Auto-extending/retracting electrically isolated conductors in a segmented drill string
US6446728B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 10, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B47/0232
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Arrangements and associated methods are described for providing an isolated electrically conductive path in a system in which a boring tool is moved through the ground in a region. The system includes a drill rig and a drill string which is connected between a boring tool, or other in-ground device, and the drill. The drill string is made up of a plurality of electrically conductive drill pipe sections, each of which includes a section length and all of which are configured for removable attachment with one another to facilitate the extension and retraction of the drill string by one section length at a time. The arrangement associated with each drill pipe section provides part of at least one electrically conductive path along the section length of each drill pipe section, which electrically conductive path is electrically isolated from its associated drill pipe section and extends from the boring tool to the drill rig such that the electrically conductive path is extended by the section length when the drill string is extended by attachment of an additional drill pipe section to the drill string at the drill rig and the electrically conductive path is shortened by the section len…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.