Hammerless Flow Coupler and Method of Use

Abstract

An improved fluid conduit union and method for hammerless attachment apparatus for hammerless coupling the ends of abutting fluid conduits, such as pipe, hoses, or attachment fitting conduits, comprising a ring-shaped conduit receptacle assembly threadedly engaged and fixed on a female fitting at one conduit end and a cylindrical ring-shaped locking assembly positioned around a male fitting at the other conduit end. The ring-shaped locking assembly has a lock ring positionable by a rotatable locking ring nut threadedly engaging the ring-shaped conduit receptacle. Rotation of the locking ring nut translates the lock ring against the male fitting and firmly seats the male fitting at one conduit end to the female fitting at the other conduit end where they are locked in place, all without rotation of either fluid conduit.

Description

PRIORITY

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/197,503 entitled Method And Apparatus For Connecting Conduit filed Aug. 3, 2011 which claim the benefit of U.S. provisional application entitled Method and Apparatus for Connecting Conduit Quickly and Without Tools bearing Ser. No. 61/370,568 filed Aug. 4, 2010, the content of which is incorporated by reference and for which priority is claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to connections for fluid conduits and more particularly to an adjustable coupler or hammerless union for connecting fluid conduits.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oil and gas well completion operations require that fluid conduit, such as loading arms, hoses, pipe, tubing, casing, flanges and hubs, be connected together. These conduit connections may be permanent or temporary depending upon the purpose for which the conduit will be used. A variety of connection devices are used for connecting such conduit and a variety of factors contribute to their relative effectiveness. These factors include the speed associated with making the connection, the required integrity of the conduit connection, whether the connection is permanent or temporary, the necessity for and availability of connection tools, and the concern for the safety and wellbeing of the workers, the well, and the associated well equipment. These various factors, together and separately, may contribute to increased rig use time and as result increase the cost of well operations.

In the Oil and Gas industry it is common practice to make up or couple threaded pipe or other tubular fluid conduit with threaded unions to provide extended strings of pipe, tubing, hoses, and the like. A typical threaded union may have only 3 to 4 threads per inch to increase the speed of threading and less turning of the union components. Particularly when the fluid conduit is piping, hose, or auxiliary components used to transfer, treat, or contain fluid, gas, vapor, sludge, chemicals, in or around oilfield and industrial locations, connections are often made up and broken down with threaded winged or lugged hammer unions that fit together and seal by means of a swivel nut turned with the blows of heavy hammers, such as sledgehammers with hardened steel heads weighing as much as 20 lbs., that are wielded by hand. When making such connections with these hammers it is often difficult to achieve or verify the torque required or desired for effectively mating the components of the threaded wing or hammer unions.

The use of hand hammers is among the top causes of job injuries in the oilfield industry. Swinging a hammer or striking or dropping a hammer against one's self or others can cause muscle strains, pinch points, or other physical harm to a worker. This danger is readily apparent when making or breaking a hammer union conduit connection requires a worker to apply repeated sledgehammer blows to the wing or lug face of the hammer union when workers are in close proximity to each other as when workers are holding the conduit being connected or disconnected.

Further, a conduit, hose, or pipe unions are often assembled or broken down in areas or locations where flammable fumes may permeate the air. Striking the surface of a wing or lug of a union connector, may create sparks which could ignite such flammable fumes creating the potential for explosions and fires that may expose the worker to severe burns or even death as well as extensive property damage to the location.

As an alternative to hammer unions, some threaded unions of fluid conduit are made up and broken down by manually operable tongs. These tongs typically have a handle and jaw members that are used grip and turn a nut, swivel, or another threaded connection component of the threaded union. The torque or moment force used to turn the threaded connection components of the threaded union to make up or break out of the threaded joint is created by the force applied to the jaws by tong handle. When the union connection joint is completed, the jaws of the tongs are opened to permit their removal from around the conduit pipe and the threaded union creating the connection joint. Often the moment force or torque applied to the threaded union by the tong jaws is not sufficient to adequately seal the conduit ends together which may result in leaks or cause the conduit to decouple under pressure.

Consequently, a need exists for an improved fluid conduit connecting apparatus and method that will reduce the time to make conduit connections, reduce conduit sealing problems, and reduce the risk of harm for the workers and the risk of damage to the work site location and equipment. The use of such a device will correspondingly enhance worksite safety and reduce the cost and expenses typically associated with the conduit connecting devices and methods currently utilized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved connection union for fluid conduits to satisfy the aforementioned needs. When installed the improved connection union and method provides a fluid conduit union that is mechanical locked at a predetermined torque requirement without the use of a hammer and without rotation of the pipe string.

A first embodiment of the improved connection union is comprised of a ring-shaped locking assembly for receiving and threadedly securing a first section of fluid conduit such as pipe, hose, or threaded conduit and a cylindrical ring-shaped conduit receptacle assembly threadedly coupled to a radially flanged second section of fluid conduit such as pipe, hose, or other similar threaded conduit fitting. The ring-shaped locking assembly is comprised of an L-shaped locking ring nut having a radially extending flange, the L-shaped locking ring nut being configured to receive and encircle a corresponding radially flanged lock ring around the first fluid conduit section to be coupled, and a set of external ring threads. The cylindrical receptacle assembly has a first set of internal threads, configured to threadedly mate with a correspondingly set of external threads on the second section of fluid conduit to be coupled, and second set of internal threads to threadedly mate with the set of external threads on the L-shaped locking ring nut.

The first embodiment of the improved connection union is utilized by receiving and encircling the first fluid conduit section with the lock ring and the L-shaped locking ring nut so that the lock ring is positioned between the first fluid conduit section and the L-shaped locking ring nut with the long ring radial flange in a position adjacent to the radial flange of the first fluid conduit section; threadedly mating and securing the first set of internal threads of the cylindrical conduit receptacle with the external threads of the second fluid conduit section; and mating the second set of internal threads of the cylindrical conduit receptacle with the external threads on the L-shaped locking ring nut. Once the L-shaped locking ring nut is threadedly mated with the second set of internal threads of the cylindrical receptacle assembly, the L-shaped locking ring nut is threadedly tightened on the second set of internal threads of the cylindrical conduit receptacle to a desired torque to securely abut the locking ring flange against the radial flange of the first fluid conduit section thereby connecting the first fluid conduit section to the second fluid conduit section to complete the pipe union.

