Retention of electrical spring contacts for wet connection of down-hole tool components

A wet connect apparatus operable in down-hole environments, the wet connect apparatus comprising:

• a female component defining an inner annular wall having at least one electrode defined thereon, the at least one electrode in electrical communication with a down-hole tool associated with the female component;
• a male component at least partially disposed within the inner annular wall, the male component in electrical communication with up-hole equipment;
• and
• an annular electrical contact establishing electrical continuity between the male and female components, the annular electrical contact comprising:
• a resilient outer member constructed of a coiled spring having its ends fused together;
• and
• an inner retention member disposed within the resilient outer member and operable to provide a radial bias to the resilient outer member, the inner retention member constructed of a gift ring defining a coil extending in a direction generally orthogonal to a direction of a coil defining the coiled spring, wherein the inner retention member comprises a complete coil with an overlapping section, and
• wherein the male component further comprises an outer circumferential wall defined by at least one conductive ring and at least one electrically insulating ring;
• the at least one conductive ring and the at least one electrically insulating ring are interspaced in an axial direction;
• and
• the at least one conductive ring defines an annular groove, the annular groove providing a seat in which the annular electrical contact is retained.