
a shock absorber positioned at a lateral side and configured to buffer shock forces and vibration forces acting thereupon
Implementation Method 3
integrated with a biasing assembly and Belleville washers to tune the harmonic response
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject technology relate to a sensor container for a downhole tool. The sensor container can be mountable in a receiver space on a carrier that is insertable into a wellbore. The sensor container can comprise a container body having a receiving space to which a shock-sensitive sensor is couplable. Further, the sensor container can comprise a shock absorber positioned at a lateral side thereof. The shock absorber can be configured to buffer shock forces and vibration forces acting thereupon.