Segmented bend-limiter for slickline rope sockets and cable-heads
A chain of bend-limiter segments is coupled together. The chain has a first end and a second end. The chain is bendable such that an angle between the first end and the second end is at least N degrees and a radius of curvature of the chain is at least M. A cable is inserted through the chain from the first end to the second end. The chain and the cable are coupled to a tool. The tool is pulled using the cable. The chain maintains a radius of curvature of the cable greater than M and prevents a stress level in the cable from exceeding a yield point.
1. A method comprising:
coupling together a chain of a plurality of bend-limiter segments, the chain having a first end and a second end, the chain being bendable to form an angle between the first end and the second end and a radius of curvature of the chain;
inserting a cable through the chain from the first end to the second end;
coupling the cable to a tool;
coupling the chain to the tool and around the cable where the cable is coupled to the tool; and
pulling the tool using the cable, the chain maintaining a radius of curvature of the cable greater than a minimum radius of curvature and preventing a stress level in the cable from exceeding a yield point.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
coupling the cable to a surface equipment;
deploying the chain of bend-limiter segments, the tool, and the cable into a borehole, past a first location where the borehole deviates;
wherein pulling the tool using the cable comprises retrieving the tool from the deviated borehole when the tool passes through the first location.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein pulling the tool using the cable comprises lifting the tool from a first orientation to a second orientation different from the first orientation using the cable.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein coupling together a chain of bend-limiter segments comprises coupling two or more bend-limiter segments.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein coupling together a chain of bend-limiter segments comprises:
dividing the bend-limiter segments into two or more halves;
mounting the two or more halves about the cable; and
securing the two or more halves to the cable.
6. A system comprising:
a surface equipment located on a surface of the earth;
a cable having a surface end coupled to the surface equipment and a downhole end extending into a borehole;
a tool coupled to the downhole end of the cable;
a bend limiter coupled around the cable where the downhole end of the cable couples to the tool, the bend limiter having:
a chain of a plurality of bend-limiter segments, the chain of bend-limiter segments having a first end and a second end;
the chain of bend-limiter segments being bendable to form an angle between the first end and the second end and a radius of curvature of the chain;
the chain being coupled to the tool and around the cable where the cable is coupled to the tool; and
the bend-limiter segments having channels such that the chain of bend-limiter segments has a passage from the first end to the second end.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein the chain of bend-limiter segments comprise a first end and a second end; and wherein:
the chain of bend-limiter segments is bendable to form an angle between a first end and a second end.
8. The system of claim 6 wherein the bend-limiter segments comprise:
a male end having a male shape;
a female end coupled to the male end and having a cavity with a cavity shape that is complementary to the male shape with a restriction in the cavity that confines angular movement of the male shape within the cavity; and
a channel having a diameter through the male end and the female end along the longitudinal axis.