WIRE-LINE CONNECTION SYSTEM

• US 20080160833A1
• Filed: 12/28/2007
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ken Shipalesky
• Original Assignee: Ken Shipalesky
• Inventors: Shipalesky, Ken
• Application Number:
  US11/966,006
• Publication Number:
  US 20080160833A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/625
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/026 Arrangements for fixing cables or wirelines to the outside of downhole devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5221 having cable sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/523 for use under water
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2101/00 One pole

Abstract

A wire-line section and connection system for carrying electrical power to a down-hole tool in a well is provided. Each section includes a tubular sheath forming a passageway that encloses a conductor having a first connector at one end and a complementary second connector at the other that enables wire-line sections to be coupled together. A number of wire-line sections can be connected together to form a wire-line connection system that connects to a device connector attached to the down-hole tool. The upper end of the system includes an entry sub-assembly to connect to a source of electric power for the down-hole tool.

Claims

1. A wire-line section, comprising:

a) a tubular sheath having first and second ends and forming a passageway therebetween;

b) a conductor disposed within said passageway extending between the first and second ends;

c) a first connector operatively attached to the conductor at the first end, the first connector operatively attached to the first end of the tubular sheath;

d) a second connector operatively attached to the conductor at the second end, the first and second connectors configured to releasably connect with one another; and

e) coupling means for releasably coupling the first connector with the second end of a second wire-line section whereupon releasably coupling the wire-line section to the second wire-line section, the first connector is releasably connected with the second connector of the second wire-line section.

2. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 1 wherein the conductor further comprises an insulating sheath covering at least a portion of the conductor, the insulating sheath disposed between the conductor and the tubular sheath in the passageway.

3. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 2 wherein the insulating sheath comprises a dielectric insulator.

4. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first connector further comprises sealing means for sealing the connection between the wire-line section and the second wire-line section when the wire-line sections are releasably coupled together.

5. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 4 wherein the sealing means comprises an o-ring seal.

6. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 5 wherein the first end of the tubular sheath further comprises a groove disposed about the first connector for receiving the o-ring seal.

7. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first connector is threadably coupled to the tubular sheath at the first end.

8. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 7 wherein the first connector further comprises a socket for releasably connecting with the second connector of the second wire-line section.

9. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 8 wherein the second connector comprises a plug for releasably connecting with the socket.

10. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 1 wherein the coupling means comprises:

a) first threads disposed about the first connector; and

b) second threads disposed within the passageway at the second end of the wire-line section whereby the wire-line sections are coupled together by threading the first connector into the second end of the second wire-line section.

11. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 10 wherein the first connector further comprises a socket for releasably connecting with the second connector of the second wire-line section.

12. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 11 wherein the second connector comprises a plug for releasably connecting with the socket.

13. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 1 wherein the coupling means comprises:

a) a bayonet connector disposed on the first connector; and

b) bayonet receiver means disposed within the passageway at the second end of the wire-line section for receiving the bayonet connector whereby the wire-line sections are coupled together by inserting the bayonet connector into the bayonet receiver means of the second wire-line section.

14. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 13 wherein the first connector further comprises a socket for releasably connecting with the second connector of the second wire-line section.

15. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 14 wherein the second connector comprises a plug for releasably connecting with the socket.

16. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 1 wherein the coupling means comprises:

a) a quick connect plug disposed on the first connector; and

b) a quick connect coupler disposed on the second end of the second wire-line section whereby the wire-line sections are coupled together by inserting the quick connect plug into the quick connect coupler.

17. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 16 wherein the first connector further comprises a socket for releasably connecting with the second connector of the second wire-line section.

18. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 17 wherein the second connector comprises a plug for releasably connecting with the socket.

19. The wire-line section as set forth in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first connector further comprises a first conductive insert having a socket, the first insert disposed in the first end of the sheath, the first insert operatively connected to the conductor.

20. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 19 wherein the second connector further comprises a second conductive insert having a plug, the second insert disposed in the second end of the sheath, the second insert operatively connected to the conductor.

21. The wire-line section as set forth in claim 20 wherein the coupling means further comprises:

a) threads disposed in the socket; and

b) threads disposed on the plug whereby the plug can threadably couple and uncouple with the socket on an adjoining wire-line section.

22. A wire-line connection system, comprising:

a) a wire-line entry sub-assembly;

b) a plurality of wire-line sections, each section comprising;

i) a tubular sheath having first and second ends and forming a passageway therebetween,

ii) a conductor disposed within the passageway extending between the first and second ends,

iii) a first connector operatively attached to the conductor at the first end, the first connector operatively attached to the first end of the tubular sheath,

iv) a second connector operatively attached to the conductor at the second end, the first and second connectors configured to releasably connect with one another, and

v) coupling means for releasably coupling the first connector with the second end of a second wire-line section whereupon releasably coupling the wire-line section to the second wire-line section, the first connector is releasably connected with the second connector of the second wire-line section; and

c) a device connector for attachment to a down-hole tool whereby the entry sub-assembly, the plurality of wire-line sections and the device connector are connected in series to carry electrical power to the down-hole tool from a source of electrical power connected to the entry sub-assembly.

23. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 22 wherein the conductor further comprises an insulating sheath covering at least a portion of the conductor, the insulating sheath disposed between the conductor and the tubular sheath in the passageway.

24. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 23 wherein the insulating sheath comprises a dielectric insulator.

25. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 22 wherein the first connector further comprises sealing means for sealing the connection between the wire-line section and the second wire-line section when the wire-line sections are releasably coupled together.

26. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 25 wherein the sealing means comprises an o-ring seal.

27. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 26 wherein the first end of the tubular sheath further comprises a groove disposed about the first connector for receiving the o-ring seal.

28. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 22 wherein the first connector is threadably coupled to the tubular sheath at the first end.

29. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 28 wherein the first connector further comprises a socket for releasably connecting with the second connector of the second wire-line section.

30. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 29 wherein the second connector comprises a plug for releasably connecting with the socket.

31. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 22 wherein the coupling means comprises:

a) first threads disposed about the first connector; and

b) second threads disposed within the passageway at the second end of the wire-line section whereby the wire-line sections are coupled together by threading the first connector into the second end of the second wire-line section.

32. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 31 wherein the first connector further comprises a socket for releasably connecting with the second connector of the second wire-line section.

33. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 32 wherein the second connector comprises a plug for releasably connecting with the socket.

34. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 22 wherein the coupling means comprises:

a) a bayonet connector disposed on the first connector; and

b) bayonet receiver means disposed within the passageway at the second end of the wire-line section for receiving the bayonet connector whereby the wire-line sections are coupled together by inserting the bayonet connector into the bayonet receiver means of the second wire-line section.

35. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 34 wherein the first connector further comprises a socket for releasably connecting with the second connector of the second wire-line section.

36. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 35 wherein the second connector comprises a plug for releasably connecting with the socket.

37. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 22 wherein the coupling means comprises:

a) a quick connect plug disposed on the first connector; and

b) a quick connect coupler disposed on the second end of the second wire-line section whereby the wire-line sections are coupled together by inserting the quick connect plug into the quick connect coupler.

38. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 37 wherein the first connector further comprises a socket for releasably connecting with the second connector of the second wire-line section.

39. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 38 wherein the second connector comprises a plug for releasably connecting with the socket.

40. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 22 wherein the device connector is operatively attached to the down-hole tool.

41. The wire-line connection system as set forth in claim 22 wherein the device connector is integral to the down-hole tool.