Drill string adapter and method for inground signal coupling

• US 8,695,727 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2011
• Issued: 04/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Merlin Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Merlin Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Chau, Albert W., Medeiros, Benjamin John
• Primary Examiner(s): Harcourt, Brad
• Application Number:
  US13/035,774
• Publication Number:
  US 20120217023A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,145 Days
• Field of Search: 166/65.1, 166/66, 166/66.5, 175/40, 175/325.1, 175/325.4, 340/853.1, 340/853.7, 340/854.3, 340/854.6
• 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 17/042 Threaded
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/0232 at least one of the energy sources or one of the detectors being located on or above the ground surface
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/046 horizontal drilling drilling with mechanical conveying means E21B7/003
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/30 without earth removal

Abstract

A coupling adapter is insertable in at least one joint of a drill string as the drill string is extended from a drill rig. The coupling adapter includes an arrangement for receiving a data signal that is generated by an inground tool and for electromagnetically coupling the data signal onto at least a portion of the drill string that extends from the adapter to the drill rig such that at least some of the drill pipe sections cooperate as an electrical conductor for carrying the data signal to the drill rig. In another feature, a current transformer is resiliently supported to isolate the current transformer from mechanical shock and vibration that is produced by an inground operation that is performed using the drill string. In another feature, a drill string repeater is described.

Claims

1. In a system in which an inground tool is moved through the ground in a region for performing an inground operation, said system including a drill rig and a drill string which extends between said inground tool and said drill rig and is configured for extension and retraction from said drill rig, said drill string being made up of a plurality of electrically conductive drill pipe sections, each of which includes a section length and each of which is configured for removable attachment to the inground tool at one joint and to one another at other joints that are formed between adjacent ones of the drill pipe sections such that the drill string includes a plurality of joints to facilitate the extension and retraction of the drill string by one section length at a time, each drill pipe section defining a through passage to provide for a flow of drilling fluid through the drill string, an apparatus comprising:

a coupling adapter having an adapter body that is removably insertable at one of the joints as the drill string is extended to thereafter form part of the drill string, said adapter body including a sidewall having a sidewall thickness and said sidewall defines (i) an internal passage which provides for said flow of drilling fluid through the coupling adapter at any installed location of the adapter in said drill string and (ii) a sidewall aperture extending through said sidewall thickness wherein said sidewall aperture is a stepped aperture that is defined through said sidewall thickness and said coupling adapter includes;

a current transformer at least for receiving a data signal that is generated by the inground tool and for electromagnetically coupling the data signal, as an electrical signal, onto at least a portion of the drill string that extends from the coupling adapter to the drill rig such that at least some of the drill pipe sections forming said portion of the drill string cooperate as an electrical conductor for carrying the data signal to the drill rig; and

at least a first high pressure electrical connection assembly that is received substantially within said sidewall aperture to form a pressure seal against passage of the drilling fluid under pressure from the internal passage through the stepped aperture and to form a first electrical connection that couples the data signal from the inground tool to the current transformer through said sidewall aperture in electrical isolation from the coupling adapter while sealing the drilling fluid within the internal passage of the coupling adapter with the first high pressure electrical connection assembly receiving a first electrical conductor from said inground tool through the internal passage and a sidewall passage extends from said current transformer to said stepped aperture within said sidewall thickness of the adapter body for housing a first electrical connection from the current transformer to said first high pressure electrical connection assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each drill pipe section includes a box fitting at one end and a pin fitting at an opposing end and wherein said adapter includes said box fitting at one end and said pin fitting at an opposite end.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adapter body includes an outer surface configuration that defines an annular recess for receiving said current transformer therein.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said current transformer includes an annular core.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said annular core is a split core.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said annular core is a tape wound core.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said adapter body includes a main body that is configured for removable engagement with an extension body such that the main body defines said annular recess which receives the current transformer therein and which main body further receives a nonmagnetic ring in an installed position to cover said current transformer and said annular recess such that the nonmagnetic ring is captured between the main body and the extension body with the extension body engaged on the main body.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said nonmagnetic ring includes a cylindrical shape.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said nonmagnetic ring is a ceramic ring.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said ceramic ring is transformation toughened zirconium oxide ceramic.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

