Sealed eurytopic make-break connector utilizing a conductive elastomer contact

• US 20070227757A1
• Filed: 03/31/2006
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Proserv Operations, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AESI Holdings, Inc. (Atlas Energy Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Moore, Boyd
• Granted Patent: US 7,355,122 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/92
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/0385 electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2414 conductive elastomers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/523 for use under water

Abstract

An electrical connection with first and second electrical connectors are adapted to engage each other to form an electrical connection. An electrical wire is connected to each connector. At least one of the connectors has a contact formed of a conductive elastomeric material with conductive particles dispersed in the material, which is shaped to deform when compressed. When the first and second connector elements engage each other contact(s) formed of the elastomeric material will deform to cause electrically conductive particles in the elastomeric material to form an enhanced electrically conductive path through the elastomeric material.

Claims

1. An electrical connection, comprising:

a. first and second electrical connectors adapted to engage each other to form an electrical connection;

b. an electrical wire connected to each connector;

c. at least one of said first and second connectors comprising a contact formed of a conductive elastomeric material with conductive particles dispersed in the material, said conductive elastomeric material being shaped to deform when compressed;

d. wherein when the first and second connector elements engage each other said at least one of the contacts will deform to cause electrically conductive particles in said elastomeric material to form an enhanced electrically conductive path through the elastomeric material; and

e. wherein said deformation of said at least one of the contacts effectively removes moisture from between the contacts.

2. The connection of claim 1, wherein the first and second connectors both comprise contacts formed of a conductive elastomeric material.

3. The connection of claim 2, and further including an insulation layer around the contacts, a portion of the elastomeric material of both contacts being exposed and adapted to engage each other to form an electrical connection.

4. The connection of claim 3, wherein the exposed portion of the elastomeric material is convex.

5. The connection of claim 1, wherein an electrical wire is connected to each connector.

6. The connection of claim 1, wherein the contact is ring-shaped.

7. The connection of claim 6, wherein the contact includes a ring mounted in a groove formed in an insulator element.

8. The connection of claim 6, wherein the contact has a plurality of alternating conductive and non-conductive regions spaced around the circumference of the ring.

9. The connection of claim 1, wherein the contacts are cylindrical in shape.

10. The connection of claim 9, wherein the contact is mounted in a cylinder formed of an insulating material with at least one of the contacts having an exposed convex portion that is adapted to mate with a portion of the other connector element.

11. An underwater electrical connector for a subsea wellhead, comprising electrical connectors in accordance with claim 1 mounted on opposed surfaces.