Patent · US Expired

Wet connector

US4997384A · kind A · utility

26Cited by
21References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 12, 1990
Grant dateMar 5, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 12, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01R13/523
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A wet connector for latchingly connecting an electric cable between surface equipment and a previously installed electrically powered well tool at a remote, downhole location in a well for transmitting electrical energy or signals thereto or therefrom. This wet connector comprises a male connector on the downhole well tool and a female connector on the electric cable. The female connector carries a non-conductive liquid which is expelled therefrom during mating with the male connector to wash and cleanse the electrical contacts of both the male and the female connectors. One form of the wet connector is released electrically (reverse polarity being used), and another form of the connector is released by tensioning and slackening the electric cable a predetermined plurality of times. Systems using such wet connectors are disclosed, as are methods for their use. The wet connector can be used in conjunction with an electric cable for installing certain tools in a well, especially where it is desirable to deposit such tools gently with no jarring.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.