Cylindrical Break-Away Interconnect for Downhole Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In downhole-drilling operations, space constraints often limit the positioning of electrical connections between internal drilling components and external power sources, making it challenging to maintain a compact and secure connection within narrow regions.
Innovation Solution
An electrical-connection system featuring a central connector unit that attaches to cable-end connectors, positioned in a radial groove of a cylindrical body, utilizing a curved surface and grip mechanism to maintain the overall height within space constraints, ensuring secure alignment and preventing the system from exceeding the groove dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the electrical connection is positioned in a narrow region with space constraints, then the overall height is reduced to fit within the groove, but the alignment and securing of cable-end connectors to the central connector unit becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The central connector unit incorporates a curved surface that conforms to the cylindrical groove geometry. This curved interface enables the connector assembly to maintain a compact overall height within the groove while providing a stable, self-aligning mounting surface that facilitates secure connection of cable-end connectors despite the constrained space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the radial depth dimension of the cylindrical groove to accommodate the electrical-connection system. By positioning the central connector unit and cable-end connectors within the radial groove and utilizing its depth, the design achieves compactness in the axial direction while maintaining adequate space for connector alignment and securing operations within the radial dimension.
2Volume of stationary object
If the electrical-connection system is compacted to fit within the groove dimensions, then space constraints are satisfied, but the complexity of designing the connector geometry and grip mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical-connection system is divided into distinct functional segments: a central connector unit and separate cable-end connectors. Each segment is optimized independently for its specific function, allowing the overall system to achieve compact volume within the groove while managing design complexity through modular segmentation rather than a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable-end connectors are designed to attach to the central connector unit in a nested arrangement within the radial groove. This nesting configuration allows the system to occupy minimal volume by stacking components radially, while the standardized interface between nested components actually reduces overall design complexity compared to distributed arrangements.
3Length of stationary object
If the connector assembly uses a curved surface to conform to the cylindrical groove, then the overall height is maintained within constraints, but the manufacturing precision required for the curved interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surface of the central connector unit is designed with specific geometric parameters that match the standard cylindrical groove dimensions. By standardizing these curvature parameters, the manufacturing precision requirement is managed through repeatable dimensional specifications rather than custom-fit requirements, enabling consistent production while maintaining the compact height profile within the groove.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical-connection system for connecting a first cable to a second cable includes a central connector unit that attaches to cable-end connectors. Among other features, the central connector unit might include a curved surface, each of the cable-end connectors might include a grip mechanism. Generally, the electrical-connection system is configured to be positioned in a radial groove of a cylindrical body, such that an overall height of the system is maintained within space constraints.