# US 12,014,841 B2 · Apparatus and methods for enhancing a coaxial line > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,014,841 B2 - Document ID: US12014841B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/835,677 - Filed: 2022-06-08 - Published: 2022-09-22 - Granted: 2024-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-21 - Assignees: Acceleware Ltd. - Applicants: Acceleware Ltd. - Inventors: Michal M. Okoniewski; Lynn P. Tessier; Thomas Apperley; Damir Pasalic - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12014841B2 ## CPC - E21B 36/04: using electrical heaters - H01B 11/18: Coaxial cables; Analogous cables having more than one inner conductor within a common outer conductor - E21B 43/2401: {by means of electricity} - H05B 6/62: Apparatus for specific applications - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - H01B: CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES (selection for magnetic properties H01F1/00; waveguides H01P {; printed circuits H05K}) - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL ## Abstract An apparatus for a coaxial transmission line is provided. The apparatus can include a dielectric member having an inner surface defining a bore along a longitudinal axis of an inner conductor of the coaxial transmission line; and a first conductive member mounted axially around the dielectric member and extending along the longitudinal axis. A cross-section of an outer surface of the first conductive member can define a first perimeter. A cross-section of an inner surface of the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line can define a second perimeter. The first perimeter can be smaller than the second perimeter and thereby provide clearance between a portion of the outer surface of the first conductive member and the inner surface of the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line when the apparatus is positioned in an annulus defined by the inner conductor and the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for a coaxial transmission line having an outer conductor surrounding an inner conductor along a longitudinal axis of the inner conductor, the apparatus comprising: a cylinder-shaped dielectric member having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of the dielectric member defining a bore along the longitudinal axis; a first conductive member mounted around the outer surface of the dielectric member, the first conductive member extending along the longitudinal axis thereby having a first end and a second end, the first conductive member having a continuous inner surface from the first end to the second end, a cross-section of an outer surface of the first conductive member being orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and defining a first perimeter, a cross-section of an inner surface of the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line being orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and defining a second perimeter that is larger than the first perimeter; and a plurality of contact members mounted on the outer surface of the first conductive member, the plurality of contact members being spaced apart around the first perimeter; wherein when the apparatus is positioned in an annulus defined by the inner conductor and the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line: the plurality of contact members is in electrical contact with the inner surface of the outer conductor; spacing between the plurality of contact members around the first perimeter provides clearance between the outer surface of the first conductive member and the inner surface of the outer conductor, the clearance extending from the first end to the second end of the first conductive member; and the dielectric member and the first conductive member extend along only a portion of the length of the outer conductor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of contact members is conductive. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of contact members is equally spaced around the first perimeter for maintaining the apparatus in a position such that the first perimeter is concentric with the second perimeter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of contact members comprises one or more of spring members and brushes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dielectric member comprises a plurality of layers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second conductive member lining the inner surface of the dielectric member. ### Claim 7 A method of providing a coaxial transmission line having an outer conductor surrounding an inner conductor along a longitudinal axis of the inner conductor, the method comprising: providing a cylinder-shaped dielectric member having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of the dielectric member defining a bore along the longitudinal axis; mounting a first conductive member around the outer surface of the dielectric member to provide a first apparatus, the first conductive member extending along the longitudinal axis thereby having a first end and a second end, the first conductive member having a continuous inner surface from the first end to the second end, a cross-section of an outer surface of the first conductive member being orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and defining a first perimeter, a cross-section of an inner surface of the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line being orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and defining a second perimeter that is larger than the first perimeter; mounting a plurality of contact members on the outer surface of the first conductive member, the plurality of contact members being spaced apart around the first perimeter; and positioning the first apparatus in an annulus defined by the inner conductor and the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line; wherein: the plurality of contact members is in electrical contact with the inner surface of the outer conductor; spacing between the plurality of contact members around the first perimeter provides clearance between the outer surface of the first conductive member and the inner surface of the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line, the clearance extending from the first end to the second end of the first conductive member; and the dielectric member and the first conductive member extend along only a portion of the length of the outer conductor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein said positioning the first apparatus in an annulus defined by the inner conductor and the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line comprises: mounting the first apparatus around the inner conductor of the coaxial transmission line; and inserting the inner conductor of the coaxial transmission line, with the first apparatus mounted thereon, in the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of contact members is conductive. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of contact members is equally spaced around the first perimeter for maintaining the first apparatus in a position such that the first perimeter is concentric with the second perimeter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of contact members comprises one or more spring members and brushes. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising depressing the plurality of contact members prior to inserting the inner conductor of the coaxial transmission line with the first apparatus mounted thereon, in the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein said providing a dielectric member comprises providing a plurality of dielectric layers. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising lining the inner surface of the dielectric member with a second conductive member. ### Claim 15 A coaxial transmission line comprising: an inner conductor section defining a longitudinal axis; a cylinder-shaped dielectric member mounted around a portion of the inner conductor section along the longitudinal axis; a first conductive member mounted around an outer surface of the dielectric member, the first conductive member extending along the longitudinal axis thereby having a first end and a second end, the first conductive member having a continuous inner surface from the first end to the second end, a cross-section of an outer surface of the first conductive member being orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and defining a first perimeter; a plurality of contact members mounted on the outer surface of the first conductive member, the plurality of contact members being spaced apart around the first perimeter; and an outer conductor section, the outer conductor section having an inner surface defining a bore through which the first conductive member can be inserted, a cross-section of the inner surface of the outer conductor section being orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and defining a second perimeter that is larger than the first perimeter; wherein when the first conductive member is inserted through the bore: the plurality of contact members is in electrical contact with the inner surface of the outer conductor section; spacing between the plurality of contact members around the first perimeter provides clearance between the outer surface of the first conductive member and the inner surface of the outer conductor section, the clearance extending from the first end to the second end of the first conductive member; and the dielectric member and the first conductive member extend along only a portion of the length of the outer conductor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The coaxial transmission line of claim 15, wherein the plurality of contact members is conductive. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The coaxial transmission line of claim 15, wherein the plurality of contact members is equally spaced around the first perimeter for maintaining the first conductive member in a position such that the first perimeter is concentric with the second perimeter. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The coaxial transmission line of claim 15, wherein the plurality of contact members comprises one or more spring members and brushes. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The coaxial transmission line of claim 15, wherein the dielectric member comprises a plurality of layers. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The coaxial transmission line of claim 15, further comprising a second conductive member lining the inner surface of the dielectric member.