US 20050118848 A1
A seal for a coaxial cable electrical connector more specifically an internal seal for a coaxial cable connector placed within a coaxial cable and its constituent components. A coaxial cable connector is in electrical communcation with an inductive transformer and a coaxial cable. The connector is in electrical communication with the outer housing of the inductive transformer. A generally coaxial center conductor, a portion of which could be the coil in the inductive transformer, passes through the connector, is electrically insulated from the connector, and is in electrical communication with the conductive core of the coaxial cable. The electrically insulating material also doubles as a seal to safegaurd against penetration of fluid, thus protecting against shorting out of the electrical connection. The seal is a multi-component seal, which is pre-compressed to a desired pressure rating. The coaxial cable and inductive transformer are disposed within downhole tools to transmit electrical signals between downhole tools within a drill string. The internal coaxial cable connector and its attendant seal can be used in a plurality of downhole tools, such as sections of pipe in a drill string, drill collars, heavy weight drill pipe, and jars.
1. A seal for a coaxial cable connector:
the coaxial cable connector comprising a tube with an upset portion at an end of the tube and a generally coaxial center conductor, the coaxial center conductor passing through the tube and the seal;
the seal contained within the upset portion of the tube, the seal comprising:
a first bead disposed within the upset portion;
a compliant tube adjacent the bead;
a second, packing bead adjacent the compliant tube;
an annular loading body adapted to engage the upset portion and adjacent the second packing bead;
wherein, upon insertion, the annular loading body compressing the second packing bead and the compliant tube between the loading body and the first bead such that the compliant tube plastically deforms and seals against the upset portion and the coaxial center conductor.
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This invention was made with government support under Contract No. DE-FC26-97FT343656 awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The government has certain rights in the invention.
The present invention relates to the field of electrical connectors, particularly seals for electrical connectors for coaxial cables. The preferred electrical connectors are particularly well suited for use in difficult environments wherein it is desirable to electrically connect inside a coaxial cable without the normal means available such as BNC, RCA, SMA, SMB, and TNC type coaxial connectors. The preferred seals for electrical connectors are particularly well suited for use in difficult environments wherein it is desirable to seal inside a coaxial cable without the normal means available such as o-rings in machined grooves, metal o-rings, or a split metallic ring. One such application is in data transmission systems suitable for downhole environments, such as along a drill string used in oil and gas exploration or along the casings and other equipment used in oil and gas production.
The goal of accessing data from a drill string has been expressed for more than half a century. As exploration and drilling technology has improved, this goal has become more important in the industry for successful oil, gas, and geothermal well exploration and production. For example, to take advantage of the several advances in the design of various tools and techniques for oil and gas exploration, it would be beneficial to have real time data such as temperature, pressure, inclination, salinity, etc. Several attempts have been made to devise a successful system for accessing such drill string data.
A typical drill string is comprised of several hundred sections of downhole tools such as pipe, heavy weight drill pipe, jars, drill collars, etc. Therefore it is desirable to locate the electrical system within each downhole tool and then make electrical connections when the sections are joined together. One problem for such systems is that the downhole environment is quite harsh. The drilling mud pumped through the drill string is abrasive, slightly basic or alkaline, and typically has a high salt content. In addition, the downhole environment typically involves high pressures and temperatures. Moreover, heavy grease is typically applied at the joints between pipe sections. Consequently, the reliance on an electrical contact between joined pipe sections is typically fraught with problems.
One solution to this problem common in the drilling industry is mud pulse telemetry. Rather than using electrical connections, mud pulse telemetry transmits information in the form of pressure pulses through drilling mud circulating through the drill string and borehole. However, data rates of mud pulse telemetry are very slow compared to data rates needed to provide real-time data from downhole tools.
For example, mud pulse telemetry systems often operate at data rates less than 10 bits per second. Since drilling equipment is often rented and very expensive, even slight mistakes incur substantial expense. Part of the expense can be attributed to time-consuming operations that are required to retrieve downhole data or to verify low-resolution data transmitted to the surface by mud pulse telemetry. Often, drilling or other procedures are halted while crucial data is gathered.
