Rotation control device housing and coupling method

Abstract

Other end connections include an inner housing assembly including an upper housing and a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly includes a threaded sleeve positioned about the upper housing. The threaded sleeve includes a first set of threads on a first axial end and a second set of threads on a second axial end. The coupling assembly also includes a threaded ring threadingly connected to the threaded sleeve and positioned radially between the threaded sleeve and the upper housing.

Description

Background Art

[0001] "Other End Connections" (OEC) is a term commonly used in the oil and gas industry to refer to connections (e.g., connection configuration, dimensions, etc.) that are not specified in API (American Petroleum Institute) or ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards. "Other End Connections" are often used to join pressure-containing or pressure-control equipment, such as wellhead internal housing components. Rotational Control Devices (RCDs) are an example of an application where Other End Connections are often used.

[0002] The rotation control device is used to control and change the annular flow of fluid through the well. The rotation control device is usually located on the top of the blowout preventer (BOP). When installed, the rotation control device seals around the rotating drill pipe. One or more controlled flow lines can be set below the seal, and the fluid from the oil well can be diverted through the flow line.

[0003] Figure 1 An example of a general purpose rotation control device 100 mounted on the top side of a blowout preventer 110 for one or more operations in a well 101 is shown. The rotation control device 100 includes an outer housing 102 that can be bolted to the blowout preventer 110 or other connection component. The rotation control device also includes an inner rotating housing 104 that is rotatably mounted within the outer housing 102 using one or more bearing assemblies. One or more sealing elements 106 (e.g., strippers) are connected to the inner rotating housing 104. When a drill pipe 120 is extended into the well 101 and rotated within the well 101, the sealing elements 106 contact and seal against the drill pipe 120. The rotation control device 100 can be driven by a kelly or other assembly to rotate the inner rotating housing 104 with the drill pipe 120.

[0004] Due to stresses and / or the harsh environment to which the rotation control device sealing elements are exposed, seals may need to be replaced from time to time. Additionally, other operational considerations may require removal and / or disassembly of the rotation control device. However, due to the functional requirements of the rotation control device (e.g., being fixedly mounted to other well equipment and maintaining a seal with the drill pipe as it is lowered into the well and rotated in the well), disassembly of the rotation control device is often complicated and cumbersome. Summary of the invention

[0005] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to other end connectors including an inner housing assembly. The inner housing assembly includes an upper housing and a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly includes a threaded sleeve positioned around the upper housing, the threaded sleeve having a first set of threads on a first axial end and a second set of threads on a second axial end. The coupling assembly also includes a threaded ring threadedly connected to the threaded sleeve and radially positioned between the threaded sleeve and the upper housing.

[0007] On the other hand, embodiments herein disclose methods for joining housing components, including assembling other end connectors between the housing components. The other end connectors can be assembled by assembling an upper housing axially adjacent to a lower housing to form an internal housing assembly, threadingly connecting to a first axial end of a threaded sleeve around an upper axial end of the lower housing, and radially threading a threaded ring between a second axial end of the threaded sleeve and the upper housing. When the threaded ring is moved to thread the threaded ring radially between the threaded sleeve and the upper housing, the threaded ring contacts a protruding feature along the lower axial end of the upper housing. An anti-retraction screw can be inserted through the threaded ring to contact the upper housing.

[0008] In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method of joining housing components, including assembling an additional end connection, installing a packer assembly within the additional end connection, and placing the additional end connection including the packer assembly within an outer housing. The additional end connection may include an inner housing assembly of an upper housing and a lower housing and a coupling assembly including a threaded sleeve and a threaded split ring.

[0009] Other aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Wherever possible, similar or identical reference numbers are used in the drawings to identify common or identical elements. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain features and certain views of the drawings may be shown exaggerated in scale for the sake of clarity.

[0011] Figure 1 A conventional rotation control device is shown assembled in a well system.

[0012] Figure 2A Other end connections are shown according to one or more embodiments.

[0013] Figure 2B shows a method according to one or more embodiments Figure 2A The cross-section of the other end connectors in.

