Equipment Housing for Downhole Measurements

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a housing for equipment that may be employed in obtaining downhole measurement data. In one illustrative embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first component adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole, a second component adapted to be positioned in the subterranean hole, and a detachable housing, at least a portion of which is clamped between the first and second components, the housing having at least one cavity formed therein and at least one device positioned within the at least one cavity.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally related to the field of data acquisition related to oil and gas wells, and, more particularly, to a housing for equipment that may be employed in obtaining downhole measurement data.

2. Description of the Related Art

Oil and gas wells are formed by a rotary drilling process. To that end, a drill bit is mounted on the end of a drill string which may be very long, e.g., several thousand feet. At the surface, a rotary drive mechanism turns the drill string and the attached drill bit at the bottom of the hole. In some cases, a downhole motor may provide the desired rotation to the drill bit. During drilling operations, a drilling fluid (so-called drilling mud) is pumped through the drill string and back up-hole by pumps located on the surface. The purpose of the drilling fluid is to, among other things, remove the earthen cuttings resulting from the drilling process.

The environmental conditions that exist downhole in oil and gas wells can be very important to drilling, production and completion operations. For example, downhole temperatures and pressures as well as fluid viscosities can greatly impact various operations that are involved in creating a productive oil and gas well. More specifically, with respect to drilling operations, there is a growing desire to obtain as much data as possible regarding downhole environmental and operating conditions. Such data may be useful for research purposes, as well as, in some cases, taking actions with respect to drilling a particular well or future wells. Additionally, it may be desirable to provide positional information, e.g., depth, and relative location of a drilling bit, such that a well may be properly drilled to a desired target zone.

While there are existing methodologies for acquiring some forms of downhole data, such methodologies tend to be relatively expensive and difficult to employ. What is desired is a relatively low-cost mechanism and procedure for acquiring downhole measurement data. The provision of such a mechanism would allow its use on a far greater number of wells, thereby providing much more information that may be useful in drilling and completing future oil and gas wells.

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and methods for solving, or at least reducing the effects of, some or all of the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a housing for equipment that may be employed in obtaining downhole measurement data. In one illustrative embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first component adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole, a second component adapted to be positioned in the subterranean hole, and a detachable housing, at least a portion of which is clamped between the first and second components, the housing having at least one cavity formed therein and at least one device positioned within the at least one cavity.

In another illustrative embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first component adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole having an end surface, a second component adapted to be positioned in the subterranean hole having an end surface, the first and second components being threadingly coupled to one another, and a detachable housing, at least a portion of which is positioned between the end surfaces of the first and second components, the housing having at least one cavity formed therein and at least one device positioned within the at least one cavity.

In a further illustrative embodiment, the apparatus comprises a threaded pipe having an end surface, a drill bit having an end surface, the pipe and the drill bit being threadingly coupled to one another, and a detachable housing, at least a portion of which is positioned between the end surfaces of the threaded pipe and the drill bit, the housing having at least one cavity formed therein and at least one device positioned within the at least one cavity.

In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises positioning at least a portion of a detachable housing between an end surface of a first component adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole and an end surface of a second component adapted to be positioned in the subterranean hole, the housing having at least one cavity formed therein and at least one device positioned within the at least one cavity, threadingly coupling the first and second components to one another, thereby securing the housing between the first and second components, positioning the first component, the second component and the housing in a subterranean hole, and acquiring data using the at least one device after the housing is positioned within the subterranean hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are, respectively, a side and a partial cross-sectional view of one illustrative embodiment of a housing for equipment in accordance with the present invention positioned between two components.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative housing in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a side view of one illustrative embodiment of the housing.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional frontal view of a cavity formed in the housing in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts an alternative embodiment wherein the housing may be positioned between two components.

FIG. 4 is yet another alternative embodiment wherein the housing is positioned adjacent an interior surface of two mated components.

FIGS. 5A-5E are plan views of various illustrative configurations of the housing of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-6D are depictions of illustrative embodiments of cavities formed in the housing of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view depicting an alternative embodiment of the housing of the present invention employing an attachment lip that is positioned between two components.

FIG. 8 is a side view of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention wherein an end surface of a first component sealingly engages the housing of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a frontal view of a plurality of indicator lights and a display panel that may be employed with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 depicts an illustrative embodiment wherein a plurality of housings of the present invention may be employed on an illustrative drill string.

