The present disclosure is generally related to cables and more particularly is related to a method and system for a down-hole cable having a liquid bonding material.
Down-hole cables are found in use in many industries including those that conduct deep drilling, such as within the oil drilling industry. These cables may be used to transmit information and data from a drilling region having the drilling equipment to a control center located remote to the drilling region. Many oil-drilling regions are located deep within the Earth's crust, such as those seen with onshore and offshore drilling. The drilling region may be 5,000 feet or more from a control center located on the Earth's surface or a control center located on water at sea level. A cable of 5,000 feet or more may have a high weight that, when located vertically down a drilling hole distorts the structure of the cable itself. This may result in a failure of the cable or a deformity of the cable that renders it more inefficient than a non-deformed cable.
Current cables include a filler constructed from solid polypropylene or similar material that surrounds one or more conductors and are enclosed with an armored sheath, such as a superalloy like Incoloy or a stainless steel. The purpose of the polypropylene filler is to provide a compressive force between the conductor core and the armored sheath, the compressive force retaining the conductor core within the cable. The compressive force produced by the solid polypropylene filler may counteract a gravity-based pullout force, which is the force necessary to slide the conductor core from the armored sheath. The polypropylene fillers that are used are rated at 150° C. and therefore are frequently unable to retain their integrity when the cable is being produced using a heated method. This is believed to be due to the inherent crystallinity of the extruded polypropylene filler and the after effect of additional heat cycles from the encapsulation extrusion of the armored sheath. These additional heat cycles cause a phase shift in the polypropylene, which in effect, reduce the diameter of the material, which lessens the pullout force necessary to compromise the cable. The encapsulation extrusion process may have temperatures that are greater than the annealing temperature of the polypropylene facilitating the phase shift. This process may result in a cable that can easily be damaged by its own weight creating a pullout force on the conductor core resulting in the conductor core moving within the cable.
Some conventional cables include bonded portions within the construction of the cable.
Cables with filler layers present complications when terminating the cable. Terminating the cable may be needed when a cable is shortened or connected with a connector to another cable. The cable portions may be connected with welded connectors, or another type of connector used in the industry. The complications with terminating are due to the fact that the filler layer or filler material must be removed from the cable prior to terminating it. Commonly, the removal of the filler material may require thermal or mechanical processes, which can be expensive, time consuming and may lead to additional complications with the cable. Furthermore, if the filler layer is not entirely removed, the cable may have weld defects with welding a jacketing material on the cable.
Another type of cable is a foamed polymer cable. The axial center of the foamed polymer cable includes a conductor, such as a seven strand, eighteen gauge, copper conductor. Enveloping the conductor is a fluoropolymer extrusion, such as TEFZEL®, sold by DUPONT FILMS®. Beyond the fluoropolymer extrusion is a polymer layer. A pneumatic void surrounds the polymer layer in the foamable polymer cable. Defining an outer limit of the pneumatic void is an armor shell. The pneumatic void is a temporary feature of the foamable polymer cable. However, the foamable polymer cable is flawed because the cross-sectional pneumatic void is so large that foaming the foamable polymer cable regularly yields an exocentric cable. Furthermore, the foamable polymer cable is not conducive to removing the filler layer during termination because of the chemical bonding.
Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for a down-hole cable having a liquid bonding system. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. The system contains at least one insulated conductor fully insulated by an insulation coating. An armor shell is positioned exterior to the insulating coating and fully surrounds the insulated conductor. A liquid bonding material is applied between at least a portion of an exterior surface of the insulation coating and at least a portion of an interior surface of the armor shell, wherein the liquid bonding material creates a bond between the insulation coating and the armor shell.
The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing methods for making a down-hole cable having a liquid bonding system. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: providing at least one insulated conductor fully insulated by an insulation coating; positioning an armor shell exterior to the insulation coating, wherein the armor shell fully surrounds the insulated conductor; and applying a liquid bonding material between at least a portion of an exterior surface of the insulation coating and at least a portion of an interior surface of the armor shell, wherein the liquid bonding material creates a bond between the insulation coating and the armor shell.
The present disclosure can also be viewed as a down-hole cable for use in a substantially vertical position. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. At least one insulated conductor is fully insulated by an insulation coating. An armor shell is positioned exterior to the insulating coating and fully surrounding the insulated conductor. An epoxy-based bonding material is positioned between an exterior surface of the insulation coating and an interior surface of the armor shell. The bonding material is non-compressively securing the insulated conductor to the interior surface of the armor shell with an adhesive bond, wherein the at least one insulated conductor is retained from movement respective to the armor shell by the adhesive bond when the down-hole cable is positioned substantially vertical.
Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The insulation coating 230 surrounding the insulated conductor 220 may include any type of insulating material. This may include a thermoset or thermoplastic insulation coating material, such as an acrylic, epoxy or plastic. Preferably, each insulated conductor 220 is individually insulated with an insulation coating 230, whereby any communication or signal within one insulated conductor 220 is separated from a communication or signal within another insulated conductor 220. However, more than one insulated conductor 220 may be encapsulated by one insulation coating 230. For example, if different types of insulated conductors 220 are used within one cable 210, each type of insulated conductor 220 may require an individual insulation coating 230, whereas insulated conductors 220 of a common type may be insulated by a single insulated conductor 230. When more than one insulated conductor 220 is used, the insulation coatings 230 are preferably distinct from one another, wherein each insulated conductor 220 is individually identifiable. The insulated conductor 220 may be identifiable with an identification marking 280, as is shown in
The armor shell 240 is a sheath or exterior coating or layer that is positioned exterior to the insulated coating 230 and fully surrounds the insulated conductor 220. This configuration allows the armor shell 240 to protect the inner components of the cable 210, including the insulated conductors 220 and the insulation coating 230 attached thereto. Any material, substance or layer located on the exterior of the cable 210 and capable of protecting the cable 210 may be considered an armor shell 240. The armor shell 240 may be constructed from a strong material, such as a stainless steel, a nickel-based alloy, or a corrosion resistant alloy, which protects the cable 210 from foreign objects penetrating the cable 210, such as debris from a drilling process. The armor shell 240 may also include any woven, solid, particulate-based and layered protecting materials.
The armor shell 240 may be substantially concentric to the insulated conductor portion 220, or it may be off-centered from an imaginary axis of the cable 210. For example, in some uses, it may be desirable to have the insulated conductor 220 be positioned at the center of the armor shell 240, whereas other uses may requires the insulated conductor 220 to be positioned directly abutting an interior surface of the armor shell 240. A cable 210 may also include variations in where the insulated conductor 220 is positioned. For example, the armor shell 240 may be positioned substantially concentric to the insulated conductor 220 at one place along the length of the cable 210, and in an off-centered position at another place on the cable 210. The positioning of the insulated conductor 220 may be dependent on the type or quantity of liquid bonding material 250 used.
The liquid bonding material 250 may include any type or types of materials that are capable of creating a bond between two materials. Preferably, this will include an epoxy adhesive with an epoxide resin and a polyamine hardener, but any other type of adhesive or bonding material is considered within the scope of the present disclosure, including an acrylic, thermorset or thermopolymer material. The liquid bonding material 250 is applied between at least a portion of an exterior surface of the insulation coating 230 and at least a portion of an interior surface of the armor shell 240. This may include placing the liquid bonding material 250 about the entire exterior surface of the insulation coating 230, whereby any portion of the insulation coating 230 will bond to the armor shell 240. Likewise, the liquid bonding material 250 may be placed along the entire interior surface of the armor shell 240, whereby the insulation coating 230 will bond to any portion of the interior surface of the armor shell 240. This may also include using enough liquid bonding material 250 to fully engulf the interior portion of the cable, i.e., the portion between the exterior surface of the insulation coating 230 and the interior surface of the armor shell 240.
In accordance with this disclosure, the liquid bonding material 250 may include materials that are initially liquid, or substantially liquid, but that are transformed into a substantially non-liquid material. For example, the liquid bonding material 250 may be applied to the cable 210 in a substantially liquid state, but may then be hardened into a non-liquid material. Accordingly, the liquid bonding material 250 may require a catalyst or some procedure to create a substantial bond between the exterior surface of the insulation coating 230 and at least a portion of an interior surface of the armor shell 240. Catalysts may include heat, an elapsed period of time, a chemical interaction, ultraviolet curing, moisture curing, or the like.
As discussed within the background, conventional cables include filler layers around the conductor materials to reduce the movement of the conductor materials within the cable. The cable 210 of the first exemplary embodiment does not require a filler layer within the cable 210, nor is it advantageous for a filler layer to be included with the cable 210. For example, the cable 210 may be limited to only an insulated conductor 220, an insulation coating 230, the liquid bonding material 250 and the armor shell 240, whereby no filler materials are used. When no filler materials are used, termination of the cable may be completed without the complications of removing a filler layer, which may reduce expenses and the time needed to terminate a cable, among other benefits.
