(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2013/0008669 A1
`Deere et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jan. 10, 2013
`
`US 2013 OOO8669A1
`
`(54) SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR COUPLING
`DOWNHOLE TOOLS
`
`(75) Inventors: R. Paul Deere, Cedar Park, TX (US);
`Abraham Gonzalez, Cedar Park, TX
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Tolteq Group, LLC, Cedar Park, TX
`(US)
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/184,143
`9
`Jul. 15, 2011
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/504.847, filed on Jul. 6,
`2011.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`E2IB 23/00
`H02G L/4
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................................... 166/378; 166/65.1
`
`57
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Downhole tools, such as MWD modules (or components),
`may be coupled together with a coupler (or coupling device)
`having a shaft housing with slidable electrical connectors
`disposed at each end. The electrical connectors may each be
`Supported in connector housings disposed with springs or
`other movable devices. In a first position, the electrical con
`nectors may extend past the ends of the shaft housing. The
`slidable connector housings allow the electrical connections
`to be made before the sleeves connecting (or mechanically
`connecting) the MWD modules with the coupler are begun to
`be threadedly attached with the coupler. Each of the connec
`tor housings may have a key configuration on their exposed
`end. The shaft housing may also have key configurations on
`its ends. The key configurations of the connector housings
`and the shaft housing may be configured to mate with com
`patible ends of MWD modules.
`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 10, 2013 Sheet 1 of 14
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`US 2013/0008669 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`FIG. 3
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`FIG. 4
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`(Prior Art)
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`FIG. 8
`(Prior Art)
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`Patent Application Publication
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`14
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Patent Application Publication
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`US 2013/OOO8669 A1
`
`Jan. 10, 2013
`
`SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR COUPLNG
`DOWNHOLE TOOLS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`0001. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provi
`sional Application No. 61/504.847 filed on Jul. 6, 2011,
`which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes in
`its entirety.
`
`STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY
`SPONSORED RESEARCH ORDEVELOPMENT
`0002 N/A
`
`REFERENCE TO MICROFICHEAPPENDIX
`0003 N/A
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0004. 1. Field of the Invention
`0005. This invention relates to the field of downhole tools,
`measurement while drilling modules, centralizers and com
`ponents.
`0006 2. Description of the Related Art
`0007 Downhole tools are used in drilling and production.
`Downhole tools include, among others, wireline logging
`tools, production logging tools, and tools that take measure
`ments while drilling, Such as measurement while drilling
`(MWD) tools, logging while drilling (LWD) tools, and survey
`while drilling (SWD) tools. Downhole tools are typically
`comprised of different modules coupled together. The cou
`pling mechanism is sometimes integrated in the modules but
`typically the coupling mechanism is a separate device that
`also serves the function of centralizing the tool string in the
`drill collars or drill pipe. MWD tool strings are positioned
`downhole in a well to take measurements and convey the
`information to the surface. Examples of MWD modules
`include pulser modules, sensor modules, and battery mod
`ules, among others. A prior art MWD centralizer, shown in
`FIG. 1, is connected between two MWD modules to keep
`them centered in the well during the drilling process. The
`centralizer has electrical connectors at both ends to mate with
`matching electrical connectors on the ends of the MWD mod
`ules. Both the electrical connectors on the centralizer and the
`MWD modules have a combination of electrical pins and
`sockets formating with each other. Different electrical con
`nectors (that is, different electrical pin and socket configura
`tions) are typically used on the two ends of the centralizer, but
`both ends of the centralizer have similar half-circular key
`configurations.
`0008. The industry standard is to have a four (4) electrical
`pin, six (6) socket electrical connector profile oriented verti
`cally or at 90 degrees on the down-hole end of the centralizer,
`as shown on the right side of FIG. 1, and a six (6) electrical
`pin, four (4) socket electrical connector profile oriented at 45
`degrees on the up-hole end of the centralizer, as shown on the
`left side of FIG. 1. The industry standard is to have a six (6)
`electrical pin, four (4) Socket electrical connector profile ori
`ented vertically or at 90 degrees on the up-hole end of the
`MWD module, and a four (4) pin, six (6) socket electrical
`connector profile oriented at 45 degrees on the down-hole end
`of the MWD module.
`0009. A tubular sleeve or pressure housing with internal
`threads at both ends is threadedly attached to both the MWD
`
`module and the centralizer to cover the electrical connection
`and protect it from the pressures in the well. Before the
`electrical connection can be made, the sleeve has to be thread
`edly attached to both the MWD module and the centralizer.
