Inductive-coupling connector for a well head equipment

Claim 1

An electrical connector for use in a well having a well head equipment comprising a well head having an axis, a hanger member for suspending a production tubing to said well head, a production valve assembly adapted to be removably connected to said well head, said valve assembly and said hanger member respectively including first and second removably engageable mating portions for providing fluid communication between said valve assembly and said production tubing when said valve assembly is connected to said well head, the electrical connector comprising: at least first and second electrical coil assemblies mounted on first and second sleeves respectively, said sleeves being releasably arranged on said first and second mating portions respectively with the axes of said coils being in alignment with the axis of the well head, for providing inductive coupling between said coils when said first and second mating portions are fluidly engaged; first electrically conductive means mounted on said valve assembly for electrically connecting said first coil to the exterior of said valve assembly; and second electrically conductive means mounted on said hanger member for electrically connecting said second coil to a space in the well below said hanger member, wherein said first mating portion is a tubular member releasably fixed to said valve assembly and sealingly engageable with a corresponding cavity in said hanger member, said first coil being wound around said tubular member, and wherein said second coil is wound inside said second sleeve which overlies said tubing hanger and which surrounds said tubular member when said tubular member is sealingly and fluidly engaged with said hanger member.