US 12,378,876 B2
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, Rio Rancho, 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. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/387,160.
Application 18/387,160 is a continuation of application No. 17/087,987, filed on Nov. 3, 2020, granted, now 11,808,144.
Prior Publication US 2024/0068363 A1, Feb. 29, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E21B 47/13 (2012.01); E21B 17/02 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 47/13 (2020.05) [E21B 17/0285 (2020.05)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A drilling assembly for downhole to surface communications, 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;
a communications link disposed at a surface adjoining above ground in the data communication with the drilling assembly through the slip ring assembly;
the end pipe portion coupled to a final pipe segment of the drilling assembly, the end pipe portion comprising an electronics assembly, the electronics assembly comprising at least one electronic component for transferring data to the slip ring assembly via the drilling assembly; and
a drill bit operably coupled with the end pipe portion for drilling a borehole;
each pipe segment of the plurality of pipe segments comprising an outer conductor portion, 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 the hollow inner conductor portion from electrical contact with the outer conductor portion;
wherein the hollow inner conductor portion forming a tube that defines a fluid communication pathway through the drilling assembly; and
wherein the outer conductor portion and the hollow inner conductor portion are not in the electrical contact.