Method for packaging components, assemblies and modules in downhole tools

Abstract

The apparatus may include a tool conveyed by a conveyance device. The tool has a body with a load bearing section, an outer surface defined by a diameter, a rotational axis, and a channel in the body extending from an opening at the outer surface. At least a part of the channel is inclined relative to the rotational axis of the body at the axial location of the opening in the body. The apparatus also includes at least one functional element disposed in the channel; and a conduit operatively connected to the at least one functional element transferring at least one of: (i) energy, (ii) a signal, (iii) a fluid, (iv) and formation material. Alternatively, the apparatus includes at least one self-contained functional element disposed in the channel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use in a borehole, comprising:
 a conveyance device;   a tool conveyed by the conveyance device, the tool having a body with a load bearing section, an outer surface defined by a diameter, a rotational axis, and a channel in the body extending from an opening at the outer surface, wherein at least a part of the channel is inclined relative to the rotational axis of the body at the axial location of the opening in the body;   at least one functional element disposed in the channel; and   a conduit operatively connected to the at least one functional element transferring at least one of: (i) energy, (ii) a signal, (iii) a fluid, (iv) and formation material.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the channel has at least one of: (i) a linear segment, (ii) a curved segment, (iii) two segments having different geometries, (iv) and a contoured segment. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a flow bore and the conveyance device is a drill string. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the conveyance device is a non-rigid carrier selected from one of: (i) wireline, (ii) slick-line, (iii) and e-line. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the functional element is energized by one of: (i) electrical power, (ii) pressurized fluid, and (iii) mechanical power. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the functional element comprising at least one of: an electronic device, an optic device, a sensor, a hydraulic device, an actuator, a valve, a vessel for material sampled downhole, a battery, and an energy emitting source. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the functional element is sized to be insertable and retrievable via the opening. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the channel extends from the opening at the outer surface of the body through the body to a second opening at the outer surface of the body. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the channel and the functional element have longitudinal axes, the longitudinal axes are not parallel along the whole length of the functional element when the functional element is in the channel, the functional element is in contact with the body, the contact generates a pre-stress on the functional element. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for use in a borehole, comprising:
 a conveyance device;   a tool conveyed by the conveyance device, the tool having a body with a load bearing section, an outer surface defined by a diameter, a rotational axis, and a channel in the body extending from an opening at the outer surface, wherein at least a part of the channel is inclined relative to the rotational axis of the body at the axial location of the opening in the body; and   at least one self-contained functional element disposed in the channel.   
     
     
         11 . A method for using a tool adapted for a borehole, comprising:
 positioning the tool on a conveyance device, the tool having a body with a load bearing section and an outer surface, the body having a rotational axis, a channel in the body extending from an opening at the outer surface, at least a part of the channel is inclined relative to the rotational axis of the body at the axial location at the opening in the body;   disposing at least one functional element in the channel;   operatively connecting a conduit to the at least one functional element;   
       transferring at least one of: (i) energy, (ii) a signal, (iii) a fluid, (iv) and formation material to the functional element; and
 conveying the tool into the borehole using the conveyance device. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the bore has at least one of: (i) a linear segment, (ii) a curved segment, (iii) two different geometries, (iv) and a contoured segment. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the body includes a central flow bore and the conveyance device is a drill string, and further comprising flowing a drilling fluid through the drill string. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the conveyance device is a non-rigid carrier selected from one of: (i) wireline, (ii) slick-line, (iii) and e-line. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising activating the functional element by one of (i) electrical power, (ii) pressurized fluid, and (iii) mechanical power. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising manipulating the functional element by one of: (i) inserting the functional element via the opening, and (ii) retrieving the functional element via the opening. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising replacing the functional element with a second functional element via the opening. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising servicing the functional element via the opening. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein servicing comprises one of: (i) calibrating the functional element; and (ii) testing the functional element.