United States Patent 19
`Carmichael
`
`USOOS358418A
`Patent Number:
`11
`45 Date of Patent:
`
`5,358,418
`Oct. 25, 1994
`
`halb Aal. v 8 w8 A d 4 w 4 × 4 8 + 8 + 8888 80 w 48 to e o so 439727. 4397700
`
`a central conductor rod 18, an electrical contact 24, and
`
`(56)
`
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kenneth A. Keeling
`54 WIRELINE WET CONNECT
`57
`ABSTRACT
`76 Inventor: Alan L. Carmichael, 24002 Farmhill,
`-
`Spring, Tex. 77373
`A wireline wet connect is disclosed for releasable con
`nection of an electrical contact and receptacle in a well
`21 Appl. No.: 38,243
`drill string, the wet connect including co-axial connect
`22 Filed:
`Mar. 29, 1993
`ing male and female connecting assemblies. The male
`s O439/17 connecting assembly 13 includes a cylindrical body 16,
`58) Field of Search ................................ 351969, an insulating sleeve 20. The female connecting assembly
`439/271-277, 700, 824; 166/65.1; 277/123
`14 includes a cylindrical outer body 26, an insulating
`WWs Wats
`s
`sleeve 28 a retainer sleeve 96, an electrical receptacle
`References Cited
`36, and a conductor 32 A spring 34 is provided between
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`the receptacle and the electrical conductor, the spring
`4,105,279 8/1978 Glotin ................................. too
`biasing the receptacle toward the conductor rod
`a
`a as a 439/90
`contact. Concentric ring seals 110,114 insulate the elec
`4,553,807 11/1985 Cane .......
`4,588,243 5/1986 Ramsay .............................. 166/65.1
`trical contact 24 and receptacle 36 from fluids exterior
`4,690,212 9/1987 Termohlen .......................... 439/19
`of the said seals 110,114.
`5,131,464 7/1992 Lenhart ............................... 439/190
`Primary Examiner-Neil Abrams
`
`3 Claims, 1 Drawing Sheet
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`Page 1 of 7 (PGR2021-00078)
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 25, 1994
`
`5,358,418
`
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`Page 2 of 7 (PGR2021-00078)
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`

`

`1.
`
`WRELINE WET CONNECT
`
`30
`
`35
`
`5,358,418
`2
`electrical contact for co-acting with the male seal for
`insulating the engaged receptacle and contact from
`fluid in the drill string.
`It is an object of the present invention to provide an
`improved wireline wet connect for use in brackish envi
`Onents.
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a
`wireline wet connect providing for improved electrical
`insulation between the electrical contact-receptacle
`interface and the surrounding environment.
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a
`wireline wet connect having an improved connection
`between the electrical receptacle and the electrical
`COntact.
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a
`wireline wet connect having improved insulation char
`acteristics and capable of telescopic self-alignment.
`The foregoing and other objects of the present inven
`tion are accomplished by a wireline wet connect for
`releasable connection of an electrical contact and recep
`tacle in a well drill string, the wet connect including
`co-axial connecting male and female connecting assem
`blies. The male connecting assembly includes a central
`upwardly-extending conductor rod having an electrical
`contact at its upward end, the contact being received in
`a receptacle provided in the female connecting assem
`bly. The conductor rod is contained with and Sur
`rounded by an insulating sleeve. The conductor rod and
`insulating sleeve are contained along a portion of their
`length within a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body
`includes inclined shoulders for supportably receiving an
`external retainer sleeve provided on the female connect
`ing assembly. A three-finned landing member is pro
`vided exterior of the cylindrical body of the male con
`necting assembly for supporting the wet connect on a
`drill string collar. A lower connector sleeve is releas
`ably engaged with the cylindrical body, the lower con
`nector sleeve engaging a wireline rope socket. The
`female connecting assembly comprises a cylindrical
`outer body surrounding an insulating sleeve, the insulat
`ing sleeve releasably contained within the outer body
`by a retainer sleeve, the retainer sleeve having a lower
`inclined collar receivable on a shoulder of the cylindri
`cal body. An electrical receptacle and a conductor are
`contained interior of the insulating sleeve. A spring is
`provided between the receptacle and the electrical con
`ductor, the spring biasing the receptacle toward the
`conductor rod contact. Concentric ring seals are pro
`vided inwardly of the insulating sleeve, the said seals
`engaging the conductor rod insulating sleeve below the
`contact and providing electrical insulation between the
`electrical contact and receptacle and fluids exterior of
`the said seals. The seals are constructed so as to provide
`an outer sealing ring for sealing contact with the insulat
`ing sleeve, an inner sealing ring for sealing contact with
`the conductor rod insulating sleeve, and a flexible con
`nection between the outer sealing ring and the inner
`sealing ring. Upon connection of the male connecting
`assembly with the female connecting assembly, electri
`cal connection of the conductors is established, the
`electrically conductive brine being sealed within insu
`lated annular voids and sealed external of the said con
`ductors, receptacle and contact.
