• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    TUBULAR CONNECTOR. It is a set of ascending column of submarine tubes that connects two tubular members (41, 17) with the axial movement of an external sleeve (35). The assembly includes a first tubular member (41) that has an end (43), and a second tubular member (17) that has an end (19) with a plurality of separate female threaded end vertical struts (23) by slits (25), the second tubular member (17) coaxial with the first tubular member (41). The end (19) of the first tubular member (17) is inserted into the end (43) of the second tubular member (41). An outer sleeve (35) having an inner diameter (36) that engages an outer diameter (33) of each female threaded end vertical strut (23). The axial movement of the outer sleeve (35) relative to the vertical screwing struts of the female threaded end (23) causes the inner diameter (36) of the outer sleeve (35) to interact with the outer diameter (33) of the splitting struts vertical female-threaded end (23), thereby causing the vertical female-threaded end struts (23) to contract radially. The radial contraction of the vertical screwing struts of the female threaded end (23) secures the first tubular member (41) to the second tubular member (17) in a threaded position.
    公开号:BR102012030566B1
    申请号:R102012030566-6
    申请日:2012-11-30
    公开日:2021-02-23
    发明作者:Joseph William Pallini Jr.；Rockford Dee Lyle；Steven Matthew Wong
    申请人:Vetco Gray, Inc.；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
    [001] The present invention relates in general to the drilling and production of oil and gas wells and, in particular, to a schematic of a sliding drive connector for tubular members. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    [002] The pipe riser is a large diameter pipe used in drilling, production, export, import, mining, offshore and unsupported operations to guide pipe columns, such as drill columns or production columns, offshore platforms to and from the underwater wellhead and to provide means for circulating fluid. The tube column is lowered through the tube riser. The fluid circulates down the platform through the tube column, out through the drill bit, or other subset, and returns to the platform in the space between the inner diameter of the ascending tube column and the outer diameter of the tube column. Environmental forces caused by waves, currents, and the movement of the maritime platform, as well as internal forces caused by the weight of heavy fluids, all contribute to the substantial loads applied to the ascending column of tubes. Additionally, ascending columns of high pressure pipes, using sets of surface preventers, can be exposed to full well bore pressure. The connection between each successive joint of the riser of pipes must be able to withstand these loads.
    [003] The state of the art threads the riser column tube of tubes or joint connections with bolted flange connectors or with radially oriented screws that moves retaining dogs in and out of engagement with a profile in the riser column tube of tubes. Both of these methods require manipulation of people by placing them with a wrench or rivet tensioning device, in close proximity to the drilling cracks for extended periods of time, and increasing the level of danger of carrying out the task.
    [004] In another embodiment of the state of the art the female thread ends of the ascending column of tubes are formed with pockets and locking members positioned inside the pockets. The locking members have a profile that matches a profile at a male threaded end of the adjacent pipe riser. This set of tube risers includes a special cam ring that is driven by specialized equipment on the platform. Specialized equipment causes the cam to move the locking members to engage with the male threaded end profile to secure the tubes in the riser of tubes. These cam sets can significantly increase the cost of the platform due to increased capital costs for special equipment and more expensive tube risers. Therefore, a pipe riser joint that allows a robust connection that can be quickly screwed in without placing personnel in close proximity to the drilling slots for extended periods of time and at a lower cost of capital should be desirable.
