Downhole Packer Electrical Feedthrough with Sliding Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reliable and efficient electrical connections through downhole packers are challenging due to mechanical loads, high temperatures, pressures, and corrosive environments, leading to costly and time-consuming splicing operations.
Innovation Solution
A riser nipple and sliding sleeve assembly with a retaining nut system that allows for easy insertion and secure locking of electrical cables through a downhole packer, enabling reliable electrical feedthroughs and reducing assembly time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional splicing operations are used for cable connections through packers, then connection reliability can be achieved, but assembly time becomes excessively long and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate modular components: a male connector with cable entry, a female connector with cable exit, and intermediate splicing elements. This segmentation allows pre-assembly of connection components that can be quickly installed through the packer without time-consuming field splicing operations, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Cable splicing and connector assembly operations are performed preliminarily before downhole installation. The male and female connectors are prepared and tested on the surface, allowing for quality control and proper preparation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex field splicing operations, significantly reducing assembly time while ensuring connection reliability through proper pre-assembly procedures.
2Reliability
If through-packer penetrators with connectors on each end are used, then electrical connection is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design provides multi-functionality by serving as both a mechanical support structure and an electrical connection interface. The male and female connectors are designed to work with standard packer configurations, allowing the same connector type to be used in various packer designs and cable routing scenarios, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the packer to be specially configured with built-in electrical penetrators, the invention inverts the approach by providing self-contained male and female connectors that interface with the packer's existing cable passage. This reversal simplifies the packer design while achieving reliable electrical connection through the standardized connector interface.
3Use of energy by moving object
If cables are run vertically through packers, then electrical power delivery is achieved, but mechanical loads from cable weight and orientation create connection difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates mechanical support features that counteract the weight of the cable and the tensile loads generated by vertical cable orientation. The male and female connectors include engagement mechanisms and support structures that distribute mechanical loads away from the electrical contact points, preventing connection failure due to cable weight while maintaining electrical power delivery capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for providing electrical power through a downhole packer comprises a riser nipple engagingly insertable in a passage in the packer; a sleeve surrounding a portion of the riser nipple and slidingly moveable between a cable assembly position and an operational position enabling connection of a cable extending through the packer and the sleeve to an electrical connector; and a retaining nut engageable with the riser nipple capturing the sleeve in the operational position when the retaining nut is engaged with the riser nipple.