Hydrocarbon resource recovery apparatus including rf transmission line and associated methods

A radio frequency (RF) transmission line to be coupled between an RF source and an RF antenna within a subterranean formation to deliver RF power to a hydrocarbon resource within the subterranean formation, the RF transmission line comprising:

• a plurality of RF transmission line sections coupled together in end-to-end relation within the subterranean formation;
• each RF transmission line section comprising an inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding said inner conductor, and an outer load-carrying tubular member surrounding said outer conductor;
• a respective coupling assembly joining opposing ends of adjacent RF transmission line sections together, each coupling assembly comprising
• an electrical coupler being fixedly connected to first ends of corresponding inner and outer conductors and being slidably connected to opposing second ends of adjacent inner and outer conductors, and
• a mechanical coupler connecting opposing ends of adjacent load-bearing tubular members together.

A radio frequency (RF) transmission line to be coupled between an RF source and an RF antenna, the RF transmission line comprising:

• a plurality of RF transmission line sections coupled together in end-to-end relation;
• each RF transmission line section comprising an inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding said inner conductor, and an outer load-carrying tubular member surrounding said outer conductor;
• a respective coupling assembly joining opposing ends of adjacent RF transmission line sections together, each coupling assembly comprising
• an electrical coupler being fixedly connected to first ends of corresponding inner and outer conductors and being slidably connected to opposing second ends of adjacent inner and outer conductors, and
• a mechanical coupler connecting opposing ends of adjacent load-bearing tubular members together.

A method for making a radio frequency (RF) transmission line to be coupled between an RF source and an RF antenna within a subterranean formation to deliver RF power to a hydrocarbon resource within the subterranean formation, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of RF transmission line sections to be coupled together in end-to-end relation with each RF transmission line section comprises an inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and an outer load-carrying tubular member surrounding the outer conductor;
• using a respective coupling assembly to join opposing ends of adjacent RF transmission line sections together, each coupling assembly comprising
• an electrical coupler being fixedly connected to first ends of corresponding inner and outer conductors and being slidably connected to opposing second ends of adjacent inner and outer conductors, and
• a mechanical coupler connecting opposing ends of adjacent load-bearing tubular members together.