[0014] Figure 3A Other end connections are shown according to one or more embodiments.

[0015] Figure 3B shows a method according to one or more embodiments Figure 3A The cross-section of the other end connectors in.

[0016] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a rotation control device having other end connections according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0017] Figures 5A-5D Example methods of disassembling rotational controls and other end connections are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0018] Figure 6 Shown are cross-sections of alternative other end connectors according to one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to other end connections (OECs) and methods of assembling and disassembling the same.

[0020] Examples of other end connectors according to embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to their use in a rotation control device. However, other end connectors according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be used for other housing connections and applications.

[0021] Because of their reliability and standardization, conventional standardized flanges and / or clamps (e.g., designed according to API or ISO standards) are often used with other end connections (e.g., in rotary control devices). However, these connection systems can be slow and / or cumbersome to construct, can use high torques, and can be difficult to operate. By using other end connections according to embodiments of the present disclosure, housing connections can be quickly assembled and disassembled (e.g., for repair) without sacrificing pressure control.

[0022] Figure 2A -B shows examples of other end connections of one or more embodiments. Figure 2A A perspective view of another end connector 200 is shown, and Figure 2B A partial cross-sectional view of a connection portion of the other end connector 200 is shown. The other end connector 200 includes an inner housing assembly 202, wherein the inner housing assembly 202 includes an upper housing 204 and a lower housing 206. The upper housing 204 and the lower housing 206 each have a generally tubular shape, and their size and shape can be set so that when the upper housing 204 and the lower housing 206 are assembled together, the inner housing assembly 202 also has a generally tubular shape.

[0023] The internal housing assembly can be any internal housing assembly that needs to be connected on any tubular body. For example, the internal housing assembly can be a pipe, a pipe, a shell, a flexible pipe, a coil, etc. In one or more embodiments, the opposite axial ends of the internal housing assembly 202 can be mounted on other components, formed integrally with the equipment, installed inside the equipment, or integrated with different equipment, depending on the application using the other end connector 200.

[0024] The other end connector 200 also includes a coupling assembly 208, which includes a threaded sleeve 210 and a threaded ring. The threaded ring can be a threaded split ring 212 divided into two sections (having two split joints when assembled together), or can be divided into more than two sections. When the threaded split ring 212 sections are assembled together, the threaded split ring 212 has a generally tubular shape. In addition, when the threaded split ring 212 sections are assembled together, the threaded split ring 212 can have an inner diameter that corresponds to the outer diameter of the inner housing assembly 202, so that the threaded split ring 212 fits around the outer surface of the inner housing assembly 202. For example, as Figure 2B As best shown, the threaded split ring 212 can be assembled around the first outer surface 205 of the upper housing 204, wherein the first outer surface 205 defines a first outer diameter of the upper housing 204. When the segments of the threaded split ring 212 are assembled together around the upper housing 204, the threaded split ring 212 has an inner surface that engages the first outer surface 205 of the upper housing 204. As discussed in more detail below, threads can be disposed around the outer surface of the threaded split ring 212, which can be threadedly coupled to the inner surface of the threaded sleeve 210.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the upper housing 204 may also include a stepped outer profile, wherein a step or other protruding feature may define an increased outer diameter of the upper housing 204. For example, Figure 2B As shown, the upper housing 204 includes a step 207 formed by a rising and extending surface at the lower axial end 216 of the upper housing, wherein the rising surface of the step 207 defines a second outer diameter that is greater than the first outer diameter defined by the first outer surface 205. The step 207 can be used as a stop to support the threaded split ring 212 in an axial position along the upper housing 204, wherein the lower surface of the threaded split ring 212 can engage with the extending surface of the step 207.