FIGS. 11A-11B depict yet another illustrative embodiment wherein a plurality of housings of the present invention may be employed with sections of wired pipe.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, 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

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached figures. The words and phrases used herein should be understood and interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the understanding of those words and phrases by those skilled in the relevant art. No special definition of a term or phrase, i.e., a definition that is different from the ordinary and customary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art, is intended to be implied by consistent usage of the term or phrase herein. To the extent that a term or phrase is intended to have a special meaning, i.e., a meaning other than that understood by skilled artisans, such a special definition will be expressly set forth in the specification in a definitional manner that directly and unequivocally provides the special definition for the term or phrase.

In general, the present invention is directed to a detachable housing that may be positioned between two downhole components that are adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole, e.g., a wellbore. In one illustrative embodiment, the detachable housing may have one or more cavities wherein one or more devices, e.g., sensors and/or electrical components, may be positioned in such cavities. In one very particular embodiment, the housing contains at least one cavity wherein at least one sensor may be positioned for acquiring various forms of downhole data. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the present invention may be employed in connection with acquiring any of a variety of different types of data, and the housing disclosed herein may be positioned between any of a variety of different types of components, e.g., threaded tubulars, a tubular and a drill bit, etc. Thus, the present invention should not be considered as limited to the acquisition of any particular type of data, or as to the positioning of the housing disclosed herein between any particular types of components, unless such limitations are expressly set forth in the appended claims. Nor should the present invention be considered as limited to use with only sensors positioned in the cavities of the housing, as a variety of items or devices may be positioned in the detachable housing.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, a detachable housing 10 in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the present invention is positioned between a first component 12 and a second component 14, each of which is adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole. The first component 12 and second component 14 are coupled to one another by an illustrative threaded connection 16. The centerline 17 of the threaded connection 16 is depicted in FIG. 1B. In the depicted embodiment, the first component 12 is an oilfield tubular, e.g., API pipe, while the second component 14 is an illustrative drill bit. However, as set forth above, the present invention may be positioned between any two downhole components.

In the depicted embodiment, at least a portion of the housing 10 is positioned between an end surface 12a of the first component 12 and an end surface 14a of the second component 14. In some embodiments, one or both of the end surfaces 12a, 14a actually engage the housing 10. In some cases, a sealing interface may be provided between the housing 10 and at least one of the end surfaces 12a, 14a, although such a sealing interface may not be required in all embodiments of the present invention. Simply put, in some embodiments, the housing 10 is simply positioned between the end surfaces 12a, 14a, while in other cases, the end surfaces 12a, 14a engage and clamp the housing 10 in the position depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B. The distance 15 that the housing 10 extends beyond the outer surface 13 of the first component 12 may vary depending upon the particular application.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, one illustrative embodiment of the housing 10 is basically configured as a ring having an inner surface 10i, an outer surface 10o, a top surface 10t and a bottom surface 10b. An illustrative cavity 18 is formed in the housing 10. In this illustrative embodiment, the housing 10 further comprises a cover plate 20 and seal 22 that is used to isolate the cavity 18 from the outside environment. The cover plate 20 is secured in place through use of a plurality of fasteners 24, e.g., screws. In some cases, the cavity 18 may simply be a threaded opening and a threaded plug may act as the cover for the cavity 18. In some applications, the housing 10 may be configured to have one or more devices positioned within the cavity 18. For example, any of a variety of sensors and/or various electrical items, e.g., a battery, a transmitter, may be positioned within the cavity 18. In the illustrative example where the housing 10 of the present invention is employed to obtain various forms of downhole data, the housing 10 may further comprise a passageway 32 (see FIG. 2A) to allow sensing of downhole environmental conditions that exist outside of the housing 10, e.g., downhole pressure. However, the passageway 32 is not required in all embodiments of the present invention.

The size, shape and configuration of the housing 10 may vary depending upon the particular application. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2C, the housing 10 is essentially a ring having a radial width 26 and a thickness 28. The width 26 and thickness 28 may vary depending upon the particular application. In general, the radial width 26 will be at least approximately one inch, and may be as wide as can be accommodated by the particular application. Similarly, in one illustrative embodiment, the thickness 28 may be approximately 1.5 inches or thicker. The size, shape and configuration of the cavity 18 may also vary. In the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C, the cavity 18 is essentially a rectangular compartment. Of course, other configurations are possible, e.g., a cylindrical shaped cavity.

