Ferrule--type fitting for sealing an electrical conduit in a well head

Abstract

A ferrule-type fitting for forming a fluid-tight seal between an insulated electrical conductor extending from outside a well to a wellhead barrier and a rigid tube that surrounds the electrical conductor and extends through the wellhead barrier. A tubular body fitting with an elongated opening is sized and shaped to fit around the rigid tube. The opening includes a conical counter bored section adjacent to one end for forming a gap between the body fitting and the rigid tube. The body fitting includes an outer threaded surface on at least one end. A ring-shaped ferrule bushing formed of a material softer than the material of the rigid tube, is sized and shaped to fit around the rigid tube and interface to the conical bore section within the gap. A nut fitting includes a threaded inner surface for engaging the outer threaded surface of the body fitting and a shoulder engages the ferrule bushing so that the ferrule bushing is deformed to engage and crimp the rigid tube for providing a fluid-tight seal between the inner surface of the rigid tube and the insulated electrical connection after the nut fitting is tightened onto the body fitting. The ferrule bushing does not permanently engage the rigid tube, but returns to its original shape so it can be removed from the rigid tube when the nut fitting is loosened and removed from the body fitting.