Patent US4608739A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4608739A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector of and sealing of tubular members
Assignee: American Oilfield Divers Inc
•
Filing: 1984-03-21
•
Granted: 1986-09-02
•
Expires: 2004-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A method of forming a connection between a tubular member and an annular collar which has at least one internal annular recess. The method includes positioning the collar over portion of the tubular member to define an axially extending connection zone embracing the annular recess, positioning a solid deformable transmitting material in the tubular member in alignment with the connection zone, confining the transmitting material axially to the connection zone, and applying a deformation force gradually to the transmitting material to deform its radially outwardly and thus deform the tubular member into the recess of the collar to form a connection.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack E. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:49
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L55/00; F16L55/10; F16L55/12; F16L55/128; F16L55/136; F16L55/132; F16L55/134; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49805
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
368 words
Apparatus for use in forming a connection between an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member when they are axially overlapped to form an axially extending connection zone, the apparatus comprising a connection tool positionable proximate to the connection zone, the connection tool comprising: (a) a mandrel; (b) axially spaced confining means to define an axially confined zone of the mandrel for registering with the connection zone; (c) a force transmitting sleeve of a solid deformable material positioned in the confined zone on the mandrel and having an internal recess for receiving a fluid under pressure; (d) anti-extrusion means which is axially proximate the sleeve and displaceable in a radial direction during use into abutment with the adjacent tubular member to limit extrusion of the transmitting sleeve material in an axial direction during use, the anti-extrusion means comprising an anti-extrusion member provided at each axial end of the sleeve, each anti-extrusion member comprising a helical member which is axially located relatively to the mandrel, and displacement means which is associated with the helical member to transmit pressure from the sleeve to the helical member to cause radial outward displacement of the helical member into abutment with the inner surface of the inner tubular member to close the annular gap and thus restrict axial extrusion of the sleeve; and (e) means for directing a force in the form of a fluid under pressure gradually to the internal recess during use to cause deformation of the sleeve, said anti-extrusion means cooperating to bias the sleeve deformation in a radial direction for engaging with and then causing deformation of the walls of one adjacent tubular member in a radial direction for engaging with the walls of the other tubular member in the connection zone to form a connection between the first and second tubular member, the connection tool being adapted to be positioned within the inner tubular member when the tubular members are overlapped, and the force transmitting sleeve being adapted to be deformed in a radial outward direction to engage with the inner surface of the walls of the inner tubular member and then deform these walls radially outwardly into engagement with the walls of the outer tubular member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
368 words
Apparatus for use in forming a connection between an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member when they are axially overlapped to form an axially extending connection zone, the apparatus comprising a connection tool positionable proximate to the connection zone, the connection tool comprising: (a) a mandrel; (b) axially spaced confining means to define an axially confined zone of the mandrel for registering with the connection zone; (c) a force transmitting sleeve of a solid deformable material positioned in the confined zone on the mandrel and having an internal recess for receiving a fluid under pressure; (d) anti-extrusion means which is axially proximate the sleeve and displaceable in a radial direction during use into abutment with the adjacent tubular member to limit extrusion of the transmitting sleeve material in an axial direction during use, the anti-extrusion means comprising an anti-extrusion member provided at each axial end of the sleeve, each anti-extrusion member comprising a helical member which is axially located relatively to the mandrel, and displacement means which is associated with the helical member to transmit pressure from the sleeve to the helical member to cause radial outward displacement of the helical member into abutment with the inner surface of the inner tubular member to close the annular gap and thus restrict axial extrusion of the sleeve; and (e) means for directing a force in the form of a fluid under pressure gradually to the internal recess during use to cause deformation of the sleeve, said anti-extrusion means cooperating to bias the sleeve deformation in a radial direction for engaging with and then causing deformation of the walls of one adjacent tubular member in a radial direction for engaging with the walls of the other tubular member in the connection zone to form a connection between the first and second tubular member, the connection tool being adapted to be positioned within the inner tubular member when the tubular members are overlapped, and the force transmitting sleeve being adapted to be deformed in a radial outward direction to engage with the inner surface of the walls of the inner tubular member and then deform these walls radially outwardly into engagement with the walls of the outer tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus accordingly to claim 1, in which the material of the sleeve is a resiliently deformable material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the displacement means comprises a deformable material which is deformable under pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the helical member comprises a plurality of coils which are of substantially rectangular or square cross-section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the force direction means comprises a pressure chamber within the mandrel for connection to a source of fluid under pressure, to apply such a pressurized fluid to the internal recess formed between the mandrel and the force transmitting sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, including force generating means for generating a fluid under pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, in which the force generating means comprises an intensifier pump system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the force transmitting sleeve is formed with an internal annular recess bounded by inwardly directed annular zones which are designed to be forced onto the mandrel into sealing engagement therewith when a fluid under pressure is applied to the internal annular recess.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including an annular collar to constitute an outer tubular member to be positioned over such an inner tubular member for connection thereto, the annular collar having an annular recess along its internal surface for receiving the walls of such an inner tubular member when expanded by means of the apparatus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, in which the annular collar has at least one relief port for the release of fluid from the annular recess.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, in which the annular collar has a connection flange and the connection tool has a complementary connection flange for removably connecting the connection tool to the annular collar during use of the apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for use in restricting extrusion of a deformable material under pressure through an annular gap defined between inner and outer annular surfaces, the apparatus comprising a helical member to be positioned proximate the annular gap in axial location with one of the two annular surfaces, and displacement means associated with the helical member to transmit pressure from such a deformable material to the helical member to cause radial displacement of the helical member into abutment with the other of the two surfaces to close the annular gap.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for use in restricting extrusion of a deformable material under pressure through an annular gap defined between inner and outer annular surfaces, the apparatus comprising a helical member to be positioned proximate the annular gap in axial location with one of the two annular surfaces, and displacement means associated with the helical member to transmit pressure from such a deformable material to the helical member to cause radial displacement of the helical member into abutment with the other of the two surfaces to close the annular gap.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the displacement means comprises an annular wedge member which is adapted to be displaced to cause radial displacement of the helical member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the displacement means comprises a deformable material which is deformable under pressure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 14, in which the displacement means is integral with the deformable material which is to be contained against extrusion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the helical member comprises a plurality of coils which are of substantially rectangular or square cross-section.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the helical member comprises a plurality of coils, and in which at least one of the inner and outer annular surfaces of the helical member is tapered relatively to its axis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the helical member comprises a plurality of coils, and in which successive coils have differing radial thicknesses to provide differing resistances to radial displacement.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
149 words
Apparatus for forming an annular seal in a tubular member, the apparatus comprising a mandrel insertable into such a tubular member, a sealing sleeve of deformable material located on the mandrel, the sealing sleeve being adapted to be expanded into engagement with the inner surface of such a tubular member, and at least one anti-extrusion member for restricting axial extrusion of at least one axial end of the sleeve through the annular gap defined between the mandrel and such a tubular member during use, the anti-extrusion member comprising a helical member which is axially located on the mandrel, and displacement means for transmitting a force from the sealing sleeve when it is expanded to the helical member to cause radial outward displacement of the helical member into abutment with the inner surface of the tubular member to close the annular gap and restrict axial extrusion of the sealing sleeve.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
149 words
Apparatus for forming an annular seal in a tubular member, the apparatus comprising a mandrel insertable into such a tubular member, a sealing sleeve of deformable material located on the mandrel, the sealing sleeve being adapted to be expanded into engagement with the inner surface of such a tubular member, and at least one anti-extrusion member for restricting axial extrusion of at least one axial end of the sleeve through the annular gap defined between the mandrel and such a tubular member during use, the anti-extrusion member comprising a helical member which is axially located on the mandrel, and displacement means for transmitting a force from the sealing sleeve when it is expanded to the helical member to cause radial outward displacement of the helical member into abutment with the inner surface of the tubular member to close the annular gap and restrict axial extrusion of the sealing sleeve.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus according to claim 19, which is in the form of a downhole packer for forming an annular seal in a tubular member in the form of a downhole casing, the packer including expansion means for radially expanding the sealing sleeve into engagement with the walls of such downhole casing during use, and including an anti-extrusion member positioned proximate each axial end of the sealing sleeve to restrict axial extrusion thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus according to claim 19, which is in the form of a high pressure piston device for forming an annular seal in a tubular member in the form of a cylinder, in which the mandrel comprises the piston of the piston device, in which the sealing sleeve is shaped to be expanded by pressure within such a cylinder during use to form a seal with the walls of such a cylinder, and in which the anti-extrusion member is positioned to restrict extrusion or deformation of the sleeve into an annular gap between the piston and such a cylinder during use.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus according to claim 19, which is in the form of a pressure isolator device for producing high pressure in an axially isolated zone in a tubular member, in which the mandrel has two axially spaced sealing sleeves to define an axially isolated zone between them during use, in which each sealing sleeve has an anti-extrusion member positioned proximate its end which is remote from the other sealing sleeve, in which the device includes a bore for directing a high pressure fluid to the isolated zone during use, and in which the device has expansion means for radially expanding the sleeves during use to form such axially spaced seals.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 22, which is in the form of a hydrostatic testing device.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of restricting the deformation or extrusion of a deformable material through an annular gap defined between inner and outer annular surfaces, which comprises locating a helical member axially relatively to one of the two annular surfaces proximate the gap, and associating the helical member with the deformable material for deformation of the deformable material under pressure to cause radial displacement of the helical member into abutment with the other of the two surfaces to close the gap.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of restricting the deformation or extrusion of a deformable material through an annular gap defined between inner and outer annular surfaces, which comprises locating a helical member axially relatively to one of the two annular surfaces proximate the gap, and associating the helical member with the deformable material for deformation of the deformable material under pressure to cause radial displacement of the helical member into abutment with the other of the two surfaces to close the gap.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
165 words
A tool adapted for outwardly biasing a portion of a tube or the like, the tool comprising: a mandrel operably receivable in said tube adjacent said portion; annular sleeve means positionable on said mandrel in close conformity to said tube portion, said sleeve means having an internal recess for receiving a fluid under pressure and said sleeve means being operable to outwardly deform when pressurized fluid is introduced into said recess; means for introducing a fluid under pressure into said recess; and anti-extrusion means positioned on said mandrel axially adjacent said sleeve means for preventing more than a small amount of axial deformation of said sleeve when pressurized fluid is introduced into said recess, to channelize the deformation of said sleeve in a radially outward direction to bear against said tube portion, said anti-extrusion means comprising an annular helical member, axial expansion of said sleeve applying torsion to said helical member affecting radial displacement thereof to form a seal between said mandrel and said tube.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
165 words
A tool adapted for outwardly biasing a portion of a tube or the like, the tool comprising: a mandrel operably receivable in said tube adjacent said portion; annular sleeve means positionable on said mandrel in close conformity to said tube portion, said sleeve means having an internal recess for receiving a fluid under pressure and said sleeve means being operable to outwardly deform when pressurized fluid is introduced into said recess; means for introducing a fluid under pressure into said recess; and anti-extrusion means positioned on said mandrel axially adjacent said sleeve means for preventing more than a small amount of axial deformation of said sleeve when pressurized fluid is introduced into said recess, to channelize the deformation of said sleeve in a radially outward direction to bear against said tube portion, said anti-extrusion means comprising an annular helical member, axial expansion of said sleeve applying torsion to said helical member affecting radial displacement thereof to form a seal between said mandrel and said tube.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
173 words
A tool adapted for outwardly biasing a portion of a tube or the like, the tool comprising: a mandrel operably receivable in said tube adjacent said portion; annular sleeve means positionable on said mandrel in close conformity to said tube portion, said sleeve means having an internal recess for receiving a fluid under pressure and said sleeve means being operable to outwardly deform when pressurized fluid is introduced into said recess; means for introducing a fluid under pressure into said recess; and anti-extrusion means positioned on said mandrel axially adjacent said sleeve means for preventing more than a small amount of axial deformation of said sleeve when pressurized fluid is introduced into said recess, to channelize the deformation of said sleeve in a radially outward direction to bear against said tube portion, said anti-extrusion means comprising at least a pair of adjoining wedge members, axial expansion of said sleeve effecting sliding movement of the wedge members relative each other and effective radial displacement to form a seal between said mandrel and said tube.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
173 words
A tool adapted for outwardly biasing a portion of a tube or the like, the tool comprising: a mandrel operably receivable in said tube adjacent said portion; annular sleeve means positionable on said mandrel in close conformity to said tube portion, said sleeve means having an internal recess for receiving a fluid under pressure and said sleeve means being operable to outwardly deform when pressurized fluid is introduced into said recess; means for introducing a fluid under pressure into said recess; and anti-extrusion means positioned on said mandrel axially adjacent said sleeve means for preventing more than a small amount of axial deformation of said sleeve when pressurized fluid is introduced into said recess, to channelize the deformation of said sleeve in a radially outward direction to bear against said tube portion, said anti-extrusion means comprising at least a pair of adjoining wedge members, axial expansion of said sleeve effecting sliding movement of the wedge members relative each other and effective radial displacement to form a seal between said mandrel and said tube.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
156 words
A tool adapted for outwardly biasing a portion of a tube or the like, the tool comprising: a mandrel operably receivable in said tube adjacent said portion; annular sleeve means positionable on said mandrel in close conformity to said tube portion, said sleeve means having an internal recess for receiving a fluid under pressure and said sleeve means being operable to outwardly deform when pressurized fluid is introduced into said recess; means for introducing a fluid under pressure into said recess, said fluid introducing means includes a source of pressurized fluid and a fluid passageway in said mandrel in operable communication with said sleeve recess; and anti-extrusion means positioned on said mandrel axially adjacent said sleeve means for preventing more than a small amount of axial deformation of said sleeve when pressurized fluid is introduced into said recess, to channelize the deformation of said sleeve in a radially outward direction to bear against said tube portion.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
156 words
A tool adapted for outwardly biasing a portion of a tube or the like, the tool comprising: a mandrel operably receivable in said tube adjacent said portion; annular sleeve means positionable on said mandrel in close conformity to said tube portion, said sleeve means having an internal recess for receiving a fluid under pressure and said sleeve means being operable to outwardly deform when pressurized fluid is introduced into said recess; means for introducing a fluid under pressure into said recess, said fluid introducing means includes a source of pressurized fluid and a fluid passageway in said mandrel in operable communication with said sleeve recess; and anti-extrusion means positioned on said mandrel axially adjacent said sleeve means for preventing more than a small amount of axial deformation of said sleeve when pressurized fluid is introduced into said recess, to channelize the deformation of said sleeve in a radially outward direction to bear against said tube portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2460580A
Cited
US3977068A
Cited
US4006619A
Cited
US4069573A
Cited
US4125937A
Cited
US4332073A
Cited
US4359889A
Cited
US4388752A
Cited
US4368571A
Cited
US4420867A
Cited
US4387507A
Cited
US4418457A
Cited
US4418556A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-01 | 1990-03-03 | 1990-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-01 | 1994-03-03 | 1994-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-01 | 1998-03-03 | 1998-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |