Abstract: An apparatus for electrically connecting two downhole components configured to be disposed in a borehole. The apparatus includes two complementing tool connectors which each have a corresponding electrical connector. The tool connectors may mate using a bayonet and slot connection. The slot may be L-shaped or l-shaped. The slot may be configured for straight or rotational engagement of the tool connectors. The electrical connectors may mate using concentric contacts that share the same axis. The electrical connectors are configured to rotate without stressing the contacts during assembly, disassembly, and drilling operations. The electrical connectors may support two or more contacts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting sensitive electronics in a gamma radiation detector tool configured to be disposed in a borehole. The apparatus comprises a scintillator crystal and a photomultiplier tube disposed in either a single or individual housings. The housing(s) are bordered by springs configured to dampen axial vibrations. The housing(s) may be dampened from lateral vibrations by a lateral shock reducer on a sleeve that circumscribes the housing(s). The method comprises dampening axial and lateral vibrations to the crystal/photomultiplier during a drilling operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing mechanical shock and vibration in a downhole tool includes a frustum-shaped sleeve configured to be disposed between the downhole tool and another downhole component. The frustum-shaped sleeve is made of a mechanical shock absorbing material and includes a central axis, a radially inner surface, and a radially outer surface. The radially inner surface or the radially outer surface of the frustum-shaped sleeve includes a pyramidal frustum-shaped surface with four or more circumferentially adjacent sides. The downhole tool or the downhole component has a pyramidal frustum-shaped surface configured to mate with the pyramidal frustum-shaped surface of the frustum-shaped sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting sensitive electronics in a downhole tool from mechanical shock and vibration. The apparatus includes a frustum-shaped sleeve configured to be disposed between the downhole tool and another downhole component through which a mechanical shock may travel to the downhole tool. The mechanical shocks may result in axial, radial, and/or rotations stress on the downhole tool. The frustum-shaped sleeve is disposed on one part of an interconnection pair made of a mating plug and a mating receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting sensitive electronics in a gamma radiation detector tool configured to be disposed in a borehole. The apparatus comprises a scintillator crystal and a photomultiplier tube disposed in either a single or individual housings. The housing(s) are bordered by springs configured to dampen axial vibrations. The housing(s) may be dampened from lateral vibrations by a lateral shock reducer on a sleeve that circumscribes the housing(s). The method comprises dampening axial and lateral vibrations to the crystal/photomultiplier during a drilling operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically connecting two downhole components configured to be disposed in a borehole. The apparatus includes two complementing tool connectors which each have a corresponding electrical connector. The tool connectors may mate using a bayonet and slot connection. The slot may be L-shaped or l-shaped. The slot may be configured for straight or rotational engagement of the tool connectors. The electrical connectors may mate using concentric contacts that share the same axis. The electrical connectors are configured to rotate without stressing the contacts during assembly, disassembly, and drilling operations. The electrical connectors may support two or more contacts.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting sensitive electronics in a downhole tool from mechanical shock and vibration. The apparatus includes a frustum-shaped sleeve configured to be disposed between the downhole tool and another downhole component through which a mechanical shock may travel to the downhole tool. The mechanical shocks may result in axial, radial, and/or rotations stress on the downhole tool. The frustum-shaped sleeve is disposed on one part of an interconnection pair made of a mating plug and a mating receptacle.

Abstract: Downhole tools, such as MWD modules (or components), may be coupled together with a coupler (or coupling device) having a shall housing with slidable electrical connectors disposed at each end. The electrical connectors may each be supported in connector housings disposed with springs or other movable devices. In a first position, the electrical connectors may extend past the ends of the shaft housing. The slidable connector housings allow the electrical connections to be made before the sleeves connecting (or mechanically connecting) the MWD modules with the coupler are begun to be threadedly attached with the coupler. Each of the connector housings may have a key configuration on their exposed end. The shaft housing may also have key configurations on its ends. The key configurations of the connector housings and the shaft housing may be configured to mate with compatible ends of MWD modules.

Abstract: Downhole tools, such as MWD modules (or components), may be coupled together with a coupler (or coupling device) having a shaft housing with slidable electrical connectors disposed at each end. The electrical connectors may each be supported in connector housings disposed with springs or other movable devices. In a first position, the electrical connectors may extend past the ends of the shaft housing. The slidable connector housings allow the electrical connections to be made before the sleeves connecting (or mechanically connecting) the MWD modules with the coupler are begun to be threadedly attached with the coupler. Each of the connector housings may have a key configuration on their exposed end. The shaft housing may also have key configurations on its ends. The key configurations of the connector housings and the shaft housing may be configured to mate with compatible ends of MWD modules.

Abstract: A downhole tool with diagnostic capability by including one or more electrical circuits to the tool with firmware processors that internally record significant system diagnostic events that can be time correlated with known tool operational problems. The concept includes firmware protocol to enable transfer all of the recorded data to an external software analysis program after the tool is removed from a drilling run.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a downhole measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tool with diagnostic capability by including one or more printed circuit boards to the tool with firmware processors that internally record significant system diagnostic events that can be time correlated with known tool operational problems. The concept includes firmware protocol to enable transfer all of the recorded data to an external software analysis program after the MWD tool is removed from a drilling run.

Abstract: Downhole tools, such as MWD modules (or components), may be coupled together with a coupler (or coupling device) having a shaft housing with slidable electrical connectors disposed at each end. The electrical connectors may each be supported in connector housings disposed with springs or other movable devices. In a first position, the electrical connectors may extend past the ends of the shaft housing. The slidable connector housings allow the electrical connections to be made before the sleeves connecting (or mechanically connecting) the MWD modules with the coupler are begun to be threadedly attached with the coupler. Each of the connector housings may have a key configuration on their exposed end. The shaft housing may also have key configurations on its ends. The key configurations of the connector housings and the shaft housing may be configured to mate with compatible ends of MWD modules.