Tubular connection with slotted threads
A connection for the quick and functionally reliable connection of tubulars including pipes and casing. The connection having a male or pin end and a mating female, box, or socket end and sections of circumferentially and axially extending protuberances such as thread segments or lugs interrupted by slots extending circumferentially and axially approximately the same distance as the corresponding protuberance section and can have at least on continuous, uninterrupted thread for a landing surface. Both the pin and box have matching or corresponding arrays of interrupted threads and slots. When properly aligned, the array will be accepted by a corresponding slot when mating the pin and box. After proper mating, the connection is secured by rotating the pin or box to further mate the corresponding patches of the pin and box.
This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/690,920, filed Oct. 22, 2003, entitled “Tubular Connection with Slotted Threads.”
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to assembling pipe sections together to produce, among other things, a pipe string and, more particularly, to assembling pipe strings by use of interrupted or slotted threads by which small partial turns of one pipe portion relative to the other completes the individual connection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the present invention will be described in connection with presently contemplated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. Further it should be understood that the drawings used to illustrate these embodiments are also not intended to limit the present invention but are intended to disclose the presently contemplated embodiments. These descriptions and drawings are intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents included within the spirit of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSThe connections to be described herein may be produced in the ends of pipe segments which are preferably but not exclusively installed in a pipe string or can be produced as a short ring, or length of pipe which is then attached to the pipe segment preferably but not exclusively by welding.
The interrupted threads to be described herein can be produced by removing sections of threads on a threaded connection or can be produced by machining, milling, or a similar process. It should be appreciated that the protuberances or thread segments, or shorter pieces of the original thread that remain after a portion of the threads are cut away or that are otherwise produced in or on the pipe ends or attachable pipe segments are referred to as interrupted threads, partial threads, lugs, cams, threads, protrusions, protuberances, thread segments and the like. These terms should not be distinguished based on method of production. As an example, whether a protuberance is produced as a result of removing a portion of an existing thread or by machining or milling operations when no thread exists, the protuberance (or multiple protuberances) would be within the scope of this invention regardless of the term describing it. It should be further appreciated that there are a large variety of synonyms for these protuberances and the arrays of the protuberances that are formed by cutting away sections of the threads or that are otherwise produced in or on the pipe ends or attachable pipe segments. Substantially the same synonyms are used when these protuberances or thread segments are the result of machining, milling, or similar operations to produce the pipe end configurations. The grouping of these protuberances is typically referred to as arrays, circumferential arrays, patches, cam patches and the like. The areas between the arrays of protuberances are typically referred to as slots or other synonymous names. These terms are used interchangeably herein to aid those in the art with a more complete understanding of the present invention. Thus, the name applied to these protuberances, arrays of protuberances, or areas between the arrays is not intended to limit the present invention.
Pipe segments subject to pile driving have a diameter to wall thickness ratio that varies considerably. Different ratios require different threads. Some ratios require abutments capable of accepting pile driving loads borne by the abutments alone, with threads accepting the rebound energy. In some cases threads alone carry the shock load and no separate abutment is involved.
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When threads are used with thin walled pipe, the hammering effect on the pipe wall near the connection shoulders can deform the material radially. The result is generally failure. The threads can be shaped to radially urge mating parts together. Such thread sections are called capture or entrapment threads. The thread section is preferably a dove tailed shape. If less radial security is required, only one flank can be shaped for the entrapment.
An embodiment of the present disclosure involves a coupling that usually has unthreaded axial extensions, extending in both axial directions from the threaded length, useful for alignment and sealing. Those continuing surfaces may be cylindrical or conical, or a combination of both when used with straight or tapered threads.
With interrupted threads, the entire make-up can take a relatively small fraction of a full rotation of the pipe. The number of circumferential arrays of the protuberances or interrupted threads determine the required amount of turn of the male end or pin relative to the female end or box to make the connection. The array is that circumferential area of thread that was not cut away or of the machined protuberances or lugs. With four cut-outs, a thread would produce four thread segments (also referred to as lugs, protuberances, protrusions, and the like) per turn and advance axially one-fourth of the thread pitch. In an embodiment of the present device the entire make-up, of the connection, is achieved in as little as one-twentieth ( 1/20) of a turn and the wedging effect is the same as for long continuous threads. This is a factor of the number of arrays and slots. However, more thread length may be required, to maintain joint strength, because of the amount of threads which are cut away as slots. But the small turn requirement, such as only one-twentieth of a full turn, still remains valid. The additional thread length is gained by having more thread segments in the axial array.
If preferred, the pin 70 can be oriented such that an array will enter a slot counterclockwise of the slot normally entered. The uncut thread 74 will allow the mating parts to turn the arrays through a slot before entering the target array that pulls the abutting surfaces into final position.
The thread angle can be increased by using double, or multiple, threads in which case more than one thread starts at the same axial position. Thus, if a faster helical angle is needed, an embodiment with multiple threads can be used. More than one thread would start at a selected transverse plane. The resulting plurality of threads would each progress axially a greater amount per turn. If using thread segments not derived from threads, the helical angle can have any practical rate of axial advance relative to circumferential extension.