`
`O
`
`15
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates generally to the field of electri
`cal conductors utilized in oil and gas wells and more
`particularly to electrical connectors for releasably con
`necting electrical conductors downhole, such electrical
`connectors being commonly referred to as wireline wet
`connects.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Electrical conductors are used in directional drilling
`of wells and in well logging systems to convey electri
`cal signals to and from downhole tools. In directional
`and/or horizontal well drilling, an electrical conductor
`or wireline is connected between the steering tool and
`well surface equipment, the wireline extending through
`the interior of the drill string. The wireline transmits
`electrical signals to and from the downhole tools con
`nected therewith.
`It is desirable or necessary from time to time to con
`nect, disconnect and/or reconnect the downhole wire
`line. It may be necessary to connect, disconnect, and/or
`reconnect logging instruments. It may be necessary to
`25
`disconnect downhole wireline to allow drill string rota
`tion and to reconnect same. Disconnecting and recon
`necting are required incident to inserting additional drill
`pipe or removing drill pipe from the drilling string.
`Insulation of the electrical contact and receptacle
`from the drilling string fluids is necessary due to the
`conductivity of brine or brackish fluids associated with
`drilling operations. If not adequately sealed, the electri
`cally conductive brackish liquid interferes with the
`transmission of electrical signals between the surface
`and the downhole tool and accelerates corrosion.
`Disadvantages of the prior art include failure to effec
`tively seal electrically-conductive brine away from the
`receptacle-contact interface. Another disadvantage of
`the prior art is failure to effectively seal the conductor
`40
`from other metal surfaces of the wet connect seal, resul
`tive in infiltration of brine between the conductor and
`the wet connect body thereby allowing electrical con
`duction between the conductor and the wet connect
`body. Current technology requires insertion of a quan
`45
`tity of grease to protect electrical connections to the
`extent possible from brackish liquids.
`Ramsey et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,243 discloses a
`make and break mechanical and electrical latch sub
`assembly providing for connection of a wireline. The
`50
`assembly includes a male probe and a female receiver,
`the female receiver including a pair of spaced rings
`extending from the female receiver, the spaced rings
`first receiving the male probe and orienting the male
`probe toward the smaller orifice provided in the re
`55
`ceiver. The male probe includes inclined shoulders to
`align the smaller forward extension of the male probe
`with the smaller orifice provided in the female receiver.
`Lenhart et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,464 discloses a
`connectable and releasable electrical wet connect for
`60
`transmitting electrical signals including telescoping
`male and female electrical connectors. The male mem
`ber includes a support shoulder for supporting the wet
`connect in the drill string, a passageway for flow of
`fluids through the drill string, an electrical contact ex
`65
`tending through the male member, a tapered and insu
`lating seal positioned below the electrical contact, and a
`tapered and insulating female seal positioned below the
`
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`5
`
`3
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the wire
`line wet connect of the present invention with the lower
`male assembly and upper female assembly engaged.
`FIG. 2 depicts a detailed view of a section of FIG. 1.
`FIG.3 depicts a detailed view of a section of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 depicts a view of the wireline wet connect of
`the present invention with the male assembly and fe
`male assembly disengaged.
`10
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the wireline wet connect
`10 of the present invention is depicted. The wireline wet
`15
`connect 10 comprises a lower male connecting assen
`bly 12 and an upper female connecting assembly 14.
