Fastening Technique in a Downhole Tool

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for implementing sliders 44 in a downhole tool. The tool includes a pad 24 c having a pad base 32 and a pad cover 34 substantially encompassing electronic components in the pad. The pad cover 34 and pad base 32 may be sealed, and sliders 44 may be used to reduce negative effects from relative movements between the pad base 32 and the pad cover 34 . In some embodiments, the sliders 44 may be shaped and positioned to guide relative movements between the pad base 32 and pad cover 34 , and the sliders 44 may reduce stresses on the pad base, pad cover, and/or the electronic components.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A downhole tool comprising:
 one or more pads, wherein each of the one or more pads comprises:
 a pad base; 
 electronic components disposed on the pad base; 
 a pad cover sealed to the pad base, substantially encompassing the electronic components; and 
 one or more sliders positioned between the pad base and the pad cover, wherein the one or more sliders mechanically couple the pad base and pad cover such as to guide movements of the pad cover relative to the pad base along an XY plane of each of the one or more pads. 
   
     
     
         2 . The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sliders comprise a rectangular shape having a length substantially parallel to a length of each of the one or more pads. 
     
     
         3 . The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sliders are configured such that the pad cover moves with respect to the pad base along a length of each of the one or more sliders. 
     
     
         4 . The downhole tool of  claim 1 , comprising one or more inserts between the pad base and the pad cover, wherein each of the one or more inserts mechanically couple the pad base and pad cover by engaging with a respective one of the one or more sliders. 
     
     
         5 . The downhole tool of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more sliders substantially surround one or more of the one or more inserts in the XY plane. 
     
     
         6 . The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sliders are disposed substantially parallel to one or more edges of the pad base and the pad cover. 
     
     
         7 . The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein the pad cover comprises a polymer suitable for maintaining properties in high temperatures. 
     
     
         8 . The downhole tool of  claim 7 , wherein the pad cover comprises PEEK™. 
     
     
         9 . The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sliders comprises a polymer suitable for maintaining properties in high temperatures. 
     
     
         10 . The downhole tool of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more sliders comprises PEEK™. 
     
     
         11 . The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more of the one or more sliders comprise different materials or combinations of materials from others of the one or more sliders. 
     
     
         12 . The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sliders are shaped to be suitable for guiding relative movements between the pad base and the pad cover. 
     
     
         13 . The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sliders are configured to reduce force on the pad base, the pad cover, the electronic components, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The downhole tool of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sliders are configured to reduce effects of relative movement between the pad base and the pad cover.