US3594701A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seal for wellbore instrument
Assignee: Cities Service Oil Co
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Filing: 1968-06-06
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1988-06-06
Abstract
Abstract The electrical connection between a downhole wellbore instrument and a single conductor is isolated from the wellbore environment by a sealing mechanism in which a pressure-deformable sealing ring is pressed into sealing contact with the conductor. The sealing ring is positioned in a packing gland affixed to a supporting block. A locking nut is removably secured to the packing gland. As the locking nut is secured to the packing gland, an annular ring positioned on the locking nut is moved inwardly in an opening in the packing gland, said packing ring establishing pressure contact with the sealing ring as the locking nut approaches its fully secured position. The pressure of the annular pressure ring upon the ring causes the sealing ring to deform so as to fill the seat in the packing gland in which it is positioned and to establish sealing contact with the conductor. The supporting block is affixed to a cable head connector to which the downhole instrument may be removably secured. The cable head connector has an axial opening in the upper portion thereof. The electrical connection and the packing gland are located in the space confined by the cable head connector and the supporting block attached thereto. An outer enclosing block, which is removably secured to the cable head connector, has an annular opening therein through which the conductor passes and in which the supporting block and the packing gland are positioned. Sealing means are provided between the outer enclosing block in both the cable head connector and the supporting block so as to prevent ingress of well fluids into the space confined by the cable head connector and the supporting block along the point of contact between these two members.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry Leroy Ramsey
- 👤 Reginald G Ford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/70; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
337 words
Downhole wellbore instrument sealing apparatus for isolating the electrical connection between a downhole wellbore instrument and a single strand conductor capable of extending to the surface from the fluids in the wellbore environment comprising: a. a pressure-deformable sealing ring, capable of withstanding the high pressure and high temperature of wellbore environments, positioned around said conductor above the connection between the conductor and the downhole wellbore instrument; b. a packing gland having an opening therein through which said conductor is positioned, said sealing ring being seated in said opening in the packing gland; c. an annular pressure ring adapted to move into and out of said packing gland around said conductor, in its innermost position, said annular pressure ring applying sufficient pressure to the sealing ring to deform said ring into sealing contact with the conductor; d. a locking nut secured to said annular pressure ring and removably secured to said packing gland, said locking nut being adapted so as to position the annular pressure ring in its inneRmost position when fully secured to said packing gland. e. a supporting block, said packing gland being removably secured thereto; f. a cable head connector removably secured to the downhole wellbore instrument, said connector having an opening in the upper portion thereof, said connection between the downhole wellbore instrument and said conductor extending to the surface being positioned in said opening; g. a pressure plate rigidly secured to said supporting block, said pressure plate being positioned on the upper side of said supporting block; h. an outer enclosing block removably connected to said cable head connector and extending upwardly therefrom, said outer enclosing block having an opening therethrough in which said sealing ring, packing gland, supporting block, and conductor extending to the surface are positioned; and i. sealing means between said supporting block and said outer enclosing block and between said outer enclosing block and said cable head connector so as to prevent ingress of well fluids to the space enclosed by the supporting block and the cable head connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
337 words
Downhole wellbore instrument sealing apparatus for isolating the electrical connection between a downhole wellbore instrument and a single strand conductor capable of extending to the surface from the fluids in the wellbore environment comprising: a. a pressure-deformable sealing ring, capable of withstanding the high pressure and high temperature of wellbore environments, positioned around said conductor above the connection between the conductor and the downhole wellbore instrument; b. a packing gland having an opening therein through which said conductor is positioned, said sealing ring being seated in said opening in the packing gland; c. an annular pressure ring adapted to move into and out of said packing gland around said conductor, in its innermost position, said annular pressure ring applying sufficient pressure to the sealing ring to deform said ring into sealing contact with the conductor; d. a locking nut secured to said annular pressure ring and removably secured to said packing gland, said locking nut being adapted so as to position the annular pressure ring in its inneRmost position when fully secured to said packing gland. e. a supporting block, said packing gland being removably secured thereto; f. a cable head connector removably secured to the downhole wellbore instrument, said connector having an opening in the upper portion thereof, said connection between the downhole wellbore instrument and said conductor extending to the surface being positioned in said opening; g. a pressure plate rigidly secured to said supporting block, said pressure plate being positioned on the upper side of said supporting block; h. an outer enclosing block removably connected to said cable head connector and extending upwardly therefrom, said outer enclosing block having an opening therethrough in which said sealing ring, packing gland, supporting block, and conductor extending to the surface are positioned; and i. sealing means between said supporting block and said outer enclosing block and between said outer enclosing block and said cable head connector so as to prevent ingress of well fluids to the space enclosed by the supporting block and the cable head connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and including a fluid in said opening in the upper portion of said cable head connector, said fluid extending above the electrical connection and possessing insulating characteristics sufficient to prevent wellbore gases and liquids from contacting said electrical connection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and including a cover plate in pressure contact with said pressure plate, the outer covering of the conductor being reversed against said cover plate to provide a positive mechanical link between the conductor and the sealing apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said sealing means comprises sealing rings positioned between and in contact with said supporting block and outer enclosing block and between and in contact with said outer enclosing block and said cable head connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 4 and including mechanical means in the upper portion of said outer enclosing block for facilitating removal of said apparatus from the wellbore.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
THe apparatus of claim 5 in which said mechanical means for facilitating removal of the apparatus from the wellbore comprises a recess on the outer surface of said outer enclosing block, said recess being adapted to secure a removal line lowered from the surface to the apparatus in the wellbore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and including a pressure plate in pressure contact with the upper surface of said supporting block.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 7 and including a cover plate in pressure contact with said pressure plate, the outer covering of the conductor being reversed against said cover plate to provide a positive mechanical link between the conductor and the sealing apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which the enclosing block, when secured to said cable head connector, is in pressure contact with said cover plate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |