Multiple channel rotary electrical connector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10060216-B2
Application number	US-201214425390-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 2, 2012
Priority date	Oct 2, 2012
Publication date	Aug 28, 2018
Grant date	Aug 28, 2018

Abstract

A multiple channel rotary electrical connector can include multiple first contacts which are radially spaced apart from each other, and multiple second contacts which electrically contact respective ones of the first contacts while there is relative rotation between the first and second contacts. The second contacts may be radially spaced apart from each other. A well tool can include one section which rotates relative to another section of the well tool, and a multiple channel rotary electrical connector which includes multiple annular-shaped contacts that rotate relative to each other. A method of operating a well tool in a subterranean well can include producing relative rotation between sections of the well tool, and communicating multiple channels of electrical signals between the sections while there is relative rotation between the sections. The communicating can include electrically contacting multiple annular-shaped contacts with each other.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A well tool, comprising:
a first section which rotates relative to a second section of the well tool;
a multiple channel rotary electrical connector which includes multiple annular-shaped first contacts that rotate relative to multiple annular-shaped second contacts; and
a fluid flow passage which extends longitudinally through the well tool, and wherein the first and second contacts encircle the fluid flow passage.

2. The well tool of claim 1 , wherein each of the first contacts includes a first inclined face which contacts a second inclined face of a respective one of the second contacts.

3. The well tool of claim 2 , wherein the first inclined faces are arranged in a conical configuration.

4. The well tool of claim 2 , wherein the first inclined faces centralize the second inclined faces.

5. The well tool of claim 1 , wherein the first contacts are radially spaced apart.

6. The well tool of claim 1 , wherein the first contacts are axially spaced apart.

7. The well tool of claim 1 , wherein the first contacts are both radially and axially offset from each other.

8. The well tool of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first contacts encircles another of the first contacts.

9. The well tool of claim 1 , wherein the first section is secured to a shaft driven by a drilling motor.

10. The well tool of claim 1 , wherein the first and second sections are included in a rotary steering tool which steers a drill bit.

11. The well tool of claim 1 , wherein the connector transmits electrical signals without interruption.

12. The well tool of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing device which biases the first and second contacts into contact with each other.

13. The well tool of claim 12 , wherein electrical signals are transmitted through the biasing device.

14. A multiple channel rotary electrical connector, comprising:
multiple first contacts which are radially spaced apart from each other; and
multiple second contacts which electrically contact respective ones of the first contacts while there is relative rotation between the first and second contacts, wherein the second contacts are radially spaced apart from each other, and wherein the first and second contacts encircle a fluid flow passage.

15. The electrical connector of claim 14 , wherein each of the first and second contacts is annular-shaped.

16. The electrical connector of claim 14 , wherein each of the first contacts includes a first inclined face which contacts a second inclined face of a respective one of the second contacts.

17. The electrical connector of claim 16 , wherein the first inclined faces are arranged in a conical configuration.

18. The electrical connector of claim 16 , wherein the first inclined faces centralize the second inclined faces.

19. The electrical connector of claim 14 , wherein the first contacts are axially spaced apart.

20. The electrical connector of claim 14 , wherein the first contacts are both radially and axially offset from each other.

21. The electrical connector of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first contacts encircles another of the first contacts.

22. The electrical connector of claim 14 , wherein the connector transmits electrical signals without interruption.

23. The electrical connector of claim 14 , further comprising a biasing device which biases the first and second contacts into contact with each other.

24. The electrical connector of claim 23 , wherein electrical signals are transmitted through the biasing device.

25. A method of operating at least one well tool in a subterranean well, the method comprising:
producing relative rotation between first and second well tool sections;
communicating multiple channels of electrical signals between the first and second sections while there is relative rotation between the first and second sections, the communicating comprising electrically contacting multiple annular-shaped first contacts with respective ones of multiple annular-shaped second contacts; and
encircling, by the first and second contacts, a fluid flow passage which extends longitudinally through the well tool.

26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the contacting further comprises a first inclined face of each of the first contacts contacting a second inclined face of a respective one of the second contacts.

27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the first inclined faces are arranged in a conical configuration.

28. The method of claim 26 , wherein the first inclined faces centralize the second inclined faces.

29. The method of claim 25 , wherein the first contacts are radially spaced apart.

30. The method of claim 25 , wherein the first contacts are axially spaced apart.

31. The method of claim 25 , wherein the first contacts are both radially and axially offset from each other.

32. The method of claim 25 , wherein at least one of the first contacts encircles another of the first contacts.

33. The method of claim 25 , wherein the first section is secured to a shaft driven by a drilling motor.

34. The method of claim 25 , wherein the first and second sections are included in a rotary steering tool which steers a drill bit.

35. The method of claim 25 , wherein the connector transmits electrical signals without interruption.

36. The method of claim 25 , further comprising a biasing device biasing the first and second contacts into contact with each other.

37. The method of claim 36 , further comprising transmitting electrical signals through the biasing device.

Assignees

• Halliburton Energy Services Inc

Inventors

• Schroter Terence A
• Ishfaq Ehtisham
• D'Silva Alben

Classifications

• H01R39/08

  Slip-rings · CPC title

• E21B7/06

  Deflecting the direction of boreholes · CPC title

• H01R39/381

  characterised by the application of pressure to brush · CPC title

• H01R39/38

  Brush holders · CPC title

• E21B41/00

  Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00 · CPC title