`Male connecting assembly 12 includes a hollow, gen
`erally cylindrical body 16 having a conductor rod 18
`extending therethrough and upwardly therefrom. The
`20
`conductor rod 18 is centered in the cylindrical body 16
`and segregated and insulated from the cylindrical body
`16 by upper insulating sleeve 20 and lower insulating
`sleeve 22.
`Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the female connect
`25
`ing assembly 14 comprises a hollow, generally cylindri
`cal outer shell 26 containing generally cylindrical upper
`insulating sleeve 28 and lower insulating sleeve 30. Con
`ductor 32 is contained within upper insulating sleeve 28
`and is mechanically and electrically connected by
`30
`means of cylindrical spring 34 to electrical receptacle
`36.
`Upon engagement of female connecting assembly 14
`with male connecting assembly 12, cylindrical spring 34
`biases receptacle 36 against contact 24 to provide elec
`35
`trical connection between conductor 32 and conductor
`rod 18.
`An important aspect of the present invention, to be
`discussed in more detail subsequently herein, is the
`sealing of the receptacle 36 and contact 24 interface
`provided by concentric ring seal 110 and concentric
`ring seal 114, said concentric ring seals 110 and 114
`sealing brine within the insulating sleeve 28 annulus
`from brine exterior of the insulating sleeve 28 annulus.
`Referring to FIG. 1, the details of construction of the
`45
`male connecting assembly 12 are depicted. Cylindrical
`body 16 is constructed of a rigid material, such as stain
`less steel.
`Cylindrical body 16 is provided with an upper flange
`38 at its upper terminus which upper flange 38 receives
`an outwardly extending shoulder 40 of upper insulating
`sleeve 20. Cylindrical body 16 is provided with a fishing
`neck 42 near its upper end. Fishing neck 42 comprises a
`reduced external diameter section of cylindrical body
`16 to facilitate retrieval of male connector assembly 12
`55
`from a downhole location pursuant to methods known
`to practitioners of the art.
`Cylindrical body 16 is provided with a flange 44 near
`the medial portion of the body, said flange 44 having an
`inclined upper surface 45, the upper surface 45 being
`inclined outwardly and downwardly. External thread
`ing 46 is provided exterior of cylindrical body 16 below
`flange 44. A three-finned landing member 48 is pro
`vided externally of cylindrical body 16. The three
`finned landing member 48 is provided with internal
`threading 50 for releasible connection of the landing
`member 48 to the external threading 46 of the cylindri
`cal body 16. The three-finned landing member 48 sup
`
`5,358,418
`4.
`ports the male connector assembly 12 on a co-acting
`shoulder (not shown) in a drilling string sub-assembly
`(not shown). Landing members such as landing member
`48 are commonly used in the industry, their function
`and use being well known to persons skilled in the art.
`Still referring to FIG. 1, wire rope connector sleeve
`52 comprises a generally cylindrical member con
`structed of a rigid material such as stainless steel. Wire
`rope connector sleeve 52 is provided with internal
`threading 54 for releasable connection to the external
`threading 46 of cylindrical body 16.
`Wire rope connector sleeve 52 abuts the three-finned
`landing member 48 at its upper terminus 56. Wire rope
`connector sleeve 52 is provided with external threading
`58 at its lower end, such external threading 58 being
`provided for connection to a wireline rope connector
`(not shown). Cylindrical body 16 and connector sleeve
`52 together provide a rigid body connected to the
`downwardly-extending wireline (not shown) within the
`drill string, the male connector assembly 12 being sup
`ported by the three-finned landing member 48 on a
`shoulder provided within the interior of a drill string
`Sub-assembly, the male connector assembly 12 thereby
`supporting the wireline.
`Still referring to FIG. 1, conductor rod 18 is located
`centrally of cylindrical body 16 and wire rope connec
`tor sleeve 52. Conductor rod 18 is an electrical conduc
`tor constructed in the preferred embodiment of beryl
`lium copper. Contact 24, comprising a generally conical
`member is provided at the upper end of conductor rod
`18. Contact 24 has an outwardly-extending lower sur
`face 60 abutting end surface 62 of upper insulating
`sleeve 20.
`Conductor rod 18 is provided with external threading
`64 near its lower, distal end, such external threading 64
`receiving nut 66.
