Wired Drill Pipe Connectors for Low Resistance Signal Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wired drill pipe connections face issues with long-term reliability and high resistance due to debris, corrosion, and the amplifying effect of inductors, which hinder efficient signal transfer in wellbore drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
The use of wired drill pipes with connection ends featuring multiple independent conductive connectors, such as flat contact surfaces isolated by insulation, that engage securely through threaded mechanisms to establish low-resistance, high-reliability conductive paths, avoiding the amplification effects of inductors and ensuring signal transfer regardless of rotational orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If inductive couplers are used to enable signal transfer along wired drill strings, then signal transfer is enabled in many environments, but connection resistance is amplified by the square of the number of turns in the inductor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes inductors from the connection system entirely, replacing them with direct conductive connections. This extraction eliminates the resistance amplification effect while maintaining signal transfer capability across various environments through the use of multiple independent conductive connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic inductive coupling system with a direct mechanical conductive connection system. This substitution uses physical contact between conductive elements rather than magnetic field coupling, thereby eliminating the resistance amplification inherent in inductive systems.
2Ease of manufacture
If spring connections are used to create electrical connections between drill pipes, then connections can be formed, but long-term reliability and mating alignment are problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connection system into multiple independent conductive connectors rather than relying on a single spring mechanism. This segmentation provides redundancy, where if one connector fails or misaligns, others can maintain the electrical connection, thereby improving long-term reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates alignment features and tolerance compensation in the connector design that anticipate and accommodate mating misalignments before they cause connection failure. This preemptive design approach cushions against alignment issues that would otherwise compromise reliability.
3Ease of operation
If conventional connections are used in field conditions, then drill pipes can be connected, but debris, glazing, and corrosion increase connection resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the connection interface by using multiple independent conductive connectors with increased surface area and distributed contact points. This parameter change makes the connection more tolerant to debris and corrosion, as the harmful factors must contaminate all connectors simultaneously to significantly increase resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite connector designs that combine conductive materials with corrosion-resistant coatings or protective layers. This composite approach maintains electrical conductivity while providing resistance to environmental degradation from corrosion and debris accumulation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances the reliability and efficiency of signal transfer along the wired drill string by maintaining low resistance and ensuring consistent communication between downhole equipment and surface locations, improving the operational performance of wellbore drilling systems.
Implementation Method 1
Each wired drill pipe comprises conductive end connections that enable the connection of a series of wired drill pipes to form a wired drill string
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for facilitating the formation of electrical connections between wired drill pipes is provided. Wired drill pipes comprise connection ends that each have a plurality of independent conductors. The independent conductors are arranged to enable a plurality of conductive connections between adjacent wired drill pipes when the wired drill pipes are physically connected.