Jumper Tube Connector/Connection Apparatus and Method
Embodiments of a jumper tube connection assembly generally include a retention clip having beveled and locking surfaces, a retention clip frame, and a biasing means, wherein the clip is restrained partially within the frame and is pivotable in response to a jumper connector contacting the beveled surface during shunt tube engagement therewith, and wherein the biasing means positions the locking surface to prevent jumper connector reverse movement. Other embodiments generally include a retention clip having a locking component, a retention clip support, and a biasing means, wherein the clip is restrained partially within the support and is pivotable in response to force biasing the locking component away from a shunt tube during jumper connector engagement therewith, wherein upon force cessation the biasing means positions the locking component in engagement with a jumper connector orifice, thereby preventing disengagement thereof from the shunt tube. Methods of utilizing the embodiments are also provided.
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This application is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/169,944, filed Jun. 1, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Applications Nos. 62/170,580, filed on Jun. 3, 2015, and 62/310,999, filed Mar. 21, 2016, which applications are all incorporated herein by reference as if reproduced in full below.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to systems and methods of controlling fluid flow in a well bore. More specifically, the present invention addresses apparatuses and methods of connecting shunt tubes and leak-off tubes used in completion operations.
BACKGROUNDDown-hole completion operations commonly require filter screens to restrain flow of sand and particulates existing in the well environment from entering pipe openings. In a common application, shunt tubes are utilized exterior of a base pipe to provide fluid communication downhole independent of flow through the base pipe.
As presently practiced, jumper tubes are provided at connections of the base pipe sections. Jumper tubes provide fluid connection of a shunt tube on a pipe section to a corresponding shunt tube attached to an abutting pipe section. Jumper tubes are installed after connection of pipe sections.
Generally, for adjoining pipe sections, shunt tube ends are aligned when pipe sections are connected. The jumper tube is inserted between respective shunt tube ends. The jumper tube has a connector at each end comprising a telescoping tube section slideable on the jumper tube. Each telescoping tube section is extended to cover a corresponding shunt tube end. Seals are provided intermediate the telescoping sections and corresponding jumper tube sections, and intermediate the telescoping sections and corresponding shunt tube ends to provide a contained fluid flow path from a shunt tube through a jumper tube to the next corresponding shunt tube.
Traditionally, set screws are used to retain a telescoping tube section to a corresponding shunt tube end and to retain a telescoping tube end to a corresponding jumper tube. Exemplary jumper tube connectors utilizing set screws are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,497,267 to Setterberg, Jr. and U.S. Pat. No. 7,886,819 to Setterberg, Jr. In one known technology, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0220606, removable “snap-on clips” may be utilized to secure a jumper tube connector. Each of these jumper connector retaining mechanisms, however, requires the use of separate components that must be provided and individually installed.
By another technology, as is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0240572, which application is incorporated herein by reference as if reproduced in full below, jumper tube connectors are secured by means of a retainer ring segment disposed on the interior of a shroud assembly utilized to protect the jumper tube connector assembly.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONEmbodiments of the present invention comprise a jumper tube connector assembly and/or jumper tube connection assembly. In one embodiment, a jumper tube connector assembly comprises a jumper tube and two fasteners biased toward the jumper tube. In one embodiment, the jumper tube connector assembly further comprises two connectors, the connectors slideable on the jumper tube. In one embodiment, in an un-installed position, each fastener at least partially covers and is biased against the exterior of a connector, wherein upon slidably engaging the connector with a shunt tube, i.e., an installed position, the connector ceases to be disposed between the fastener and the jumper tube, and a portion of a bottom surface of the fastener is biased proximate the jumper tube, whereby an end surface of the fastener is disposed such that the connector is prevented from moving in a direction toward the fastener.
In one embodiment, a jumper tube connection assembly comprises a shunt tube and two fasteners affixed, directly or indirectly, to the shunt tube, wherein the fasteners comprise opposingly oriented retention clips each comprising a locking surface and disposed such that upon axially movement of a connector there between, the retention clips are biased apart, and circumferential engagement of the connector with the shunt tube by movement of the connector in one direction allows the locking surfaces to prevent axial movement of the connector in the opposite direction.
In another embodiment, a jumper tube connection assembly comprises a shunt tube and one or more fasteners affixed, directly or indirectly, to the shunt tube, wherein the fasteners comprise pin-locking retention clips each comprising a spring-loaded pin for connection to a jumper connector and disposed such that upon biasing the pin away from the shunt tube (or shunt tube extended), axial movement of a connector into circumferential engagement with the shunt tube by movement of the connector, followed by removal of the biasing force, allows the pin to prevent axial movement of the connector.
