Disconnectable pressure-preserving electrical connector and method of installation
AssigneeQuick Connectors, Inc.
InventorsBrian Sneed, Gary Firth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides a dis-connectable wellhead hanger arrangement permitting a pig tail set of electrical conductors to be inserted within the wellhead hanger arrangement which seals against the wellhead hanger upon separation of an electrical power cable; or alternatively, through an exterior pressure-preserving housing. If the power cable separates from the production tubing for any reason, the compressively fit plugs disconnect the power cable from the pathway leaving the electrical mandrel sealed within the wellhead hanger or housing, thereby sealing the wellhead hanger from loss of fluid after separation.
Claims21
-19. (canceled)
An electrical connector for a wellhead, the electrical connector comprising:
- a body having a first end configured to be secured in a bore of a wellhead adapter, and a second end that is opposite to the first end, wherein the body forms a fluid-tight seal with the bore, wherein the body is configured to receive a plurality of first electrical conductors from the bore into the body through the first end, and wherein the body is configured to receive a plurality of second electrical conductors into the body through the second end;
- a connection assembly formed between the first electrical conductors and the second electrical conductors within the body, wherein the connection assembly is configured to conduct electricity between the first and second electrical conductors;
- and
- a union coupling coupled to body, wherein the union coupling receives the second electrical conductors therethrough and seals the second end of the body.
A wellhead connector apparatus, comprising:
- a wellhead hanger adapted to seat in a wellhead and to connect to a production tubing extending into a wellbore;
- an electrical connector mandrel positioned in the wellhead hanger, wherein one or more first electrical conductors extend through the electrical connector mandrel in the wellhead hanger;
- a wellhead adapter connected to the wellhead and having a bore that receives the one or more first electrical conductors therethrough;
- and
- an electrical connector coupled to the wellhead adapter and a surface power cable, the electrical connector comprising:
- a body having a first end secured in the bore of the wellhead adapter, and a second end that is opposite to the first end, wherein the body forms a fluid-tight seal with the bore, and wherein the body is configured to receive the one or more first electrical conductors from the bore into the body through the first end, and to receive one or more second electrical conductors of the surface power cable into the body through the second end;
- a connection assembly formed between the first electrical conductors and the second electrical conductors within the body;
- and
- a union coupling coupled to body, wherein the union coupling seals the second end of the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.