`Conductor rod 18 is insulated from cylindrical body
`16 by upper insulating sleeve 20 and lower insulating
`sleeve 22. Upper insulating sleeve 20 comprises a gener
`ally cylindrical, electrically-insulating member sized in
`relation to conductor rod 18 and the interior surface of
`cylindrical body 16 so as to tightly fit in the annular
`space between conductor rod 18 and cylindrical body
`16.
`Upper insulating sleeve 20 is provided with radially
`extending projection 40, the lower surface of extending
`projection 40 engaging flange 38 of cylindrical body 16.
`Outwardly-extending projection 40 is provided with an
`inclined upper shoulder 41.
`Insulating sleeve 20 is abutted at its lower end by
`lower insulating sleeve 22. Referring to FIG. 3, an an
`nular opening 68 is provided in upper insulating sleeve
`20 at its lower end, such annular opening 68 receiving a
`reduced-diameter extension 70 extending upwardly
`from lower insulating sleeve 22. A ring seal gland 72 is
`provided internally of upper insulating sleeve 20 at the
`annular opening 68, such ring seal gland containing ring
`seal 74. Annular opening 68, reduced diameter exten
`sion 70, ring seal gland 72 and ring seal 74 co-act to seal
`the connection of upper insulating sleeve 20 and lower
`insulating sleeve 22.
`Referring to FIG. 1, lower insulating sleeve 22 is
`provided with an expanded diameter section 76 at its
`lower end, said section 76 including shoulder 78 abut
`ting the lower end of cylindrical body 16, the external
`diameter of expanded diametersection 76 being so sized
`as to fit within wire rope connector sleeve 52. Section
`76 additionally contains an expanded interior cavity
`
`50
`
`65
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`5,358,418
`5
`6
`Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, female lower insulating
`defining interior transverse surface 80. Conductor rod
`cylinder 30 comprises a hollow cylindrical member
`18, upper sleeve 20 and lower sleeve 22 are so sized in
`relation to each other that nut 66 may be tightened
`having varying internal diameters defining various
`against interior surface 80 to tightly retain lower insu
`shaped annular spaces. Lower insulating cylinder 30 is
`lating sleeve 22 and upper insulating sleeve 20 between
`constructed of an electrically-insulating material. The
`contact 24 and nut 66, the upper insulating sleeve 20 and
`lower edge of female lower insulating cylinder 30 abuts
`lower insulating sleeve 22 being compressed between
`the upper edge of reduced diameter upper end 98.
`the said nut 66 and contact 24.
`Upper insulating barrel 28 comprises a hollow cylin
`Ring seal gland 150 is provided interior of lower
`drical member constructed of an electrically-insulating
`insulating sleeve 22 above expanded diameter section
`material. The lower end of insulating barrel 28 abuts the
`76. Ring seal 152 is provided interior of ring seal gland
`upper end of lower insulating cylinder 30. Lower insu
`150. Ring seal 152 is compressed between ring seal
`lating cylinder 30 and upper insulating barrel 28 are
`gland 150 and conductor rod 18 providing a seal to
`contained within outer shell 26 by retainer sleeve 96 at
`prevent brine infiltration or out flow.
`the lower end and inwardly extending surface 106 of
`Still referring to FIG. 1, lower insulating adaptor 82
`15
`outer shell 26 provided near the upper end of outer shell
`comprises a hollow cylindrical member having an out
`26.
`wardly extending lower lip 84. Lower insulating adap
`At its lower end, the interior diameter of lower insu
`tor 82 is closely contained within the expanded diame
`lating cylinder 30 is generally coincident with the inte
`tersection 76 of lower insulating sleeve 22, lip 84 abut
`rior diameter of retainer sleeve 96. Referring to FIG. 2,
`ting the lower end of said section 76. Interior threading
`an inward-extending projection 108 is provided in
`86 is provided at the upper end of adaptor 82, said
`lower cylinder 30. Projection 108 defines a reduced
`threading so sized as to fit threading 64 of conductor
`internal diameter section 111 of lower cylinder 30. Pro
`rod 18.
