Hydraulic circuit construction in downhole tools

Abstract

A hydraulic circuit construction for use in downhole tools. In a described embodiment, a fluid circuit construction includes first and second layers. At least one fluid-operative component is received in the first layer. A fluid passage is formed on a surface of the second layer. The passage is in fluid communication with the fluid-operative component. The second layer surface is sealingly attached to a surface of the first layer, so that the first layer surface closes off an outer side of the passage.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fluid circuit construction for use in downhole tools, comprising: 
 a first layer having at least one fluid-operative component installed therein; and    a second layer having a fluid passage formed thereon, the first and second layers being sealingly attached to each other, and the fluid-operative component being in fluid communication with the passage.    
     
     
         2 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 1 , wherein multiple fluid-operative components are installed in the first layer.  
     
     
         3 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 2 , wherein the fluid-operative components are in fluid communication with each other via the passage on the second layer.  
     
     
         4 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid passage is formed on an external surface of the second layer.  
     
     
         5 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid passage extends circumferentially on the second layer.  
     
     
         6 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid passage provides fluid communication between multiple radially separated ones of the fluid-operative components in the first layer.  
     
     
         7 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second layers is generally tubular shaped.  
     
     
         8 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second layers is generally planar shaped.  
     
     
         9 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 1 , further comprising a third layer having at least one fluid path formed thereon, the path being in fluid communication with the fluid-operative component.  
     
     
         10 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 9 , wherein the third layer is sealingly attached to the first layer.  
     
     
         11 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 9 , wherein the first layer is positioned between the second and third layers.  
     
     
         12 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second layers are parts of a segment cut from a member of a downhole tool.  
     
     
         13 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 12 , wherein an opening formed through at least one of the first and second layers provides fluid communication between the first and second layers.  
     
     
         14 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 12 , wherein the passage is formed on a surface of the second layer severed from the first layer.  
     
     
         15 . A fluid circuit construction for use in downhole tools, comprising: 
 a first layer having multiple fluid-operative components received therein; and    a second layer having at least one fluid passage formed thereon, the passage being in fluid communication with at least one of the fluid-operative components, and a first surface of the first layer closing off a side of the passage.    
     
     
         16 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 15 , further comprising a third layer having at least one fluid path formed externally thereon, the path being in fluid communication with at least one of the fluid-operative components, and a second surface of the first layer closing off a side of the path.  
     
     
         17 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 16 , wherein the first layer is sealingly attached to each of the second and third layers.  
     
     
         18 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 17 , wherein the first layer is positioned between the second and third layers.  
     
     
         19 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 15 , wherein the first surface is bonded to the second layer.  
     
     
         20 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 15 , wherein the first surface is brazed to the second layer.  
     
     
         21 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 15 , wherein the first surface is welded to the second layer.  
     
     
         22 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 15 , wherein each of the first and second layers is generally tubular shaped.  
     
     
         23 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 15 , wherein each of the first and second layers is generally planar shaped.  
     
     
         24 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 15 , wherein there are multiple fluid-operative components in the first layer, and wherein the fluid-operative components are radially spaced apart.  
     
     
         25 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 24 , wherein the passage is in fluid communication with each of the radially spaced apart fluid-operative components.  
     
     
         26 . A fluid circuit construction for use in downhole tools, comprising: 
 a first layer having a surface; and    a second layer having a fluid passage formed on a surface thereof, the first layer surface and the second layer surface being sealingly attached, so that the first layer surface closes off a side of the passage.    
     
     
         27 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 26 , wherein the first layer surface is bonded to the second layer surface.  
     
     
         28 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 26 , wherein the first layer surface is brazed to the second layer surface.  
     
     
         29 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 26 , wherein the first layer surface is welded to the second layer surface.  
     
     
         30 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 26 , wherein multiple fluid-operative components are installed in the first layer, and wherein the passage provides fluid communication between the fluid-operative components.  
     
     
         31 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 26 , wherein the fluid passage extends circumferentially on the second layer.  
     
     
         32 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 26 , wherein the fluid passage is formed on the second layer without use of holes intersecting in the second layer.  
     
     
         33 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 26 , wherein the fluid passage is formed on the second layer without cross-drilling holes in the second layer.  
     
     
         34 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 26 , wherein the second layer is generally tubular shaped and the fluid passage is formed externally on the second layer, and wherein the first layer outwardly overlies the second layer.  
     
     
         35 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 26 , wherein the second layer is generally tubular shaped and the second layer surface is an internal surface, and wherein the second layer outwardly overlies the first layer.  
     
     
         36 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 26 , wherein the first layer further has at least one fluid-operative component received therein, and the passage is in fluid communication with the fluid-operative component.  
     
     
         37 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 26 , wherein the first and second layers are parts of a segment cut from a member of a downhole tool.  
     
     
         38 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 37 , wherein an opening formed through at least one of the first and second layers provides fluid communication between the first and second layers.  
     
     
         39 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 37 , wherein the second layer surface is severed from the first layer surface.  
     
     
         40 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 26 , wherein the first layer is an end cut from a generally tubular member of a downhole tool.  
     
     
         41 . The fluid circuit construction according to  claim 40 , wherein the passage provides fluid communication between radially separated bores formed in the member.