PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR A THREADED END OF A TUBULAR COMPONENT

Description

Domaine technique

[0001] The invention relates to tubular threaded components and more specifically to protectors for protecting the end of these components, in particular drilling or operating tubes for oil or gas wells.

[0002] Here, the term "tubular component" means any element or accessory used to drill or operate a well and comprising at least one threaded end, also called a connection or connector, and intended to be assembled by a thread to another tubular component to form with this other component a tubular threaded joint. The tubular component may be, for example, a tubular element of relatively great length (in particular around ten meters in length), for example a tube, or a tubular sleeve of a few tens of centimeters in length, or an accessory of these tubular elements (suspension device or "hanger", section change part or "cross-over", safety valve, connector for drill rod or "tool joint", "sub", and the like).

[0003] Tubular components are generally assembled together to be lowered into hydrocarbon or similar wells and constitute a drill string, a string of casing or liners or a string of production tubing (production strings).

[0004] The API 5CT specification issued by the American Petroleum Institute (API), equivalent to the ISO 11960 standard issued by the International Standardization Organization (ISO), governs tubes used as casing or tubing, and the API 5B specification defines standard threads for these tubes.

[0005] API Specification 7 defines shouldered threaded connections for rotary drill rods.

[0006] Threaded connections most often comprise one or more threads whose threads are substantially trapezoidal and comprise an engagement flank (called "stabbing") on the side of the threads directed towards the free end of the threaded element considered, a load flank (called "loading") on the opposite side of the engagement threads, a thread crest of non-zero width and a thread root of also non-zero width, the load flanks and the engagement flanks being oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the threaded element (for example, the API Buttress thread has, according to the API standard, an inclination of +3° for the load flanks, and an inclination of +10° for the engagement flanks).

[0007] There are also triangular or round threads which also have engagement flanks and load flanks whose thread tips and roots are of approximately zero width, but which are very little used today because they present a high risk of disengagement ("jump-out").

[0008] The aforementioned tubular components may comprise a threaded male end which is intended to be screwed to a threaded female end of another tubular drilling or exploitation component. It is therefore essential that their male and female ends are as little damaged, polluted and deteriorated as possible between the time they leave their production line and the time they are used, but also between two successive uses. It will be understood that it is indeed necessary to protect against corrosion, dust and impacts (or blows) not only the thread, but also any bearing surface(s) and stop(s) which each have specific and complementary functions, in particular with a view to ensuring sealing during the use phase.

[0009] Furthermore, the ends of the aforementioned components were generally coated just before assembly with a grease with anti-seize properties.

[0010] It is increasingly common to replace this grease with a combination of surface treatments and coatings applied in thin layers to the connections, i.e. to the thread, the bearing surface and / or the stop.

[0011] Protectors are devices whose function is to protect the functional surfaces of male or female connections. These functional surfaces can be one or more threads, one or more bearing surfaces, one or more stops. A protector is generally cylindrical in shape and generally comprises a body, a securing means and possibly a mechanical shock absorber called a bumper located at the end opposite the free end of the protector. The generally suitable solution for securing a protector to a connection is to screw it onto the thread of the connection. This solution allows for a simple assembly gesture combined with precise positioning. The protector therefore has a thread capable of being screwed onto the thread of the connection. The thread is most often of the same type and the same pitch as that of the connection.A protector thread therefore comprises threads with engagement flanks on the side of the threads facing the free end of the protector and intended to come into contact with engagement flanks of the threads of a connection when screwing the protector onto the connection, load flanks, thread crests and roots and at least one stop.

[0012] The main purpose of a protector is to protect the connection of a tubular component (intended for drilling or exploitation of hydrocarbon wells or similar) against various types of external aggression: mechanical damage such as mechanical shocks, pollution (chemical and material) such as dust settling on functional surfaces and corrosion of materials between the time the tubular component leaves its production line and the time it is used (with several possible assemblies and disassemblies of the protection device).

[0013] However, the applicant has noticed that during the transport or handling of tubes on which the known protectors are mounted, the functional surfaces of the connections are insufficiently protected against damage, in particular mechanical impacts. In addition, it happens that known protectors partially or completely unscrew or that functional surfaces are damaged despite the presence of the known protector mounted on the connection.

[0014] The following documents are known from the prior art: DE 3229531 A1 which discloses a protector for protecting a terminal end of a tube in the oil field. The protector of D1 comprises a plastic overmolding with the aim of ensuring the sealing of a protector with respect to a tube. This plastic overmolding must remain fixed in the protector without any possibility of mobility or displacement otherwise the sealing is no longer ensured.