Moreover, the harsh working environment of downhole tools may cause damage to data transmission elements. Furthermore, since many downhole tools are located beneath the surface of the ground, replacing or servicing data transmission tools may be costly, impractical, or impossible. Thus, robust and environmentally hardened data transmission tools are needed to transmit information between downhole tools.
Downhole data transmission systems require reliable and robust electrical connections and seals to insure that quality data signals are received at the top of the borehole.
The present invention is a seal for use within an internal electrical connector used within an electrical transmission line particularly a coaxial cable. The invention is useful for making reliable connections inside a coaxial cable affixed to a downhole tool for use in a data transmission system.
An object of this invention is to provide for a reliable seal for a coaxial electrical connection between an electrical transmission line and a communications element. For example a coaxial cable disposed within a downhole tool, such as a drill pipe, and an inductive transformer housed within a tool joint end of the drill pipe. Downhole information collected at the bottom of the borehole and other locations along the drill string is then sent up through the data transmission system along the drill string to the drilling rig in order to be analyzed. A data transmission system utilizing such an electrical connector with its attendant seal can perform with increased robustness and has the further advantage of being coaxial.
Data received along the drill string employing such a data transmission system will decrease the likelihood of bit errors and overall failure. In this manner, information on the subterranean conditions encountered during drilling and on the condition of the drill bit and other downhole tools may be communicated to the technicians located on the drilling platform. Furthermore, technicians on the surface may communicate directions to the drill bit and other downhole devices in response to the information received from the sensors, or in accordance with the predetermined parameters for drilling the well.
Another aspect of the invention includes a downhole tool that includes a coaxial cable, an inductive transformer, and a coaxial cable connector coupling both together. The coaxial cable connector employs an embodiment of the current invention for sealing out the fluids surrounding a downhole tool during drilling. Each component is disposed in a downhole tool for use along a drill string.
In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the system includes a plurality of downhole tools, such as sections of pipe in a drill string. Each tool has a first and second end, with a first communication element located at the first end and a second communication element located at the second end. The system also includes a coaxial cable running between the first and second communication elements, the coaxial cable having a conductive tube and a conductive core within it. The system also includes a first and second connector for connecting the first and second communication elements respectively to the coaxial cable. Each connector utilizes an internal seal within the connector to protect the coaxial cable from downhole fluids. The first connector is in electrical communication with the first communication element, the second connector is in electrical communication with the second communication element, and the conductive tube is in electrical communication with both the first connector of the first communication element and the second connector of the second communication element.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the downhole tools may be sections of drill pipe, each having a central bore, and the first and second communication elements are located in a first and second recess respectively at each end of the drill pipe. The system further includes a first passage passing between the first recess and the central bore and a second passage passing between the second recess and the central bore. The first and second connectors are located in the first and second passages respectively. Preferably, each section of drill pipe has a portion with an increased wall thickness at both the box end and the pin end with a resultant smaller diameter of the central bore at the box end and pin end, and the first and second passages run through the portions with an increased wall thickness and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drill pipe. The box end and pin end is also sometimes referred to as the box end tool joint and pin end tool joint.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the communications element may be an inductive transformer embedded in a generally cylindrical body. An outer housing and a coil comprise the inductive transformer with a terminating end of the coil in electrical communication with the outer housing. One means of creating the electrical communication between the coil and the outer housing is by welding the terminating end of the coil to the outer housing. The inductive transformer is also placed in electrical communication with the coaxial connector. For example the coaxial connector can also be welded to the outer housing thus providing reliable electrical communication between the coaxial connector and the inductive transformer.
