Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a transmission line within a drill string component includes a drill string component comprising a bore having an internal diameter. A slot having a shoulder is formed in the internal surface to receive an electromagnetic transmission line. A tension anchor is configured to be attached to the electromagnetic transmission line. The tension anchor comprises an inner sleeve configured to be crimped onto an outer diameter of the electromagnetic transmission line, and an outer sleeve configured to be coupled with the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve comprises an electrical connector device configured to be electrically coupled with the electromagnetic transmission line. The tension anchor is further configured to be received in the slot in engagement with the shoulder.

Abstract: A system for communicating information about a drilling operation comprises a drill string comprising a bottom-hole assembly, a data transmission line operably coupled to the bottom-hole assembly to receive data relating to the drilling operation, and a wireless transmission system operably coupled to the data transmission line and configured to receive and relay the data from the data transmission line. The wireless transmission system comprises a wireless transmitter comprising a beam forming antenna array. Devices and methods relate to communicating information about a drilling operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a transmission line within a drill string component includes a drill string component comprising a bore having an internal diameter. A slot having a shoulder is formed in the internal surface to receive an electromagnetic transmission line. A tension anchor is configured to be attached to the electromagnetic transmission line. The tension anchor comprises an inner sleeve configured to be crimped onto an outer diameter of the electromagnetic transmission line, and an outer sleeve configured to be coupled with the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve comprises an electrical connector device configured to be electrically coupled with the electromagnetic transmission line. The tension anchor is further configured to be received in the slot in engagement with the shoulder.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a transmission line within a drill string component is disclosed. In one embodiment, such an apparatus includes a drill string component comprising a bore having an internal diameter. A slot is formed in the internal diameter to receive a transmission line. A first feature within the slot is configured to engage a corresponding second feature on the transmission line and thereby retain an end of the transmission line. A sleeve is inserted into the internal diameter to keep the transmission line within the slot. A corresponding system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a transmission line within a drill string component includes a drill string component comprising a bore having an internal diameter. A slot is formed in the internal diameter to receive a transmission line. A first feature within the slot is configured to engage a corresponding second feature on the transmission line and thereby retain an end of the transmission line. The first feature comprises a first angled surface configured to contact and engage a corresponding second angled surface of the second feature. The first and second angled surfaces are oriented such to keep the transmission line retained within the slot when tension is placed on the transmission line. A corresponding system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a transmission line within a drill string component includes a drill string component comprising a bore having an internal diameter. A slot is formed in the internal diameter to receive a transmission line. A shoulder within the slot is configured to engage a tension anchor attached to the transmission line. The tension anchor is configured to hold tension in the transmission line. The tension anchor includes a first component that is attached to the transmission line, and a second component that is threaded onto the first component. In certain embodiments, the second component contains a connector configured to enable connection to the transmission line. A corresponding system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a transmission line within a drill string component includes a drill string component comprising a bore having an internal diameter. A slot is formed in the internal diameter to receive a transmission line. A shoulder within the slot is configured to engage a tension anchor attached to the transmission line. The tension anchor is configured to hold tension in the transmission line. The tension anchor includes a first component that is attached to the transmission line, and a second component that is threaded onto the first component. In certain embodiments, the second component contains a connector configured to enable connection to the transmission line. A corresponding system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a transmission line within a drill string component is disclosed. In one embodiment, such an apparatus includes a drill string component comprising a bore having an internal diameter. A slot is formed in the internal diameter to receive a transmission line. A first feature within the slot is configured to engage a corresponding second feature on the transmission line and thereby retain an end of the transmission line. A sleeve is inserted into the internal diameter to keep the transmission line within the slot. A corresponding system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a transmission line within a drill string component includes a drill string component comprising a bore having an internal diameter. A slot is formed in the internal diameter to receive a transmission line. A first feature within the slot is configured to engage a corresponding second feature on the transmission line and thereby retain an end of the transmission line. The first feature comprises a first angled surface configured to contact and engage a corresponding second angled surface of the second feature. The first and second angled surfaces are oriented such to keep the transmission line retained within the slot when tension is placed on the transmission line. A corresponding system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A communicative coupler for a tubular member including a hub having a longitudinal hub axis and a chamber disposed therein, a coil disposed in the hub for electromagnetically communicating with a coil of the tubular member, a shaft having a longitudinal shaft axis, a first end, and a second end, wherein the second end of the shaft is pivotally coupled to the hub, and a positioning assembly disposed in the chamber of the hub that engages the second end of the shaft, and wherein the positioning assembly is configured to allow the longitudinal shaft axis to become laterally offset from the longitudinal hub axis.

Abstract: An adapter for a wired drill pipe joint includes an annular adapter body having a first end and a second end, an annular recess extending partially into the first end of the adapter body, a communication element disposed at least partially within the annular recess, wherein the second end of the adapter body is configured to releasably couple to an end portion of a first wired drill pipe joint, wherein the annular adapter body includes an arcuate key that is configured to restrict relative rotation of the adapter body with respect to the first wired drill pipe joint, wherein the annular adapter body and the communication element form a shoulder configured for engagement with a corresponding shoulder of a second wired drill pipe joint to form a rotary shouldered threaded connection between the first wired drill pipe joint and the second wired drill pipe joint.