The radial extending flange of the L-shaped locking ring nut of the first embodiment of the improved connection union may be provided with a plurality of threadedly connected, radially extending set screws. After the locking ring is secured against the radial flange of the first fluid conduit section by the L-shaped locking ring nut, the radially extending set screws may be inserted and tightened to fixedly hold the L-shaped locking ring nut in threaded engagement with the first fluid conduit segment.

A second embodiment of the improved connection union is comprised of a ring-shaped locking assembly for receiving and threadedly securing a first section of fluid conduit and a cylindrical conduit receptacle assembly threadedly coupled to a radially flanged second section of fluid conduit. In this second embodiment, the ring-shaped locking assembly is comprised of an L-shaped locking ring nut having a radially extending flange configured to receive and encircle a corresponding radially flanged lock ring around the first fluid conduit section and a set of external ring threads and a second or backup locking ring nut assembly also having a set of external ring threads. The flange lock ring is provided with a set of external ring threads configured to threadedly engage with the internal threads of the L-shaped locking ring nut and second or backup locking ring nut threadedly engage on the cylindrical conduit receptacle assembly to securely abut the locking ring flange against the radial flange of the first fluid conduit section to hold the first and second fluid conduits together. Radial set screws on the L-shaped locking ring nut and the backup locking ring nut may be provided to further secure these locking nuts in a desired position.

In a third embodiment of the improved connection union, an alternate embodiment of the locking ring nut is provided. In this third embodiment a locking ring assembly having a locking ring nut with a plurality of equally spaced key slots on its outer radial surface may be provided. These key slots are configured to mate with a rotatable key rotatably positionable on the receptacle assembly. Rotation of the rotatable key will engage the key with the key slots of the locking ring nut and rotate the locking ring nut on the internal threads of the cylindrical receptacle to secure the radially flanged lock ring against the radial flange of the first fluid conduit segment. Alternatively, in a fourth embodiment of the improved connection union the locking ring nut of the locking ring assembly may be provided with a plurality of equally spaced key slots on its outer radial surface configured to engage with a rotating worm gear. The interaction of the worm gear with the key slots will rotate the locking ring nut on the internal threads of the cylindrical receptacle to secure the radially flanged lock ring against the radial flange of the first fluid conduit segment.

In a fifth embodiment of the improved connection union, a locking ring assembly retaining a translatable ring lock is positioned a first fluid conduit attachment fitting. The locking ring has a recessed internal cavity and ringed opening with a scalloped border. A rotatable locking nut or collar having an outer radially extending alternately scalloped flanged surface is threadedly fitted with a second fluid conduit attachment fitting. The alternately scalloped flanged surfaces of the locking nut or collar on the second fluid conduit attachment are configured to be received within the recessed cavity of the locking ring on the first fluid conduit attachment fitting. Rotation of locking ring will align the scalloped border of the locking ring with the scalloped flanged surfaces of the locking nut or collar to hold the locking nut or collar within the recessed internal cavity of the locking ring. A plurality of longitudinally oriented bolts are then inserted in the scalloped border of the locking ring and the scalloped flanged surfaces of the locking nut or collar and tightened to translate the locking ring and the retained lock ring toward the locking nut or collar drawing the first fluid conduit attachment fitting toward second fluid conduit attachment fitting where the fittings are abutted complete the conduit connection without the use of a hammer. A disk spring may be provided between the locking ring and the locking nut or collar to enhance the bond between the abutting fluid conduit fittings.

In a sixth embodiment of the improved connection union, an alternate embodiment of the locking ring is provided. In this sixth embodiment a locking ring assembly having a plurality of rotatable gears with a plurality of equally spaced offset teeth may be provided for rotation of the teeth into slots on the outer radial surface of the locking ring. These teeth slots are configured to mate with the offset teeth of the rotatable gears and provide resistance upon the receptacle assembly without a risk of the gear teeth slipping upon the outer radial surface of the locking ring. As the internal threads of the receptacle assembly are rotated upon the external threads of the first conduit segment, the L-shaped locking ring will be driven against the flange of the second conduit segment for fixed engagement of the flange with the flange seat of the first conduit segment. Rotation of the rotatable gears will engage the teeth with the slots of the locking ring and hold the locking ring upon the radial flange of the first fluid conduit segment to lock the receptacle assembly in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the first embodiment of the improved connection union of Applicant's invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section view of the improved connection union shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the improved connection union of Applicant's invention.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-section view of the improved connection union shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of third embodiment of the improved connection union implementing a means for rotating a locking ring nut for retaining a connection to a pipe collar.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 show various views of a fourth embodiment of the improved connection union of Applicant's invention.

FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and 12 show various views of a fifth embodiment of the improved connection union of Applicant's invention.

FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 show various views of a sixth embodiment of the improved connection union of Applicant's invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the improved fluid conduit union 100 is illustrated for hammerless attachment of a first fluid conduit 20 having a through-bore 114 to a second fluid conduit 30 having a through-bore 115. In this embodiment fluid conduit 20 has a male end attachment fitting such as male hammer union sub 113 that has a conically configured stabbing surface 136 forming a radially extending beveled flange 150 and fluid conduit 30 has an externally threaded attachment fitting such as female hammer union sub 112 that has a conically shaped receiving surface 152 with a beveled interior flange seat 135 configured to receive and mate with the beveled flange 150 of sub 113. Fluid conduits 20 and 30 may be a pipe, hose, or other similar conduit having end attachment fittings such as sub 113 and sub 112.

The union 100 includes a cylindrical ring-shaped conduit receptacle assembly 116 configured for threadedly engaging sub 112 of conduit 30 and a cylindrical ring-shaped locking assembly 118 for fixedly engaging sub 113 of conduit 20. The receptacle assembly 116 and locking assembly 118 may be sized as desired for attachment to desired variously sized fluid conduit attachment fittings shown as subs 112 and 113.