[0026] The threaded split ring 212 may be concentrically threaded within the threaded sleeve 210 such that the threaded split ring 212 partially axially overlaps the threaded sleeve 210. For example, Figure 2A-B, the threaded sleeve 210 has an annular body, wherein threads are formed on the inner surface of the annular body to be threadedly connected with the threaded split ring 212 and the lower housing 206. In particular, the threaded sleeve 210 includes a first set of threads 220 and a second set of threads 224, wherein the first set of threads 220 is formed on the inner surface along a first axial end 222 of the threaded sleeve 210, and the second set of threads 224 is formed on the inner surface along a second axial end 226 of the threaded sleeve 210. Figure 2B As best shown, the first set of threads 220 of the threaded sleeve 210 are threaded to threads formed about the outer surface of the upper axial end 218 of the lower housing 206. The second set of threads 224 of the threaded sleeve 210 are threaded to threads formed about the outer surface of the threaded split ring 212.

[0027] The other end connector 200 may be assembled by threading the threaded sleeve to the lower housing 206 and axially stacking the upper housing 204 and the lower housing 206 so that the lower axial end 216 of the upper housing 204 is axially adjacent to the upper axial end 218 of the lower housing 206. Depending on the shape and size of the upper housing 204, the threaded sleeve 210 may be threaded to the lower housing 206 before axially stacking the upper housing 204 and the lower housing 206, or the threaded sleeve 210 may be slid around the upper housing 204 and threaded to the lower housing 206 after axial stacking. For example, the upper housing 204 may have an upper axial end (e.g., which may be a second connection end or other component element depending on the final use of the other end connector 200) having an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the threaded sleeve 210. In such an embodiment, the threaded sleeve 210 can be threadedly connected to the lower housing 206 without the threaded sleeve 210 fitting around the upper axial end of the upper housing 204, and then the upper housing 204 can be inserted through the threaded sleeve 210 to be positioned axially adjacent to the lower housing 206.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the lower housing 206 includes a protrusion 209 having an outer diameter greater than an upper axial end 218 of the lower housing 206, which can serve as an axial stop to prevent the threaded sleeve 210 from being threaded past an axial position along the lower housing 206. The threaded sleeve 210 can be threadedly connected to the upper axial end 218 of the lower housing 206 until a lower surface of the threaded sleeve 210 abuts the protrusion 209.

[0029] and Figure 2BIn line, one or more housing anti-rotation keys 228 may be disposed between the lower axial end 216 of the upper housing 204 and the upper axial end 218 of the lower housing 206 to prevent relative rotation between the upper housing 204 and the lower housing 206. The housing anti-rotation key 228 may be inserted at one end into a cavity formed in the lower axial end 216 of the upper housing 204, and the housing anti-rotation key 228 may be inserted at an opposite end into a cavity formed in the upper axial end 218 of the lower housing 206 such that the housing anti-rotation key 228 partially extends into the upper housing 204 and the lower housing 206. By extending into the angularly aligned cavities formed in the upper housing 204 and the lower housing 206, the housing anti-rotation key 228 may prevent the upper housing 204 and the lower housing 206 from rotating relative to each other when components of the other end connectors are threaded together.

[0030] and Figure 2B Consistently, the threaded sleeve 210 includes a second set of threads 224 on a second axial end 226. The threaded split ring 212 can be stacked on the lower axial end 216 of the upper housing 204 and can be threadedly connected to the second set of threads 224 on the second axial end 226 of the threaded sleeve 210. For example, in one or more embodiments, after the threaded sleeve 210 is threadedly connected to the lower housing 206 and the inner housing assembly 202 is assembled, segments of the threaded split ring 212 can be positioned around the upper housing 204 and rotated as the upper housing 204 is axially moved toward the lower housing 206 to thread the threaded split ring 212 concentrically between the threaded sleeve 210 and the upper housing 204. Between the threaded sleeve 210 and the upper housing 204 , a threaded split ring 212 may be threaded into the threaded sleeve 210 until the threaded split ring 212 lands on the step 207 of the upper housing 204 and axially compresses the upper housing 204 onto the lower housing 206 .