In another embodiment, a jumper tube connection assembly, which is affixable to a shunt tube, comprises a retention clip having a beveled surface and locking surface, a retention clip frame, and a biasing means, wherein the retention clip is restrained partially within the retention clip frame in an initial position, and is pivotable in response to a jumper connector contacting the beveled surface during sliding circumferential engagement thereof with a shunt tube. Upon engagement of the jumper connector with the shunt tube, the biasing means re-positions the retention clip in its initial position, whereby the locking surface prevents disengaging movement of the jumper connector in relation to the shunt tube.
In still another embodiment, a jumper tube connection assembly, which is affixable to a shunt tube, comprises a retention clip having a locking component, a retention clip support, and a biasing means, wherein the clip is restrained partially within the support and is pivotable in response to a force applied to the retention clip biasing and maintaining the locking component away from the shunt tube during sliding circumferential engagement of a jumper connector therewith. Upon engagement of the jumper connector with the shunt tube, removal of the force allows the biasing means to position the retention clip whereby the locking component is disposed at least partially within a jumper connector exterior surface orifice, thereby preventing disengagement of the jumper connector from the shunt tube.
Further embodiments of the present invention comprise a method of retaining jumper connectors with a fastener. In an additional aspect, embodiments of the present invention comprise a spring-loaded system for securing a leak-off tube utilized in conjunction with jumper tube connector assemblies.
For a more complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments, reference is now made to the following Description of Exemplary Embodiments of the Invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The exemplary embodiments are best understood by referring to the drawings with like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. As used herein, longitudinal refers to the axis A-A identified in
Referring to the embodiment of
In the embodiment shown in
In this embodiment as depicted in
In the embodiment shown in
The one or more snap clips 20 may be disposed along all or part the transverse diameter of a “top” surface 32 of jumper tube 30. A single snap clip 20 may be centered with respect to the transverse axis of jumper tube 30, or may be offset therefrom. Multiple snap clips 20 may be evenly or unevenly spaced along the transverse diameter of jumper tube 30. In other embodiments (not shown), one or more snap clips 20 may be disposed on one or more side surfaces 34 of jumper tube 30. In additional embodiments (not shown), one or more snap clips 20 may be disposed on top surface 32 of jumper tube 30 and snap clips 20 may be disposed on one or more side surfaces 34 of jumper tube 30.
In the embodiment depicted in
In the embodiment shown in
Still referring to
As depicted in
Referring now to
As shown in
As also shown in the embodiment of
In another embodiment of the invention (not shown), snap clips 20 are fixedly attached to shunt tubes 140 to be connected, similarly to how they are attached to jumper tube 30 as described above, with the difference being the proximal ends 40 and distal ends 70 of the snap clips 20 are oppositely disposed along the shunt tubes. In this embodiment, jumper connectors 50 are slidingly fluidly engaged with the shunt tubes 140 and retained with the snap clips 20 by providing each jumper connector 50 at least partially between a bottom surface of a snap clip 20 and the exterior surface of a shunt tube 140, as previously described with regard to jumper tube 30. A jumper tube 30 can then be disposed and aligned between corresponding shunt tubes 140 to be connected, and the jumper connectors 50 are slidingly circumferentially engaged with opposite ends of the jumper tube 30. When jumper connector 50 is slidingly engaged sufficiently with jumper tube 30 to displace jumper connector 50 from its retained position between the bottom surface of snap clip 20 and shunt tube 140, the end surface 130 of snap clip 20 prevents movement of jumper connector along shunt tube 140 in the direction of snap clip 20. In this embodiment, jumper tube 30 may be equipped with, in lieu of snap clips 20, one or more features, such as but no limited to protrusions, knobs, or the like, on the exterior service of jumper tube 30, that prevent further movement of jumper connector 50 there along.
A jumper tube connector assembly preparation step 210 comprising providing a jumper tube, such as jumper tube 30, at least one fastener, such as fastener 20, attached to the jumper tube, and two jumper connectors, such as jumper connectors 50, wherein each jumper connector is fluidly engaged with one end of the jumper tube, and at least one jumper connector so engaged is retained by a fastener against the jumper tube.
A jumper tube connector assembly provision step 220 comprising providing the thus prepared jumper tube connector assembly between an aligned pairs of shunt tubes, such as shunt tubes 140, to be fluidly connected, such that each jumper connector is disposed proximate and aligned with a shunt tube.
A jumper tube connector assembly installation step 230 comprising slidably extending each jumper connector into fluid engagement with a shunt tube such that each jumper connector retained by a fastener is no longer retained against the jumper tube by the fastener, but rather is blocked by the fastener from moving along the jumper tube in the direction of the fastener.
