BACKGROUND

[0001] In certain hydrocarbon drilling operations, a top drive assembly is suspended above the borehole by a travelling block and hook that, in turn, is supported within the derrick of the drilling rig. The top drive assembly moves up and down to place pipe into and remove pipe from a borehole of a well to carry out drilling operations. Equipment known as a pipe handler may be coupled to and sit below an upper portion or drive system of the top drive assembly; the pipe handler rotating in one direction to pick up a section of pipe and rotating in the other direction to place the section of pipe in line with the wellbore.

[0002] In situations where a wellbore telemetry network is implemented, power and/or data cables are required to span from the top drive (e.g., a junction box coupled to the top drive) to the pipe handler and then, for example to a swivel, which suspends the weight of the drillstring and which also communicates telemetry signals to and from the drillstring. However, a rotating boundary is created between the pipe handler, which rotates to engage and disengage sections of pipe, and the upper portion of the top drive assembly, which moves up and down linearly but does not rotate. As a result, the power and/or data cable that is required to traverse this rotating boundary may be referred to as a "sacrificial cable," since it is common for it to become stretched or broken due to the rotational movement of the pipe handler.

[0003] In particular, the pipe handler should not be rotated a full 360 degrees; rather, the pipe handler's motion should be limited to about 180 degrees of rotation followed by a return to the original position (i.e. , 180 degrees in the opposite direction). Unfortunately, rig operators may often overlook or forget about this limitation imposed by a cabled telemetry system and rotate the pipe handler a complete 360 degrees, resulting in a broken cable and requiring replacement. Of course, the expense— both in terms of the cable itself and the downtime resulting from the replacement— is undesirable. SUMMARY

[0004] The problems noted above are addressed in large part by a system that includes a wireless power transmitter coupled to a first portion of a top drive and configured to transmit power wirelessly. The system also includes a wireless power receiver coupled to a second portion of the top drive and configured to receive power wirelessly from the wireless power transmitter. The second portion of the top drive is configured to rotate relative to the first portion of the top drive. The system further includes a swivel booster coupled to and configured to receive power from the wireless power receiver. The swivel booster is also coupled to and configured to communicate data signals to and from a wired drillstring. The swivel booster also includes a wireless data transceiver configured to communicate data signals to and from a control center. As such, no sacrificial cable is required across the rotating boundary.

[0005] The problems noted above are further addressed by a wellbore telemetry network including a network controller and a swivel booster coupled to a pipe handler configured to rotate relative to an upper portion of a top drive. The swivel booster is configured to send data signals to and receive data signals from the network controller over a wireless communication link and to receive power wirelessly from a wireless power transmitter. The telemetry network further includes a wired drillstring communicatively coupled to the swivel booster, where the swivel booster is further configured to send data signals to and receive data signals from the wired drillstring.

[0006] The problems noted above may still further be addresses by a method including receiving, by a swivel booster, power from a wireless power transmitter and data signals from a wireless data transceiver and communicating data signals to and from a wired drillstring of a wellbore telemetry network. In particular, the swivel booster is coupled to a pipe handler configured to rotate relative to an upper portion of a top drive. Due to the wireless power and data transfer of particular embodiments of the present disclosure, the need for a sacrificial cable across a rotating boundary in the top drive is eliminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The application describes various exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technologies with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] Figure 1 schematically shows a drilling system that employs a wired wellbore telemetry network;

[0009] Figures 2a and 2b show a drilling system that employs a wellbore telemetry network with wireless power and/or data transfer in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0010] Figures 3a and 3b show different angled views of a wireless power transmitter and receiver along with associated drilling components in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0011] Figures 4a and 4b show exemplary wireless power transmitter and wireless power receiver antenna arrays in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a drilling system 100 in which a wired wellbore telemetry network is implemented. The drilling system 100 includes a top drive assembly 101 that is suspended above borehole (or wellbore) 110 and coupled to a travelling block and hook 103 that, in turn, is supported within the derrick of the drilling rig.. The top drive assembly 101 moves linearly up and down to place pipe into and remove pipe from borehole 110 of a well to carry out drilling operations. The top drive assembly 101 includes a pipe handler 104 that is coupled to and is positioned below an upper portion 102 of the top drive assembly 101. The upper portion 102 may also be referred to as a drive system 102 of the top drive assembly 101. The pipe handler 104 rotates in one direction to pick up a section of pipe and rotates in the other direction to place the section of pipe in line with the borehole 110. The top drive assembly 101 also includes a swivel 106 that is coupled to and sits below the pipe handler 104 and suspends the weight of drillstring 108 and also communicates telemetry signals to and from the drillstring 108; that is, the swivel 106 is communicatively coupled to the drillstring 108. The swivel 106 provides a coupling, for example for an electronic communication signal, between the rotating drillstring 108 to a non-rotating cable coupled to the pipe handler 104.

