Apparatus, systems, and methods for stretching cables and measuring cable stretch

Abstract

Systems, apparatus, and methods for stretching wireline cables are provided. Tension is applied to a wireline within an engagement zone, either while the wireline is static or moving. The tension may be stabilized using a capstan. The wireline may be heated, coated, cleaned, stabilized, bent, or combinations thereof.

1 . A system for stretching wireline cable, the system comprising:
 a cable payoff;   a cable take-up;   a cable positioner, the cable positioner positioned to engage a cable between the cable payoff and the cable take-up; and   a cable tensioner, the cable tensioner positioned to apply a tension to a cable engaged with the cable positioner.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat box positioned to heat a cable prior to entering an engagement zone of the cable positioner. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cable positioner includes:
 a locking capstan, at least one sheave, and a power capstan, wherein the at least one sheave is positioned between the power capstan and the locking capstan, and wherein the at least one sheave is coupled to the cable tensioner; or   a braking capstan, a power capstan, and at least one sheave positioned between the braking capstan and the power capstan, and wherein the braking capstan is the cable tensioner.   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the cable tensioner includes a cylinder coupled to a cylinder rod, the cylinder rod coupled to at least one sheave of the cable positioner, wherein the cylinder rod is retractable into the cylinder to pull the at least one sheave toward the cylinder, thereby stretching a cable coupled to the at least one sheave. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a tension stabilizing capstan positioned between the cable payoff and the cable positioner, wherein the tension stabilizing capstan is positioned to apply a stabilizing tension to a cable. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cable tension measurement device coupled to the cable tensioner, the cable positioner, or combinations thereof, wherein the cable tension measurement device is positioned to measure tension on a cable engaged with the cable positioner. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cable fluid applicator positioned between the cable payoff and the cable take-up, the cable fluid applicator positioned to apply a fluid onto a cable passing therethrough. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a stabilizing material applicator positioned to apply a stabilizing material to a cable prior to the cable entering an engagement zone of the cable positioner. 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a lateral force applicator positioned and arranged to apply lateral force to a cable within an engagement zone of the cable positioner. 
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A stabilized wireline cable, the stabilized wireline cable comprising:
 at least one conductor;   an insulator surrounding the at least one conductor;   an inner armor layer surrounding the insulator; and   an outer armor layer surrounding the inner armor layer;   wherein a stabilizing material is positioned to fill void spaces between the inner armor layer and the outer armor layer.   
     
     
         44 . The stabilized wireline cable material comprises grit. 
     
     
         45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A method for seasoning a cable, the method comprising applying tension to a length of cable within an engagement zone, wherein the tension is applied along a longitudinal axis of the cable. 
     
     
         47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . (canceled) 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising stabilizing tension applied to the cable using a tension stabilizing capstan positioned upstream of the engagement zone. 
     
     
         59 . (canceled) 
     
     
         60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising applying a coating to the length of cable, cleaning the length of cable, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         62 . (canceled) 
     
     
         63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the length of the cable is stretched while the length of the cable is maintained static within the engagement zone, wherein, prior to being maintained static and stretched within the engagement zone, the length of the cable is an unstretched length of cable. 
     
     
         65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . (canceled) 
     
     
         67 . (canceled) 
     
     
         68 . (canceled) 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising, prior to applying the tension to the length of cable, applying a pre-stretching tension to the length of cable using a tension stabilizing capstan. 
     
     
         70 . (canceled) 
     
     
         71 . (canceled) 
     
     
         72 . (canceled) 
     
     
         73 . (canceled) 
     
     
         74 . (canceled) 
     
     
         75 . (canceled) 
     
     
         76 . (canceled) 
     
     
         77 . (canceled) 
     
     
         78 . (canceled) 
     
     
         79 . (canceled) 
     
     
         80 . (canceled) 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising, prior to applying the tension to the cable, applying a stabilizing material to the cable. 
     
     
         82 . (canceled) 
     
     
         83 . (canceled) 
     
     
         84 . (canceled) 
     
     
         85 . (canceled) 
     
     
         86 . (canceled) 
     
     
         87 . (canceled) 
     
     
         88 . (canceled) 
     
     
         89 . (canceled) 
     
     
         90 . (canceled) 
     
     
         91 . (canceled) 
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising applying a lateral force to the cable. 
     
     
         93 . (canceled) 
     
     
         94 . (canceled) 
     
     
         95 . (canceled) 
     
     
         96 . (canceled) 
     
     
         97 . A method for stabilizing a cable, the method comprising:
 providing a pre-formed wireline cable; and   embedding a stabilizing material into the cable.   
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the stabilizing material is embedded within void space between inner and outer armor wire layers of the cable. 
     
     
         99 . (canceled) 
     
     
         100 . (canceled) 
     
     
         101 . A system for stretching wireline cable, the system comprising:
 a locking capstan or a braking capstan positioned to receive a cable; and   a power capstan positioned to receive the cable from the locking capstan or the braking capstan, wherein an engagement zone is defined between the power capstan and the locking capstan or the braking capstan.