[0015] US 2082286 A discloses a protector comprising two metal parts welded together. The first part is called a "Ring" and does not include any threads, and a second part called a "cup-shape member" intended to accommodate the threads of a tube which also does not include any threads.

[0016] US2007 / 113910 A1 which discloses an "open" type protector, i.e. comprising an opening at its upper part, i.e. the one supposed to cover the open and free part of a tube, and said opening being able to be closed by a plug.

[0017] US 1893927 A which discloses threaded fittings for tubular threaded members. These threaded fittings are chosen based on the thread of the tube that the user wishes to match.

[0018] Thus, there is a real need to develop a protector that can solve the above-mentioned problems. Résumé

[0019] According to the invention, a protector for protecting a male or female threaded end of a tubular component is provided according to claim 1.

[0020] One idea behind the invention is a protector for protecting a threaded end, particularly during transport and storage.

[0021] Another idea behind the invention is a protector that, once mounted on a threaded end, does not unscrew unintentionally.

[0022] Another idea behind the invention is a reusable and adaptable protector, i.e. one that can be modified to adapt to different types of connections.

[0023] Another idea behind the invention is a protector that makes it easier to clean grease from the bottom of the protector, especially on the smooth parts of the protector.

[0024] Another idea behind the invention is to achieve a reliable and economical protector by the possibility of replacing the thread of the protector only instead of the entire protector.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a protector for protecting a male or female threaded end of a tubular component for drilling, exploitation of hydrocarbon wells, transport of oil and gas, transport or storage of hydrogen, carbon capture or geothermal energy, the male or female end being provided with at least one external or internal thread, the protector comprising: a main body intended to receive the male or female threaded end, the main body comprising a peripheral side wall extending in an axial direction, in which a housing is provided in a thickness of the peripheral side wall, said housing extending around the peripheral side wall, at least one threaded ring housed in said housing in a removable manner, the threaded ring having a thread intended to be screwed onto the external or internal thread of the male or female end.

[0026] Thanks to these features, the protector can be inserted onto a male or female threaded end to protect it. In addition, part of the protector is reusable. Indeed, the threaded ring initially housed in the protector housing can be replaced by another threaded ring, which gives the protector adaptability allowing it to be reused for the same male or female threaded end or a threaded end comprising a different thread.

[0027] Due to these features, the threaded ring and housing help to create thread interference and thus add more torque value to the protector.

[0028] A protector according to the invention allows rapid and reliable on-site assembly and disassembly of the protector on a tubular component connection and allows easy inspection of the condition of the threads before use or between two successive uses of the component.

[0029] A protector according to the invention makes it possible to prevent premature or unwanted unscrewing of said protector. Indeed, an axial force associated with a rotation must be provided to allow the initial mounting of the protector on a tubular element. When the protector is in the screwed position, the ring is in the screwed position on the tubular threaded element. The main body can be made to move around the tubular threaded element without the protector becoming dissociated from the connection to be protected. Only the application of a reverse rotation and possibly an axial force will allow the disassembly of the protector. A transmission of force between the threaded ring and the body of the protector can be done in different ways, for example by friction or by gearing. A frictional contact can be made at one or two axial surfaces of the housing against one or two axial surfaces of the ring.Such frictional or gear contact allows the ring to be unscrewed from the connection when the main body of the protector is unscrewed.

[0030] A tubular component for drilling and operating oil or gas wells typically consists of a body and two connections on either side of the body to connect the tubular component to other tubular components. The component can be made of steel, stainless steel, and / or aluminum.

[0031] In particular, a tube comprises a body and a threaded connection or end at each end, on either side of this body. A connection may be an end portion of the body provided with machined surfaces to form a joint with a corresponding connection of another tubular body. Alternatively, a connection may be a machined portion of a sleeve attached by welding or screwing to a tubular component body. Alternatively still, a connection may be a sleeve welded to a tubular component body.

[0032] A "male connection" or "male threaded end" means that portion of a component provided with machined and / or ground surfaces to form a joint with a corresponding female connection. A male connection generally has one or more threads located on an outer side wall of the component end and a corresponding female connection has one or more corresponding threads on an inner side wall of the component end.

[0033] A component can have two male connections, one male and one female connection, or two female connections.

[0034] According to embodiments, such a protector may comprise one or more of the following features.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the main body has a bottom wall which is located at an axial end of the peripheral side wall, the peripheral side wall extending all around the bottom wall.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the bottom wall has a through opening.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the threaded ring goes all the way around the housing.