[0013] As noted, the system 100 includes a wired wellbore telemetry network. As such, the system 100 includes a network controller 122, for example housed in a drillers' cabin 120 positioned away from the derrick that supports the upper portion 102 of the top drive, pipe handler 104, swivel 106, and drillstring 108 above the wellbore 110. The network controller 122 provides power to various components of the telemetry network and transmits and receives data signals to and from various components of the telemetry network through a series of junction boxes 1 12, 114, 124, 126, 128 and cables 116, 118, 127, 130. The various junction boxes 112, 114, 124, 126, 128 and cables 116, 118, 127, 130 are exemplary and it should be appreciated that not all drilling sites will include identical telemetry network components.

[0014] Importantly, however, the junction box 112 is coupled or proximate to the upper portion or drive system 102 of the top drive assembly 101 and receives power and data signals from the network controller 122 by way of junction boxes 124, 128 and cables 127, 130. The junction box 112 in turn provides power and data signals to junction box 1 14, which is coupled or proximate to the pipe handler 104, by way of a sacrificial cable 116. In furtherance of the implemented drillstring 108 telemetry network, the junction box 114 associated with the pipe handler 104 transmits and receives data signals to and from the drillstring 108 though the swivel 106 by way of a swivel cable 118. The swivel 106 may include an outside stationary stator and an inside rotor that rotates with the drillstring 108. Since the pipe handler 104 and the stator of the swivel 106 rotate together, the swivel cable 118 is generally not prone to breakage due to rotational stresses as it is coupled to the stator of the swivel 106.

[0015] However, the pipe handler 104 does rotate to pick up and release sections of drill pipe, whereas the drive system 102 of the top drive assembly 101 moves up and down but does not rotate. This creates a rotating boundary between the drive system 102 and the pipe handler 104. Often, a drill operator will forget or overlook the fact that the rotating boundary— along with the use of sacrificial cable 116— requires that the pipe handler 104 not be rotated a full 360 degrees around (depending on the length of the cable 116, the amount of permissible rotation may be less or more than 360 degrees, but there is a limit imposed by the cable 1 16 regardless), resulting in a stretched or broken sacrificial cable 1 16. The sacrificial cable 1 16 being unduly stretched or broken results in an undesirable expense stemming from having to replace cable 116 and the downtime associated with the replacement.

[0016] To address these and other issues, FIG. 2a shows a system 200 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The system 200 of FIG. 2a is similar to the system 100 of FIG. 1 in that it includes a top drive assembly 101 , including an upper portion or drive system 102, a pipe handler 104 coupled to and below the upper portion or drive system 102, and a swivel 106 to support the drillstring 108 in the wellbore 110. However, several cables and junction boxes are no longer required, most notably the sacrificial cable 116, due to wireless data transfer between the swivel 106 and the network controller 122. As shown, a wireless power transmitter 202 is coupled or proximate to the upper portion 102 and a corresponding wireless power receiver 203 is coupled or proximate to the pipe handler 104. Similarly, a wireless data transceiver 206 is also coupled or proximate to the pipe handler 104. In certain embodiments, the wireless power transmitter 202 receives an input of approximately 24 VDC and transmits approximately 12 watts wirelessly to the wireless power receiver 203, which may then be used to power a wireless swivel booster 204 and the wireless data transceiver 206. [0017] For ease of reference throughout this disclosure, the wireless power receiver 203 and the wireless data transceiver 206 may be referred to as being part of, integrated to, coupled or, or generally components of a wireless swivel booster 204. Further, the wireless swivel booster 204 is generally referred to as having the functionality of the wireless power receiver 203 and the wireless data transceiver 206; for example, the wireless swivel booster 204 may receive power wirelessly from the wireless power transmitter 202 and the wireless swivel booster 204 may transmit and receive data signals wirelessly from a wireless transceiver 208 coupled to the network controller 122, both by virtue of its including the wireless power receiver 203 and wireless data transceiver 206.

