Curvilinear sealing system
AssigneeHydril Company
InventorsAlejandro Juarez, Nishikant V. Raje
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sealing system connecting first and second tubular members includes a first curvilinear sealing surface on the first tubular member and a second curvilinear sealing surface on the second tubular member. Both the first and second curvilinear sealing surfaces are disposed between two sets of threading on the respective first and second tubular members. When the first and second tubular members are in a connected configuration, the first and second curvilinear sealing surfaces contact and interfere to form an annular curvilinear center seal. A relief pocket may be disposed adjacent to the first and/or second curvilinear sealing surfaces to contain excess lubricant between the first and second tubular members.
Claims13
A sealing system comprising:
- a first tubular member having a first thread set comprising wedge threads and a first curvilinear sealing surface;
- and
- a second tubular member having a second thread set comprising wedge threads and a second curvilinear sealing surface;
- wherein the first tubular member and the second tubular member are configured to connect when the first thread set engages with the second thread;
- wherein the first and second curvilinear sealing surfaces are configured to interfere at an interference region when the first and second tubular members connect;
- and
- both the first and second curvilinear sealing surfaces are curvilinear where such interference occurs.
A method comprising:
- moving a first tubular member relative to a second tubular member, such that a pin end of the first tubular member enters and axially overlaps with a box end of the second tubular member;
- rotating the first tubular member relative to the second tubular member, such that a first threading comprising wedge threads on the first tubular member engages with a second threading comprising wedge threads on the second tubular member and
- connecting the first tubular member to the second tubular member, such that a first curvilinear surface on the first tubular member contacts a second curvilinear surface on the second tubular member;
- wherein the first and second curvilinear sealing surfaces are configured to interfere at an interference region when the first and second tubular members connect;
- and
- both the first and second curvilinear sealing surfaces are curvilinear where such interference occurs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.