Abstract: Inductive coupler assemblies for controlling the stray magnetic fields of an inductive coupler to reduce the associated losses are disclosed. This results in reduced attenuation (increased efficiency) of the inductive coupler even in the presence of gaps. The assembly includes an inductive coupler having a housing, a biasing element, and a retention mechanism. The assembly further includes a wire surrounded by a ring of flux channel material disposed in the housing. In some embodiments, the retention mechanism is adapted for removal of the inductive coupler from a pipe joint end. The biasing element may be a circumferential spring disposed between the housing and the pipe joint end. The retention mechanism may be a retention snap ring, press fit, or threaded, to removably couple the housing to the pipe joint end.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a printed wiring assembly (PWA) within an enclosure of a downhole tool includes an elongate base, an elongate cover, and at least one bracket member coupled to the downhole tool. The base is for supporting electrical components that may include electronics, circuitry, conductive strips, and batteries thereon. The cover extends in a longitudinal direction and extends over the central portion of the base. At least one end of the base is uncovered by the cover. The cover includes at least one lateral recess that extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The bracket member has a portion extending into the lateral recess and is configured to engage the cover and secure the cover within the enclosure.

Abstract: An adapter for a wired drill pipe joint includes an annular adapter body having a first end and a second end, an annular recess extending partially into the first end of the adapter body, a communication element disposed at least partially within the annular recess, wherein the second end of the adapter body is configured to releasably couple to an end portion of a first wired drill pipe joint, wherein the annular adapter body includes an arcuate key that is configured to restrict relative rotation of the adapter body with respect to the first wired drill pipe joint, wherein the annular adapter body and the communication element form a shoulder configured for engagement with a corresponding shoulder of a second wired drill pipe joint to form a rotary shouldered threaded connection between the first wired drill pipe joint and the second wired drill pipe joint.

Abstract: An adapter for a wired drill pipe joint includes an annular adapter body having a first end, a second end, and an outer recess configured to receive a latch, an annular recess extending partially into the first end of the adapter body, a communication element disposed at least partially within the annular recess, wherein the second end of the adapter body is configured to be coupled to an end portion of a first wired drill pipe joint, and an annular latch coupled to the adapter body and configured to contact the first wired drill pipe joint when the adapter body is coupled to the first wired drill pipe joint and to resist decoupling of the adapter body from the first wired drill pipe joint.

Abstract: A downhole sub having a first tubular housing with a first internal shoulder, a second tubular housing with a second internal shoulder, and a stabilizer assembly to be disposed between the first and second internal shoulders. The first and second tubular housings are configured to be threaded together, and the stabilizer assembly is configured to engage the first and second internal shoulders. A method of coupling tubular housings in a downhole sub in which a first tubular housing and a second tubular housing are threadably coupled, where the first tubular housing includes a first shoulder and the second tubular housing includes a second shoulder. A sleeve is interlocked with and inside the second tubular housing such that the sleeve is disposed between the first and second shoulders and includes a third shoulder, where the first shoulder is torqued against the third shoulder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for downhole telemetry diagnosis. A downhole telemetry system includes a plurality of joints of wired drill pipe connected end-to-end, a first repeater sub, and a second repeater sub. The first repeater sub is connected to an uphole end of the plurality of joints of wired drill pipe. The second repeater sub connected to a downhole end of the plurality of joints of wired drill pipe. The first repeater sub is configured to transmit a signal into one of the joints of wired drill pipe that is connected to the first repeater sub; to detect energy of the transmitted signal returned to the first repeater sub; to measure duration of the returned energy; and to determine an operational state of the first repeater sub based on the measured duration of the returned energy.

Abstract: An adapter for a wired drill pipe joint includes an annular adapter body having a first end, a second end, and an outer recess configured to receive a latch, an annular recess extending partially into the first end of the adapter body, a communication element disposed at least partially within the annular recess, wherein the second end of the adapter body is configured to be coupled to an end portion of a first wired drill pipe joint, and an annular latch coupled to the adapter body and configured to contact the first wired drill pipe joint when the adapter body is coupled to the first wired drill pipe joint and to resist decoupling of the adapter body from the first wired drill pipe joint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a kick in a wellbore using acoustic transducers. In one embodiment, a system for detecting a kick in a wellbore includes a drill string having a plurality of sections of drill pipes and a plurality of kick detection subs disposed between the sections of drill pipes. Each of the kick detection subs includes an acoustic transducer and kick detection circuitry coupled to the acoustic transducer. The kick detection circuitry is configured to detect gas bubbles in the wellbore based on acoustic signals received by the acoustic transducer. The kick detection circuitry is also configured to determine whether a kick is present in the wellbore based on the detected gas bubbles. The kick detection circuitry is further configured to transmit information indicating whether a kick is present to the surface.

Abstract: An adapter for a wired drill pipe joint includes an annular adapter having a first end and a second end, an annular recess extending partially into the first end of the adapter and an element of a communication coupler disposed at least partially within the annular recess, wherein the second end of the adapter is configured to be coupled to an end portion of the wired drill pipe joint.