Abstract: A drill pipe includes a pin end connector, a box end connector, a first communication connector and a second communication connector. The pin end connector includes a first region to form a threaded connection to join sections of the drill pipe together, and the first region includes at least one thread that begins at one end of the first region and ends at the other end of the first region. The box end connector receives the pin end connector, and the box end connector includes a second region to mate with the first region to form the threaded connection. The first communication connector is attached to the pin end connector and is located in the first region; and the second communication connector is attached to the box end connector and located in the second region to form a communication connection with the first communication connector.

Abstract: An operation of drilling an earth borehole uses a drilling rig, a drill string of drill pipes having its generally upper end mechanically coupleable with and suspendable from the drilling rig, a drive string portion of the drill string, mechanically coupleable with the topmost drill pipe of said drill string, and a drive mechanism mechanically coupleable with the drive string for rotating the drive string and the drill string. A system for generating electric power in the region of the drive string includes an electric generator, which includes a rotating generator component mounted on said drive string for rotation therewith and a stationary generator component mounted on a stationary portion of the drilling rig. The rotating generator component produces electric power in the region of the drive string.

Abstract: A drill pipe includes a pin end connector, a box end connector, a first communication connector having a plurality of first communication contacts and a second communication connector having a plurality of second communication contacts. The pin end connector is received by the box end connector to join sections of a drill pipe together. When the drill pipe sections are joined by the pin end and box end connectors, a plurality of isolated communication connections is formed between the first communication contacts and the second communication contacts.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating with a drill string is provided. The system includes an apparatus having a first coupler, a second coupler, a frame and an actuator. The first coupler may be operatively connectable to the drill string and the second coupler may be operatively connectable to a top drive of a handling system thereby allowing communication between a surface system and a downhole system. The frame may support the first coupler and the second coupler. The frame may be operatively connectable to the handling system. The actuator may be for moving the frame with the first and second couplers between an engaged position operatively connected to the top drive and an uppermost drill pipe, and a disengaged position a distance from the uppermost drill pipe whereby the first and second couplers selectively establish a communication link between the surface system and the downhole system.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating with a drill string is provided. The system may have an apparatus including a coupler, a frame and an actuator. The coupler may be operatively connectable to a surface system and a downhole system for communication therewith. The frame may be for supporting the coupler and may be operatively connectable to a handling system. The actuator may be for moving the frame with the coupler between an engaged position operatively connected to an uppermost drill pipe of the downhole system and a disengaged position a distance from the uppermost drill pipe whereby the coupler selectively establishes a communication link between the surface system and the downhole system.

Abstract: A system for loading a hardware configuration into downhole configurable hardware includes a surface control unit in communication with a downhole tool string component over a downhole network. The surface control unit initially has the hardware configuration and transmits it through the downhole network to the configurable hardware. The hardware configuration is implemented in the configurable hardware. The configurable hardware is preferably an FPGA.

Abstract: A method of responding to an anomalous change in downhole pressure in a bore hole comprises detecting the anomalous change in downhole pressure, sending a signal along the segmented electromagnetic transmission path, receiving the signal, and performing a automated response. The anomalous change in downhole pressure is detected at a first location along a segmented electromagnetic transmission path, and the segmented electromagnetic transmission path is integrated into the tool string. The signal is received by at least one receiver in communication with the segmented electromagnetic transmission path. The automated response is performed along the tool string. Disclosed is an apparatus for responding to an anomalous change in downhole pressure in a downhole tool string, comprising a segmented electromagnetic transmission path connecting one or more receivers and at least one pressure sensor.

Abstract: A wired drill pipe segment includes a tubular body having an axial bore, a box end disposed at a first end of the tubular body having a first core material disposed in the box end, a pin end disposed at a second end of the tubular body having a second core material disposed in the pin end, a first coil winding wound around at least a portion of the first core material and a second coil winding wound around at least a portion of the first core material, a third coil winding wound around at least a portion of the second core material and a fourth coil winding wound around at least a portion of the second core material, a first conductor connected to the first coil winding and the third coil winding and extending through the tubular body, and a second conductor connected to the second coil winding and the fourth coil winding and extending through the tubular body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for discovering and monitoring a collection of nodes in a downhole network may include receiving data packets originating from several downhole nodes. These packets may be read to extract a unique identifier and hop count for each of the nodes. This information may then be used to create entries in a network topology table corresponding to each of the downhole nodes. Each entry may contain unique identifier identifying the respective node, a hop count identifying a location of the node within the downhole network, and a direction identifier. The method may further include modifying one or more entries in the topology table having a conflicting hop count and direction identifier.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for discovering and monitoring a collection of nodes in a downhole network may include receiving data packets originating from several downhole nodes. These packets may be read to extract a unique identifier and hop count for each of the nodes. This information may then be used to create entries in a network topology table corresponding to each of the downhole nodes. Each entry may contain unique identifier identifying the respective node and a hop count identifying a location of the node within the downhole network. The apparatus and method may further include modifying one or more entries in the topology table having conflicting hop counts to ensure that the hop counts of each entry are unique.

