Abstract: A connector for use in connecting a communication element to a transmission line in a wired pipe segment includes a first female end adapted to surround and make electrical contact with a coupler connection that extends away from a communication element of the coupler; a second female end adapted to receive an inner conductor of a coaxial cable; and an inner connection element formed on an inner surface of the connector adapted to electrically connect the coupler connection and the inner conductor, the inner connection element formed such that it does not completely surround at least one of the inner conductor and the coupler connection.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating a signal to or from a downhole tool includes a drill pipe configured to be rotated to drill a borehole, a tubular under axial tension and secured in the drill pipe, and a retention device secured to the tubular and configured to maintain the tubular under the axial tension. The retention device includes a portion extending from a body of the device in a direction that is non-inward-radial with respect to a longitudinal axis of the drill pipe. The apparatus further includes a transmission line disposed in the tubular and in an opening of the retention device and in communication with the downhole tool.

Abstract: An electronic frame for use in a downhole component coupling mechanism includes: a first frame element including at least one retaining structure configured to retain an electronic component; and a second frame element configured to be disposed at the first frame element, the second frame element permanently joined to the first frame element to isolate the electronic component from downhole fluids and form the electronic frame, the electronic frame configured to be disposed in a coupling assembly of a first downhole component and a second downhole component and constrained axially by the coupling assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting over-torquing or un-torquing of a threaded connection between components in a borehole penetrating the earth includes: a string of components coupled in series by a threaded connection; a transmission line attached to each component; a signal coupler in communication with the transmission line and disposed on each component at each threaded connection, the signal coupler being configured to transmit the signal to an adjacent signal coupler on an adjacent coupled component in order to transmit a signal along the transmission line attached to the adjacent coupled component; a receiver configured to receive the signal; and a processor in communication with the receiver and configured to: (i) determine a difference between a characteristic of the signal and the characteristic of a reference signal and (ii) transmit an alert signal signifying that the threaded connection is over-torquing or un-torquing in response to the difference exceeding a threshold value.

Abstract: A connector for use in connecting a communication element to a transmission line in a wired pipe segment includes a first female end adapted to surround and make electrical contact with a coupler connection that extends away from a communication element of the coupler; a second female end adapted to receive an inner conductor of a coaxial cable; and an inner connection element formed on an inner surface of the connector adapted to electrically connect the coupler connection and the inner conductor, the inner connection element formed such that it does not completely surround at least one of the inner conductor and the coupler connection.

Abstract: The transmission line for wired pipe applications includes an inner conductor, an insulating material surrounding the inner conductor, the insulating material having an initial outer diameter, and a wire channel surrounding the insulating material and the inner conductor for at least a portion of a length of the transmission line. The wire channel is formed from at least two profiles forced together to compress the insulating material such that it has a final outer diameter that is less than the initial outer diameter.

Abstract: A method for providing tension to a data or power transmission line in a pipe includes inserting a transmission line into a transmission line channel of a pipe. The transmission line has a first end and a second end and is inserted into a first end of the pipe second-end-first and has a first tension-load-supporting mechanism attached to the first end of the transmission line. The method includes applying a first level of tension to the transmission line in the pipe and applying a second tension-load-supporting mechanism to the second end of the transmission line while the first level of tension is applied to the transmission line. The method further includes removing the first level of tension from the transmission line to maintain a second level of tension along the transmission line between the first and second tension-load-supporting mechanisms.

Abstract: An electronic frame for use in a downhole component coupling mechanism in a segmented wired pipe system includes a first frame element including at least one retaining structure configured to retain an electronic component. The frame also includes a sealed chamber disposed in the frame element, the sealed chamber including inputs to receive input signals from communication elements and either couple the inputs together or direct the input signals to control electronics.

