Patent ID: 7032930
Filing Date: 2006-04-25
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. An electrical isolation connector subassembly for interconnecting adjacent tubular drill rods of a drilling system used in drilling bore holes in earth formations, said connector comprising: a first electrically isolated component; a second electrically isolated component; a plurality of insulator sleeves; the first electrically isolated component being adapted on one end to connect to a first tubular drill rod; the second electrically isolated component being adapted on one end to connect to a second tubular drill rod; said plurality of insulator sleeves electrically separating said first and second electrically isolated components; wherein at least one of said insulator sleeves is sandwiched between the first and second electrically isolated components, providing an exterior gap between the edges of the spaced apart first and second electrically isolated components, the exterior gap having a width of less than 50 cm, and wherein a retaining nut is used to urge said second electrically isolated component towards said first electrically isolated component, thereby imparting compressive pressure upon said insulator sleeves to prevent the ingress of drilling mud into said subassembly.