a support arrangement for resiliently supporting said current transformer on said main body such that the current transformer is isolated at least to some extent from a mechanical shock and vibration environment to which the housing is subjected responsive to said inground operation.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said current transformer includes a first current transformer electrical lead that is received in said sidewall passage and extends to said first high pressure electrical connection assembly and said first high pressure electrical connection assembly electrically connects the first current transformer electrical lead to said first electrical conductor.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said coupling adapter includes a coil serving as part of said current transformer and said coil having a winding in electrical communication with said first electrical conductor.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inground tool includes a housing that defines a housing cavity and said apparatus includes an electronics package that is received in said housing cavity for generating said data signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said current transformer includes a current transformer lead and a cable, serving as said first electrical conductor, that extends from said inground tool and wherein the high pressure connector removably electrically couples the current transformer lead to the first electrical conductor.

16. In a system in which an inground tool is moved through the ground in a region for performing an inground operation, said system including a drill rig and a drill string which extends between said inground tool and said drill rig and is configured for extension and retraction from said drill rig, said drill string being made up of a plurality of electrically conductive drill pipe sections, each of which includes a section length and each of which is configured for removable attachment to the inground tool at one joint and to one another at other joints that are formed between adjacent ones of the drill pipe sections such that the drill string includes a plurality of joints to facilitate the extension and retraction of the drill string by one section length at a time, an apparatus comprising:

a coupling adapter having an adapter body that is removably insertable at one of the joints as the drill string is extended to thereafter form part of the drill string and said adapter body is electrically conductive and said coupling adapter includes;

a current transformer including a coil at least for receiving a data signal that is available from the inground tool on a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor, and for electromagnetically coupling the data signal, as an electrical signal, onto at least a portion of the drill string that extends from the adapter to the drill rig such that at least some of the drill pipe sections forming said portion of the drill string cooperate as an electrical conductor for carrying the data signal to the drill rig;

at least a first high pressure electrical connection assembly for the first electrical conductor by which the data signal is received from the inground tool such that the current transformer electromagnetically couples the data signal from the first electrical conductor onto said portion of the drill string and said coil having a winding that is in electrical communication with said first electrical conductor; and

wherein said current transformer includes a first current transformer lead and a second current transformer lead with the first current transformer lead electrically connected to the first electrical conductor, and said second electrical conductor and said second current transformer lead are each electrically connected to the adapter body.

17. In a system in which an inground tool is moved through the ground in a region for performing an inground operation, said system including a drill rig and a drill string which extends between said inground tool and said drill rig and is configured for extension and retraction from said drill rig, said drill string being made up of a plurality of electrically conductive drill pipe sections, each of which includes a section length and each of which is configured for removable attachment to the inground tool at one joint and to one another at other joints that are formed between adjacent ones of the drill pipe sections such that the drill string includes a plurality of joints to facilitate the extension and retraction of the drill string by one section length at a time, an apparatus comprising:

a coupling adapter having an adapter body that is removably insertable at one of the joints as the drill string is extended to thereafter form part of the drill string and said coupling adapter includes;

a current transformer including a coil for receiving a data signal that is available from the inground tool on a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor, and for electromagnetically coupling the data signal, as an electrical signal, onto at least a portion of the drill string that extends from the adapter to the drill rig such that at least some of the drill pipe sections forming said portion of the drill string cooperate as an electrical conductor for carrying the data signal to the drill rig;

at least a first high pressure electrical connection assembly for the first electrical conductor by which the data signal is received from the inground tool such that the current transformer electromagnetically couples the data signal from the first electrical conductor onto said portion of the drill string and said coil having a winding that is in electrical communication with said first electrical conductor; and

said current transformer includes a first current transformer lead that is electrically connected to the first electrical conductor and a second current transformer lead that is electrically connected to the second electrical conductor and the first and second current transformer leads are electrically isolated from said adapter body.

18. In a system in which an inground tool is moved through the ground in a region, said system including a drill rig and a drill string which extends between said inground tool and said drill rig and is configured for extension and retraction from said drill rig, said drill string being made up of a plurality of electrically conductive drill pipe sections, each of which includes a section length and each of which is configured for removable attachment to the inground tool at one joint and to one another at other joints that are formed between adjacent ones of the drill pipe sections such that the drill string includes a plurality of joints to facilitate the extension and retraction of the drill string by one section length at a time, each drill pipe section defining a through passage to provide for a flow of drilling fluid through the drill string, a method comprising:

configuring a coupling adapter to include an adapter body with a sidewall having a sidewall thickness and said sidewall defines (i) an internal passage which provides for said flow of drilling fluid through the adapter at any installed location of the adapter in said drill string and (ii) a sidewall aperture extending through said sidewall thickness as a stepped aperture;

arranging a current transformer on the coupling adapter at least for receiving a data signal that is generated by the inground tool;

removably inserting the coupling adapter at one of the joints as the drill string is extended to thereafter form part of the drill string such that the coupling adapter receives a data signal that is generated by the inground tool and said current transformer electromagnetically couples the data signal, as an electrical signal, onto at least some drill pipe sections which form a portion of the drill string that extends from the adapter to the drill rig and which cooperate as an electrical conductor for carrying the data signal to the drill rig;

supporting at least a first high pressure electrical connection assembly substantially within said sidewall aperture to form a pressure seal against passage of the drilling fluid under pressure from the internal passage through the stepped aperture and to form a first electrical connection that couples the data signal from the inground tool to the current transformer through said sidewall aperture in electrical isolation from the coupling adapter while sealing the drilling fluid within the internal passage of the coupling adapter with the first high pressure electrical connection assembly receiving a first electrical conductor from said inground tool through the internal passage; and

defining a sidewall passage in the coupling adapter extending from said current transformer to the stepped aperture within said sidewall thickness of the adapter body for housing the first electrical connection between the current transformer and the first high pressure electrical connection assembly.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein each drill pipe section includes a box fitting at one end and a pin fitting at an opposing end and including configuring said adapter to include said box fitting at one end and said pin fitting at an opposite end.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said current transformer includes a first current transformer electrical lead and wherein said method includes installing the first current transformer electrical lead in said sidewall passage to extend to said first high pressure electrical connection assembly such that said first high pressure electrical connection assembly electrically connects the first current transformer electrical lead to said first electrical conductor.

21. The method of claim 18 including configuring a coil having a winding to serve as said current transformer in said coupling adapter and connecting said winding in electrical communication with said first electrical conductor.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein said current transformer includes a current transformer lead and a cable, serving as a said first electrical conductor, that extends from said inground tool and said method includes configuring the high pressure connector to removably electrically couple the current transformer lead to the first electrical conductor.

23. In a system in which an inground tool is moved through the ground in a region, said system including a drill rig and a drill string which extends between said inground tool and said drill rig and is configured for extension and retraction from said drill rig, said drill string being made up of a plurality of electrically conductive drill pipe sections, each of which includes a section length and each of which is configured for removable attachment to the inground tool at one joint and to one another at other joints that are formed between adjacent ones of the drill pipe sections such that the drill string includes a plurality of joints to facilitate the extension and retraction of the drill string by one section length at a time, a method comprising:

arranging a coupling adapter to include an adapter body that is electrically conductive;

supporting a current transformer on the coupling adapter including a coil having a winding;

removably inserting the coupling adapter at one of the joints as the drill string is extended to thereafter form part of the drill string such that the coupling adapter at least receives a data signal that is generated by the inground tool and the data signal is available from the inground tool on a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor, and wherein said current transformer includes a first current transformer lead and a second current transformer lead and the current transformer electromagnetically couples the data signal, as an electrical signal, onto at least some drill pipe sections which form a portion of the drill string that extends from the adapter to the drill rig to cooperate as an electrical conductor for carrying the data signal to the drill rig;

configuring at least a first high pressure electrical connection assembly for electrical communication of the winding with a first electrical conductor by which the data signal is transferred from the inground tool to said winding; and

electrically connecting the first current transformer lead to the first electrical conductor, and electrically connecting each of said second electrical conductor and said second current transformer lead to the adapter body.

24. In a system in which an inground tool is moved through the ground in a region, said system including a drill rig and a drill string which extends between said inground tool and said drill rig and is configured for extension and retraction from said drill rig, said drill string being made up of a plurality of electrically conductive drill pipe sections, each of which includes a section length and each of which is configured for removable attachment to the inground tool at one joint and to one another at other joints that are formed between adjacent ones of the drill pipe sections such that the drill string includes a plurality of joints to facilitate the extension and retraction of the drill string by one section length at a time, a method comprising:

arranging a coupling adapter to include an adapter body;

supporting a current transformer on the coupling adapter including a coil having a winding;

