Differential wedge thread for threaded connector

A threaded pipe connection comprising:

• a box member comprising a plurality of tapered, internal, generally dovetail-shaped threads, each with stab flanks, load flanks, roots, crests and a wedge ratio, the internal threads increasing in width in one direction;
• a pin member comprising a plurality of tapered, external, generally dovetail-shaped threads, each with stab flanks, load flanks, roots, crests and a wedge ratio, the external threads increasing in width in the other direction so that the complementary roots and crests of the internal and external threads move into engagement during make-up of the connection in conjunction with the moving of complementary stab and load flanks into engagement upon make-up of the connection;
• wherein the wedge ratio of one thread is an aggressive wedge ratio with a larger magnitude;
• and
• the wedge ratio of another thread is a conservative wedge ratio with a smaller magnitude.

A method of making up a threaded pipe connection, the method comprising:

• providing a box member comprising a tapered, internal, generally dovetail-shaped thread incorporated in a two-step configuration, the internal thread having stab flanks, load flanks, roots, crests and a wedge ratio and increasing in width in one direction;
• providing a pin member comprising a tapered, external, generally dovetail-shaped thread incorporated in a two-step configuration, the external thread having stab flanks, load flanks, roots, crests and a wedge ratio and increasing in width in the other direction so that the complementary roots and crests of the respective internal and external threads move into engagement during make-up of the connection in conjunction with the moving of complementary stab and load flanks into engagement upon make-up of the connection;
• dimensioning the wedge ratio of one step to be an aggressive wedge ratio with a larger magnitude;
• dimensioning the wedge ratio of the other step to be a conservative wedge ratio with a smaller magnitude;
• and
• rotationally engaging the pin and box members.

A method of making up a threaded pipe connection, the method comprising:

• providing a box member comprising a plurality of tapered, internal, generally dovetail-shaped threads, each with stab flanks, load flanks, roots, crests and a wedge ratio, the internal wedge threads increasing in width in one direction;
• providing a pin member comprising a plurality of tapered, external, generally dovetail-shaped threads, each with stab flanks, load flanks, roots, crests and a wedge ratio, the external wedge threads increasing in width in the other direction so that the complementary roots and crests of the internal and external threads move into engagement during make-up of the connection in conjunction with the moving of complementary stab and load flanks into engagement upon make-up of the connection;
• dimensioning the wedge ratio of one thread to be an aggressive wedge ratio with a larger magnitude;
• dimensioning the wedge ratio of another thread to be a conservative wedge ratio with a smaller magnitude;
• and
• rotationally engaging the pin and box members.