Auto-extending/retracting electrically isolated conductors in a segmented drill string

In a system including a drill string having a length which is configured for extension and/or retraction, said drill string being made up of a plurality of pipe sections having opposing first and second ends and a section length having an inner wall defining an innermost passage and all of which pipe sections are configured for removable attachment with one another by physically connecting the first end of one pipe section with the second end of another pipe section to facilitate extension of the drill string by at least one section length at a time, an assembly for use with each one of the pipe sections, said assembly comprising:

• an electrical contacting arrangement for forming an isolated electrical connection between attached ones of the pipe sections and located within the innermost passage at each opposing end of each pipe section;
• and
• an electrical conductor located in the innermost passage of each pipe section and in electrical communication with said electrical contacting arrangement at each opposing end of each pipe section to extend therebetween in a way which provides an electrically conductive path that is arranged against the inner wall of the innermost passage of each pipe section and which electrically conductive path cooperates with the electrical contacting arrangement to form an overall electrically isolated conductive path through the drill string.