Abstract: A threadless interconnection system for sections of pipe as provided by a male/female interconnection in which the male member and female members have mating tapered surfaces providing both the camming action for inset snap rings that engage concurrently upon assembly of the interconnection. The tapered section includes angles which assure that snap rings are precentered within tolerances before being gradually opened during the assembly process, while also providing a metal-to-metal seal after assembly. Sealing is facilitated by composite seals that include O-rings arranged with compatible actuator and backup rings so as to avoid destruction of the O-ring geometry because of bending, flexure and torsional forces.

Abstract: A pipe coupling system including a modified collar (12) into which a first pipe (40) and a second pipe (30) are inserted. In a first embodiment, a ring (22) resides within the collar which can serve as a torque shoulder or a metal to metal seal. In a second embodiment, a composite element (22') is formed of three concentric rings, a first ring (41) being composed of a Teflon.RTM. like material, a second ring (44) being composed of a Torlon.RTM. or Peek.RTM. like material, and a third ring (42) composed of a Teflon.RTM. like material. The adjoining surfaces (60,61) of the rings (41,42,44) form leakage paths to relieve accumulated pressure within the collar thread voids (51). A slip on gauge (52) is disclosed for prescreening pipe to insure that it is within the tolerances required for the present system. A bucking plug (8) is disclosed for insuring that the first pipe (40) is inserted within the collar (12) to the proper depth.

Abstract: An interconnection system for pipelines and other oil country applications enables the parent metal of internally coated or lined pipe to be free of thermal and mechanical stresses that degrade the coatings or linings. A male member having an internal lining and a female member into which the male member is to be fitted each have internal circumferential grooves into which open loop snap rings are locked. By arranging grooves and snap rings of progressively changing axial lengths, a number of rings are deployed in a given installation, since rings preinstalled in the female member pass over smaller grooves in an inserted male member until all contrast into position at the same time. In a pin and box combination, the nose ends of the pins compress a central seal ring that is internally flush with the pin linings. The central seal and O-rings seated in the box and engaging the pins block passage of internal presurgical gases and corrosive materials.

Abstract: A pipe coupling system including a modified collar (12) into which a first pipe (40) and a second pipe (30) are inserted. In a first embodiment, a ring (22) resides within the collar which can serve as a torque shoulder or a metal to metal seal. In a second embodiment, a composite element (22') is formed of three concentric rings, a first ring (41) being composed of a Teflon.RTM. like material, a second ring (44) being composed of a Torlon.RTM. or Peek.RTM. like material, and a third ring (42) composed of a Teflon.RTM. like material. The adjoining surfaces (60,61) of the rings (41,42,44) form leakage paths to relieve accumulated pressure within the collar thread voids (51). A slip on gauge (52) is disclosed for prescreening pipe to insure that it is within the tolerances required for the present system. A bucking plug (8) is disclosed for insuring that the first pipe (40) is inserted within the collar (12) to the proper depth.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the seal integrity and useful life of tubing and casing strings fills the volume between the nose ends of facing tubing sections and the collar to which they are mutually joined with a temperature and corrosion resistant element having a smooth interior surface substantially flush with the inner diameter of the tubing or casing. During makeup of each successive section of the drill string, a center fill tool including an expansible tubular element is seated below the coupling area to be self-retained, by the use of pressure expansion of a cylindrical surface. A precise amount of a curable material is inserted into the volume bounded by the nose ends and the collars (the so-called "J area") and while the material is still flowable the coupling is made up by threading in of the next tubular element.