    [005] In yet another embodiment of the state of the art, the ends of the ascending column of tubes are formed with grooves. A crimp, or split ring, may involve the ends of the riser of tubes, and a glove may involve the crimp or split ring. The sleeve will have a thread formed especially in an internal diameter that engages with a corresponding thread in an external diameter of the split or split ring. The rotation of the sleeve relative to the split or split ring radially contracts the split or split ring to couple the ends of the riser of tubes. In embodiments that use a bezel, the bezel has grooves in the inside diameter that will engage the grooves formed at the ends of the riser of tubes. In embodiments using a split ring, the radial contraction of the split ring will cause the grooves at the ends of the riser to engage. In these embodiments, one end of the riser of tubes will have grooves in a part of the outside diameter, and one end of the riser of tubes will have grooves in a part of the inner diameter. These tube riser assemblies require significant fabrication time to machine complex crimp hitch components or split ring. In addition, the strength of the riser of tubes can be limited by the strength of the crimp member, a member typically formed with a thinner sidewall and subject to higher fatigue failure rates. In addition, the screwing of these connectors still requires the worker to be close to the rotating machinery. This is a significant risk of injury to the worker. Therefore, a pipe riser joint that allows a robust connection not limited by an interposed component that can be quickly screwed without complex machined components is desirable. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
    [006] These and other problems are generally solved or circumvented, and technical advantages are generally achieved, by preferred embodiments of the present invention that provide a fast screw connector for low cost tubular members.
    [007] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a tubular connector is disclosed. The tubular connector includes a first tubular member that has a geometric axis and an end part with grooves formed in an outside diameter of the end part. The tubular connector also includes a second tubular member having an end portion with a plurality of female threaded end support struts separated by slots and grooves formed on an internal surface of the female threaded end support struts, in that the second tubular member is coaxial with the first tubular member. The grooves of the first tubular member are close to the grooves of the second tubular member when the first tubular member is inserted at the end of the second tubular member in an initial position. The tubular connector additionally includes an external sleeve arranged around the vertical support struts of the female threaded end. The axial movement of the outer sleeve relative to the female threaded end support struts causes an inner surface of the outer sleeve to slide against the outer surface of the female threaded end support struts, causing the support struts vertical female threaded end contract radially to engage with the grooves in the end portion of the second tubular member, thereby securing the first tubular member to the second tubular member in a threaded position.
    [008] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a tubular connector is disclosed. The tubular connector includes a first tubular member that has a geometric axis and a grooved end part formed in an outside diameter of the end part. The tubular connector also includes a second tubular member that has an end portion with a plurality of vertical, female threaded end support struts separated by slits, grooves formed on an internal surface of the vertical threaded end support struts female, and an arcuate surface on an external surface of the female threaded end support struts, where the second tubular member is coaxial with the first tubular member. A groove depth of the second tubular member increases when the grooves approach the end portion of the second tubular member, and a depth of the grooves of the first tubular member decrease when the grooves approach the end part of the first tubular member. The grooves of the first tubular member are close to the grooves of the second tubular member when the first tubular member is inserted at the end of the second tubular member in an initial position. The tubular connector additionally includes an external sleeve arranged around the female threaded end vertical support struts and which has a tapered internal surface. The axial movement of the outer sleeve relative to the vertical female threaded end support struts causes the conical inner surface of the outer sleeve to slide against the outer surface of the arched female threaded end support struts, causing the struts upright support of female threaded end contract radially to engage with the grooves in the end portion of the second tubular member, thereby securing the first tubular member to the second tubular member in a threaded position.
    [009] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for joining tubular members is disclosed. The method provides a first tubular member having a male threaded end, and a second tubular member having a female threaded end with outwardly inclined vertical support struts and an axially movable sleeve having an internal cam surface. The method inserts the male threaded end of the first tubular member into the female threaded end of the second tubular member to align opposite opposing grooves on the female threaded end and the male threaded end in an initial position. The method moves the sleeve on an external surface of the female threaded end axially towards the first tubular member to move the vertical threaded end supports of the female threaded end of the second tubular member inwardly to engage with the end of male thread of the first tubular member to fully engage the opposite facing grooves and secure the first tubular member to the second tubular member.
    [010] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a tubular connector is disclosed. The tubular connector includes a first tubular member having a geometrical axis and an end part with threads formed in an outer diameter of the end part, and a second tubular member having an end part with a plurality of vertical support struts of female thread end separated by slits and threads formed on an internal surface of the female thread end vertical support struts, where the second tubular member is coaxial with the first tubular member. The threads of the first tubular member are close to the threads of the second tubular member when the first tubular member is inserted at the end of the second tubular member in an initial position. An external glove is arranged around the female threaded end support struts and has an internal surface. The axial movement of the outer sleeve relative to the female threaded end support struts causes the inner surface of the outer sleeve to slide against the outer surface of the female threaded end support struts, causing the support struts vertical female thread end contract radially to engage with threads on the end part of the second tubular member. In this way the first tubular member attaches to the second tubular member in a threaded position.
