Systems for joining insulated conductors

摘要

Systems and methods for heaters used in treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Certain embodiments relate to systems for insulated conductors used in heater elements. More particularly, fittings for splicing together insulated conductors and/or insulated conductors to other conductors are described.

主权项

1. A fitting for coupling an end of a first insulated conductor to an end of a second insulated conductor, comprising:
a sleeve configured to be placed over the end of the first insulated conductor and the end of the second insulated conductor; a core coupling located inside the sleeve, the core coupling being configured to fit around an end of a core of the first insulated conductor and an end of a core of the second insulated conductor, the cores of the insulated conductors being configured to be moved together in the core coupling when the ends of the insulated conductors are moved into the fitting, and wherein the ends of the cores have a selected clearance between them; and an electrically insulating material located in an interior volume of the sleeve, wherein the interior volume of the sleeve is at least partially filled with the electrically insulating material, and wherein the electrically insulating material comprises at least one concave shaped end portion at or near the edges of the core coupling, the electrically insulating material being configured to be compressed with an end portion of an electrical insulator in the first insulated conductor and an end portion of an electrical insulator in the second insulated conductor when the fitting is coupled to the insulated conductors.