Method 200 is merely exemplary, and additional embodiments of a method of utilizing a jumper tube connector assembly of the present invention consistent with the teachings herein may be employed. For example, in one embodiment, one or both of the jumper connectors may be provided separately from the jumper tube and slidingly engaged with a shunt tube, whereupon the jumper tube is provided and each jumper connector already fluidly engaged with a shunt tube is slidingly fluidly engaged with the jumper tube.
In one embodiment of the present invention, depicted in
In various embodiments, retention clips 420 may be affixed at approximately the same location along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140, but the invention is not so limited and retention clips 420 may be affixed to shunt tube 140 (and/or a shunt tube bracket or shunt tube housing) at different locations along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140. In addition, retention clips 420 may be of similar length or of differing lengths with respect to their dimension along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140, and retention clips 420 may be of similar width or of differing widths with respect to their dimension along the transverse axis of shunt tube 140. In addition, one or more retention clips 420 may be attached to a “side” surface 144 of shunt tube 140, as shown in
In one embodiment, fixed attachment of retention clips 420 to shunt tube 140 and/or a shunt tube bracket and/or a shunt tube housing comprises welding of retention clips 420 to shunt tube 140 and/or a shunt tube bracket and/or a shunt tube housing. Other methods of fixed attachment may be employed. In addition, retention clips 420 may be integrally formed as a component of shunt tube 140 and/or a shunt tube bracket and/or a shunt tube housing.
Still referring to
In the embodiment depicted in
In another embodiment of a retention clip 420 shown in
In another embodiment of an alternative jumper tube connection assembly 410 (not shown), wherein only one retention clip 420 is employed or wherein two retention clips 420 are not disposed in an opposing orientation, manipulation of jumper tube connector 50 into engagement with shunt tube 140 still allows for prevention, by one (or more) locking surfaces 540, of axial movement of jumper connector 50 along jumper tube 30 in a direction toward distal end 510 of retention clip 420. In such an embodiment, one or more retention components 560 may prevent further axial movement of jumper connector 50 along shunt tube 140 in a direction away from distal end 510 of retention clip 420.
In one embodiment, aligned shunt tubes 140, such as depicted in
A jumper tube connection assembly preparation step 710 comprising providing an aligned pair of shunt tubes, such as shunt tubes 140, each equipped with an opposingly oriented pair of retention clips, such as retention clip 420, affixed thereto, wherein each retention clip comprises a locking surface, such as locking surface 540.
A jumper tube connector assembly provision step 720 comprising providing a jumper tube, such as jumper tube 30, equipped with a pair of jumper tube connectors, such as jumper tube connector 50, each circumferentially engaged with the jumper tube at either end thereof, whereby the jumper tube and jumper tube connectors are axially aligned with and disposed between the aligned shunt tubes.
A jumper tube connector assembly installation step 730 comprising axially extending each jumper connector between a pair of the retention clips and engaging each jumper tube connector with a shunt tube, whereby each locking surface restricts movement of the jumper connector proximate therewith in a direction toward the other jumper connector.
Method 700 is merely exemplary, and additional embodiments of a method of utilizing a jumper tube connection assembly 410 of the present invention consistent with the teachings herein may be employed. For example, in one embodiment, one or both of the jumper connectors may be provided separately from the jumper tube and slidingly engaged with a shunt tube, whereupon the jumper tube is provided and each jumper connector already fluidly engaged with a shunt tube is slidingly fluidly engaged with the jumper tube.
In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, a jumper tube connection assembly 610 is depicted in
In one embodiment, pin-locking retention clip 620 extends from shunt tube housing 630 along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140 toward end 160 thereof. Although the embodiment shown in
In various embodiments, pin-locking retention clips 620 may be affixed at approximately the same location along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140, but the invention is not so limited and pin-locking retention clips 620 may be affixed to shunt tube housing 630 at different locations along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140. In addition, pin-locking retention clips 620 may be of similar length or of differing lengths with respect to their dimension along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140, and pin-locking retention clips 620 may be of similar width or of differing widths with respect to their dimension along the transverse axis of shunt tube 140.
In the embodiment depicted in
In one embodiment, pin 640 is adapted and configured to be insertable into a jumper connector 50 orifice 52, as shown in
In one embodiment, aligned shunt tubes 140, such as depicted in
A jumper tube connection assembly preparation step 810 comprising providing an aligned pair of shunt tubes, such as shunt tubes 140, wherein each shunt tube is equipped with a shunt tube housing, such as shunt tube housing 630, and each shunt tube housing is equipped with at least one pin-locking retention clip, such as pin-locking retention clip 620, and each pin-locking retention clip comprises at least one pin, such as pin 640.
