Suspension of sensor components in high shock applications

Abstract

A suspension assembly for supporting a shock-sensitive component includes an outer housing and a plurality of radial canted coil springs that surround and support the shock-sensitive component. Each of the plurality of radial canted coil springs is preferably a toroid. The exterior of each of the plurality of radial canted coil springs is in contact with the outer housing and the interior of each of the plurality of canted radial canted coil springs is in contact with the exterior of the shock-sensitive component. The radial canted coil springs dampen mechanical shock and vibration applied in a lateral direction. The suspension assembly optionally includes an axial canted coil spring that dampens mechanical shock in the axial direction. The outer housing may include grooves that locate the radial canted coil springs within the suspension assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A suspension assembly for securing a sensitive component within a shock-resistant housing, the suspension assembly comprising:
 an outer housing that contains the component, wherein the outer housing has an interior surface;   an annulus between the interior surface of the outer housing and the sensitive component; and   one or more radial coiled springs, wherein each of the one or more radial coiled springs comprises a toroidal coiled spring that is positioned within the annulus between the outer housing and the component.   
     
     
         2 . The suspension assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outer housing comprises one or more grooves along the interior surface and wherein each of the one or more radial coiled springs can be secured within a corresponding one of the one or more grooves. 
     
     
         3 . The suspension assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising three radial coiled springs positioned in the annulus between the outer housing and the component, wherein each of the three radial coiled springs is a toroidal and canted coiled spring. 
     
     
         4 . The suspension assembly of  claim 3 , wherein each of the three radial coiled springs further comprises a polymer envelope that at least partially surrounds the radial coiled spring. 
     
     
         5 . The suspension assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the polymer envelope comprises a polytetrafluoroethylene envelope. 
     
     
         6 . The suspension assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cap enclosing a first end of the outer housing; and   an axial coiled spring, wherein the axial coiled spring is captured between the cap and the component.   
     
     
         7 . The suspension assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the axial coiled spring comprises a toroidal and canted coiled spring. 
     
     
         8 . The suspension assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the axial coiled spring further comprises an envelope. 
     
     
         9 . The suspension assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the axial coiled spring further comprises a polymer envelope. 
     
     
         10 . The suspension assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the component is a sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The suspension assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of scintillators and photomultipliers. 
     
     
         12 . A sensor module for measuring a condition in a wellbore, the sensor module comprising:
 a sensor; and   
       a suspension assembly that supports the sensor within the sensor module, wherein the suspension assembly comprises:
 an outer housing that contains the sensor, wherein the outer housing has an interior surface; 
 an annulus between the interior surface of the outer housing and the sensor; and 
 a plurality of radial coiled springs, wherein each of the plurality of radial coiled springs comprises a toroidal coiled spring that is positioned within the annulus between the outer housing and the sensor. 
 
     
     
         13 . The sensor module of  claim 12 , wherein the outer housing comprises a plurality of grooves along the interior surface and wherein each of the plurality of radial coiled springs can be secured within a corresponding one of the plurality of grooves. 
     
     
         14 . The sensor module of  claim 12 , wherein the suspension assembly of further comprises:
 a cap enclosing a first end of the outer housing;   a force distribution plate in contact with the component; and   an axial coiled spring, wherein the axial coiled spring is captured between the cap and the force distribution plate.   
     
     
         15 . The sensor module of  claim 14 , wherein the axial coiled spring comprises a toroidal and canted coiled spring. 
     
     
         16 . A suspension assembly for supporting a shock-sensitive device, the suspension assembly comprising:
 an outer housing; and   a plurality of radial canted coil springs, wherein each of the plurality of radial canted coil springs is a toroid and wherein the exterior of each of the plurality of radial canted coil springs is in contact with the outer housing and the interior of each of the plurality of canted radial canted coil springs is in contact with the exterior of the shock-sensitive device.   
     
     
         17 . The suspension assembly of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of radial canted coil springs further includes a polymer envelope. 
     
     
         18 . The suspension assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the outer housing further comprises a plurality of grooves extending along the interior surface and wherein each of the plurality of canted coil springs is secured within a corresponding one of the plurality of grooves. 
     
     
         19 . The suspension assembly of  claim 16  further comprising:
 a cap enclosing a first end of the outer housing; 
 a force distribution plate in contact with the component; and 
 an axial canted coiled spring, wherein the axial coiled spring is captured between the cap and the force distribution plate. 
 
     
     
         20 . The suspension assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the axial canted coil spring further includes a polymer envelope.