Drill String Connector With Rotating Support Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connectors used in drill strings for oil and gas drilling often experience misalignment and axial gaps due to manufacturing tolerances, leading to unreliable signal transmission, as existing solutions only partially address these issues.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring locating and drive means between support ring structures to ensure rotational integrity and force-transmitting means for axial alignment, allowing for compensation of angular displacements during operation, thereby ensuring reliable contact between conduit or transmission line ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional connectors are used with screwing connection, then assembly is simple, but manufacturing tolerances cause misalignment and axial gaps between electrical contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The support ring structure is designed to be rotatable relative to the base structure, allowing dynamic adjustment during assembly. This rotational movement enables the electrical contacts to self-align and compensate for manufacturing tolerances, transforming a static rigid connection into a dynamic adaptive one that automatically corrects misalignment issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The support ring structure acts as an intermediary element between the base structure and the electrical contacts. It provides a mediating mechanism that absorbs and compensates for dimensional variations, allowing precise alignment of contacts without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on all components.
2Reliability
If elastic material is used to house annular contacts, then some tolerance compensation is achieved, but only partial offset of manufacturing tolerances is possible
Solution Approach 1:
The support ring structure introduces a dynamic rotational degree of freedom that significantly enhances tolerance compensation compared to static elastic housing. This allows the electrical contacts to actively adjust their position during assembly, achieving reliable signal transmission even with larger manufacturing variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter of the connector from a fixed static state to a dynamic rotatable state. By allowing rotational movement during assembly, the system can adjust the angular position of electrical contacts to achieve proper alignment, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If locating and drive means are added between support ring structures, then rotational integrity and alignment are ensured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locating and drive means are designed to automatically engage and establish rotational integrity during the assembly process itself. The locating features guide the support rings into proper alignment, while the drive means transmit rotational movement to ensure precise positioning of electrical contacts before final assembly is completed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locating and drive means are designed to self-align and self-position the support ring structures during assembly. The geometric features automatically find their mating positions, and the drive mechanism self-transmits the necessary rotational movement without requiring external alignment tools or complex adjustment procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
Electric connector, including first and second connector parts (10, 20) which can be coupled together and which comprise respectively first and second contact elements (11, 21) and first and second supports (1a, 3a) which support respectively the first and second connector parts and can be assembled together by means of screwing engagement. The first and second connector parts comprise, respectively, first and second support ring structures (13, 23) which carry the first and second contact elements respectively. Pins and corresponding locating and drive means (31, 32) are designed to make the first and second support rings structures rotationally integral during relative engagement of first and second supports and cause first and second contact elements to align with one another. The first connector part also comprises a base structure (15) on which the first support ring structure is movably mounted. Cam members (18) are arranged between base structure and support ring structure.