An intermediate center conductor passes through the coaxial connector and is electrically insulated from the connector. The center conductor is placed in electrical communication with both the inductive transformer and the conductive core of the coaxial cable. The connector has a means for electrically communicating with the inner diameter of the coaxial cable, thus providing a ground connection between the inductive transformer and the coaxial cable, as will be discussed. A seal is placed within the coaxial connector and adapted to seal the annular space between the inside wall of the coaxial connector and the intermediate center conductor passing through the coaxial cable. The seal components include a bead, a compliant tube, a second packing bead, and an annular loading body. The seal components are pre-compressed to a desired pressure rating depending on the seal application.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide reliable electrical connection between data transmission system tools for a power and carrier signal that is resistant to the flow of drilling fluid, drill string vibrations, and electronic noise associated with drilling oil, gas, and geothermal wells.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the system includes a coaxial cable with a conductive tube and core within it, a coaxial connector is placed within the conductive tube. The ground connection is made between the coil in the inductive transformer and the coaxial connector by welding a terminating end of the coil to the connector. The intermediate center conductor is electrically insulated as it passes through the connector and is placed in electrical contact with the conductive core of the coaxial cable. The means for electrically insulating the intermediate center conductor as it passes through the connector also serves as a seal between the coaxial connector and the center conductor.
In accordance with the invention an electrical signal is passed through the conductive tube of the coaxial cable, through the intermediate center conductor within the coaxial connector, and through the coil in the inductive transformer. The grounded return path passes through the terminating end of the coil in the inductive transformer, through the coaxial connector, and to the conductive tube of the coaxial cable.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method of assembly of these tools includes welding a coaxial connector to the outer housing of an inductive transformer, passing an intermediate center conductor that is a portion of the inductive transformer coil through the coaxial connector and the seal components placed within the coaxial connector, welding a terminating portion of the inductive transformer coil to the outer housing, compressing the seal components within the coaxial connector, and finally pushing the coaxial connector into a coaxial cable end thereby making electrical contact with both the conductive tube and core of the coaxial cable.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tools are sections of drill pipe, drill collars, jars, and similar tools that would be typically found in a drill string. A plurality of communications elements and electrical transmission tools are disposed within each tool along a drill string. The communications elements and electrical transmission tools are in electrical communication via internal coaxial cable connectors It should be noted that, as used herein, the term “downhole” is intended to have a relatively broad meaning, including such environments as drilling in oil and gas, gas and geothermal exploration, the systems of casings and other equipment used in oil, gas and geothermal production.
It should also be noted that the term “transmission” as used in connection with the phrase data transmission or the like, is intended to have a relatively broad meaning, referring to the passage of signals in at least one direction from one point to another.
The present invention, together with attendant objects and advantages, will be best understood with reference to the detailed description below in connection with the attached drawings.
Referring to the drawings,
A close up of pin end tool joint 125 is shown in
In a preferred embodiment the drill pipe will include tool joints as depicted in
The conductive tube is preferably made of metal, more preferably a strong metal, most preferably steel. By “strong metal”it is meant that the metal is relatively resistant to deformation in its normal use state. The metal is preferably stainless steel, most preferably 316 or 316L stainless steel. A preferred supplier of stainless steel is Plymouth Tube, Salisbury, Md.
In an alternative embodiment, the conductive tube may be insulated from the pipe in order to prevent possible galvanic corrosion. At present, the preferred material with which to insulate the conductive tube is PEEK®.
With reference now to
Turning again to
A generally coaxial center conductor 85 passes through the coaxial cable connector. The center conductor is electrically insulated (not shown) from the head 23, tube 21, and second end 22 as it passes through the coaxial cable connector. The means of electrically insulating the center conductor as it passes through the coaxial cable connector can also be employed to seal between the same, thus safeguarding the inner portion of the coaxial connector form drilling fluid and other contaminants. The inductive transformer is in electrical communication (not shown) with the center conductor 85 as well as the conductive core (not shown) of the coaxial cable 80. The arrangement and features of the coaxial cable connector as described above renders the electrical connection between both the coaxial cable and the inductive transformer a coaxial arrangement.