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The use of a coupling is also advantageous to adapt an existing inventory of pipe which may have already been manufactured to be threaded or welded. In such a case, the coupling could be easily attached to the pipes prior to the delivery of the pipes to the rig, or in an area adjacent to the rig. This method would allow the conversion of such inventory pipe to pipe with the interrupted or slotted thread connection. In order to be able to utilize the majority of the inventory pipe, the coupling would need to be produced with the variety of ends described herein. Thus, a connection could be adapted to fit substantially all pipe including, but not limited to pipes with threaded ends, weld ends, pipes which need to be run pin up, pipes which need to be run pin down, pipes that for any reason already have some other type of end connection and the like.
In use, the pipe ends are preferably produced prior to the pipe being shipped to the drilling rig. Or as described herein, the ends can be attached to the pipes near the rig or couplings could be used and attached to the pipes before shipment to the rig or near the rig. In any case, an objective would be for the pipe ends to be prepared with the interrupted thread or slotted thread ends prior to the time the pipes are needed for driving a pipe string into the ground. Preferably, once the first pipe is substantially in a position requiring the attachment of the next length of pipe, a second pipe is preferably positioned such that the male or pin end of the second pipe is substantially longitudinally aligned with the female or box end of the first pipe. It should be appreciated that if the first pipe has a male end or the pin up then the second pipe must be aligned with the female end or box down. An alternative would be to use a coupling with an end connection selected for the desired mating connections. Preferably, after the first and second pipes are substantially aligned longitudinally, they are preferably aligned such that the arrays of protuberances of one pipe end substantially align with the slots of the other mating pipe end. This alignment can be preferably accomplished by rotation of one of the pipes with respect to the other. Next, preferably the second pipe is moved substantially in a longitudinal direction with respect to the first pipe. When the pipes have substantially fully mated in the longitudinal direction, one pipe is rotated with respect to the other pipe. With any rotation of the one pipe, the connection is complete. The amount of rotation preferably depends on the number of arrays of protuberances and the number of protuberances in each longitudinal column.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that this invention is one well adapted to meet the needs of industry. It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
As many possible embodiments may be made of the connector of this invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof, and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that various changes in the size, shape and materials, the use of mechanical equivalents, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction or combinations of features of the various coring elements may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The graphic preference for axially directed slots is not to be construed as a limitation.
Claims
1. A connection for assembly of pipe, the connection comprising:
- a first pipe having a female end;
- a second pipe having a male end;
- said female end having an inner surface and an outer surface;
- said male end having an inner surface and an outer surface;
- a first plurality of protuberances circumferentially and longitudinally spaced relative to each other about the inner surface of said female end;
- a second plurality of protuberances circumferentially and longitudinally spaced relative to each other about the outer surface of said male end;
- wherein said circumferential spacing forms a circumferential array comprising at least one longitudinal column on both the inner surface of said female end and the outer surface of said male end;
- said plurality of circumferential arrays aligned such that said plurality of protuberances are accepted by a mating pipe end when said male and female pipe ends move longitudinally relative to each other for forming a connection; and
- wherein the male and female ends engage upon any rotation of one pipe relative to the other pipe wherein such rotation causes said protuberances of the male end and said protuberances of the female end to move circumferentially with respect to each other.
2. The connection according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of arrays comprises an odd number of said arrays.
3. The connection according to claim 1, wherein at least some of said protuberances are shaped to be radially captured to prevent radial expansion of the female end relative to the male end.
4. The connection according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said protuberances embodies at least one interference dimension that causes one surface to displace a mating surface.
5. The connection of claim 1, wherein at least some of the protuberances have a crest and a root and wherein radial interference exists between the crest and root of at least one mating protuberance, said interference increasing with the relative rotation between the male and female ends.
6. The connection according to claim 1, wherein one wrap of said at least one screw thread on at least one of said first and second pipe ends is not interrupted by said slots, to provide a landing surface for said pipe ends when they are moved longitudinally into engagement.
7. The connection according to claim 1, further comprising a first alignment indicator on said male end and a second alignment indicator on said female end wherein said indicators being positioned to correspond with the circumferential point that marks the start of an array of protuberances such that when said indicators are aligned prior to said rotation of one pipe relative to the other pipe, said indicators will provide visual indication of the amount of rotation.
8. The connection according to claim 1, wherein a locking element preventing loosening extends through a wall of the female end to project into the path at least one protuberance would traverse if the connection were to loosen.