As indicated previously, the present invention may be employed in a variety of different applications. In one illustrative example, the housing 10 may have at least one device, e.g., at least one sensor and/or at least one item of electrical equipment, positioned in the cavity 18. Thus, as depicted in FIG. 2C, a plurality of devices 29 are shown positioned within the cavity 18. More specifically, in the depicted embodiment, the devices 29 comprise sensors 30 and a plurality of electrical components 31 that are mounted on a surface 18a of the cavity 18. It should be understood that the depicted sensors 30 and electrical components 31 are schematic and illustrative in nature. Moreover, in some cases, some of the devices employed in obtaining downhole data, e.g., one or more sensors, may be mounted in or on another structure, e.g., a drill bit, and the cavity 18 may contain only various electrical components. In other cases, only sensors are mounted within the cavity 18 and the electrical components are positioned elsewhere, e.g., a downhole sub.

The manner in which such devices, e.g., sensors 30 and/or electrical components 31, are coupled together so as to obtain the desired data are well known to those skilled in the art and thus will not be described in any greater detail herein. The sensors 30 and the electrical components 31 may be mounted to the surface 18a by a variety of known techniques, e.g., gluing, use of a potting compound, etc. Moreover, although only the surface 18a is depicted as having the sensors 30 and the electrical components 31 mounted thereon, such items may be mounted on any or all of the surfaces of the cavity 18 depending upon the particular application. Thus, the present invention should not be considered as limited to any particular type of sensor 30 or electrical component 31 or how such items are mounted within the cavity 18 of the housing 10 of the present invention.

In general, in one illustrative embodiment, the present invention may be used to facilitate the acquisition of data regarding any of a variety of different types of downhole data or information, including, for example, formation type, well temperature, well pressure, drill bit accelerations, velocities and displacements, drill bit inclination and azimuth, drill bit axial load and rotational torque, drill bit rotary speed and rate of penetration, etc. The present invention may also be employed to acquire ring compression data that may be indicative of successful make-up. Strain gauges may be employed in such an illustrative application. The present invention may also be employed to acquire data relating to drill pipe accelerations as well as data relating to the dynamic behavior of any bottom hole assembly (BHA).

Examples of sensing devices that may be positioned within the cavity 18 include any of a variety of different types of mechanical and/or electrical sensors, e.g., thermometers, gyroscopes, strain gauges, accelerometers, barometers, pressure sensors, hall effect switches, etc. Examples of electrical components that may be positioned within the cavity 18 include, but are not limited to, a battery, a microprocessor, a memory unit or chip, a circuit board, a communications port, and/or an analog-to-digital converter, etc. If desired or necessary, a plurality of such components may be positioned within the cavity 18, e.g., multiple batteries. The sensors 30 and electrical components 31 may be coupled together in any of a variety of known techniques.

FIG. 3 depicts an alternative arrangement wherein at least a portion of the housing 10 of the present invention is positioned between the first component 12 and the second component 14. In FIG. 3, the second component 14 is provided with a stepped profile comprised of an end surface 14a, a side surface 14b, and an end surface 14c. In this embodiment, the end surface 12a of the first component 12 engages the surface 14c of the second component 14 while still maintaining the housing 10 of the present invention between the end surface 12a of the first component 12 and the end surface 14a of the second component 14.

FIG. 4 is yet another alternative configuration of the present invention wherein the housing 10 is mounted adjacent the interior surfaces 19 of the first component 12 and the second component 14. More specifically, the illustrative housing 10 depicted therein is positioned between an end surface 12b of the first component 12 and an end surface 14d of the second component 14 that are formed on the interior side of the threaded connection 16. Thus, the present invention should not be considered as limited to any particular location of the housing 10 relative to the first and second components 12, 14 unless such limitations are expressly set forth in the appended claims.