[0038] According to the invention, the threaded ring is interrupted so that it can be deformed during insertion into the housing or removal from said housing.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the threaded ring has a zone of weakened thickness in order to increase the elastic deformation capacity of said threaded ring.

[0040] Thanks to these characteristics, the threaded ring is elastically deformable allowing it to be easily mounted or dismounted from the main body housing.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the threaded ring has a right-hand thread, that is to say that the tightening direction is from left to right.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the threaded ring has a left-hand thread, that is to say that the tightening direction is from right to left.

[0043] According to one embodiment, a shape of the threaded ring is chosen from: cylindrical, stepped cylindrical, helical and frustoconical.

[0044] According to one embodiment, a shape of the housing is chosen from: cylindrical, stepped cylindrical, helical and frustoconical.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the shape of the threaded ring and the shape of the housing are corresponding.

[0046] According to one embodiment, a shape of the threaded ring and a corresponding shape of the housing are chosen from: a cylindrical shape, a stepped cylindrical shape, a helical shape and a truncated cone shape.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the threaded ring includes a non-threaded surface that conforms to the housing in order to increase the contact surface between the threaded ring and the housing. For example, the threaded ring includes bends and / or stops in order to adapt to the housing.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the housing has at least one rim intended to stop the threaded ring in the axial direction.

[0049] So once the threaded ring is seated in the housing, the threaded ring will not unintentionally dislodge, the threaded ring is held in the housing.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the rim has a notch intended to facilitate disassembly of the threaded ring from the main body.

[0051] Thanks to these features, the threaded ring is easily dislodged and removed from the main body housing, for example via a flat metal tab or a flat-tipped screwdriver.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the housing has a second rim intended to stop the threaded ring in the axial direction.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the housing is provided in a thickness of the peripheral side wall.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the housing has a depth of between 0.2 mm and 20 mm.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the housing has a length of between 2 mm and 300 mm.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the threaded ring has a diameter between 50 mm and 700 mm.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the housing is provided throughout the thickness of the peripheral side wall, i.e. the housing extends through in the direction of the thickness of the peripheral wall.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the housing extends over a portion of the circumference of the peripheral side wall. According to one embodiment, the housing extends at least over ¾ of the circumference of the peripheral side wall.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the housing extends all the way around the peripheral side wall.

[0060] According to one embodiment, a locking means blocks a rotational movement of the threaded ring relative to the main body in order to be able to screw or unscrew the threaded ring by exerting a rotational torque on the main body.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the locking means comprises a rib-groove system making it possible to secure in rotation an external or internal surface of the threaded ring with the internal or external surface of the peripheral side wall.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the interrupted threaded ring comprises an interruption zone, said interruption zone forming said groove, and wherein the interruption zone cooperates with a rib formed on the inner or outer surface of the peripheral side wall.

[0063] Thanks to these features, the interrupted threaded ring is deformable and can be easily mounted or dismounted from the main body housing. In addition, the rib-groove system allows the threaded ring to be easily screwed or unscrewed.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the interruption zone is in the form of a staircase.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the rib-groove system comprises a groove formed in the unthreaded surface of the threaded ring and a rib located in the housing and intended to be housed in said groove.

[0066] This allows the threaded ring to extend into the housing and go all the way around the peripheral side wall.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the blocking means is chosen from: a frustoconical portion formed by an unthreaded surface of the threaded ring and / or by an inner or outer surface of the peripheral side wall, the frustoconical portion making it possible to frictionally secure the unthreaded surface of the threaded ring with the inner surface or the outer surface of the peripheral side wall in response to an axial thrust force exerted on the threaded ring in the direction of the bottom wall, a thickness of the threaded ring greater than a depth of the housing in order to frictionally secure the unthreaded surface of the threaded ring with the inner or outer surface of the peripheral side wall by screwing the external or internal thread of the male or female threaded end of the tubular component to the threaded ring, the male or female threaded end of the tubular component being capable of causing radial expansion of the threaded ring in response to said screwing.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the main body has a certain rigidity while being capable of at least partially absorbing shocks.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the main body or the ring are made of polymer material, for example by injecting a thermoplastic material into a suitable mold.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the main body or the ring are made of thermoplastic material chosen from: polycarbonate-based blends such as polycarbonate-polyester (PC-PBT or PC-PET) and high (PE-HD) or ultra high density (PE-UHD) polyethylenes (PE).

