Wireline protector with improved clamping mechanism

摘要

A wireline protector for protecting an electrical wireline used in a downhole drilling operation. During the operation of adding additional drill string members to the drill string, the electrical wireline is encased by and clamped within the wireline protector thereby guarding it against damage by any slippage of the slip members. The wireline protector includes an elongated section that is arranged to extend through the opening in the rotary table through which the drill string passes in such a manner so as not to interfere with the drill string and a support base connected substantially perpendicular to the elongated section. The elongated section has an elongated opening into which the portion of the wireline passing through the rotary table can be inserted so that it is substantially surrounded and guarded by the elongated section. After the wireline is inserted into this elongated section, a toggle lock clamping mechanism mounted on the support base acts to grip the wireline so as to retain it in place. The support base is arranged in engagement with the rotary table so as to maintain the wireline protector in place.