`jection 108 has inclined lower surface 109. The reduced
`Ring seal gland 154 is provided in the exterior surface
`diametersection 111 is larger than the external diameter
`of adaptor 82 with ring seal 156 provided therein. Ring
`25
`of the projecting upper insulating sleeve 20 and the
`seal gland 154 and ring seal 156 co-act with the interior
`contact 24 of male connector assembly 12, contact 24
`surface of expanded diameter section 76 to seal the
`and upper insulating sleeve 20 readily extending
`external surface of adaptor 82 and the annulus of ex
`through the said reduced diameter section 111. Inclined
`panded diameter section 76 from brine infiltration or
`lower surface 109 facilitates extension of contact 24
`outflow.
`through section 111.
`Threading 88 is provided near the lower end of adap
`An expanded internal diameter section 116 is pro
`tor 82 to threadably receive electrical connector 90,
`vided in lower cylinder 30 above projection 108, said
`electrical connector 90 being a commercially available
`expanded interior diameter section 116 receiving first
`electrically conductive connector which connector is
`concentric ring seal 110, a spacer 112 provided above
`known to practitioners of the art particularly for the
`35
`said first concentric ring seal 110 and a second concen
`connection of wirelines with steering tools.
`tric ring seal 114 provided above spacer 112. Spacer 112
`The electrical connector 90 is provided with an ex
`comprises a hollow cylindrical member fitting within
`tension 94 for engagement with a co-acting conductor
`the section 116 of lower insulating cylinder 30.
`receptacle (not shown) provided in the downwardly
`Concentric ring seal 110 comprises an outer ring seal
`extending wireline. The external threading 58 provided
`118 and a concentric inner ring seal 120 connected by a
`on connector sleeve 52 is constructed to fit standard
`reduced-area connecting extension 119. Concentric ring
`wireline rope sockets.
`seal 110 is constructed of an electrically-insulating flexi
`Referring to FIG. 1, female connector assembly 14
`ble material such as viton compound.
`includes a hollow cylindrical outer shell 26, said outer
`Outer ring seal 118 of concentric ring seal 110 is more
`shell 26 being provided with external threading 158 at
`45
`rigid than the reduced-area extension 119 due to larger
`its upper end, said external threading 158 being so sized
`mass. The inner ring seal 120 of sealing ring 110 extends
`as to connect with standard wireline rope sockets.
`inwardly of outer ring seal 118. The internal diameter of
`Outer shell 26 is preferably constructed of a rigid mate
`inner ring seal 120 is slightly less than the external diam
`rial such as stainless steel.
`eter of the corresponding section of upper insulating
`A retainer sleeve 96 is provided at the lower end of
`SO
`sleeve 20. The flexible material of which concentric
`outer shell 26. Retainer sleeve 96 comprises a rigid,
`ring seal 110 is constructed allows contact 24 and upper
`hollow, cylindrical member preferably constructed of a
`insulating sleeve 20 to pass therethrough, said reduced
`material such as stainless steel. The external diameter of
`area extension 119 bending to accommodate such move
`retainer sleeve 96 is equivalent to the external diameter
`of shell 26. Retainer sleeve 96 includes a reduced-diame
`ment.
`55
`In like manner, concentric ring seal 114 comprises
`ter upper end 98 provided formating with the interior
`outer seal 113 and inner ring seal 115 with a reduced
`surface of shell 26.
`area extension 117 connecting ring seal 113 with ring
`Upper end 98 of retainer sleeve 96 is so sized to be
`seal 115. Contact 24 and upper insulating sleeve 20 may
`received within the interior diameter of outer shell 26.
`likewise extend through inner ring seal 115.
`External threading 100 is provided on upper end 98
`Still referring to FIG. 2, upper insulating barrel 28 is
`co-acting with internal threading 102 provided interior
`provided with a reduced external diameter extension
`of outer shell 26 to threadably connect retainer sleeve
`122 such reduced diameter extension 122 being sized to
`96 with outer shell 26.
`slidably fit within interior section 116 of insulating cyl
`An inclined lower surface 148 is provided at the
`inder 30. An annular gland 124 is provided in extension
`lower end of retainer sleeve 96 said inclined lower sur
`65
`face 148 being inclined at an angle generally equivalent
`122, said annular gland 124 containing ring seal 126, said
`to the angle of inclination of upper surface 45 of flange
`ring seal 126 co-acting with the extension 122 and inte
`44 of cylindrical body 16.