The use of the liquid bonding material 250 creates a cable 210 with a high structural integrity, whereby the interior components of the cable 210, including the insulated conductors 220, may be retained within the armor shell 240, especially when the cable 210 is positioned in a substantially vertical orientation. The liquid bonding material 250 may non-compressively secure the insulated conductor 220 to the armor shell 240 with the liquid bonding material 250. Accordingly, the compressive force created by the filler layer of conventional cables is not present in the cable 210. Rather, the liquid bonding material 250 may use only adhesive forces from an adhesive bond to retain the insulated conductor 220 in a stationary position with respect to the armor shell 240. This prevents movement of the components of the cable 210 within the armor shell 240, thereby allowing it to be used in high-stress conditions, such as those experiences in down-hole drilling operations. This construction allows for a cable that can be used for both horizontal and vertical purposes without compromising the integrity or utility of the cable 210 and without the need for a compressive force on the insulated conductors 220. This construction also allows the cable 210 to be used in a variety of temperatures, including all temperatures, such as temperatures up to 250° C., 500° C., or a temperature higher than 500° C.
Additionally, the armor shell 240 may be used to secure the cable 210 in a specific position via an attachment to one or more anchoring structures 260. In
In operation, the cable 210 may be placed with one end of the cable 210 in a position that is substantially above the other end of the cable 210. In addition to a vertical positioning, the cable 210 may also be positioned to run any horizontal length, alone or in combination with a vertical length. This cable 210 may be any length, such as 100 feet, 300 feet, 500 feet or greater, or any other length. For example, the cable 210 may be suspended within a hole drilled within the Earth's crust, wherein one end of the cable 210 is located above the Earth's crust and the other end is located 500 feet or more below the Earth's crust. The cable 210 may be held in this position for any period of time, and thus, the cable 210 must be resistant to the pullout force created by gravity acting on the insulated conductor(s) 220. In other words, the liquid bonding material 250 bonding the insulation coating 230 to the armor shell 240 may offset any pullout force created by gravity. The cable 210 may be suitable for any vertical use, and may be especially preferable for vertical use spanning a distance of 500 feet or more. As one having ordinary skill in the art would recognize, many variations, configurations and designs may be included with the cable 210, or any component thereof, all of which are considered within the scope of the disclosure.
In addition to the liquid bonding material 350, the cable 310 includes a gas pocket 360 proximate to at least one of the insulated conductor 320 and the liquid bonding material 350. The gas pocket 360 may further include any number of gas pockets 360 that are filled with any type of gas. For example, the gas pocket 360 may be created during construction of the cable 310, wherein oxygen, nitrogen or another gas, or a combination of two or more gasses are trapped within the cable 310. This may include a continuous or non-continuous gas pocket 360 created because the liquid bonding material 350 does not fill the interior portion of the armor shell 340, or only partially fills the inner portion of the armor shell 340. Alternatively, the gas pocket 360 may be created by purposefully placing gas within the cable 310, such as to cure the liquid bonding material 350. Any design, configuration or arrangement of the cable 310 with a gas pocket 360 is considered within the scope of the present disclosure. The gas pocket 360 may include a pneumatic cavity extending the length of the cable 310.
As is shown by block 402, at least one insulated conductor 320 fully insulated by an insulation coating 330 is provided. An armor shell 340 is positioned exterior to the insulation coating 330, wherein the armor shell 340 fully surrounds the insulated conductor 320 (block 404). A liquid bonding material 350 is applied between at least a portion of an exterior surface of the insulation coating 330 and at least a portion of an interior surface of the armor shell 340, wherein the liquid bonding material creates a bond between the insulation coating 330 and the armor shell 340 (block 406).
The method may further include additional steps, such as the step of enclosing a gas pocket interior to the armor sheath and proximate to at least one of the insulated conductor and the liquid bonding material. Furthermore, the method of making the down-hole cable 310 may include the step of applying the liquid bonding material before, during or after a process of applying, constructing or welding the armor shell. For example, the application of an epoxy as the liquid bonding material may be inline during a welding operation with a metallic armor shell, and applied before or after the weld point of the armor shell.
Any of the steps or processes discussed with respect to
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present disclosure and protected by the following claims.
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/324,926 filed Apr. 16, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61324926 | Apr 2010 | US |