Swell set wet connect and method

Abstract

A connector including a housing, a contact, and a swellable material in operable communication with the contact and with the housing, the contact being displaceable upon swelling of the swellable material and method.

1 . A connector comprising:
 a housing;   a contact; and   a swellable material in operable communication with the contact and with the housing, the contact being displaceable upon swelling of the swellable material.   
   
   
       2 . The connector as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the contact further includes a cover thereon. 
   
   
       3 . The connector as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the cover is defeatable to allow signal propagating contact therethrough. 
   
   
       4 . The connector as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the contact is displaceable radially. 
   
   
       5 . The connector as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the connector further comprises a second contact positioned within the connector, the second contact being contactable by the contact upon swelling of the swellable material. 
   
   
       6 . The connector as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the swellable material is swellable upon exposure to water, oil, methane, and combinations including at least one of the foregoing. 
   
   
       7 . The connector as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the connector further comprises an insulator insulating the contact from the swellable material. 
   
   
       8 . A signal connection system comprising:
 a first housing having a contact;   a second housing selectively engagable with the first housing, the second housing having a second contact; and   a swellable material positioned to upon swelling, and when the first housing and the second housing are engaged, urge at least one of the contact and the second contact toward the other of the contact and the second contact.   
   
   
       9 . The signal connection system as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the swellable material is positioned to urge both of the contact and the second contact toward one another upon swelling. 
   
   
       10 . The signal connection system as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the first housing and the second housing engage when nested with one another. 
   
   
       11 . The signal connection system as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the contacts are environmentally sealed until the swellable material swells and signal propagating connection is made between the contact and the second contact. 
   
   
       12 . The signal connection system as claimed in  claim 11  wherein environmental sealing remains about the contact and the second contact post connection. 
   
   
       13 . The signal connection system as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the swellable material is dome shaped. 
   
   
       14 . The signal connection system as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the swellable material is selectively modified for enhanced wettability in selected areas. 
   
   
       15 . The signal connection system as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the swellable material is selectively reinforced. 
   
   
       16 . A method for connecting contacts in a wellbore comprising:
 nesting at least one pair of contacts;   exposing a swellable material to a condition that causes swelling of the swellable material; and   urging the contacts into connection with one another.   
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the exposing is by contacting the swellable material with a fluid to cause the swelling of the swellable material. 
   
   
       18 . The method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the urging includes defeat of an environmental cover covering at least one of the contacts.