A jumper tube connector assembly provision step 820 comprising providing a jumper tube, such as jumper tube 30, equipped with a pair of jumper tube connectors, such as jumper tube connector 50, each circumferentially engaged with the jumper tube at either end thereof, whereby the jumper tube and jumper tube connectors are axially aligned with and disposed between the aligned shunt tubes.
A jumper tube connector assembly installation step 830 comprising biasing the end, such as end 680, of each pin of each in-locking retention clip in a direction toward an inner surface, such as inner surface 650, thereof while providing each jumper connector into circumferential sealing engagement with a shunt tube, whereby removal of the biasing force provides each pin into at least partial engagement with an orifice, such as orifice 52, of each jumper connector.
Method 800 is merely exemplary, and additional embodiments of a method of utilizing a jumper tube connection assembly 610 of the present invention consistent with the teachings herein may be employed. For example, in one embodiment, one or both of the jumper connectors may be provided separately from the jumper tube and slidingly engaged with a shunt tube, whereupon the jumper tube is provided and each jumper connector already fluidly engaged with a shunt tube is slidingly fluidly engaged with the jumper tube.
As would be understood by one skilled in the art, a combination of a jumper tube connector assembly 10 and/or a jumper tube connection assembly 410 and/or a jumper tube connection assembly 610 may be employed to connect jumper connectors 50 and a jumper tube 30 to aligned shunt tubes. In addition, a shunt tube 140 may be equipped (directly or via a shunt tube housing 630 or shunt tube bracket 350) with one or more retention clips 420 and one or more pin-locking retention clips 620.
In another aspect of the present invention, as shown in
As depicted in the embodiment of
In an un-extended or “retracted” position as, depicted in the embodiment of
In one embodiment, in operation, spring-loaded buttons 320 are manually depressed to release leak-off tube 300, which is adapted to be slidingly moveable toward a second fitting, such as a lower retainer ring 360, disposed on a manifold bracket 370 of opposite pipe section 150. When leak-off tube 300 is advanced into engagement with lower retainer ring 360, spring-loaded buttons 320 are manually depressed and introduced into engagement with lower retainer ring orifices 380, whereby, via by removal of the depression bias, leak-off tube 300 is retained in the extended position.
In an embodiment of a method of the present invention, a leak-off tube, such as leak-off tube 300, comprising one or more spring-loaded buttons, such as spring-loaded buttons 320, is provided, whereby the spring-loaded buttons are disposed at least partially through upper retainer ring orifices, such as upper retainer ring orifices 340, in an upper retainer ring, such as upper retainer ring 330, such that the leak-off tube is retained in engagement with the upper retainer ring; the spring-loaded buttons are depressed to disengage retention of the leak-off tube by the upper retainer ring, and the leak-off tube is slidingly moved into engagement with a lower retainer ring, such as lower retainer ring 360, containing one or more lower retainer ring orifices, such as lower retainer ring orifices 380; the spring-loaded buttons are depressed to allow for introduction thereof at least partially through the lower retainer ring orifices, thereby providing retained engagement of the leak-off tube with the lower retainer ring.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a jumper tube connection assembly 910 (see
In various embodiments, jumper tube connection assemblies 910 may be affixed at approximately the same location along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140 (each via a retention clip frame 990), but the invention is not so limited and jumper tube connection assemblies 910 may be affixed to shunt tube 140 (and/or a shunt tube bracket or shunt tube housing) at different locations along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140. In addition, jumper tube connection assemblies 910 may be of similar length or of differing lengths with respect to their dimension along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140, and jumper tube connection assemblies 910 may be of similar width or of differing widths with respect to their dimension along their transverse axis with respect to shunt tube 140. In addition, one or more jumper tube connection assemblies 910 may be attached to a “side” surface 144 of shunt tube 140, as shown in
A retention clip 920 and/or a retention clip frame 990 may comprise metal, or may be constructed from other materials as would be understood by one skilled in the art. In one embodiment, retention clip 920 and/or a retention clip frame 990 comprise spring steel.
In one embodiment, fixed attachment of jumper tube connection assemblies 910 (each via a retention clip frame 990) to shunt tube 140 and/or a shunt tube bracket and/or a shunt tube housing comprises welding of retention clip frames 990 to shunt tube 140 and/or a shunt tube bracket and/or a shunt tube housing. Other methods of fixed attachment may be employed. In one embodiment, attachment is accomplished by affixing at least a portion of an end surface 928 of a guard component 994 of retention clip frame 990 to shunt tube 140. In addition, retention clip frames 990 may be integrally formed as a component of shunt tube 140 and/or a shunt tube bracket and/or a shunt tube housing.