    [011] An advantage of a preferred embodiment is that it provides a fast screw connector for low cost tubular members. The connector can be screwed in without a wrench or rivet tensioning device, placing personnel in close proximity to the drilling slots for shorter periods of time, and reducing the level of danger of carrying out the task. In addition, the connector can be screwed without any loop, significantly reducing the time required to screw the connection. In addition, the connection does not require extensive time for intensive multi-component machining to manufacture the pipe riser joint. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [012] So that the way in which the characteristics, advantages and objectives of the invention, as well as others that will become evident, are achieved, and can be understood in more detail, a more particular description of the invention summarized briefly above can be obtained by reference to the realizations of the same which are illustrated in the attached drawings that form a part of this specification. It should be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only one preferred embodiment of the invention and, therefore, should not be considered limiting its scope since the invention can admit other equally effective embodiments.
    [013] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an ascending column of tubes that extends between an underwater wellhead assembly and a surface platform.
    [014] Figures 2 and 3 are side section views of a joint to connect two tubulars of the ascending column of tubes in Figure 1.
    [015] Figure 4A is a sectional view of the joint in Figure 2 taken along line 4A — 4A.
    [016] Figure 4B is a sectional view of the joint in Figure 3 taken along line 4B — 4B. DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE INVENTION
    [017] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments of the invention. This invention can, however, be incorporated in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments presented in this document. Instead, these achievements are provided so that this invention is profound and complete, and that it fully conveys the scope of the invention to a person skilled in the art. Similar numbers refer to similar elements throughout the figures.
    [018] In the following discussion, several specific details are presented to provide a complete understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without these specific details. In addition, for the most part, details regarding the operation of the probe, connections of subsea assemblies, use of ascending column of tubes, and so on have been omitted since these details are not considered necessary to obtain a complete understanding of this invention, and a technician in the subject is considered to be part of the knowledge.
    [019] This document describes realizations of examples of connecting tubulars to form a column of tubulars. In Figure 1, an example of a marine platform 11 that has a submarine tube riser 13 hanging for connection with an underwater wellhead assembly 15 shown on the seabed is shown in side view. The ascending column of tubes 13 can be formed from a plurality of tubulars, for example, a lower tubular 17 and an upper tubular 41, which extend a few thousand meters between platform 11 and the subsea wellhead assembly 15. In In the embodiment of Figure 1, the riser of tubes 13 is assembled by connecting tubulars 17, 41 to a joint 18 in the manner described in more detail below.
    [020] With reference to Figure 2, a sectional view of joint 18 is shown in an initial or unscrewed position. A lower tubular 17 has a female threaded end 19 that defines a downwardly facing edge 21 in an outer diameter portion of lower tubular 17. As shown in Figure 4A, the female threaded end 19 includes a plurality of vertical support struts female-threaded end 23 having slits 25 interposed between each female-threaded end support strut 23. Slots 25 allow the female-threaded end support struts 23 to contract radially as described in more detail below. Slots 25 may be formed in any suitable manner, such as by cutting, machining, casting, or the like, and may refer to a cut, channel, opening, gap, or any other suitable opening to allow a decrease in the internal diameter female threaded end brackets 19 on female threaded end support struts 23. In the illustration there are sixteen female threaded end support vertical struts 23. One skilled in the art will understand that more or less vertical threaded support struts can be used. female thread end 23. A geometry axis 24 passes through a center of the female thread end 19.