[0031] The threaded split ring 212 may also include one or more anti-retraction screws 214 disposed in the threaded split ring 212 to prevent accidental retraction of the other end connectors 200. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, after the threaded split ring 212 is installed between the threaded sleeve 210 and the upper housing 204, the anti-retraction screws 214 may be threaded into a through hole formed through the thickness of the threaded split ring 212 until the anti-retraction screws 214 contact (and in some cases, are partially pressed into) the upper housing 204.

[0032] Figure 3A -B shows an alternative embodiment of other end connectors according to one or more embodiments. Figure 3AA perspective view showing other end connector 300 components is shown. Figure 3B A partial cross-sectional view of the connection portion of the other end connector 300 when the components are assembled is shown. The other end connector 300 includes an upper housing 304, a lower housing 302 integrally formed with a threaded sleeve portion 306, and a threaded split ring 308, each of which has a generally tubular assembled shape, and the size and shape can be set so that when the components are assembled together, the other end connector 300 also has a generally tubular shape.

[0033] The upper housing and the lower housing may include any body that needs to be fluidically coupled. For example, the upper housing and the lower housing may be pipes, pipes, shells, flexible pipes, coils, etc. In one or more embodiments, the opposite axial ends of the upper housing 304 and the lower housing 302 may be mounted to other components, formed integrally with the equipment, mounted inside the equipment, or integrated with different equipment, depending on the application in which the other end connectors 300 are being used.

[0034] Other end connectors 300 also include a threaded ring, which may be a threaded split ring 308 that is divided into two sections (having two split joints around the circumference of the ring when assembled together), or may be divided into more than two sections. When the threaded split ring 308 sections are assembled together, the threaded split ring 308 has a generally tubular shape. In addition, when the threaded split ring 308 sections are assembled together, the threaded split ring 308 may have an inner diameter that corresponds to the outer diameter of the upper housing 304, so that the threaded split ring 308 fits around the outer surface of the upper housing 304. For example, as Figure 3B As best shown, the threaded split ring 308 can be assembled around a first outer surface 320 of the upper housing 304, wherein the first outer surface 320 defines a first outer diameter of the upper housing 304. When segments of the threaded split ring 308 are assembled together around the upper housing 304, the threaded split ring 308 has an inner surface that engages the first outer surface 320 of the upper housing 304. As discussed in more detail below, threads can be provided around the outer surface of the threaded split ring 308, which can be threadedly connected to the inner surface of the threaded sleeve portion 306 of the lower housing 302.

[0035] In one or more embodiments, the upper housing 304 can further include a stepped outer profile, wherein one or more steps or other protruding features can define an increased outer diameter of at least one cross-section of the upper housing 304. For example, Figure 3AAs shown, the upper housing 304 includes an upper step 316 formed by a rising and extending surface near the upper axial end 322 of the upper housing 304, wherein the rising surface of the upper step 316 defines a second outer diameter, which is greater than the first outer diameter defined by the first outer surface 320. The upper step 316 can be used as a stop to support the threaded split ring 308 in an axial position along the upper housing 304, wherein the lower surface of the threaded split ring 308 can engage with the extended surface of the upper step 316. The upper housing 304 can also include a lower step 318, which is formed by a rising and extending surface near the lower axial end 310 of the upper housing 304, which is axially opposite to the upper axial end 322. The rising surface of the lower step 318 defines a third outer diameter, which is greater than the first outer diameter defined by the first outer surface 320 and greater than the second outer surface defined by the rising surface of the upper step 316. The lower step 318 may act as a stop to support a lower surface 324 of the lower housing 302 , wherein the lower surface 324 may interface with an extended surface of the lower step 318 .

[0036] like Figure 3A -B, at the upper axial end of the lower housing, a threaded sleeve portion 306 may be integrally formed with the lower housing 302. The threaded sleeve portion 306 may have an annular shape, wherein a first set of threads 314 are formed on the inner surface of the threaded sleeve portion to be threadedly connected to the first set of threads 314 formed on the upper housing 304. The threaded sleeve portion 306 may also have a second set of threads 312 formed on the inner surface of the annular body to be threadedly connected to the second set of threads 312 formed on the threaded split ring 308, so that the threaded split ring 308 may be concentrically threadedly connected within the integrally formed threaded sleeve portion 306 of the lower housing 302, and so that the threaded split ring 308 partially overlaps the threaded sleeve portion 306 axially.