[0071] According to another embodiment, the main body or the ring is produced by additive manufacturing in a material chosen from: polyamides, elastomers, charged polymers, metallic materials or in combination.

[0072] In cases where one wishes to comply with the API 5CT specification, which provides in its Annex I requirements for thread protection devices, in particular minimum values of resistance to axial and bias impacts (at 45°) for three temperatures (-46, +21 and +66°C), one can, for example, more specifically choose a PE-HD produced by the company DOW and sold under the name DMBA-8904-NT7 or produced by the company BASELL and sold under the name LUPOLEN 4261 AG UV 6005, a PE-UHD produced by the company TICONA and sold under the name GUR 5113, or a PC-PBT produced by the company BAYER and sold under the name MAKROBLEND S7916.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the main body is partially honeycombed, particularly in its thick portions, in order to better absorb impacts.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the protector comprises a plurality of housings arranged in a staggered manner in the axial direction of the main body and a plurality of threaded rings respectively arranged in a removably manner in said housings.

[0075] According to one embodiment, threads of the plurality of threaded rings are different from each other.

[0076] According to one embodiment, a lower seal is located on the bottom wall and is intended to establish a sealing contact with the male or female threaded end of the tubular component.

[0077] Thus, a sealing zone is formed at the contact area with the male or female threaded end.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the lower seal is removably attached to the main body.

[0079] This makes the lower seal easily replaceable without changing the entire protector.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the lower seal is in the shape of a truncated cone diverging towards the bottom wall.

[0081] Thanks to these characteristics, the seal formed at the contact area with the male or female threaded end is reinforced.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the peripheral side wall has an axial end distant from the bottom wall, an upper seal being located on the axial end and intended to establish a sealed contact with the male or female threaded end of the tubular component.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the upper seal is removably attached to the main body.

[0084] This way, the upper seal can be easily replaced without changing the entire protector.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the protector further comprises a data medium making it possible to memorize, store, or record data, using “Radio Frequency Identification” (RFID) technology.

[0086] The data carrier includes, for example, information concerning: the protector, the tubular component, the match between the protector and the male or female threaded end of the tubular component, the goods transported and / or the carrier of the goods.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the data carrier is located in the main body, the housing, the threaded ring, the lower seal or the upper seal.

[0088] According to one embodiment, a protector according to the invention, in which the threaded ring (8, 108) and / or the main body (2, 102) is manufactured by additive manufacturing, by casting or by machining in one or more materials.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the manufacturing is carried out in the same material or in several different materials.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the additive manufacturing used is carried out by recharging, by electron beam fusion, by laser fusion on a metal powder bed or "selective laser melting", by multi jet fusion, by fused wire deposition, by Polyjet, by vacuum casting, by selective laser sintering, by stereolithography in a resin bath, by direct metal deposition or "Direct Energy Deposition", by deposition by binder projection or deposition by laser projection or by deposition by arc-wire additive manufacturing. Each of these production methods allows impregnation with another material which can be hydrophobic, lubricating, conductive, insulating, fluorescent...

[0091] The invention also provides an assembly comprising a tubular component having a male or female threaded end and a protector as described above screwed to the male or female threaded end. Brève description des figures

[0092] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [ fig.1 ] There figure 1 illustrates an exploded sectional view of a male threaded end of a tubular component and a protector according to one embodiment. fig.2 ] There figure 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a protector according to one embodiment. fig.3 ] There figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a threaded ring according to one embodiment. fig.4 ] There figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a main body capable of housing the threaded ring illustrated in the figure 3 . [ fig.5 ] There figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a protector according to one embodiment. fig.6 ] There figure 6 illustrates a top view of the lower seal of the protector shown in the figure 5 . [ fig.7 ] There figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of an interrupted threaded ring according to one embodiment. fig.8 ] There figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of a protector body suitable for receiving the threaded ring of the Fig. 7 , before inserting the threaded ring. [ fig.9 ] There figure 9 is a view analogous to the figure 8 during insertion of the threaded ring. [ fig.10 ] There figure 10 is a view analogous to the figures 8 et 9 after inserting the threaded ring into the housing. [ fig.11 ] There figure 11 illustrates a sectional view of a protector comprising a frustoconical peripheral sidewall. fig. 12 ] There figure 12 illustrates a sectional view of a protector comprising a threaded ring during the screwing of a tubular component. fig. 13 ] There figure 13 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a protector in which the threaded ring and housing have helical shapes. fig. 14 ] There figure 14 illustrates a perspective view of a threaded ring of the protector of the figure 13 . [ fig.15 ] There figure 15 is a sectional view of a protector for a female threaded end of a tubular component according to one embodiment. fig.16 ] There figure 16 illustrates a sectional view of the protector shown in the figure 16 in the assembled state on a female threaded end of a tubular component. fig.17 ] There figure 17 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the protector shown on the figures 16 And 17 and the female threaded end of a tubular component. Description des modes de réalisation

[0093] THE figures 1 à 14 represent protectors for protecting a tubular component having a male threaded end, i.e. having an external thread.

