Importance

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Abstract

A high strength submersible electrical cable and connector assembly are described which are particularly suitable for use with high pressure valve actuated devices such as air guns which operate in harsh environments such as at sea and which generate large vibrational forces and where the cable and connector are subject to towing stresses as the air gun is towed through the water during a seismic survey operation. The connector has a sleeve body member with a socket retainer in one end adapted to be coupled to a solenoid valve on the air gun. A non-conductive anchor plug is mounted within the sleeve body and mechanically and electrically secures in the sleeve an electrical cable having a plurality of insulated high tensile strength electrical conductors. A plurality of electrical conductors are coupled between the retainer socket and the high tensile strength electrical conductors which are held by electrical connectors seated within the non-conductive anchor plug, and the sleeve body is filled with insulating material to encapsulate the anchor plug and the various connectors and electrical connections within the sleeve body. A tough, protective tapered insulating jacket surrounds the electrical cable and sleeve body in the region where the electrical cable containing the plurality of insulated high tensile strength electrical conductors enters the sleeve body to provide additional strain-relief for the connector assembly. The electrical cable and connector assembly is characterized by being rugged and water tight so as to be able to withstand the large vibrations generated by air guns in such applications as seismic surveying and is further capable of being submersible in water where seismic surveying is performed, and the assembly enables a smaller diameter electrical cable to be used than heretofore while providing a longer operating life under marine seismic surveying conditions.

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First Claim