`rior section 116 to provide fluid sealing contact.
`
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`O
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`5,358,418
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`8
`sleeve 20 facilitate centering of the male connector
`The lower end 128 of extension 122 is inclined up
`wardly and outwardly. Surface 130 of projection 108 is
`assembly 12 within female connector assembly 14. Such
`inclined upwardly. Inclined surface 128 and inclined
`alignment is further facilitated by the inclined lower
`surface 130 facilitate retention of sealing ring 110 and
`surface of projection 108 and the inclined end 148 of
`sealing ring 114 in their respective positions within
`retainer sleeve 96.
`section 116, segregated by spacer 112.
`Forward advancement of female connector assembly
`Referring to FIG. 1, upper insulating barrel 28 is
`14 is terminated upon contact of surface 148 of retainer
`provided with a reduced diameter upward extending
`sleeve 96 with flange upper surface 45 of cylindrical
`projection 132 the external diameter of projection 132
`body 16, female connector assembly 14 then resting on
`sized to fit within reduced internal diameter section 137
`said flange 44, such flange 44 supported by three-finned
`of outer shell 26.
`landing member 48.
`Conductor 32 is contained centrally of insulating
`In such connected stage, contact 24, having passed
`barrel 28. Conductor 32 is connected to electrical con
`through reduced diameter section 111 of female insulat
`nector 134 at its upper end. Electrical connector 134 is
`ing cylinder 30 and through concentric ring seals 110
`a commercially available electrical connector and is
`and 114 engages receptacle 36 and pushes receptacle 36
`equivalent in size and structure to electrical connector
`upward, spring 34 allowing such upward movement of
`90 previously described herein. The external threading
`receptacle 36. Such engagement provides electrical
`158 of outer shell 26 is sized and constructed so as to
`connection between the conductor contained in the
`readily connect to wireline rope socket (not shown)
`upwardly-extending wireline and the conductor con
`provided on an upwardly-extending wireline.
`tained within the downwardly-extending wireline.
`Conductor 32 is connected at its lower end to electri
`Upon connection of female connecting assembly 14
`cal connector 136. Electrical connector 136 extends
`and male connecting assembly 12, drilling fluid is re
`downwardly from connector 32, electrical connector
`tained within annular spaces defined by the various
`136 having a threaded upper end received within
`members of the wireline wet connect 10. Drilling fluid
`threading provided in insulating barrel 28.
`is contained within the annular space defined by the
`Ring seal gland 162 is provided in the external radial
`interior surface of retainer sleeve 96 and the interior
`surface of connector 136. Ring seal 160 is provided
`surface of lower insulating cylinder 30. Such retained
`interior of ring seal gland 162. Ring seal 160 co-acts
`fluid is not a problem with reference to the transmittal
`with the outer radial surface of connector 136 and the
`of electrical signals through the conductor rods as con
`inner surface of upper insulating barrel 28 providing a
`30
`centric ring seal 110 and 114 effectively seal the fluid
`seal to prevent brine infiltration or outflow.
`contained upward of said seals 110 and 114 within the
`Electrical connector 136 has at its lower end a re
`annular space above said seals. Even though the fluid
`duced diameter cylindrical extension 138, said extension
`138 defining shoulder 140. A cylindrical spring 34 abuts
`may be conductive, the insulating cylinder 30, insulat
`ing barrel 28 and insulating sleeve 20, co-acting with
`shoulder 140 and extends downwardly therefrom,
`spring 34 being so sized as to fit exterior of reduced
`ring seal 110 and ring seal 114 effectively eliminate
`diameter section 138. Cylindrical spring 34 extends
`electrical transmission through the drilling fluid to an
`downwardly to receptacle 36. Receptacle 36 comprises
`external receiving or transferring medium and further
`a generally cylindrical member having a reduced diam
`contain the brine retained therein from contact with the
`eter upward extension 142. The reduced diameter ex
`metal outer shell 26.
