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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In downhole drilling operations, downhole measuring tools are used to gather information about geological formations, status of downhole tools, and other downhole conditions. Such data is useful to drilling operators, geologists, engineers, and other personnel located at the surface. This data may be used to adjust drilling parameters, such as drilling direction, penetration speed, and the like, to effectively tap into an oil or gas bearing reservoir. Data may be gathered at various points along the drill string, such as from a bottom-hole assembly or from sensors distributed along the drill string. Once gathered, apparatus and methods are needed to rapidly and reliably transmit the data to the surface. Traditionally, mud pulse telemetry has been used to transmit data to the surface. However, mud pulse telemetry is characterized by a very slow data transmission rate (typically in a range of 1-6 bits/second) and is therefore inadequate for transmitting large quantities of data in real time. Other telemetry systems, such as wired pipe telemetry system and wireless telemetry system, have been or are being developed to achieve a much higher transmission rate than possible with the mud pulse telemetry system. 
     In wired pipe telemetry systems, inductive transducers are provided at the ends of wired pipes. The inductive transducers at the opposing ends of each wired pipe are electrically connected by an electrical conductor running along the length of the wired pipe. Data transmission involves transmitting an electrical signal through an electrical conductor in a first wired pipe, converting the electrical signal to a magnetic field upon leaving the first wired pipe using an inductive transducer at an end of the first wired pipe, and converting the magnetic field back into an electrical signal using an inductive transducer at an end of the second wired pipe. Several wired pipes are typically needed for data transmission between the downhole location and the surface. As is known, the signal coupler or junction between ends of the wired pipe can include other types of electrical couplers beyond inductive transducers, such as direct conductive-type couplers and others. However, the use of a unitary double-shouldered connection typically only allows for an electronics assembly that greatly restricts the inner diameter of the tool. The wired pipes may be subjected to temperatures up to 200° C. and 25,000 psi pressure. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In one embodiment, a downhole sub includes 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. In addition, the first and second tubular housings are configured to be threaded together. Moreover, the stabilizer assembly is configured to engage the first and second internal shoulders. In some embodiments, the stabilizer assembly includes an outer sleeve and an inner spacer. The outer sleeve may include a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first end is disposed proximate the second internal shoulder of the second housing. The second end of the outer sleeve may form a third internal shoulder. The first internal shoulder may be configured to engage the third internal shoulder such that the engagement of the first internal shoulder and the third internal shoulder provides a torquing interface between the first and second tubular housings. 
     In another aspect, a downhole sub includes a first tubular housing with a first internal shoulder, a second tubular housing with a second internal shoulder, and a sleeve to be disposed between the first and second internal shoulders. In addition, the first and second tubular housings are configured to be threaded together. Moreover, the sleeve is configured to engage the first and second internal shoulders. 
     In a further aspect, a downhole sub includes a first tubular housing with a first internal shoulder, a second tubular housing with a second internal shoulder, and a spacer having a first end that is biased and a second end configured to engage the second internal shoulder. Moreover, the first and second tubular housings are configured to be threaded together. 
     In one embodiment, a method for stabilizing an assembly for use with a downhole sub assembly includes an outer sleeve having a plurality of interlocking interfaces, an inner spacer having a first annular end opposite a second annular end, a cutout and a coupler element disposed in a channel on a the first annular end, and a biasing assembly comprising a biasing element and disposed about and retained by a first end of a spring cap. Moreover, the inner spacer is configured to engage and retain the biasing element at a second annular end of the spring cap. 
     In one embodiment of a method for coupling tubular housings in a downhole sub, the method includes threadably coupling a first tubular housing and a second tubular housing, wherein the first tubular housing includes a first shoulder and the second tubular housing includes a second shoulder. In addition, the method comprises interlocking a sleeve with and inside the second tubular housing, the sleeve disposed between the first and second shoulders and including a third shoulder. Moreover, the method comprises torquing the first shoulder against the third shoulder. 
