Drill Pipe Transmission Line Axial Mobility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for transmitting measurement signals downhole in drilling operations face challenges due to the difficulty in connecting signal couplers, which are recessed into drill pipes, making it hard to establish effective signal transmission between drill pipes.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize a protection tube and a transmission line with axial mobility to establish connections between drill pipes, allowing for signal communication, with the transmission line being longer than the protection tube to accommodate couplers and secured only at end points to prevent damage from vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If signal couplers are recessed into the drill pipe, then the signal transmission can be established between drill pipes, but it becomes difficult to connect the transmission line to the coupler
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission line is designed with axial mobility, allowing it to move dynamically between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic configuration enables the transmission line to adapt to different operational states: retracted when not in use and extended when connection is needed, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining signal transmission reliability and enabling easy connection operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into distinct functional segments: the protection tube that remains fixed in the drill pipe, and the transmission line that can move independently. This segmentation allows the transmission line to be extended or retracted relative to the protection tube, facilitating easy connection to the recessed coupler while maintaining the integrity of the signal transmission path
2Strength
If the transmission line is secured along its length, then it is protected from damage, but it cannot be extended for making connections
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission line transitions from a static, fully-secured configuration to a dynamic configuration where only the distal end is secured to the protection tube. This allows the transmission line to extend axially when needed for connections while remaining protected along its length, resolving the contradiction between protection and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The securing function is extracted from the entire transmission line and applied only to the distal end. This selective extraction of the securing function allows the transmission line to maintain protection where needed while gaining the flexibility to extend for connection operations
3Ease of operation
If the transmission line is made longer to reach outside the protection tube, then connections can be established, but the line becomes more susceptible to vibration damage
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission line extends beyond the protection tube only when needed for connections, and is secured to the protection tube at its distal end. This selective extension and securing approach allows connection capability while minimizing exposure to vibration damage by keeping the line protected within the tube during normal operations
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission line is pre-positioned within the protection tube and secured at the distal end before connection operations are needed. This preliminary configuration allows the line to be quickly extended for connections while maintaining protection during normal drilling operations, reducing overall exposure to vibration damage
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for communicating a signal downhole includes a downhole pipe configured to be coupled to another downhole pipe and a protection tube secured to the downhole pipe. A transmission line is disposed in the protection tube and configured to communicate the signal. A communication device is disposed in the downhole pipe and configured to communicate the signal to another downhole pipe. An end of the transmission line is configured to be axially movable with respect to the downhole pipe in order to have the end of the transmission line extending from the protection tube to establish a connection between the transmission line and the communication device.