A kind of over joint ball type downhole cable optical cable protector

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of over joint hoop ball type underground cable optical cable protector, mainly related to cable downhole operation field. Including centralizer body, channel cavity is penetrated along its axial direction in the centralizer body, the both ends of the centralizer body are equipped with conical part, the both ends of the centralizer body are symmetrically equipped with annular clamping groove close to conical part, rotatable cooperation outer hoop piece is sleeved in the annular clamping groove, the outer hoop piece is annular piece and its outer wall is equipped with ball seat, steel ball is rotatably equipped in the ball seat, the outer surface of the steel ball protruding centralizer body is set. The utility model has the beneficial effects that: convoy cable downhole operation, improve operation efficiency and quality, reduce cable loss.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of cable downhole operations, specifically a ball-bearing downhole cable and optical cable protector. Background Technology

[0002] During downhole cable operations, when traversing sections of the cable joint or directional drilling, the cable sheath experiences high frictional resistance against the rigid steps of the joint, resulting in a peak lowering force that can reach 1.6 times the cable's rated tension, frequently causing "stuck-on-step" phenomena. Currently, protective sleeves are used during operations; however, these sleeves, whether integral or semi-open, are rigidly fixed to the cable, preventing torque release. When the sleeve encounters resistance and rotates, it causes the cable to rotate as well, resulting in continuous twisting during subsequent use. This creates stress detrimental to safe cable operation, potentially leading to cable twisting or breakage, or even sheath wear, ultimately resulting in well workover and cable failure. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a ball-bearing downhole cable and optical cable protector that safeguards cable operation in wells, improves operational efficiency and quality, and reduces cable wear.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model employs the following technical solution: A ball-bearing downhole cable and optical cable protector includes a centralizer body. A channel cavity extends through the centralizer body along its axial direction. Both ends of the centralizer body are provided with tapered portions. Circular grooves are symmetrically provided at both ends of the centralizer body near the tapered portions. A rotatable outer clamp is fitted inside the circular groove. The outer clamp is an annular component with a ball bearing seat installed on its outer wall. A rolling steel ball is provided inside the ball bearing seat, and the steel ball protrudes from the outer surface of the centralizer body.

[0005] The ball bearing seats are arranged in 3-8 rows on the outer hoop, and each row of ball bearing seats includes multiple ball bearing seats arranged in a spiral array along the outer circumferential surface of the outer hoop.

[0006] The ball bearing seats are arranged in 4 rows on the outer hoop, and each row of ball bearing seats includes 3 ball bearing seats arranged in a spiral array along the outer circumference of the outer hoop.

[0007] The centralizer body includes two relatively symmetrically arranged semi-cylindrical bodies. The cross-section of each semi-cylindrical body is semi-circular. Each semi-cylindrical body has a mounting hole near its edge. The mounting holes of the two semi-cylindrical bodies are aligned and aligned. Fasteners pass through the mounting holes.

[0008] The outer hoop includes two semi-circular and relatively symmetrical first hoop plates and second hoop plates. The two sides of the first hoop plate are provided with protruding teeth, and the two sides of the second hoop plate are provided with grooves corresponding to the position and shape of the protruding teeth. The protruding teeth and the grooves fit together to form an interlocking structure. A pin passes through the protruding teeth, and the pin also passes through the side wall of the groove.

[0009] The pin has set screws at both ends, and the set screws are installed inside the protruding teeth or the side wall of the groove.

[0010] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This protector features a "bullet-head" design with tapered sections at both ends, gradually transitioning to the protector's maximum outer diameter, acting as an "introduction angle." The outer clamp can rotate independently relative to the centralizer body. Therefore, when encountering lateral forces from the well wall or coupling steps, it can passively rotate around its axis, releasing torque without the centralizer body being twisted or rotating with it, thus preventing torque transmission to the cable and significantly improving cable protection. Furthermore, the ball bearing seat design greatly reduces downward resistance, simplifies operation, and improves efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall design of this utility model.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a partial component disassembly diagram of this utility model.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the separation of the outer hoop and the main body of the centralizer in this utility model.