     Embodiments described herein comprise a combination of features and advantages intended to address various shortcomings associated with certain prior devices, systems, and methods. The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the disclosure such that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. The various characteristics described above, as well as other features, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description, and by referring to the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a drilling system including an embodiment of a system in accordance with the principles described herein 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of an embodiment of a downhole sub assembly in accordance with the principles described herein; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross-sectional schematic view of the downhole sub assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a sleeve shown in the downhole sub assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional schematic view of a portion of the downhole sub assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross-sectional schematic view of a portion of the downhole sub assembly of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a schematic front view of a portion of the downhole sub assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7B  is a schematic front view of a portion of the downhole sub assembly of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a spacer shown in the downhole sub assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a portion of the downhole sub assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional schematic view of a portion of the downhole sub assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged cross-sectional schematic view of a portion of the downhole sub assembly of  FIG. 10 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is a partial exploded cross-sectional schematic view of the downhole sub assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following discussion is directed to various exemplary embodiments. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the examples disclosed herein have broad application, and that the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosures, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment. 
     Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claim to refer to particular system components. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. Moreover, the drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the disclosure may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form, and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. 
     In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . . ” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirect connection via other devices, components, and connections. In addition, as used herein, the terms “axial” and “axially” generally mean along or parallel to a central axis (e.g., central axis of a body or a port), while the terms “radial” and “radially” generally mean perpendicular to the central axis. For instance, an axial distance refers to a distance measured along or parallel to the central axis, and a radial distance means a distance measured perpendicular to the central axis. Still further, reference to “up” or “down” may be made for purposes of description with “up,” “upper,” “upward,” or “above” meaning generally toward or closer to the surface of the earth, and with “down,” “lower,” “downward,” or “below” meaning generally away or further from the surface of the earth. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a drilling operation  10  in which a borehole  36  is being drilled through subsurface formation beneath the Earth&#39;s surface  26 . The drilling operation includes a drilling rig  20  and a drill string  13  having central axis  11  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The drill string  13  includes coupled tubulars or drill pipe  12  and extends from the rig  20  into the borehole  36 . A bottom hole assembly (BHA)  15  is provided at the lower end of the drill string  13 . The BHA  15  may include a drill bit or other cutting device  16 , a bit sensor package  38 , and a directional drilling motor or rotary steerable device  14 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The drill string  13  preferably includes a plurality of network nodes  30 . The nodes  30  are provided at desired intervals along the drill string. Network nodes essentially function as signal repeaters to regenerate data signals and mitigate signal attenuation as data is transmitted up and down the drill string. The nodes  30  may be integrated into an existing section of drill pipe or a downhole tool along the drill string. A repeater for this purpose is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,224,288 (the “&#39;288 Patent”), which is incorporated herein by reference. Sensor package  38  in the BHA  15  may also include a network node (not shown separately). For purposes of this disclosure, the term “sensors” is understood to comprise sources (to emit/transmit energy/signals), receivers (to receive/detect energy/signals), and transducers (to operate as either source/receiver). Connectors  34  represent drill pipe joint connectors, while the connectors  32  connect a node  30  to an upper and lower drill pipe joint. 
     The nodes  30  comprise a portion of a downhole electromagnetic network  46  that provides an electromagnetic signal path that is used to transmit information along the drill string  13 . The downhole network  46  may thus include multiple nodes  30  based along the drill string  13 . Communication links  48  may be used to connect the nodes  30  to one another, and may comprise cables or other transmission media integrated directly into sections of the drill string  13 . The cable may be routed through the central borehole of the drill string  13 , or routed externally to the drill string  13 , or mounted within a groove, slot or passageway in the drill string  13 . Preferably signals from the plurality of sensors in the sensor package  38  and elsewhere along the drill string  13  are transmitted to the surface  26  through a wire conductor  48  along the drill string  13 . Communication links between the nodes  30  may also use wireless connections. 
