Data transmission system for a downhole component
First Claim
1. A system for transmitting data through a string of downhole components, each component having a first and second end, with the first end of one component connected to the second end of an adjacent component;
- the system comprising;
a first communication element located proximate the first end of the one component;
a second communication element located proximate the second end of the adjacent component, wherein each communication element comprises a metal ring and a wire;
a coaxial cable running between the first and second communication elements, the coaxial cable comprising a conductive tube and a conductive core within it;
the conductive core having ends terminating within the conductive tube proximate each end of the component;
connectors mounted at the ends of the conductive core;
wherein each communications element is mounted in the downhole component with the wire passing first through a seal mounted within the conductive tube and then terminating at one of the connectors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a system for transmitting data through a string of downhole components. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the system includes a plurality of downhole components, such as sections of pipe in a drill string. Each component has a first and second end, with a first communication element located at the first end and a second communication element located at the second end. Each communication element includes a first contact and a second contact. The system also includes a coaxial cable running between the first and second communication elements, the coaxial cable having a conductive tube and a conductive core within it. The system also includes a first and second connector for connecting the first and second communication elements respectively to the coaxial cable. Each connector includes a conductive sleeve, lying concentrically within the conductive tube, which fits around and makes electrical contact with the conductive core. The conductive sleeve is electrically isolated from the conductive tube. The conductive sleeve of the first connector is in electrical contact with the first contact of the first communication element, the conductive sleeve of the second connector is in electrical contact with the first contact of the second communication element, and the conductive tube is in electrical contact with both the second contact of the first communication element and the second contact of the second communication element.
21 Citations
56 Claims
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1. A system for transmitting data through a string of downhole components, each component having a first and second end, with the first end of one component connected to the second end of an adjacent component;
- the system comprising;
a first communication element located proximate the first end of the one component; a second communication element located proximate the second end of the adjacent component, wherein each communication element comprises a metal ring and a wire; a coaxial cable running between the first and second communication elements, the coaxial cable comprising a conductive tube and a conductive core within it; the conductive core having ends terminating within the conductive tube proximate each end of the component; connectors mounted at the ends of the conductive core; wherein each communications element is mounted in the downhole component with the wire passing first through a seal mounted within the conductive tube and then terminating at one of the connectors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
- the system comprising;
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37. A communications element for a downhole component,
the downhole component comprising a conductive tube terminating at an end of the downhole component and a coaxial cable within the conductive tube; -
the coaxial cable comprising a conductive core and a dielectric sheath; the coaxial cable terminating within the conductive tube at the end of the downhole component; a connector mounted on the conductive core at the termination of the coaxial cable; a seal mounted within the conductive tube intermediate the connector and the termination of the conductive tube; the communications element comprising a metal ring and a wire; wherein the communications element is mounted at the end of the downhole component with the wire passing through the seal and terminating within the connector. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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Specification