[0094] There figure 1 illustrates a tubular component 10 and a protector 1 corresponding thereto. The tubular component 10 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a male threaded end 11, i.e. having an external thread.

[0095] The protector 1 comprises a main body 2 intended to receive the male threaded end 11. The main body 2 of the figure 1 is a sectional view along the II-II axis shown in the figure 2 The main body 2 is hollow and comprises a bottom wall 3 and a peripheral side wall 4 extending from the bottom wall 3 in an axial direction X all around the bottom wall 3.

[0096] A lower seal 5 formed integrally with the main body 2 is located on the bottom wall 3. The lower seal 5 comprises a circular zone 51 which is intended to establish a sealed contact with an internal surface 12 of the male threaded end portion 11.

[0097] Furthermore, an upper seal 6 formed integrally with the main body is located at an upper end of the main body 2. The upper seal 6 goes all the way around the upper end of the main body 2 and is intended to establish a sealed contact with an external surface 13 of the tubular component 10.

[0098] The main body 2 further comprises a housing 7 which is arranged in the thickness of the peripheral side wall 4 without passing through the peripheral side wall 4. The housing 7 is located between the lower seal 5, the upper seal 6 and extends around the peripheral side wall 4, over an angular sector of approximately 320°. The housing 7 is intended to house a threaded ring 8. The housing 7 has an upper rim 71 intended to stop the threaded ring 8 in the axial direction X, in the direction of the upper seal 6 and a lower rim 72 intended to stop the threaded ring 8 in the axial direction X, in the direction of the bottom 3.

[0099] On the figure 1 , the threaded ring 8 is a sectional view along axis II shown in the figure 2 . The threaded ring 8 has a thread 81 on an inner surface. The thread 81 corresponds to the thread of the male threaded end 11 in order to allow one to be screwed onto the other. The threaded ring 8 is interrupted in order to form an interruption zone 82 so that it can be deformed during insertion or removal from the housing 7. The interruption zone 82 has a first lateral edge 83 parallel to a second lateral edge 84 which can cooperate respectively with a first lateral edge 91 and a second lateral edge 92 of a rib 9 present on the inner surface of the peripheral side wall 4 to stop the threaded ring 8 from rotating. The rib 9 is thus intended to block any rotational movement of the threaded ring 8 relative to the main body in order to allow the threaded ring 8 to be screwed or unscrewed onto the male threaded end 11 of the tubular component 10.

[0100] According to a variant indicated on the figure 2 , the threaded ring further comprises a zone of weakened thickness 85 making it possible to increase the elastic deformation capacity of the threaded ring 8 while reducing the risk of breakage of the threaded ring 8 during insertion into the housing 8.

[0101] There figure 3 has a threaded ring 8 according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the first lateral edge 83 and the second lateral edge 82 of the threaded ring 8 are parallel to each other and are at an angle with respect to the axial direction X.

[0102] There figure 4 represents a main body 2 adapted to receive the threaded ring 8 illustrated in the figure 3 . The rib 9 presents in a complementary manner to the interruption zone 82 presented on the figure 3 a first lateral edge 91 and a second lateral edge 92 parallel to each other and at an angle with respect to the axial direction X. The first lateral edge 91 and the second lateral edge 92 cooperate respectively with the first lateral edge 83 and with the second lateral edge 82 in order to place the housing of the threaded ring 8 in the housing 7 and to block the rotational movement of the threaded ring 8 relative to the main body 2.

[0103] There figure 5 illustrates a protector 1 comprising a main body 2 and a threaded ring 8 housed in a housing. Similar to the previous figures, the protector 1 comprises a lower seal 5 and an upper seal 6 between which the housing is located. The housing for receiving the threaded ring 8 extends around the peripheral side wall 4, over an angular sector of approximately 350°. The lower seal 5 is removably attached to the main body via a fastener 52 and has a truncated cone shape diverging towards the bottom wall in order to allow sealing contact with an internal surface of the male threaded end portion. The lower seal 5 disassembled from the protector 1 is illustrated in the figure 6 . The lower seal 5 shown on the figure 6 has an orifice 53 allowing the attachment 52 to be integrated in order to fix the internal seal 5 to the bottom wall 3 of the main body 2.