The coaxial cable connector is preferably constructed of a hard material that is electrically conductive such as certain metals. The metals could be steel, titanium, chrome, nickel, aluminum, iron, copper, tin, and lead. The various types of steel employed could be viscount 44, D2, stainless steel, tool steel, and 4100 series steels. Viscount 44 however is the most preferable material out of which to construct the coaxial cable connector.
FIGS. 6 shows how the coaxial cable and the inductive transformer are coupled using the coaxial cable connector. For the purpose of clarity in how the components are assembled when in operation, the downhole tool, into which each component is placed, is not shown.
A portion of the coil 71 becomes the coaxial center conductor 85 that passes through the head 23, tube 21 and out the second end (not shown) of the coaxial cable connector. The coaxial center conductor is then placed in electrical communication with the conductive core (not shown) of the coaxial cable 80. The electrical communication is made as the second end of the tube 21 of coaxial cable connector 20 is inserted into the conductive tube 83 of coaxial cable 80. The head 23 could be diametrically larger than the tube 21 and the conductive tube 83 of coaxial cable 80. This would stop the coaxial connector 21 from being inserted into the coaxial cable beyond a certain point. The shape of saddle 24 is clearly shown to conform to the contour of the outer housing 75 of the inductive transformer 70. Welding the saddle 24 to the outer housing 75 gives the added benefit of essentially creating a one-piece part. This is easier for handling and allows the assembly of the inductive transformer into a drilling tool and the insertion of the coaxial cable connector into a coaxial cable in the same drilling tool, to be accomplished in one operation.
A portion of the coil 71 becomes the generally coaxial center conductor 85 that passes through the sealing components, the head 23 including the upset portion (not shown) and saddle 24, tube 21 (not shown) and out the second end (not shown) of the coaxial cable connector. The coaxial center conductor is then placed in electrical communication with the conductive core of the coaxial cable (not shown). The sealing components include the annular loading body 96, the second packing bead 94, the compliant tube 92, and the first bead 90.
During assembly, the second loading body and the compliant tube are pre-compressed between the annular loading body and the first bead to a desired pressure relevant to the pressurized environment the coaxial cable will be subjected to while downhole. For example, if the desired pressure rating for the coaxial cable connector is 25,000 psi, the sealing components would be pre-compressed to at least 25,000 psi. The annular loading body provides the means for compressing the second packing bead and compliant tube when the annular loading body is inserted into the upset portion of the head. When this occurs, the compliant tube is plastically deformed and thereby forms a seal between the upset portion and the generally coaxial center conductor. The benefit of pre-compressing the seal to a desired pressure is that any fluid pressurized to less than the pre-compressed pressure rating will not be able to penetrate the seal. This in general shows how the seal components are assembled in conjunction with the inductive transformer and coaxial connector. The advantages of these features will be explained in the discussion below and shown in the remaining drawings.
The first bead is preferably constructed of a hard material to withstand the pressure load of the compliant tube and the second packing bead. Some examples of desirable materials are ceramics, metals, and rigid plastics. The ceramics include cemented tungsten carbide, alumina, silicon carbide, silicone nitride and polycrystalline diamond wich alumina the most preferred material. Various types of steels including viscount 44, D2, stainless steels, tool steel, and 4100 series steels are also appropriate to use. Some other examples of metals are titanium, chrome, nickel aluminum, iron, copper, tin, and lead. Two preferred types of rigid plastics available out of which to construct the first are polyether ether ketones and its cousin polyether ketone ketones, including the metal, glass, and mineral filled grades of these materials.
Many types of data sources are important to management of a drilling operation. These include parameters such as hole temperature and pressure, salinity and pH of the drilling mud, magnetic declination and horizontal declination of the bottom-hole assembly, seismic look-ahead information about the surrounding formation, electrical resistivity of the formation, pore pressure of the formation, gamma ray characterization of the formation, and so forth. The high data rate provided by the present invention provides the opportunity for better use of this type of data and for the development of gathering and use of other types of data not presently available.
Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.