`The sleeve is usually first attached to the MWD module. After
`the sleeve is secured to the MWD module, the sleeve extends
`several inches past the electrical connector on the end of the
`MWD module, making the electrical connector difficult to
`access and see.
`0010. As shown in FIG. 2A, the electrical connectors on
`both ends of the centralizer are flush with the ends of the
`centralizer. Due to the configuration of the prior art central
`izer, the threaded connection between the sleeve and the
`centralizer must be started and nearly completed before an
`electrical connection (e.g., pins of a connector electrically
`engaging the Sockets of another connector) between the cen
`tralizer and the MWD module is made. The electrical con
`nection is made “blind” in that the electrical connectors can
`not be seen when the centralizer is being threadedly attached
`with the sleeve since the electrical connectors are covered by
`the sleeve. In addition, the electrical connection between the
`MWD module and the centralizer has to be made with more
`force than would otherwise be necessary since it must be
`made while threadingly attaching the sleeve with the central
`1Z.
`0011. The method and system of the past have several
`disadvantages. Since the key configurations on both ends of
`the centralizer are similar half-circular shapes, and since the
`electrical connector on the end of the MWD module is
`shielded by the sleeve and is difficult to see, it is common for
`the ends of the centralizer to be mistakenly reversed. An end
`of the centralizer with an incompatible electrical connector
`may be mistakenly threadedly attached with the sleeve of the
`MWD module, resulting in damage to the electrical pins of
`the electrical connectors, with the resulting costly repairs and
`delay. This is a common problem when dealing with compo
`nents in the field where environmental conditions can be
`severe. Damage to the MWD module internal electronics may
`also occur.
`0012 Even if the correct end of centralizer is connected to
`the sleeve, the process is still time consuming. Initially, it
`takes time to insure that the centralizer is oriented correctly.
`Also, since the threaded physical connection between the
`centralizer and the sleeve has to be made before the electrical
`connection, the threaded connection has to be done slowly to
`insure that the electrical connectors, which cannot be seen
`due to the sleeve, align and mate. It is common for the
`threaded connection to be tightened, but the electrical con
`nectors to not be electrically connected or coupled. In such a
`situation, the threaded connection has to be reversed a certain
`amount, and the inner housing of the centralizer that Supports
`the electrical connector manually manipulated Such as by
`twisting and pushing to insure the electrical connection is
`made, at which point the threaded connection has to be re
`tightened. The determination of whether the electrical con
`nection has been made properly is done by feel, which
`depends on the experience and training of the MWD operator.
`0013. It is also common to have the half-circular keys of
`the centralizer and MWD module almost aligned, and when
`the threaded connection begins to be made, the corners of
`both keys contact each other. When the threaded connection is
`continued to be made under Such a condition, the corners of
`
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`US 2013/OOO8669 A1
`
`Jan. 10, 2013
`
`the electrical connectors often break. The disadvantages of
`the past have plagued the MWD industry for at least twenty
`years.
`0014) A need exists for a method and system to connect
`MWD modules with a device that prevents damage to the
`electrical connectors and saves time. A need also exists for a
`method and system to connect other downhole tools in addi
`tion to MWD modules.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Electrical connectors may be slidably disposed at
`00.15
`one end or at each end of a shaft housing of a coupler. The
`electrical connectors may be independently movable in rela
`tion to the shaft housing. In a first position, the electrical
`connectors may extend outwardly away from the respective
`ends of the shaft housing for electrical connection with MWD
`modules or tools before connection of the sleeve to the cou
`pler. Connector housings may support the electrical connec
`tors. In one embodiment, each connector housing is posi
`tioned with a spring in the shaft housing. The exposed ends of
`the connector housings and their supported electrical connec
`tors protrude past the ends of the shaft housing when the
`springs are in their uncompressed condition, which allows the
`electrical connections to the MWD modules to be made
`before the sleeves connected with the MWD modules are
`threadedly attached with the coupler. While the threaded
`physical connection between the MWD modules and coupler
`housing are being made, the springs may compress and allow
`the connector housings and their supported electrical connec
`tors to move inwardly (or slidably move) toward the center of
`the coupler to a second position.
