Platform for electrically coupling a component to a downhole transmission line
First Claim
1. An apparatus for electrically coupling a component to a transmission line comprising a center conductor and an outer conductive shield extending around the center conductor, the apparatus comprising:
- a platform comprising a central axis, a radially outermost cylindrical surface, and a recess extending radially inward from the radially outermost cylindrical surface, wherein the recess is at least partially defined by a support surface spaced radially inward from the radially outermost surface;
an insulating barrier disposed on the support surface;
a component disposed within the recess and mounted to the insulating barrier such that the insulating barrier is radially positioned between the component and the support surface relative to the central axis of the platform;
wherein the component is configured to affect a signal on the transmission line, wherein the insulating barrier is configured to electrically isolate the component from the platform; and
connector elements configured to connect the component to at least one of the center conductor and the outer conductive shield of the transmission line when the component is connected to the transmission line.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus in accordance with the invention includes, in one embodiment, a substantially planar recessed surface for mounting and retaining a component. The platform is configured to electrically couple the component to a transmission line at a non-end point thereof. An outer contour of the component does not exceed an outer contour of the platform, and the outer contour of the platform does not exceed an outer contour of the transmission line. The transmission line is configured to link to a downhole network, and the component is configured to affect a signal on the transmission line.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. An apparatus for electrically coupling a component to a transmission line comprising a center conductor and an outer conductive shield extending around the center conductor, the apparatus comprising:
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a platform comprising a central axis, a radially outermost cylindrical surface, and a recess extending radially inward from the radially outermost cylindrical surface, wherein the recess is at least partially defined by a support surface spaced radially inward from the radially outermost surface; an insulating barrier disposed on the support surface; a component disposed within the recess and mounted to the insulating barrier such that the insulating barrier is radially positioned between the component and the support surface relative to the central axis of the platform; wherein the component is configured to affect a signal on the transmission line, wherein the insulating barrier is configured to electrically isolate the component from the platform; and connector elements configured to connect the component to at least one of the center conductor and the outer conductive shield of the transmission line when the component is connected to the transmission line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system comprising:
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a component; a transmission line comprising a center conductor and an outer conductive shield extending around the center conductor; a platform having a central axis and being disposed along the transmission line; an insulating barrier disposed on a surface of the platform, wherein the component is mounted to the insulating barrier such that the insulating barrier is radially positioned between the component and the surface relative to the central axis of the platform wherein the insulating barrier is configured to electrically isolate the component from the platform; a linking element coupling the component to the outer conductive shield; an annular conductor disposed about the platform and extending radially outward from the platform to the outer conductive shield; and a connector element electrically coupling the component to the center conductor. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for electrically coupling a component to a transmission line comprising a center conductor and an outer conductive shield extending around the center conductor, the method comprising:
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disposing a platform between a first segment and a second segment of the coaxial transmission line, wherein the platform comprises a central axis, a radially outermost surface, and a recess extending radially inward from the outermost surface, wherein the recess is at least partially defined by a support surface spaced radially inward from the radially outermost surface; disposing an insulating barrier on the support surface; mounting the component within the recess and on the insulating barrier such that the insulating barrier is radially positioned between the component and the support surface relative to the central axis of the platform; electrically isolating the component from the platform with the insulating barrier; connecting the component to at least one of the center conductor and the outer conductive shield of the transmission line; linking the transmission line to a downhole network; and affecting a signal on the transmission line with the component. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for electrically coupling a component to a transmission line comprising a center conductor and an outer conductive shield extending around the center conductor, the method comprising:
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disposing an insulating barrier on a surface of a platform, wherein the platform includes a central axis; mounting a component to the insulating barrier such that the insulating barrier is radially positioned between the component and the surface relative to the central axis of the platform; electrically isolating the component from the surface of the platform with the insulating barrier; electrically coupling the component to the outer conductive shield of the transmission line with an annular conductor extending radially outward from the platform to the outer conductive shield; electrically coupling the component to the center conductor of the transmission line; and disposing the transmission line on a tubular to provide a signal path along a longitudinal axis of the tubular for communication with a downhole network. - View Dependent Claims (40)
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Specification