MODULAR CONNECTOR AND METHOD

• US 20060283606A1
• Filed: 06/15/2005
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: LATRILLE, FREDERIC, PARTOUCHE, ASHERS, HARMS, KENT D., CAMPBELL, JOHN Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,543,659 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/380
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/028 Electrical or electro-magnetic connections
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/18 Pipes provided with plural fluid passages E21B17/203 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 15/02 allowing substantial longitudinal adjustment by use of a long screw-threaded part
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 39/04 allowing adjustment or movement of the multiline swivel type F16L39/06

Abstract

A connector connects auxiliary flow lines—and, in some configurations, electrical lines—that extend through and terminate at or near opposing ends of two respective components of a downhole tool string. The connector comprises a body assembly for fluidly-connecting the auxiliary flow lines and electrically-connecting the electrical lines of the respective two components, and an assembly for adjusting the length of the body assembly. In particular embodiments, the two components are discrete modules of a unitary tool, or alternatively, are distinct tools. Additionally, the connector may include a mechanism for closing the auxiliary flow lines of one or both components upon disconnection of the fluid connection between the two components.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting auxiliary flow lines that extend through and terminate at or near opposing ends of two respective components of a downhole tool string positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the connector comprising:

a body assembly for fluidly-connecting the auxiliary flow lines of the respective two components; and

an assembly for adjusting the length of the body assembly.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the body assembly comprises connectable first and second tubular members.

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein the first and second tubular members comprise adjacent drill collars within a drill string.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary flow lines of the two components are substantially axially-oriented.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the body assembly defines at least one fluid conduit for fluidly-connecting the auxiliary flow lines of the two components.

6. The connector of claim 2, wherein the first and second tubular members cooperate to define at least one fluid conduit for fluidly-connecting the auxiliary flow lines of the two components.

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the fluid conduit is axially oriented across the first and second tubular members.

8. The connector of claim 6, wherein the fluid conduit is radially oriented across the first and second tubular members.

9. The connector of claim 8, wherein the first and second tubular members cooperate to define an annular portion of the fluid conduit across the first and second tubular members.

10. The connector of claim 2, wherein the first and second tubular members are threadably engaged within or near the length-adjusting assembly, and the length-adjusting assembly facilitates relative rotation between the first and second tubular members to adjust the length of the body assembly.

11. The connector of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second tubular members comprises a piston movable through a chamber therein for closing the auxiliary flow lines of one or both components upon disconnection of the first and second tubular members.

12. A connector for connecting auxiliary flow lines and electrical lines that extend through and terminate at or near opposing ends of two respective components of a downhole tool string, the connector comprising:

a body assembly for fluidly-connecting the auxiliary flow lines and electrically-connecting the electrical lines of the respective two components; and

an assembly for adjusting the length of the body assembly.

13. The connector of claim 12, wherein the body assembly comprises connectable first and second tubular members.

14. The connector of claim 13, wherein the first and second tubular members comprise adjacent drill collars within a drill string.

15. The connector of claim 12, wherein the auxiliary flow lines of the two components are substantially axially-oriented.

16. The connector of claim 12, wherein the body assembly defines at least one fluid conduit for fluidly-connecting the auxiliary flow lines of the two components.

17. The connector of claim 13, wherein the first and second tubular members cooperate to define at least one fluid conduit for fluidly-connecting the auxiliary flow lines of the two components.

18. The connector of claim 17, wherein the fluid conduit is axially oriented across the first and second tubular members.

19. The connector of claim 17, wherein the fluid conduit is radially oriented across the first and second tubular members.

20. The connector of claim 19, wherein the first and second tubular members cooperate to define an annular portion of the fluid conduit across the first and second tubular members.

21. The connector of claim 12, wherein the electrical lines of the two components are substantially axially-oriented.

22. The connector of claim 12, wherein the body assembly defines at least one conductive pathway for electrically-connecting the electrical lines of the two components.

23. The connector of claim 13, wherein the first and second tubular members cooperate to define at least one conductive pathway for electrically-connecting the electrical lines of the two components.

24. The connector of claim 23, wherein the conductive pathway is radially oriented across the first and second tubular members.

25. The connector of claim 24, wherein the conductive pathway comprises complementing radial electrical contacts carried by pin and box portions of the respective first and second tubular members.

26. The connector of claim 23, wherein the conductive pathway is axially oriented across the first and second tubular members.

27. The connector of claim 26, wherein the conductive pathway comprises complementing axial electrical contacts carried by the respective first and second tubular members.

28. The connector of claim 13, wherein the first and second tubular members are threadably engaged within or near the length-adjusting assembly, and the length-adjusting assembly facilitates relative rotation between the first and second tubular members to adjust the length of the body assembly.

29. The connector of claim 21, wherein at least one of the first and second tubular members comprises a piston movable through a chamber therein for closing the auxiliary flow lines of one or both components upon disconnection of the first and second tubular members.

30. A method for connecting auxiliary flow lines and electrical lines that extend through and terminate at or near spaced-apart opposing ends of two respective components of a downhole tool string, the method comprising the steps of:

determining the distance between the opposing ends of the two components; and

establishing a fluid connection between the auxiliary flow lines and an electrical connection between the electrical lines of the respective two components in accordance with the determined distance.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the establishing step comprises the steps of:

employing at least one fluid conduit for fluidly-connecting the auxiliary flow lines of the two components; and

adjusting the length of the fluid conduit as necessary to accord with the determined distance.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the establishing step comprises the steps of:

employing at least one conductive pathway for electrically-connecting the electrical lines of the two components; and

adjusting the length of the conductive pathway as necessary to accord with the determined distance.

33. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of closing the auxiliary flow lines of one or both components upon disconnection of the fluid connection between the two components.