[0014] The labels shown in the attached diagram: 1. Centralizer body; 2. Outer hoop; 3. Mounting hole; 4. Screw; 5. Annular groove; 6. Raised tooth; 7. Groove; 8. Pin; 9. Set screw; 10. Ball bearing seat; 11. Conical part; 12. Cable groove; 13. Step. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The present invention will be further illustrated below with reference to specific embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that after reading the teachings of this invention, those skilled in the art can make various alterations or modifications to the present invention, and these equivalent forms also fall within the scope defined in this application.

[0016] Unless otherwise specified, the instruments, reagents, and materials used in the following embodiments are all conventional instruments, reagents, and materials already available in the prior art and can be obtained through legitimate commercial channels. Unless otherwise specified, the experimental methods and detection methods used in the following embodiments are all conventional experimental methods and detection methods already available in the prior art. Example 1:

[0017] This example cable protector is an improvement upon existing products. The main components of this example protector include: The centralizer body 1, outer hoop 2, and fasteners.

[0018] The centralizer body 1 has a channel cavity extending through it along its axial direction, forming a cylindrical structure. In actual design, the centralizer body 1 includes two relatively symmetrically arranged semi-cylindrical bodies, which together form a complete cylindrical component and channel cavity.

[0019] The middle section of the channel cavity is provided with steps 13 symmetrically arranged vertically. The steps are based on the step to obtain a variable diameter structure. The variable diameter increases the fit with the joint position. The step 13 has a limiting function to prevent the tool from moving up and down at the joint position.

[0020] The inner wall of the channel cavity between the steps is provided with a textured surface to prevent damage to the cable caused by rotation during operation.

[0021] The semi-cylindrical component has a semi-circular cross-section. Two semi-cylindrical sections have mounting holes 3 near their edges, which are aligned. An M8 type hexagonal screw 4, serving as a fastener, passes through each mounting hole 3. By using one screw 4 to pass through the corresponding mounting holes 3 on both semi-cylindrical sections, the two semi-cylindrical sections are secured together. This detachable semi-circular assembly structure allows for quick installation and disassembly, offering flexibility and convenience.

[0022] The centralizer body 1 has tapered portions 11 at both ends. The tapered portions 11 are frustum-shaped structures with a diameter that narrows towards both ends, which can provide a good guiding effect when entering or exiting the well and when encountering obstacles.

[0023] One of the semi-cylinders has cable grooves 12 at both ends. The cable grooves 12 are underground cable channels and have no fixed shape. They can be customized according to the shape of the cable in the working environment.

[0024] The upper and lower parts of the centralizer body 1 are respectively provided with annular grooves 5. The annular grooves 5 are set on the outer circumferential surface of the centralizer body 1, and the width of the annular grooves 5 is adapted to the axial length of the outer hoop 2.

[0025] The outer clamp 2 is disposed in the annular groove 5. The inner diameter of the outer clamp 2 is adapted to the annular groove 5. The outer clamp 2 is fitted on the annular groove 5 and rotates with the annular groove 5.

[0026] The outer hoop 2 includes two semi-circular hoop plates, which are defined as the first hoop plate and the second hoop plate for ease of description.

[0027] The first hoop plate has protruding teeth 6 on both sides, and the second hoop plate has grooves 7 on both sides corresponding to the position and shape of the protruding teeth 6. The protruding teeth 6 and the grooves 7 fit together to form an interlocking structure. A pin 8 passes through the protruding teeth 6 and also passes through the side wall of the groove 7, thereby nailing the first hoop plate and the second hoop plate together.

[0028] In practical operation, for convenient installation and effective fastening during application, each end of the pin 8 is equipped with a 5×8 set screw 9. The set screw 9 provides axial positioning and fastening for the pin 8, preventing it from loosening or shifting during operation. Under vibration or impact conditions, the pin 8 may loosen due to inertia or external force. The set screw 9 effectively prevents this loosening, improving connection stability. After being tightened by the thread, the set screw 9 presses against the end of the pin 8, limiting its axial displacement and ensuring it remains in the designed position. The set screw 9 has a simple structure, is easy to install and disassemble, and facilitates later maintenance or replacement of the pin 8.