In the embodiment depicted in
In one embodiment, distal end 921 of retention clip 920 comprises an end surface 930. In one embodiment, shown in
In the embodiment depicted in
In the embodiment of jumper tube connection assembly 910 shown in
In one embodiment, shown in
In one embodiment, biasing means 925 may be attached (removably or un-removably) to back surface 946 of guard component 994 of retention clip frame 990 and/or outside surface 914 of retention clip 920, within second end portion 944 of guard component 994. In one embodiment, biasing means 925 may be disposed within second end portion 944 of guard component 994 in a nonattached arrangement. In one embodiment, biasing means 925 urges proximal end 911 of retention clip 920 toward the first end portion 942 of guard component 994. In one embodiment (not shown to maintain image clarity), such urging provides contact between at least a portion of side recess surface 938 and first end portion 942.
In one embodiment, retention clip frame 990 comprises a bottom stop component 992 proximate a distal end 991 of retention clip frame 990. In one embodiment, bottom stop 992 comprises an upper surface 993. In one embodiment, upper surface 993 is substantially planar and is oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of retention clip frame 990 defined between distal end 991 and proximal end 995 of retention clip frame 990. In one embodiment, upper surface 993 is oriented substantially parallel to at least a portion of bottom surface 930 of retention clip 920.
In one embodiment of jumper tube connection assembly 910, comprising the non-planar retention clip 920 end surface 930 embodiment shown in
In the embodiment depicted in
Discontinuance of force being applied to beveled surface 912 results in, via the outward biasing force supplied by biasing means/spring 925 to proximal end 911 of retention clip 920, outward movement of proximal end 911 of retention clip 920 (toward first end portion 942 of guard component 994) and inward movement of distal end 921 of retention clip 920 (i.e., in a direction consistent with the outside surface 914 of retention clip 920 moving toward the inside surface 998 of retention clip frame 990). Continued inward movement of distal end 921 of retention clip 920 eventuates in the vertical surface 932 of step 931 being disposed inward of inner side surface 996 of bottom stop 992, whereby retention clip 920 drops slightly downward such that step 931 is re-engaged with bottom stop 992 as in its initial position with respect thereto.
In an embodiment of jumper tube connection assembly 910 wherein end surface 930 comprises the embodiment thereof depicted in
Discontinuance of force being applied to beveled surface 912 results in, via the outward biasing force supplied by biasing means/spring 925 to proximal end 911 of retention clip 920, outward movement of proximal end 911 of retention clip 920 (toward first end portion 942 of guard component 994) and inward movement of distal end 921 of retention clip 920 (i.e., in a direction consistent with the outside surface 914 of retention clip 920 moving toward the inside surface 998 of retention clip frame 990). Continued inward movement of distal end 921 of retention clip 920 eventuates in retention clip 920 being disposed in its initial position (not separately shown) with respect to retention clip frame 990, wherein at least a portion of end surface 930 of retention clip 920 is proximate or in contact with upper surface 993 of retention clip frame 990.
MethodA jumper tube connection assembly preparation step 1110 comprising providing an aligned pair of shunt tubes, such as shunt tubes 140, wherein each shunt tube is equipped with at least one jumper tube connection assembly, such as jumper tube connection assembly 910, wherein each jumper tube connection assembly is attached to a shunt tube 140 exterior via affixation thereto of a jumper tube connection assembly retention clip frame, such as retention clip frame 990, each retention clip frame comprises a bottom stop, such as bottom stop 992, each jumper tube connection assembly is equipped with a retention clip, such as retention clip 920, each retention clips comprises a bottom surface, such as bottom surface 930, a beveled surface, such as beveled surface 912, and a locking surface, such as locking surface 940, each retention clip is at least partially restricted within the retention clip frame by a guard component, such as guard component 994, and each retention clip is biased against the retention clip frame by a biasing means, such as biasing means 925.
A jumper tube connector assembly provision step 1120 comprising providing a jumper tube, such as jumper tube 30, equipped with a pair of jumper tube connectors, such as jumper tube connector 50, each circumferentially engaged with the jumper tube at either end thereof, whereby the jumper tube and jumper tube connectors are axially aligned with and disposed between the aligned shunt tubes.
A jumper tube connector assembly installation step 1130 comprising axially extending each jumper connector between a shunt tube and a retention clip beveled surface and engaging each jumper tube connector with a shunt tube, whereby each locking surface restricts axial movement of the jumper connector proximate therewith in a direction toward the other jumper connector and each bottom stop restricts axial movement of the retention clip proximate therewith in the same direction.
