Drill bit-mounted data acquisition systems and associated data transfer apparatus and method

1. A data acquisition module comprising:

a base configured for disposition within a bore of drill bit shank, the base comprising a body, a flange of a diameter protruding radially from proximate a lower end of the body and bearing a peripheral sealing ring, another flange of a greater diameter protruding radially from proximate an upper end of the body and bearing another peripheral sealing ring;

an extension protruding upwardly from the other flange, of substantially the greater diameter of the other flange, bearing no peripheral sealing ring thereon and having electrical contacts on a peripheral exterior surface thereof;

a longitudinal bore extending through the base and the extension;

an electronics module carried by the base above the flange and operably coupled to the electrical contacts of the extension; and

an elongated communication element extending from the electronics module radially outwardly of the peripheral sealing ring and to a location below the flange.

2. The data acquisition module of claim 1 , wherein the electronics module is configured in substantially annular form and disposed within the base about the body and between the flange and the other flange and operably coupled to the electrical contacts.

3. The data acquisition module of claim 1 , wherein the electrical contacts comprise longitudinally spaced, annular contacts on the peripheral exterior surface of the extension.

4. The bottom hole assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electronics module is configured in substantially annular form and disposed within the base about the body and between the flange and the other flange and operably coupled to the electrical contacts.

5. A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation comprising:

a bit body having a shank secured thereto, the shank having an outer bore of a first diameter, an inner bore of a second, smaller diameter and an annular step between the outer bore and the inner bore; and

a base disposed within the bore of drill bit shank, the base comprising:

a body, a flange of a diameter protruding radially from proximate a lower end of the body and bearing a peripheral sealing ring contacting a wall of the inner bore, another flange of a greater diameter protruding radially from proximate an upper end of the body and bearing another peripheral sealing ring contacting a wall of the outer bore;

an extension protruding beyond the shank upwardly from the other flange, of substantially the greater diameter of the other flange, bearing no peripheral sealing ring thereon and having electrical contacts on a peripheral exterior surface thereof;

a longitudinal bore extending through the base and the extension;

an electronics module carried by the base above the flange and operably coupled to the electrical contacts of the extension; and

a communication element extending from the electronics module radially outwardly of the peripheral sealing ring, through an aperture in the annular step to a location within the bit body below the flange.

6. The drill bit of claim 5 , further comprising:

one or more sensors disposed within the bit body operably coupled to a another communication element terminating at a connector engaged with a connector of the communication element.

7. The drill bit of claim 5 , wherein the electrical contacts comprise longitudinally spaced, annular contacts on the peripheral exterior surface of the extension.

8. The drill bit of claim 5 , wherein the electronics module is configured in substantially annular form and disposed within the base about the body and between the flange and the other flange and operably coupled to the electrical contacts.

9. A bottom hole assembly including:

a drill bit comprising a bit body having a shank secured thereto, the shank having an outer bore of a first diameter, an inner bore of a second, smaller diameter and an annular step between the outer bore and the inner bore;

a base disposed within the bore of drill bit shank, the base comprising:

a body, a flange of a diameter protruding radially from proximate a lower end of the body and bearing a peripheral sealing ring contacting a wall of the inner bore, another flange of a greater diameter protruding radially from proximate an upper end of the body and bearing another peripheral sealing ring contacting a wall of the outer bore;

an extension protruding beyond the shank upwardly from the other flange, of substantially the greater diameter of the other flange, bearing no peripheral sealing ring thereon and having electrical contacts on a peripheral exterior surface thereof;

a longitudinal bore extending through the base and the extension;

an electronics module carried by the base above the flange and operably coupled to the electrical contacts of the extension;

a communication element extending from the electronics module radially outwardly of the peripheral sealing ring, through an aperture in the annular step to a location within the bit body below the flange; and

a sub comprising a box connection secured to a pin connection of the shank and having electrical contacts on an interior surface thereof longitudinally upward of the box connection and operably coupled to the electrical contacts on the peripheral exterior surface of the extension.

10. The bottom hole assembly of claim 9 , further comprising:

one or more sensors disposed within a body of the drill bit operably coupled to another communication element terminating at a connector engaged with a connector of the communication element.

11. The bottom hole assembly of claim 9 , wherein the electrical contacts of the data acquisition module comprise longitudinally spaced, annular contacts on the peripheral exterior surface of the portion.

12. The bottom hole assembly of claim 9 , wherein the electrical contacts of the sub comprise longitudinally spaced, annular contacts on the interior surface thereof.