As indicated previously, the size, shape and configuration of the housing 10 of the present invention may vary depending upon the particular application. FIGS. 5A-5E are plan views depicting various illustrative configurations of the housing 10 of the present invention. FIG. 5A depicts the illustrative example where the housing 10 is essentially configured as a ring. In some cases, if a pure ring configuration were employed for the housing 10, it may tend to block or restrict fluid flow around the ring. For example, in the application where the housing 10 is placed above a drill bit, circulating mud returning to the surface in the annulus defined between the drill pipe and the wellbore circulates past the housing 10. In such an application, it may be desirable to have as little of the housing 10 positioned in the flow path of the returning fluid as possible. To that end, the housing 10 of the present invention may be provided with one or more blades or projections 36 in a variety of different configurations that tend to reduce the amount of the housing 10 in any particular flow path. For example, FIGS. 5B, 5C, 5D and 5E present illustrative embodiments wherein the housing 10 has, respectively, one, two, three, and four projections 36. Of course, the size, shape and configuration of the projections 36 may vary depending upon the application. Moreover, the cavity 18 may be formed in the projections 36 or in other areas of the housing 10 where the projections 36 do not exist. In some cases, a cavity 18 may be formed in each of the projections 36, although that is not required in all embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6C depict illustrative examples of the positioning of a cavity 18 in the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 6A, a cavity 18 is formed in a projection 36 that is part of the housing 10. In FIG. 6B, the cavity 18 is formed such that it opens onto the interior surface 10i of the housing 10. In FIG. 6C, the cavity 18 is formed such that it opens onto the top surface 10t of the housing 10. For purposes of clarity, the cover plate 20 is not depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6C. In further embodiments, one of the end surfaces, e.g., 12a, 14a, can engage the housing 10 and cover the cavity 18, thereby eliminating the need for the cover plate 20. FIG. 6D depicts yet another illustrative embodiment of the housing 10 wherein a plurality of cavities 18 are formed in the housing 10 and the cavities are connected to one another with internal passageways 37. In this illustrative embodiment, the devices, e.g., electrical components 31 and/or sensors 30, positioned in the various cavities 18 may be coupled to one another via wires positioned in the passageways 37. Of course, all of the cavities 18 may not need to be interconnected together by the passageways 37. Thus, the present invention should not be considered as limited to the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIG. 6D unless such limitations are expressly set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 7 depicts yet another alternative embodiment of the housing 10 of the present invention. As shown therein, the housing 10 has an attachment lip 38. The attachment lip 38 is positioned between the end surface 12a of the first component 12 and the end surface 14 of the second component 14. In one illustrative embodiment, the attachment lip 38 may have a radial width of approximately 0.5 inches and a thickness of approximately 0.25 inches.

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of the present invention wherein the end surface 12a of the first component 12 is sealingly engaged with the top surface 10t of the housing 10. In this configuration, additional sealing, e.g., an O-ring, may or may not be required depending on the particular application. In other cases, an O-ring or other like seal may be positioned around the cavity 18 and a seal established between the O-ring and the end surface 12a of the first component 12. In the latter case, there may not be a metal-to-metal seal created between the end surface 12a and the top surface 10t of the housing 10.

The housing 10 may also be provided with one or more indicator lights and/or display panels for various purposes. By way of example only, FIG. 9 schematically depicts an illustrative embodiment of the housing 10 with a plurality of indicator lights 40 and a display panel 42 positioned thereon. Such components may be positioned such that they may be viewed by an operator looking at the outside of the housing 10 or they may be positioned within one or more of the cavities 18 formed in the housing 10. In one illustrative embodiment, the indicator lights 40 and the display panel 42 may be viewed from the outside, such as when the housing 10 is retrieved from downhole.

