Molded composite inner liner for metallic sleeves

Abstract

Logging downhole exposes components of logging tools, for example, antennas to abrasive and erosive operating conditions. A protective sleeve may disposed about an antenna assembly to protect the antenna assembly for the downhole operating conditions. To permit transmission and receipt of signals by and too the antenna assembly, slots are formed or disposed in the protective sleeve. A non-conductive composite insert is formed in the slots to protect the internal components of the protective sleeve, for example, the antenna assembly, from the operation conditions. A non-conductive composite inner liner is formed in an annulus of the protective sleeve and adheres to the protective sleeve and the non-conductive composite insert. The non-conductive component insert and inner liner allow signals to be transmitted and received by the antenna assembly so that logging operations can be completed without undue delay and the expense of repairing or replacing worn or damaged components.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sleeve assembly, comprising:
 an outer sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve comprises an annulus;   a slot disposed in the outer sleeve; and   a non-conductive insert formed in the slot, wherein the non-conductive insert comprises a first composite material that seals the slot.   
     
     
         2 . The sleeve assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an antenna disposed in the annulus of the outer sleeve and at least partially aligned with the slot. 
     
     
         3 . The sleeve assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a non-conductive inner liner formed in the annulus of the outer sleeve that adheres to the outer sleeve, wherein the non-conductive inner liner comprises a second composite material. 
     
     
         4 . The sleeve assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the non-conductive inner liner is a sleeve that is circumferentially formed in the annulus. 
     
     
         5 . The sleeve assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the non-conductive inner liner comprises a flange that adheres to the non-conductive insert. 
     
     
         6 . The sleeve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the slot comprises a beveled edge. 
     
     
         7 . The sleeve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the slot comprise a plurality of slots disposed circumferentially about the outer sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . A method of assembling a sleeve assembly, comprising:
 disposing a slot in an outer sleeve;   forming a non-conductive insert in the outer sleeve, wherein the non-conductive insert comprises a first composite material; and   sealing the slot with the non-conductive insert.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising disposing an antenna assembly within an annulus of the outer sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein disposing the antenna assembly comprises aligning, at least partially, an antenna of the antenna assembly with the slot. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising disposing a non-conductive inner liner in the annulus of the outer sleeve such that the non-conductive inner liner adheres to the outer sleeve, wherein the non-conductive inner liner comprises a second composite material. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein disposing the non-conductive inner liner in the annulus comprises forming a flange that adheres to the non-conductive insert and the outer sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein disposing the non-conductive inner liner in the annulus comprises forming a sleeve circumferentially about the annulus such that the sleeve adheres to the outer sleeve and the non-conductive insert. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein disposing the slot comprises forming a plurality of slots circumferentially about the outer sleeve. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein disposing the slot comprises forming a beveled edged slot in the outer sleeve. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein disposing the slot comprises forming an angled edge slot in the outer sleeve. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein forming the non-conductive insert in the slot comprises at least one of fusing, bonding, curing and molding the non-conductive insert to the outer sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . A method of logging in a wellbore of a formation, comprising:
 disposing a logging tool in a wellbore, wherein the logging tool comprises a sleeve assembly;   aligning an antenna of the sleeve assembly with a slot disposed about an outer sleeve of the sleeve assembly;   transmitting a first signal from the antenna through a non-conductive insert disposed in the slot to the formation, wherein the non-conductive insert comprises a first composite material;   receiving a first return signal associated with the transmitted first signal by the logging tool; and   logging the first return signal.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein transmitting the first signal from the antenna comprises transmitting the first signal through a non-conductive inner liner disposed in an annulus of the outer sleeve that is adhered to non-conductive insert, wherein the non-conductive inner liner comprises a second composite material. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the slot comprises a plurality of slots disposed circumferentially about the outer sleeve.