Improved Downhole Tool Liner

Abstract

A liner insertable into the central bore of a downhole tool includes a resilient material rolled into a substantially cylindrical shape. The outside diameter of the liner is variable to allow the liner to be inserted into a narrowed bore of the downhole tool near the box end or pin end. Once past the narrowed bore, the outside diameter of the liner self-expands within the central bore of the downhole tool. The outside diameter of the liner may expand to contact the inside surface of the central bore. In selected embodiments, a transmission line may be routed between the central bore and the outside diameter of the resilient material. The liner may be effective to protect the transmission line from materials traveling through the central bore.

1 . A liner insertable into the central bore of a downhole tool, the central bore being characterized by a standard diameter along the central portion of the tool, and a narrowed diameter proximate the ends of the tool, the liner comprising: 
 a resilient material rolled into a substantially cylindrical shape and having an outside diameter, wherein:    the outside diameter of the resilient material is variable to allow the resilient material to move through the narrowed diameter of the downhole tool; and    the outside diameter of the resilient material, once past the narrowed diameter, is expandable within the standard diameter of the downhole tool.    
     
     
         2 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein the outside diameter of the resilient material expands to contact the inside surface of the central bore.  
     
     
         3 . The liner of  claim 1 , further comprising a transmission line routed between the central bore and the outside diameter of the resilient material.  
     
     
         4 . The liner of  claim 3 , wherein the resilient material keeps the transmission line in contact with the inside surface of the central bore.  
     
     
         5 . The liner of  claim 3 , wherein the resilient material is effective to protect the transmission line from materials traveling through the central bore.  
     
     
         6 . The liner of  claim 3 , wherein a channel is formed in the resilient material to accommodate the transmission line.  
     
     
         7 . The liner of  claim 6 , wherein the resilient material comprises two mating surfaces that mate to form the cylindrical shape.  
     
     
         8 . The liner of  claim 7 , wherein movement between the mating surfaces is effective to cause a change in diameter of the resilient material.  
     
     
         9 . The liner of  claim 7 , wherein the mating surfaces are sealed together to prevent substances from leaking out of the liner.  
     
     
         10 . The liner of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient material, once expanded, is maintained in place by shoulders within the downhole tool.  
     
     
         11 . A method for lining the central bore of a downhole tool, the central bore having a central portion of a standard diameter, and tool ends of a narrower diameter, the method comprising: 
 rolling a resilient material into a substantially cylindrical shape;    inserting the resilient material into the central bore through at least one tool end into the central portion of the downhole tool; and    expanding, by the resilient material, the outside diameter of the resilient material within the central portion of the central bore.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising expanding, by the resilient material, the outside diameter of the resilient material to contact the inside surface of the central bore.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising routing a transmission line between the central bore and the outside diameter of the resilient material.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising maintaining, by the resilient material, contact between the transmission line and the inside surface of the central bore.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising protecting, by the resilient material, the transmission line from materials traveling through the central bore.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising forming a channel in the resilient material to accommodate the transmission line.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the resilient material comprises two mating surfaces that mate to form the cylindrical shape.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising moving the mating surfaces with respect to one another to change the diameter of the resilient material.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising sealing the mating surfaces to one another to prevent substances from leaking out of the liner.  
     
     
         20 . A method for lining the central bore of a downhole tool, the method comprising: 
 providing a resilient liner formed into a substantially cylindrical shape, the resilient liner having an outside diameter sized to fit within the central bore;    inserting the resilient liner into the central bore; and    expanding, by the resilient material, the outside diameter of the resilient material within the central bore.