[0018] In accordance with various embodiments, the wireless power transmitter 202 provides power to the wireless swivel booster 204 over an air gap that exists between the upper portion or drive system 102 and the pipe handler 104. The air gap permits the pipe handler 104 to rotate a full 360 degrees under the upper portion 102 and, because the sacrificial cable 116 is no longer required to transmit power and/or data to the wireless swivel booster 204 and ultimately the swivel 106 and drillstring 108, the rotation of the pipe handler 104 occurs without concern of stretching or breaking a cable as a result of such rotation. In particular, and as will be described in further detail below, the wireless power transmitter 202 includes power transfer antennas that are, in some embodiments, grouped in proximity to each other along an arc- shaped path. The wireless swivel booster 204 includes the wireless power receiver 203, which includes corresponding power transfer antennas as well. When the power transfer antennas of the transmitter 202 are aligned with those of the receiver 203, power is transferred through the air gap to the wireless swivel booster 204. The wireless power transfer may be effectuated by any number of wireless power transfer protocols, such as the Qi protocol. The air gap may be of a distance of approximately 1/4" to 1/2" or greater. [0019] The wireless swivel booster 204 also includes one or more batteries that may be charged while power is transferred from the transmitter 202 to the receiver 203. Thus, when the antennas are not aligned (i.e., are circumferentially spaced apart), the wireless swivel booster 204 may draw power from its battery or batteries. Subsequently, when the antennas become realigned, the wireless swivel booster 204 may again charge its batteries while consuming power transferred from the transmitter 202.

[0020] The wireless data transceiver 208 proximate the drillers' cabin 120 (and communicatively coupled to the network controller 122) interfaces with the wireless transceiver 206 to wirelessly transmit data to and receive data from the wireless swivel booster 204 to allow communication with the rest of the wellbore telemetry network (i.e. , the swivel 106 and the drillstring 108). The transmission of wireless data may be carried out using various wireless data transmission protocols, for example, the IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) wireless data transmission protocol. Thus, both power and data are communicated to the wireless swivel booster 204 without requiring any cable to bridge the rotating boundary between the upper portion 102 and the pipe handler 104.

[0021] Although the wireless power transmitter 202 is generally described as being coupled to the drive portion 102 of the top drive assembly 101 and the wireless power receiver 203 is generally described as being coupled to the pipe handler 104, it should be appreciated that other embodiments of the present disclosure may include the transmitter 202 being coupled to a first portion of the top drive assembly 101 and the receiver 203 being coupled to a second portion of the top drive assembly 101, where at least one of the first and second portions rotates relative to the other, forming a rotating boundary therebetween.

[0022] For example, the wireless power transmitter 202 may remain coupled to the drive portion 102 of the top drive assembly 101 while the wireless power receiver 203 is instead coupled to the swivel 106 (e.g. , the outside stationary stator that rotates along with the pipe handler 104 relative to the drive portion 102). Similarly, the wireless power receiver 203 may be coupled to the inside rotor of the swivel 106, which is coupled to the drillstring 108 and rotates relative to the outside stator of the swivel 106 and the pipe handler 104 to which the stator is coupled. Further, certain embodiments of the present disclosure may utilize multiple wireless power transmitters and receivers (or transceivers in certain cases), for example transmit power across multiple rotating boundaries, such as the rotating boundary between the drive portion 102 and the pipe handler 104 and the rotating boundary between the pipe handler 104 or outside stator of the swivel 106 and the inside rotor of the swivel 106. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to any particular placement of the wireless power transmitter 202 and receiver 203, but rather encompasses embodiments in which the transmitter 202 and receiver 203 are utilized to transfer power across a rotating boundary (i.e., from a first portion to a second portion), of course without the need for a physical, sacrificial power cable as explained above.

