Shock isolator device and related methods

• Main Author: Manoj Gopalan
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 01.05.2024
• Subjects: EARTH DRILLING; EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; MINING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR ASLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

A shock isolator device for use in a downhole tool attenuates axial shocks to a protected structure and maintains that structure's rotational orientation to the tool while reducing damage to, maintenance costs of, and wear on, the device components. The shock isolator device interposes an internally- and externally-splined key between an internally-splined sleeve on an anti-rotation section and an externally-splined plunger attached to a connector. The key is less wear-resistant than the sleeve or plunger and can be replaced. The meshed sleeve, key, and plunger force the protected structure attached to the connector to maintain its rotational orientation. The sleeve of the anti-rotation system is attached to a shock damper, which damps axial shocks between the plunger and the sleeve, and is connected to a second connector. The shock damper includes a spring assembly and a viscous damper using a piston in an oil-filled cylinder forcing oil through an orifice.