     A plurality of packets may be used to transmit information along the nodes  30 . Packets may be used to carry data from tools or sensors located downhole to an uphole node  30 , or may carry information or data necessary to operate the network  46 . Other packets may be used to send control signals from the top node  30  to tools or sensors located at various downhole positions. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , a node  30  ( FIG. 1 ) is integrated into a downhole sub assembly  100  ( FIG. 2 ) having a central axis  101  coaxial with drillstring central axis  11 . The downhole sub assembly  100  comprises a first housing  110 , a second housing  140 , an electronics housing  170 , and a stabilizer assembly  200 . The first housing  110  is tubular and has a threaded pin end  115  opposite a threaded box end (not shown), a generally cylindrical outer surface  118 , a generally cylindrical inner surface  119  having an angled shoulder  120  (see  FIG. 3 ), a tubular passage  121  disposed between the outer and inner surfaces  118 ,  119 , respectively, a spring cap  125 , and a biasing element  130 . The threaded pin end  115  includes an internal shoulder  116  and an external shoulder  117 . The first housing or first tubular housing  110  may be made of any suitable material known in the art including, but not limited to, metals. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , spring cap  125  is tubular having a first annular end  125   a  opposite a second annular end  125   b , an external cutout  126  forming an outer cylindrical surface  126   a  and a shoulder  126   b , an outer angular shoulder  127 , and an inner cylindrical surface  128   a  with a tapered end  128   b . Spring cap  125  is configured to be disposed in the cylindrical inner surface  119  of the first tubular housing  110  at the pin end  115  such that the first annular end  125   a  of spring cap  125  is proximate internal shoulder  116  of first tubular housing  110  and the angled shoulder  127  engages the angled shoulder  120  of cylindrical inner surface  119  of first tubular housing  110 . Spring cap  125  may be made of any suitable material known in the art including, but not limited to, metals. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 3 , biasing element  130  has a first axial end  130   a  opposite a second axial end  130   b  and is disposed between outer cylindrical surface  126   a  of spring cap  125  and the inner cylindrical surface  119  of first tubular housing  110 . The second axial end  130   b  of biasing element  130  is configured to engage the spring cap shoulder  126   b  and the biasing element first axial end  130   a  is configured to engage the spacer  275  (to be described in more detail below). Biasing element  130  may be any type of biasing element known in the art including, but not limited to, springs and circumferential pieces of metal having angled surfaces. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the second housing  140  is tubular and has a threaded box end  145  opposite a threaded pin end  146 ; a generally cylindrical outer surface  148 ; an inner surface  149  having a stress relief groove  156  (see also  FIG. 6 ), a generally cylindrical portion  149   a , an internal shoulder  150 , and an angled portion  149   b  extending axially from the shoulder  150 ; and a tubular passage  151  disposed between the outer and inner surfaces  148 ,  149 , respectively. The threaded box end  145  includes an external shoulder  147 . 
     The first housing pin end  115  is configured to threadingly engage the second housing box end  145 , such that first housing external shoulder  117  engages and is torqued against second housing external shoulder  147 . Cylindrical portion  149   a  comprises a plurality of grooves  160  disposed proximate second housing threaded box end  145 , wherein each groove  160  comprises an individual curved channel  160   a  separated by a peak  160   b —grooves  160  are not threaded and do not comprise a continuous helical path. Each successive groove  160  from the second housing box end  145  toward the pin end  146  is disposed radially closer to central axis  101 , forming a taper angle A 160  (see  FIG. 6 ) as measured between a line L p  parallel to central axis  101  and a line L t  tangential to each groove channel  160   a . Thus, grooves  160  are disposed in a tapered profile having a taper angle A 160 . Second tubular housing  140  may be made of any suitable material known in the art including, but not limited to, metals. In other embodiments, grooves  160  may be supplemented or replaced with other interlocking or frictional interfaces known in the art including, but not limited to, ratchet teeth, adhesives, pins, lugs and slots, and others. 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the electronics housing  170  is tubular and has a first annular end  170   a  opposite a second annular end  170   b , an outer cylindrical surface  178 , an inner cylindrical surface  179 , and a tubular passage  171  disposed between the outer and inner surfaces  178 ,  179 , respectively. 
