Acoustic device deployment system

Abstract

An acoustic device deployment system including an acoustic device, a pad disposed upon the acoustic device, a device displacer operatively connected to the acoustic device that during use causes the device to move radially outwardly into contact with another structure.

1 . An acoustic device deployment system comprising:
 an acoustic device;
 a pad disposed upon the acoustic device and between the device and another structure into which the pad is to come in contact; 
 a device displacer operatively connected to the acoustic device that during use causes the device to move radially outwardly into contact with the another structure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the pad is a conformable material. 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the material is elastomeric. 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the material is soft metal. 
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the displacer is a piston. 
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the piston is hydraulically actuated. 
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the displacer includes an atmospheric chamber acting on the piston. 
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the displacer is mechanically operated. 
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the displacer is an extension of the device disposed in a recess of a mandrel disposed radially inwardly of the device. 
     
     
         10 . The system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein a ramp is disposed on at least one of the extension and the mandrel. 
     
     
         11 . The system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein shifting of the mandrel causes radial displacement of the device. 
     
     
         12 . A method for acoustically coupling to a casing comprising:
 radially displacing an acoustic device having a pad thereon, the pad positioned between the device and the casing; and   deforming the pad to displace incidental air gaps between the device and the casing.   
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the displacing is by forcing the acoustic device up a ramp with a piston. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the displacing is by forcing the device up a ramp by shifting a mandrel relative to the acoustic device. 
     
     
         15 . A method for acoustically communicating in a wellbore radially through a tubular member comprising:
 radially displacing an acoustic device having a pad thereon, the pad positioned between the device and the tubular member;   contacting a surface of the tubular member with the pad; and   deforming the pad to displace incidental air gaps between the device and the tubular member.   
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15  further comprising:
 coupling acoustic energy from the device to the tubular member. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16  further including transmitting the acoustic energy through the tubular member. 
     
     
         18 . A wellbore system comprising:
 a borehole;   a tubular member in the borehole; and   an acoustic device deployment system as claimed in  claim 1  disposed within the tubular member.