Threaded Connector Buttress Thread Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional threaded connectors used in underground natural gas exploitation suffer from leakage due to gaps between thread teeth, leading to inefficient gas sealing and reduced connection strength under high pressure.
Innovation Solution
A threaded connector design featuring a female buttress thread with a protruding threaded segment on specific teeth, a torque shoulder, and a tool withdrawal groove, which eliminates gaps between male and female threads, enhancing sealing and connection strength by blocking leakage channels and increasing thread height and pitch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional threaded connectors are used with standard thread design, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but gas leakage occurs through gaps between thread teeth and connection strength is insufficient under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by modifying only specific portions of the thread structure rather than redesigning the entire thread. The protruding threaded segments are added selectively on certain thread teeth (e.g., every other tooth or specific teeth in the engagement zone) to block leakage paths, while maintaining the standard thread design in other areas. This localized modification achieves improved gas sealing without substantially increasing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The thread structure is segmented into functional zones: standard thread teeth for load bearing, and protruding threaded segments for gas sealing. The protruding segments create additional sealing surfaces and block spiral leakage channels between threads. This segmentation allows different portions of the thread to perform specialized functions, improving gas sealing performance while maintaining compatibility with standard thread forms.
2Strength
If thread height and pitch are increased to improve connection strength, then compression load bearing capacity improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies thread parameters by adding protruding segments that increase the effective thread height and create additional engagement surfaces. The protruding segments extend the thread height beyond the standard root diameter, providing increased compression strength. While parameters are changed, the modifications are applied to existing standard thread forms, allowing manufacturing using adapted conventional processes rather than requiring entirely new precision manufacturing methods.
3Reliability
If protruding threaded segments are added to block leakage channels, then gas sealing performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding threaded segments are implemented as localized features on specific teeth rather than modifying the entire thread structure. This allows the gas sealing function to be achieved through minimal geometric additions, blocking spiral leakage channels at critical locations while maintaining simplicity in other areas of the thread design.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to eliminate gaps between threads through tighter tolerances or different thread forms, the patent inverts the approach by adding material (protruding segments) that actively blocks the leakage paths. This positive blocking approach is more effective than trying to prevent leakage through precision fitting alone.
Data Source
AI summary
A threaded connector including female thread and male thread. The female thread is symmetrically disposed on both ends of a coupling. The male thread is disposed at an end of a pipe. The female thread includes buttress thread. A torque shoulder is disposed in front of the buttress thread. The female thread is connected to the torque shoulder via a tool withdrawal groove. A protruding threaded segment is disposed on any one of a fourth to seventh tooth of the female thread to prevent high pressure gas from leaking.