     The electronics housing  170  is configured to be disposed in the second housing  140  such that electronics housing first annular end  170   a  engages second housing internal shoulder  150  and the tubular passages  171 ,  151  of the electronics housing  170  and second housing  140 , respectively, are aligned. Further, when electronics housing  170  is disposed in the second housing  140 , electronics housing outer cylindrical surface  178  is coaxial with and may contact cylindrical portion  149   a  of second housing inner surface  149  while electronics housing inner cylindrical surface  179  forms a continuous inner surface with angled portion  149   b  of second housing inner surface  149  (see  FIG. 2 ). When disposed in second tubular housing  140 , the electronics housing second annular end  170   b  forms an internal shoulder and may, thus, be referred to as shoulder  170   b  or first annular end  170   b . Shoulder  170   b  includes an annular channel  180  configured to accept a coupler element  199  (see  FIG. 3 ). Tubular electronics housing  170  may be made of any suitable material known in the art including, but not limited to, metals. Coupler element  199  may be any coupler element known in the art including, but not limited to, inductive coupler elements, conductive coupler elements, and other two-part, separable components with electrical communication therebetween. In some embodiments, the coupler element  199  includes two mating components for the transfer of power and/or data. In some embodiments, the two mating components communicate inductively, through direct electrical contact, optically, or combinations thereof. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the sleeve  250  is generally tubular and has a first annular end  250   a  opposite a second annular end  250   b , an inner frustoconical surface  259 , an outer frustoconical surface  258  having a plurality of grooves  260  extending from sleeve first annular end  250   a  to sleeve second annular end  250   b , and a plurality of circumferentially spaced bores  271 ,  272 ,  273  configured to engage dowel pins  265 . Second annular end  250   b  includes a channel or groove  270 . Each groove  260  comprises an individual curved channel  260   a  separated by a peak  260   b —grooves  260  are not threaded and do not comprise a continuous helical path. Each successive groove  260  from the sleeve second annular end  250   b  toward the first annular end  250   a  is disposed radially closer to central axis  101 , forming a taper angle A 260  (see  FIG. 6 ) as measured between a line L p  parallel to central axis  101  and a line L t  tangential to each groove peak  260   b . Thus, grooves  260  are disposed in a tapered profile having a taper angle A 260 . The taper angle A 160  of grooves  160  in the second housing  140  is preferably equal to or substantially similar to the taper angle A 260  of grooves  260  in the sleeve  250 . Sleeve housing  140  may be made of any suitable material known in the art including, but not limited to, metals. In other embodiments, grooves  260  may be supplemented or replaced with other interlocking or frictional interfaces known in the art including, but not limited to, ratchet teeth, adhesives, pins, lugs and slots, and others. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the sleeve  250  is configured to be disposed in the second housing  140  such that sleeve first annular end  250   a  is proximate electronics housing internal shoulder  170   b ; however, the sleeve  250  and the electronics housing  170  do not contact one another, instead, the sleeve  250  is separated from the electronics housing  170  by a gap  205 . In addition, when the sleeve  250  is disposed in the second housing  140 , the sleeve second annular end  250   b  engages the internal shoulder  116  of pin end  115 , and sleeve grooves  260  matingly engage second housing grooves  160 . More specifically, the sleeve groove peaks  260   b  engage second housing groove valleys  160   a  and the sleeve groove valleys  260   a  engage second housing groove peaks  160   b . Further, when disposed in second tubular housing  140 , the second annular end  250   b  of sleeve  250  forms an internal shoulder and may, thus, be referred to as shoulder  250   b  or second annular end  250   b . The first housing pin end  115  is configured to threadingly engage the second housing box end  145 , such that first housing internal shoulder  116  engages and is torqued against sleeve shoulder  250   a.    
