Electrical connection assembly

• US 20070018848A1
• Filed: 06/15/2006
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Lupien, Daniel, Bottos, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,566,235 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/854.400
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/003 with electrically conducting or insulating means E21B17/028 and E21B17/023 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/0285 characterised by electrically insulating elements
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 4/02 Fluid rotary type drives
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 11/002 Details, e.g. power supply systems for logging instruments, transmitting or recording data, specially adapted for well logging, also if the prospecting method is irrelevant means for transmitting well survey signals E21B47/12; signal transmission systems in general G08C; transmission in general H04B

Abstract

An electrical connection assembly for providing an electrical connection between a first component and a second component, wherein the second component is comprised of a tubular member and defines a bore, wherein the first component is received within the bore of the second component, and wherein the first component is comprised of an exterior surface. The electrical connection assembly includes an electrical contact surface associated with one of the exterior surface of the first component and the bore of the second component. Further, a plurality of electrical contact members are associated with the other of the exterior surface of the first component and the bore of the second component, wherein each of the electrical contact members is biased toward the electrical contact surface such that each of the electrical contact members contacts the electrical contact surface.

Claims

1. An electrical connection assembly for providing an electrical connection between a first component and a second component, wherein the second component is comprised of a tubular member, wherein the second component defines a bore, wherein the first component is received within the bore of the second component, and wherein the first component is comprised of an exterior surface, the electrical connection assembly comprising:

(a) an electrical contact surface associated with one of the exterior surface of the first component and the bore of the second component; and

(b) a plurality of electrical contact members associated with the other of the exterior surface of the first component and the bore of the second component, wherein each of the electrical contact members is biased toward the electrical contact surface such that each of the electrical contact members contacts the electrical contact surface.

2. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the electrical contact members is comprised of a contact spring.

3. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrical contact members are spaced circumferentially around the other of the exterior surface of the first component and the bore of the second component.

4. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first component, the second component and the electrical contact members are configured so that the electrical contact members are urged into closer contact with the electrical contact surface when the first member is received within the bore of the second component.

5. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the first component, the second component and the electrical contact members are configured so that the first component can be inserted within and removed from the bore of the second member.

6. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the other of the exterior surface of the first component and the bore of the second component defines a recess and wherein the electrical contact members are received within the recess.

7. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of the electrical contact members defines an abutment portion for abutment with the electrical contact surface and wherein the abutment portion protrudes from the recess.

8. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a contact sleeve positioned within the recess and wherein the electrical contact members are mounted in the contact sleeve.

9. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first component and the second component define a longitudinal axis, further comprising a biasing mechanism associated with the contact sleeve and the recess, for biasing the contact sleeve longitudinally relative to the recess.

10. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the biasing mechanism is comprised of a spring positioned within the recess.

11. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrical contact surface is associated with the exterior surface of the first component and wherein the electrical contact members are associated with the bore of the second component.

12. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein each of the electrical contact members is comprised of a contact spring.

13. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the electrical contact members are spaced circumferentially around the bore of the second component.

14. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the first component, the second component and the electrical contact members are configured so that the electrical contact members are urged into closer contact with the electrical contact surface when the first member is received within the bore of the second component.

15. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the first component, the second component and the electrical contact members are configured so that the first component can be inserted within and removed from the bore of the second member.

16. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the bore of the second component defines a recess and wherein the electrical contact members are received within the recess.

17. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein each of the electrical contact members defines an abutment portion for abutment with the electrical contact surface and wherein the abutment portion protrudes from the recess.

18. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a contact sleeve positioned within the recess and wherein the electrical contact members are mounted in the contact sleeve.

19. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein the first component and the second component define a longitudinal axis, further comprising a biasing mechanism associated with the contact sleeve and the recess, for biasing the contact sleeve longitudinally relative to the recess.

20. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 19 wherein the biasing mechanism is comprised of a spring positioned within the recess.

21. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second component is comprised of a proximal end and a distal end, further comprising an electrical insulator associated with the second component, for electrically isolating the proximal end of the second component from the distal end of the second component.

22. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second component is comprised of a proximal end and a distal end, further comprising a seal mechanism associated with the second component, for sealing the proximal end of the second component from the distal end of the second component.

23. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 22, further comprising an electrical insulator associated with the second component, for electrically isolating the proximal end of the second component from the distal end of the second component.

24. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 23 wherein the seal mechanism is comprised of at least one seal carrier.

25. The electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 24 wherein the electrical insulator is comprised of the seal carrier.