Vibration isolator and shock absorber device with conical disc springs

摘要

A vibration isolator and shock absorber system which provides excellent protection to sensors against the deleterious effects of shock and vibration even under severe drilling conditions is presented. The vibration isolator and shock absorber system is enclosed within an outer cage and an inner yoke. The cage is attached to the drill collar which takes the full impact of the shock and vibration due to drilling. The yoke supports the sensor. Conical disc springs (e.g. Belleville springs) or the like are stacked between the yoke and the cage; and are supported by pairs of upper and lower support rings. These rings fit together to compress the springs and to allow for axial displacement as well as providing damping. The pairs of support rings are supported, in turn, between upper and lower elastomeric isolator rings. The upper elastomeric isolator ring is keyed to the yoke and the cage. Fluid is allowed to move through the system via orifices in both the elastomeric isolators and the pairs of support rings. The size of the orifices in the support rings control the amount of damping within the system. The vibration isolator and shock absorber system of the present invention will dampen severe loads in the axial, lateral and torsional directions. The system utilizes the drilling fluid as the damping medium for viscous damping (e.g. forcing fluid through orifices in the support rings).