Spoolable Signal Conduction Line with Modular Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Splicing of spoolable control and monitoring lines in the drilling and completion industry is time-consuming and labor-intensive, slowing down the progression of tubing strings and detracting from productivity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A spoolable signal conduction and connection line with connectors that allow for signal-bearing connections without the need for cutting, stripping, or pressure testing, featuring a housing with line stubs and a contact assembly that provides a pressure-tight seal and can be easily spooled and unspooled, enabling rapid connection to tubing components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional splicing methods are used for signal conduction lines, then reliable signal bearing connections are achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate modular components including a body, contact assembly, and sealing elements that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows for pre-assembly and quality control while enabling rapid field installation without complex splicing procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact assembly and sealing surfaces are pre-positioned and pre-assembled within the connector body before field installation. This preliminary action ensures proper alignment and sealing geometry is achieved without requiring precise manual alignment during the actual connection process, thereby maintaining reliability while improving installation speed.
2Reliability
If traditional splicing methods are used for signal conduction lines, then reliable signal bearing connections are achieved, but the process requires cutting, stripping, and pressure testing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the connection functionality from the continuous line itself and incorporates it into separate connector components that attach to the line. This extraction eliminates the need to cut, strip, and splice the line, as the connector with its integrated contact assembly simply attaches to external line ends, thereby simplifying the overall process while maintaining reliable electrical and pressure seals.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector body serves as an intermediary component between two line segments. Instead of directly splicing the lines together through complex cutting and joining procedures, the connector body with its integrated contact and sealing surfaces mediates the connection, providing both electrical continuity and pressure sealing through a single attachment operation.
3Productivity
If connectors are added to enable rapid connection, then productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into the single connector body: the contact assembly provides electrical connection, the sealing surfaces provide pressure sealing, and the body structure provides mechanical attachment. This consolidation of functions into one integrated component achieves rapid connection capability while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate devices that would need to be assembled and coordinated during installation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A spoolable signal conduction and connection line for a downhole environment including a length of signal conduction and connection line suitable for the downhole environment; and one or more connectors depending from the line along a length of the line, the connectors capable of making a signal bearing connection for the downhole environment.