Ring-shaped locking assembly 118 is comprised of an L-shaped locking ring nut 119 that has a ring segment 121 and a radially extending flange 123. The ring segment 121 has a plurality of external threads 133 and is configured to receive and encircle a corresponding slideably translatable lock ring 120 around sub 113 of first conduit 20. Cylindrical ring-shaped receptacle assembly 116 has a first plurality of internal threads 130 that are configured to threadedly correspond and mate with a plurality of external threads 131 around sub 112 of the second fluid conduit 30 and a second set of internal threads 132 that threadedly mate with external threads 133 on ring segment 121 of L-shaped locking ring nut 119.

Lock ring 120 is a cylindrical ring that engages with ring segment 121 of the locking nut 119, such as by a radially extending flange or abutment head 126 on lock ring 120. The engagement of lock ring 120 with ring segment 121 of locking nut 119 allows the flange lock ring 120 to be translated or slideably positioned as locking nut 119 is moved inward on the receptacle assembly 116 by rotational engagement of the external threads 133 of locking ring nut 119 with the internal threads 132 of the receptacle assembly 116.

The union 100 is used to make up a connection of conduit 20 having sub 113 with conduit 30 having sub 112. This is accomplished by positioning ring segment 121 of locking ring nut 119 of the ring-shaped locking assembly 118 around flange lock ring 120 and positioning both the lock ring 120 and the locking ring nut 119 around sub 113 with the abutment head 126 of lock ring 120 positioned to abut flange 150 of sub 113; fixing receptacle assembly 116 on sub 112 by rotating cylindrical ring-shaped receptacle assembly 116 and engaging internal threads 130 of receptacle assembly 116 with external threads 131 on sub 113; and translating the locking assembly 118 with the fitted sub 113 on cylindrical ring-shaped receptacle assembly 116 by rotating locking ring nut 119 and engaging external threads 133 of ring segment 121 with the internal threads 132 of receptacle assembly 116 to translate locking ring nut 119 and slide lock ring 120 inward into receptacle 116 against flange 150 at stabbing end 136 of sub 113; and further rotating locking ring nut 119 to drive lock ring against flange 150 thereby firmly seating flange 150 against flange seat 135 on receiving surface 152 of sub 112. Firmly seating flange 150 on flange seat 135 will allow fluid flow between through-bore 114 of fluid conduit 20 through-bore 115 of fluid conduit 30.

When union 100 is used to make up a connection of conduit 20 having sub 113 with conduit 30 having sub 112 as described, there is no need for rotating fluid conduit 20 and sub 113 or fluid conduit 30 and sub 112. Only the receptacle assembly 116 and the flange ring nut 119 need be rotated to make up the connection with union 100.

Seals between abutting surfaces of the components of the union 100 may be provided to prevent fluid or pressure leaks at the connection surfaces. For instance a resilient seal such as an O-ring seal (not shown) may be provided between locking ring nut 119 and receptacle 116 around the flange 150 of sub 113 and within receiving surface 152 of sub 112. These seals will be compressed by rotation of locking ring nut 119 of lock assembly 118 and engagement of external threads 133 with the internal threads 132 of receptacle 116 to provide seal against loss of fluids and pressure in the union 100.

It is thought that flange 150 of sub 113 will be tightly fitted on flange seat 135 of sub 113 to avoid leaks and loss of fluid and pressure at union 100. This is accomplished by applying torque sufficient to rotate receptacle assembly 116 to firmly hold on sub 112 and applying torque sufficient to rotate locking ring nut 119 to slidably position lock ring 120 to firmly seat flange 150 of sub 113 on flange seat 135 of sub 113.

A torque wrench should be utilized to verify that sufficient torque is applied to the receptacle assembly 116 and the locking ring nut 119 to firmly seat flange 150 of sub 113 on flange seat 135 of sub 113. It is thought that a torque wrench having a wrench head comprised of attachment straps, attachment links, or another suitable mechanism to grip the locking ring nut 119 and the receptacle assembly 116 will be provided when making up the union 100. The wrench described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,064 for a “Hand Tong Having Tactile Torque Indication” is thought to be sufficient to verify that the torque applied to the receptacle assembly 116 and the locking ring nut 119 is sufficient to firmly seat flange 150 on flange seat 135 to make up the connection with union 100. A backup wrench may also be provided to prevent rotation of fluid conduits 20 and 30 as the locking ring nut 199 and receptacle assembly 116 are rotated.

To insure a firm grip with the torque wrench head for rotating locking ring nut 199 and receptacle assembly 116 these rotating components may be provided with a means for enhancing the grip of the torque wrench head. One means for enhancing the grip of the torque wrench head is providing a gripping surface on the outer radial surfaces of locking ring nut 199 and receptacle assembly 116 to enhance the connection of a wrench head strap. Another means for enhancing the grip of the torque wrench head is providing a plurality of rotation holes or recesses on the outer radial surfaces of locking ring nut 199 and receptacle assembly 116, such as a plurality of rotation holes 124 shown on receptacle assembly 116, for engaging a stud or gripping knob on a torque wrench head. The rotation holes 124 and torque wrench will allow the locking ring nut 199 to be tightened to a desired predetermined torque.

To insure that the locking ring nut 119 and the receptacle assembly 116 remain in place after the seating torque is verified, these rotating components may be provided with a plurality of threaded set screw holes for engaging corresponding threaded set screws, such as threaded holes 122 and set screws 128 shown on locking nut ring 119 of locking assembly 118 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Once the receptacle 116 and the locking ring nut 119 of locking assembly 118 are tightened to a predetermined torque requirement, the set screws 128 may be tightened upon flange lock 120 by rotating the set screws 128 in the threaded set screw holes 122. Rotation of fastening hole may be achieved through use of a hex wrench, Allen wrench, or any other bolt or screw driving means conventional in the art. A torque wrench or torque driver may be utilized provide a predetermined setting torque to insure the set screws are properly fitted against the flange lock 120 to guard against its movement.

