Control line protector

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a control line protector including a matrix having at least one bumper and at least one receptacle. Further disclosed herein is a method for protecting a bare control line by positioning a protector having a matrix at least one bumper and at least one receptacle configured to accept the control line.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A control line protector comprising: 
 a matrix;    at least one bumper; and    at least one receptacle dimensioned and configured to receive a separate control line.    
     
     
         2 . A control line protector as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said receptacle includes a receptacle opening.  
     
     
         3 . A control line protector as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said opening is of a dimension less than said receptacle.  
     
     
         4 . A control line protector as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said matrix includes a living hinge.  
     
     
         5 . A control line protector as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said receptacle includes a receptacle opening having an overlapping configuration when closed.  
     
     
         6 . A control line protector as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said receptacle is offset relative to a centerline of said matrix.  
     
     
         7 . A control line protector as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said matrix is polymeric.  
     
     
         8 . A control line protector as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one bumper is a cable.  
     
     
         9 . A control line protector as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said receptacle includes an adherent.  
     
     
         10 . A control line protector as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said adherent is a thermo fixed flue, an epoxy formulation and combinations including at least one of the foregoing.  
     
     
         11 . A method for protecting a bare control line comprising: 
 positioning the control line protector of  claim 1  around an exposed control line.    
     
     
         12 . A method for protecting a bare control line as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said positioning is snapping said protector on said control line.  
     
     
         13 . A method for protecting a bare control line as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said positioning comprises: 
 bending said protector to open the receptacle opening;  
 inserting said control line in said protector; and  
 releasing said protector.  
 
     
     
         14 . A method for protecting a bare control line as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said releasing includes urging said protector in a direction to close the receptacle opening.  
     
     
         15 . A method for protecting a bare control line as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said positioning is feeding the control line into the receptacle in the protector.  
     
     
         16 . A method for protecting a bare control line as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said method further includes clamping said protector to a tubular structure.  
     
     
         17 . A method for protecting a bare control line as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said protector is oriented to position the receptacle opening adjacent the tubular structure.  
     
     
         18 . A method for protecting a bare control line as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said method includes pinching said control line in said receptacle.