Insulative gap sub assembly and methods
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorAndreas Peter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and methods for incorporating a gap sub assembly into a drill string to electrically isolate portions of a transmitter assembly within, for example, an MWD tool located within the drill string. The gap sub assembly incorporates upper and lower subs having an insulated interconnection. A central conductor assembly is axially disposed within the lower sub and does not extend through the length of the gap sub. The central conductor assembly is used to transmit electrical power and data across the gap sub assembly between the upper portions of the drill string and transmitter components housed within the MWD tool disposed below the gap sub assembly.
Claims20
A gap sub assembly for use within a drill string to transmit data sensed by a measurement-while-drilling tool to an external receiver, the gap sub assembly comprising:
- a tubular upper gap sub defining an axial borespace within;
- a tubular lower sub defining an axial borespace within;
- the upper and lower subs being interconnected by an insulated connection to preclude transmission of an electrical signal between the upper and lower subs;
- an electrical conductor assembly retained within the insulated connection for transmitting an electrical signal from a measurement-while-drilling tool contained radially within the drill string to the upper gap sub and to the lower sub.
A gap sub assembly for use within a drill string to transmit data sensed by a measurement-while-drilling tool to an external receiver, the gap sub assembly comprising:
- an upper gap sub defining an axial borespace within;
- a tubular lower sub defining an axial borespace within;
- the upper and lower subs being interconnected by an insulated connection to preclude transmission of an electrical signal between the upper and lower subs;
- the insulated connection further defining an interior recess to retain an electrical conductor assembly;
- an electrical conductor assembly retained within the insulated connection for transmitting an electrical signal from a measurement-while-drilling tool contained radially within the drill string to the upper gap sub and to the lower sub, the electrical conductor assembly comprising a conductive pathway.
A method of providing an insulative gap between a measurement-while-drilling tool and drill string sections within a drill string while allowing an electrical signal to be transmitted between the drill string sections and components housed within the measurement-while-drilling tool, the method comprising:
- securing a gap sub assembly between the measurement-while-drilling tool and at least one drill string section, the gap sub assembly having upper and lower subs that are interconnected with one another using an insulated threaded connection;
- and
- disposing an electrical conductor assembly within the gap sub assembly, the conductor assembly having a conductive element to provide an electrical connection between a drill string section and components house within the measurement-while-drilling tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.