Sliding Joint for Use with a Downhole Tool

Abstract

A mount for use with a downhole tool such as, but not limited to, an electrical submersible pump (“ESP”) gauge, includes a mounting means that does not use a fixed- or spring-connection between it and the outer housing of the sensitive assembly but rather makes use of a sliding joint. One end of the sliding joint is in communication with the sensitive assembly of the downhole tool and the other end of the sliding joint is in communication with another component of the downhole tool. The sliding joint is arranged relative to the sensitive assembly so that a radial movement of the sliding joint is restricted and an axial movement of the sliding joint is permitted. When in use, the sliding joint isolates the sensitive assembly from an axial load, thermal stress, or both axial load and thermal stress.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A mount for use with a downhole tool, the mount comprising:
 a sliding joint configured at one end to be in communication with a sensitive assembly of the downhole tool and configured at the other end to be in communication with a component of the downhole tool;   the sliding joint being configured so that a radial movement of the sliding joint is restricted and an axial movement of the sliding joint is permitted;   the sliding joint when in use isolating the sensitive assembly from an axial load.   
     
     
         2 . A mount according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one adapter, the at least one adapter being configured to receive one end of the sliding joint. 
     
     
         3 . A mount according to  claim 2  further comprising the at least one adapter being a head adapter. 
     
     
         4 . A mount according to  claim 2  further comprising the at least one adapter being a choke adapter. 
     
     
         5 . A mount according to  claim 2  further comprising the at least one adapter having self-aligning means. 
     
     
         6 . A mount according to  claim 5  further comprising the self-aligning means being a lead-in chamfer. 
     
     
         7 . A mount according to  claim 5  further comprising the self-aligning means being a tapered portion. 
     
     
         8 . A mount according to  claim 1  further comprising the sliding joint being housed in an outer housing of the sensitive component. 
     
     
         9 . A mount according to  claim 1  further comprising means to dampen vibration of the sliding joint. 
     
     
         10 . A mount according to  claim 9  wherein the dampening means is an O-ring located on an outside diameter of the sliding joint. 
     
     
         11 . A mount according to  claim 1  wherein the mount is fixed-connection free relative to the outer housing. 
     
     
         12 . A mount according to  claim 1  wherein the mount is spring-connection free relative to the outer housing. 
     
     
         13 . A mount according to  claim 1  wherein the sensitive component is at least one of an electronic component and a choke assembly. 
     
     
         14 . A mount for use with a downhole tool, the mount comprising:
 a sliding joint configured to connect one end of the downhole tool to a sensitive assembly of the downhole tool;   the sliding joint, when connected between the sensitive assembly and another component of the downhole tool, isolating the sensitive assembly from an external load while maintaining a coaxial alignment between the sensitive assembly and the one end of the downhole tool.   
     
     
         15 . A mount according to  claim 14  wherein the mount is fixed-connection free to an outer housing of the sensitive assembly. 
     
     
         16 . A mount according to  claim 14  wherein the mount is spring-connection free to an outer housing of the sensitive assembly 
     
     
         17 . A system for isolating from an axial load one or more sensitive components associated with a downhole tool, the system comprising:
 a mount including a first means for placing one end of the mount in communication with a head or base of the downhole tool and a second means for placing the other end of the mount in communication with a sensitive assembly;   the mount when in use maintaining an alignment between the downhole tool and the sensitive assembly as the mount moves between a first axial position and a second axial position and isolating the one or more sensitive components of the sensitive assembly from an axial load.