Extra Low Profile Cable Protectors

Abstract

A pumping system useful for pumping fluids from a subterranean formation to a surface facility includes a first component and a second component connected to the first component with a neck flange. The pumping system further includes a motor lead cable that provides electrical power from the surface facility to the pumping system and a cable protector connected to the neck flange that secures the motor lead cable to the first and second components. The cable protector includes a first clamp section and a second clamp section. The second clamp section includes a lead cable recess that extends in a longitudinal direction along the exterior of the second clamp section and a band recess that extends in a circumferential direction along the exterior of the second clamp section. A tie or band resides in the band recess and extends around the circumference of the cable protector to secure the motor lead cable within the lead cable recess.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cable protector comprising:
 a first clamp section; and   a second clamp section, wherein the second clamp section further comprises:
 a lead cable recess that extends in a longitudinal direction along the exterior of the second clamp section; and 
 a band recess that extends in a circumferential direction along the exterior of the second clamp section. 
   
     
     
         2 . The cable protector of  claim 1 , wherein the second clamp section further comprises an auxiliary line recess that extends in a longitudinal direction along the exterior of the second clamp section. 
     
     
         3 . The cable protector of  claim 1 , wherein the band recess intersects the lead cable recess in an orthogonal manner. 
     
     
         4 . The cable protector of  claim 1 , wherein the cable protector further comprises a hinge and wherein the first clamp section and second clamp section are each attached to the hinge. 
     
     
         5 . The cable protector of  claim 4 , wherein the second clamp section comprises a latch recess and wherein the first clamp section comprises a latch projection that fits within the latch recess. 
     
     
         6 . The cable protector of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of bumpers located along the exterior of the second clamp section adjacent the auxiliary line recess. 
     
     
         7 . The cable protector of  claim 1 , further comprising a band that resides within the band recesses and extends around the circumference of the cable protector. 
     
     
         8 . A pumping system for use in pumping fluids from a subterranean formation to a surface facility, the pumping system comprising:
 a first component;   a second component connected to the first component, wherein the second component is connected to the first component with a neck flange;   a motor lead cable that provides electrical power from the surface facility to the pumping system; and   a cable protector connected to the neck flange, wherein the cable protector comprises:
 a first clamp section; and 
 a second clamp section, wherein the second clamp section further comprises:
 a lead cable recess that extends in a longitudinal direction along the exterior of the second clamp section, wherein the motor lead cable is located within the lead cable recess; 
 a band recess that extends in a circumferential direction along the exterior of the second clamp section; and 
 a band that resides in the band recess and extends around the circumference of the cable protector to secure the motor lead cable within the lead cable recess. 
 
   
     
     
         9 . The pumping system of  claim 8 , wherein the first component is a motor. 
     
     
         10 . The pumping system of  claim 9 , wherein the second component is selected from the group consisting of motors, pumps and seal sections. 
     
     
         11 . The pumping system of  claim 8 , further comprising auxiliary lines that extends from the surface facility to the pumping system. 
     
     
         12 . The pumping system of  claim 11 , wherein the cable protector further comprises:
 an auxiliary line recess that extends in a longitudinal direction along the exterior of the second clamp section; and   wherein the auxiliary lines resides within the auxiliary line recess.   
     
     
         13 . The pumping system of  claim 8 , wherein the band recess intersects the lead cable recess in an orthogonal manner. 
     
     
         14 . The pumping system of  claim 8 , wherein the cable protector further comprises a hinge and wherein the first clamp section and second clamp section are each attached to the hinge. 
     
     
         15 . The pumping system of  claim 14 , wherein the cable protector of  claim 4 , wherein the second clamp section comprises a latch recess and wherein the first clamp section comprises a latch projection that fits within the latch recess. 
     
     
         16 . The pumping system of  claim 8 , wherein the cable protector further comprises a plurality of bumpers located along the exterior of the second clamp section adjacent the auxiliary line recess. 
     
     
         17 . A pumping system for use in pumping fluids from a subterranean formation to a surface facility, the pumping system comprising:
 a first component;   a second component connected to the first component, wherein the second component is connected to the first component with a neck flange;   a third component connected to the second component, wherein the third component is connected to the second component with a neck flange;   a motor lead cable that provides electrical power from the surface facility to the pumping system; and   a first cable protector connected to the neck flange between the first and second components, wherein the first cable protector comprises:
 a first clamp section; and 
 a second clamp section, wherein the second clamp section further comprises:
 a lead cable recess that extends in a longitudinal direction along the exterior of the second clamp section, wherein the motor lead cable is located within the lead cable recess; 
 a band recess that extends in a circumferential direction along the exterior of the second clamp section; and 
 a band that resides in the band recess and extends around the circumference of the cable protector to secure the motor lead cable within the lead cable recess; and 
 
   a second cable protector connected to the neck flange between the second and third components, wherein the second cable protector comprises:
 a first clamp section; and 
 a second clamp section, wherein the second clamp section further comprises:
 a lead cable recess that extends in a longitudinal direction along the exterior of the second clamp section, wherein the motor lead cable is located within the lead cable recess; 
 a band recess that extends in a circumferential direction along the exterior of the second clamp section; and 
 a band that resides in the band recess and extends around the circumference of the cable protector to secure the motor lead cable within the lead cable recess. 
 
   
     
     
         18 . The pumping system of  claim 17 , wherein the first component is selected from the group consisting of motors, pumps and seal sections. 
     
     
         19 . The pumping system of  claim 18 , wherein the second component is selected from the group consisting of motors, pumps and seal sections. 
     
     
         20 . The pumping system of  claim 19 , wherein the third component is selected from the group consisting of motors, pumps and seal sections.