Method 1100 is merely exemplary, and additional embodiments of a method of utilizing a jumper tube connection assembly 910 of the present invention consistent with the teachings herein may be employed. In addition, in other embodiments, one or more of these steps may be combined, repeated, re-ordered, or deleted, and/or additional steps may be added. For example, in one embodiment, one or both of the jumper connectors may be provided separately from the jumper tube and slidingly engaged with a shunt tube, whereupon the jumper tube is provided and each jumper connector already fluidly engaged with a shunt tube is slidingly fluidly engaged with the jumper tube. In addition, one or more retention clip frames may be integral with a shunt tube or attached to or integral with a shunt tube bracket or shunt tube housing, as described above.
OperationIn one embodiment, a jumper tube connection assembly 910 connected to a shunt tube 140, as shown in
In an embodiment of the invention utilizing a jumper tube connection assembly 910 comprising a retention clip 920 comprising a substantially planar end surface 930 (as shown in
In one embodiment, aligned shunt tubes 140, such as depicted in
In still another embodiment of the present invention, a jumper tube connection assembly 1010 is depicted in
In various embodiments, jumper tube connection assemblies 1010 may be affixed at approximately the same location along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140, but the invention is not so limited and jumper tube connection assemblies 1010 may be affixed to shunt tube 140 (and/or a shunt tube bracket or shunt tube housing) at different locations along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140. In addition, jumper tube connection assemblies 1010 may be of similar length or of differing lengths with respect to their dimension along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140, and jumper tube connection assemblies 1010 may be of similar width or of differing widths with respect to their dimension along the transverse axis of shunt tube 140. In addition, one or more jumper tube connection assemblies 1010 may be attached to a “side” surface 144 of shunt tube 140, as shown in
In one embodiment depicted in detail in
In one embodiment, a retention clip support 1090 of jumper tube connection assembly 1010 comprises a structure adapted to partially contain retention clip 1020. In one embodiment, retention clip support 1090 comprises a single component, while in other embodiments (not shown), retention clip support 1090 may comprise a plurality of interconnected or otherwise cooperating components. In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment of
In one embodiment depicted in
In one embodiment, retention clip support 1090 comprises a biasing means channel 1046. (See
In one embodiment shown in detail in
In the embodiment shown in
A jumper tube connection assembly preparation step 1210 comprising providing an aligned pair of shunt tubes, such as shunt tubes 140, wherein each shunt tube is equipped with at least one jumper tube connection assembly, such as jumper tube connection assembly 1010, wherein each jumper tube connection assembly is attached to a shunt tube 140 exterior via affixation thereto of a jumper tube connection assembly retention clip support, such as retention clip support 1090, each jumper tube connection assembly comprises a retention clip, such as retention clip 1020, that is at least partially contained within the retention clip support and restrained therein by a pivot pin, such as pivot pin 1028, and which comprises a locking component, such as locking component 1030, and a biasing means, such as biasing means 1048, which biases the locking component toward the shunt tube.
A jumper tube connector assembly provision step 1220 comprising providing a jumper tube, such as jumper tube 30, equipped with a pair of jumper tube connectors, such as jumper tube connector 50, each circumferentially engaged with the jumper tube at either end thereof, whereby the jumper tube and jumper tube connectors are axially aligned with and disposed between the aligned shunt tubes.
A jumper tube connector assembly installation step 1230 comprising applying a biasing force to each retention clip so that the locking component thereof is moved away from the shunt tube, while providing each jumper connector into circumferential sealing engagement with a shunt tube, whereby removal of the biasing force provides the locking component of each retention clip into at least partial engagement with an orifice, such as orifice 52, of the proximate jumper connector.
Method 1200 is merely exemplary, and additional embodiments of a method of utilizing a jumper tube connection assembly 1010 of the present invention consistent with the teachings herein may be employed. In addition, in other embodiments, one or more of these steps may be combined, repeated, re-ordered, or deleted, and/or additional steps may be added. For example, in one embodiment, one or both of the jumper connectors may be provided separately from the jumper tube and slidingly engaged with a shunt tube, whereupon the jumper tube is provided and each jumper connector already fluidly engaged with a shunt tube is slidingly fluidly engaged with the jumper tube. In addition, one or more retention clip frames may be integral with a shunt tube or attached to or integral with a shunt tube bracket or shunt tube housing, as described above.
OperationVarious stages of employment of an embodiment of a jumper tube connection assembly 1010 are shown by
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In one embodiment, aligned shunt tubes 140, such as depicted in
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the teachings of the invention. Descriptions of embodiments are exemplary and not limiting. The extent and scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims and is intended to extend to equivalents thereof. The claims are incorporated into the specification. Disclosure of existing patents, publications, and known art are incorporated herein by reference to the extent required to provide details and understanding of the disclosure herein set forth.