Abstract: A wired pipe transmission line for disposal in a wired pipe segment for use in subterranean drilling. The transmission line includes an assembly including an inner conductor and a dielectric layer including silicon dioxide (SiO2) insulating material surrounding the inner conductor and a protective layer that is formed of a rigid material and surrounding the dielectric layer. Also included is a method of forming a wired pipe transmission line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling a wellbore is disclosed. The wellbore is drilled with a drill string that includes a bypass device having a fluid passage therethrough by supplying a fluid through the bypass device at a first flow rate, wherein the fluid circulates to a surface location via an annulus between the drill string and the wellbore. The flow rate of the fluid is altered to a second flow rate. A time period is defined and a mechanical motion of the bypass device is initiated. A parameter related to the mechanical motion of the bypass device and a parameter related to flow rate are detected. The bypass device is activated to divert a portion of the fluid to the annulus when the parameter related to mechanical motion is detected and the parameter related to flow rate is present during the defined time period.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining electronic components in a downhole component coupling mechanism includes: a power supply frame including a first housing configured to retain a power supply therein and isolate the power supply from downhole fluids, the power supply frame configured to be disposed in and constrained axially by a coupling assembly of a first downhole component and a second downhole component; an electronic component disposed in a second housing in the coupling assembly, the electronic component located external to the power supply frame; and a connector configured to transmit electric power from the power supply to the electronic component to supply electrical power to the electronic component.

Abstract: A connector for use in connecting a communication element to a transmission line in a wired pipe segment includes a first female end adapted to surround and make electrical contact with a coupler connection that extends away from a communication element of the coupler; a second female end adapted to receive an inner conductor of a coaxial cable; and an inner connection element formed on an inner surface of the connector adapted to electrically connect the coupler connection and the inner conductor, the inner connection element formed such that it does not completely surround at least one of the inner conductor and the coupler connection.

Abstract: A wired pipe coupler that carries at least a data signal includes a carrier having a plurality of electrical components disposed therein and one or more antennas supported by and spaced from the carrier, the one or more antennas being electrically coupled to the carrier through respective ones of the plurality of electrical components.

Abstract: A wired pipe segment includes a body extending from a box end to a pin end and a coupler located in one of the box and pin ends. The coupler includes a carrier having at least one electrical component disposed therein and one or more antennas supported by and spaced from the carrier and being electrically coupled to the carrier through at least one of the electrical components, the antennas being formed in the carrier in a same molding machine. The segment also includes a transmission line extending away from the coupler towards the other of the box and pin end and in communication with the one or more antennas.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a transmission line in a downhole component includes: an element coupled to an exterior surface of the transmission line, the transmission line configured to be disposed in a communication conduit that extends through the downhole component, the element configured to restrict axial movement of the transmission line within the communication conduit.

Abstract: A drillstring communications system includes one or more pipe segments, a communication sub coupled to the pipe segment that includes a communication sub antenna, and a leaky feeder antenna in communication with the communication sub antenna.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling a wellbore is disclosed. The wellbore is drilled with a drill string that includes a bypass device having a fluid passage therethrough by supplying a fluid through the bypass device at a first flow rate, wherein the fluid circulates to a surface location via an annulus between the drill string and the wellbore. The flow rate of the fluid is altered to a second flow rate. A time period is defined and a mechanical motion of the bypass device is initiated. A parameter related to the mechanical motion of the bypass device and a parameter related to flow rate are detected. The bypass device is activated to divert a portion of the fluid to the annulus when the parameter related to mechanical motion is detected and the parameter related to flow rate is present during the defined time period.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tool body having an outer surface portion and an inner surface portion and a recess formed in one of the outer surface portion and inner surface portion. At least one removable electronic component access member is detachably mounted to the tool body. The removable electronic component access member provides access to electronic components housed in the recess. A metallic seal is provided on at least one of the tool body and the removable electronic component access member. The metallic seal prevents fluid ingress into the recess through the at least one removable electronic component access member.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tool body having an in inner surface portion and an outer surface portion. The outer surface portion includes a recess having a peripheral wall and an inner surface. A multi-chip module (MCM) housing is defined in the recess. The MCM housing includes one or more fortifying members that support axial and radial loading of the downhole tool and include one or more electronics receiving zones.

Abstract: A wired pipe transmission line for disposal in a wired pipe segment for use in subterranean drilling. The transmission line includes an assembly including an inner conductor and a dielectric layer including silicon dioxide (SiO2) insulating material surrounding the inner conductor and a protective layer that is formed of a rigid material and surrounding the dielectric layer. Also included is a method of forming a wired pipe transmission line.