Pressure-blocking feedthru with pressure-balanced cable terminations

#This invention generally relates to a feedthru for a well.

#In some oil and gas well systems, power cables are run through certain components, such as the wellhead and the packer. As such, a feedthru is often used to safely and reliably pass electrical power through the pressure barrier. Among other things, the feedthru protects the connection between cables and restricts fluid from escaping the well. Some feedthrus are exposed to harsh environments that include varying pressures, temperatures, and deleterious gases.

#An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a pressure-blocking feedthru that is exposable to varying temperatures and pressures. In one embodiment, the pressure-blocking feedthru includes a first and a second pressure-blocking assembly, each of which includes a respective pressure-barrier shell and insulated pin assembly. The pressure-blocking feedthru also includes an interface assembly that couples the first and second pressure-blocking assemblies to one another. The interface assembly includes a double-ended socket for coupling the insulated pin assemblies and a sleeve that circumscribes the doubled ended socket and at least part of the first and the second insulated pin assemblies.

#Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached figures, which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein:

#FIGS. 1A and 1B depict cross-section views of a pressure-blocking feedthru with pressure-balanced cable terminations in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 depicts an isometric view of an insulated pin assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

#The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different elements or combinations of elements similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies.

#As indicated in other parts of this specification, the present invention is generally directed to a pressure-balanced feedthru that is usable to pass electrical power through components of a well system. The feedthru includes various components that block pressure and withstand temperature and pressure conditions experienced in a well environment. In addition, the feedthru is coupled to pressure-balanced cable terminations on each end to form an integrated safety-barrier penetration device. Typically, power cables are coupled to respective ends of the device to allow electrical power to pass from one side of a well component (e.g., wellhead) to the other side of a well component. Generally, field installation of the integrated device is achieved with minimal resources and processes, such as a crimped-on contact pin and cable-jacket preparation. In addition, the integrated device is configurable to be utilized with a wide variety of cables having different sizes, jacket configurations, materials, sheaths, or the like.

#Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, cross sections are depicted of a feedthru 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Although FIGS. 1A and 1B include a cross-section depiction, many of the components are cylindrical in shape. FIG. 1A depicts the integrated unit as a whole, and illustrates the near symmetrical nature of the integrated unit. That is, FIG. 1A illustrates that a left side of the integrated unit (as depicted in FIG. 1A) and a right side of the integrated unit are substantially symmetrical, except the right side of the unit include a male-configured shell 58 and the left side includes a female-configured shell 26. To more clearly illustrate some of the smaller details of the feedthru 10, a larger depiction of the left side of the feedthru 10 is provided in FIG. 1B with the understanding that the right side includes many substantially similar components.