[0023] Further, in certain embodiments, the wireless power transmitter 202 and receiver 203 may additionally be configured to transmit data signals therebetween in either a one-way or bidirectional manner. The data signals may relate to a status of one or more of the transmitter 202 and receiver 203 or of the quality of the power transfer link therebetween. For example, the status may indicate one or more error codes that could signify to an operator that maintenance needs to be performed on the wireless power transmitter 202, the wireless power receiver 203, both, or other associated equipment.

[0024] It should be appreciated that certain junction boxes and cables present in FIG. 2a may not actually be required in all embodiments. For example, the wireless swivel booster 204 may replace junction box 114 shown in FIG. 1 and the wireless power transmitter 202 may replace the junction box 112 shown in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments, for example where the system 200 is retrofitted to an existing rig environment, the junction boxes may remain (e.g., as a backup system), although the wireless swivel booster 204 will be used in conjunction with the wireless data transceiver 208 and the wireless power transmitter 202 to provide power and data transmission wirelessly to the swivel 106 and drillstring 108.

[0025] As mentioned above, the system 200 enables the implementation of a wellbore telemetry network while avoiding the expense and downtime commonly associated with repair and/or replacement of damaged or destroyed sacrificial cables 116 across a rotating boundary. In particular, data signals flow to and from the network controller 122 to the wireless transceiver 208, and then to the wireless swivel booster 204 across a wireless communication link 210. The wireless swivel booster 204 is communicatively coupled to the swivel 106 by way of the cable connection 118, and thus is able to send data signals to and receive data signals from the swivel 106, which are communicated to and from the drillstring 108. The drillstring 108 contains wired pipe sections 109, and may include various tools, signal repeaters, and the like, to implement the wellbore telemetry network. Thus, data is transmitted wirelessly to a location proximate the swivel 106 and drillstring 108 to avoid using a cabled data connection across a rotating boundary.

[0026] As should be understood, the wireless swivel booster 204 also contains circuitry that requires a power source in order to carry out data communications to and from the swivel 106 and drillstring 108. To this end, the wireless swivel booster 204 receives power wirelessly from a proximately located wireless power transmitter 202, but which is on the other side of the rotating boundary formed between the upper portion 102 and the pipe handler 104, avoiding the need for a power cable connection that crosses the rotating boundary. The wireless power transmitter 202 may be supplied with power by way of a cabled connection since the wireless power transmitter 202 and the upper portion 102 do not rotate themselves, and thus are less prone to breaking a supply cable. [0027] The environment of a drilling rig can be harsh and include dirt, mechanical vibrations, moving components, rig workers who may roughly handle equipment, and the like. To address these issues, in certain embodiments, the wireless power transmitter 202 (and its antenna) and the wireless power receiver 203 (and its antenna) may be potted in an epoxy, plastic, or similar material to protect their components from the harsh environment. The potted components 202,

203 may in turn be mounted in specially-designed brackets of the upper portion 102 and the pipe handler 104; in embodiments where an existing rig structure is retrofitted for wireless power and data transfer to the wireless swivel booster 204, the potted components 202, 203 may be designed to interface with existing structures on the upper portion 102 and pipe handler 104, respectively.

[0028] In certain embodiments, and in addition to the wireless data transceiver 206 and the wireless power receiver 203, the wireless swivel booster 204 contains various electronic circuits that facilitate communication between the wired drillstring 108 and associated telemetry components and the network controller 122. For example, the wireless swivel booster

204 may include circuitry to establish and maintain various downhole communications, such as token-passing, data gathering, and other communication protocols with the wired drillstring 108 and other electronic tools in the wellbore 110. In particular, certain components conventionally located in the drillers cabin 120 (e.g., as part of the network controller 122) may be advantageously relocated at the wireless swivel booster 204, reducing the complexity of surface cabling while also providing improvements to signal processing as a result of sending signals to and receiving signals from the wired drillstring 108 in a more proximate location (i.e., the wireless swivel booster 204 rather than the network controller 122, including a lengthy cable run).