[0029] A ball bearing seat 10 is installed through the side wall of the hoop plate. A steel ball is rolled inside the ball bearing seat 10. The outer circumferential surface of the steel ball protrudes from the surface of the centralizer body 1. The steel ball is made of 8-diameter steel ball with chrome plating. Two rows of ball bearing seats 10 are set on one hoop plate, that is, four rows on one set of outer hoop 2. Each row includes three ball bearing seats 10. The three ball bearing seats 10 in each row are arranged in a spiral array relative to the outer circle of the hoop plate. In this layout, when encountering resistance or step structure, the resistance can be guided to rotate of the outer hoop 2 through the spirally arranged steel balls, thereby relieving the resistance. Since the outer hoop 2 is rotatably connected to the centralizer body 1, the rotation of the outer hoop 2 does not affect the circumferential state of the cable and will not cause the cable to twist.

[0030] The improved protector in this example is specifically designed to protect cables / fiber optic cables from being scratched, crushed, or worn by steps such as couplings (joints) inside the shaft.

[0031] The steel balls protrude slightly from the outer surface of the sleeve, acting like a ring of "miniature rollers." The contact between the balls and the well wall / coupling changes from sliding to rolling, reducing the coefficient of friction to below 0.05 and significantly decreasing downward resistance. When the cable / optical cable is lowered into the well and encounters the coupling step, the balls transform "sliding friction" into "rolling friction," allowing the cable to "slide" over the coupling step. This reduces resistance and avoids localized compression and scratches. The evenly distributed balls also help to straighten the cable and disperse lateral forces. By allowing the outer clamp 2, which is rotatable relative to the centralizer body 1, to rotate independently, the outer clamp 2 is only constrained by the radial bearing. Therefore, when encountering lateral forces from the well wall or coupling step, it can passively rotate around its axis to release torque. The rotation of the outer clamp 2 does not affect the centralizer body 1, ensuring that the cable is not twisted or rotated with it, thus preventing torque from being transmitted to the cable body and completely eliminating the "torsion → fatigue → fracture" failure mode.

[0032] Both ends are made into streamlined "bullet head" guide heads, with the outer diameter gradually transitioning to the maximum outer diameter of the protector, which serves as an "introduction angle".

[0033] In summary, this product utilizes steel ball friction reduction, rotary torque relief, and bullet-shaped guidance, completely resolving the four major pain points of the old product: "jamming, abrasion, twisting, and breakage." It safeguards cable deployment operations, improving operational efficiency and quality while reducing cable wear.

Claims

1. A ball-bearing downhole cable / optical cable protector with a clamp, characterized in that, The device includes a centralizer body, which has a channel cavity extending through it along its axial direction. Both ends of the centralizer body are provided with tapered portions. Near the tapered portions at both ends of the centralizer body, there are symmetrical annular grooves. Rotatable outer clamps are fitted inside the annular grooves. The outer clamps are annular and have ball bearing seats installed on their outer walls. Rolling steel balls are provided inside the ball bearing seats and protrude from the outer surface of the centralizer body.

2. The ball-bearing downhole cable / optical cable protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ball bearing seats are arranged in 3-8 rows on the outer hoop, and each row of ball bearing seats includes multiple ball bearing seats arranged in a spiral array along the outer circumferential surface of the outer hoop.

3. The ball-bearing downhole cable / optical cable protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ball bearing seats are arranged in 4 rows on the outer hoop, and each row of ball bearing seats includes 3 ball bearing seats arranged in a spiral array along the outer circumference of the outer hoop.

4. The ball-bearing downhole cable / optical cable protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The centralizer body includes two relatively symmetrically arranged semi-cylindrical bodies. The cross-section of each semi-cylindrical body is semi-circular. Each semi-cylindrical body has a mounting hole near its edge. The mounting holes of the two semi-cylindrical bodies are aligned and aligned. Fasteners pass through the mounting holes.

5. The ball-bearing downhole cable / optical cable protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer hoop includes two semi-circular and relatively symmetrical first hoop plates and second hoop plates. The two sides of the first hoop plate are provided with protruding teeth, and the two sides of the second hoop plate are provided with grooves corresponding to the position and shape of the protruding teeth. The protruding teeth and the grooves fit together to form an interlocking structure. A pin passes through the protruding teeth, and the pin also passes through the side wall of the groove.

6. The ball-bearing downhole cable / optical cable protector according to claim 5, characterized in that, The pin has set screws at both ends, and the set screws are installed inside the protruding teeth or the side wall of the groove.

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