    [021] With reference to Figure 2, the female thread end vertical support struts 23 are axially over the downward facing edge 21 and are adjacent to an upward facing edge 27 formed in the inner diameter of the lower tubular 17. The struts vertical support end of female thread 23 are inclined outward or away from the geometric axis 24. In the illustrated embodiment, a seal with optional shoulder 29 is disposed on the upward flange 27. A person skilled in the art will understand that unsealed achievements with boss 29 are contemplated and included in the revealed achievements. Each female threaded end support strut 23 has threads or grooves 31 formed in an internal diameter of the female threaded end end strut 23. The grooves 31 extend from an upper end of the female end end strut female thread 23 towards the upward facing edge 27. In the illustrated embodiment, the grooves 31 extend only partially towards the upward facing edge 27. The grooves 31 are formed on a tapered surface of the vertical threaded end support struts female 23. The grooves 31 may have an increasing depth along the length of the female threaded end support struts 23 so that the grooves 31 on one end of the female threaded end support struts 23 have a greater depth than the grooves 31 next to the upward facing edge 27. In the illustrated embodiment, the grooves 31 are parallel to each other utra and have a sawtooth shape. One skilled in the art will understand that the grooves 31 may also comprise threads adapted to engage a corresponding thread as described in more detail below.
    [022] In an initial position, shown in Figure 2, an internal diameter of each female thread end vertical support strut 23 female thread end 19 increases from the upward flange 27 to the end of each strut vertical female thread end support 23. A portion of the outer surface 33 of each female thread end vertical support strut 23 is larger than an external diameter of the female thread end 19 at the downwardly facing edge 21 in the starting position. The outer surface part 33 extends a length of each female threaded end support strut 23 approximately equal to a length of the grooves 31 in the inner diameter of each female threaded end support strut 23. Part of the outer surface 33 can taper or shrink at the upper and lower ends of part of the outer surface 33. In the illustrated embodiment, the part of the outer surface 33 is curved and generally convex having a radius R of a geometric axis 24. The radius R defines the convex shape of the part of the outer surface 33. A person skilled in the art will understand that other curvatures, tapering, or angles can be used for the outer surface part 33. For example, the outer surface part 33 may be a tapered surface with an outer diameter that increases the from a recess 20 to the end of the vertical support struts with a female threaded end 23. The recess 20 is formed in an external diameter d the female thread end vertical support struts 23 axially below the outer surface part 33. The recess 20 defines a separation between a female cylindrical end support vertical strut 23 outer diameter that extends axially over the edge facing downwards 21 and part of the outer surface 33. The recess 20 also provides a flexible part of the female threaded end support vertical struts 23 which decreases the radial resistance of the female threaded end support vertical struts 23 allowing some radial bending of the female thread end 23 vertical support struts as described in more detail below.
    [023] Continuing with reference to Figure 2, the female threaded end 19 also includes a sleeve with an outside diameter 35. The sleeve 35 includes an annular protrusion at a lower inner end of the sleeve 35 that defines an upward flange 37. A inner diameter of sleeve 35 can seal a lower end of the female thread end 19 near the downward facing edge 21 with a seal 22. A conical top inner diameter 36 of sleeve 35 decreases from a maximum inner diameter close to an upper end of the sleeve 35 for a minimum internal diameter close to the upward facing edge 37. The wall thickness of the sleeve 35 increases in a downward direction. One skilled in the art will understand that a thinning angle 38 formed by the tapered inner diameter 36 of the sleeve 35 can be any suitable angle so that the axial movement of the sleeve 35 relative to the tubular member 17 can cause sufficient radial deflection of the vertical support struts of female thread end 23 as described in more detail below. The thinning angle 38 can be formed with an annular surface parallel to the geometric axis 24. In one embodiment, the thinning angle 38 is between 1 ° and 30 °. In another embodiment, the thinning angle 38 is 4 °. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper inner diameter 36 extends from a location 39 axially spaced above the upwardly facing edge 37 to a location axially spaced below a groove 55, described in more detail below. The inner diameter of sleeve 35 is cylindrical from location 39 to the projection that forms the upward facing edge 37. The upward facing edge 37 will not be in contact with the downward facing edge 21. The inner diameter 36 of glove 35 contacts part of the outer surface 33 of each female thread end vertical support strut 23.
