Downhole data and/or power transmission system

• US 7,488,194 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2006
• Issued: 02/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: David R. Hall
• Inventors: Schramm, Paul M., Wilde, Tyson J., Hall, David R., Fox, Joe, Dahlgren, Scott, Marshall, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, HIEN D
• Application Number:
  US11/428,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20080003856A1
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 439/191, 439/199, 439/201, 439/271, 439/275, 439/278, 439/281
• US Class Current: 439/191
• 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 4/145 of the self propelled-type, e.g. with a reverse mode to retract the device from the hole
• 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 7/06 Deflecting the direction of boreholes
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/22 Contacts for co-operating by abutting
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/533 Bases, cases made for use in extreme conditions, e.g. high temperature, radiation, vibration, corrosive environment, pressure H01R13/52 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus has a downhole tubular body having a bore with a central axis. An electrical conductor assembly is disposed within the bore of the tubular component, the assembly having a first end, a second end, a first conductor, and a second conductor electrically isolated from the first conductor. At least one end of the assembly has a polished mating surface which has an electrically conductive portion surrounded by a dielectric material. The electrically conductive portion is in electrical communication with the first conductor. The first and second ends of the electrical conductor assembly are substantially aligned to the central axis of the bore by stabilizing elements within the bore.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a downhole tubular body comprising a bore having a central axis;

an electrical conductor assembly disposed within the bore of the tubular component, the assembly comprising a first end, a second end, a first conductor extending from the first end to the second end, and a second conductor also extending from the first end to the second end and being electrically isolated from the first conductor;

at least one end of the assembly having a polished mating surface comprising an electrically conductive portion surrounded by a dielectric material exposed within the mating surface, the electrically conductive portion being in electrical communication with the first conductor;

wherein the first and second ends of the electrical conductor assembly are substantially aligned to the central axis of the bore by attached into stabilizing elements within the bore;

wherein at least one of the stabilizing elements is attached to a collar surrounding the electrical conductor assembly;

wherein at least one of the stabilizing elements is selected from the group consisting of fins, rings, wave springs, rods, bristles, beads, blocks, whiskers, plates and combinations thereof.

2. The component of claim 1, wherein the downhole tubular body is selected from the group consisting of drill pipe, drill collars, subs, horizontal drill pipes, reamers, production pipe, injection pipe, upset drill pipe, and combinations thereof.

3. The component of claim 1, wherein the mating surface is flat.

4. The component of claim 3, wherein the mating surface comprises a polished, hard surface.

5. The component of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive portion of the mating surface comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of tungsten carbide, beryllium copper, cemented metal carbide, hardened steel, and combinations thereof.

6. The component of claim 1, wherein the dielectric portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of alumina, ferrite, polycrystalline diamond, carbon, and/or oxides of Mg, Al, Si, Yb, Ca, Be, Sr, Nd, Sm, Er, Eu, Sc, La, Gd, Dy, and Tm.

7. The component of claim 1, wherein the mating surface comprises a dimple.

8. The component of claim 1, wherein the mating surface comprises a junk slot.

9. The component of claim 1, wherein the mating surface is concave, convex, non-planar, or combinations thereof.

10. The component of claim 1, wherein the mating surface comprises a larger diameter than a remainder of the electrical conductor assembly.

11. The component of claim 1, wherein the mating surface comprises a second concentric electrically conducting portion.

12. The component of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductor assembly comprises a coaxial cable, a pair of twisted wires, insulated copper wires, or combinations thereof.

13. The component of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductor assembly further comprises a stainless steel armoring.

14. The component of claim 13, wherein the stainless steel armoring is flared on at least one end.

15. The component of claim 13, further comprising at least one seal intermediate the armoring and the dielectric material.

16. The component of claim 13, wherein the armoring is held in tension within the tubular component.

17. The component of claim 1, wherein resilient spring is in communication with the mating surface.

18. The component of claim 1, wherein the first electrical conductor is in electrical communication with a power source.

19. The component of claim 1, wherein the first electrical conductor is in electrical communication with a data source.

20. The component of claim 1, wherein the second electrical conductor is in electrical communication with the tubular body.

21. The component of claim 1, wherein the stabilizing elements are attached directly to the electrical conductor assembly.

22. The component of claim 1, wherein the stabilizing elements are under an axially compressive load.

23. The component of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive portion of the mating surface is coupled to the first electrical conductor by an electrically conductive interface.

24. The component of claim 1, wherein a portion of the electrically conductive interface intermediate the mating surface and the first electrical conductor is covered by an electrical insulator.