Curvilinear sealing system
AssigneeUltra Premium Services, L.L.C.
InventorsAlejandro Juarez, Nishikant V Raje
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims19
A sealing system comprising:
- a first tubular member having a first thread set and a second thread set and one and only one first curvilinear sealing surface disposed axially between the first and second thread sets;
- and
- a second tubular member having a third thread set and a fourth thread set and one and only one second curvilinear sealing surface disposed axially between the third and fourth thread sets;
- wherein the first tubular member and the second tubular member are configured to connect when the first thread set engages with the third thread set and the second thread set engages with the fourth thread set;
- and
- wherein the first and second curvilinear sealing surfaces are configured to interfere at an interference region when the first and second tubular members connect.
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 and a second threading on the first tubular member engages with a third threading and a fourth threading on the second tubular member, respectively;
- and
- connecting the first tubular member to the second tubular member, such that one and only one first curvilinear surface on the first tubular member between the first and second threading contacts one and only one second curvilinear surface on the second tubular member between the third and fourth threading;
- and
- wherein a contact force between the first and second curvilinear surfaces form an annular seal between the first and second tubular members
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.