`0016. The shaft housing may have key configurations on
`each of its ends. The connector housings may have key con
`figurations on their exposed ends. In one embodiment, the key
`configurations on the ends of the shaft housing are the same,
`and the key configurations on the connector housings are the
`same. The key configurations may be half-circular shaped to
`mate with the ends of current MWD modules. In another
`embodiment, the key configurations on the ends of the shaft
`housing are different, and the key configurations on the ends
`of the connector housings are different. The key configuration
`on one connector housing and its end of the shafthousing may
`have two legs, and the key configuration on the other connec
`tor housing and its end of the shaft housing may have three
`legs. The connector housings and the shaft housing may be
`configured to mate with the ends of MWD modules having
`compatible key configurations to insure that the electrical
`connectors match and that the electrical pins are correctly
`aligned with Sockets to prevent damage. The coupler may be
`used with different downhole tools.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0017. A better understanding of the present invention can
`be obtained with the following detailed descriptions of the
`various disclosed embodiments in the drawings, which are
`given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limiting the
`present invention, and wherein:
`0018 FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art centralizer.
`0019 FIG. 2 is an end view of the centralizer of FIG. 1.
`0020 FIG. 2A is a section view along line 2A-2A of FIG.
`2 of the centralizer with a first electrical connector on the right
`side and a second electrical connector on the left side.
`
`FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a prior art MWD
`(0021
`module end compatible with the first electrical connector on
`the right side of FIG. 2A.
`0022 FIG. 4 is an end view of FIG. 3.
`(0023 FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the prior art electrical
`connector of FIG. 3.
`(0024 FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a prior art MWD
`module end compatible with the second electrical connector
`on the left side of FIG. 2A.
`0025 FIG. 7 is an end view of FIG. 6.
`0026 FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the prior art electrical
`connector of FIG. 6.
`0027 FIG. 9 is a side view of a coupler having a fin
`housing, a first connector housing protruding on the right side
`from a shaft housing, and a second connector housing pro
`truding on the left side from the shaft housing.
`(0028 FIG. 10 is an end view of the coupler of FIG. 9.
`(0029 FIG. 10A is a section view along line 10A-10A of
`FIG. 10 with the shaft housing disposed in the thru bore of the
`fin housing, the first connector housing protruding on the
`right side from the shaft housing, the second connector hous
`ing protruding on the left side from the shaft housing, the
`unexposed ends of each connector housing each positioned
`with a spring in the shaft housing thru bore, and each connec
`tor housing Supporting an electrical connector.
`0030 FIG. 11 is a side view of the shafthousing of FIG.9.
`0031
`FIG. 11A is an isometric view of the shaft housing of
`FIG. 11 having a half circular key configuration on its first end
`and on its second end.
`0032 FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the first connector
`housing of FIG.9 having a half circular key configuration on
`its first or exposed end and Supporting a first electrical con
`nectOr.
`0033 FIG. 13 is top view of the first connector housing of
`FIG. 12.
`0034 FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the second connector
`housing of FIG.9 having a half circular key configuration on
`its first or exposed end and Supporting a second electrical
`COnnectOr.
`0035 FIG. 15 is top view of the second connector housing
`of FIG. 14.
`0036 FIG. 16 is a side view of the coupler of FIG. 9
`disposed between two MWD modules each having a sleeve or
`pressure housing for threaded attachment with the coupler.
`0037 FIG. 16A is an end view of the coupler and MWD
`module on the left side of FIG. 16.
`0038 FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view along line 16B
`16B of FIG. 16A, with the electrical line through the shaft
`housing between the electrical connectors removed for clar
`ity.
`0039 FIG. 17 is a side view of the coupler of FIG.16 with
`the electrical connections between the coupler and both
`MWD modules having been made, but the sleeves not yet
`threadedly attached with the coupler.
`0040 FIG. 17A is an end view of the coupler and MWD
`module on the left side of FIG. 17.
`004.1
`FIG. 17B is the same view as FIG.17 except without
`break lines and with the sleeves removed for clarity to show
`the keyed connection between the first connector housing and
`the MWD module on the right side, and the keyed connection
`between the second connector housing and the MWD module
`on the left side.
`0042 FIG. 17C is a cross-sectional view along line 17C
`17C of FIG. 17A with the springs in their uncompressed
`
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`
`Jan. 10, 2013
`
`condition, the electrical connection between the coupler and
`the MWD modules having been made, but the threaded con
`nections with the two sleeves not having been made.