    [024] One skilled in the art will understand that part of the outer surface 33 can be tapered as described above. One skilled in the art will also understand that the inner diameter 36 may be tapered as illustrated in this document, or may have a convex curvature. Embodiments include part of the curved outer surface 33 paired with tapered inside diameter 36 as shown, part of the tapered outer surface 33 paired with the curved inner diameter 36, part of the curved outer surface 33 paired with the curved inner diameter 36, and part of the tapered outer surface 33 paired with tapered internal diameter 36. A person skilled in the art will understand that in each embodiment, the part of the external surface 33 will interact with the internal diameter 36 so that the axial movement of the sleeve 35 will cause the radial movement of the vertical support struts of female thread end 23.
    [025] Sleeve 35 can move axially relative to the end of female thread 19. Sleeve 35 can be moved axially by any suitable means. In one embodiment, a hydraulic drive tool capable of gripping sleeve 35 with sufficient force to prevent sliding of sleeve 35 relative to the hydraulic drive tool can be used. For example, the hydraulic drive tool can apply an axial force to sleeve 35 of approximately 500 kips. In another embodiment, the sleeve 35 may have grooves, slits, channels, or the like formed in an outer diameter of the sleeve 35. The hydraulic drive tool can engage or secure these grooves to apply an axial force to the sleeve 35 to drive the joint 18. A person skilled in the art will recognize that any suitable means of activating joint 18 by moving sleeve 35 is contemplated and included in the disclosed achievements.
    [026] The upper tubular member 41 has a male threaded end 43 which inserts into the female threaded end 19 of the lower tubular member 17. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper tubular member 41 and lower tubular member 17 are coaxial with the geometric axis 24 The male threaded end 43 has an internal diameter equivalent to the internal diameter of the lower tubular member 17 and an external diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the female threaded end 19. An end of the male threaded end 43 will reach the seal with a shoulder 29 or, alternatively, on the upward facing flange 27. An annular ring 45 is formed on an outside diameter of the male threaded end 43 and defines a downward facing edge 46. The ringed ring 45 can be moved away from the end of the threaded end male 43 so that the annular ring 45 is axially on the vertical support struts of the female thread end 23. In the illustrated embodiment, one end of the inner diameter the top of glove 35 can seal ring ring 45 with a seal 48. Glove 35 has an upper seal part 52 close to seal 48. The upper seal part 52 has a substantially cylindrical internal diameter and an axial length sufficient to permit the glove 35 to seal in the seal 48 both in the initial position and in the screwed position. The grooves 47 are formed in a part of the outside diameter of the male threaded end 43. As shown in Figure 4A, the grooves 47 are close to, but do not engage the grooves 31 when the male threaded end 43 is inserted into the support struts vertical female thread end 23 from female thread end 19 in the home position. Referring to Figure 2, the grooves 47 have a thread depth that increases extending from the male threaded end end 43 towards the annular ring 45 so that the grooves 47 can match the grooves 31. In another embodiment , the grooves 47 may comprise threads. One skilled in the art will recognize that the male threaded end 43 can be inserted into the female threaded end 19 so that the threads 31, 47 are displaced or aligned so that they can engage when the vertical threaded end support struts female 23 are moved radially to engage with male threaded end 43 as described in more detail below.
    [027] An unlocking ring 49 can be interposed between the male threaded end 43 and the sleeve 35 axially on the vertical support struts of the female threaded end 23. The unlocking ring 49 includes a protrusion 51 with an inclined surface 53 in an internal part close to the external diameter of the male threaded end 43. The inclined surface 53 can be turned out towards the sleeve 35. An external part of the unlocking ring 49 will be accommodated within a groove 55 of the sleeve 35. A groove 55 will be axially below the upper seal part 52. Therefore, the axial movement of the sleeve 35 will result in the axial movement of the unlocking ring 49. When in the initial position of Figure 2, protrusion 51 will be interposed between grooves 31 and grooves 47 , and the unlocking ring 49 will be axially spaced from the downwardly facing edge 46.