[0037] like Figure 3BAs best shown in FIG. 1 , other end connectors 300 may be assembled by axially stacking the upper housing 304 and the lower housing 302 such that the lower portion of the upper housing 304 and the upper portion of the lower housing 302 are in a common axial position and overlap. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower axial end 310 of the upper housing 304 is axially adjacent to the lower surface 324 of the lower housing 302 such that the lower surface 324 interfaces with the lower step 318 of the upper housing 304. The first set of threads 314 formed on the lower housing 302 may then be threadedly connected to the first set of threads 314 formed on the upper housing 304. The threaded split ring 308 may be stacked on the upper step 316 of the upper housing 304, abutting the first outer surface 320 of the upper housing 304. The threaded split ring 308 may be threadedly connected to the second set of threads 312 on the integrally formed threaded sleeve portion 306 of the lower housing 302. For example, in one or more embodiments, segments of the threaded split ring 308 can be positioned around the upper housing 304 and rotated as the upper housing 304 moves axially toward the lower housing 302 to thread the threaded split ring 308 concentrically between the threaded sleeve portion 306 and the upper housing 304. The threaded split ring 308 can be threaded into the threaded sleeve portion 306 between the threaded sleeve portion 306 and the upper housing 304 until the threaded split ring 308 lands on the upper step 316 of the upper housing 304.

[0038] Figure 3A -B The embodiment shown may include Figure 2A -B, such as the protrusion 209, one or more housing anti-rotation keys 228, and the anti-backout screw 214, depend on the application in which the other end connector 300 is used.

[0039] Figure 6 Additional embodiments of other end connections disclosed herein are shown. Figure 6 The other end connector 600 includes a housing 602, a threaded sleeve assembly 610, and a threaded ring, which can be sized and shaped so that when the housing 602, the threaded ring, and the threaded sleeve assembly 610 are assembled together, the other end connector 600 also has a generally tubular shape. The housing and the threaded sleeve assembly can include any tubular body that requires a coupling connection as described in the above paragraphs.

[0040] The threaded ring can be a threaded split ring 608 that is divided into two sections (having two split joints when assembled together), or can be divided into more than two sections. When the threaded split ring 608 sections are assembled together, the threaded split ring 608 has a generally annular shape. In addition, when the threaded split ring 608 sections are assembled together, the threaded split ring 608 can have an inner diameter that corresponds to the outer diameter of the housing 602, so that the threaded split ring 608 fits around the first outer surface 606 of the housing 602. When the threaded split ring 608 sections are assembled together around the housing 602, the threaded split ring 608 has an inner surface that interfaces with the first outer surface 606 of the housing 602.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the housing 602 may also include a stepped outer profile, wherein one or more steps or other protruding features may define an increased outer diameter of at least one cross-section of the housing 602. For example, Figure 6 The housing 602 includes an upper step 614, wherein an ascending surface of the upper step 614 defines a second outer diameter that is greater than a first outer diameter defined by the first outer surface 606. Similarly, the threaded sleeve assembly 610 can include a stepped inner profile, wherein an ascending surface of the lower step 604 defines a second inner diameter that is less than a first inner diameter of the threaded sleeve assembly 610.

[0042] The threaded sleeve assembly 610 has an annular body with a set of threads 612 formed on the inner surface of the annular body to be threadedly connected to the set of threads 612 formed on the threaded split ring 608, so that the threaded split ring 608 can be concentrically threaded into the threaded sleeve assembly 610 and the threaded split ring 608 partially axially overlaps the threaded sleeve assembly 610. The threaded sleeve assembly 610 may also optionally have a second set of threads formed on the inner surface of the annular body to be threadedly connected to a second set of threads formed on the lower portion of the housing 602.

