Patent ID: 6866306
Filing Date: 2005-03-15
Classification: E21B,F16L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An inductive coupler for a wired pipe joint, comprising: a first flux-loop inductive coupler element including a ring-like first core having high magnetic permeability, said first core defining a first axis, a first exterior substantially cylindrical face, and a first interior conical-section annular face, the first interior face defining a first larger-diameter face, a first smaller-diameter face, and an annular first groove, the first groove located between the first larger-diameter face and the first smaller-diameter face, and a first electrically conductive coil wound within said first groove; and a second flux-loop inductive coupler element including a ring-like second core having high magnetic permeability, said second core defining a second axis, a second interior substantially cylindrical face and a second exterior conical-section annular face, the second exterior face defining a second smaller-diameter face, a second larger-diameter face, and an annular second groove, the second groove located between the second smaller-diameter face and the second larger-diameter face, and a second electrically conductive coil wound within said second groove; wherein said first and second elements are adapted to mate with the first larger-diameter face facing the second larger-diameter face, and the first smaller-diameter face facing the second smaller-diameter face; whereby said first and second cores form a low-reluctance closed ring-like magnetic path around said first and second coils.