    [028] With reference to Figure 3, a screwed position of the joint 18 is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve 35 has been moved axially upwards relative to the lower tubular 17. The axial movement of the sleeve 35 relative to the lower tubular member 17 will cause that the tapered inner diameter 36 of the sleeve 35 slides along the top of the outer surface 33, acting as a cam surface. When the upper part of the outer surface 33 interacts with the inner diameter 36, a resulting inward radial force causes the vertical support struts of the female thread end 23 to contract radially inwardly engage the grooves 31 and the grooves 47, thereby securing the lower tubular member 17 to the upper tubular member 41. As shown in Figure 4B, the female thread end vertical support struts 23 flex radially inward so that grooves 47 and grooves 31 engage. Referring to Figure 3, in one embodiment, when the vertical support struts of the female thread end 23 flex radially inward, the contact angle between the outer surface part 33 and the inner diameter part 36 changes. One skilled in the art will recognize that tapering or curved ends of the outer surface part 33 allow the female threaded end support vertical struts 23 to retain the engagement with the inner diameter 36 throughout the axial movement of the sleeve 35 and radial contraction of the vertical support struts of the female threaded end 23. One skilled in the art will recognize that the angle or curvature of the ends of the outer surface part 33 can vary depending on the angle of the inner diameter 36 of the sleeve 35. Additionally, the vertical support struts of the female thread end 23 deflects a greater distance at the ends of the vertical support struts from the female thread end 23 than where the vertical support struts of the female thread end 23 join the lower tubular member 17 above the downward facing edge 21 Therefore, the increased depth of the grooves 31, 47 allows the grooves 31, 47 to be engaged along the length in slots 31, 47.
    [029] When sleeve 35 moves axially upwards, groove 55 can carry unlocking ring 49 axially upwards until the top of unlocking ring 49 is close to, but do not contact the downwardly facing edge 46. The inclined surface 53 of the release ring 49 moves up relative to the vertical support struts of the female threaded end 23 enough to allow the grooves 31 to fully engage with the grooves 47. The axial upward movement of the sleeve 35 is limited by interference between the inner diameter part 36 and the outer surface part 33 as the inner diameter part 36 decreases in diameter as it approaches location 39. In the embodiment, the upward flange 37 will not contact the downward flange 21 when in the threaded position of Figure 3. A person skilled in the art will recognize that in the non-threaded positions and other alternative embodiments, the downward facing edge 21 may contact the facing edge towards the the top 37. When the grooves 31 of the lower tubular member 17 and the grooves 47 of the upper tubular member 41 are fully engaged, the grooves 31, 47 can cause the tubular members 41, 17 to move axially towards each other, ensuring a seal on the seal with a protrusion 29 between the tubular members 41, 17.
    [030] To unlock tubular members 17, 41, sleeve 35 can move axially in the opposite direction. The axial downward movement of the sleeve 35 will cause the protrusion 51 to be inserted into the matched grooves 31, 47. Continuing the downward movement will further force the protrusion 51 between the grooves 31, 47, releasing the grooves 31 of the vertical support struts from the female thread end 23 of the grooves 47 of the male thread end 43, thereby uncoupling the lower tubular 17 from the upper tubular 41.
    [031] As shown in Figure 3, following the axial movement of the glove 35 upwards, the upper seal part 52 will extend beyond the annular ring 45. The inner cylindrical diameter of the glove 35 in the upper seal part 52 extends a length enough to keep the seal between the ring ring 45, the seal 48, and the sleeve 35.
    [032] One skilled in the art will recognize that following the engagement of the grooves 31 of the tubular member 17 with the grooves 47 of the tubular member 41, frictional forces between the part of the outer surface 33 of the vertical support struts of the female thread end 23 and the inner diameter portion 36 of the sleeve 35 will retain the engagement of the tubular 17 and tubular 41 until the sleeve 35 is actively moved to the starting position of Figure 2. In addition, a backup device of any suitable medium can be used to maintain the position axial of the sleeve 35 relative to the tubular member 17 as shown in Figure 3.
