Integrated modular connector in a drill pipe

• US 6,688,396 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2001
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Ragnitz, Detlef, Floerke, Helmut, Witte, Johannes
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Matthew J
• Application Number:
  US10/007,751
• Publication Number:
  US 20020112852A1
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• Field of Search: 166/380, 166/244.1, 166/65.1, 166/242.6, 166/242.1, 175/40, 175/57, 175/320, 175/104, 285/333, 174/47, 174/84.S, 340/854.3, 340/854.4, 340/855.1, 340/855.2, 340/855.8, 439/191, 439/194, 439/195, 439/207, 439/208, 439/210, 138/155, 200/61.6
• US Class Current: 166/380
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/0285 characterised by electrically insulating elements
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/206 with conductors, e.g. electrical, optical
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for conveying electrical power and data signals between a first location and a second location in a well borehole. The apparatus comprises a first drill pipe disposed at the first location, and a second drill pipe disposed at the second location. A second end of the second drill pipe is coupled to a first end of the first drill pipe. A first plurality of conductive pathways such as insulated wires extend longitudinally through at least a portion of the first drill pipe and terminate at the first end. A second plurality of conductive pathways extend longitudinally through at least a portion of the second drill pipe and terminate at the second end. A verification device is operatively associated with the first and second pluralities of conductive pathways for verifying electrical continuity between the first and second pluralities of conductive pathways.

Claims

1. An apparatus capable of conveying electrical power and data signals between a first location and a second location in a well borehole, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a first elongated tube disposed at the first location, the first elongated tube having a first end;

(b) a second elongated tube disposed at the second location, the second elongated tube having a second end coupled to the first end;

(c) a first plurality of conductive pathways extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the first elongated tube terminating at the first end;

(d) a second plurality of conductive pathways extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the second elongated tube terminating at the second end; and

(e) a verification device operatively associated with the first and second pluralities of conductive pathways for verifying electrical continuity between the first and second pluralities of conductive pathways.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second elongated tubes are rotatable drill pipes.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

(i) a first plurality of contacts disposed on the first end, each contact being electrically connected to a corresponding one of the first plurality of conductive pathways;

(ii) a second plurality of contacts disposed on the second end, each of the second plurality of contacts being electrically connected to a corresponding one of the second plurality of conductive pathways.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising:

(i) a wall defining a shoulder at each of the first and second ends;

(ii) an annular groove in each shoulder, each annular groove housing one of the first and second plurality of contacts; and

(iii) an insulating material partially surrounding each of the first and second plurality of contacts.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each shoulder further comprises:

(i) a ring connector; and

(ii) at least one fastener for anchoring the ring connector to the shoulder, wherein the annular grooves are in the ring connectors.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each at least one fastener is selected from a group consisting of (A) a plurality of dowels secured in corresponding dowel holes located in the walls of each elongated tube, (B) a plurality of screws, (C)a weld joint, and (D) epoxy.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the verification device is at least one of a mechanical gauge, an electrical meter, and complementary time cut threads disposed on each of the first and second ends.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the verification device is a mechanical gauge comprising a first symbol disposed on the first end, and a second symbol disposed on the second end, the first and second symbols indicating the first and second pluralities of conductive pathways being electrically mated when the symbols are in a predetermined position relative to each other.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first end comprises a pin and the second end comprises a box.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the verification device further comprises:

(i) a sensor for determining position of each of the first plurality of conductive pathways with respect to at least one of the second plurality of conductive pathways; and

(ii) a switch unit for rerouting at least one conductive pathway in at least one of the pluralities of conductive pathways.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the sensor is selected from a group consisting of (A) an ohm meter, (B) a current meter, and (C) a voltage meter.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprises a processor disposed in the verification device for processing a sensor output.

13. A method for conveying electrical power and data signals between a first location and a second location in a well borehole via multiple conductive pathways, the method comprising:

(a) coupling a first end of an elongated tube having a first plurality of conductive pathways extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the first elongated tube terminating at the first end to a second end of a second elongated tube having a second plurality of conductive pathways extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the second elongated tube terminating at the second end;

(b) verifying electrical continuity between the first and second pluralities of conductive pathways with a verification device operatively associated with the first and second pluralities of conductive pathways.

14. A method according to claim 13 further comprising determining relative position of the first plurality of conductive pathways with respect to the second plurality of conductive pathways.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the determination is made by using time cut threads disposed on the first end and the second end for coupling the first and second elongated tubes.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the determination is made by measuring the relative position with a mechanical gauge.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the mechanical gauge comprises a first symbol and a second symbol, the method further comprising:

(i) disposing the first symbol on the first elongated tube in a location relative to the first plurality of conductive contacts;

(ii) disposing the second symbol on the second elongated tube in a location relative to the second plurality of conductive pathways;

(iii) while performing (a) of claim 13, bringing the second symbol to a position relative to the first symbol, the position being indicative of the first and second pluralities being electrically mated.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the determination is made by measuring the relative position with an electric meter.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising rerouting at least one conductive pathway in at least one of the pluralities of conductive pathways with a switching unit.