[0043] The other end connector 600 may be assembled by axially stacking the housing 602 and the threaded sleeve assembly 610 so that the lower axial end of the housing 602 is axially adjacent to the lower portion of the threaded sleeve assembly 610 and so that the lower axial end of the housing 602 interfaces with the lower step 604 of the threaded sleeve assembly. The threaded split ring 608 may be stacked on the upper step 614 of the housing 602, abutting the first outer surface 606 of the housing 602. The threaded split ring 608 may be threadedly connected to the set of threads 612 on the threaded sleeve assembly 610, for example, by positioning segments of the threaded split ring 608 around the housing 302 and rotating the segments as the threaded split ring 608 is axially moved toward the upper step 614 to thread the threaded split ring 608 concentrically between the threaded sleeve assembly 610 and the housing 602. The threaded split ring 608 may be threaded into the threaded sleeve assembly 610 between the threaded sleeve assembly 610 and the housing 602 until the threaded split ring 608 lands on an upper step 614 of the housing 602 .

[0044] Depending on the application in which other end connectors 600 are used, Figure 6 The illustrated embodiment may include Figure 2A - Other features described in B, such as protrusion 209, one or more housing anti-rotation keys 228 and anti-backoff screw 214.

[0045] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of another end connector according to one or more embodiments used in the rotation control device 400 is shown. Figure 4 In the embodiment of the present invention, the rotation control device structure includes an outer housing 402 and other end connectors installed in the outer housing 402 , wherein the other end connectors are used to rotatably hold the packer assembly 408 in the outer housing 402 .

[0046] The outer housing 402 of the rotation control device 400 is generally a stator or a fixed component. The outer housing 402 of one or more embodiments can be any suitable outer housing known in the art. For example, the outer housing assembly can be a generally tubular body, such as formed by a pipe, a pipe fitting, a flange, etc.

[0047] The outer housing 402 extends axially around the rotor assembly or rotating component and includes other end connections and a packer assembly 408. The other end connections include the inner housing assembly 202, the threaded sleeve 210, and the threaded split ring 212, as described above with reference to Figure 2A and 2B In one or more embodiments, Figure 4 Similar elements described in the reference may have reference Figure 2A and 2BThe corresponding shapes, positions and connections of the elements in the other end connectors 200 are described. In order to avoid redundancy, these elements will not be described again, however, it should be understood that Figure 2A-2B and Figure 4 The elements merely represent examples according to one or more embodiments, and the elements with their respective shapes, positions, and connections should in no way be considered limiting.

[0048] The other end connection is rotatably mounted within the outer housing 402 using one or more bearing assemblies, such as an upper bearing assembly 404 and a lower bearing assembly 406. A packer assembly 408 is connected to and retained within the inner housing assembly 202 of the other end connection such that the packer assembly 408 can rotate within the outer housing 402 with the other end connection.

[0049] In one or more embodiments, the packer assembly 408 can be assembled within the other end connections by assembling the other end connections around the packer assembly 408 using one or more of the other end connection assembly methods described herein. For example, the upper housing 204 can be positioned around the upper end of the packer assembly 408, the lower housing 206 can be positioned around the lower end of the packer assembly 408, the threaded sleeve 210 can be threadedly connected to the upper axial end of the lower housing 206, and the threaded split ring 212 can be threadedly connected between the threaded sleeve 210 and the upper housing 204 to secure the other end connections around the packer assembly 408.

[0050] The packer assembly 408 of one or more embodiments can be any suitable packer assembly known in the art. For example, the packer assembly can be a retrievable tensile packer, a retrievable compression packer with bypass, a retrievable tensile / compression device-multi-function transition platform, a retrievable hydraulically set single string packer, a dual string packer, a permanent wellbore packer, a retrievable wellbore packer, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the packer assembly 408 includes a packer sleeve 409, which is mounted to a sleeve base 411 at the axial end. One or more excitation pressure openings 414 formed between the sleeve bases 411 connect the fluid source fluid to the area around the packer sleeve 409, where fluid can be injected to apply pressure to the packer sleeve 409 and excite the packer sleeve 409. The packer sleeve 409 can be energized in a radially inward direction to maintain a seal between the inner surface of the packer sleeve 409 and the tubular string (not shown) as the packer sleeve 409 moves through the rotation control device 400. With the packer assembly 408 sealed to the tubular string, the packer assembly 408 and other end connections can rotate with the tubular string (e.g., a drill string) as the tubular string is rotated for well operations (e.g., during drilling operations).