In the case where the present invention is employed to obtain downhole data, the indicator lights 40 and/or display panel 42 may be employed in a variety of different contexts. For example, a control logic may be established such that an indicator light is “on” only when a sensed parameter, e.g., temperature, pressure, torque, etc., exceeds a preselected allowable limit or range, i.e., the indicator light can indicate an out-of-tolerance or problem condition. Alternatively, the control logic may be established such that the indicator light is always “on” and only goes off when an out-of-tolerance condition is sensed. Colored indicator lights may also be employed with the present invention, e.g., red and green lights, wherein the red light indicated an out-of-tolerance condition and the green light indicated a within-tolerance condition. The use of such indicator lights may be very useful. For example, through use of the indicator lights 40, an out-of-tolerance event may be quickly identified as soon as the housing 10 is removed from the borehole. In that case, analysis of the data acquired by the devices in the housing 10, e.g., sensors, may be given a very high priority as an out-of-tolerance condition is indicated. Absent the use of such good/bad indicator lights, the analysis of the acquired data may be delayed. Such delays may be very problematic in many situations if corrective actions are delayed. Such indicator lights may be employed for any or all sensed variables depending upon the particular application. The indicator lights 40 may be LED devices that are commonly found in the industry. The lights 40 may be electrically coupled to the equipment, e.g., electrical components 31 and/or sensors 30 positioned in the cavities 18 in the housing 10. The lights 40 may be actuated by known circuitry positioned within the cavities 18. The control logic used to actuate the lights 40 may be embedded in various circuits formed on the electrical components 31 positioned within the cavities 18, e.g., a microprocessor, a programmable logic device, etc.

As indicated in FIG. 9, the housing 10 may also be provided with one or more display panels 42. The display panel 42 may be, for example, an LED display panel. The panel 42 may provide information with respect to one or more variables. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the display panel displays the highest temperature sensed during the downhole operation. Of course, the display panel 42 could also indicate other variables, such as maximum downhole pressure, maximum or average torque values, etc. As with the indicator lights 40, the display panel 42 may be coupled to one or more electrical components 31 and/or sensors 30 positioned in the cavities 18 formed in the housing 10.

In some cases, employment of the housing 10 will require that there be sufficient standoff 21 (see FIG. 1B) between the components 12, 14 to allow the housing 10 to be positioned therein. For example, with respect to FIG. 1B, there must be sufficient distance between the end surfaces 12a and 14a to accommodate the positioning of the housing 10 therebetween. To that end, modifications may be made to standard components, e.g., drill pipes and drill bits, with the expectation that a housing 10 in accordance with the present invention may be employed with some or all of those components. However, the housing 10 of the present invention may not be employed in all such situations. Thus, in those situations, a spacer that is equivalent in size to the housing 10 may be positioned between the first and second components 12, 14 such that the mechanical integrity of the connection between the first and second components is maintained. Such a spacer element may not have a cavity 18 formed therein.

In operation, the housing 10 of the present invention is positioned between the first and second components 12, 14 before the components are mated together. In one embodiment, completing the threaded connection 16 clamps the housing 10 between the surfaces of the components 12, 14, e.g., the housing 10 is clamped between the end surfaces 12a and 14a depicted in FIG. 1. Thereafter, in the illustrative embodiment where one or more sensors 30 and/or electrical components 31 are positioned within the cavities 18, the components 12, 14 and the housing 10 are positioned downhole and data is acquired regarding, for example, various downhole environmental conditions or positional information. In one illustrative embodiment, this data is stored in a memory unit or chip positioned within the cavity 18. After sufficient data has been acquired, the housing 10 is brought uphole and the information regarding the acquired data is downloaded and used for any of a variety of research, development or production reasons. In some embodiments, the downloading of the acquired information may be accomplished by an electrical connection or by wireless interrogation using a radio or infrared device.

In some cases, the housing 10 of the present invention may be employed wherein the data obtained by the sensor(s) positioned within the cavity 18 is sent to the surface on a real-time, or near real-time, basis. To that end, a communication link between the surface and the sensors 30 and/or electrical components 31 within the cavity 18 is provided and data is transmitted to the surface on a real-time or near real-time basis.

FIG. 10 depicts another illustrative embodiment of the present invention. As indicated in FIG. 10, a plurality of detachable housings 10 of the present invention may be positioned at various spaced-apart locations along a drill string 50 having an illustrative drill bit 14 positioned at the end thereof. In this illustrative embodiment, the drill string 50 is comprised of many sections of standard unwired pipe. In this illustrative embodiment, data may be sensed by various sensors (not shown in FIG. 10) positioned proximate the drill bit and/or in one or more cavities 18 formed in the housing 10 proximate the drill bit 14. The housing 10 proximate the drill bit 14 also contains a schematically depicted wireless transmitter 52 for transmitting data regarding the information or parameters sensed downhole. Each of the other housings 10 contain a transmitter 52 and a schematically depicted receiver 54 that is adapted to receive wireless transmissions from the transmitter 52 in an adjacent housing 10. In some cases, the housing 10 proximate the drill bit 14 may also have a wireless receiver 54. Thus, in this embodiment, the spaced-apart housings 10 may be used as relay stations to wirelessly transmit data acquired downhole to a surface location 56. In this manner, the data acquired downhole may be sent to the surface on a real-time or near-real-time basis. The control circuitry and power source for the transmitter 52 and receiver 54 may be contained in the cavities 18 formed in the various housings 10. The plurality of housings 10 may be spaced apart any desired distance that is consistent with reliable receipt and transmission of wireless data. That is, there may be multiple sections of pipe positioned between adjacent housings 10.

