Spiral lock electrical connection assembly
AssigneeInnovex Downhole Solutions, Inc.
InventorGary Firth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrical connector assembly for a wellhead penetrator includes a first connector including an insertion body and defining a bore, the bore being configured to receive an electrical conductor. The insertion body includes a helical engaging member and defines a helical slot. The assembly includes a second connector defining a cavity therein, the cavity being configured to receive at least a portion of the insertion body therein, and the cavity being tapered such that advancing the insertion body into the cavity causes the helical engaging member to compress radially inwards into engagement with the electrical conductor.
Claims18
An electrical connector assembly for a wellhead penetrator, the electrical connector assembly comprising:
- a first connector comprising an insertion body and defining a bore, the bore being configured to receive an electrical conductor, wherein the insertion body comprises a helical engaging member and defines a helical slot;
- and
- a second connector defining a cavity therein, the cavity being configured to receive at least a portion of the insertion body therein, and the cavity being tapered such that advancing the insertion body into the cavity causes the helical engaging member to compress radially inwards into engagement with the electrical conductor.
A method for attaching an electrical connector assembly to an electrical conductor, comprising:
- receiving a first connector onto the electrical conductor, wherein the first connector comprises an insertion body in which the electrical conductor is received, the insertion body having a helical engaging member that extends around the electrical conductor;
- receiving at least a portion of the insertion body into a cavity formed in a second connector;
- and
- rotating the second connector relative to the first connector, which drives the first connector farther into the second connector, and wherein driving the first connector farther into the second connector causes the helical engaging member to press into the electrical conductor and to press against the second connector, so as to form an electrical and physical connection between the electrical conductor, the first connector, and the second connector.
An electrical connector assembly for a wellhead penetrator, the electrical connector assembly comprising:
- an insertion body defining a bore, the bore for receiving an electrical conductor, wherein the insertion body comprises a helical engaging member and defines a helical slot that extends radially through the insertion body, and wherein the insertion body comprises threads that are separate from the helical engaging member;
- a connector body defining a cavity therein, the cavity for receiving at least a portion of the insertion body therein, wherein the cavity is tapered such that advancing the insertion body into the cavity causes the helical engaging member to compress radially inwards into engagement with the electrical conductor, and wherein the cavity is at least partially threaded for engaging the threads of the insertion body, such that rotation of the connector body relative to the insertion body causes the insertion body to move axially with respect to the connector body;
- and
- an electrical contact coupled to the connector body, wherein the insertion body conducts electricity from the electrical conductor to the electrical contact via the connector body when the insertion body is coupled to the connector body and does not conduct electricity with the electrical conductor when the insertion body is not coupled to the connector body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.