[0104] There figure 7 illustrates a threaded ring 8 according to another embodiment. The threaded ring 8 has a general shape of a cylinder of revolution around the axial direction X. The threaded ring 8 also has a step-shaped interruption zone 82. This interruption shape 82 is particularly advantageous in that it makes it possible to obtain a threaded ring 8 having a thread 81 around the entire internal circumference of the threaded ring 8. A protector comprising this threaded ring 8 can therefore be screwed and held firmly on the thread of the corresponding threaded end. In addition, this step-shaped interruption thus forms a first portion 86 of threaded ring and a second portion 87 of threaded ring opposite each other which will take up the forces directed in the axial direction X. The threaded ring 8 is therefore more resistant to this type of stress.

[0105] The threaded ring 8 further comprises a groove 88 and a notch 89 located near the groove 88 on an outer, non-threaded surface of the threaded ring 8. The groove 88 is intended to cooperate with a rib (not shown) located on an inner surface of the peripheral side wall in order to rotationally secure the non-threaded surface of the threaded ring 8 with the inner surface of the peripheral side wall.

[0106] The notch 89 allows the end of a tool, for example a screwdriver, to be inserted to facilitate the disassembly of the threaded ring 8.

[0107] There figure 8 illustrates the main body 2 of a protector 1 in which the threaded ring 8 of the figure 7 is used. In this embodiment, the housing 7 is hollowed out in the thickness of the internal surface of the peripheral side wall 4 and extends all around the peripheral side wall 4, i.e. over an angular sector of 360°. The upper rim 71 has a notch 41 intended to be aligned with the notch 89 to facilitate the disassembly of the threaded ring 8 from the housing 7 of the main body 2.

[0108] There figure 9 represents the insertion of the threaded ring 8 illustrated on the figure 7 in housing 7 shown on the figure 8 The threaded ring 8 is deformed thanks to its elastic deformation properties, in particular conferred by the interruption zone 82. Thus, the threaded ring is easily insertable into the housing 7 of the main body 2 in order to form the protector 1 which is presented on the figure 10 . On the figure 10 , the threaded ring is perfectly integrated into the housing 7. In addition, the notch 41 makes it easier to release the ring 8, particularly for replacing it.

[0109] There figure 11 illustrates a protector comprising a peripheral side wall 4 of truncated cone shape which makes it possible to block a rotational movement of the threaded ring 8 when screwing the tubular component. The peripheral side wall 4 comprises a truncated cone portion which is convergent towards the bottom wall. The truncated cone portion shown in the figure 11 allows the non-threaded outer surface of the threaded ring 8 to be secured by friction with the inner surface 42 of the peripheral side wall 4 when an axial thrust force is exerted by the tubular component (not shown) on the threaded ring in the direction X 1 , that is to say that the threaded ring 8 is moved from the upper rim 71 of the housing 7 towards the bottom wall.

[0110] There figure 12 illustrates a protector which also makes it possible to block by friction a rotational movement of the threaded ring 8 during the screwing of the tubular component. The thickness of the threaded ring 8 is greater than the depth of the housing 7 so that the threaded ring 8 is slightly protruding. The tubular component 10 has a diameter slightly greater than the initial diameter of the threaded ring 8. When the tubular component 10 penetrates the protector 1 by exerting an axial thrust force in the direction X 1 , the threaded ring 8 will abut on the lower rim 72 of the housing 7, the friction exerted by the threaded ring 8 on the lower rim 72 will make it possible to initiate the screwing of the protector 1 onto the male threaded end 11 of the tubular component 10. During the screwing of the protector 1, an outward radial force represented by Y 1 and Y 2 is then exerted on the threaded ring causing a radial expansion of the threaded ring 8.Thus, the non-threaded surface of the threaded ring 8 is pressed against the inner surface 42 of the peripheral side wall 4, causing frictional locking against the peripheral side wall 4 of the rotating threaded ring 8. Thus, the protector 1 can be easily screwed onto the male threaded end 11.