[0029] In some embodiments, the wireless swivel booster 204 includes the equivalent functionality of a Network Interface Controller (NIC) and Surface Link Interface (SLI) box from IntelliServ(TM), which are conventionally located in the drillers' cabin 120. As explained above, locating circuitry related to data communication and signal processing closer to the wired drillstring 108 reduces issues associated with surface electrical noise and electromagnetic interference as well as signal attenuation caused by a lengthy cable run. Further, employing a digital wireless link 210 between the wireless swivel booster 204 and the wireless data transceiver 208 results in further improvements to the quality of signal transmission and reduces degradation commonly associated with a physical cable link. Further, by reducing the amount of cabling, junction boxes, and other associated equipment required for wired data transmission, overall costs may be lower. As a result, embodiments of the present disclosure improve signal reliability and resolution, which provides an overall more robust telemetry network and communication link between the drillers' cabin 120 (and network controller 122) and the portions of the telemetry network located proximate to the wellbore 110, namely the wireless swivel booster 204, the swivel 106, and the wired drillstring 108 and associated electronic tools and components.

[0030] The wireless power transmitter 202 and wireless power receiver 203 may also include circuitry such as a microcontroller or microprocessor to intelligently transmit power wirelessly between the two devices. For example, the microcontroller or microprocessor may provide a monitoring or supervisory function to assess whether the antennas 202, 203 are aligned with each other such that power transmission is possible. In some embodiments, the microcontroller or microprocessor may be in communication with one or more position sensors, GPS antennas, or other devices for determining a position of an object, either absolutely or relative to another object (e.g., one antenna 202 relative to another antenna 203). In the case where the antennas 202, 203 are not aligned, energy is wasted if the wireless power transmitter 202 is attempting to transmit power and, in fact, may generate extra electromagnetic energy or spurious electronic signals that may result in additional and/or noise heat in a nearby component. In these cases, the microcontroller or microprocessor may determine that the antennas 202, 203 are not aligned and, as a result, cause the wireless power transmitter 202 to temporarily cease transmitting power. Similarly, upon the antennas 202, 203 becoming realigned, the microcontroller or microprocessor may detect the alignment and, as a result, cause the wireless power transmitter 202 to resume transmitting power to the wireless power receiver 203. In this way, energy is consumed and the potential for generating unnecessary heat in components near to the wireless power transmitter 202 is reduced.

[0031] Turning to FIG. 2b, a block diagram 250 is shown that includes certain of the components described in FIG. 2a with additional details. For example, similar to FIG. 2a, a drillers' cabin 120 includes a network controller 122 and wirelessly transmits data to the wireless swivel booster 204 through wireless data transceivers 208, 206. Further, a wireless power transmitter 202 (associated with a non-rotating upper portion 102 of the top drive assembly 101 as explained above) transmits power to a wireless power receiver 203 (associated with a portion of the top drive 102, namely the pipe handler 104, that introduces a rotating boundary) coupled to the wireless swivel booster 204. In this way, the wireless swivel booster 204 is able to facilitate communications with a wired drillstring 108 and other associated wellbore telemetry components in the wellbore 110 without the expense and downtime associated with repairing or replacing a sacrificial cable that was conventionally required.

[0032] In particular, the wireless power transmitter 202 is coupled to a transmit antenna array 252 while the wireless power receiver 203 is coupled to a receive antenna array 253. As will be explained in further detail below, the antenna arrays 252, 253 may include only a single antenna, multiple antennas, in any combination. The antennas 252, 253 may be configured to implement wireless power transfer by any number of wireless power transfer protocols, such as the Qi protocol. The antennas 252, 253 and, indeed, the transmitter 202 and receiver 203 themselves, may be potted in a plastic, epoxy, or similar material to provide additional protection from harsh environmental conditions.

[0033] Wireless data communications between the network controller 122 and the wireless swivel booster 204 are enabled by a wireless transceiver 258 that transmits data signals to and receives data signals from the wireless antenna(s) 208. The wireless swivel booster 204 may include a corresponding wireless transceiver 256 that receives data signals from and transmits data signals to the wireless antenna(s) 206. The wireless swivel booster 204 may also include a network interface controller (NIC) 268 and a hardware circuit 270 such as a field- programmable gate array (FPGA) 270 (and various other communications circuitry that are not shown for simplicity) that are coupled to the wireless adapter 256 and thus facilitate data transmission data to and from the wired drillstring 108 and other wellbore telemetry components such as electronic tools, repeaters, signal processors, and the like.

