Loaded Transducer for Downhole Drilling Components

• US 20050279508A1
• Filed: 08/29/2005
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IntelliServ, LLC (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: IntelliServ, LLC (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Daly, Jeffery E., Hall, David R., Fox, Joe
• Granted Patent: US 7,528,736 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/379
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/0283 characterised by the coupling being contactless, e.g. inductive
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency

Abstract

A system for transmitting information between downhole components has a first downhole component with a first mating surface and a second downhole component having a second mating surface configured to substantially mate with the first mating surface. The system also has a first transmission element with a first communicating surface and is mounted within a recess in the first mating surface. The first transmission element also has an angled surface. The recess has a side with multiple slopes for interacting with the angled surface, each slope exerting a different spring force on the first transmission element. A second transmission element has a second communicating surface mounted proximate the second mating surface and adapted to communicate with the first communicating surface.

Claims

1. A system for transmitting information between downhole components, comprising:

a first downhole component having a first mating surface;

a second downhole component having a second mating surface configured to substantially mate with the first mating surface;

a first transmission element having a first communicating surface and mounted within a recess in the first mating surface;

the recess comprising a side having multiple slopes for interacting with an angled surface on the first transmission element;

each slope effecting a different spring force on the first transmission element; and

a second transmission element having a second communicating surface mounted proximate the second shoulder and adapted to communicate with the first communicating surface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the groove comprises a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism retains the transmission element in the recess.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism is formed in the recess.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the recess comprises a protective coating.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second transmission element is biased.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second communications surface is located within a second recess within the second mating surface.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first communications element extends beyond the first mating surface.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first mating surface is a secondary shoulder.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first mating surface is located on a box end of the first downhole component.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmission elements are selected from the group consisting of direct electrical couplers, inductive couplers, optical couplers, radio wave couplers, and acoustic couplers.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmission elements have an annular shape.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the angled surface comprises a protective coating.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second downhole tools are connected and the communications surfaces are proximate one another.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first and second communications surfaces contact one another.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmission elements are in communication with a downhole network.

16. A system for transmitting information between downhole components, comprising:

a first downhole component having a first mating surface;

a second downhole component having a second mating surface configured to substantially mate with the first mating surface;

a first transmission element having a first communicating surface and mounted within a first recess in the first mating surface;

the first transmission element having an angled surface;

the first recess comprising a side having multiple slopes for interacting with the angled surface to exert multiple spring forces on the first transmission element;

the first communication surface extending beyond the first mating surface, and;

a second transmission element disposed within the second mating surface and having a second communicating surface within the secondary mating surface.

17. The system of claim 17, wherein the first mating surface is located in the box end of the first downhole component.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first transmission element is retained by a first locking mechanism formed within the first recess.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the transmission elements are selected from the group consisting of direct electrical couplers, inductive couplers, optical couplers, radio wave couplers, and acoustic couplers.