Patent ID: 8287005

Claim:
A drill pipe string for end to end connection to transmit communication signals and comprising: composite walls forming elongated pipe segments having first and second extremities; a first and second metal end fittings formed with complementary screw threads to connect together and configure with confronting shoulders including respective first and second grooves; one or more conductor lead segments imbedded in the walls of respective pipe segments and extending between the respective first and second extremities therein and projecting distally therefrom to project through the respective first and second metal fittings to form mating connector links; first and second connectors in the respective first and second grooves and connected to the respective mating connector links and operative upon respective extremities of the pipe segments being screwed together to make physical contact with one another for transmission of the communication signals; first and second electrical insulators interposed in the respective first and second grooves to insulate the respective first and second connections.