9. A method of making a connection comprising:
- providing a first pipe having at least one female end, said female end having an inner surface and an outer surface;
- providing a second pipe having a at least one male end, said male end having an inner surface and an outer surface;
- providing a first plurality of protuberances circumferentially and longitudinally spaced relative to each other about the inner surface of said female end;
- providing a second plurality of protuberances circumferentially and longitudinally spaced relative to each other about the outer surface of said male end;
- wherein said circumferential spacing forms a circumferential array comprising at least one longitudinal column on both the inner surface of said female end and the outer surface of said male end;
- aligning said first pipe and said second pipe such that the female end of said first pipe is aligned to receive the male end of said second pipe;
- further aligning said first pipe and said second pipe wherein said plurality of circumferential arrays are aligned such that said first plurality of protuberances, are accepted by a mating pipe end when the pipe ends move longitudinally relative to each other for forming a connection;
- providing longitudinal movement wherein said male end will enter and mate with said female end;
- continuing longitudinal movement until said male end is fully engaged in said female end; and
- rotating one pipe with respect to the other pipe wherein said rotation causes the protuberances of the male and female ends to move circumferentially with respect to each other and wherein the male and female ends engage each other.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the rotation of one pipe segment with respect to the other pipe segment is less than 20 degrees.
11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of providing a first alignment indicator on said male end and a second alignment indicator on said female end wherein said indicators being positioned to correspond with the circumferential point that marks the start of the circumferential array of protuberances such that when said indicators are aligned prior to said rotation of one pipe relative to the other pipe, said indicators will provide visual indication of the amount of rotation.
12. A threaded connection for end-to-end assembly of pipe sections to pipe strings, the connection comprising:
- a first pipe end with a socket and a second pipe end with a pin to mate with said socket;
- a plurality of first cam patches of first arcuate cams extending peripherally about the inner surface of said socket, said first cam patches separated by surfaces defining peripherally extending first slots;
- a plurality of second cam patches of second arcuate cams extending peripherally about the outer surface of said pin, said second cam patches separated by surfaces defining peripherally extending second slots;
- all said slots and patches arranged such that said patches are accepted by said slots when said pin end is axially inserted into said socket;
- all said arcuate cams axially distributed some distance and comprising lands and grooves peripherally extending some distance in a selected helical direction, said grooves configured to accept said lands when rotation of said box relative to said pin causes said lands to move peripherally along said grooves; and
- at least one first abutting surface on said first pipe arranged to oppose and mate with a second abutting surface on said second pipe, with a selected axial force, when said patches on said pin are approximately juxtaposed with said patches on said socket.
13. The connection according to claim 12, wherein at least some of said lands and their related said grooves are shaped to radially capture said lands within its related said grooves to prevent radial expansion of said socket relative to said pin.
14. The connection according to claim 12, wherein at least one of said arcuate cams embodies at least one interference dimension that causes one surface to displace a mating surface, by material strain, to increase the torque required to rotate said first pipe relative to said second pipe.
15. The connection according to claim 12, wherein one wrap of said at least one screw thread on at least one of said first and second pipe ends is not interrupted by said slots, to provide a landing surface for said pipe ends when they are moved axially into engagement.
16. The connection according to claim 12, wherein at least some of said lands and grooves have dimensional relationships such that an interference resists rotation of said socket relative to said pin, said interference requiring expansion of said socket for the connection to be completed.
17. The connection according to claim 12, wherein a locking element extends through a wall of the socket to project into the path at least one arcuate cam would traverse if the connection were to loosen, to prevent such loosening.
18. A threaded connection for end-to-end assembly of pipe sections, the connection comprising:
- first and second pipe ends to be threadedly joined, said first pipe having female configuration defined as a box, the second pipe having mating male configurations defined as a pin;
- the box having, in series, a first abutment surface defining one end of the first pipe, a first unthreaded length, a first threaded length, a second unthreaded length, and a second abutment surface to terminate the box configuration on the first pipe;
- the pin having, in series, a third abutment surface to mate said second abutment surface, a third unthreaded length to be received in the second unthreaded length, a second threaded length to mate with the first threaded length, a fourth unthreaded length to be received in the first unthreaded length, and a fourth abutment surface to mate with the first abutment surface and terminate the pin configuration;
- the first and second threaded lengths, each, comprising at least two patches of incomplete threads on the pin and similar and mating patches of incomplete threads in the box, all said patches formed by peripheral thread cut-outs producing surfaces to define slots which will accept the patches when the box receives the pin in axial relative movement, the patches on the pin arranged to engage the patches in the box when the pin is rotated relative to the box, said abutting surfaces to be axially force loaded a preselected amount when the patches on the pin are approximately juxtaposed with the patches on the box.
19. The threaded connection of claim 18, wherein radial interference exists between the crest and root of at least one mating thread, said interference increasing, within selected limits, with the relative tightening rotation between the pin and the box.
20. The threaded connection of claim 19, wherein said interference increases until a selected amount of relative rotation of the box and pin is achieved, then said interference is reduced for the remaining amount of the tightening relative rotation.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 8, 2005
Publication Date: Dec 29, 2005
Inventors: Donald Mosing (Lafayette, LA), David Sipos (Lafayette, LA), Jeremy Angelle (Lafayette, LA)
Application Number: 11/199,617