# US 10,309,198 B2 · Pipe coupling > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,198 B2 - Document ID: US10309198B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/986,689 - Filed: 2016-01-03 - Published: 2016-07-07 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-05 - Assignees: Morph Packers Limited - Applicants: Meta Downhole Limited - Inventors: William Luke McElligott; Neil Philip Thomson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309198B2 ## CPC - E21B 43/106: {Couplings or joints therefor} - E21B 17/042: Threaded - E21B 17/043: with locking means - F16L 15/002: {with more than one threaded section} - F16L 15/04: with additional sealings - F16L 15/06: characterised by the shape of the screw-thread - Y10T 29/49881: of separate helix [e.g., screw thread] - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A coupling system between tubular members such as tubing, pipes, casing and liner for location in a well bore in which the ends of each tubular have cooperating profiled sections. The profiled sections are arranged coaxially and a radially applied force is applied to form a metal to metal sealed connection. At least one profiled section includes a projection, the projection containing an overhang to the surface of the tubular member, the overhang locking with the opposing profile when the force is applied to provide a coupling with increased burst and collapse rating. Embodiments are provided of arrangements of overhangs such as oppositely directed overhangs and interlocking overhangs. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A non-threaded coupling system between first and second tubular members comprising: a first tubular member having a first end which includes a first profiled section extending circumferentially and continuously around an outer surface; a second tubular member having a second end which includes a second profiled section extending circumferentially and continuously around an inner surface; the first end of the first tubular member being inserted within the second end of the second tubular member so that the profiled sections are coaxial and then by application of a force creating a metal to metal seal between the tubular members at the profiled sections, characterised in that: at least one profiled section includes at least two rims each forming a projection from a surface of the tubular member with a corresponding groove therebetween, the groove having a base and the projections each providing a sloping wall which forms an angle with the base, wherein at least one of the sloping walls forms an acute angle with the base to provide a overhang to the base; the at least one profiled section includes two overhangs, the overhangs being oppositely directed; and wherein the overhangs are on opposite sides of a single projection. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A non-threaded coupling system according to claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of overhangs comprising a plurality of first overhangs on an upper portion of the first profiled section and a plurality of second overhangs on a lower portion of the first profiled section, the first and second overhangs being oppositely directed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A non-threaded coupling system according to claim 2 wherein correspondingly, there is a plurality of second overhangs on an upper portion of the second profiled section and a plurality of first overhangs on a lower portion of the second profiled section. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A non-threaded coupling system according to claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of projections and each projection provides a guide surface opposite the overhang. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A non-threaded coupling system according to claim 1 wherein the first and second tubular members have the same outer diameter and inner diameter. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A non-threaded coupling system according to claim 1 wherein the force is applied radially outwardly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A non-threaded coupling system according to claim 1 wherein the force is applied radially inwards. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A non-threaded coupling system according to claim 1 wherein the projection is a continuous annular rim. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A non-threaded coupling system according to claim 1 wherein the first profiled section and the second profiled section are tapered. ### Claim 10 A method of coupling tubular members at a well, comprising the steps: a) providing a non-threaded coupling system between first and second tubular members comprising: a first tubular member having a first end which includes a first profiled section extending circumferentially and continuously around an outer surface; a second tubular member having a second end which includes a second profiled section extending circumferentially and continuously around an inner surface; and at least one profiled section includes at least one profiled section includes at least two rims each forming a projection from a surface of the tubular member with a corresponding groove therebetween, the groove having a base and the projections each providing a sloping wall which forms an angle with the base, wherein at least one of the sloping walls forms an acute angle with the base to provide a overhang to the base; the at least one profiled section includes two overhangs, the overhangs being oppositely directed; and wherein the overhangs are on opposite sides of a single projection; b) gripping the second tubular member in a tubular string at the well; c) supporting the first tubular member and moving the first tubular member to the second tubular member; d) locating the first end of the first tubular member into the second end of the second tubular member; e) then applying a force to move the first and second ends relative to each other under elastic and plastic deformation; and f) creating a metal to metal seal between the first end of the first tubular member and the second end of the second tubular member. ### Claim 11 A non-threaded coupling system between first and second tubular members comprising: a first tubular member having a first end which includes a first profiled section extending circumferentially and continuously around an outer surface; a second tubular member having a second end which includes a second profiled section extending circumferentially and continuously around an inner surface; the first end of the first tubular member being inserted within the second end of the second tubular member so that the profiled sections are coaxial and then by application of a force creating a metal to metal seal between the tubular members at the profiled sections, characterised in that: at least one profiled section includes at least two rims each forming a projection from a surface of the tubular member with a corresponding groove therebetween, the groove having a base and the projections each providing a sloping wall which forms an angle with the base, wherein at least one of the sloping walls forms an acute angle with the base to provide a overhang to the base; there are at least two overhangs, a first overhang on the first profiled section and a second overhang on the second profiled section, the first and second overhangs being oppositely directed and separated longitudinally; and wherein a mating profile at each overhang is a projection having an outer face which is perpendicular to the surface of the tubular member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A non-threaded coupling system according to claim 11 wherein there are a plurality of overhangs comprising a plurality of first overhangs on an upper portion of the first profiled section and a plurality of second overhangs on a lower portion of the first profiled section, the first and second overhangs being oppositely directed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A non-threaded coupling system according to claim 12 wherein correspondingly, there is a plurality of second overhangs on an upper portion of the second profiled section and a plurality of first overhangs on a lower portion of the second profiled section. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A non-threaded coupling system according to claim 11 wherein there are a plurality of projections and each projection provides a guide surface opposite the overhang. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A non-threaded coupling system according to claim 11 wherein the first and second tubular members have the same outer diameter and inner diameter. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) A non-threaded coupling system according to claim 11 wherein the force is applied radially outwardly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) A non-threaded coupling system according to claim 11 wherein the force is applied radially inwards. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) A non-threaded coupling system according to claim 11 wherein the projection is a continuous annular rim. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) A non-threaded coupling system according to claim 11 wherein the first profiled section and the second profiled section are tapered. ### Claim 20 A method of coupling tubular members at a well, comprising the steps: a) providing a non-threaded coupling system between first and second tubular members comprising: a first tubular member having a first end which includes a first profiled section extending circumferentially and continuously around an outer surface; a second tubular member having a second end which includes a second profiled section extending circumferentially and continuously around an inner surface; and at least one profiled section includes at least one profiled section includes at least two rims each forming a projection from a surface of the tubular member with a corresponding groove therebetween, the groove having a base and the projections each providing a sloping wall which forms an angle with the base, wherein at least one of the sloping walls forms an acute angle with the base to provide a overhang to the base; there are at least two overhangs, a first overhang on the first profiled section and a second overhang on the second profiled section, the first and second overhangs being oppositely directed and separated longitudinally; and a mating profile at each overhang is a projection having an outer face which is perpendicular to the surface of the tubular member; b) gripping the second tubular member in a tubular string at the well; c) supporting the first tubular member and moving the first tubular member to the second tubular member; d) locating the first end of the first tubular member into the second end of the second tubular member; e) then applying a force to move the first and second ends relative to each other under elastic and plastic deformation; and f) creating a metal to metal seal between the first end of the first tubular member and the second end of the second tubular member.