Abstract: Precision makeup at high speed of the most used forms of pipe and casing for production wells is assured by a novel coupling system. A pipe collar is provided with an internal precision makeup ring whose length along the pipe axis assures precise positioning and engagement. When the nose of the pipe is engaged with metal-to-metal contact against a reference shoulder on the precision ring a side surface on the nose end of the pipe engages a center seal ring disposed in the side wall of the collar between the reference shoulder and the threaded portion. This seal constitutes an effective barrier against the leakage of high internal pressures into the thread engagement region. End seals are mounted in grooves in the end recess portions of the collar, outside the threaded engagement region, to provide seals against external pressure, which can also vent internal pressures that are in excess of a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A coupling for tubings or casings having internal corrosion resistant coatings comprises a pair of tubular members having upset ends, together with outer reference shoulders and threaded regions including low profile, shallow taper threads. A collar of a length related to the reference shoulder positions is engaged against both, and in such positions the ends of the tubular members compress opposite sides of an elastomeric seal that is fitted over an integral central ring in the collar, and that is engaged by side tapers at the nose ends of the tubular members. The seal conforms to the nose ends in a fashion that insures continuity in the corrosion resistant coating while also providing a barrier against electrolytic action.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the seal integrity and useful life of tubing and casing strings fills the volume between the nose ends of facing tubing sections and the collar to which they are mutually joined with a temperature and corrosion resistant element having a smooth interior surface substantially flush with the inner diameter of the tubing or casing. During makeup of each successive section of the drill string, a center fill tool including an expansible tubular element is seated below the coupling area to be self-retained, by the use of pressure expansion of a cylindrical surface. A precise amount of a curable material is inserted into the volume bounded by the nose ends and the collars (the so-called "J area") and while the material is still flowable the coupling is made up by threading in of the next tubular element.

Abstract: Precision makeup at high speed of the most used forms of pipe and casing for production wells is assured by a novel coupling system. A pipe collar is provided with an internal precision makeup ring whose length along the pipe axis assures precise positioning and engagement. When the nose of the pipe is engaged with metal-to-metal contact against a reference shoulder on the precision ring a side surface on the nose end of the pipe engages a center seal ring disposed in the side wall of the collar between the reference shoulder and the threaded portion. This seal constitutes an effective barrier against the leakage of high internal pressures into the thread engagement region. End seals are mounted in grooves in the end recess portions of the collar, outside the threaded engagement region, to provide seals against external pressure, which can also vent internal pressures that are in excess of a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A retaining member (26) is constructed undersized from a memory metal for permitting a member (26) disposed in an element retaining position to recover and grippingly engage a stud (12) on which the member (26) is arranged. The retaining member (26) can be used alone, or in combination with a load-carrying nut (16) for greater strength. Providing a convex face (46) on the retaining member (26), and a concave surface (40) on the load-carrying nut (16), permits the total height of the arrangement to be limited to only slightly more than the height of the load-carrying nut alone in order to meet existing space limitations.

Abstract: In the joinder of successive sections of pipe or casing, as in oil well applications, the quality of the joinder during makeup is measured by sensing actual bearing pressure. A deformation resistant member such as a chain having solely point contact engagement with the pipe collar includes a short sensor section deformable within its yield limits and is wrapped about the collar in the mid-region of its threaded portion. As the pipe is threaded into the collar, bearing forces exerted on the collar are measured by strain gauges in terms of the extension of the sensor section. The non-yielding character of the chain and its transverse span provide both an integration of the circumferential deformation within the band of interest and a substantial mechanical gain at the sensor section.

Abstract: A lubricant composition for thread or bearing surface operated at high temperature and stress load conditions, a thixotropic mixture including a Jojoba base vehicle, metallic and non-metallic particulates, a metallic component for wetting the stressed thread or bearing surfaces, together with non-metallic particulates that coat the stressed surfaces and other metallic particulate solids also wet by the metallic component. The lubricating vehicle retains the composition in place under extremely high temperatures without gassing off so that the particulate elements function properly to permit relative sliding motion of the stressed surfaces.

Abstract: A drill string working tool is provided that may be releasably engaged to and removed from a drill string member. The tool, such as a cylindrical stabilizer body, is positioned around a cylindrical drill string member, the inner diameter of the stabilizer body being greater than the outer diameter of the drill string member, so as to provide an annular cavity between the stabilizer body and the drill string member. A heating element disposed within a protective outer sheath is mounted axially along the inner surface of the stabilizer body. For installation, a low melting point solid material such as zinc or a zinc alloy is poured in to substantially fill the annular cavity. The stabilizer compression preloads the zinc onto the drill string member, and thus the stabilizer body is non-rotatably attached to the drill string member. For removal, the low melting point fill material is removed from the annular cavity by remelting with the interior heating element and pouring out the fill material.