[0051] Figures 5A-5D Disassembly according to one or more embodiments is shown Figure 4 An example method of rotating the control device 400. Figure 5A In the embodiment, the cap 416 can be provided with a threaded connection to secure the other end connection and the packer assembly 408 inside the outer housing 402. When the cap 416 is screwed out of the rotation control device 400, the other end connection can be axially removed from the outer housing 402. In one or more embodiments, when the rotation control device 400 is installed on the seafloor, the other end connection can be removed from the outer housing 402 and brought to a surface location.

[0052] Figure 5B The other end connections and the packer assembly 408 are shown removed from the outer housing 402. If there is a back-out screw (e.g., Figure 2B 214), it can be removed. Figure 5B As shown, the threaded split ring 212 can be rotated and axially moved about the upper housing 204 to unscrew the threaded split ring 212 from the threaded sleeve 210 so that it can be removed from between the threaded sleeve 210 and the upper housing 204. Once the threaded split ring 212 is unscrewed from the threaded sleeve 210, the threaded split ring 212 can be disassembled by dividing the threaded split ring 212 into at least two sections so that it can be easily removed from the upper housing 204. If the threaded split ring 212 is stuck (e.g., due to corrosion), the threaded sleeve 210 can be cut through at the potential cutting line 418 in the gap between the threaded sleeve 210 and the upper housing 204, in which case the threaded split ring 212, the upper housing 204, and the cut upper portion of the threaded sleeve 210 can be removed together (pulled away from the lower housing 206).

[0053] Figure 5C A disassembly step is shown wherein, after removing the threaded split ring 212, the upper housing 204 can be lifted and removed from the lower housing 206. In one or more embodiments, the upper housing 204 can be separated from the housing anti-rotation key 228 when the housing anti-rotation key 228 is used to maintain the upper and lower housings in angular alignment.

[0054] exist Figure 5D In the embodiment of the present invention, the upper housing 204 is removed and the packer assembly 408 can be removed from the lower housing 206, for example, for repair or replacement. The threaded sleeve 210 can remain connected to the lower housing 206 or be screwed out of the lower housing 206.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, by following the instructions in reverse order, Figure 5A-D, the packer assembly may be installed within other end connections according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0056] Although Figure 4-5D Other end connectors according to embodiments of the present disclosure are shown for use with rotary control devices, but other end connectors according to embodiments of the present disclosure can be used for other applications. In one or more embodiments, other end connectors according to embodiments of the present disclosure can be used to connect various types of equipment, for example, pressure-rated equipment for the oil and gas industry.

[0057] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the components used to form the other end connectors (e.g., including the upper shell, the lower shell, the threaded split ring, the threaded sleeve and any rotation locks, such as the shell anti-rotation key and / or the anti-backward screw) can be made of metal. For example, the components forming the other end connectors can be made of one or more of low alloy steel, martensitic steel, stainless steel (e.g., austenitic stainless steel), Inconel (nickel-chromium-based super alloy), Hastelloy (nickel-molybdenum-based alloy), titanium alloy and / or other corrosion-resistant alloys (CRA). All components of the other end connectors can be made of the same alloy, or one or more components of the other end connectors can be made of different alloys. By forming all components of the other end connectors from one or more alloys, these components can be easily manufactured (e.g., by casting and / or machining), suitable for the specific requirements of the application in which the other end connectors are to be used (e.g., corrosion resistance), and able to withstand the difficult environmental conditions common in the oil and gas industry.

