Downhole data transmission system

A system for transmitting data through a string of downhole components, the system comprising:

• a plurality of downhole components, each with a pin end and a box end, the pin end of one downhole component being adapted to be connected to the box end of an other downhole component, each pin end comprising external threads and an internal pin face distal to the external threads, said internal pin face being generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the downhole component, and each box end comprising an internal shoulder face with internal threads distal to the internal shoulder face, said internal shoulder face being generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the downhole component, and wherein the internal pin face and the internal shoulder face are aligned with and proximate each other when the pin end of the one component is threaded into a box end of the other component, and wherein the box end further comprises an external shoulder face distal to the internal threads and the pin end further comprises an external pin face and wherein the external shoulder face and the external pin face are aligned with and proximate each other when the pin end of the one component is threaded into the box end of the other component;
• a first communication element located within a first recess formed in each internal pin face;
• a second communication element located within a second recess formed in each internal shoulder face;
• and a conductor in communication with and running between each first and second communication element in each component.

A system for transmitting data through a string of downhole components, the system comprising:

• a plurality of downhole components, each with a pin end and a box end, the pin end of one downhole component being adapted to be connected to the box end of an other downhole component, each pin end comprising external threads and an internal pin face distal to the external threads, said internal pin face being generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the downhole component, and each box end comprising an internal shoulder face with internal threads distal to the internal shoulder face, said internal shoulder face being generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the downhole component, and wherein the internal pin face and the internal shoulder face are aligned with and proximate each other when the pin end of the one component is threaded into a box end of the other component, and wherein the box end further comprises an external shoulder face distal to the internal threads and the pin end further comprises an external pin face and wherein the external shoulder face and the external pin face are aligned with and proximate each other when the pin end of the one component is threaded into the box end of the other component;
• a first inductive coil located within a first recess formed in each internal pin face;
• a second inductive coil located within a second recess formed in each internal shoulder face;
• an electrical conductor in electrical communication with and running between each first and second coil in each component.

A system for transmitting data through a string of downhole components, the system comprising:

• a plurality of downhole components, each downhole component with a first end and a second end, the first end of one downhole component being adapted to be connected to the second end of another downhole component;
• a first magnetically conductive, electrically insulating element located proximate the first end of each downhole component, which includes a first U-shaped trough with a bottom, a first side and a second side and an opening between the two sides, with a magnetically conductive material being formed in segments, each segment interspersed with the magnetically nonconductive material;
• a second magnetically conductive, electrically insulating element located proximate the second end of each downhole component, which includes a second U-shaped trough with a bottom, a first side and a second side and an opening between the two sides, with a magnetically conductive material being formed in segments, each segment interspersed with the magnetically nonconductive material;
• the first and second troughs being configured so that the respective first and second sides and openings of the first and second troughs of connected components are substantially proximate to and substantially aligned with each other;
• a first electrically conducting coil in each first trough;
• a second electrically conducting coil in each second trough;
• and
• an electrical conductor in electrical communication with and running between each first and second coil in each component;
• wherein a varying current applied to a first coil in one component generates a varying magnetic field in the first magnetically conductive, electrically insulating element, which varying magnetic field is conducted to and thereby produces a varying magnetic field in the second magnetically conductive, electrically insulating element of a connected component, which magnetic field thereby generates a varying electrical current in the second coil in the connected component, to thereby transmit a data signal.

A system for transmitting data through a string of downhole components, the system comprising:

• a plurality of downhole components, each downhole component with a pin end and a box end, the pin end of one downhole component being adapted to be connected to the box end of an other downhole component, each pin end comprising external threads, and each box end comprising internal threads;
• a first recess formed in each pin end;
• a second recess formed in each box end, wherein the first and second recesses of connected components are substantially proximate and aligned with each other;
• a first communication element located within each first recess;
• a second communication element located within each second recess;
• and
• a conductor in communication with and running between each first and second coil in each component;
• wherein the first and second recesses are shaped and sized so as to allow the first and second communication elements to lie in the bottom of the respective recesses and be separated a distance from the top of the respective first and second recesses, whereby the surface of the component wherein the recess is formed can be machined without damaging the communication element lying therein.

A system for transmitting data through a string of downhole components, the system comprising:

• a plurality of downhole components, each downhole component with a pin end and a box end, the pin end of one downhole component being adapted to be connected to the box end of an other downhole component, each pin end comprising external threads and an internal pin face distal to the external threads, said internal pin face being generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the downhole component, and each box end comprising an internal shoulder face with internal threads distal to the internal shoulder face, said internal shoulder face being generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the downhole component, and wherein the internal pin face and the internal shoulder face are aligned with and proximate each other when the pin end of the one component is threaded into a box end of the other component
• a first inductive coil located within a first recess formed in each internal pin face;
• a first magnetically conductive, electrically insulating element within the first recess with the first inductive coil located therein;
• a second inductive coil located within a second recess formed in each internal shoulder face;
• a second magnetically conductive, electrically insulating element located within the second recess with the second inductive coil located therein;
• an electrical conductor in electrical communication with and running between each first and second coil in each component;
• wherein the magnetically conductive, electrically insulating element comprises a magnetically soft metal in an electrically non-conductive structure, and wherein a varying current applied to a first coil in one component generates a varying magnetic field in the first magnetically conductive, electrically insulating element, which varying magnetic field is conducted to and thereby produces a varying magnetic field in the second magnetically conductive, electrically insulating element of a connected component, which magnetic field thereby generates a varying electrical current in the second coil in the connected component, to thereby transmit a data signal.