David Hoyle

Sonic well logging tool longitudinal wave attenuator

A sonic isolation joint (SIJ) of a sonic well logging tool is disposed between a sonic transmitter section and a sonic receiver section of the tool and attenuates compressional and flexural waves which propagate longitudinally along an axis of the tool when the sonic transmitter transmits a pressure wave into a formation of a borehole. The SIJ comprises a first outer housing, a second outer housing, an inner housing disposed within the first and second outer housings, a first attenuation member disposed between the first outer housing and the inner housing and a second attenuation member disposed between the second outer housing and the inner housing, each of the attenuation members including a plurality of rubber isolating washers, and a plurality of steel washers interleaved with the plurality of rubber isolating washers. The attenuation members are each fit between a flange of the outer housing and a flange of the inner housing and are compressed when the sonic dipole tool string is lowered into the borehole.