[0111] There figure 13 illustrates a protector 1 according to another embodiment comprising a housing 7 and a threaded ring 8. The threaded ring 8 is visible in perspective on the figure 14 . The threaded ring 8 is helical in shape and comprises two turns spaced apart from each other around the same axis X. The threaded ring 8 is interrupted, that is to say that the two ends of the threaded ring 8 do not meet. In a complementary manner, the housing 7 is hollowed out in the thickness of the internal wall 42 of the peripheral side wall 4 and has a shape corresponding to the helicoid of the threaded ring 8. Thus, the threaded ring can be inserted and held in the housing 7 in order to allow the screwing of a male threaded end of a tubular component.

[0112] THE figures 15 à 17 represent a protector 101 for protecting a tubular component 110 having a female threaded end, that is to say having an internal thread. Elements similar or identical to those of the preceding figures bear a reference number increased by 100 compared to the preceding figures.

[0113] There figure 15 illustrates a protector 101 comprising a main body 102 for insertion into the female threaded end portion. The main body 102 comprises a bottom wall 103 and a peripheral side wall 104 extending from the bottom wall 103 in an axial direction X all around the bottom wall 103. The peripheral side wall 104 has an upper end distant from the bottom wall 103.

[0114] A lower seal 105 is located on the bottom wall 103 and is intended to make sealing contact with an internal surface of the female threaded end.

[0115] An upper seal 106 is located on the upper end and is intended to make sealing contact with an external surface of the female threaded end.

[0116] An outer surface of the peripheral side wall 4 of the main body 2 has a housing 107 located between the lower seal 105 and the upper seal 106.

[0117] The housing 107 is formed in a thickness of the outer surface of the peripheral side wall 104 and extends around the peripheral side wall 104. The housing 107 is intended to receive a threaded ring 108. The housing 107 has an upper rim 171 intended to stop the threaded ring 108 in the axial direction X, in the direction of the upper seal 106 and a lower rim 172 intended to stop the ring in the axial direction X, in the direction of the bottom 103.

[0118] A threaded ring 108 is housed in said housing 107 in a removable manner, the threaded ring 108 has a thread 181 on an outer surface of the peripheral side wall 104 in order to allow the protector 100 to be screwed onto the female threaded end, i.e. onto an internal thread.

[0119] There figure 16 illustrates a tubular component 110 and a corresponding protector 100 screwed onto said tubular component 110. The bottom wall 103 and the lower seal 105 have a through-hole 131 which is intended to receive a tenon 21 of an inner plug 20. The tubular component 110 has a female threaded end, i.e. having an internal thread 14. The lower seal 105 establishes a sealed contact with an internal surface of the female threaded end and the outer seal 106 establishes a sealed contact with an external surface of the female threaded end.

[0120] There figure 17 presents an exploded view of the protector 101 shown in the figures 16 And 17 .

[0121] The tubular component 110 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a female threaded end, i.e. having an internal thread 14.

[0122] The threaded ring 108 is interrupted to form a step-shaped interruption zone 182 in a manner similar to the figure 7 to be able to be deformed during insertion into the housing 107 or removal from said housing 107.

[0123] The housing 107 has an upper rim 171 intended to stop the ring in the axial direction, towards the upper seal 106 and a lower rim 172 intended to stop the threaded ring 8 in the axial direction X, towards the bottom 103.

[0124] All of the threaded ring variants 8 previously presented for the protector for protecting a male threaded end are adaptable for the protector for protecting the female end 14 by reversing the threaded surface with the unthreaded surface.

[0125] According to a variant embodiment not shown of the protector for protecting a male or female threaded end, the housing is arranged in the entire thickness of the peripheral side wall, that is to say that the housing passes through the entire thickness of the peripheral side wall and extends over a first portion of the circumference of the peripheral side wall. The threaded ring housed in the housing is held in this housing via a column of casing tubes located at least around the protector. The threaded ring further comprises a groove which cooperates with a rib formed by a second portion of the circumference of the peripheral side wall which does not include the housing. Thus, the threaded ring is held radially in the housing, that is to say that the movement of the threaded ring is blocked in rotation.

[0126] The use of the verb "comprise", "comprise" or "include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those set out in a claim.

