RF antenna assembly with spacer and sheath and related methods

摘要

An RF antenna assembly is positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The RF antenna assembly includes first and second tubular conductors to be positioned within the wellbore, and having adjacent joined together ends, and first and second RF transmission line segments extending within the first and second tubular conductors and having adjacent joined together ends aligned with the joined together adjacent ends of the first and second tubular conductors. The RF antenna assembly includes a tubular sheath surrounding the first RF transmission line segment and having an outer surface, and a spacer received on the outer surface of the tubular sheath and extending between the tubular sheath and adjacent portions of the first tubular conductor.

主权项

1. A radio frequency (RF) antenna assembly configured to be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery, the RF antenna assembly comprising:
first and second tubular conductors to be positioned within the wellbore, and having adjacent joined together ends; first and second RF transmission line segments extending within said first and second tubular conductors and having adjacent joined together ends aligned with the joined together adjacent ends of said first and second tubular conductors; a tubular sheath surrounding said first RF transmission line segment and having an outer surface; and a spacer received on the outer surface of said tubular sheath and extending between said tubular sheath and adjacent portions of said first tubular conductor.