Baker Hughes Corporation

Detlef Ragnitz

Johannes Witte

Thomas Kruspe

Volker Krueger

Volker Peters

Helmut Dieter Floerke

Hans Rehbock

An apparatus is provided for conveying electrical power and data signals between a first location and a second location in a well borehole. The apparatus comprises a first drill pipe disposed at the first location, and a second drill pipe disposed at the second location. A second end of the second drill pipe is coupled to a first end of the first drill pipe. A first plurality of conductive pathways such as insulated wires extend longitudinally through at least a portion of the first drill pipe and terminate at the first end. A second plurality of conductive pathways extend longitudinally through at least a portion of the second drill pipe and terminate at the second end. A verification device is operatively associated with the first and second pluralities of conductive pathways for verifying electrical continuity between the first and second pluralities of conductive pathways.

Integrated modular connector in a drill pipe

The present invention provides apparatus for power transfer over a nonconductive gap between rotating and non-rotating members of downhole oilfield tools. The gap may contain a non-conductive fluid, such as drilling fluid or oil for operating hydraulic devices in the downhole tool. The downhole tool, in one embodiment, is a drilling assembly wherein a drive shaft is rotated by a downhole motor to rotate the drill bit attached to the bottom end of the drive shaft. A substantially non-rotating sleeve around the drive shaft includes a plurality of independently operated force application members used to exert the force required to maintain and/or alter the drilling direction. In the preferred system, one or more mechanically operated devices such as hydraulic units control the force application members. A transfer device transfers electrical power between the rotating and non-rotating members, and the electric power is converted directly to mechanical power. An electronic control circuit or unit associated with the rotating member controls the transfer of power between the rotating member and the non-rotating member.

Drilling apparatus with motor-driven pump steering control

In general, the present invention provides a modular drilling assembly having a module for contactless power and data transfer over a nonconductive gap between rotating and non-rotating members of a steering module. The gap usually contains a non-conductive fluid, such as drilling fluid, or oil for operating hydraulic devices in the downhole tool. The downhole tool in one embodiment is a modular drilling assembly wherein a drive shaft is rotated by a downhill motor to rotate a drill bit attached to the bottom end of the drive shaft. A substantially non-rotating sleeve around the drive shaft includes at least one electrically-operated device. The drilling assembly is modular in that it includes at least one steering module at the bottom end of the drilling assembly that has at least one steering device module that provides power to the force application member. A power and data communication uphole of the steering module provides power to the steering module and data communication between the drilling assembly and the surface.

Growing community of inventors

Dassel-Markoldendorf, Germany

Detlef Ragnitz