[0127] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

1. Protector for protecting a male (11) or female threaded end of a tubular component (10, 110) for drilling, for the exploitation of hydrocarbon wells, for transporting oil and gas, for transporting or storing hydrogen, for capturing carbon or geothermal energy, the male (11) or female threaded end being provided with at least one external or internal thread (14), the protector (1, 101) comprising: - a main body (2, 102) that is intended to receive the male (11) or female threaded end, the main body (2, 102) comprising a peripheral side wall (4, 104) extending in an axial direction (X), wherein a housing (7, 107) is provided in a thickness of the peripheral side wall (4, 104), said housing extending around the peripheral side wall (4, 104); - at least one threaded ring (8, 108) detachably housed in said housing (7, 107), the threaded ring (8, 108) having a thread (81) that is intended to be screwed onto the external or internal thread (14) of the male (11) or female threaded end, characterized in that the threaded ring (8, 108) is discontinuous, said threaded ring having a first end and a second end, the first end forming a first side edge (83) and the second end forming a second side edge (84), the first side edge (83) and the second side edge (84) being spaced apart from one another by a discontinuous area (82, 182), in order to be able to be deformed when inserted into the housing (7, 107) or removed from said housing (7, 107).

2. Protector according to Claim 1, wherein the threaded ring (8, 108) has a weakened thickness area (85) in order to increase the resilient deformability of said threaded ring (8, 108).

3. Protector according to either one of Claims 1 and 2, wherein a shape of the threaded ring (8, 108) and a corresponding shape of the housing (7, 107) are selected from among: a cylindrical shape, a stepped cylindrical shape, a helical shape and a frustoconical shape.

4. Protector according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing (7, 107) has at least one flange (71, 72, 171, 172) intended to stop the threaded ring (8, 108) in the axial direction (X).

5. Protector according to Claim 4, wherein the flange (71, 72, 171, 172) has a notch (41) intended to facilitate the removal of the threaded ring (8, 108) from the main body (2, 102).

6. Protector according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein a blocking means blocks a rotational movement of the threaded ring (8, 108) relative to the main body (2, 102) in order to be able to screw or unscrew the threaded ring (8, 108) by exerting a rotational torque on the main body (2, 102).

7. Protector according to Claim 6, wherein the blocking means comprises a rib-groove system for rotationally securing an external or internal surface of the threaded ring (8, 108) to an internal or external surface (42) of the peripheral side wall (4, 104).

8. Protector according to Claim 7, wherein the threaded ring (8, 108) comprises a discontinuous area (82, 182), said discontinuous area (82, 182) forming said groove, and wherein the discontinuous area (82, 182) engages with a rib (9) formed on the internal (42) or external surface of the peripheral side wall (4, 104).

9. Protector according to any of Claims 7 to 8, wherein the rib-groove system comprises a groove (88) formed in a non-threaded surface of the threaded ring (8, 108) and a rib (9) located in the housing (7, 107) and intended to be housed in said groove (88).

10. Protector according to any of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the blocking means is selected from among: - a frustoconical portion formed by a non-threaded surface of the threaded ring (8, 108) and / or by an internal (42) or external surface of the peripheral side wall (4, 104), the frustoconical portion allowing the non-threaded surface of the threaded ring (8, 108) to be frictionally secured to the internal surface (42) or to the external surface of the peripheral side wall (4, 104) in response to an axial thrust force exerted on the threaded ring (8, 108) towards the bottom wall; - a thickness of the threaded ring (8, 108) that is greater than a depth of the housing (7, 107) in order to frictionally secure the non-threaded surface of the threaded ring (8, 108) to the internal (42) or external surface of the peripheral side wall (4, 104) by screwing the external or internal thread (14) of the male (11) or female threaded end of the tubular component (10, 110) to the threaded ring (8, 108), with the male (11) or female threaded end of the tubular component (10, 110) being adapted to cause radial expansion of the threaded ring (8, 108) in response to said screwing.

11. Protector according to any of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the threaded ring (8, 108) and / or the main body (2, 102) is / are manufactured by additive manufacturing, by casting or by machining from one or more material(s).

12. Protector according to any of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the main body (2, 102) has a bottom wall (3, 103) that is located at an axial end of the peripheral side wall (4, 104), with the peripheral side wall (4, 104) completely extending around the bottom wall (3, 103).

13. Protector according to Claim 12, wherein a lower seal (5, 105) is located on the bottom wall (3, 103) and is intended to establish a sealed contact with the male (11) or female threaded end of the tubular component (10, 110).

14. Protector according to any of Claims 12 to 13, wherein the peripheral side wall (4, 104) has an axial end remote from the bottom wall (3, 103), with an upper seal (6, 106) being located on the axial end and being intended to establish a sealed contact with the male (11) or female threaded end of the tubular component (10, 110).

15. Assembly comprising a tubular component having a male (11) or female threaded end and a protector (1, 101) according to any of Claims 1 to 14 attached to the male (11) or female threaded end by screwing.