[0034] As explained above, the wireless swivel booster 204 may also include one or more rechargeable batteries 264 that provide power in cases where wireless power transmission is not possible (e.g. , where the transmitter 202 and the receiver 203 are not sufficiently aligned). The batteries 264 may be charged and controlled by a battery controller 262 that receives power from a power conversion module 260 coupled to the wireless power receiver 203. Additionally, an external rechargeable battery pack 265 may be coupled to the battery controller 262 to provide further power backup on an as-needed basis. The power conversion module 260 supplies power to both the batteries 264, 265 through the battery controller 262 as well as other circuitry of the wireless swivel booster 204 such as the NIC 268 and the FPGA 270. Of course, when power is not available from the wireless power receiver 203, the battery controller 262 provides power from the battery 264 (and/or battery 265 if present) through the power conversion module 260 to the NIC 268 and the FPGA 270. [0035] Turning to FIGS. 3a and 3b, different angled views are shown of the arrangement of wireless power transmitter assembly 302 and wireless power receiver assembly 304. The wireless power transmitter assembly 302 is coupled to the upper portion 102, which, as explained above, does not rotate. However, the wireless power receiver assembly 304 is coupled to the pipe handler 104, which does rotate relative to the upper portion 102. As shown in FIG. 3a, the wireless power receiver assembly 304 is coupled to a rotor of the pipe handler 104, and thus rotates relative to the wireless power transmitter assembly 302 during normal operation. When the wireless power receiver assembly 304 is sufficiently aligned with the wireless power transmitter assembly 302, wireless power transfer occurs and power is provided to the wireless swivel booster 204 (not shown). When the wireless power receiver assembly 304 is not sufficiently aligned with the wireless power transmitter assembly 302 (e.g., as demonstrated by the "off home position" scenario shown in FIG. 3a), wireless power transfer cannot occur, and the wireless swivel booster 204 is powered from one or more rechargeable batteries. FIG. 3b is similar to FIG. 3a; however, the transmitter and receiver assemblies 302, 304 are of slightly different size and/or shape and are shown in an aligned state. Additionally, the wireless power receiver assembly 304 is shown as coupled to a cable 118 that provides the wireless swivel booster 204 (not shown) with power received from the wireless power transmitter assembly 302.

[0036] FIGS. 4a and 4b show example implementations of the wireless power transmitter assembly 302 and the wireless power receiver assembly 304 in further detail. In particular, the wireless power transmitter assembly 302 includes a plurality of power transfer antennas 402 arranged in an arcuate shape. The wireless power receiver assembly 304 includes a pair of power transfer antennas 404. In this particular arrangement, the antennas 404 of the wireless power receiver assembly 304 will be aligned with one or more power transfer antennas 402 of the wireless power transmitter assembly 302 for a greater portion of circumferential travel, enhancing the overall duration of power transfer that is enabled. Of course, other embodiments may increase or decrease the number of power transfer antennas 402, 404, or alter the spacing of power transfer antennas 402, 404 (e.g., evenly spaced around a circumference of the top drive 102 and/or the pipe handler 104). For example, other configurations of the transmitter and receiver assemblies 302, 304 may include the reverse of that shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, where the transfer antennas 402 of the wireless transmitter assembly 302 are arranged as a pair and the transfer antennas 404 of the wireless receiver assembly 304 are arranged in an arcuate shape. Other configurations may include those where the antennas 402, 404 are both arranged in arcuate shapes or where the antennas 402, 404 are arranged in varying degrees of densely- spaced or sparsely-spaced arrangements. Other antenna 402, 404 configurations not explicitly described herein are similarly intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure and the scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be restricted to any particular number or arrangement of power transfer antennas 402, 404.

[0037] Generally, the above-described embodiments allow for a system that implements a wellbore telemetry network, but addresses issues associated with cabled connections across boundaries of rotation; namely, the likelihood that such sacrificial cables are worn, stretched, broken, or otherwise damaged during routine operations, which results in significant expense due to needing a replacement cable as well as the downtime associated with replacing the cable. By utilizing wireless power transfer in addition to wireless data transfer across a rotating boundary, the disclosed embodiments enable data communications between a control center (e.g., a drillers' cabin) and a wired drillstring and associated telemetry components such as repeaters, electronic tools, and the like, without the cost and downtime associated with the inevitable replacement of one or more sacrificial cables.

[0038] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

[0039] In the foregoing detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed technologies. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that some embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the disclosure. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.