    [033] A person skilled in the art will understand that although the tubular members are referred to as a lower tubular member and an upper tubular member, it is not necessary for the members to be assembled or positioned relative to each other as shown. For example, a first tubular member having a male threaded end 43 may be axially below a second tubular member having a female threaded end 19 and the components described above. The gasket 18 can then operate generally as described above. A person skilled in the art will recognize that this positioning is contemplated and included in the revealed achievements.
    [034] Consequently, the achievements revealed provide several advantages. For example, the revealed achievements provide low cost fast screw connectors for tubular members. The connector can be screwed in without a wrench or rivet tensioning device, placing personnel in close proximity to the drilling slots for shorter periods of time, and decreasing the level of danger of carrying out the task. In addition, the connection uses a radially flexible member to generate a pre-load axial force greater than current tubular connection systems that use rotation and torque to screw.
    [035] It is understood that the present invention can take many forms and embodiments. Consequently, some achievements can be made in the above without departing from the scope of the invention. Having therefore described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the disclosed embodiments are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of achievements, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the above invention and , in some instances, some features of the present invention can be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Many of these achievements and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by a person skilled in the art based on a review of the above description of preferred achievements. Consequently, it is appropriate for the appended claims to be interpreted broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
    权利要求:
    Claims (11)
    [0001]
    1. TUBULAR CONNECTOR (18), comprising: a first tubular member (41) having a geometrical axis (24) and an end part (43) with grooves (47) formed in an outside diameter of the end part (43) ; a second tubular member (17) having an end part (19) with a plurality of vertical female threaded end support struts (23) separated by slits (25) and grooves (31) formed on an internal surface of the struts vertical support of female threaded end (23), in which the second tubular member (17) is coaxial with the first tubular member (41); characterized by comprising: a convex external surface (33) on an external side of each of the female threaded end vertical support struts (23); wherein the grooves (47) of the first tubular member (41) are close to the grooves (31) of the second tubular member (17) when the first tubular member (41) is inserted at the end (19) of the second tubular member (17) in an initial position; an external sleeve (35) arranged around the female threaded end vertical support struts (23) and which has an inner surface (36) with an annular recess engaged by the convex surfaces (33) of the vertical end support struts of female thread (23); an unlocking ring (49) interposed between the first tubular member (17) and the outer sleeve (35); and in which the axial movement of the outer sleeve (35) relative to the vertical support struts of the female threaded end (23) causes the recess on the inner surface (36) of the outer sleeve (35) to slide against the convex outer surface (33) of the female threaded end support vertical struts (35), causing the female threaded end support vertical struts (23) to contract radially to engage with the grooves (47) at the end part (43) of the second tubular member (41), so that the outer sleeve (35) seals against the first tubular member (17), thereby securing the first tubular member (17) to the second tubular member (41) in a threaded position.
    [0002]
    TUBULAR CONNECTOR (18), according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: a depth of the grooves of the second tubular member (47) that gradually increases when the grooves (47) approach the end of the second tubular member; and a depth of the grooves in the first tubular member (31) that gradually decreases when the grooves (31) approach the end of the first tubular member.
    [0003]
    3. TUBULAR CONNECTOR (18), according to claim 1, characterized by the vertical support struts of the female threaded end (23) joining in a cylindrical base of the end part (43) of the first tubular member (17) ; the female threaded end support struts (23) have a smaller wall thickness axially between the base and the grooves in the female threaded end support struts (23) to increase the flexibility of the vertical end support struts with female thread (23).
    [0004]
    4. TUBULAR CONNECTOR (18), according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a first seal (48) between the end part (43) of the first tubular member (41) and the outer sleeve (35); a second seal (22) between the end part (19) of the second tubular member (17) and the outer sleeve (35); and wherein the grooves of the first tubular member (31), the grooves of the second tubular member (17), the external convex surface (33) and the annular recess are located axially between the first and the second seals (48, 22).
    [0005]
    5. TUBULAR CONNECTOR (18), according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess has an axial dimension in excess of an axial dimension of the external convex surfaces (33) of the struts.