Use of the union 100 in the described manner provides a hamnmerless union of adjoining fluid conduits 20 and 30 and provides for fluid flow through the union 100. The union 100 may be readily disassembled by reversing the described connection steps to disconnect fluid conduits 20 and 30 when their connection is no longer required.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a second embodiment of improved fluid conduit union is shown as union 200 for hammerless attachment of first fluid conduit 20 having an attachment sub 113 and a through-bore 114 and to second fluid conduit 30 having an attachment sub 112 and a through-bore 115, all as previous described for the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The union 200 includes a cylindrical receptacle assembly 216 configured for threadedly engaging the female pipe sub 112 of fluid conduit 30 and a cylindrical ring-shaped locking assembly 218 for fixed engagement with attachment sub 113 of fluid conduit 20.

Ring-shaped locking assembly 218 is comprised of an L-shaped locking ring nut 219 that has a ring segment 221 and a radially extending flange 223. The ring segment 121 has a plurality of external threads 233 and a plurality of internal threads 245. The cylindrical ring-shaped receptacle assembly 216 has a first plurality of internal threads 230 that are configured to threadedly correspond and mate with a plurality of external threads 131 around sub 112 of the second fluid conduit 30 and a second set of internal threads 232 that threadedly mate with external threads 233 on ring segment 221 of L-shaped locking ring nut 219. The L-shaped locking ring nut 219 is translated on the receptacle assembly 216 by rotational engagement of the external threads 233 on ring segment 221 with the internal threads 232 on the receptacle assembly 216. The internal threads 230 of the receptacle assembly 116 can be configured to accommodate any thread variation including the threads of Chiksan® swivel joints and a variety of other attachment fittings for hose, pipe, tubing, casing, and the like.

Ring-shaped locking assembly 218 is further comprised of a translatable lock ring 220 and a secondary locking ring nut 250. Lock ring 240 is configured to be positioned around sub 113 of first conduit 20 and has external flange threads 243 to correspondingly engage with internal threads 245 on the ring segment 221 of the L-shaped locking ring nut 219. Lock rock 240 may be provided with a radially extending flange or abutment head 242 for abutting against flange 150 of sub 113. The secondary locking ring nut 250 has a plurality of internal threads 241 configured for threadable engagement with the external threads 243 of lock ring 240 and internal threads 245 on ring segment 221 of L-shaped locking assembly 218.

The union 200 is used to make up a connection of conduit 20 having sub 113 with conduit 30 having sub 112. This is accomplished by threadedly engaging the internal threads 245 of ring segment 221 of locking ring nut 219 of the ring-shaped locking assembly 218 with the external threads 243 of lock ring 220 and positioning both the lock ring 220 and the locking ring nut 219 around sub 113 with the abutment head 242 of lock ring 220 positioned to abut flange 150 of sub 113; fixing receptacle assembly 216 on sub 112 by rotating cylindrical ring-shaped receptacle assembly 216 and engaging internal threads 230 of receptacle assembly 116 with external threads 131 on sub 113; and translating the locking assembly 218 with the fitted sub 113 on the cylindrical ring-shaped receptacle assembly 216 by rotating locking ring nut 219 and engaging external threads 233 of ring segment 221 with the internal threads 232 of receptacle assembly 216 to move the locking assembly 218 and the lock ring 220 against the flange 150 of sub 113 at stabbing end 136 so that the flange 150 is driven against and firmly seated on flange seat 135 on receiving surface 152 of sub 112. Flange 150 of sub 113 is then secured in a fixed position against flange seat 135 of sub 112 by threadedly engaging internal threads 241 of secondary locking ring nut 250 onto the external threads 243 of lock ring 240. Secondary locking ring nut 240 takes the set screws 122 to maintain flange 150 firmly seated on flange seat 135 allow fluid flow between through-bore 114 of fluid conduit 20 and through-bore 115 of fluid conduit 30.

The union 200 may be readily disassembled by reversing the described connection steps to disconnect fluid conduits 20 and 30 when their connection is no longer required.

When union 200 is used to make up a connection of conduit 20 having sub 113 with conduit 30 having sub 112 as described, there is no need for rotating fluid conduit 20 and sub 113 or fluid conduit 30 and sub 112. Only the receptacle assembly 216, flange ring nut 219, and secondary locking ring nut 250 need be rotated to make up the connection with union 200.

As with the embodiment described in FIGS. 1 and 2, seals such as O-ring seals positioned between abutting surfaces of the components of the union 200 may be provided to prevent fluid or pressure leaks at the connecting surfaces and a torque wrench should be utilized to verify that sufficient torque is applied to the receptacle assembly 216 and to locking ring nut 219 and secondary locking ring nut 250 to firmly seat flange 150 of sub 113 on flange seat 135 of sub 113.

The rotating components of union 200, i.e. receptacle assembly 216, locking ring nut 219, and secondary locking ring nut 250, may also be provided with means for enhancing the grip of the torque wrench head, such as by providing a knurled, checkered, or abraded surface on the outer radial surfaces of these rotating components, or by providing the rotating components with a plurality of rotation holes 224 for engaging a stud or gripping knob on a torque wrench head.

Again, a torque wrench having a wrench head comprised of attachment straps, attachment links, or another suitable gripping mechanism such as the wrench describe in U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,064 for a “Hand Tong Having Tactile Torque Indication” and a suitable backup wrench, if necessary, could be utilized to verify that the sufficient torque applied to the rotating components of union 200.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a third embodiment of the improved fluid conduit union is shown as union 300 for hammerless attachment of first fluid conduit 20 having an attachment sub 113 and a through-bore 114 and to second fluid conduit 30 having an attachment sub 112 and a through-bore 115 as previously described for the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The union 300 includes a cylindrical ring-shaped conduit receptacle assembly 116 configured for threadedly engaging sub 112 of conduit 30 and a cylindrical ring-shaped locking assembly 318 for fixedly engaging sub 113 of conduit 20. The receptacle assembly 316 and locking assembly 318 may be sized as desired for attachment to desired variously sized fluid conduit attachment fittings shown as subs 112 and 113.