Abstract: Token authorized packet exchange between a plurality of store-and-forward nodes in a downhole networking environment and respective applications for data processing and communication are described herein.

Abstract: An apparatus for fixing computational latency within a deterministic region on a network comprises a network interface modem, a high priority module and at least one deterministic peripheral device. The network interface modem is in communication with the network. The high priority module is in communication with the network interface modem. The at least one deterministic peripheral device is connected to the high priority module. The high priority module comprises a packet assembler/disassembler, and hardware for performing at least one operation. Also disclosed is an apparatus for executing at least one instruction on a downhole device within a deterministic region, the apparatus comprising a control device, a downhole network, and a downhole device. The control device is near the surface of a downhole tool string. The downhole network is integrated into the tool string. The downhole device is in communication with the downhole network.

Abstract: Token authorized node discovery between a plurality of store-and-forward nodes in a downhole networking environment and respective applications for data processing and communication are described herein.

Abstract: A method of monitoring downhole conditions in a borehole includes receiving sensor data through a network of nodes provided at selected positions on a drill string disposed in the borehole. An inference is made about the downhole condition from the sensor data. A determination is made whether the downhole condition matches a target downhole condition within a set tolerance. At least one parameter affecting the downhole condition is selectively adjusted if the downhole condition does not match the target downhole condition within the set tolerance.

Abstract: A method for identifying properties of a downhole electromagnetic network in a downhole tool sting, including the step of providing an electromagnetic path intermediate a first location and a second location on the electromagnetic network. The method further includes the step of providing a receiver at the second location. The receiver includes a known reference. The analog signal includes a set amplitude, a set range of frequencies, and a set rate of change between the frequencies. The method further includes the steps of sending the analog signal, and passively modifying the signal. The analog signal is sent from the first location through the electromagnetic path, and the signal is modified by the properties of the electromagnetic path. The method further includes the step of receiving a modified signal at the second location and comparing the known reference to the modified signal.

Abstract: A system for transmitting information between downhole components has a first downhole component with a first mating surface and a second downhole component having a second mating surface configured to substantially mate with the first mating surface. The system also has a first transmission element with a first communicating surface and is mounted within a recess in the first mating surface. The first transmission element also has an angled surface. The recess has a side with multiple slopes for interacting with the angled surface, each slope exerting a different spring force on the first transmission element. A second transmission element has a second communicating surface mounted proximate the second mating surface and adapted to communicate with the first communicating surface.

Abstract: An element for use in an inductive coupler for downhole components comprises an annular housing having a generally circular recess. The element further comprises a plurality of generally linear, magnetically conductive segments. Each segment includes a bottom portion, an inner wall portion, and an outer wall portion. The portions together define a generally linear trough from a first end to a second end of each segment. The segments are arranged adjacent to each other within the housing recess to form a generally circular trough. The ends of at least half of the segments are shaped such that the first end of one of the segments is complementary in form to the second end of an adjacent segment. In one embodiment, all of the ends are angled. Preferably, the first ends are angled with the same angle and the second ends are angled with the complementary angle.

Abstract: This invention provides an asynchronous electronic circuit that has an asynchronous memory circuit where the memory cells are arranged in columns and rows. The asynchronous circuit includes a read completion detection circuit and a write completion detection circuit that determines an end of the read cycle or the write cycle for a word byte of information. Upon completion of the read or write cycle an acknowledge signal is generated from the read completion detection circuit or the write completion detection circuit. The read and/or write acknowledge signal is used as a control signal to advance the electronic circuit to the next subsequent step in a process. The invention further provides a method for detecting the end of a read and/or write cycle issuing an acknowledge signal that may be used to provide control to an asynchronous electronic circuit to advance to the next step in a sequence.

Abstract: A transmission system in a downhole component comprises a data transmission element in both ends of the downhole component. Each data transmission element houses an electrically conducting coil in a MCEI circular trough. An electrical conductor connects both the transmission elements. The electrical conductor comprises at least three electrically conductive elements insulated from each other. In the preferred embodiment the electrical conductor comprises an electrically conducting outer shield, an electrically conducting inner shield and an electrical conducting core. In some embodiments of the present invention, the electrical conductor comprises an electrically insulating jacket. In other embodiments, the electrical conductor comprises a pair of twisted wires. In some embodiments, the electrical conductor comprises semi-conductive material.

Abstract: A filter for a drill string comprises a perforated receptacle having an open end and a perforated end and first and second mounting surfaces are adjacent the open end. A transmission element is disposed within each of the first and second mounting surfaces. A capacitor may modify electrical characteristics of an LC circuit that comprises the transmission elements. The respective transmission elements are in communication with each other and with a transmission network integrated into the drill string. The transmission elements may be inductive couplers, direct electrical contacts, or optical couplers. In some embodiments of the present invention, the filter comprises an electronic component. The electronic component may be selected from the group consisting of a sensor, a router, a power source, a clock source, a repeater, and an amplifier.