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5, 7A, and 7B , an embodiment of sleeve  250  further comprises a first, second, and third through bore  271 ,  272 ,  273 , respectively, and a first, second, and third section  251 ,  252 ,  253 , respectively, to aid in assembly and installation of sleeve  250  into the second housing  140 . As previously described, grooves  260  (and mating grooves  160  in the second housing  140 ) are not threaded and do not comprise a continuous helical path, and therefore, cannot be installed through rotation as in a standard threaded engagement. Sleeve  250  is sectioned in three locations such that a first, second, and third section cut  261 ,  262 ,  263 , respectively, runs through corresponding first, second, and third through bores  271 ,  272 ,  273 , respectively, and runs parallel to the remaining two section cuts  261 ,  262 ,  263 . The first and second sections  251 ,  252 , respectively, are inserted into second housing  140  and the second housing grooves  160  are engaged with the sleeve grooves  260 , as shown in  FIG. 7B . Next, the sleeve grooves  260  of the third section  253  are axially aligned along axis  101  with the housing grooves  160 , and then the entire section is moved radially outward in direction  269  to form sleeve  250 . Dowel pins  265  (see  FIG. 5 ) are disposed in the through bores  271 ,  272 ,  273  to retain adjacent sections  251 ,  252 ,  253  at the section cuts  261 ,  262 ,  263  and thereby retain sleeve  250  in second housing  140 . Though shown in the present embodiment with section cuts  261 ,  262 ,  263  oriented in the same direction, in other embodiments, varying combinations of angles may be used to allow ease of insertion of sleeve  250 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 8 , the spacer  275  is generally tubular and has a first annular end  275   a  opposite a second annular end  275   b  having a counterbore  275   c  that forms an internal shoulder  275   d , an inner cylindrical surface  279 , an outer surface  278  having a cutout  290 , and a tubular passage  281  disposed between the outer and inner surfaces  278 ,  279 , respectively. First annular end  275   a  comprises a chamfer  276  for alignment purposes and an annular channel  280  configured to accept a coupler element  199  (see  FIG. 3 ). Cutout  290  is generally curved having a semi-circular cross-section as shown in  FIG. 8 . Cutout  290  exposes a portion of tubular passage  281 , and consequently exposes a portion of a tube  282  (see  FIGS. 3 and 9 ) inserted into the tubular passage  281 . The tube  282  is welded to the outer surface  278  of the spacer  275  at anchor points  282   a ,  282   b  (see  FIG. 9 ). The tube  282  may be any type of tubing standard in the art including, but not limited to, dagger protection tubing. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 11 , the spacer  275  is configured to be disposed in the second housing  140  such that spacer first annular end  275   a  engages electronics housing internal shoulder  170   b , spacer second annular end  275   b  engages the first axial end  130   a  of biasing element  130 , and spacer counterbore  275   c  engages the first annular end  125   a  of spring cap  125 . Further, spacer first annular end  275   a  is configured to engage electronics housing internal shoulder  170   b  such that the annular channel  280  of spacer  275  is aligned with the annular channel  180  of electronics housing  170  and the coupler element  199  in spacer channel  280  contacts the mating coupler element  199  in electronics housing channel  180 . Spacer  275  is coaxial with electronics housing  170  and spacer inner cylindrical surface  279  forms a continuous inner surface with electronics housing inner cylindrical surface  179  (see  FIG. 2 ). When spacer  275  is disposed in the second housing  140 , the second annular end  275   b  of spacer  275  is configured to retain biasing element  130  between the cylindrical inner surface  119  of the first housing  110  and the outer cylindrical surface  126   a  and shoulder  126   b  of the spring cap  125 . Spacer  275  is further configured to be disposed within the inner frustoconical surface  259  of sleeve  250 ; however, contact between the spacer  275  and the sleeve  250  is minimal. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , before the first housing  110  is mated with the second housing  140 , the electronics housing  170  is installed in the second housing  140 , forming an internal shoulder  170   b . The sleeve  250  is then installed in second housing  140  in three sections  251 ,  252 ,  253  as previously described, such that sleeve grooves  260  having a tapered profile engage second housing grooves  160  having a complementary (opposite) tapered profile—the sleeve groove peaks  260   b  engage second housing groove valleys  160   a  and the sleeve groove valleys  260   a  engage second housing groove peaks  160   b.    
     Referring still to  FIG. 12 , the spring cap  125  with biasing element  130  is inserted into the first housing  110  such that the spring cap angled shoulder  127  engages the angled shoulder  120  of cylindrical inner surface  119  of first tubular housing  110 , and the second axial end  130   b  of biasing element  130  engages the spring cap shoulder  126   b . The spacer  275  is installed in first housing  110  such that spacer second annular end  275   b  engages the first axial end  130   a  of biasing element  130 , and spacer counterbore  275   c  engages the first annular end  125   a  of spring cap  125 . Spacer  275  is retained in first housing  110  with a retention pin  295  disposed proximate spacer counterbore  275   c  (see  FIGS. 3 and 10 ). The retention pin  295  is further held in place by a roll pin  297  disposed orthogonal to the retention pin  295  (see  FIG. 3 ). The retention pin  295  is the more vertical component and the roll pin is the smaller, more horizontal item. 
