Breech lock connector for a subsea riser
AssigneeDTC International, Inc.
InventorWilliam C. Parks
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A riser assembly includes riser segments, each having threaded ends. A coupling nut is connected to the threaded end of the first riser segment. The threads of a second riser segment and a set of corresponding threads of the coupling nut are breech threads, which allow the second riser segment to stab into the coupling nut and engage the first riser segment. The coupling nut rotates a portion of a turn in order for the breech threads of the second riser segment and the first riser segment to engage each other. Castellations on the first and second riser segments engage each other to transmit torsional forces from one riser segment to the other instead of through the threads.
Claims26
A pipe assembly for oil and gas production from a subsea well, comprising:
- a first pipe segment having an axial bore and a plurality of external threads and a rim;
- a second pipe segment having an axial bore and a plurality of external breech threads extending in an opposite direction to the external threads of the first pipe segment, the second pipe segment having a rim that engages the rim of the first pipe segment;
- a coupling nut having a first portion with a plurality of internal threads that matingly engage the external threads of the first pipe segment and a second portion with a plurality of internal breech threads that matingly engages the external breech threads of the second pipe to secure the pipe segments to each other;
- a seal sub that sealingly engages an interior surface of the first pipe segment and an interior surface of the second pipe segment when the rims of the first and second pipe segments engage each other;
- and
- a retainer that engages an outer surface of the seal sub and one of the first and second pipe segments to hold the seal sub relative to said one the first and second pipe segments when the rims of the first and second pipe segments are not engaging each other.
A pipe assembly for oil and gas production from a subsea well, comprising:
- a first pipe segment having an axial bore, a breeched external thread and a rim;
- a second pipe segment having an axial bore and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart external shoulders formed thereon, the second pipe segment having a rim that engages the rim of the first pipe segment;
- a coupling nut having a first portion with an internal thread that matingly engages the external thread of the first pipe segment, and a second portion with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart protuberances formed on an inner surface that matingly engage the external shoulders to secure the pipe segments to each other;
- a plurality of oppositely facing castellations located on the rims of the first and second pipe segments that engage each other when the rim of the second pipe segment and the rim of the first pipe segment engage each other;
- and
- a seal sub that sealingly engages an interior surface of the first pipe segment and an interior surface of the second pipe segment when the rims of the first and second pipe segments engage each other, and a retainer that engages an outer surface of the seal sub to secure the seal sub relative to one of the first and second pipe segments when the rims of the first and second pipe segments are not engaging each other.
A pipe assembly for oil and gas production from a subsea well, comprising:
- a first pipe segment having an axial bore and a continuous thread and a rim;
- a second pipe segment having an axial bore and a plurality axially extending columns of threads formed thereon, the second pipe segment having a rim that engages the rim of the first pipe segment;
- a coupling nut having a first portion with a continuous thread formed on its inner surface that matingly engages the continuous thread of the first pipe segment and a second portion with a plurality of axially extending columns of threads formed on its inner surface that matingly engages the plurality of axial columns of threads of the second pipe segment to secure the pipe segments to each other;
- a plurality of oppositely facing castellations located on the rims of the first and second pipe segments that engage each other when the rim of the second pipe segment and the rim of the first pipe segment engage each other;
- a seal sub that sealingly engages a portion of an interior surface of the first pipe segment and an interior portion of the second pipe segment when the rims of the first and second pipe segments engage each other;
- and
- a retainer pin that engages an outer surface of the seal sub and one of the first and second pipe segments to hold the seal sub relative to said one the first and second pipe segments when the rims of the first and second pipe segments are not engaging each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.