Conductive outer jacket for wireline cable
A cable containing a conductive outer layer and methods for manufacturing the conductive outer layer and the cable are provided. A cable may include a cable core and a plurality of armor wire strength members that surround the cable core. The cable may also include a conductive outer layer disposed about the plurality of armor wire strength members that physically contacts at least one armor wire strength member of the plurality of armor wire strength members.
1 . A cable comprising:
a cable core comprising a plurality of conductors surrounded by an insulative layer;
a first polymeric material surrounding the insulative layer;
a first plurality of armor wire strength members that surround the cable core, the first polymeric material disposed between adjacent armor wire strength members of the first plurality of armor wire strength members;
a second polymeric material surrounding the first plurality of armor wire strength members, the second polymeric material contacting the first polymeric material and each armor wire strength member of the first plurality of armor wire strength members;
a second plurality of armor wire strength members surrounding the first plurality of armor wire strength members, the second polymeric material disposed between adjacent armor wire strength members of the second plurality of armor wire strength members;
a conductive outer layer forming an exterior surface of the cable and comprising a plurality of alloy wires, wherein each alloy wire of the plurality of alloy wires contacts a single corresponding armor wire strength member of the second plurality of armor wire strength members such that a number of armor wire strength members of the second plurality of armor wire strength members equals a number of alloy wires of the plurality of alloy wires; and
a pack off material disposed within interstitial spaces of the plurality of alloy wires and contacting the second plurality of armor wire strength members, the pack off material defining the exterior surface.
2 . The cable of claim 1 , wherein a layer of insulating polymeric material is disposed within the interstitial spaces between the second plurality of armor wire strength members and the conductive outer layer.
3 . The cable of claim 1 , wherein the conductive outer layer comprises a conductive wire array including the plurality of alloy wires.
4 . The cable of claim 3 , wherein each wire of the plurality of alloy wires is exposed at a corresponding engagement point configured to contact a geological formation encompassing a wellbore in which the cable is disposed.
5 . The cable of claim 1 , wherein the pack off material comprises at least one of a rubber, polymer, or epoxy resin.
6 . The cable of claim 1 , wherein:
the plurality of alloy wires is a first plurality of alloy wires; and
the conductive outer layer further comprises a second plurality of alloy wires.