Abstract: A power tong system for engaging or disengaging threaded pipe sections has an annular rotary member that is supported against lateral thrust and include a hinged portion that is pivotable to permit side access to a pipe. The rotary member is rotated about its central axis by a peripheral drive chain engaging the rotary member through a relatively small wrap angle. The free end of the hinged portion and the opposing end of the principal body of the rotary interlock and become more secure in self-centering fashion under the spreading forces that are exerted during operation. Structurally rigid head plates on opposite sides of the rotary member are slidable relative to the housing, and incorporate spaced apart radial bearing slots that guide oppositely disposed heads that engage the pipe with hardened die elements. Twisting moments on the heads are absorbed in the head plates, such that the heads are subjected only to uniform and symmetrical forces.

Abstract: The present method and apparatus are believed to be the first to achieve, at least in a practical manner susceptible of widespread use on large numbers of joints, both proper engagement and proper makeup torque between tapered threaded members such as sections of pipe in an oil well or pipeline. In accordance with one embodiment, presently preferred, gage means are employed to determine the actual hand tight plane of each tapered threaded member, and a mark is made on each such member in predetermined relationship to the hand tight plane. Such marks are then employed for field inspection of joints which have been made up to a predetermined, measured, desired makeup torque. In accordance with another embodiment, the members (for example, casing and tubing sections and collars) are made up until the marks on the collar and the pipe are at a predetermined axial distance from each other at a predetermined makeup torque or predetermined desired range of makeup torques.

Abstract: A power tong system for engaging or disengaging threaded pipe sections has an annular rotary member that is supported against lateral thrust and include a hinged portion that is pivotable to permit side access to a pipe. The rotary member is rotated about its central axis by a peripheral drive chain engaging the rotary member through a relatively small wrap angle. The free end of the hinged portion and the opposing end of the principal body of the rotary interlock and become more secure in self-centering fashion under the spreading forces that are exerted during operation. An interlock and latching system insure against erroneous sequencing and operation without full closure of the hinged mechanisms. Structurally rigid head plates on opposite sides of the rotary member are slidable relative to the housing, and incorporate spaced apart radial bearing slots that guide oppositely disposed heads that engage the pipe with hardened die elements.

Abstract: The present method and apparatus are believed to be the first to achieve, at least in a practical manner susceptible of widespread use on large numbers of joints, both proper engagement and proper makeup torque between tapered threaded members such as sections of pipe in an oil well or pipeline. In accordance with one embodiment, presently preferred, gage means are employed to determine the actual hand tight plane of each tapered threaded member, and a mark is made on each such member in predetermined relationship to the hand tight plane. Such marks are then employed for field inspection of joints which have been made up to a predetermined, measured, desired makeup torque. In accordance with another embodiment, the members (for example, casing and tubing sections and collars) are made up until the marks on the collar and the pipe are at a predetermined axial distance from each other at a predetermined makeup torque or predetermined desired range of makeup torques.

Abstract: A pneumatically-operated thread protector for casing pipe, etc., has a thick rubber bladder which extends on (a) the outside, (b) the inside, and (c) the extreme end of the pipe, such bladder being generally U-sectioned or hairpin-sectioned. Provided around and within the bladder is a shock-resistant and wear-resistant metal housing which is also U-sectioned or hairpin-sectioned generally correspondingly to the bladder. Means are provided to seal the lips of the bladder to the housing, and to prevent the housing from shifting off the inflated bladder, in such manner as to permit substitution of new bladders yet to (a) maintain effective air seals, and (b) maintain the parts in assembled condition despite the effects of tremendous loads and shocks. Means are provided to inflate the bladder so that it will grip or grasp tightly the exterior and interior cylindrical surfaces of the pipe end, thus minimizing the possibility of accidental demounting of the protector from the pipe.

Abstract: The casing of an external leak tester for joints in oil well pipes is greatly reinforced in a compact manner by a cage which is symmetrical about two planes oriented at right angles to each other -- each plane containing the axis of the pipe to be tested. Four parallel pins interconnect the components of the cage, and one such pin (a lock pin) is retractable by piston means in order to permit the cage and thus the casing to open wide for lateral reception of the pipe. A plurality of means are provided to effect precise and rapid alignment of apertures in the cage, in order that the piston-operated lock pin may be inserted without binding to thereby lock the cage in closed condition. Cylinder-operated hooks are provided to effect augmented sealing compression of the sealing means for the test chamber, and to close the cage to the position at which the lock pin may be inserted as indicated above.