Threaded connection

Abstract

A high torque, double-shouldered threaded connection. The torque is equally balanced between the torque shoulders when the connection is made up.

Description

THREADED CONNECTIONCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 63 / 558,850 filed on February 28, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to threaded connections and, more particularly, to high torque double shouldered threaded connections.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The oil and gas industry is always in search of threaded connections with improved torque and longer life.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a high torque, double shouldered threaded connection.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Fig. 1 depicts one embodiment of a pin end of the threaded connection of the present invention.

[0006] Fig. 2 depicts one embodiment of a box end of the threaded connection of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Embodiments of the invention are described more fully hereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Elements that are identified using the same or similar reference characters refer to the same or similar elements which perform the same functions across various embodiments. The various embodiments of the invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0008] The threaded portions of the pin connections and box connections of the present invention each comprise a continuous helical thread having parallel threads at approximately a 5° angle from the axis of the connection. The threaded connection has a pitch diameter, bevel diameter, counterbore diameter, and overall length which allow for higher torque in a smaller area. The connection is a double shouldered connection in which the torque is balanced equally between the shoulders.

[0009] Figs. 1 and 2 show the threaded pin and box connections, respectively. It will be appreciated that the connections of the present invention can be used in coupled connections wherein the tubular members have pin connections on both ends and a coupler having box connections on both ends is used to join them. The connections of the present invention can also be used in integral joint connections wherein the tubular members have one pin connection end and one box connection end and they are joined end-to-end using the appropriate connections.

[0010] Referring first to Fig. 1 , there is shown, generally as 10, one embodiment of a pin connection of the present invention. Pin connection 10 has an integrally formed, annular, axially facing, reverse angle torque shoulder 12. In a preferred embodiment, torque shoulder 12 is at an angle of about 5° from a line perpendicular to the axis of the pin connection 10. Torque shoulder 12 has a bevel portion 14 along the radially outward edge. Pin connection 10 has a threaded portion 16 with parallel threads. Threaded portion 16 is at an angle of about 5° relative to the axis. There is an unthreaded portion 18 between threaded portion 16 and torque shoulder 12. Pin connection has a pin nose 20 which will engage a torque shoulder on the box connection (discussed below). There is an unthreaded portion 22 between threaded portion 16 and pin nose 20.

[0011] Referring to Fig. 2, there is shown, generally as 50, one embodiment of a box connection of the present invention. The components of box connection 50 are complementary to pin connection 10. Box connection 50 has an integrally formed, annular, axially facing, torque shoulder 52. Box connection 50 has a threaded portion 56 with parallel threads. Threaded portion 56 is at an angle of about 5° relative to the axis. There is an unthreaded portion 58 between threaded portion 56 and torque shoulder 52. Box connection has a box nose 60 which will engage torque shoulder 12 on the pin connection. In a preferred embodiment, box nose is at an angle of about 5° from a line perpendicular to the axis of the box connection 50. Box nose 60 has a bevel portion 54 along the radially outward edge. There is an unthreaded portion 62 between threaded portion 56 and box nose 60.

[0012] The high torque of the present invention is achieved by balancing the torque between the torque shoulders on the pin and box connections. This is accomplished by acombination of the pitch diameters, bevel diameters, counterbore diameters, and connection length. In this regard, as shown in Fig. 1, the pin pitch diameter is 4.665” at the end of threaded portion 16 proximate unthreaded portion 18. The bevel diameter Bl, taken at the radially innermost point of the bevel 14 is 5.600”. The pin connection length PL from the torque shoulder 12 to the pin nose 18 is 4.741”. In Fig. 2, the box pitch diameter is 4.665” at the start of threaded portion 56. The bevel diameter B2, taken at the radially innermost point of the bevel 54 is 5.600”. The box connection length BL from the torque shoulder 52 to box nose 60 is 4.747”. The counterbore diameter CB on box connection 50 is 4.860”. These dimensions ensure an equal balancing of torque between torque shoulders 12 and 52. It will be appreciated that the dimensions provided herein are for example only and not intended to limit the invention. Connections of differing sizes may be made with varying dimensions provided the balancing of torque is achieved.

[0013] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein in some detail, this has been done solely for the purposes of explaining the various aspects of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow. Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment shown and described is exemplary, and various other substitutions, alterations and modifications, including but not limited to those design alternatives specifically discussed herein, may be made in the practice of the invention without departing from its scope.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A threaded connection comprising: a pin connection comprising: a pin nose; an external, annular, axially facing pin torque shoulder; an externally threaded portion between said pin nose and said pin torque shoulder; a box connection comprising: a box nose; an internal, annular, axially facing box torque shoulder; an internally threaded portion between said box nose and said box torque shoulder; wherein when the pin connection and box connection are made up, the torque is balanced equally between the pin and box torque shoulders.

2. The threaded connection of claim 1, wherein the pin torque shoulder is a reverse angle torque shoulder.

3. The threaded connection of claim 2, wherein the pin torque shoulder is at an angle of 5° relative to the axis of the pin connection.

4. The threaded connection of claim 3, wherein the box nose is at an angle complementary to the pin torque shoulder.

Images