Data communications embedded in threaded connections
OwnerHarris Reynoldsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wedge threaded connection includes a pin member threadably coupled to a box member, a first data connector embedded in a portion of a thread of the pin member, and a second data connector embedded in a portion of a thread of the box member, wherein upon selected make-up of the pin member with the box member, the first data connector engages the second data connector such that a data signal may pass from the pin member to the box member.
Claims20
A wedge threaded connection, comprising:
- a pin member threadably coupled to a box member
- a first data connector embedded in a portion of a thread of the pin member;
- a second data connector embedded in a portion of a thread of the box member;
- wherein upon selected make-up of the pin member with the box member, the first data connector engages the second data connector such that a data signal may pass from the pin member to the box member.
A method of manufacturing a wedge threaded connection, the method comprising:
- forming a pin wedge thread on a pin member;
- embedding a first data connector in one of a root and a crest of the pin wedge thread;
- forming a box wedge thread on a box member;
- embedding a second data connector in one of a root and a crest of the box wedge thread;
- and
- making-up the pin member with the box member such that the first data connector and the second data connector are in communication with each other.
A method to make-up a connection having a pin member and a box member with wedge threads, the method comprising:
- applying an increasing amount torque to the connection, wherein the connection comprises a contactor embedded in the wedge threads on each of the pin member and the box member;
- determining whether an electrical connection has been formed;
- and
- continuing to apply the increasing amount of torque until the electrical connection has been formed.
A method to make-up a connection having a pin member and a box member with wedge threads, the method comprising:
- applying an increasing amount torque to the connection, wherein the connection comprises an optical connector embedded in the wedge threads on each of the pin member and the box member;
- determining whether an optical connection has been formed;
- and
- continuing to apply the increasing amount of torque until the optical connection has been formed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.