US 2015/0021046 A1 · THREADED CONNECTIONS AND METHODS

Abstract

Threaded couplings and methods for use in drilling with casing can include first and second male members having exterior threads engaged with interior threads of a female member. Exterior shoulders of the male members can abut interior shoulders of the female member to facilitate placement of the male members such that pin noses thereof are positioned at the center of the female member, where abutment between the pin noses of the male members can form a seal. The shoulders can be provided with negative angles to prevent disengagement. Tapered surfaces can be provided on the male members, to contact tapered surfaces on the female member to form metal-to-metal seals for enhancing the integrity of the connection, a straight thread configuration can be used to maximize the thickness of the coupling, and bearing journals or guides can be used to facilitate engagement of the threads and retention of the engagement.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A threaded coupling for use in drilling with casing, the threaded coupling comprising:

a first male member comprising first exterior threads, a first pin nose, and a first exterior shoulder associated with the first pin nose;
a second male member comprising second exterior threads, a second pin nose, and a second exterior shoulder associated with the pin nose;
and
a female member comprising a center, first interior threads engaged with the first exterior threads, second interior threads engaged with the second exterior threads, a first internal shoulder abutting the first exterior shoulder, and a second internal shoulder abutting the second exterior shoulder,
wherein abutment between the first internal shoulder and the first exterior shoulder positions the first pin nose at the center of the female member, and wherein abutment between the second internal shoulder and the second exterior shoulder positions the second pin nose at the center of the female member.

2 more elements

A threaded coupling for use in drilling with casing, the threaded coupling comprising:

a first male member comprising first exterior threads having a straight thread configuration, a first pin nose, a first tapered external surface, and a first exterior shoulder associated with the first pin nose, wherein the first exterior shoulder extends at a negative angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the coupling;
a second male member comprising second exterior threads having a straight thread configuration, a second pin nose, a second tapered external surface, and a second exterior shoulder associated with the second pin nose, wherein the second exterior shoulder extends at a negative angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the threaded coupling;
and
a female member comprising a center, first interior threads having a straight thread configuration and engaged with the first exterior threads, second interior threads having a straight thread configuration and engaged with the second exterior threads, a first internal shoulder abutting the first exterior shoulder, a second internal shoulder abutting the second exterior shoulder, a first tapered internal surface abutting the first tapered external surface to form a metal-to-metal seal between the first male member and the female member, and a second tapered internal surface abutting the second tapered external surface to form a metal-to-metal seal between the second male member and the female member, wherein the first internal shoulder and the second internal shoulder extend at a negative angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the threaded coupling for preventing disengagement of the first male member, the second male member, or combinations thereof,
wherein abutment between the first internal shoulder and the first exterior shoulder positions the first pin nose at the center of the female member, and wherein abutment between the second internal shoulder and the second exterior shoulder positions the second pin nose at the center of the female member such that the first pin nose contacts the second pin nose to form a seal therebetween.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Threaded connections and methods

Life of this patent

Threaded connections and methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20