`0043 FIG. 18 is a side view of the coupler of FIG. 17 with
`the sleeves having been threadedly attached with the coupler
`and the connection with the two MWD modules completed.
`0044 FIG. 18A is an end view of the coupler and MWD
`module on the left side of FIG. 18.
`004.5
`FIG. 18B is the same view as FIG. 18 except without
`break lines and with the sleeves removed for clarity to show
`the keyed connection between the shaft housing and the
`MWD module on the right side, and the keyed connection
`between the shaft housing and the MWD module on the left
`side.
`0046 FIG. 18C is a cross-sectional view along line 18C
`18C of FIG. 18A with the springs in their compressed condi
`tion, the electrical connection between the coupler connector
`and the MWD modules having been made, and the threaded
`connection with the sleeves having been made.
`0047 FIG. 19 is an alternative embodiment of a coupler
`having a fin housing, a first connector housing protruding on
`the right side from a shaft housing, and a second connector
`housing protruding on the left side from the shaft housing.
`0048 FIG. 20 is an end view of the coupler of FIG. 19.
`0049 FIG. 20A is a section view along line 20A-20A of
`FIG. 20 with the shaft housing disposed in the thru bore of the
`fin housing, the first connector housing protruding on the
`right side from the shaft housing, the second connector hous
`ing protruding on the left side from the shaft housing, the
`unexposed ends of each connector housing each disposed
`with a spring in the shaft housing thru bore, and an electrical
`connector Supported in each connector housing.
`0050 FIG.21 is a side view of the shafthousing of FIG. 19
`with different key configurations on each end.
`0051 FIG.21A is an isometric view of the shaft housing of
`FIG. 21 with a three leg key configuration on its first end.
`0052 FIG.21B is an isometric view of the shaft housing of
`FIG. 21 with a two leg key configuration on its second end.
`0053 FIG. 22 is an isometric view of the first connector
`housing of FIG. 19 having a three leg key configuration on its
`first or exposed end and Supporting a first electrical connector.
`0054 FIG. 23 is top view of the first connector housing of
`FIG 22.
`FIG.24 is an isometric view of the second connector
`0.055
`housing of FIG. 19 having a two leg key configuration on its
`first or exposed end and Supporting a second electrical con
`nectOr.
`0056 FIG.25 is top view of the second connector housing
`of FIG. 24.
`0057 FIG. 26 is an isometric view of a MWD module end
`compatible with the first connector housing and first end of
`shaft housing on the right side of FIG. 19.
`0058 FIG. 27 is an end view of FIG. 26.
`0059 FIG. 28 is an isometric view of a MWD module end
`compatible with the second connector housing and second
`end of shaft housing on the left side of FIG. 19.
`0060 FIG. 29 is an end view of FIG. 28.
`0061 FIG. 30 is a side view of the coupler of FIG. 19
`disposed between two MWD modules each having a sleeve
`for threaded attachment with the coupler, with the electrical
`connections between the coupler and both MWD modules
`having been made, but the sleeves not yet threadedly attached
`with the coupler.
`
`0062 FIG. 30A is an end view of the coupler and MWD
`module on the left side of FIG. 30.
`0063 FIG.30B is the same view as FIG.30 except without
`break lines and with the sleeves removed for clarity to show
`the keyed connection between the first connector housing and
`the MWD module on the right side, and the keyed connection
`between the second connector housing and the MWD module
`on the left side.
`0064 FIG. 30C is a cross-sectional view along line 30C
`30C of FIG. 30A with the springs in their uncompressed
`condition, the electrical connection between the coupler and
`the MWD modules having been made, but the threaded con
`nection with the two sleeves not having been made.
`0065 FIG.31 is a side view of the coupler of FIG.30 with
`the sleeves having been threadedly attached with the coupler
`and the connection with the two MWD modules completed.
`0066 FIG. 31A is an end view of the coupler and MWD
`module on the left side of FIG. 31.
`0067 FIG.31B is a side view of the coupler of FIG.31 in
`its condition with the sleeves threadedly attached with the
`coupler, but with the sleeves removed for clarity to show the
`keyed connection between the first end of the shaft housing
`and the MWD module on the right side, and the keyed con
`nection between the second end of the shaft housing and the
`MWD module on the left side.
