Patent ID: 7511598

Claim:
An element for use in an inductive coupler for downhole components comprising: an annular housing having a generally circular recess and configured to mount on an end of a component configured for subsurface use; and a plurality of magnetically conductive segments arranged in the housing, each segment having a bottom portion, a planar surface opposite the bottom portion, an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion defining a trough from a first end to a second end of each segment, the first ends of each of the segments arranged to engage the second ends of their adjacent segments within the housing recess in a manner so as to form a generally circular trough; wherein the first and second ends of the segments are shaped such that the first end of each segment is complementary to and radially interlocking with the second end of the adjacent segment; and wherein the planar surface of each segment comprises a planar surface comprising both the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion which forms a chamfered edge with at least one of the ends.