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US 10,053,923 B2Granted
Enhanced union connection
AssigneeForum US, Inc.
InventorsAndrew J. Johnson, Mark C. Dille, Wesley D. Freed
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An enhanced union connection for connecting tubular members together. The enhanced union connection may include a male end member, a female end member, a wing nut, and nut retaining segments. The union connection is configured to quickly and easily connect and disconnect tubular members together, while providing and maintaining a robust connection and seal (e.g. up to 15,000 psi or more) between the tubular members when connected together.
Claims18
A union connection, comprising:
- a male end member having a groove formed about an outer circumference of the male end member;
- at least two nut retaining segments coupled together and at least partially disposed in the groove of the male end member, wherein the groove of the male end member includes a tapered surface that contacts a first tapered surface of the nut retaining segments, and wherein the groove of the male end member further includes a curved surface having a variable radius along a length of the curved surface;
- a female end member having threads formed about an outer circumference of the female end member;
- and
- a wing nut having a groove and threads formed about an inner circumference of the wing nut, wherein the groove of the wing nut includes a tapered surface that contacts a second tapered surface of the nut retaining segments, and wherein the threads of the wing nut thread into engagement with the threads of the female end member.
2 more elements
A union connection, comprising:
- a male end member having a groove formed about an outer circumference of the male end member;
- at least two nut retaining segments coupled together and at least partially disposed in the groove of the male end member, wherein the groove of the male end member includes a tapered surface that contacts a first tapered surface of the nut retaining segments;
- a female end member having threads formed about an outer circumference of the female end member;
- and
- a wing nut having a groove and threads formed about an inner circumference of the wing nut, wherein the groove of the wing nut includes a tapered surface that contacts a second tapered surface of the nut retaining segments, wherein the groove of the wing nut further includes a curved surface having a variable radius along a length of the curved surface, and wherein the threads of the wing nut thread into engagement with the threads of the female end member.
2 more elements
A union connection, comprising:
- a male end member having a groove formed about an outer circumference of the male end member;
- at least two nut retaining segments coupled together and at least partially disposed in the groove of the male end member, wherein the groove of the male end member includes a tapered surface that contacts a first tapered surface of the nut retaining segments;
- a female end member having threads formed about an outer circumference of the female end member;
- and
- a wing nut having a groove and threads formed about an inner circumference of the wing nut, wherein the groove of the wing nut includes a tapered surface that contacts a second tapered surface of the nut retaining segments, wherein the threads of the wing nut thread into engagement with the threads of the female end member, and wherein the threads of the wing nut have single point contact with the threads of the female end member.
2 more elements
A union connection, comprising:
- a male end member having a groove formed about an outer circumference of the male end member, wherein at least a portion of the groove has a curved surface with a variable radius along at least a portion of a length of the curved surface;
- a female end member having threads formed about an outer circumference of the female end member;
- a wing nut having a groove and threads formed about an inner circumference of the wing nut, wherein the threads of the wing nut thread into engagement with the threads of the female end member;
- and
- at least two nut retaining segments coupled together and at least partially in contact with the groove of the male end member and the groove of the wing nut to couple the male end member to the female end member via the wing nut.
2 more elements
A union connection, comprising:
- a male end member having a groove formed about an outer circumference of the male end member;
- a female end member having threads formed about an outer circumference of the female end member;
- a wing nut having a groove and threads formed about an inner circumference of the wing nut, wherein at least a portion of the groove of the wing nut has a curved surface with a variable radius along at least a portion of a length of the curved surface, and wherein the threads of the wing nut thread into engagement with the threads of the female end member;
- and
- at least two nut retaining segments coupled together and at least partially in contact with the groove of the male end member and the groove of the wing nut to couple the male end member to the female end member via the wing nut.
2 more elements
A union connection, comprising:
- a male end member having a groove formed about an outer circumference of the male end member;
- a female end member having threads formed about an outer circumference of the female end member;
- a wing nut having a groove and threads formed about an inner circumference of the wing nut, wherein the threads of the wing nut thread into engagement with the threads of the female end member and have single point contact with the threads of the female end member;
- and
- at least two nut retaining segments coupled together and at least partially in contact with the groove of the male end member and the groove of the wing nut to couple the male end member to the female end member via the wing nut.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.