The ring-shaped locking assembly 318 is configured with an L-shaped locking ring nut 319 that has a ring segment and a radially extending flange 323 with a plurality of external threads configured to receive and encircle a corresponding slideably translatable lock ring 320 around sub 113 of first conduit 20. The cylindrical ring-shaped receptacle assembly 316 has a first plurality of internal threads that are configured to threadedly correspond and mate with a plurality of external threads around sub 112 of the second fluid conduit 30 and a second set of internal threads that threadedly mate with external threads on the ring segment of L-shaped locking ring nut 319. Each of these components union 300 are configured in the same relationship as their corresponding components shown and described for the embodiment of union 100 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Union 300 differs from union 100 and union 200 previously described in that the radially extending flange 323 of the L-shaped locking ring nut 319 is provided with a plurality of equally spaced key slots 324 on its outer radial surface. These key slots 324 are configured to mate with the radially protruding teeth 351 of a rotatable key 322 that may be rotatably positioned in a key guide 353 on the side of the ring-shaped receptacle assembly 316. The rotation of the rotatable key 322 will engage the protruding key teeth 351 with the key slots 324 on the locking ring nut 319 and rotate locking ring nut 119 on the internal threads of the cylindrical receptacle 316 so that lock ring 320 is driven against flange 150 at stabbing end 136 of sub 113 to firmly seat flange 150 against flange seat 135 on receiving surface 152 of sub 112.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, a fourth embodiment of the improved fluid conduit union is shown as union 400 for hammerless attachment of first fluid conduit 20 having an attachment sub 113 and a through-bore 114 and second fluid conduit 30 having an attachment sub 112 and a through-bore 115. Only the components necessary to show the differences between union 300 depicted in FIG. 5 and union 400 are shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.

Union 400 has a ring-shaped locking assembly 418 configured with an L-shaped locking ring nut 419 that has a ring segment 421 and a radially extending flange 423 with a plurality of external threads configured to receive and encircle a corresponding slideably translatable lock ring 420 around sub 113 of first conduit 20. The cylindrical ring-shaped receptacle assembly around sub 112 of the second fluid conduit 30 is not shown. Each of these components union 400 are configured in the same relationship as their corresponding components shown and described for the embodiment of union 100 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 and union 300 depicted in FIG. 5.

Union 400 differs from union 300 only in that the radially extending flange 423 of the L-shaped locking ring nut 419 is provided with a plurality of equally spaced diagonally oriented slots 424 on its outer radial surface. The slots 424 are configured to mate with the protruding teeth 451 of a rotatable worm gear 422. The interaction of the worm gear 422 with the key slots 424 will rotate the locking ring nut 419 on the internal threads of the cylindrical receptacle to secure the radial flange 426 of lock ring 424 against the radial flange 150 of the sub 113 to firmly seat flange 150 on the flange seat 135 of sub 112 of fluid conduit 30.

It is understood that union 300 and union 400 will be assembled to complete a connection of fluid conduits 20 and 30 in the same manner as that described for union 100 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 except for the rotatable components of union 300 may be rotated by means of key 322 in slots 324 and the rotatable components of union 400 by means of worm gear 422 and slots 424. Unions 300 and 400 may be dissembled to break the connection of fluid conduits 20 and 30 by reversing the connecting steps.

As previously described union 300 and union 40 may be provided with seals such as O-ring seals positioned between abutting component surfaces to prevent fluid or pressure leaks at the connection surface and a torque wrench as previously described should be utilized to verify that sufficient torque is applied to the rotating components of union 300 and union 400 to firmly seat flange 150 of sub 113 on flange seat 135 of sub 113. The rotating components of union 300 and union 400 may also be provided with means for enhancing the grip of the torque wrench head such as by providing a knurled, checkered or abraded surface on the outer radial surfaces of these rotating components or by providing with a plurality of rotation holes as previously described for engaging a stud or gripping knob on a torque wrench head.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 through 12, a fifth embodiment of the improved fluid conduit union is shown as union 500 for hammerless attachment of first fluid conduit 20 having a male attachment sub 113 and a through-bore 114 and to second fluid conduit 30 having a female attachment sub 112 and a through-bore 115. Union 500 includes a cylindrical receptacle 516 configured for threadedly engaging the female pipe sub 112 and a cylindrical locking ring nut assembly 518 for receiving cylindrical ring-shaped receptacle assembly 516 to hold male sub 113 against female pipe sub 112.

The cylindrical locking ring nut assembly 518 has an internal cavity ring segment 517, an attachment face 525 with an opening 514 defined by an edge 513 creating equally spaced inward scallops 523, and an internally extending radial flange 515. The receptacle assembly 516 has a outwardly extending radial flange 511 defined by edge 517 creating a plurality of equally spaced outward scallops 527 configured to be received between the inward scallops 523 around the edge 523 of the locking ring nut assembly 518 and a plurality of internal threads 530 that are configured to threadedly correspond and mate with the plurality of external threads 131 around sub 112 of the second fluid conduit 30. The internal threads 530 of receptacle assembly 516 can be configured to accommodate any thread variation including the threads of Chiksan® swivel joints and a variety of other attachment fittings for hose, pipe, tubing, casing, and the like.

Each of the outward scallops 527 of the receptacle assembly 516 has a bolt hole 521a that corresponds with a bolt hole 521b on each of the inward scallops 523 of the locking ring nut assembly 518. Bolts 522 are provided for threaded engagement with bolt holes 521a and 521b. The internally extending radial flange 515 of locking ring nut assembly 518 is configured to abut the radial flange 526 of a lock ring 520 positioned around sub 113 of first conduit 20. A disc spring washer 550 is provided for placement between the locking ring nut assembly 518 and the receptacle assembly 516. Compression of the disc spring washer will apply additional tension attachment bolts 522 to assist in drawing the locking ring nut assembly 118 toward the receptacle assembly 116.

The union 500 is used to make up a connection of conduit 20 having sub 113 with conduit 30 having sub 112. This is connection is accomplished by positioning both the lock ring 520 and ring-shaped locking assembly 518 around sub 113 with the radial flange 515 adjacent abutment head 526 of lock ring 520; fixing receptacle assembly 516 on sub 112 by rotating cylindrical ring-shaped receptacle assembly 516 and engaging internal threads 530 of receptacle assembly 516 with external threads 131 on sub 113; placing disc spring washer 550 within the internal cavity ring segment 517 adjacent locking ring nut assembly 518 with the fitted sub 113; placing the cylindrical ring-shaped receptacle assembly 516 adjacent disc spring washer 550 within the internal cavity ring segment 517 of locking ring nut assembly 518 by inserting the outward scallops 527 of receptacle assembly 516 between the inward scallops 523 of the locking ring nut assembly 518; rotating the locking ring nut assembly 518 so that the bolt holes 521b on inward scallops 523 are aligned with bolt holes 521a on outward scallops 527 of receptacle assembly 516; placing bolts 522 to engage with bolt holes 521a and 521b, and turning bolts 522 within bolt holes 521a and 521b to translate the locking ring nut assembly 518 and draw the lock ring 520 against flange 150 of sub 113 at stabbing end 136 until flange 150 is firmly seated on flange seat 135 on receiving surface 152 of sub 112. Flange 150 of sub 113 is then secured in a fixed position against flange seat 135 of sub 112 to allow fluid flow between through-bore 114 of fluid conduit 20 and through-bore 115 of fluid conduit 30.