`0068 FIG. 31C is a cross-sectional view along line 31C
`31C of FIG.31A showing the sleeves of the MWD modules
`fully threadedly attached with the coupler, with the springs in
`their compressed condition, the electrical connection
`between the coupler and the MWD modules having been
`made, and the electrical connectors of the coupler having
`moved inwardly to be flush with the respective ends of the
`shaft housing.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`0069. In FIGS. 1 to 2A, prior art centralizer 1 has outer
`housing 3 with stabilizing fins 9. An inner housing 11 has a
`first electrical connector 13 flush with its first end 51 and a
`second electrical connector 15 flush with its second end 53.
`The outer housing 3 has adjacent threaded rings 5, 7 for
`threadedly attaching with sleeves from MWD modules (not
`shown). The threaded rings 5, 7 each rotate independently of
`the outer housing 3 and the inner housing 11. The inner
`housing 11 can be independently rotated within outer housing
`3. The first and second ends 51, 53 of the inner housing 11
`each have a half-circular key configuration, but the key con
`figurations are oriented at an angle from each other about a
`horizontal axis through the inner housing 11.
`(0070 Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, prior art MWD module
`end 25 has an end surface 19 with a half circular protrusion 27
`and Supports an electrical connector 23 with six electrical
`pins 17 and four sockets 21. The body of the MWD module is
`not shown for clarity, and the sleeve that would shield the end
`19 and electrical connector 23 is also not shown for clarity.
`The key configuration on the first end 51 of inner housing 11
`of FIG. 2A and the supported first electrical connector 13 are
`compatible formating with the end 19 and electrical connec
`tor 23 in FIGS. 3 and 4. MWD module electrical connector 23
`is shown in isolation in FIG. 5.
`(0071. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the prior art MWD module end 37
`of a MWD module having an end surface 35 with half circular
`protrusion 33 supports an electrical connector 43 with four
`electrical pins 39 and six sockets 41. The body of the MWD
`module is not shown for clarity, and the sleeve that would
`
`Page 18 of 23 (PGR2021-00078)
`G&H DIVERSIFIED MANUFACTURING, LP v. DYNAENERGETICS EUROPE GMBH
`
`

`

`US 2013/OOO8669 A1
`
`Jan. 10, 2013
`
`shield the end 35 and electrical connector 43 is also not shown
`for clarity. The key configuration on the second end 53 of
`inner housing 11 of FIG. 2A and the supported second elec
`trical connector 15 are compatible formating with the end 35
`in FIGS. 6 and 7. Electrical connector 43 in FIGS. 6-7 is
`rotated from alignment with a vertical axis. The angle from
`vertical is typically 45 degrees. MWD module electrical con
`nector 43 is shown in isolation in FIG. 8.
`0072. As can now be understood, since the first and second
`electrical connectors 13, 15 are flush with the respective ends
`51,53 of the inner housing 11, the electrical connection with
`the MWD modules has to be made after the sleeves of the
`MWD modules are nearly completely threadedly attached
`with the respective threaded rings 5, 7 of the centralizer 1.
`Additionally, since the key configurations on the first and
`second ends 51, 53 of the inner housing 11 are both half
`circular shaped, and the electrical connectors on the ends of
`the MWD modules are shielded by the sleeves, it is easy to
`mistakenly attempt to connect an end of the centralizer with
`an incompatible end of a MWD module. For example, if first
`end 51 of centralizer 1 is attempted to be connected with
`MWD module end 37 of FIG. 6, then the half-circular keys on
`both the centralizer and the MWD module will allow the
`threaded connection with the sleeve to be made (or mate), and
`as a result the incompatible electrical connectors will become
`damaged, such as by the electrical pins of both being bent or
`broken.
`0073 Turning to FIG.9, coupler 10 may have fin housing
`12 with stabilizing fins 30, shaft housing 14, first connector
`housing 16, and second connector housing 2. Fin housing 12
`has adjacent first threaded ring 6 and second threaded ring 8.
`It is also contemplated that there may be no fin housing 12 or
`fins 30. The threaded rings 6, 8 each rotate independently of
`the fin housing 12 and the shaft housing 14. Sleeves from the
`MWD modules that are to be coupled with the coupler 10 are
`threadedly attached with the threaded rings 6,8. Sleeves are
`shown in FIGS. 16 and 16B. As shown in FIG. 10A, shaft
`housing 14 is disposed in thru bore 44 offin housing 12. The
`shaft housing 14 can be independently rotated within fin
`housing 12. First connector housing 16 is positioned in first
`end 32 of shaft housing 14 in the shaft housing thru bore 46.
