Biased Insert for Installing Data Transmission Components in Downhole Drilling Pipe

• US 20060021799A1
• Filed: 07/27/2004
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IntelliServ, LLC (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intelliserv International Holding Ltd. (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hall, David R., Wilde, Tyson J., Briscoe, Michael, Gardner, Kory
• Granted Patent: US 7,201,240 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/320
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/028 Electrical or electro-magnetic connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 15/08 with supplementary elements F16L15/04, F16L41/00 and F16L43/02 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/005 Electrical coupling combined with fluidic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2421 using coil springs
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/95 Electrical connector adapted to transmit electricity to mating connector without physical contact, e.g. by induction, magnetism, or electrostatic field

Abstract

An apparatus for installing data transmission hardware in downhole tools includes an insert insertable into the box end or pin end of drill tool, such as a section of drill pipe. The insert typically includes a mount portion and a slide portion. A data transmission element is mounted in the slide portion of the insert. A biasing element is installed between the mount portion and the slide portion and is configured to create a bias between the slide portion and the mount portion. This biasing element is configured to compensate for varying tolerances encountered in different types of downhole tools. In selected embodiments, the biasing element is an elastomeric material, a spring, compressed gas, or a combination thereof.

Claims

1. An apparatus for retrofitting a section of drill pipe with a transmission line, the apparatus comprising:

an insert for insertion into at least one of the box end and the pin end of a section of drill pipe, wherein the insert comprises a mount portion and a slide portion;

a transmission element mounted in the slide portion; and

a biasing element for effecting a bias between the mount portion and the slide portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insert is inserted into the inside diameter of a section of drill pipe.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a channel traveling through at least one of the slide portion and the mount portion to accommodate a transmission line.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a transmission line routed through the channel, wherein the transmission line is configured to flex when the slide portion slides with respect to the mount portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biasing element is selected from the group consisting of an elastomeric material, a spring, compressed gas, or a combination thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the slide portion is substantially cylindrical in shape; and

the slide portion is characterized by an annular mating surface configured to contact a corresponding annular mating surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:

the transmission element is substantially annular; and

the transmission element is mounted in the annular mating surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a stop mechanism adapted to prevent the slide portion from sliding more than a specified distance with respect to the mount portion.

9. An apparatus for retrofitting a section of drill pipe with a transmission line, the apparatus comprising:

a pin end insert comprising a first transmission element, wherein the pin end insert is insertable into the pin end of a section of drill pipe; and

a box end insert comprising a second transmission element, wherein the box end insert is insertable into the box end of a section of drill pipe.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of the pin end insert and the box end insert further comprises a mount portion and a slide portion.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a biasing element for effecting a bias between the mount portion and the slide portion.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second transmission elements is mounted to the slide portion.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a channel traveling through at least one of the slide portion and the mount portion to accommodate a transmission line.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a transmission line routed through the channel, wherein the transmission line is configured to flex when the slide portion slides with respect to the mount portion.

15. An apparatus for retrofitting a section of drill pipe with a transmission line, the apparatus comprising:

an insert for insertion into at least one of the box end and the pin end of a section of drill pipe; and

a transmission element mounted in the insert.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the insert further comprises a mount portion and a slide portion.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a biasing element for effecting a bias between the mount portion and the slide portion.

18. An apparatus for retrofitting a section of drill pipe with a transmission line, the apparatus comprising:

an insert for insertion into at least one of the box end and the pin end of a section of drill pipe;

a transmission element mounted in the insert;

a biasing element for effecting a bias between the insert and the at least one of the box end and the pin end.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the insert further comprises a mount portion and a slide portion.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the biasing element is adapted to effect a bias between the mount portion and the slide portion.