System and Method for Downhole Electrical Transmission

摘要

A technique facilitates transmission of electric signals across well components which move relative to each other in a wellbore environment. The well components are movably, e.g. rotatably, coupled to each other via one or more conductive bearings. Each conductive bearing has a conductive rolling element which enables relative movement, e.g. rotation, between the well components while simultaneously facilitating transmission of electric signals through the bearing. Portions of the bearing are coupled to each of the well components, and those bearing portions may be connected with electric leads to enable flow of electric signals through the bearing during operation of the system downhole.

主权项

1. A system for communicating electric signals while drilling a wellbore, comprising:
a drill string for drilling a wellbore, the drill string comprising a downhole drilling assembly having a first component and a second component which rotates relative to the first component on a conductive bearing, the conductive bearing having a first portion coupled to the first component and a second portion coupled to the second component, the bearing further comprising a rolling element electrically and physically engaged with the first portion and the second portion to transmit electric signals across the bearing during operation of the drill string downhole.