Claims
1. A jumper tube connection assembly for shunt tube connection, comprising:
- a retention clip;
- a retention clip frame; and
- a biasing means;
- wherein: said retention clip comprises a beveled surface and a locking surface; said retention clip is disposed at least partially within said retention clip frame; said retention clip frame is attachable to the exterior of a first substantially tubular component; said retention clip frame comprises a guard component proximate a first end thereof, wherein said guard component restrains said retention clip at least partially within said retention clip frame; said retention clip frame comprises a bottom stop disposed proximate a second end thereof, wherein said bottom stop substantially prevents movement of said retention clip in the direction of said retention clip frame second end; said biasing means is at least partially disposed within a first end portion of said guard component and biases a portion of a retention clip proximate, a first end thereof, toward a second end portion of said guard component; said biasing means restrains said retention clip in an initial position in relation to said retention clip; said retention clip disposed in said initial position is pivotable at least partially within said retention clip frame in response to a force applied against said beveled edge by a first end of a second substantially tubular component being advanced into sliding circumferential engagement with said first substantially tubular component; and
- advancement of said second substantially tubular component into sliding circumferential engagement with said first substantially tubular component such that a second end of said second substantially tubular component is disposed between said first end of said retention clip and said locking surface allows said retention clip to be forced by said biasing means back into said initial position, whereby said locking surface prevents longitudinal movement of said second substantially tubular component in the direction of said retention clip frame second end.
2. The jumper tube connection assembly of claim 1, wherein said retention clip comprises a recess adapted and configured such that a portion of said second end portion of said guard component is disposable therein.
3. The jumper tube connection assembly of claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring.
4. The jumper tube connection assembly of claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of a second end of said retention clip comprises a step adapted and configured to engage a portion of said retention clip frame bottom stop.
5. The jumper tube connection assembly of claim 1, wherein said retention clip comprises a connector stop disposed between said locking surface thereof and said first end thereof, wherein said connector stop is adapted and configured to prevent movement of said second substantially tubular component in the direction of said first end of said retention clip.
6. The jumper tube connection assembly of claim 1, wherein said locking surface comprises a groove.
7. The jumper tube connection assembly of claim 1, wherein said retention clip frame is attached to or integral with the exterior of said first substantially tubular component.
8. A method for connecting shunt tubes, comprising: providing a jumper tube connector assembly longitudinally intermediate two said shunt tubes to be connected, wherein: wherein: installing said jumper tube connector assembly by sliding into circumferential engagement the second end of a first jumper connector with an end of said first shunt tube, and sliding into circumferential engagement the second end of the other jumper connector with an end of the other shunt tube; wherein:
- said jumper tube connector assembly comprises: a jumper tube; and two jumper connectors, each comprising a first end and a second end;
- the first end of a one jumper connector is circumferentially slidingly engageable around a first end of said jumper tube; the first end of the other jumper connector is circumferentially slidingly engageable around a second end of said jumper tube; and
- affixed, directly or indirectly, to the exterior of at least a first said shunt tube is one or more jumper tube connection assemblies; wherein: at least one said jumper tube connection assembly comprises: a retention clip; a retention clip frame; and a biasing means; wherein: said retention clip comprises a beveled surface and a locking surface; said retention clip is disposed at least partially within said retention clip frame; said jumper tube connection assembly is affixed to the exterior of one said shunt tube via said retention clip frame; said retention clip frame comprises a guard component proximate a first end thereof, wherein said guard component restrains said retention clip at least partially within said retention clip frame; said retention clip frame comprises a bottom stop disposed proximate a second end thereof, wherein said bottom stop substantially prevents movement of said retention clip in the direction of said retention clip frame second end; said biasing means is at least partially disposed within a first end portion of said guard component and biases a portion of said retention clip, proximate a first end thereof, toward a second end portion of said guard component; said retention clip is pivotable at least partially within said retention clip frame in response to a force applied against said beveled edge by an end of a jumper connector being advanced into sliding circumferential engagement with the shunt tube to which said retention clip frame is affixed; and said locking surface is adapted and configured to contact the second end of a jumper connector that is circumferentially engaged with said first shunt tube; and
- the second end of said first jumper connector is advanced into contact with said beveled surface, thereby forcing said retention clip to pivot at least partially within said retention clip frame, said pivoting comprising movement of said retention clip second end in a direction away from said first jumper connector; and
- said first jumper connector is advanced to a position whereby the first end thereof is disposed between said locking surface and the second end of said first jumper connector, thereby allowing said retention clip to reversingly pivot, said reverse pivoting being at least in part due to biasing of said biasing means against said portion of said first end of said retention clip, and comprising movement of said retention clip second end in a direction toward said first jumper connector; whereby: longitudinal movement of the first jumper connector along the shunt tube in a direction away from said first end of said retention clip, beyond said locking surface, is prevented by said locking surface; and longitudinal movement of said retention clip in a direction away from said first end of said retention clip frame, beyond said bottom stop, is prevented by said bottom stop.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein said retention clip comprises a recess adapted and configured such that a portion of said second end portion of said guard component is disposable therein.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein a bottom surface of a second end of said retention clip comprises a step adapted and configured to engage a portion of said retention clip frame bottom stop.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein said retention clip comprises a connector stop disposed between said locking surface thereof and said first end thereof, wherein said connector stop is adapted and configured to prevent movement there beyond of a jumper connector in the direction of said first end of said retention clip.
