Patent ID: 6439932
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: E21B,H01R

Abstract:
A multiple contact wet connector system for preventing cross-coupling during connection and disconnection of live electrical lines between downhole tools, comprising;an insulated cylindrical probe, said probe adapted to connect to a first downhole tool; a cylindrical receptacle housing, said receptacle housing adapted to connect to a second downhole tool, said receptacle housing having an inner insulator sleeve, said housing having an open end adapted to removably receive said probe; at least three concentric probe electrical contacts disposed axially along an outer surface of said probe; at least three concentric electrical receptacle contacts disposed axially along an inner surface of said receptacle housing insulator sleeve, said receptacle contacts spaced along the inner surface so as to be matingly juxtaposed with the at least three probe contacts when said probe is seated within said receptacle, thereby creating at least three pairs of contacts, each pair acting cooperatively to conduct electricity; and the at least three contacts on said probe and the at least three contacts on said receptacle are uniquely spaced in the axial direction along said probe and said receptacle such that no more than one of the at least three probe contacts may be aligned with and contacting any of the at least three receptacle contacts, unless said probe is seated within said receptacle during connection and disconnection of the first and second downhole tools.