Transmission Line Component Platforms

• US 20080251247A1
• Filed: 04/22/2008
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IntelliServ, LLC (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: IntelliServ, LLC (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Monte L., Flint, Jason C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,826,972 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/65.1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/006 Accessories for drilling pipes, e.g. cleaners wear protectors E21B17/10; handling drilling pipes E21B19/00; thread protectors B65D59/00
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/0283 characterised by the coupling being contactless, e.g. inductive
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/0285 characterised by electrically insulating elements

Abstract

Component platforms and methods for linking a component to a transmission line. The platforms include a unit configured to accept and hold a component. The units configured to couple onto a transmission line at a non-end point along the line. The transmission line configured to link to a downhole network. The component is configured to affect a signal on the transmission line.

Claims

1. A component platform for a transmission line, comprising:

a unit configured to accept and hold a component;

the unit configured to couple onto a transmission line, at a non-end point along the line, to link the component to the line;

the transmission line configured to link to a downhole network; and

the component configured to affect a signal on the transmission line.

2. The component platform of claim 1, wherein the transmission line comprises an elongated waveguide.

3. The component platform of claim 1, wherein the unit is configured to link the component in electrical parallel along the transmission line.

4. The component platform of claim 1, wherein the unit is configured to link the component in any combination electrical series and parallel along the transmission line.

5. The component platform of claim 1, wherein the component comprises radio frequency identification (RFID) circuitry.

6. The component platform of claim 1, wherein the component is configured to create an impedance along the transmission line.

7. The component platform of claim 2, wherein the transmission line comprises a coaxial cable.

8. The component platform of claim 7, wherein the unit is configured to link the component in electrical series along the coaxial cable.

9. The component platform of claim 7, wherein the component is configured to create an electrical short along the coaxial cable.

10. The component platform of claim 7, wherein the component is configured to create an open circuit along the coaxial cable.

11. The component platform of claim 1, wherein the transmission line is disposed on an elongated tubular having an exterior wall and a bore, to provide a signal path along the longitudinal axis of the tubular.

12. The component platform of claim 11, wherein the unit is configured to electromagnetically link the component to the transmission line.

13. The component platform of claim 11, wherein the tubular comprises a mating surface formed intermediate the exterior wall and the bore in an end of the tubular;

and

an inductive coupler mounted in the mating surface and linked to the transmission line.

14. The component platform of claim 13, wherein the inductive coupler acts as an external antenna for an RFID circuit disposed on the component.

15. The component platform of claim 11, wherein the unit is at least partially disposed within a wall of the tubular.

16. The component platform of claim 11, wherein the component comprises at least one capacitor, RFID circuit, inductor, resistor, integrated circuit, active circuit, or passive circuit.

17. The component platform of claim 1, further comprising a power source to supply the component.

18. A component platform for a transmission line, comprising:

a unit configured to accept and hold a component;

the unit configured to couple onto a transmission line, at a non-end point along the line, to link the component to the line;

the transmission line configured for disposal on a tubular configured to link to a downhole network to provide a signal path along a longitudinal axis of the tubular; and

the component configured to affect a signal on the transmission line.

19. The component platform of claim 18, wherein the transmission line comprises a coaxial cable.

20. The component platform of claim 19, wherein the component comprises at least one circuit board, capacitor, RFID circuit, inductor, resistor, integrated circuit, active circuit, or passive circuit.

21. A component platform for a transmission line, comprising:

a unit configured to accept and hold a component;

the unit configured to couple onto a transmission line, at a non-end point along the line, to link the component to the line; and

the transmission line configured for disposal on a tubular to provide a signal path along a longitudinal axis of the tubular for communication with a downhole network.

22. The component platform of claim 21, wherein the transmission line comprises a coaxial cable.

23. The component platform of claim 22, wherein the component comprises at least one circuit board, capacitor, RFID circuit, inductor, resistor, integrated circuit, active circuit, or passive circuit.

24. A method for linking a component to a transmission line, comprising:

coupling a unit onto a transmission line at a non-end point along the line, the unit configured to accept and hold a component, to link the component to the line;

linking the transmission line to a downhole network; and

affecting a signal on the transmission line via the component.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising remotely activating the component via the downhole network.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising disposing the transmission line on a tubular to provide a signal path along a longitudinal axis of the tubular for communication with the downhole network.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising determining a connectivity status of the tubular by remote activation of the component via the downhole network.

28. A method for linking a component to a transmission line, comprising:

coupling a unit onto a transmission line at a non-end point along the line, the unit configured to accept and electromagnetically link a component to the line; and

disposing the transmission line on a tubular to provide a signal path along a longitudinal axis of the tubular for communication with a downhole network.