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US 8,408,605 B2Granted
Hammer union lock and related methods
AssigneeDiamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.
InventorJason Post Curtiss
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A threaded union includes a threaded union nut configured to couple abutting ends of a threaded nipple on a distal end of a first joint and a shouldered nipple on a distal end of a second joint and a lower wedge and an upper wedge positioned within an offset distance formed between a lower surface of the union nut and an upper surface of an enlarged section of the shouldered nipple.
Claims21
A threaded union comprising:
- a threaded union nut configured to couple abutting ends of a threaded nipple on a distal end of a first joint and a shouldered nipple on a distal end of a second joint;
- and
- a lower wedge and an upper wedge positioned within an offset distance formed between a lower surface of the union nut and an upper surface of an enlarged section of the shouldered nipple.
A locking mechanism for a threaded union, the locking mechanism comprising:
- a lower wedge and an upper wedge positioned within an offset distance formed between a lower surface of a union nut and an upper surface of an enlarged section of a shouldered nipple;
- and
- at least one mechanical fastener configured to urge the lower wedge and the upper wedge together;
- wherein the lower and upper wedges are urged together to create an axial force against the lower surface of the union nut and the upper surface of the enlarged section.
1 more element
A method to lock a union nut of a threaded union, the method comprising:
- threading the union nut over abutting ends of a threaded nipple and a shouldered nipple;
- mating a lower wedge with an upper wedge within an offset distance formed between a lower surface of the union nut and an upper surface of an enlarged section of the shouldered nipple;
- urging the lower and upper wedges together;
- and
- generating axial forces against the lower surface of the union nut and the upper surface of the enlarged section of the shouldered nipple.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.