Slip-On Splice-Filter Cage

Abstract

One or more specific embodiments disclosed herein may include a slip-on splice cage for conduits and filters, comprising a tubular housing adapted to be positioned around a tubular portion of a well string and a cover over at least a portion of the conduits, wherein the tubular housing may include one or more channels adapted to receive the conduits, and at least one hole positioned adjacent to each of the opposite ends of the tubular housing.

Claims

1. A slip-on splice cage for conduits and filters, comprising: a tubular housing adapted to be positioned around a tubular portion of a well string, wherein the tubular housing comprises: one or more channels adapted to receive the conduits, and at least one hole positioned adjacent to each of the opposite ends of the tubular housing; and a cover positioned over at least a portion of the conduits.

2. The slip-on splice cage of claim 1, wherein the at least one hole comprises threading.

3. The slip-on splice cage of claim 2, wherein the at least one hole comprising threading is adapted to receive a screw.

4. The slip-on splice cage of claim 3, wherein the screw comprises a grub screw.

5. The slip-on splice cage of claim 1, wherein each of the opposite ends of the tubular housing comprise two beveled ends.

6. The slip-on splice cage of claim 5, wherein each of the two beveled ends comprise one or more slots.

7. The slip-on splice cage of claim 6, wherein one of the one or more slots lines up with one of the one or more channels.

8. The slip-on splice cage of claim 1, wherein the cover is adapted to receive one or more fasteners.

9. The slip-on splice cage of claim 1, wherein the cover is removably attached to the tubular housing.

10. The slip-on splice cage of claim 1, wherein the tubular housing further comprises a plurality of recesses formed on the outer surface of the tubular housing.

11. The slip-on splice cage of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of recesses comprises a sheet of metal.

12. The slip-on splice cage of claim 10, wherein the cover is positioned within the plurality of recesses formed in the outer surface of the tubular housing so as to be flush within the outer surface of the tubular housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cage according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 positioned on a tubular.

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

1. Introduction

[0014] A detailed description will now be provided. The purpose of this detailed description, which includes the drawings, is to satisfy the statutory requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112. For example, the detailed description includes a description of the inventions defined by the claims and sufficient information that would enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventions. In the figures, like elements are generally indicated by like reference numerals regardless of the view or figure in which the elements appear. The figures are intended to assist the description and to provide a visual representation of certain aspects of the subject matter described herein. The figures are not all necessarily drawn to scale, nor do they show all the structural details of the systems, nor do they limit the scope of the claims.

[0015] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention which, for infringement purposes, is recognized as including equivalents of the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the “invention” may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the “invention” will refer to the subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims. Each of the inventions will now be described in greater detail below, including specific embodiments, versions, and examples, but the inventions are not limited to these specific embodiments, versions, or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventions when the information in this patent is combined with available information and technology.

2. Certain Specific Embodiments

[0016] Now, certain specific embodiments are described, which are by no means an exclusive description of the inventions. Other specific embodiments, including those referenced in the drawings, are encompassed by this application and any patent that issues therefrom.

[0017] One or more specific embodiments disclosed herein may include a slip-on splice cage for conduits and filters, comprising a tubular housing adapted to be positioned around a tubular portion of a well string and a cover over at least a portion of the conduits, wherein the tubular housing may include one or more channels adapted to receive the conduits, and at least one hole positioned adjacent to each of the opposite ends of the tubular housing.

[0018] In any one of the tools or devices disclosed herein, the at least one hole comprises threading.

[0019] In any one of the tools or devices disclosed herein, the at least one hole comprising threading is adapted to receive a screw.

[0020] In any one of the tools or devices disclosed herein, the screw comprises a grub screw.

[0021] In any one of the tools or devices disclosed herein, each of the opposite ends of the tubular housing comprise two beveled ends.

[0022] In any one of the tools or devices disclosed herein, each of the two beveled ends comprise one or more slots.

[0023] In any one of the tools or devices disclosed herein, one of the one or more slots lines up with one of the one or more channels.

[0024] In any one of the tools or devices disclosed herein, the cover is adapted to receive one or more fasteners.

[0025] In any one of the tools or devices disclosed herein, the cover is removably attached to the tubular housing.

[0026] In any one of the tools or devices disclosed herein, the tubular housing further comprises a plurality of recesses formed on the outer surface of the tubular housing.

[0027] In any one of the tools or devices disclosed herein, each of the plurality of recesses comprises a sheet of metal.

[0028] In any one of the tools or devices disclosed herein, the cover is positioned within the plurality of recesses formed in the outer surface of the tubular housing so as to be flush within the outer surface of the tubular housing.

3. Specific Embodiments in the Figures

[0029] The drawings presented herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Rather, the drawings are intended to help enable one having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed inventions.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a specific embodiment, e.g., version or example, of a slip-on splice-filter cage is illustrated. These figures may show features which may be found in various specific embodiments, including the embodiments shown in this specification and those not shown.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a slip-on splice-filter cage 100, which is not installed on a section of tubing. In embodiments, the slip-on splice-filter cage 100 may comprise a cover plate 101, one or more channels 104, and beveled end portions 106, 107. In embodiments, the cover plate 101, which protects the control line splice and/or hydraulic fluid filter, may be held in place on the cage 100 with one or more retaining screws 102. Further, in embodiments, the one or more channels 104 may provide space for the installation of the control line splices or hydraulic fluid filters (not illustrated). Additionally, in embodiments, the beveled end portions 106, 107 may comprise a plurality of slots 108, 109, respectively. In embodiments, the plurality of slots 108, 109 may lead into the one or more channels 104. Alternatively, in embodiments the ends of the cage 100 may not be beveled end portions 106, 107. In alternative embodiments, the ends of the cage 100 may be any shape that minimizes the amount of force to be overcome upon entering the well. For example, one alternative shape for one or both ends of the cage 100 may be a rounded shape.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the cage 100 installed on a tubing 200. In embodiments, one or more grub screws 103 may be employed to thread down the cage 100 against the tubing 200, which may hold the cage 100 in place rotationally and axially.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment wherein the tubing 200 extends through the cage 100. In embodiments, the cover plate 100 may fit flush within a recess 105, which may be formed in the outer surface of the cage 100, and which may further be fabricated from a sheet of flexible metal, for example.

[0034] In embodiments, the cage 100 may be installed over the tubing 200 as the tubing 200 and control lines (not illustrated) are run in the well. In embodiments, on the rig floor, as a splice or filter is needed, the cage 100 may be positioned on the outer diameter of the tubing 200, and the splice is made in the control line, or the filter installed on the control line. In embodiments, the filter or splice may then be positioned in one of the channels of the cage 100. In embodiments, since the cage 100 is free to rotate on the tubing 200, it is easy to position the splice or filter in one of the one or more channels 104 of the cage 100. This ease of orientation minimizes the twist of the control lines around the tubing 200 and reduces the stress on the splices of the control lines. In embodiments, once everything is positioned correctly, the cage 100 may be held in position with the grub screws 103, such as set screws or grub screws, that may be tightened against the outer diameter of the tubing 200. Alternatively, the grub screws 103 may be replaced by any type of set screw. In embodiments, the tubing 200 may then be run downhole until another splice or filter is needed.

[0035] Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.