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US-12624631-B2 - Gamma detector with radially loaded sensors and spring retention assisted assembly

US12624631B2US 12624631 B2US12624631 B2US 12624631B2US-12624631-B2

Abstract

A logging or measuring while drilling tool includes a semi-tubular housing base having first and second portions. A first semi-tubular lid is releasably connected to the first portion. The first semi-tubular lid and first portion of the semi-tubular housing base provides a first enclosure for containing a sensor. The sensor may be cylindrically shaped with an outer cylindrical surface that extends laterally between the first and second flat end surfaces. The outer cylindrical surface of the sensor may engage the first semi-tubular lid.

Inventors

  • Stephen Wind
  • William Tapie

Assignees

  • Stephen Wind
  • William Tapie

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20240625

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . An apparatus comprising: a base that extends laterally between first and second ends; a radiation sensor received by the base, wherein the radiation sensor is cylindrically shaped and comprises an outer cylindrical surface that extends between first and second flat end surfaces; a first lid that extends laterally between first and second ends, the first lid comprising a first semi-cylindrical surface; wherein the first lid is releasably attached to the base; wherein the outer cylindrical surface of the radiation sensor engages the base and the first semi-cylindrical surface of the first lid.
  2. 2 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a first strip of tape attached to the outer cylindrical surface of the radiation sensor; wherein an outer surface of the first tape strip engages the base or the first semi-cylindrical surface of the first lid.
  3. 3 . The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the outer surface of the first tape strip engages: the base and the first semi-cylindrical surface of the first lid.
  4. 4 . The apparatus of claim 1 : wherein the base comprises a first semi-cylindrical surface; wherein the outer cylindrical surface of the radiation sensor engages the first semi-cylindrical surface of the base and the first semi-cylindrical surface of the first lid.
  5. 5 . The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising: a photo multiplier tube (PMT) received by the base, wherein the PMT is cylindrically shaped and comprises an outer cylindrical surface that extends between first and second flat end surfaces; wherein the first lid comprises a second semi-cylindrical surface; wherein the outer cylindrical surface of the PMT engages the base and the second semi-cylindrical surface of the first lid.
  6. 6 . The apparatus of claim 5 : wherein the base comprises a second semi-cylindrical surface; wherein the outer cylindrical surface of the PMT engages the second semi-cylindrical surface of the base and the second semi-cylindrical surface of the first lid.
  7. 7 . The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: a second strip of tape attached to the outer cylindrical surface of the PMT; wherein an outer surface of the second tape strip engages the second semi-cylindrical surface of the base or the second semi-cylindrical surface of the first lid.
  8. 8 . The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the outer surface of the second tape strip engages the second semi-cylindrical surface of the base and the second semi-cylindrical surface of the first lid.
  9. 9 . The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB); a second lid that extends laterally between first and second ends, the second lid comprising an outer semi-cylindrical surface; wherein the second lid is releasably attached to the base; wherein the base and second lid define an enclosure that contains the PCB.
  10. 10 . The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: a first set of wires that connect the PMT to the PCB; a second set of wires connected to the PCB; a third set of wires connected to the PCB; wherein the third set of wires are positioned between an inner surface of the base and the radiation sensor; wherein the third set of wires are positioned between the inner surface of the base and the PMT.
  11. 11 . The apparatus of claim 10 ; wherein the base extends between first and second end walls; wherein the first and second end walls define first and second apertures, respectively, through which the second and third sets of wires extend, respectively.
  12. 12 . A logging while drilling (LWD) tool comprising: a semi-tubular base comprising first and second portions; a first semi-tubular lid releasably connected to the first portion, a combination of which defines a first enclosure; a sensor contained in the first enclosure, wherein the sensor is cylindrically shaped and comprises an outer cylindrical surface that extends laterally between first and second flat end surfaces; wherein the outer cylindrical surface of the sensor engages the first semi-tubular lid.
  13. 13 . The LWD tool of claim 12 further comprising: a photo multiplier tube (PMT) contained in the first enclosure, wherein the PMT is cylindrically shaped and comprises an outer cylindrical surface that extends laterally between first and second flat end surfaces; wherein the outer cylindrical surface of the PMT engages the first semi-tubular lid.
  14. 14 . The LWD tool of claim 13 : wherein the semi-tubular base comprises a semi-cylindrical outer surface; wherein the first semi-tubular lid comprises a semi-cylindrical outer surface; wherein the semi-cylindrical outer surface of the semi-tubular base and the semi-cylindrical outer surface of the first semi-tubular lid define an outer cylindrical surface.
  15. 15 . The LWD tool of claim 13 further comprising: a first strip of tape attached to the outer cylindrical surface of the sensor; wherein an outer surface of the first tape strip engages the first portion or the first semi-tubular lid.
  16. 16 . The LWD tool of claim 13 : wherein the first portion comprises a first pair of semi-cylindrical surfaces; wherein the outer cylindrical surface of the sensor engages the first pair of semi-cylindrical surfaces and the first semi-tubular lid.
  17. 17 . The LWD tool of claim 16 : wherein the first portion comprises a second pair of semi-cylindrical surfaces; wherein the outer cylindrical surface of the PMT engages the second pair of semi-cylindrical surfaces and the first semi-tubular lid.
  18. 18 . The LWD tool of claim 13 further comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB); a second semi-tubular lid releasably connected to the second portion, a combination of which defines a second enclosure; wherein the second enclosure contains the PCB.
  19. 19 . The LWD tool of claim 18 further comprising: a first set of wires that connect the PMT to the PCB; a second set of wires connected to the PCB; a third set of wires connected to the PCB; wherein the third set of wires extend in a space between an inner surface of the first portion and the sensor; wherein the third set of wires extend in a space between the inner surface of the first portion and the PMT.
  20. 20 . The LWD tool of claim 19 ; wherein the semi-tubular base extends between first and second end walls; wherein the first and second end walls define first and second apertures, respectively, through which the second and third sets of wires extend, respectively.

