Split-coil, redundant annular coupler for wired downhole telemetry
First Claim
1. A set of annular couplers for transmitting data across a tool joint formed by the box end of one downhole tool and the pin end of a second downhole tool, the set of annular couplers comprising:
- a first annular coupler having a circumference and being disposed in an annular recess in a shoulder of the box end;
wherein the first annular coupler includes;
a first coupler segment spanning a first portion of the circumference of the first annular coupler; and
a second coupler segment electrically insulated from the first coupler segment of the first annular coupler and spanning a second portion of the circumference of the first annular coupler;
a second annular coupler having a circumference and being disposed in an annular recess in a shoulder of the pin end;
wherein the second annular coupler includes;
a first coupler segment spanning a first portion of the circumference of the second annular coupler; and
a second coupler segment electrically insulated from the second coupler segment of the second annular coupler and spanning a second portion of the circumference of the second annular coupler;
wherein the first annular coupler is biased into engagement with the second annular coupler.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An annular coupler for transmitting data across a tool joint may include a first coupler segment spanning a first portion of the circumference of the annular coupler. The annular coupler may further include a second coupler segment, electrically insulated from the first coupler segment, which spans a second portion of the circumference of the annular coupler. In selected aspects, the first and second portions do not overlap one another along the circumference. In certain aspects, the first and second coupler segments each span about fifty percent of the circumference of the annular coupler. Thus, each coupler segment may make up roughly half of the annular coupler.
46 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A set of annular couplers for transmitting data across a tool joint formed by the box end of one downhole tool and the pin end of a second downhole tool, the set of annular couplers comprising:
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a first annular coupler having a circumference and being disposed in an annular recess in a shoulder of the box end; wherein the first annular coupler includes; a first coupler segment spanning a first portion of the circumference of the first annular coupler; and a second coupler segment electrically insulated from the first coupler segment of the first annular coupler and spanning a second portion of the circumference of the first annular coupler; a second annular coupler having a circumference and being disposed in an annular recess in a shoulder of the pin end; wherein the second annular coupler includes; a first coupler segment spanning a first portion of the circumference of the second annular coupler; and a second coupler segment electrically insulated from the second coupler segment of the second annular coupler and spanning a second portion of the circumference of the second annular coupler; wherein the first annular coupler is biased into engagement with the second annular coupler. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A downhole tool comprising:
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an annular coupler installed in one of a primary and secondary shoulder of the downhole tool, the annular coupler being characterized by a circumference, the annular coupler comprising; a first coupler segment spanning a first portion of the circumference of the annular coupler; and a second coupler segment, electrically insulated from the first coupler segment, spanning a second portion of the circumference of the annular coupler; wherein the first coupler segment is connected to a first transmission line incorporated into the downhole tool and the second coupler segment is connected to a second transmission line incorporated into the downhole tool. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A downhole tool comprising:
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an annular coupler installed in one of a primary and secondary shoulder of the downhole tool, the annular coupler being characterized by a circumference, the annular coupler comprising; a first coupler segment spanning a first portion of the circumference of the annular coupler; and a second coupler segment, electrically insulated from the first coupler segment, spanning a second portion of the circumference of the annular coupler; wherein the first and second coupler segments are configured to transmit data in the form of magnetic signals. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A downhole tool comprising:
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an annular coupler installed in one of a primary and secondary shoulder of the downhole tool, the annular coupler being characterized by a circumference, the annular coupler comprising; a first coupler segment spanning a first portion of the circumference of the annular coupler; and a second coupler segment, electrically insulated from the first coupler segment, spanning a second portion of the circumference of the annular coupler; wherein the first and second coupler segments comprise conductive coils inserted into electrically-insulating, magnetically conductive materials. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for transmitting data across a tool joint, the method comprising:
installing an annular coupler in one of a primary and secondary shoulder of a downhole tool, the annular coupler being characterized by a circumference, wherein installing an annular coupler comprises; installing a first coupler segment spanning a first portion of the circumference of the annular coupler; installing a second coupler segment, electrically isolated from the first coupler segment, spanning a second portion of the circumference of the annular coupler; and connecting the first coupler segment to a first transmission line and the second coupler segment to a second transmission line. - View Dependent Claims (36)
Specification