Abstract: A pipe restraining system has first and second pipes. Each pipe has an axis and a groove adjacent an axial end thereof. A bushing bridges and hydraulically seals with the first and second pipes. First and second clamp rings removably attach the bushing to a respective one of the first and second pipes. When the pipe restraining system is assembled, axial tensile loads passing through the first pipe are transmitted through the first clamp ring, the bushing, and the second clamp ring to the second pipe. An axial distance between the first and second pipes remains substantially constant.

Abstract: A pipe system includes a tubular body with an axis, a bore that is axial and a retainer groove formed in the bore of the tubular body. A retainer is mounted in the retainer groove. An entirety of the retainer is both axially movable and radially movable relative to the retainer groove during formation of a pipe assembly with a pipe in the bore.

Abstract: A pipe retrieval machine includes a frame defining a decoupling region and a travel axis and a transporting mechanism supported on the frame. The transporting mechanism has a first gripping structure adjacent an infeed end of the machine and a second gripping structure adjacent an outfeed end of the machine. The decoupling region is between the first and second gripping structures. The machine has a drive system to move the first and second gripping structures at a steady state speed to direct a pipe along the travel axis. The pipe retrieval machine includes one or more safety features to stop the drive system either automatically or through manual action, one or more safety features to inhibit or prevent damage to components of the decoupling region in the event of a malfunction, or both. Methods of operating a pipe retrieval machine include any of the operation procedures, method steps, safety features, and/or functions as described and in any combination.

Abstract: A pipe system has a pipe with an axis and a retainer groove formed in an exterior of the pipe near an axial end of the pipe. The pipe system also has a tubular body with an interior and one end sized to receive the axial end of the pipe therein to form a pipe assembly. The pipe system also has a retainer configured to be received in the retainer groove and to be both axially movable and radially movable relative to the retainer groove during formation of the pipe assembly and to retain the pipe and the tubular body in the pipe assembly.

Abstract: Provided are pipe systems and methods for assembling the same. A pipe system includes two pipes, each having an axis, an exterior surface, a retainer groove formed in the exterior surface, and a sheath mounted to a respective pipe such that the sheath at least partially covers the retainer groove prior to assembly. A retainer is also located in the each retainer groove, disposed radially beneath the sheath relative to the axis, prior to assembly. The system further includes a coupling having a bell configured to receive each of the two pipes. Each bell may have a retainer groove formed in an inner surface thereof and the bell configured to receive at least a portion of a respective retainer after assembly of the pipe system. When assembled, the sheaths are configured to uncover the retainer grooves such that the retainers expand into the retainer grooves of the coupling inner surface.

Abstract: A pipe retrieval machine includes a frame defining a decoupling region and a travel axis and a transporting mechanism supported on the frame. The transporting mechanism has a first gripping structure adjacent an infeed end of the machine and a second gripping structure adjacent an outfeed end of the machine. The decoupling region is between the first and second gripping structures. The machine has a drive system to move the first and second gripping structures at a steady state speed to direct a pipe along the travel axis. The pipe retrieval machine includes one or more safety features to stop the drive system either automatically or through manual action, one or more safety features to inhibit or prevent damage to components of the decoupling region in the event of a malfunction, or both. Methods of operating a pipe retrieval machine include any of the operation procedures, method steps, safety features, and/or functions as described and in any combination.

Abstract: A pipe restraining system has first and second pipes. Each pipe has an axis and a groove adjacent an axial end thereof. A bushing bridges and hydraulically seals with the first and second pipes. First and second clamp rings removably attach the bushing to a respective one of the first and second pipes. When the pipe restraining system is assembled, axial tensile loads passing through the first pipe are transmitted through the first clamp ring, the bushing, and the second clamp ring to the second pipe. An axial distance between the first and second pipes remains substantially constant.

Abstract: A coupling can include a coupling body having an axis, an axial length, an axial center, axial ends and an inner surface comprising an inner diameter that is substantially constant over an entirety of the axial length. A single shoulder can protrude radially inward relative to the axis from the inner surface, such that the inner surface has no other shoulders. In a version, the single shoulder is not axially aligned with the axial center of the coupling body.

Abstract: An assembly includes a tubular body having an axis, an axial end, a bore that is axial an aperture and a retainer groove formed in the bore and contiguous with the aperture. The assembly also includes a retainer mounted in the retainer groove. The retainer has a debris shield located external to the tubular body. The retainer includes a nominal configuration wherein the debris shield is configured to close off access to the aperture and the retainer groove to prevent debris from accumulating therein. In addition, the retainer includes an expanded configuration wherein the debris shield is not configured to completely close off access to the aperture and the retainer groove.

