← Back to Patent Explorer
US5131464A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Releasable electrical wet connect for a drill string

Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
•
Filing: 1991-06-05
•
Granted: 1992-07-21
•
Expires: 2011-06-05
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A connectable and releasable electrical wet connect for transmitting electrical signals in a well drill string includes retrievable coacting telescoping male and female member electrical connectors. The male member includes a support shoulder for supporting the wet connect in the drill string, a passageway for the flow of fluids, an electrical contact, a tapered and insulating seal and a fishing shoulder. The female member includes a telescopically engageable electrical receptacle, and a tapered and insulating female seal. The wet connect telescopically connects and disconnects in the drill string and electrically isolates the electrical signal transmitted through the wet connect from the fluid in the drill string.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert A. Lenhart
  • 👤 Allen K. Rives

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 01:16
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B23/00; E21B23/14; E21B7/00; E21B7/04; E21B7/06; E21B7/068

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 151 words
A connectable and releasable electrical wet connect for transmitting electrical signals in a well drill string comprising, retrievable coacting telescoping male and female members electrical connectors, said male member including, a support shoulder for supporting the wet connect from a shoulder in the drill string, a passageway for the flow of fluids through the drill string, an upstanding electrical contact extending through the male member for connection to and support of an electrical conductor, a tapered and insulating seal positioned below the electrical contact, a fishing shoulder for removal of the male member from the drill pipe, said female member including, a telescopically engageable and releasable electrical receptacle for coacting with the electrical contact, a tapered and insulating female seal positioned below the electrical receptacle for coacting with the seal on the male member for electrically insulating the receptacle and contact when they are engaged from fluid in the drill string.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 151 words
A connectable and releasable electrical wet connect for transmitting electrical signals in a well drill string comprising, retrievable coacting telescoping male and female members electrical connectors, said male member including, a support shoulder for supporting the wet connect from a shoulder in the drill string, a passageway for the flow of fluids through the drill string, an upstanding electrical contact extending through the male member for connection to and support of an electrical conductor, a tapered and insulating seal positioned below the electrical contact, a fishing shoulder for removal of the male member from the drill pipe, said female member including, a telescopically engageable and releasable electrical receptacle for coacting with the electrical contact, a tapered and insulating female seal positioned below the electrical receptacle for coacting with the seal on the male member for electrically insulating the receptacle and contact when they are engaged from fluid in the drill string.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 29 words
The wet connect of claim 1 wherein the female member includes, an outer metal jacket surrounding the tapered and insulating seal and the electrical receptacle in the female member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
The wet connect of claim 2 including, a lower metal jacket threadably connected to the outer jacket and abutting and securing the female seal within the outer jacket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 28 words
The wet connect of claim 3 including, a compression seal washer positioned between a shoulder on the receptacle and a shoulder on the interior of the outer jacket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 30 words
The wet connect of claim 3 including, an O-ring seal between the female seal and the outer jacket, and an O-ring seal between the female seal and the electrical receptacle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
The wet connect of claim 1 wherein the male member includes, a ring for centralizing the lower end of the female member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 21 words
The wet connect of claim 1 wherein the male member includes, a threaded exterior section for use with a surface overshot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 24 words
The wet connect of claim 1 wherein the support shoulder on the male member includes a plurality of downwardly and outwardly directed rigid legs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 20 words
The wet connect of claim 1 wherein the support shoulder includes a plurality of downwardly and outwardly directed spring fingers.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4767349A Cited
US4921438A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-07-21 1996-01-20 1996-07-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-07-21 2000-01-20 2000-07-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-07-21 2004-01-20 2004-07-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag