High pressure lock assembly
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorSteven S. Black
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lock assembly including a plurality of dogs, each dog having a load bearing surface and a first interconnection feature. An extender body is operatively arranged for radially transitioning the plurality of dogs between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The load bearing surface of each dog is operatively arranged in the extended configuration for engaging against a shoulder of a radially adjacent structure for supporting the lock assembly. A mandrel is included having a second interconnection feature operatively arranged to dimensionally overlap the first interconnection feature of the dogs when transitioned to the extended configuration for enabling the mandrel to be supported by the dogs. A method of locking radially adjacent components is also included.
Claims12
A lock assembly, comprising:
- a plurality of dogs, each dog having a load bearing surface and a first interconnection feature including a first extension having a radial thickness and a first flange having a greater radial thickness than the radial thickness of the extension;
- an extender body operatively arranged for radially transitioning the plurality of dogs between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, the load bearing surface of each dog operatively arranged in the extended configuration for engaging against a shoulder of a radially adjacent structure for supporting the lock assembly;
- and
- a mandrel having a second interconnection feature having a second extension and a second flange that are complementary to the first interconnection feature first extension and first flange such that the first flange of the first interconnection feature nests with the second extension of the second interconnection feature operatively arranged to radially dimensionally overlap the first interconnection feature of the dogs when transitioned to the extended configuration for enabling the mandrel to be supported by the dogs.
A method of locking radially adjacent components, comprising:
- positioning a lock assembly with respect to a radially adjacent structure, the lock assembly comprising a plurality of dogs, an extender body, and a mandrel, each of the dogs having a loading bearing surface;
- transitioning the plurality of dogs between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration with the extender body;
- engaging the plurality of dogs with at least one shoulder in the radially adjacent structure;
- radially dimensionally overlapping a first interconnection feature including a first extension having a radial thickness and a first flange having a greater radial thickness than the radial thickness of the extension of each of the dogs with a second interconnection feature of the mandrel having a second extension and a second flange that are complementary to the first interconnection feature first extension and first flange such that the first flange of the first interconnection feature nests with the second extension of the second interconnection feature;
- supporting the lock assembly at the radially adjacent structure with the load bearing surfaces of the dogs against the shoulder;
- supporting the mandrel with the dogs at an engagement between the first and second interconnection features.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.