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US 11,378,214 B2Granted
Coaxial tubing systems with securable spacers
OwnerLawrence Wolfinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Spacers are provided for maintaining annular tube spacing, particularly at tube ends, in coaxial tubing systems, while also proving fluid passages ways permitting fluid flow between tubes of the coaxial tubing system. The spacers may be made of conductive material for enabling electrical coupling of the inner and outer tubes, and thus grounding of the inner tube. The spacers define a retention groove extending around their periphery for receiving a crimped portion of the outer tube, so as to mechanically fix the spacer in a longitudinal position relative to the coaxial tubing system. Accordingly, the spacer does not rely on “springbuck” characteristics of bent coaxial tubing systems for fixation, and thus is suitable for use in both bend and unbent portions of coaxial tubing systems.
Claims31
A spacer for maintaining annular spacing between inner and outer tubes of a coaxial tubing system comprising an outer tube, having a cross-sectional inner dimension, and a hollow inner tube disposed within the outer tube and having a cross-sectional outer dimension, said spacer comprising:
- an annular body extending longitudinally between an inner end and an outer end, said body defining:
- an inner contact surface having a nominal in-use inner dimension corresponding to the outer dimension of the inner tube to abut the inner tube's outer surface;
- an outer contact surface having a nominal in-use outer dimension corresponding to the inner dimension of the outer tube to abut the outer tube's inner surface;
- a fluid passage extending longitudinally from said inner end to said outer end to permit fluid between the outer tube and the inner tube to pass said spacer when said spacer is positioned therebetween;
- and
- a retention groove defined peripherally about said body adjacent said outer surface to permit receipt of a crimped portion of the outer tube to secure said spacer in a longitudinal position relative to the outer tube.
3 more elements
A coaxial tubing system comprising:
- an outer tube having a cross-sectional inner dimension;
- a hollow inner tube suitable for conveying a fluid, said inner tube having a cross-sectional outer dimension, disposed within said outer tube;
- and
- a spacer for maintaining annular spacing between said inner tube and said outer tube, said spacer comprising:
- an annular body extending longitudinally between an inner end and an outer end, said body defining:
- an inner contact surface having an inner dimension corresponding to said outer dimension of said inner tube;
- an outer contact surface having an outer dimension corresponding to said inner dimension of said outer tube;
- a fluid passage extending longitudinally from said inner end to said outer end of said spacer to permit fluid between said outer tube and said inner tube to pass said spacer;
- and
- a retention groove defined peripherally about said body adjacent said outer contact surface;
- said spacer's inner contact surface abutting said inner tube's outer surface, said spacer's outer contact surface abutting said outer tube's inner surface, and a crimped portion of said outer tube being seated in said retention groove to secure said spacer in a longitudinal position relative to said outer tube.
8 more elements
A method for forming a coaxial tubing system comprising:
- providing a hollow inner tube suitable for conveying a fluid;
- providing an outer tube coextensive with a portion of said inner tube, said outer tube having a pair of opposed ends;
- positioning spacers for maintaining annular spacing between said inner tube and said outer tube, each spacer comprising:
- an annular body extending longitudinally between an inner end and an outer end, said body defining:
- an inner contact surface having an inner dimension corresponding to an outer dimension of said inner tube;
- an outer contact surface having an outer dimension corresponding to an inner dimension of said outer tube;
- a fluid passage extending longitudinally from said inner end to said outer end of said spacer to permit fluid between said outer tube and said inner tube to pass said spacer;
- and
- a retention groove defined peripherally about said body along said spacer;
- and
- crimping a portion of said outer tube into a respective retention groove of each of said spacers to form a respective crimped portion;
- at least a portion of each of said spacers' inner contact surface abutting said inner tube's outer surface, at least a portion of each of said spacers' outer contact surface abutting said outer tube's inner surface, and the respective crimped portion of said outer tube being seated in said retention groove to secure each respective spacer in a longitudinal position relative to said outer tube.
9 more elements
A method for forming a coaxial tubing system, while avoiding tubing collapse, comprising the steps of:
- forming a sleeve of compression resistant material having a cold flow capability during bending, having a thickness incrementally smaller than the annular spacing between an outer tube and an inner tube, and having at least one radially discontinuous area forming a longitudinal fluid passageway, said sleeve being dimensioned for placement within said outer tube;
- selecting a portion of said outer tube at which bending is to occur;
- identifying the portion of said inner tube which is to be placed inside said outer tube substantially coextensive with said selected portion of said outer tube, said inner tube being hollow and suitable for conveying a fluid;
- placing around said portion of said inner tube a portion of said sleeve that has an in-use hollow cylindrical form with structural continuity over a length substantially coextensive with said portion of said outer tube;
- placing said sleeve portion/inner tube combination within said portion of said outer tube to form a coaxial tubing system;
- positioning at least one spacer for maintaining annular spacing between said inner tube and said outer tube, each spacer comprising:
- an annular body extending longitudinally between an inner end and an outer end, said body defining:
- an inner contact surface having an inner dimension corresponding to an outer dimension of said inner tube;
- an outer contact surface having an outer dimension corresponding to an inner dimension of said outer tube;
- a fluid passage extending longitudinally from said inner end to said outer end of said spacer to permit fluid between said outer tube and said inner tube to pass said spacer;
- and
- a retention groove defined peripherally about said body along said spacer;
- bending said coaxial tubing system by applying bending force to said outer tube so that said bending force is transmitted between said inner and outer tubes, by said sleeve portion, without collapse of said outer tube or said inner tube;
- and
- crimping a portion of said outer tube into a respective retention groove of said at least one spacer to form a respective crimped portion;
- at least a portion of said at least one spacer's inner contact surface abutting said inner tube's outer surface, at least a portion of each of said spacer's outer contact surface abutting said outer tube's inner surface, and the crimped portion of said outer tube being seated in said retention groove to secure said at least one spacer in a longitudinal position relative to said outer tube.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.