    [0006]
    6. TUBULAR CONNECTOR (18), according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a seal with a shoulder (29) interposed between a shoulder of the end part (43) of the first tubular member (41) and an internal lip at the end part (19) of the second tubular member (17).
    [0007]
    7. TUBULAR CONNECTOR (18), according to claim 1, characterized in that the external convex surface (33) of the vertical support struts of the female threaded end (23) is arched and has a radius of curvature with a central point located for inside the external connected surface (33).
    [0008]
    8. TUBULAR CONNECTOR (18), according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner surface (36) of the outer sleeve (35) has a conical part that joins a cylindrical part.
    [0009]
    9. TUBULAR CONNECTOR (18), according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer sleeve (35) has a wall thickness that is thinner in an area containing the recess than the part of the outer sleeve (35) that joins the recess.
    [0010]
    10. METHOD FOR JOINING TUBULAR MEMBERS (41, 17) comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first tubular member (41) that has a male threaded end (43) with grooves on an external surface thereof; (b) providing a second tubular member (17) that has a female threaded end (19) with outwardly tilted vertical support struts (23), with free ends having grooves on their internal surfaces, the free ends having convex surfaces external (33); and an axially movable sleeve (35) that has an internal cam surface (36); (c) providing an axially movable sleeve between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the sleeve (35) having an internal surface with a conical annular recess formed therein and in engagement with the external surfaces of the struts (23); characterized in that, in the unscrewed position, the sleeve (35) is moved away from the first tubular member (41) so that the recess of the sleeve allows the struts (23) of the second tubular member (17) to expand outward until the grooves in the struts (23) separate from the grooves in the male threaded end (43); and in which, in the threaded position, the sleeve (35) is moved towards the first tubular member (41) so that the recess of the sleeve interacts with the external convex surfaces of the struts (23) to move the grooves of the struts (23 ) in engagement with the grooves of the male threaded end (43); (d) insert the male threaded end (43) of the first tubular member (41) into the female threaded end (19) of the second tubular member (17) to make confronting grooves (31, 47) on the threaded end female (19) and the male threaded end (43) are close together in an initial position; and (e) moving the sleeve (35) over an external surface (33) of the female threaded end (19) axially facing the first tubular member (41) to move the female threaded end vertical support struts (23) from the female threaded end (19) of the second tubular member (17) internally for engagement with the male threaded end (43) of the first tubular member (41) to fully engage the facing grooves (47, 31) and secure the first member tubular (41) to the second tubular member (17); (f) providing an unlocking ring (49) interposed between the first tubular member (17) and the outer sleeve (35); the unlocking ring (49) having a protrusion positioned for interposition between the male threaded end (43) of the first tubular member (41) and the struts (23) of the second tubular member (17).
    [0011]
    11. METHOD according to claim 10, characterized in that step (c) additionally comprises placing a sealing lip (29) on an internal lip (27) of the second tubular member (17) so that the sealing lip (29) ) seals to a shoulder of the first tubular member (41) after the first tubular member (41) is inserted into the second tubular member (41) and the female thread end vertical support struts (23) engage the thread end male (43) in the threaded position.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    US20130140813A1|2013-06-06|
    AU2012258307B2|2017-03-16|
    US8757671B2|2014-06-24|
    CN103132927A|2013-06-05|
    CN103132927B|2017-09-15|
    GB2497193A|2013-06-05|
    GB2497193B|2014-06-11|
    NO20121346A1|2013-06-03|
    GB201221219D0|2013-01-09|
    AU2012258307A1|2013-06-20|
    NO342759B1|2018-08-06|
    MY155845A|2015-12-15|
    BR102012030566A2|2015-01-27|
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    法律状态:
    2015-01-27| B03A| Publication of a patent application or of a certificate of addition of invention [chapter 3.1 patent gazette]|
    2018-12-04| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2019-10-15| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2020-09-08| B06A| Patent application procedure suspended [chapter 6.1 patent gazette]|
    2020-12-29| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-02-23| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 30/11/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US13/310,206|2011-12-02|
    US13/310,206|US8757671B2|2011-12-02|2011-12-02|Slide actuating tubular connector|
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