Abstract: A pipe retrieval machine has a frame defining a decoupling region and a travel axis and a transporting mechanism having a first gripping structure adjacent an infeed end of the machine and a second gripping structure adjacent an outfeed end of the machine. The decoupling region is disposed between the first and second gripping structures. A drive system is configured to move the first and second gripping structures at a steady state speed to direct the pipe along the travel axis. A decoupling device in the decoupling region has a decoupler that is automatically operable to engage a locking part of the coupling. The decoupling device is configured to selectively and automatically stop the pipe relative to the decoupling device, to disassemble at least one pipe section from the pipe, to move the detached pipe section from the machine, and to advance the remaining pipe for disassembly.

Abstract: A pipe restraining system has first and second pipes. Each pipe has an axis and a groove adjacent an axial end thereof. A bushing bridges and hydraulically seals with the first and second pipes. First and second clamp rings are removably attach the bushing to a respective one of the first and second pipes. When the pipe restraining system is assembled, axial tensile loads passing through the first pipe are transmitted through the first clamp ring, the bushing and the second clamp ring to the second pipe. An axial distance between the first and second pipes remains substantially constant.

Abstract: A pipe system includes a tubular body having an axis, a bore extending in an axial direction, a tubular body retainer groove formed in the bore, and a tubular body exterior. Retainers are configured to be mounted in the tubular body retainer groove only from the bore of the tubular body. In one version, the retainers cannot be installed in the tubular body retainer groove from the exterior of the tubular body. The retainers are configured to be circumferentially spaced apart from each other with respect to the axis. In addition, a pipe having a pipe exterior with a pipe retainer groove is configured to receive the retainers to form a pipe assembly.

Abstract: A pipe system has a pipe with an axis and a retainer groove formed in an exterior of the pipe near an axial end of the pipe. The pipe system also has a tubular body with an interior and one end sized to receive the axial end of the pipe therein to form a pipe assembly. The pipe system also has a retainer configured to be received in the retainer groove and to be both axially movable and radially movable relative to the retainer groove during formation of the pipe assembly and to retain the pipe and the tubular body in the pipe assembly.

Abstract: A pipe restrained joint seal and lock can include a ring that is continuous and annular. The ring can have an axis, a proximal end and a distal end axially spaced apart from the proximal end. A spline can extend from the ring to engage a spline groove of a tubular component. The spline can include one or more of the following features: a seal mounted to the distal end of the ring; the seal mounted to the ring axially distal of the spline; the seal mounted to the ring radially outward of the spline relative to the axis; and the seal mounted to the ring, the seal having a seal groove extending in a distal direction, and a portion of the ring is located in the seal groove.

Abstract: A pipe system can include a coupling having an axis, axial ends and a bore. Each axial end can include a coupling spline groove formed in the bore, and a seal groove axially inboard of the coupling spline groove. The seal groove can be configured to house a seal. At least two pipes can be configured to be inserted into different axial ends of the coupling and be secured therein with retainers. Each pipe can include a pipe spline groove, a band groove axially adjacent to and radially shallower than the pipe spline groove, and a band mounted in the band groove.

Abstract: A pipe system includes a pipe having an axis and a retainer groove formed in an exterior of the pipe. A retainer is mounted in the retainer groove. An entirety of the retainer is both axially movable and radially movable relative to the retainer groove during formation of a pipe assembly with a tubular body to form a pipe assembly.

Abstract: A pipe system includes a tubular body with an axis, a bore that is axial and a retainer groove formed in the bore of the tubular body. A retainer is mounted in the retainer groove. An entirety of the retainer is both axially movable and radially movable relative to the retainer groove during formation of a pipe assembly with a pipe in the bore.

Abstract: A pipe retrieval machine has a frame defining a decoupling region and a travel axis and a transporting mechanism having a first gripping structure adjacent an infeed end of the machine and a second gripping structure adjacent an outfeed end of the machine. The decoupling region is disposed between the first and second gripping structures. A drive system is configured to move the first and second gripping structures at a steady state speed to direct the pipe along the travel axis. A decoupling device in the decoupling region has a decoupler that is automatically operable to engage a locking part of the coupling. The decoupling device is configured to selectively and automatically stop the pipe relative to the decoupling device, to disassemble at least one pipe section from the pipe, to move the detached pipe section from the machine, and to advance the remaining pipe for disassembly.

Abstract: A pipe system includes a tubular body with an axis, a bore that is axial and a retainer groove formed in the bore of the tubular body. A retainer is mounted in the retainer groove. An entirety of the retainer is both axially movable and radially movable relative to the retainer groove during formation of a pipe assembly with a pipe in the bore.

Abstract: An assembly includes a tubular body having an axis, an axial end, a bore that is axial an aperture and a retainer groove formed in the bore and contiguous with the aperture. The assembly also includes a retainer mounted in the retainer groove. The retainer has a debris shield located external to the tubular body. The retainer includes a nominal configuration wherein the debris shield is configured to close off access to the aperture and the retainer groove to prevent debris from accumulating therein. In addition, the retainer includes an expanded configuration wherein the debris shield is not configured to completely close off access to the aperture and the retainer groove.