Floating Shoulder Ring Torque Management in Pipe Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tapered shoulderless pipe connections face excessive torque issues during well drilling, leading to thread damage and increased costs due to the need for shouldered connections to manage rotating torque, which complicates the assembly and completion of wells.
Innovation Solution
A floating shoulder ring is introduced to occupy the J-space between pipe sections, equipped with modified threads on its outer surface to engage the coupling threads, allowing it to absorb excess torque and prevent thread distortion, while designed to yield harmlessly during assembly to maintain connection integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If tapered shoulderless pipe connections are used, then the assembly is more economical and simpler, but the connections cannot accept sufficient rotating torque without thread damage
Solution Approach 1:
A floating shoulder ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the pin and box threads. The ring has an outer diameter that engages with the coupling bore and an inner diameter that fits over the pin, creating a mediator that transfers rotational torque from the pin to the coupling without allowing the pin threads to advance excessively into the coupling, thus protecting the threads from damage while maintaining shoulderless connection simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The torque transfer function is segmented from the thread engagement itself. The floating shoulder ring separates the torque acceptance function from the threading function, allowing the threads to engage for sealing and connection while the ring independently handles the torque transfer, enabling the connection to withstand rotating torque without requiring shouldered designs
2Ease of operation
If pipe strings are rotated to negotiate well bore jogs, then movement through the well is facilitated, but excessive torque damages the thread connections
Solution Approach 1:
The floating shoulder ring is installed beforehand in the coupling to provide cushioning protection. When rotational torque is applied during well bore negotiation, the ring compresses elastically between the pin and coupling, absorbing the excess torque forces before they can damage the thread connections, thus maintaining connection integrity while allowing the pipe to be rotated
3Strength
If shouldered pipe connections are used, then rotating torque can be accepted without thread damage, but the cost and complexity of the pipe string increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floating shoulder ring acts as a sacrificial, replaceable component that protects the more expensive and critical thread connections. The ring is designed to be simpler and less expensive than shouldered pipe ends, providing the necessary torque protection while maintaining overall connection simplicity and reducing the complexity associated with traditional shouldered designs
Data Source
AI summary
A floating shoulder ring is arranged to occupy the J-space between pin ends of coupled pipe sections. The length of the ring is arranged to allow the pipe connection to approach the specified torque for shoulderless connections before the ring begins to function as an abutment between the approaching pipe ends. The torque accepted by the ring limits the radial force imposed by tapered threads on both pipe and coupling. The ring is provided with modified threads on the outer surface to engage the inner threads of the coupling, in the J-space, to retain the ring in the coupling during handling in preparation for assembly into a pipe string. The modified threads yield axially when substantially forced. Threads that slip axially, non-destructively, and threads that deform under sufficient axial force are provided.