13. A jumper tube connection assembly for shunt tube connection, comprising:
- a retention clip;
- a retention clip support;
- a pivot pin; and
- a biasing means;
- wherein: said retention clip comprises a locking component proximate a first end thereof; said retention clip is disposed at least partially within said retention clip support; said pivot pin extends transversely through said retention clip; said pivot pin is disposed at least partially within at least a portion of said retention clip support; said retention clip is pivotable about said pivot pin; said retention clip support is attachable, via an edge thereof, directly or indirectly, to the exterior of a first substantially tubular component; said biasing means is disposed at least partially within said retention clip support; said biasing means contacts a portion of a second end of said retention clip, thereby biasing said retention clip second end away from said retention clip support edge, and biasing said locking component in the opposite direction; said locking component is adapted and configured to engage an orifice in the exterior of a second substantially tubular component circumferentially engaged around said first substantially tubular component; thereby preventing disengagement of said second substantially tubular component from said first substantially tubular component.
14. The jumper tube connection assembly of claim 13, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring.
15. The jumper tube connection assembly of claim 13, wherein said retention clip support is attached to, directly or indirectly, or integral with, the exterior of said first substantially tubular component.
16. The jumper tube connection assembly of claim 13, wherein said locking component comprises at least one beveled surface.
17. A method or connecting shunt tubes, comprising:
- providing a jumper tube connector assembly longitudinally intermediate two said shunt tubes to be connected, wherein: said jumper tube connector assembly comprises: a jumper tube; and two jumper connectors, each comprising a first end and a second end; wherein: the first end of a one jumper connector is circumferentially slidingly engageable around a first end of said jumper tube; the first end of the other jumper connector is circumferentially slidingly engageable around a second end of said jumper tube; and affixed, directly or indirectly, to the exterior of at least a first said shunt tube is one or more jumper tube connection assemblies;
- wherein: at least one said jumper tube connection assembly comprises: a retention clip; a retention clip support; a pivot pin; and a biasing means; wherein: said retention clip comprises a locking component proximate a first end thereof; said retention clip is disposed at least partially within said retention clip support; said pivot pin extends transversely through said retention clip; said pivot pin is disposed at least partially within at least a portion of said retention clip support; said retention clip is pivotable about said pivot pin; said retention clip support is attached via an edge thereof, directly or indirectly, to the exterior of said first shunt tube; said biasing means is disposed at least partially within said retention clip support; said biasing means contacts a portion of a second end of said retention clip, thereby biasing said retention clip second end away from said retention clip support edge and biasing said locking component toward said first shunt tube; said locking component is adapted and configured to engage an orifice in the exterior surface of a jumper connector circumferentially engaged around said first shunt tube; thereby preventing disengagement of the jumper connector from said first shunt tube;
- installing said jumper tube connector assembly by sliding into circumferential engagement the second end of one jumper connector around an end of one shunt tube, and sliding into circumferential engagement the second end of the other jumper connector around an end of the other shunt tube; wherein: a force is applied to said retention clip whereby said retention clip pivots about said pivot pin and said locking component is moved away from said first shunt tube; the second end of a first jumper connector comprising at least one orifice in the exterior surface thereof proximate said second end thereof is then advanced into circumferential engagement around said first shunt tube; whereby a portion of said first jumper connector comprising one said orifice is disposed between said first shunt tube and said locking component; and said force is then removed from said retention clip, thereby allowing said retention clip to reversingly pivot, said reverse pivoting being at least in part due to biasing of said biasing means against said portion of said second end of said retention clip, and comprising movement of said locking component in a direction toward said first jumper connector; whereby: said locking component at least partially engages said one said jumper connector orifice, thereby preventing longitudinal movement of said first jumper connector along said first shunt tube.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein said force is applied to said second end of said retention clip in a direction toward said edge thereof.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein said locking component comprises at least one beveled surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 4, 2017
Publication Date: Jul 20, 2017
Applicant: Delta Screen & Filtration, LLC (Houston, TX)
Inventors: Stephen Ward (Houston, TX), Steven Mark Everritt (Houston, TX), Steven Camp (Houston, TX), Vijay Rajkumar (Houston, TX)
Application Number: 15/478,607