Downhole tool shock absorber

Abstract

Shock absorbers for downhole tools. The shock absorbers entailing a columnar body having a wall including a plurality of cells, and a retainer adapted to retain the shock absorber on the tool body. The retainer also adapted to transfer an impact force to the shock absorber.

1 . A shock absorber for a downhole tool, comprising: a columnar body having a wall comprising a plurality of cells.  
   
   
       2 . The shock absorber of  claim 1 , wherein the columnar body comprises a hollow core.  
   
   
       3 . The shock absorber of  claim 2 , wherein the columnar body is formed of a material selected from a group consisting of a metal, an alloy, and a composite.  
   
   
       4 . The shock absorber of  claim 2 , wherein the columnar body is made of an aluminum alloy.  
   
   
       5 . The shock absorber of  claim 1 , wherein the columnar body is pre-crushed.  
   
   
       6 . The shock absorber of  claim 1 , wherein the cells contain a sealant material.  
   
   
       7 . The shock absorber of  claim 1 , further comprising means for retaining the columnar body on a downhole tool.  
   
   
       8 . The shock absorber of  claim 7 , wherein the means for retaining the columnar body is adapted to transfer impact loads to the columnar body.  
   
   
       9 . The shock absorber of  claim 7 , wherein the means for retaining the columnar body comprises telescoping parts adapted to accommodate deformation of the columnar body due to impact loads.  
   
   
       10 . The shock absorber of  claim 1 , wherein the wall is made from a laminate of corrugated sheets of material.  
   
   
       11 . The shock absorber of  claim 10 , wherein the material comprises an aluminum alloy.  
   
   
       12 . A downhole tool, comprising: 
 a tool body;    a shock absorber having a columnar body, the columnar body having a wall comprising a plurality of cells; and    a retainer adapted to retain the columnar body on the tool body.    
   
   
       13 . The downhole tool of  claim 12 , wherein the columnar body comprises a hollow core.  
   
   
       14 . The downhole tool of  claim 12 , wherein the columnar body is formed of a material selected from a group consisting of a metal, an alloy, and a composite.  
   
   
       15 . The downhole tool of  claim 12 , wherein the columnar body is made of an aluminum alloy.  
   
   
       16 . The downhole tool of  claim 12 , wherein the cells contain a sealant material.  
   
   
       17 . The downhole tool of  claim 12 , wherein the wall is made from a laminate of corrugated sheets of material.  
   
   
       18 . The downhole tool of  claim 12 , wherein the retainer comprises telescoping parts adapted to accommodate deformation of the columnar body due to impact loads.  
   
   
       19 . The downhole tool of  claim 12 , wherein the shock absorber is disposed on an end of said tool body.  
   
   
       20 . The downhole tool of  claim 19 , wherein the retainer is adapted to transfer impact loads to the columnar body of said shock absorber.  
   
   
       21 . A method of mounting a shock absorber on a downhole tool, comprising: 
 disposing said shock absorber at one end of the body of said downhole tool, said shock absorber having a columnar body with a wall including a plurality of cells; and    retaining said columnar body on the tool body.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the wall of said columnar body is made from a laminate of corrugated sheets of material.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein retaining the columnar body comprises disposing a retainer on the tool body, said retainer adapted to accommodate deformation of the columnar body due to impact loads.