Stepped Groove Collar Retaining Ring Axial Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dual-member drill strings face challenges in efficiently connecting and securing inner and outer pipe members for directional drilling, particularly in maintaining axial stability and facilitating torque transmission without the need for threading, which complicates the make-up and break-up of connections.
Innovation Solution
A tubular collar with a step-like internal groove and a retaining ring, along with a pipe member featuring a concentric external groove, are used to form a torque-transmitting connection, where the retaining ring expands and contracts to secure the collar to the pipe member, limiting axial movement and ensuring connection stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If threading is used to connect pipe members, then connection strength is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to complicated make-up and break-up procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into distinct components: a collar with an internal groove, a pipe member with an external groove, and a separate retaining ring. This segmentation eliminates the need for threading while maintaining connection strength, as the retaining ring mechanically locks the components together through the grooves, simplifying make-up and break-up procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining ring is nested within the grooves of both the collar and pipe member, creating a compact integrated connection system. The retaining ring fits into the internal groove of the collar and the external groove of the pipe member, forming a nested structure that provides strong mechanical coupling without threading complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple groove structure is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but axial stability deteriorates due to insufficient retention of the pipe member
Solution Approach 1:
The groove structure incorporates local quality variations through the stepped configuration, where different sections of the groove have different depths. The shallow section and deep section create distinct engagement zones for the retaining ring, providing enhanced axial retention while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity. This localized depth variation ensures the pipe member is securely held without requiring a completely complex groove design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a retaining ring with large cross-sectional dimension is used, then axial stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is designed with elastic or flexible properties that allow it to dynamically change its cross-sectional dimension. During assembly, the retaining ring can be compressed to a smaller dimension to pass through the grooves, then expands to its larger stable dimension to provide axial retention. This dynamic behavior enables easy assembly while maintaining strong axial stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional dimension of the retaining ring is changed as a parameter during the assembly process. The ring is installed in a compressed state with reduced cross-sectional dimension, then allowed to expand to its full dimensional specification once positioned. This parameter change facilitates easy assembly while ensuring the ring provides sufficient axial stability in its expanded state.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for efficient assembly and disassembly of dual-member drill strings, enhances axial stability, and facilitates torque transmission between inner and outer pipe members, reducing the complexity of connections and improving drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
the retaining ring expands and contracts to secure the collar to the pipe member, limiting axial movement
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for a torque-transmitting connection in an inner pipe string of a dual-member drill string is formed from a collar, a retaining ring, and an inner pipe member. An endless internal groove having adjacent shallow and deep sections is formed in the collar. Formed in the inner pipe member, an external grooved region is situated in adjacent relationship with the internal groove. The retaining ring, situated within the grooves, resists disconnection of the collar from the inner pipe member. When the assembly is subjected to an axial force that might otherwise tend to pull it apart, the retaining ring resists the tendency by wedging between the bottom of the shallow section of the internal groove and the crest of the external groove.