Electrical coupling apparatus and method

• US 8,198,752 B2
• Filed: 05/12/2010
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Fenton, Stephen Paul, Bohori, Adnan Kutubuddin
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Danny
• Application Number:
  US12/778,475
• Publication Number:
  US 20110278018A1
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 307/31, 307/64
• US Class Current: 307/64
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/0385 electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/48 Transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

An apparatus to provide electrical coupling between two components in a well system is proposed. The apparatus includes a first component disposed around a well-bore and configured to host electrical connections. A second component is disposed concentrically around the first component and configured for power coupling with the first component. A first power coupling unit is disposed on the first component and configured to host one or more transceivers and resonators. A second power coupling unit is disposed on the second component and configured to host one or more transceivers and resonators. The transceivers and resonators on the first and second power coupling units are configured to transfer power in a contactless manner.

Claims

1. An apparatus to provide electrical coupling between two components in a well system, the apparatus comprising:

a first component disposed around a well-bore and configured to host electrical connections;

a second component disposed concentrically above the first component and configured for power coupling with the first component;

a first power coupling unit disposed on the first component and configured to host one or more transceivers and resonators;

a second power coupling unit disposed on the second component and configured to host one or more transceivers and resonators, wherein the transceivers and resonators on the first and second power coupling units are configured to transfer power in a contactless manner.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pressure isolation element between the well-bore and the first power coupling unit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pressure isolation element between the well-bore and the second power coupling unit.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transceivers and resonators on the first and second power coupling units are configured to transfer power bi-directionally.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first power coupling unit is aligned to the second power coupling unit.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and the second power coupling units comprise cavities to host the transceivers and the resonators.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cavities are sealed via pressure isolation caps.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the pressure isolation comprises a non-magnetic material.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a connection flange to couple the first power coupling unit with a dry mate connection.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second power coupling unit is coupled to a plurality of sensors and electrical devices hosted within the first component.

11. A method for providing electrical coupling comprising:

installing at least two components within a wellhead system, each component comprising a power coupling unit including a transceiver situated within a pressure isolation element;

positioning a first component concentrically within a second component;

aligning the power coupling unit of the first component with the power coupling unit of the second component to enable electrical power and signal communications automatically in both directions in a contactless manner between the transceivers of the power coupling units of the first and second components.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the first component comprises a tubing hanger and the second component comprises a tree head.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising disposing at least one resonator between the transceivers of the power coupling units of the first and second components.