When union 500 is used to make up a connection of conduit 20 having sub 113 with conduit 30 having sub 112 as described, there is no need for rotating fluid conduit 20 and sub 113 or fluid conduit 30 and sub 112. Only the locking ring nut assembly 518 is rotated to make up the connection with union 500.

The union 500 may be readily disassembled by reversing the described connection steps in order to disconnect fluid conduits 20 and 30 when their connection is no longer required.

As described in the prior embodiments, seals such as O-ring seals positioned between abutting surfaces of the components of union 500 may be provided in a similar manner to prevent fluid or pressure leaks at the connection surfaces and a torque wrench such as that previously described should be utilized to verify that sufficient torque is applied to the rotating components of union 500 to firmly seat flange 150 of sub 113 on flange seat 135 of sub 113. The outer radial surfaces of the rotating components of union 500 may also be provided with means for enhancing the grip of the torque wrench head such as a knurled, checkered or abraded surface or by providing with a plurality of rotation holes as previously described for engaging a stud or gripping knob on a torque wrench head.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-15, a sixth embodiment of the improved fluid conduit union is shown as union 600 for hammerless attachment of first fluid conduit 20 to second fluid conduit 30. Fluid conduits 20 and 30 are shown in partial views for clarity and as previously described for the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, fluid conduit 20 having an attachment sub 113 and a through-bore 114 and fluid conduit 30 having an attachment sub 112 and a through-bore 115.

The union 600 is sized to accommodate desired a fluid conduit attachment fitting, shown as sub 113 of conduit 20 and sub 112 of conduit 30, and is comprised of a receptacle assembly 616 and a ring-shaped locking assembly 618, both positioned to translate longitudinally along subs 113 and 112, respectively. The receptacle assembly 616 is comprised of a cylindrical ring-shaped conduit collar 615 translatably positioned around sub 113. The collar 615 has a plurality of radially outwardly extending lugs 617 and a plurality of internal threads 630. The internal threads 630 are configured to threadedly correspond and mate with a plurality of external threads 631 around sub 112 of the second fluid conduit 30. The lugs 617 on the collar 615 may be used to rotate the receptacle assembly 616 to engage the internal threads 630 with external threads 631 of sub 112. The receptacle assembly 616 is configured to receive and encircle a corresponding slideably translatable L-shaped lock ring 620 positioned around sub 113 of first conduit 20.

The ring-shaped locking assembly 618 is translatably positioned around sub 112 and is comprised of a rotatable lock ring 623 sandwiched between first and second spaced apart ring plates 629. The rotatable lock ring 623 has a plurality of equally spaced gear teeth or slots 624 on its outer radial surface and a plurality of internal threads 625 configured to threadedly correspond and mate with external threads 631 around sub 112 of the second fluid conduit 30.

The first and second ring plates 629 are formed from semi-circular plates 629a and 629b which are hingedly affixed around the outer peripheral surface of first conduit 30 by hinge pins 632. The spacing between first and second plates 629 is maintained by a plurality of spacer bars 633 mounted between said first and second plates 629. Positioned between the spaced apart first and second plates 629 around said rotatable lock ring 623 is a plurality of drive gears 619 mounted on rotatable gear drive shafts 653. Drive gears 619 are provided with a plurality of radially extending external teeth 622 configured to engage the gear teeth or slots 624 on the outer radial surface of lock ring 623. The end of each shaft 653 may be provided with a key, a socket inset for receiving a wrench bit, or a bolt face for engagement with a wrench, such as those shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, or other similar means to facilitate rotation shaft 653.

The drive gear 619 may be formed as a single gear and affixed between ring plates 629 to allow for a fixed grip of teeth 622 in slots 624 of lock ring 623 though, as shown in FIGS. 13-15, preferably drive gear 619 will be comprised of a first drive gear 619a and an adjoining second drive gear 619b positioned upon each gear drive shaft 653. Drive gears 619a and adjoining drive gears 619b have a differing number of teeth 622 to create an offset between the teeth 662 of adjoining drive gears 619a and 619b so that, upon rotation of the drive shafts 653 and the corresponding rotation of drive gears 619a and 619b, only one tooth 622 of drive gears 619a and 619b is in contact with a slot 624 of rotatable lock ring 623 at any given time. Offsetting the teeth 622 of adjoining drive gears 619a and 619b will stabilize the hold of the drive gears 619a and 619b on rotatable lock ring 623 and prevent gear teeth 622 from slipping during rotation.

While it is thought that the locking assembly 618 will have a plurality of drive shafts 653 each with a single drive gear 619 or a plurality of pairs of adjoining drive gears 619a and 619b as described to facilitate fixed hold of lock ring 623, a single drive shaft 653 having a single gear 619 or a single pair of adjoining gears 619a and 619b may also be utilized.

For hammerless attachment of fluid conduit 20 to fluid conduit 30 with union 600, receptacle assembly 616 and locking assembly 618 are both positioned around subs 113 and 112, respectively. Stabbing end 136 of flange 150 of sub 113 is positioned to abut against concave flange seat 135 on receiving surface 152 of sub 112. The collar 615 of the receptacle assembly 616 is rotated to engage its internal threads 630 with the external threads 631 of sub 112 and corresponding slideably translatable L-shaped lock ring 620 against radial flange 150 of sub 113 and seat stabbing end 136 of flange 150 against flange seat 135 on receiving surface 152 of sub 112.

