Lockable connection between tubular members
AssigneeGrant Prideco, L.P.
InventorRichard Matthew Westgarth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connection between a first tubular member and a second tubular member includes a first tubular end, a second tubular end, a load shoulder member threadable onto the first tubular end, and a nut receivable around the first tubular end and the load shoulder member and threadable onto the second tubular end. The connection also includes a keyway disposed axially between the load shoulder member and the second tubular end, wherein the keyway is also disposed through the load shoulder member and into the first tubular end to receive a key member.
Claims19
A connection between a first tubular member and a second tubular member, the connection comprising:
- a first tubular end including a first tubular end keyway;
- a second tubular end including a terminal end face;
- a load shoulder member including a load shoulder member keyway and a terminal end surface region, and wherein the load shoulder member is threadable onto the first tubular end;
- a nut receivable around the first tubular end and the load shoulder member and threadable onto the second tubular end;
- and
- wherein the load shoulder member is threadable onto the first tubular end until the load shoulder terminal end surface region forms an interface with the terminal end face of the second tubular end and the load shoulder member keyway is disposed axially between the load shoulder member and the terminal end face of the second tubular end, and the load shoulder member keyway aligns with the first tubular end keyway to form an aligned keyway through the load shoulder member and into the first tubular end to receive a key member.
A method of connecting two aligned tubular members, the method comprising:
- sliding a nut over a first tubular end;
- threading a load shoulder member onto the first tubular end until a load shoulder member keyway aligns with a first tubular end keyway;
- inserting a key member into the aligned load shoulder member and first tubular end keyways;
- engaging the first tubular end with a second tubular end such that the key member is disposed axially between the load shoulder member and a terminal end shoulder of the second tubular end, and a second tubular end recess receives a load shoulder member protrusion;
- and
- threading the nut onto the second tubular end.
A connection between tubular members, comprising:
- a first tubular member having a first tubular end with a first externally threaded region and a seal region along an outer surface;
- a second tubular member having a second tubular end with a second externally threaded region and a counter bore configured to slidingly receive the seal region;
- a load shoulder member threadable onto the first externally threaded region to form a first threaded interface;
- a keyway through the load shoulder member and into the first tubular end to receive a key member;
- and
- a nut receivable around the outer surface of the first tubular end and threadable onto the second externally threaded region to form a second threaded interface;
- wherein the load shoulder member and the second tubular end are engageable to form a castellated interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.