Elastomeric Wellhead Seal for Cable Pass-Through Hermeticity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for sealing electrical conductors passing through wellheads require cutting cables, use complex installations, and necessitate external connection boxes, leading to safety risks, increased installation time, and potential leaks.
Innovation Solution
An elastomeric seal with a unique geometric shape and a modular mechanical device that includes this seal, allowing for the passage of electrical conductors without cutting and eliminating the need for external connection boxes, while maintaining pressure integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If epoxy-sealed penetrators without cable cut are used, then cable integrity is maintained, but installation requires controlled environmental conditions and complex epoxy mixing procedures that do not achieve uniform seals guaranteeing hermeticity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from epoxy to elastomeric material, which inherently provides better flexibility and sealing properties without requiring controlled environmental conditions or complex mixing procedures. The elastomeric material can be directly installed in the wellhead without pre-mixing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the complex epoxy mixing process and integrates it into a pre-formed elastomeric seal component that can be directly installed. This eliminates the need for controlled environmental conditions and complex procedures while maintaining hermeticity.
2Reliability
If mechanical seal systems without cable cutting are used, then cable integrity is maintained, but the assembly procedure requires controlled environmental conditions and specialized procedures that do not achieve uniform seals guaranteeing hermeticity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional mechanical seal materials to elastomeric material, which provides inherent flexibility and sealing capability without requiring controlled environmental conditions or specialized assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric seal is designed to self-adjust and self-seal without requiring controlled environmental conditions or specialized procedures. The material's inherent properties allow it to conform to the wellhead geometry and create uniform seals automatically during installation.
3Ease of operation
If closed capsule electrical penetrators are used, then electrical connection is enabled, but cable cutting and splicing inside the well are required which creates hot spots and generates risk of short circuit electrical failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical connection function from the wellhead interior and relocates it to the exterior. The elastomeric seal allows cables to pass through the wellhead without cutting or splicing inside the well, eliminating hot spots and short circuit risks while maintaining electrical connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric seal acts as an intermediary that allows electrical cables to pass through the wellhead without requiring cuts or splices. It provides both mechanical sealing and electrical insulation, enabling safe electrical connection while maintaining wellhead integrity.
4Reliability
If epoxy seals are used, then sealing is achieved, but the assembly procedure requires controlled environmental conditions and specialized procedures that increase installation time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from epoxy to elastomeric, which eliminates the need for controlled environmental conditions and specialized mixing procedures. The elastomeric material can be directly installed and sealed without time-consuming preparation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the complex epoxy preparation process and integrates it into a pre-formed elastomeric seal that can be directly installed. This eliminates controlled environment requirements and significantly reduces installation time.
5Reliability
If traditional seal systems are used, then pressure isolation is achieved, but the system requires multiple components and complex installation that takes up to 4 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sealing functions into a single elastomeric seal component that integrates the sealing surface, cable passage, and insulation functions. This consolidation reduces the number of parts and simplifies installation while maintaining pressure isolation integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric seal is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions simultaneously: sealing, cable protection, and electrical insulation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and reduces installation time while maintaining pressure isolation.
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 enables quick and safe installation of electrical connections within the wellhead, maintaining pressure integrity and eliminating the risks associated with cable cutting and external connection boxes, while being adaptable to different wellhead configurations.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric seal (1), made of elastic or polymeric material
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an elastomeric seal that embraces the electrical conductors that pass through the wellhead and comprises an upper cylindrical portion, a lower frustoconical portion, one to three through holes longitudinally crossing the seal and one to three longitudinal cuts that go from the periphery of said through holes to the seal periphery. In an alternative of the invention, the seal comprises more than one through holes, one longitudinal cut that goes from the periphery of one of the through holes to the periphery of the seal and one or two longitudinal cuts that go from the periphery of one of said through holes to the periphery another through hole.