# US 10,370,928 B2 · Structure with feed through > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,370,928 B2 - Document ID: US10370928B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/893,810 - Filed: 2014-05-30 - Published: 2016-04-14 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-05-30 - Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Applicants: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Inventors: David Noakes; Robert Graham; Colin Wilson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10370928B2 ## CPC - E21B 33/068: having provision for introducing objects or fluids into, or removing objects from, wells (cementing-heads E21B33/05) - E21B 29/04: Cutting of wire lines or the like (E21B29/02 takes precedence) - E21B 33/063: {for shearing drill pipes (cutting of wireline E21B29/04)} - E21B 47/07: Temperature - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A technique provides protection against unwanted conditions in wellhead structures and other structures. According to the technique, a system provides a feed through in a wellhead structure or other type of structure. The feed through may accommodate a communication line routed therethrough. A closing device is positioned in the structure at a location to enable closing of the feed through via the closing device. Additionally, a condition-sensitive device is operatively engaged with the closing device to initiate actuation of the closing device once the condition-sensitive device is exposed to a predetermined condition. Upon exposure to the predetermined condition, the condition-sensitive device initiates closing of the feed through via the closing device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system, comprising: a wellhead structure of a wellhead positioned above a well, the wellhead structure having a feed through; a communication line extending through the feed through; a condition-sensitive device mounted to the wellhead structure, the condition-sensitive device being automatically actuated upon exposure to a predetermined condition; and a closing device positioned at the feed through in operative engagement with the condition-sensitive device such that automatic actuation of the condition-sensitive device upon reaching the predetermined condition causes the closing device to close the feed through, wherein the closing device shears the communication line when the closing device closes the feed through. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the condition-sensitive device comprises a temperature-sensitive device mounted to the wellhead structure, the temperature-sensitive device being automatically actuated upon exposure to a predetermined temperature. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the communication line comprises an optical fiber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the communication line comprises an electrical conductor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the communication line comprises a hydraulic line. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the closing device is spring biased to close the feed through. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the temperature-sensitive device comprises a shear member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the temperature-sensitive device melts upon reaching the predetermined temperature. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the closing device is rotated to close the feed through. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the closing device is translated to close the feed through. ### Claim 11 A method, comprising: providing a feed through in a wellhead structure of a wellhead positioned above a well; routing a communication line through the feed through; positioning a closing device in the wellhead structure at a location to enable closing of the feed through via the closing device; and using a temperature-sensitive device to hold the closing device in an open position until a predetermined temperature is reached, the predetermined temperature causing the temperature-sensitive device to initiate closing of the feed through via the closing device, wherein the closing device shears the communication line when the closing device closes the feed through. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method as recited in claim 11, wherein positioning comprises positioning the closing device for rotation between an open position and a closed position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method as recited in claim 11, wherein positioning comprises positioning the closing device for translation between an open position and a closed position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method as recited in claim 11, wherein using the temperature-sensitive device comprises using a degradable pin to hold the closing device in an open position until the predetermined temperature is reached. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method as recited in claim 11, wherein using the temperature-sensitive device comprises using a degradable disk to hold the closing device in an open position until the predetermined temperature is reached. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising shearing a communication line located in the feed through while closing the feed through. ### Claim 17 A method, comprising: providing a feed through in a wellhead structure of a wellhead positioned above a well; routing a communication line through the feed through; positioning a closing device in the wellhead structure at a location to enable closing of the feed through via the closing device; and using a condition-sensitive device to initiate actuation of the closing device to shear the communication line and to close the feed through once the condition-sensitive device is sufficiently exposed to a predetermined condition. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method as recited in claim 17, wherein using comprises using a temperature-sensitive device having a material which degrades at a predetermined temperature. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the communication line comprises an optical fiber, an electrical conductor, or a hydraulic line. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a temperature condition.