`tension defines shoulder 144. The lower end of spring
`The present invention has been depicted and de
`34 abuts shoulder 144. Receptacle 36 is provided with
`scribed in a preferred embodiment. Numerous varia
`an inwardly extending generally conical indentation 146
`tions and details of construction and arrangement of
`at its lower end, said indentation 146 being so sized as to
`members may be apparent to those skilled in the art,
`receivably engage the conical upper surface of contact
`which variations are encompassed within the spirit of
`24.
`the invention and the scope of the claims.
`I claim:
`1. A connectable and releasable electrical wet con
`nect for transmitting electricity between wirelines
`within a well drill string comprising:
`a male connecting assembly releasably receivable
`within a female connecting assembly;
`said male connecting assembly comprising a gener
`ally cylindrical body, a conductor rod contained
`axially therein and extending therefrom;
`rod insulation means provided externally of said con
`ductor rod;
`said conductor rod provided with an electrical
`contact;
`said female connecting assembly including an outer
`shell, shell insulation means interior of said outer
`shell, and an electrical conductor contained axially
`interior of said shell insulating means;
`an electrical receptacle electrically connected with
`said electrical conductor;
`said conductor rod contact receivable by said recep
`tacle;
`
`OPERATION OF THE INVENTION
`In operation, the male connector assembly 12 of the
`wireline wet connect 10 of the present invention is con
`50
`nected to downwardly extending wireline (not shown)
`at the wireline rope socket (not shown) in accordance
`with standard practice. Such connection provides for
`electrical connection between conductor rod 18 and the
`conductor contained within the downwardly extending
`wireline. Three-finned landing member 48 is supported
`on shoulders (not shown) provided in a drilling pipe
`sub-assembly. The apparatus and method of such sup
`port are commonly practiced in the industry.
`Female connector assembly 14 is likewise connected
`at its upper end to a wireline rope socket, conductor 32
`being electrically connected to the conductor contained
`in the wireline rope socket.
`Upon lowering of the upper wireline containing fe
`male connector assembly 14 toward male connector
`65
`assembly 12, the conical upper surface of contact 24, the
`relatively small diameter of insulating sleeve 20 and
`inclined shoulder 41 of projection 40 of insulating
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
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`Page 6 of 7 (PGR2021-00078)
`G&H DIVERSIFIED MANUFACTURING, LP v. DYNAENERGETICS EUROPE GMBH
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`5,358,418
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`10
`the shell insulation and the inner sealing ring in
`said conductor rod including a conductor rod exten
`sion extending upwardly beyond said cylindrical
`sealing contact with the rod insulation.
`body;
`3. A connectable and releasable electrical wet con
`nect for transmitting electricity between wirelines
`the electrical contact at the upper end of said conduc
`5 within a well drill string comprising:
`tor rod extension;
`a male connecting assembly releasably receivable
`the conductor rod insulation means extending to the
`within a female connecting assembly;
`said electrical contact;
`said male connecting assembly including a generally
`said outer shell and said outer shell insulating means
`cylindrical body, a conductor rod contained axially
`surrounding said conductor rod extension;
`therein and extending therefrom;
`said sealing means comprising at least one pair of
`rod insulation means provided externally of said con
`concentrically arranged, flexibly connected sealing
`ductor rod;
`ring the outer sealing ring in sealing contact with
`said conductor rod provided with electrical contact
`the outer shell insulation and the inner sealing ring
`means;
`in sealing contact with the rod insulation means.
`said female connecting assembly including an outer
`15
`2. A connectable and releasable electrical wet con
`shell, shell insulation means interior of said outer
`nect for transmitting electricity between wirelines
`shell, and an electrical conductor contained axially
`within a well drill string comprising:
`interior of said shell insulation means;
`a male connecting assembly releasably receivable
`electrical receptacle means electrically connected
`within a female connecting assembly;
`with said electrical conductor;
`said male connecting assembly including a generally
`said conductor rod contact receivable by said recep
`cylindrical body, a conductor rod contained axially
`tacle;
`therein and extending therefrom;
`sealing means sealably engaging said rod insulation
`rod insulation means provided externally of said con
`means and said shell insulation means;
`ductor rod;
`spring means normally biasing said receptacle toward
`25
`said conductor rod provided with electrical contact
`said contact;
`