     The first housing  110  pin end  115  with spring cap  125 , biasing member  130 , and spacer  250  are inserted into second housing  140  box end  145  with electronics housing  170  and sleeve  250  and then rotated about axis  101  to mate the threaded pin end  115  and threaded box end  145 . However, inserting the spacer  275  (with first housing  110 , spring cap  125 , and biasing element  130 ) into the sleeve  250  (with second housing  140  and electronics housing  170 ) is a blind process. The tapered chamfer  276  in spacer  275  reduces potential interference with and allows for proper alignment during insertion of the spacer  275  into the sleeve  250 . In addition, tube  282  in tubular passage  281  of the spacer  275  is anchored at both ends  282   a ,  282   b  to reduce potential damage to the tubing  282 . First annular end  275   a  is also roughened to reduce the possibility of galling by allowing thread dope to accumulate on first annular end  275   a.    
     The sleeve  250  allows for the maintenance of load sharing and torquing capability in the threaded connection and sub assembly  100  by using the sleeve  250  and its shoulder  250   b  to functionally replace the secondary shoulder (i.e., internal shoulder  170   b  of electronics housing  170 ) of a double shouldered drill pipe threaded connection (i.e., the mating of first housing  110  and second housing  140 ). More specifically, the sleeve  250 ,  250   b  acts as the secondary shoulder and the features of the sleeve  250 —the tapered groove profile of grooves  160 ,  260  combined with the inner frustoconical surface  259  of sleeve  250 , the channel  270  in second annular end  250   b  of sleeve  250 , and the stress relief groove  156  in second housing  140 —help make load sharing more uniform across the entire length of the grooves  160 ,  260 , which reduces the stress riser typically seen at the first three threads of a threaded connection. In this manner, the sleeve  250  and its shoulder  250   b  provide the robust surface for the torquing capability that the internal shoulder  170   b  of the electronics housing  170  may not be able to provide. 
     The spacer  275  allows for the constant contact of a coupler element (i.e., coupler element  199  disposed in channel  180  of the electronics housing shoulder  170   b  and coupler element  199  disposed in channel  280  of the spacer first annular end  275   a ) to ensure continuity of electrical signal under pressure up to 25,000 psi and dynamic loads. Under a 25,000 psi pressure load, the electronics housing  170  tends to compress axially an amount greater than the coupler element  199  would allow if the coupler were not moveable. Thus, maintaining connectivity of the coupler elements  199  in the spacer  275  and electronics housing  170  under high pressure is achieved by the biasing force of the biasing element  130  under load in combination with the cutout  290  of spacer  275 , which lowers the inertia of the spacer  275  by reducing its mass. When manufacturing the cutout  290  in spacer  275 , the maximum amount of material is removed while maintaining mechanical integrity. 
     In some embodiments, when the sub assembly  100  is deployed downhole, pressure and temperature conditions can cause the electronics housing  170  to shrink or pull back axially, thus causing the shoulder  170   b  and the corresponding coupler element  199  to pull away from the mating coupler element  199  in the annular end  275   a . The spacer  275  is biased by the biasing element  130  such that the annular end  275   a  is forced axially toward the shoulder  170   b , thereby maintain contact of the coupler elements  199  despite the moveability of the shoulder  170   b . Because of the moveability or variable position of the shoulder  170   b , shoulder  170   b  also does not provide a good torquing surface for a robust torquing interface. Thus, the sleeve  250  and its shoulder  250   b  are provided as described above to functionally replace the shoulder  170   b  with a shoulder that provides good torquing capability, in an axially displaced location from the shoulder  170   b.    
     While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or teachings herein. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the systems, apparatus, and processes described herein are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the relative dimensions of various parts, the materials from which the various parts are made, and other parameters can be varied. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but is only limited by the claims that follow, the scope of which shall include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the steps in a method claim may be performed in any order, and disclosed features and components can be arranged in any suitable combination to achieve desired results.