A selected drive shaft 653 is then rotated to correspondingly rotate its drive gears 619a and 619b to rotate lock ring 623. Rotation of lock ring 623 will engage its internal threads 625 to threadedly mate with external threads 631 around sub 112 of the second fluid conduit 30 to translate and drive lock ring 623 to abut against the collar 615 of the receptacle assembly 616 to hold the collar 615 in place on threads 631 with the L-shaped lock ring 620 against radial flange 150 of sub 113 with stabbing end 136 of flange 150 firmly seated against flange seat 135 on receiving surface 152 of sub 112.

The rotating components of each of the embodiments of the improved fluid conduit union may be rotated manually for the engagement and disengagement of fluid conduits 20 and 30 as described above without the need for hammers. The engagement and disengagement of the fluid conduits 20 and 30 may also be accomplished by the use of power tools such as a hydraulically or pneumatically activated spinner wrenches or a strap wrenches. In such situations, these rotating components may be provided with wrench flats or spinner lugs such as lugs 617 to accommodate the wrench faces of power tools.

Claims

1. An apparatus for connecting conduit, comprising:

a) a lock ring having a radially extending flange lock ring flange, said lock ring receiving and encircling a first conduit section having a stabbing surface with a radially extending flange, said radially extending lock ring flange abutting said radially extending flange of said first conduit section;

b) a primary locking ring nut positioned around said lock ring to abut said radially extending flange of said lock ring, said primary locking ring nut having a set of external ring to threads; and

b) a cylindrical ring-shaped conduit receptacle assembly threadedly coupled by a first set of internal threads to a second fluid conduit section having a receiving surface engaging said stabbing surface of said a first conduit section, said cylindrical receptacle assembly having a second set of internal threads threadedly mating with said set of external ring threads is of said primary locking ring nut.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said first conduit section has a conically configured stabbing surface and said second conduit section has a conically configured receiving seat.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said ring-shaped conduit receptacle has a plurality of rotation holes whereby a stud or gripping knob on a torque wrench head may be engaged.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 further comprising a plurality of set screws positioned to hold said primary locking ring nut on said lock ring.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said primary locking ring nut has a plurality of internal threads threadedly engaged with a plurality of external threads on said lock ring.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5 further comprising a secondary locking ring nut having a plurality of internal threads threadedly engaged with said plurality of external threads on said lock ring.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said primary locking ring nut and said secondary locking ring nut have a plurality of rotation holes whereby a stud or gripping knob on a torque wrench head may be engaged.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 further comprising:

a) a plurality of radial slots and projections on said primary locking ring nut; and

b) a rotatable key engaging said plurality of radial slots and projections on said primary locking ring nut whereby rotation of said key will turn said locking ring nut on said internal threads of said cylindrical receptacle to move said lock ring to abut against said radially extending flange of said lock ring against said radially extending flange of said first conduit section.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said locking ring nut has a radially extending flange, said a radially extending locking ring nut flange having a plurality of equally spaced diagonally oriented slots on its outer radial surface and further comprising a rotatable worm gear attached to said cylindrical receptacle assembly, said worm gear engaged with said diagonally oriented slots on said radial outer surface of said locking ring nut flange whereby rotation of said worm gear will rotate said locking ring nut on said internal threads of the cylindrical receptacle to move said lock ring to abut said radially extending flange of said lock ring against said radially extending flange of said first conduit section.

10. An apparatus for connecting conduit, comprising

a) a lock ring having a radially extending lock ring flange, said lock ring receiving and encircling a male attachment sub of a first fluid conduit section, said male attachment sub having a stabbing surface with a radially extending flange, said radially extending lock ring flange abutting said radially extending flange of said male attachment sub;

b) a second fluid conduit section having a female attachment sub, said female attachment sub having a plurality of threads extending along its exterior radial surface and flange receiving surface;

c) a cylindrical receptacle having a plurality of internal threads threadedly engaging said plurality of threads extending along said exterior radial surface of said female pipe sub, said cylindrical receptacle having an outwardly extending radial flange having an edge comprised of a plurality of equally spaced outward scallops, each said outward scallop having a bolt hole;

d) a cylindrical locking ring nut assembly translatably engaging said male pipe sub, said cylindrical locking ring nut assembly having an internal cavity ring segment, an internally extending radial flange engaging said radially extending lock ring flange, and an attachment face, said attachment face of said locking ring nut assembly having an opening having an edge comprised of a plurality of equally spaced inward scallops, each said inward scallop having a bolt hole;

e) wherein said radial flange of said cylindrical receptacle is positioned within said attachment face opening of said cylindrical locking nut assembly and rotated whereby said bolt holes in said outward scallops of said radial flange of said cylindrical receptacle are to aligned with said bolt holes in said inward scallops of said attachment face opening of said locking ring nut assembly;

e) a disc spring washer placed between said locking ring nut assembly and said receptacle assembly; and

f) bolts engaged with said bolt holes in said outward scallops of said radial flange of said cylindrical receptacle and said inward scallops of said attachment face whereby rotation of said bolts will translate said the locking ring nut assembly along said male attachment sub to draw said internally extending radial flange of said locking ring nut assembly against said radial flange of said mail attachment sub to seat said stabbing surface of said male attachment sub against said flange receiving surface of said female attachment sub.

11. A method for connecting conduit segments, comprising the steps of:

a) providing cylindrical ring-shaped conduit receptacle assembly having a first set of internal threads and a second set of internal threads;

b) providing a first conduit section having a stabbing surface with a radially extending flange;

c) providing a lock ring having a radially extending flange lock ring flange;

d) providing a second conduit section having a receiving surface and a set of external threads on its outer radial periphery;

e) providing a locking ring nut having a set of external ring threads;

f) attaching said first set of internal threads of said ring-shaped conduit receptacle assembly to said external threads of said a second conduit section;

g) placing said lock ring around said first conduit section and abutting said radially extending lock ring flange to said radially extending flange of said first conduit section;

h) threadedly attaching said set of external ring threads of said locking ring nut to said second set of internal threads of said ring-shaped conduit receptacle assembly; and

i) rotating said ring-shaped conduit receptacle assembly thereby moving said lock ring to abut against said radially extending flange of said lock ring against said radially extending flange of said first conduit section.

