Composite Cable Rope Socket for Uniform Armor Wire Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireline connections for connecting wireline logging tools to surface equipment are time-consuming and prone to mechanical and electrical failures due to non-uniform loading of armored cable layers.

Innovation Solution

A composite cable rope socket apparatus with spacers and a thermoset material that evenly distributes the tensile load across armor wires, ensuring uniform loading and secure mechanical and electrical connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional rope socket assemblies are used to connect wireline logging tools to surface equipment, then mechanical and electrical connections can be established, but the connections are prone to failure due to non-uniform loading of armored cable layers and the process is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidconnection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The armored cable is segmented into individual armor wires that are separated and rewrapped around a mandrel within the socket assembly. This segmentation allows each wire to be individually positioned and uniformly loaded, preventing the non-uniform loading that causes connection failures while enabling efficient automated assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A mandrel is introduced as an intermediary component during the assembly process. The mandrel serves as a temporary support structure around which armor wires are rewrapped, ensuring uniform distribution of loads and proper positioning of conductors. The mandrel is later removed, having fulfilled its mediating role in achieving reliable connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If armored cable layers are not uniformly loaded in traditional connections, then assembly may be simpler, but mechanical and electrical connections become prone to failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the structural parameters of the cable assembly by separating and rewrapping armor wires around a mandrel. This parameter change transforms the loading distribution from non-uniform to uniform, ensuring that tensile loads are evenly distributed across all armor wires and conductors, thereby preventing connection failures while maintaining assembly efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a robust connection system is implemented to prevent failures, then connection reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidsocket assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated socket assembly that simultaneously provides mechanical support, electrical connection, and uniform load distribution. By combining these functions into one unified structure rather than separate components, the system achieves high reliability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a robust and efficient connection that reduces failure risks, simplifies manufacturing, and evenly distributes tensile loads, enhancing the durability and reliability of the connection.

Implementation Method 1

Each armor wire may comprise a reinforcement element including a bundle of reinforcement fibers comprising at least one fiber and a plastic matrix impregnating the bundle of fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComposite materials: Composite Materials

Implementation Method 2

a plastic matrix impregnating the bundle of fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpregnation: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4089301B1Composite cable rope socket
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 SERVICES PETROLIERS SCHLUMBERGER SA
  • EP4089301B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4089301B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP4089301B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

Apparatus and methods for coupling a rope socket with an armored cable. The armored cable includes a conductor core having one or more cables for transmitting electrical and/or optical signals and at least one layer of armor wires wound around the conductor core. The rope socket includes a housing having an uphole end through which the armored cable extends into the housing and a downhole end through which the conductor core extends from the housing to a component of downhole equipment suspended in a wellbore by the armored cable. The armor wires are arranged inside of the housing so that they are spaced apart at least locally from the conductor core. A plastic material disposed within the housing fills interstices each defined by one or more surfaces of one or more of the conductor core, one or more of the armor wires, and the housing.