Method and conduit for transmitting signals

Abstract

A method for making a conduit for transmitting signals along its length includes forming one or more grooves in at least one of the inner and outer walls of a tubular body that extend substantially to a communicative coupler, and securing one or more conductive wires within the one or more grooves. A conduit for transmitting signals along its length in a borehole environment includes one or more conductive wires extending through and being secured within one or more grooves of a tubular body, the one or more conductive wires in signal communication with a communicative coupler so as to establish one or more wired links. The conduit may include a means for securing the one or more conductive wires within the one or more grooves.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for making a conduit for transmitting signals along its length, comprising the steps of:
 equipping a tubular body with a communicative coupler at or near an end of the tubular body;   forming one or more grooves in the outer wall of the tubular body that extend substantially to the communicative coupler;   extending one or more conductive wires through the one or more grooves;   putting the one or more conductive wires in signal communication with the communicative coupler so as to establish one or more wired links;   securing the one or more conductive wires within the one or more grooves; and   substantially covering each of the one or more grooves.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein putting the one or more conductive wires in signal communication with the communication coupler comprises coupling the one or more conductive wires to the communicative coupler. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein substantially covering each of the one or more grooves comprises covering the one or more grooves with a liner disposed about the tubular body. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the liner comprises metallic, polymeric, composite, fiberglass, or ceramic materials, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein securing the one or more conductive wires within the one or more grooves comprises securing the one or more conductive wires within the one or more grooves using a liner disposed about the tubular body. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising potting the one or more conductive wires within the one or more grooves. 
     
     
         7 . A conduit for transmitting signals along its length in a borehole environment, comprising:
 a tubular body equipped with a communicative coupler at or near one of its ends, the tubular body having one or more grooves in the outer wall thereof that extend substantially to the communicative coupler; and   one or more conductive wires extending through the one or more grooves, the one or more conductive wires in signal communication with the communicative coupler so as to establish one or more wired links;   a liner disposed about the tubular body and configured to secure the one or more conductive wires within the one or more grooves.   
     
     
         8 . The conduit of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more conductive wires are coupled to the communicative coupler. 
     
     
         9 . The conduit of  claim 8 , wherein the liner comprises metallic, polymeric, composite, fiberglass, or ceramic materials, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The conduit of  claim 7 , wherein the liner is configured to substantially cover the one or more conductive wires within the one or more grooves. 
     
     
         11 . The conduit of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more conductive wires are potted within the one or more grooves.