US 11,808,144 B1
Downhole to surface communications platform for drilling applications
Jiann-Cherng Su, Albuquerque, NM (US); Jason P. Krein, Albuquerque, NM (US); John Joseph Borchardt, Albuquerque, NM (US); Richard Ellis Robey, Sandia Park, NM (US); Andrew Alexander Wright, Albuquerque, NM (US); Joseph Samuel Pope, Albuquerque, NM (US); Taylor Anthony Myers, Albuquerque, NM (US); Mark C. Grubelich, Albuquerque, NM (US); and Douglas A. Blankenship, Albuquerque, NM (US)
Assigned to National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, Albuquerque, NM (US)
Filed by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, Albuquerque, NM (US)
Filed on Nov. 3, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/087,987.
Int. Cl. E21B 47/13 (2012.01); E21B 17/02 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 47/13 (2020.05) [E21B 17/0285 (2020.05)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A drilling assembly, comprising:
a plurality of pipe segments coupled in serial fluid communication, a slip ring assembly, and an end pipe portion;
the slip ring assembly coupled in data communication and in the serial fluid communication with the plurality of pipe segments and a communications link;
the communications link disposed at a surface above the drilling assembly and in the data communication with the slip ring assembly;
the end pipe portion coupled to the plurality of pipe segments, the end pipe portion comprising an electronics assembly, the electronics assembly comprising one or more electronic components for transferring data between the end pipe portion and the slip ring assembly via the plurality of pipe segments; and
a drill bit operably coupled with the end pipe portion for drilling a borehole;
wherein each pipe segment of the plurality of pipe segments comprises an outer conductor portion that forms an outer surface of said each pipe segment, a hollow inner conductor portion, and a dielectric portion disposed between said outer conductor portion and said hollow inner conductor portion;
the dielectric portion insulating said hollow inner conductor portion from electrical contact with the outer conductor portion;
the hollow inner conductor portion defining a fluid communication pathway through the drilling assembly; and
wherein the data is transferred between the end pipe portion and the slip ring assembly via the plurality of pipe segments by way of the hollow inner conductor portion;
a compliant contact arrangement disposed between adjacent pipe segments of the drilling assembly, the compliant contact arrangement configured to seal a fluid path and conduct electrical signals between the adjacent pipe segments;
wherein a first contact portion mateable with an adjoining inner conductor portion of a second contact portion;
the first contact portion comprising a first center contact and a first insulator cooperative with a second center contact and a second insulator of the second contact portion when coupled; and
a spherical interface having a ball and a first spring at a first end of said each pipe segment and a socket and a second spring at a second end of said each pipe segment, wherein the ball and the socket are positively engaged between respective adjoining hollow inner conductor portions.