Conductive Outer Jacket for Grounded Wireline Cable Armor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wellbore cables with insulative polymer jackets inhibit grounding of armor wire strength members, leading to undesirable electrical charge buildup and discharge between the cable and the surrounding environment.
Innovation Solution
A conductive outer layer is disposed about the armor wire strength members, physically contacting them to establish a conductive connection and ground the armor wire strength members to the surrounding casing or geological formation, reducing or eliminating electrical charge buildup and discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an insulative polymer jacket is used to protect the cable and smooth the exterior, then the cable's mechanical protection and surface smoothness are improved, but the armor wire strength members cannot be grounded, leading to electrical charge buildup and discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The outer jacket is segmented into two functional layers: an insulative polymer layer for mechanical protection and a conductive outer layer for electrical grounding. The conductive layer is disposed about the armor wire strength members to establish electrical connection, while the insulative layer remains between the conductors and the conductive layer to maintain electrical isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer jacket uses composite material structure combining insulative polymer material and conductive material. This composite structure allows the jacket to simultaneously provide mechanical protection through the insulative layer and electrical grounding through the conductive layer, resolving the contradiction between protection and grounding capability.
2Reliability
If a conductive outer layer is added to ground the armor wire strength members, then electrical grounding and charge dissipation are improved, but the cable structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive outer layer is merged with the existing outer jacket structure, forming an integrated protective covering. Rather than adding a separate grounding component, the conductive layer is incorporated as part of the jacket itself, thereby providing grounding functionality without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive outer layer serves multiple functions: it grounds the armor wire strength members, dissipates electrical charge, and maintains the external smooth surface of the cable. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity.
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 conductive outer layer effectively grounds the armor wire strength members, mitigating electrical discharge and ensuring a stable voltage differential along the cable, reducing wear and operational issues.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive outer layer disposed about the plurality of armor wire strength members that physically contacts at least one armor wire strength member of the plurality of armor wire strength members
Data Source
AI summary
A cable containing a conductive outer layer and methods for manufacturing the conductive outer layer and the cable are provided. A cable may include a cable core and a plurality of armor wire strength members that surround the cable core. The cable may also include a conductive outer layer disposed about the plurality of armor wire strength members that physically contacts at least one armor wire strength member of the plurality of armor wire strength members.