Description

BACKGROUND This disclosure relates to tools used in oil and gas exploration. More specifically this disclosure relates to logging while drilling (LWD) tools or measuring while drilling (MWD) tools, which can be used for gathering real-time data during a drilling process. For ease of explanation only the present disclosure will be explained with reference to LWD tools, it being understood that this disclosure finds application in MWD tools as well. LWD tools take measurements and/or aid in geo-steering while drilling for natural resources such as oil and gas. LWD tools are positioned adjacent drill bits and are subject to harsh operating conditions during drilling operations. For example, LWD tools are subject to substantial mechanical stress. As will be described below, components within LWD tools are sensitive to mechanical vibrations. LWD tools should be designed to mitigate the adverse effects on sensitive internal components from vibrations, including vibrations resulting from shock events, encountered by the tool during drilling operations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present technology may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a system used to drill a borehole. FIG. 2 is a top view of a housing for an LWD tool that can be used in the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view of the example housing shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the example housing shown in FIG. 3 taken along line B-B. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the example housing shown in FIG. 3 taken along line A-A. FIG. 6 is a top view of an example PCB and wire harness. FIG. 7 shows the PCB, and external routing of the wire harness, of FIG. 6 received in the housing of FIG. 2 when seen from above. FIG. 8 shows the PCB and housing of FIG. 7 when seen from the side. FIG. 9 illustrates an example radiation sensor and PMT. FIG. 10 shows the housing of FIG. 3 with FIG. 9's radiation sensor and PMT inserted therein. FIG. 11 shows the housing of FIG. 10 sealed with an end cap. FIG. 12 shows radiation sensor and PMT of FIG. 9 with tape strips adhered thereto. FIG. 13 shows the housing of FIG. 3 with FIG. 12's radiation sensor and PMT inserted therein. FIGS. 14A and 14B are top views of a housing base for an LWD tool that can be used in the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 15 is a side view of the housing base shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is an left end view of the housing base shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a right end view of the housing base shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 18 reproduces the housing base shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the housing base shown in FIG. 18 taken along line C-C. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the housing base shown in FIG. 18 taken along line D-D. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the housing base shown in FIG. 18 taken along line E-E. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the housing base shown in FIG. 18 taken along line F-F. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the housing base shown in FIG. 18 taken along line G-G. FIG. 24 are views of first and second lids when seen from below. FIG. 25 are views of the first and second lids shown in FIG. 24 when seen from the side. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the first lid shown in FIG. 25 taken along line H-H. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the first lid shown in FIG. 25 taken along line I-I. FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the second lid shown in FIG. 25 taken along line J-J. FIG. 29 are views of the first and second lids when seen from above. FIG. 30 shows the housing base of FIG. 14 when seen from above with the PCB of FIG. 6 added thereto. FIG. 31 shows the housing base of FIG. 30 when seen from above with the sensor and PMT of FIG. 12 added thereto. FIG. 32 shows the housing base of FIG. 31 when seen from above with spring biasing devices added thereto. FIG. 33 shows the housing base of FIG. 32 when seen from above with the first and second lids attached thereto. FIG. 34 shows the housing of FIG. 33 when seen from above with certain components shown with hidden lines. FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the housing and components shown in FIG. 34 taken along line J-J. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments of the invention are provided as examples in the drawings and detailed description. It should be understood the drawings and detailed description are not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed. Instead, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates a drilling rig 10 cutting a borehole 12 into the earth, penetrating a subsurface geological formation. A drill string 16 passes through borehole 12 and is coupled to drilling rig 10. Drill string 16 may