FIGS. 11A-11B depict yet another illustrative embodiment of the present invention. As shown therein, a drill string 60 is comprised of multiple sections of wired pipe 62 and a downhole device 64 positioned between sections of wired pipe 62. Also depicted in FIGS. 11A-11B are a plurality of housings 10′ of the present invention. Data wires 66 are schematically depicted in the wired pipe sections 62. As is known to those skilled in the art, data may be transmitted along the data wires 66 embedded within the wired pipe 62. To that end, the lengths of wired pipe 62 may be provided with an inductive coil 69 on both ends of each section of wired pipe 62 such that data may be transmitted from one section of pipe to another after the sections are joined together. According to this aspect of the present invention, an inductive coil 68 is formed in at least one end of the housing 10′. Each of the housings 10′ may further comprise a wireless transmitter 52 and a wireless receiver 54 as discussed above with reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11A, the housings 10′ are used to wirelessly transmit data from one section of wired pipe 62 to another spaced-apart section of wired pipe 62. In the depicted embodiment, the downhole device 64 is not wired, and may not be capable of being wired, e.g., a stabilizer. However, according to this aspect of the present invention, the transmitter and receiver in each of the housings 10′ may be used to bypass the unwired downhole device or assembly.

In general, the present invention is directed to a housing for equipment that may be employed in obtaining downhole measurement data. In one illustrative embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein comprises a first component adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole, a second component adapted to be positioned in the subterranean hole, and a detachable housing, at least a portion of which is clamped between the first and second components, the housing having at least one cavity formed therein and at least one device positioned within the at least one cavity.

In another illustrative embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first component adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole having an end surface, a second component adapted to be positioned in the subterranean hole having an end surface, the first and second components being threadingly coupled to one another, and a detachable housing, at least a portion of which is positioned between the end surfaces of the first and second components, the housing having at least one cavity formed therein and at least one device positioned within the at least one cavity.

In a further illustrative embodiment, the apparatus comprises a threaded pipe having an end surface, a drill bit having an end surface, the pipe and the drill bit being threadingly coupled to one another, and a detachable housing, at least a portion of which is positioned between the end surfaces of the threaded pipe and the drill bit, the housing having at least one cavity formed therein and at least one device positioned within the at least one cavity.

In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises positioning at least a portion of a detachable housing between an end surface of a first component adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole and an end surface of a second component adapted to be positioned in the subterranean hole, the housing having at least one cavity formed therein and at least one device positioned within the at least one cavity, threadingly coupling the first and second components to one another, thereby securing the housing between the first and second components, positioning the first component, the second component and the housing in a subterranean hole, and acquiring data using the at least one device after the housing is positioned within the subterranean hole.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. For example, the process steps set forth above may be performed in a different order. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a first component adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole;

a second component adapted to be positioned in said subterranean hole;

a detachable housing, at least a portion of which is clamped between said first and second components, said housing having at least one cavity formed therein; and

at least one device positioned within said at least one cavity.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one device is comprised of a sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one device is comprised of an electrical component.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one device is comprised of at least one sensor and at least one electrical component.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second components are threadingly coupled to one another.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first component comprises at least one of a threaded pipe and a drill bit.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second component comprises at least one of a threaded pipe and a drill bit.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second components are sections of pipe.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an end surface of said first component and an end surface of said second component engage said housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing has a plurality of cavities formed therein.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one sensor is positioned in each of said plurality of cavities.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one electrical component is positioned in each of said cavities.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one sensor and at least one electrical component is positioned in each of said plurality of cavities.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing is positioned adjacent an exterior surface of said first component.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing is positioned adjacent an interior surface of said first component.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one cavity has at least one of a generally cylindrical configuration and a generally rectangular configuration.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cover plate positioned over said at least one cavity.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one passageway extending from said at least one cavity to an external surface of said housing.

19. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising an internal passageway formed in said housing that connects at least two of said plurality of cavities to one another.

20. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said at least one sensor is comprised of at least one of a thermometer, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a strain gauge, a barometer, a pressure sensor and a hall effect switch.

21. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said at least one electrical component comprises at least one of a battery, a microprocessor, a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a circuit board, an analog-to-digital converter, a communications port and a memory chip.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises an attachment lip that is clamped between said first and second components.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing is configured as a ring.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises at least one projection, a cavity formed in said at least one projection, and at least one device positioned in said cavity formed in said projection.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises a plurality of projections, each of said projections having a cavity formed therein, and at least one device positioned in each of said cavities.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an end surface of at least one of said first and second components is positioned over said at least one cavity and is sealingly engaged with a surface of said housing.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one indicator light coupled to said housing.

28. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one display panel coupled to said housing.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said at least one indicator light is coupled to an exterior surface of said housing.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said at least one display panel is coupled to an exterior surface of said housing.

31. An apparatus, comprising:

a first component adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole;

a second component adapted to be positioned in said subterranean hole, the first and second components being threadingly coupled to one another;

a detachable housing, at least a portion of which is positioned between said first and second components, said housing having at least one cavity formed therein; and

at least one device positioned within said at least one cavity.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said at least one device is comprised of a sensor.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said at least one device is comprised of an electrical component.

34. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said at least one device is comprised of at least one sensor and at least one electrical component.

35. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said first component comprises at least one of a threaded pipe and a drill bit.

36. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said second component comprises at least one of a threaded pipe and a drill bit.

37. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said first and second components are sections of pipe.

38. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein an end surface of said first component and an end surface of said second component engage said housing.

39. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said housing has a plurality of cavities formed therein.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein at least one sensor is positioned in each of said plurality of cavities.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein at least one electrical component is positioned in each of said cavities.

42. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein at least one sensor and at least one electrical component is positioned in each of said plurality of cavities.

43. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said housing is positioned adjacent an exterior surface of said first component.

44. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said housing is positioned adjacent an interior surface of said first component.

45. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said at least one cavity has at least one of a generally cylindrical configuration and a generally rectangular configuration.

46. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising a cover plate positioned over said at least one cavity.

47. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising at least one passageway extending from said at least one cavity to an external surface of said housing.

48. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising an internal passageway formed in said housing that connects at least two of said plurality of cavities to one another.

49. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said at least one sensor is comprised of at least one of a thermometer, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a strain gauge, a barometer, a pressure sensor and a hall effect switch.

50. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said at least one electrical component comprises at least one of a battery, a microprocessor, a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a circuit board, an analog-to-digital converter, a communications port and a memory chip.

51. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said housing comprises an attachment lip that is clamped between said first and second components.

52. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said housing is configured as a ring.

53. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said housing further comprises at least one projection, a cavity formed in said at least one projection, and at least one device positioned in said cavity formed in said projection.

54. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said housing further comprises a plurality of projections, each of said projections having a cavity formed therein, and at least one device positioned in each of said cavities.

55. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein an end surface of at least one of said first and second components is positioned over said at least one cavity and is sealingly engaged with a surface of said housing.

56. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising at least one indicator light coupled to said housing.

57. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising at least one display panel coupled to said housing.

58. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein said at least one indicator light is coupled to an exterior surface of said housing.

59. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein said at least one display panel is coupled to an exterior surface of said housing.

60. An apparatus, comprising:

a length of pipe;

a drill bit, the length of pipe and the drill bit being threadingly coupled to one another;

a detachable housing, at least a portion of which is positioned between said length of pipe and said drill bit, said housing having at least one cavity formed therein; and

at least one device positioned within said at least one cavity.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said at least one device is comprised of a sensor.

62. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said at least one device is comprised of an electrical component.

63. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said at least one device is comprised of at least one sensor and at least one electrical component.

64. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein an end surface of said length of pipe and an end surface of said drill bit engage said housing.

65. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said housing has a plurality of cavities formed therein.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein at least one sensor is positioned in each of said plurality of cavities.

67. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein at least one electrical component is positioned in each of said cavities.

68. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein at least one sensor and at least one electrical component is positioned in each of said plurality of cavities.

69. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said housing is positioned adjacent an exterior surface of said length of pipe.

70. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said housing is positioned adjacent an interior surface of said length of pipe.

71. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said at least one cavity has at least one of a generally cylindrical configuration and a generally rectangular configuration.

72. The apparatus of claim 60, further comprising a cover plate positioned over said at least one cavity.

73. The apparatus of claim 60, further comprising at least one passageway extending from said at least one cavity to an external surface of said housing.

74. The apparatus of claim 65, further comprising an internal passageway formed in said housing that connects at least two of said plurality of cavities to one another.

75. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein said at least one sensor is comprised of at least one of a thermometer, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a strain gauge, a barometer, a pressure sensor and a hall effect switch.

76. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein said at least one electrical component comprises at least one of a battery, a microprocessor, a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a circuit board, an analog-to-digital converter, a communications port and a memory chip.

77. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said housing comprises an attachment lip that is clamped between said length of pipe and said drill bit.

78. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said housing is configured as a ring.

79. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said housing further comprises at least one projection, a cavity formed in said at least one projection, and at least one device positioned in said cavity formed in said projection.

80. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said housing further comprises a plurality of projections, each of said projections having a cavity formed therein, and at least one device positioned in each of said cavities.

81. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein an end surface of said length of pipe is positioned over said at least one cavity and is sealingly engaged with a surface of said housing.

82. The apparatus of claim 60, further comprising at least one indicator light coupled to said housing.

83. The apparatus of claim 60, further comprising at least one display panel coupled to said housing.

84. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein said at least one indicator light is coupled to an exterior surface of said housing.

85. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein said at least one display panel is coupled to an exterior surface of said housing.

86. A method, comprising:

positioning at least a portion of a detachable housing between an end surface of a first component adapted to be positioned in a subterranean hole and an end surface of a second component adapted to be positioned in said subterranean hole, the housing having at least one cavity formed therein and at least one device positioned within said at least one cavity;

threadingly coupling said first and second components to one another, thereby securing said housing between said first and second components;

positioning said first component, said second component and said housing in said subterranean hole; and

acquiring data using said at least one device after said housing is positioned within said subterranean hole.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein said at least one device is comprised of a sensor.

88. The method of claim 86, wherein said at least one device is comprised of an electrical component.

89. The method of claim 86, wherein said at least one device is comprised of at least one sensor and at least one electrical component.

90. The method of claim 86, wherein said first and second components are threadingly coupled to one another.

91. The method of claim 86, wherein said first component comprises at least one of a threaded pipe and a drill bit.

92. The method of claim 86, wherein said second component comprises at least one of a threaded pipe and a drill bit.

93. The method of claim 86, wherein said first and second components are sections of pipe.

94. The method of claim 86, wherein an end surface of said first component and an end surface of said second component engage said housing.

95. The method of claim 86, wherein said housing has a plurality of cavities formed therein.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein at least one sensor is positioned in each of said plurality of cavities.

97. The method of claim 95, wherein at least one electrical component is positioned in each of said cavities.

98. The method of claim 95, wherein at least one sensor and at least one electrical component is positioned in each of said plurality of cavities.

99. The method of claim 86, wherein said at least one cavity has at least one of a generally cylindrical configuration and a generally rectangular configuration.

100. The method of claim 95, wherein said housing further comprises an internal passageway formed in said housing that connects at least two of said plurality of cavities to one another.

101. The method of claim 86, wherein said at least one sensor is comprised of at least one of a thermometer, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a strain gauge, a barometer, a pressure sensor and a hall effect switch.

102. The method of claim 87, wherein said at least one electrical component comprises at least one of a battery, a microprocessor, a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a circuit board, an analog-to-digital converter, a communications port and a memory chip.

103. The method of claim 85, further comprising at least one indicator light coupled to said housing.

104. The method of claim 85, further comprising at least one display panel coupled to said housing.

105. The method of claim 103, wherein said at least one indicator light is coupled to an exterior surface of said housing.

106. The method of claim 104, wherein said at least one display panel is coupled to an exterior surface of said housing.