METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DATA-TRANSFER VIA A DRILL PIPE

• US 20130299237A1
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Published: 11/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: REI Corporation
• Original Assignee: REI Corporation
• Inventors: Hardin, Michael J., Brunner, Daniel J., Johnson, Randall, Richardson, Randy
• Granted Patent: US 9,322,223 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/40
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/003 with electrically conducting or insulating means E21B17/028 and E21B17/023 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/0285 characterised by electrically insulating elements
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/16 Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints E21B19/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/12 Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drill-pipe communication assembly. The drill-pipe communication assembly includes a first drill pipe and an insulated tube disposed within, and generally concentric with, the first drill pipe. A male insert is disposed within a first end of the first drill pipe and a female insert is disposed within a second end of the first drill pipe. A conductor is electrically coupled to the male insert and the female insert. The conductor extends along a length of the first drill pipe. The conductor facilitates transmission of electrical signals from the first end of the first drill pipe to the second end of the first drill pipe.

Claims

1. A drill-pipe communication assembly comprising:

a first drill pipe;

an insulated tube disposed within, and generally concentric with, the first drill pipe;

a male insert disposed within a first end of the first drill pipe;

a female insert disposed within a second end of the first drill pipe;

a conductor electrically coupled to the male insert and the female insert, the conductor extending along a length of the first drill pipe; and

wherein the conductor facilitates transmission of electrical signals from the first end of the first drill pipe to the second end of the first drill pipe.

2. The drill-pipe communication assembly of claim 1, wherein the male insert comprises:

a body;

a first insulating ring disposed about the body;

a second insulating ring disposed about the body; and

a pin disposed through the insulating ring, the pin being electrically coupled to the conductor.

3. The drill-pipe communication assembly of claim 2 comprising a spring disposed between the pin and the second insulating ring.

4. The drill-pipe communication assembly of claim 3, wherein the pin is biased by the spring into electrical engagement with a female conductor ring associated with a second adjacent drill pipe.

5. The drill-pipe communication assembly of claim 1, wherein the female insert comprises:

a body;

an insulating ring disposed about the body; and

a female conductor ring disposed within a groove formed in the insulating ring, the female conductor ring being electrically coupled to the conductor.

6. The drill-pipe communication assembly of claim 5, wherein the groove and the female conductor ring form a recessed track.

7. The drill-pipe communication assembly of claim 6, wherein the groove facilitates electrical connection with a male insert of a second adjacent drill pipe.

8. The drill-pipe communication assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the first end of the drill pipe is a male end; and

the second end of the drill pipe is a female end.

9. The drill-pipe communication assembly of claim 1, wherein the conductor is at least one of a coaxial cable, a microstrip, a flat wire, a ribbon wire, an Ethernet cable, a fiber-optic cable, and a transverse electromagnetic transmission line.

10. The drill-pipe communication assembly of claim 1, wherein the conductor is disposed within a groove formed on a surface of the insulated tube.

11. The drill-pipe communication assembly of claim 1, wherein the male insert, the female insert, the conductor, and the insulated tube may be utilized to retrofit a pre-existing drill pipe.

12. A method of installing a drill-pipe communication assembly, the method comprising:

inserting a female insert into a first end of a drill pipe;

inserting an insulated tube into a second end of the drill pipe;

inserting a male insert into the second end of the drill pipe;

electrically coupling a conductor to the female insert and the male insert; and

transmitting, via the conductor, electrical signals from the first end of the drill pipe to the second end of the drill pipe.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first end is a male end and the second end is a female end.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the conductor is disposed within a groove formed in the insulated tube.

15. The method of claim 12, comprising securing the female insert within the first end of the drill pipe.

16. The method of claim 12, comprising securing the male insert within the second end of the drill pipe.

17. The method of claim 12, comprising biasing, via a spring, a pin associated with the male insert into electrical engagement with a female conductor ring associated with a second drill pipe.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the female conductor ring is disposed in a groove.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the drill pipe is a pre-existing drill pipe.

20. The method of claim 19, comprising retro-fitting the pre-existing drill pipe.