Downhole cable termination systems
AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft
InventorsChristopher Burrow, Mark Simmonds
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Downhole cable termination apparatus for terminating a cable that is to extend into a downhole environment from a tubing hanger to electrical equipment, the apparatus including: an electrical contact for electrical engagement with a conductor of the cable to form a termination, which, in use, is to be electrically insulated by an insulating portion; and a housing defining a chamber for receiving the insulating portion and in which the internal pressure is isolated from pressure in the downhole environment.
Claims18
A downhole cable termination apparatus for terminating a cable that is to extend into a downhole environment from a tubing hanger to electrical equipment, the downhole cable termination apparatus comprising:
- an electrical contact for electrical engagement with a conductor of the cable to form a termination, the termination, in use, being electrically insulated by an insulating portion;
- a housing defining a chamber for receiving the insulating portion and in which an internal pressure is isolated from pressure in the downhole environment, wherein the housing is arranged to provide an annular cavity between the insulating portion and the housing;
- and
- a compensation chamber for accommodating changes of a volume of the annular cavity, the compensation chamber being in fluid communication with the chamber for receiving the insulating portion, the compensation chamber being comprised in the housing.
A method of manufacturing a downhole termination assembly, the method comprising:
- providing a cable that is to extend into a downhole environment from a tubing hanger to electrical equipment;
- terminating a conductor of the cable with an electrical contact to form a termination;
- providing an insulating portion around the termination;
- housing the insulating portion in a chamber in a housing such that, in use, an internal pressure of the chamber housing the insulating portion is isolated from pressure in the downhole environment, wherein the housing is arranged to provide an annular cavity between the insulating portion and the housing;
- and
- providing a compensation chamber for accommodating changes of a volume of the annular cavity, the compensation chamber being in fluid communication with the chamber for receiving the insulating portion, the compensation chamber being comprised in the housing.
A downhole cable termination assembly comprising:
- a downhole cable termination apparatus for terminating a cable that is to extend into a downhole environment from a tubing hanger to electrical equipment, the downhole cable termination apparatus comprising an electrical contact, a housing, and a compensation chamber, the electrical contact being for electrical engagement with a conductor of the cable to form a termination, the termination, in use, being electrically insulated by an insulating portion, the housing defining a chamber for receiving the insulating portion, wherein the housing is arranged to provide an annular cavity between the insulating portion and the housing, the compensation chamber being for accommodating changes of a volume of the annular cavity, the compensation chamber being in fluid communication with the chamber for receiving the insulating portion, the compensation chamber being comprised in the housing;
- the cable being in electrical engagement with the electrical contact to form the termination;
- and
- the insulating portion electrically insulating the termination,
- wherein an internal pressure of the chamber for receiving the insulating portion is isolated from pressure in an ambient environment such that in use the internal pressure of the chamber is isolated from pressure in the downhole environment.
The assembly of 16, further comprising oil that is in the chamber for receiving the insulating portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.