# US 2008/0185155 A1 · Down Hole Electrical Connector for Combating Rapid Decompression > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0185155 A1 - Document ID: US20080185155A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/026,276 - Filed: 2008-02-05 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-05 - Inventors: Tod D. Emerson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080185155A1 ## CPC - H01R 13/523: for use under water - H01R 13/5208: {having at least two cable receiving openings} - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract Embodiments of the present invention provide an effective seal and connector that maintain a removable mechanical and electrical connection between any two down hole power cables, despite cable movement and well pressure. The connector preferably includes a fluid seal comprised an encasing material that surrounds and/or adheres to protective tubing encapsulating an electrical cable's conductor wires. The encasing material may also surround and/or adhere to the conductive wire's insulation to prevent its outward expansion during well pressure events. The connector's fluid seal also comprises a relatively rigid connection between the connector's protective outer sleeve and the protective tubing encapsulating the conductor wire. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector comprising: a protective outer sleeve for receiving and engaging at least one protective tubing encapsulating a down hole conductor wire; and a seal formed between the protective tubing and the protective outer sleeve; wherein the seal comprises: an encasing material for adhering to the protective tubing and protective outer sleeve and preventing fluid from passing between the protective tubing, protective outer sleeve and encasing material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1 wherein the encasing material is positioned within the connector to fill the space between the protective outer sleeve and the protective tubing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1 wherein the seal is operable to restrict outward expansion of a fluid permeable material encapsulating a down hole conductor wire. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1, wherein the down hole electrical cable is a tube extension cable adapted to selectively couple with a separate down hole electrical cable. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connector of claim 1 further comprising a bottom stop assembly positioned at least partially within the protective outer sleeve and adjacent to the encasing material; wherein the bottom stop assembly is adapted to receive and engage the protective tubing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The connector of claim 5 wherein the seal further comprises a relatively rigid connection for impeding fluid flow; wherein the seal is formed between the protective outer sleeve, bottom stop assembly, and protective tubing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The connector of claim 5 wherein the bottom stop assembly is adapted for receiving and engaging the terminus of the protective tubing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The connector of claim 5 wherein the bottom stop assembly is adapted for engaging the protective tubing of a down hole conductor approximately two inches from the terminus of the protective tubing. ### Claim 9 A down hole connector comprising: a protective outer sleeve; a top stop assembly for receiving and engaging a first down hole electrical cable; wherein the top stop assembly is positioned at least partially within the protective outer sleeve; a bottom stop assembly for receiving and engaging the protective tubing of a second down hole electrical cable that electrically terminates with the first down hole electrical cable; wherein the bottom stop assembly is positioned at least partially within the protective outer sleeve; at least one insulating boot with an axial passage for supporting a terminated first and second down hole electrical cable within the protective outer casing; and a fluid tight seal for preventing fluid from entering the connector comprising an encasing material and a rigid connection; wherein the encasing material is affixed to protective tubing of a second electrical cable, bottom stop and protective outer sleeve, and the rigid connection is formed between the protective outer sleeve, bottom stop assembly, and protective tubing of the second electrical cable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The down hole electrical cable of claim 9 wherein the insulating boot comprises a first male insulating boot and a separate second female insulating boot. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The down hole connector of claim 9 wherein the first down hole electrical cable is penetrator cable. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The down hole connector of claim 9 wherein the second down hole electrical cable is a pump cable. ### Claim 13 A method for providing a down hole connector comprising the steps of: receiving and engaging at least one down hole electrical cable with a protective outer sleeve, wherein the down hole electrical cable is formed with a conductor wire at least partially encapsulated in protective tubing; and sealing the protective outer sleeve and the received and engaged at least one down hole electrical cable to impede well fluid from entering the connector; wherein the step of sealing comprises: affixing an encasing material to the protective tubing of the down hole electrical connector and to the protective outer sleeve; and forming a relatively rigid connection between the protective outer sleeve and the protective tubing of the down hole electrical cable. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of positioning a bottom stop assembly at least partially within a protective outer sleeve and adjacent to the encasing material so that the bottom stop assembly receives and engages the down hole electrical cable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein the step of providing a down hole electrical cable involves providing a first removable electrical cable extension piece. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13, 15) The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of: disconnecting the first removable electrical cable from any separate attached down hole electrical cables; replacing the first down hole electrical cable extension piece with a second removable down hole electrical cable extension piece; and repeating the steps in claim 13.