Cylindrical mounted break-away interconnect

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9496649-B2
Application number	US-201414510824-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 9, 2014
Priority date	Oct 9, 2014
Publication date	Nov 15, 2016
Grant date	Nov 15, 2016

Abstract

An electrical-connection system for connecting a first cable to a second cable includes a central connector unit that attaches to cable-end connectors. Among other features, the central connector unit might include a curved surface, each of the cable-end connectors might include a grip mechanism. Generally, the electrical-connection system is configured to be positioned in a radial groove of a cylindrical body, such that an overall height of the system is maintained within space constraints.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An electrical-connection system for connecting a first downhole cable to a second downhole cable, the system configured to be received in a groove of a downhole cylindrical component, the groove having a curved bottom and a radial depth, the system comprising:
a central connector unit including a shell having a main body and a first connector and a second connector extending from the main body,
wherein the main body includes a cavity, a radially-outwardly directed exterior surface facing away from the cavity, and a radially-inwardly directed exterior curved surface facing away from the cavity,
wherein, when the central connector unit is received in the groove, the radially-inwardly directed exterior curved surface abuts against the curved bottom of the groove, and
wherein the first connector and the second connector extend from the main body at an angle respective to one another;

a first cable-end connector that mates with the first connector,
wherein a first interface between the first connector and the first cable-end connector includes a first set of one or more keys that aligns with a first set of one or more keyways; and
wherein the first cable-end connector includes a first radially extending gripping mechanism; and

a second cable-end connector that mates with the second connector,
wherein a second interface between the second connector and the second cable-end connector includes a second set of one or more keys that aligns with a second set of one or more keyways; and
wherein the second cable-end connector includes a second radially extending gripping mechanism; and

wherein, when the central connector unit is positioned in the groove with the radially-inwardly directed exterior curved surface abutted against the curved bottom of the groove, and the first connector is connected with the first cable-end connector, and the second connector is connected with the second cable-end connector, the overall radial height of the electrical-connection system is less than the radial depth of the groove.

2. The electrical-connection of claim 1 , wherein the central connector unit further comprises a pin assembly that extends through the cavity of the shell from the first connector to the second connector and that provides an electrical connection between the first connector and the second connector.

3. The electrical-connection of claim 1 , wherein the first connector further comprises an outer surface, which includes the first set of one or more keys radially extending from the outer surface.

4. The electrical-connection of claim 3 , wherein the outer surface includes a radial retaining groove for coupling with a fastener of the first cable-end connector.

5. The electrical-connection of claim 4 , wherein the first cable-end connector includes a substantially tubular body having an inner surface, and wherein a canted spring is fitted in within a recess of the inner surface, the canted spring engaging the radial retaining groove.

6. The electrical-connection of claim 3 , wherein the first cable-end connector includes a substantially tubular body having an inner surface, which includes the first set of one or more keyways that are spaced to align with the first set of one or more keys when the first cable-end connector is mated with the first connector.

7. The electrical-connection of claim 1 , wherein the first cable-end connector includes a first end that attaches to the first connector and a second end for receiving the first cable, wherein the first radially extending gripping mechanism includes a first surface that faces toward the first end and that is generally concave.

8. The electrical-connection of claim 7 , wherein the first radially extending gripping mechanism includes a second surface that faces toward the second end and that is generally convex.

9. The electrical-connection system of claim 1 :
wherein the main body includes a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, a left wall, and a right wall;
wherein the bottom wall includes the exterior curved surface, which is generally concave; and
wherein the first connector extends from the right wall and the second connector extends from the left wall.

10. An electrical connector for coupling a first cable terminal to a second cable terminal and being configured for installation in the radial groove of a downhole component, the radial groove having a base with a radius, the electrical connector comprising:
a shell that encases a cavity and that includes:
a main body having:
a bottom wall,
a top wall, and
side walls extending between the bottom wall and the top wall,
wherein the bottom wall includes an exterior curved surface outside the cavity that includes an arc extending from a first side wall to a second side wall, the arc comprising an arc radius, the arc radius being about equal to the radius of the base of the groove such that substantially the entirety of the exterior curved surface is configured to rest substantially flush against the base of the groove,

a first connector extending from the first side wall of the main body at a first angle, the first angle measured between a reference line A that bisects the main body and a reference line B 1 that is coaxial with the first connector, and
a second connector extending from the second side wall of the main body at a second angle, the second angle measured between the reference line A and a reference line B 2 that is coaxial with the second connector,
wherein the first and second angles are acute angles, and
wherein the first connector and the second connector extend from the main body at an obtuse angle with respect to one another.

11. The electrical connector of claim 10 further comprising, a pin assembly housed in the cavity, the pin assembly including:
a first set of one or more pins positioned in the first connector
a second set of one or more pins positioned in the second connector, and
a conductor connecting the first set of one or more pins to the second set of one or more pins and extending through the cavity.

12. The electrical connector of claim 10 , wherein the first connector includes a first set of one or more radially extending key projections and the second connector includes a second set of one or more radially extending key projections.

13. The electrical connector of claim 10 , wherein the first connector and the second connector each includes a tubular body having an external circumferentially extending groove.

14. The electrical connector of claim 10 , wherein the cavity is filled with an epoxy.

15. A cable-end connector for coupling an end of a cable to another electrical device to form an electrical connection system for installation in a radial groove of a downhole component, the cable-end connector comprising:
a generally tubular shell having:
a cable-insertion end,
a connector-attachment end,
a radially extending gripping mechanism that projects outward from an exterior surface of the tubular shell, the radially extending gripping mechanism comprising:
a first side that is oriented towards the cable-insertion end, the first side sloping away from the cable-insertion end and comprising a generally convex surface, and
a second side that is oriented towards the connector-attachment end, the second side sloping toward the cable-insertion end and comprising a generally concave surface, and

an interior surface comprising one or more keyways;

an insulator and micropin contact oriented towards the connector-attachment end; and
a ring-shaped retention device that at least partially circumscribes the insul

Assignees

• Itt Mfg Entpr Llc

Inventors

• Burns Cameron
• Finona Michael

Classifications

• E21B17/0285

  characterised by electrically insulating elements · CPC title

• H01R13/6277

  comprising annular latching means, e.g. ring snapping in an annular groove · CPC title

• H01R13/64 Primary

  Means for preventing incorrect coupling · CPC title

• H01R31/06

  Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter (with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94) · CPC title

• E21B17/028

  Electrical or electro-magnetic connections · CPC title