12. The method of connecting conduit segments recited in claim 11, comprising the additional step of using a torque wrench to provide a desired torque to said ring-shaped conduit receptacle assembly.

13. The method of connecting conduit segments as recited in claim 12 wherein said step of providing a desired torque includes providing a plurality of rotation holes on said ring-shaped conduit receptacle assembly whereby a stud or gripping knob on a torque wrench head may be engaged.

14. The method of connecting conduit segments recited in claim 1wherein the step of rotating said ring-shaped conduit receptacle assembly includes the additional steps of:

a) providing a plurality of radial slots and projections on said primary locking ring nut;

b) providing a rotatable key engaging said plurality of radial slots and projections on said primary locking ring nut; and

c) rotating said key and thereby turning said locking ring nut on said internal threads of said cylindrical receptacle and moving said lock ring to abut against said radially extending flange of said lock ring against said radially extending flange of said first conduit section.

15. The method of connecting conduit segments recited in claim 11 wherein the step of rotating said ring-shaped conduit receptacle assembly includes the additional steps of:

a) proving a radially extending flange on said locking ring nut, radially extending flange having a radial outer surface;

b) providing a plurality of equally spaced diagonally oriented slots on said a radial outer surface of said radially extending locking ring nut flange;

c) providing a rotatable worm gear attached to said cylindrical receptacle assembly, said worm gear engaged with said diagonally oriented slots on said radial outer surface of said locking ring nut flange; and

d) rotating said worm gear and thereby rotating said locking ring nut on said internal threads of the cylindrical receptacle and moving said lock ring to abut said radially extending flange of said lock ring against said radially extending flange of said first conduit section.

16. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said stabbing surface of said first conduit section has a conically configured sidewall and said receiving surface of said second conduit section is conically configured to correspond with said stabbing surface.

17. The method as recited in claim 16 comprising the additional steps of:

a) providing a set of internal threads on said locking ring nut;

b) providing a set of external threads on said lock ring; and

c) threadedly engaging said set of internal threads on said locking ring nut with said external threads of said lock ring.

18. The method recited in claim 17 comprising the additional steps of:

a) providing a second locking ring nut having a set of internal threads;

b) threadedly engaging said set of internal threads on said second locking ring nut with said external threads of said lock ring;

c) providing a plurality of set screws; and

d) holding each of said locking ring nuts on said lock ring with said set screws.

19. A fluid conduit union comprising:

a) a first conduit attachment sub attached to a first fluid conduit, said first conduit attachment sub having with a stabbing end with a radially extending flange;

b) a second conduit attachment sub attached to a second fluid conduit, said second conduit attachment sub having a flange seat and a plurality of external threads;

c) a cylindrical ring-shaped conduit translatably positioned around said first conduit attachment sub, said cylindrical ring-shaped conduit having a plurality of internal threads threadedly engagable with said plurality of external threads of said second conduit attachment sub;

d) a rotatable lock ring positioned between first and second spaced apart ring plates, said rotatable lock ring and said first and second ring plates translatably positioned around said second conduit attachment sub, said lock ring having a plurality of equally spaced gear teeth on its outer radial surface and a plurality of internal threads threadedly engagable with said plurality of external threads of said second conduit attachment sub; and

e) a rotatable gear positioned between said first and second spaced apart ring plates, said gear having a plurality of radially extending teeth in rotatable engagement with said spaced gear teeth of said rotatable lock ring.

20. The fluid conduit union recited in claim 19 wherein said first and second spaced apart ring plates are comprised of first and second semi-circular plates hingedly affixed together.

21. The fluid conduit union recited in claim 20 further comprising an L-shaped lock ring positioned around said first conduit attachment sub, said L-shaped lock ring slideably translatable on said first conduit attachment sub to abut said radially extending flange of said first conduit attachment sub.

22. The fluid conduit union recited in claim 21 wherein said rotatable gear is comprised of first and second adjoining gears, said radially extending teeth of said adjoining first and second gears being offset from each other.

23. The fluid conduit union recited in claim 22 further comprising a plurality of spacer bars mounted between said first and second spaced apart ring plates.

24. A fluid conduit union comprising:

a) a first conduit attachment sub attached to a first fluid conduit, said first conduit attachment sub having with a stabbing end with a radially extending flange;

b) a second conduit attachment sub attached to a second fluid conduit, said second conduit attachment sub having a flange seat and a plurality of external threads;

c) a cylindrical ring-shaped collar translatably positioned around said first conduit attachment sub, said cylindrical ring-shaped collar having a plurality of internal threads threadedly engagable with said plurality of external threads of said second conduit attachment sub;

d) an L-shaped lock ring positioned between said first conduit attachment sub and said ring-shaped collar, said L-shaped lock ring being slideably translatable on said first conduit attachment sub whereby rotation of ring-shaped collar will threadedly engage said internal threads of said ring-shaped collar with said plurality of external threads of said second conduit attachment sub said to translate said I shaped lock ring to abut said radially extending flange and seat said stabbing end of said first conduit attachment sub against said flange seat of said second conduit attachment sub;

e) first and second spaced apart ring plates translatably positioned around said second conduit attachment sub, said first and second held in a spaced apart relationship by a plurality of spacer bars;

f) a rotatable lock ring positioned between said first and second spaced apart ring plates, said lock ring having a plurality of equally spaced gear teeth on its outer radial surface and a plurality of internal threads threadedly engagable with said plurality of external threads of said second conduit attachment sub; and

g) a plurality of rotatable gear drive shafts mounted between said first and second spaced apart ring plates around said rotatable lock ring, each said gear drive shaft having a drive gear with a plurality of radially extending teeth on its outer radial surface in rotatable engagement with said spaced gear teeth of said rotatable lock ring whereby rotation of said rotatable gear drive shafts gears will rotate said rotatable lock ring to threadedly engage said internal threads of said lock ring with said plurality of external threads of said second conduit attachment sub and translate said rotatable lock ring on said second conduit attachment sub to engage and hold said ring-shaped collar on said first conduit attachment sub.

25. The fluid conduit union recited in claim 24 wherein said drive gear is comprised of first and second adjoining drive gears, said gear teeth of said adjoining first and second drive gears being offset from each other.