`First electrical connector 20 is supported at the first or
`exposed end 36 of first connector housing 16. Second con
`nector housing 2 is positioned in second end 34 of shaft
`housing 14 in the shaft housing thru bore 46. Second electri
`cal connector 22 is supported at the first or exposed end 40 of
`second connector housing 2. First electrical connector 20 is in
`electrical communication with second electrical connector 22
`through electrical line 48.
`0074 First spring 26 is positioned with the second or
`unexposed end 38 of first connector housing 16. Second
`spring 28 is positioned with the second or unexposed end 42
`of second connector housing 2. Both springs 26, 28 are in
`their first or uncompressed condition, in which condition the
`respective exposed ends 36, 40 of the respective connector
`housings 16, 2 and their respective electrical connectors 20,
`22 protrude outwardly away from the respective ends 32, 34
`of the shaft housing 14. Pins 50, 52 in respective slots of
`respective connector housings 16, 2 limit the movement of the
`connector housings 16, 2 as the springs 26, 28 become com
`pressed or uncompressed. Pins 50, 52 may be screws. Other
`means of slidably disposing the first and second electrical
`connectors 20, 22 with the coupler 10 are contemplated.
`
`0075. In FIGS. 11 and 11A, the first end 32 and second end
`34 of shaft housing 14 have an identical key configuration,
`which is a half circular protrusion. The key configurations on
`the ends of shaft housing 14 are compatible with the prior art
`ends of MWD modules, such as the MWD module ends 25,
`37 in FIGS. 3-4 and 6-7. In FIGS. 12 and 13, first electrical
`connector 20 is Supported in first connector housing 16 and
`has four electrical pins 54 and six sockets 56. First electrical
`connector 20 is similar to the electrical connector 43 in FIG.
`8. First electrical connector 20 is supported against a shoulder
`in first connector housing 16, and may be held in place with
`screws in holes 58. First electrical connector 20 is aligned
`along a vertical axis passing through notch 31. Pin 50 in FIG.
`10A may be disposed in slot 60. First connector housing 16
`and first electrical connector 20 are configured for mating
`with MWD module end 25 in FIGS. 3-4.
`0076. In FIGS. 14 and 15, second connector housing 2
`Supports second electrical connector 22 having six electrical
`pins 74 and four sockets 76. Second electrical connector 22 is
`Supported against a shoulder in second connector housing 2.
`and may be held in place with screws in holes 78. Pin 52 in
`FIG. 2A may be disposed in slot 80. Second connector hous
`ing 2 has a similar half-circular key configuration as first
`connector housing 16. Second electrical connector 22 in FIG.
`14 is rotated from alignment with a vertical axis. The angle
`from vertical is typically 45 degrees. Second electrical con
`nector 22 is in alignment with an axis passing through notch
`75. The holes 78 are also rotated from the position of holes 58
`in FIGS. 12-13. Second electrical connector 22 is similar to
`the electrical connector 23 in FIG.5. Second connector hous
`ing 2 and second electrical connector 22 are configured for
`mating with MWD module end 37 in FIGS. 6-7.
`(0077 Turning to FIG. 16-16B, coupler 10 of FIG. 9 is
`positioned between first MWD module 108 and second
`MWD module 100, which modules are both only shown
`partially for clarity. First MWD module 108 has module end
`25 shown in FIGS. 3-4, and second MWD module 100 has
`module end 37 shown in FIGS. 6-7. Since first connector
`housing 16 and first electrical connector 20 protrude from the
`first end of shaft housing 14, first electrical connector 20 may
`be aligned and connected with corresponding first module
`electrical connector 23, which is shown in detail in FIGS. 3-4,
`before first module sleeve or pressure housing 110 is begun to
`be threadedly attached with threads 112 to first threaded ring
`6 on fin housing 12. This advantageously allows the electrical
`connection to be made before the threaded connection with
`the sleeve is started to minimize damage to the electrical pins
`on both the electrical connectors 20, 23. First spring 26 and
`second spring 28 are uncompressed and in their first posi
`tions. The electrical conduit between the first and second
`electrical connectors 20, 22 in FIG.16B has been removed for
`clarity.
`0078 Similarly, since second connector housing 2 and
`second electrical connector 22 protrude from the second end
`of shaft housing 14, second electrical connector 22 may be
`aligned and connected with corresponding second module
`electrical connector 43, which is shown in detail in FIGS. 6-7,
`before