[0058] While the present disclosure includes a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope should be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. Another end connector, comprising: An internal housing assembly, wherein the internal housing assembly comprises: Upper shell; A coupling assembly, wherein the coupling assembly comprises: a threaded sleeve positioned around the upper housing, the threaded sleeve comprising: a first set of threads on the first axial end; and a second set of threads on the second axial end; and A threaded ring is threadedly connected to the threaded sleeve and is radially positioned between the threaded sleeve and the upper housing.

2. The other end connector according to claim 1, wherein the inner housing assembly further comprises a lower housing, and the lower housing and the upper housing are in an axially stacked structure.

3. The other end connection of claim 2, wherein the first set of threads on the first axial end of the threaded sleeve is threadedly connected to the upper axial end of the lower housing.

4. The other end connection according to claim 2, wherein the lower axial end of the upper shell is located axially adjacent to the upper axial end of the lower shell.

5. The other end connector according to claim 2 further includes a shell anti-rotation key, which is arranged between the lower axial end of the upper shell and the upper axial end of the lower shell, and partially extends into the lower axial end of the upper shell and the upper axial end of the lower shell to prevent relative rotation between the upper shell and the lower shell.

6. The other end connection according to claim 1, wherein the threaded sleeve is formed integrally with the lower housing at an upper axial end of the lower housing.

7. The other end connection of claim 1, wherein a threaded ring is positioned adjacent the lower axial end of the upper housing and is threadedly connected to a second set of threads on a second axial end of the threaded sleeve.

8. The other end connection of claim 1, further comprising an anti-backout screw disposed in the threaded ring and contacting the inner housing component.

9. The other end connection of claim 1, wherein the threaded ring is a threaded split ring comprising two sections.

10. A method for joining housing components, comprising: Assemble other end connections, including: assembling the upper housing axially adjacent to the lower housing to form an inner housing assembly; a first axial end portion of the threaded sleeve threadedly connected about the upper axial end portion of the lower housing; a threaded ring radially threadedly connected between the second axial end of the threaded sleeve and the upper housing; contacting the threaded ring against the protruding feature along the lower axial end of the upper housing when the threaded ring is moved to threadably connect the threaded ring radially between the threaded sleeve and the upper housing; and Insert the anti-backout screw through the threaded ring to contact the upper housing.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the threaded ring is a threaded split ring disposed in at least two sections, and wherein threading the threaded ring comprises: positioning at least two segments around an outer surface of the upper housing to assemble a threaded split ring around the upper housing; and The assembled threaded split ring is rotationally and axially moved about the upper housing to radially threadably connect the threaded split ring between the threaded sleeve and the upper housing.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising disassembling the other end connector, wherein disassembling comprises: Remove the anti-retraction screw; Unscrewing the threaded ring from between the threaded sleeve and the upper housing; and Remove the upper case.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising disassembling other end connectors, wherein disassembling comprises: The threaded sleeve is cut along an axial center position between a first set of threads at a first axial end of the threaded sleeve and a second set of threads at a second axial end of the threaded sleeve.

14. A method for joining housing components, comprising: Assembling other end connectors, wherein the other end connectors include: An inner housing assembly, wherein the inner housing assembly comprises The upper housing includes a lower axial end and A lower housing including an upper axial end A coupling assembly, wherein the coupling assembly comprises: Threaded sleeve, including a first set of threads on the first axial end; and a second set of threads on the second axial end; and a threaded split ring, and installing the packer assembly in the other end connection, and The other end connections, including the packer assembly, are placed within the outer housing.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein assembling the other end connection comprises threading the lower housing to the threaded sleeve at the first threaded connection.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein assembling the other end connections comprises stacking an upper shell on a lower shell.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein assembling the other end connection comprises stacking a threaded split ring on the upper housing and threading the threaded split ring to the threaded sleeve at the second threaded connection.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein assembling the other end connectors includes providing a housing anti-rotation key between the upper housing and the lower housing to prevent relative rotation between the upper housing and the lower housing.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein assembling the other end connection further comprises inserting a locking screw through the threaded split ring to contact an inner housing component.

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