removably inserting the coupling adapter at one of the joints as the drill string is extended to thereafter form part of the drill string such that the coupling adapter at least receives a data signal that is generated by the inground tool and the data signal is available from the inground tool on a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor and wherein said current transformer includes a first current transformer lead and a second current transformer lead and the current transformer electromagnetically couples the data signal, as an electrical signal, onto at least some drill pipe sections which form a portion of the drill string that extends from the adapter to the drill rig to cooperate as an electrical conductor for carrying the data signal to the drill rig;

configuring at least a first high pressure electrical connection assembly for electrical communication of the winding with a first electrical conductor by which the data signal is transferred from the inground tool to said winding; and

electrically connecting the first current transformer lead to the first electrical conductor, electrically connecting the second current transformer lead to the second electrical conductor, and maintaining electrical isolation of the first and second current transformer leads from said adapter body.

25. In a system in which an inground tool is moved through the ground in a region for performing an inground operation, said system including a drill rig and a drill string which extends between said inground tool and said drill rig and is configured for extension and retraction from said drill rig, said drill string being made up of a plurality of electrically conductive drill pipe sections, each of which includes a section length and each of which is configured for removable attachment to the inground tool at one joint and to one another at other joints that are formed between adjacent ones of the drill pipe sections such that the drill string includes a plurality of joints to facilitate the extension and retraction of the drill string by one section length at a time, and said inground tool includes an electronics package for at least one of generating and receiving a data signal relating to the operation of the inground tool, an apparatus comprising:

a coupling adapter having an adapter body that is removably insertable at one of the joints as the drill string is extended to thereafter form part of the drill string, said adapter body including an outer surface configuration that defines an annular recess and further includes a sidewall having a sidewall thickness and said sidewall defines (i) an internal passage which provides for said flow of drilling fluid through the adapter at any installed location of the adapter in said drill string and (ii) a sidewall aperture extending through said sidewall thickness and spaced apart from the annular recess on the adapter body;

a signal coupling arrangement including a current transformer, receivable in said annular recess, for transferring the data signal between the inground tool and the drill rig at least in part by electromagnetically coupling the data signal between the coupling adapter and the drill string such that the data signal is electrically conducted as an electrical signal along at least a portion of the drill string that extends from the coupling adapter and at least some of the electrically conductive drill pipe sections forming said portion of the drill string cooperate as an electrical conductor for carrying the data signal; and

at least a first high pressure electrical connection assembly that is received substantially within said sidewall aperture to form a first electrical connection that couples the data signal between the inground tool and the current transformer through said sidewall aperture in electrical isolation from the coupling adapter while sealing the drilling fluid within the internal passage of the coupling adapter.

26. In a system in which an inground tool is moved through the ground in a region for performing an inground operation, said system including a drill rig and a drill string which extends between said inground tool and said drill rig and is configured for extension and retraction from said drill rig, said drill string being made up of a plurality of electrically conductive drill pipe sections, each of which includes a section length and each of which is configured for removable attachment to the inground tool at one joint and to one another at other joints that are formed between adjacent ones of the drill pipe sections such that the drill string includes a plurality of joints to facilitate the extension and retraction of the drill string by one section length at a time, each drill pipe section defining a through passage to provide for a flow of drilling fluid through the drill string, an apparatus comprising:

a coupling adapter having an adapter body that is removably insertable at one of the joints as the drill string is extended to thereafter form part of the drill string, said adapter body including an outer surface configuration that defines an annular recess and includes a sidewall having a sidewall thickness and said sidewall defines (i) an internal passage which provides for said flow of drilling fluid through the coupling adapter at any installed location of the adapter in said drill string and (ii) a sidewall aperture extending through said sidewall thickness and said sidewall aperture is spaced apart from the annular recess on the adapter body and said coupling adapter includes;

a current transformer receivable in the annular recess in electrical communication with the inground tool at least for receiving a data signal that is generated by the inground tool and for electromagnetically coupling the data signal, as an electrical signal, onto at least a portion of the drill string that extends from the coupling adapter to the drill rig such that at least some of the drill pipe sections forming said portion of the drill string cooperate as an electrical conductor for carrying the data signal to the drill rig; and

at least a first high pressure electrical connection assembly that is received substantially within said sidewall aperture to form a first electrical connection that couples the data signal from the inground tool to the current transformer through said sidewall aperture in electrical isolation from the coupling adapter while sealing the drilling fluid within the internal passage of the coupling adapter.