Threaded End Protector With Removable Ring to Prevent Unscrewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protectors for tubular components in oil or gas wells fail to adequately protect threaded ends from mechanical damage, unscrewing, and environmental factors during transport and handling, and lack adaptability to different connection types.
Innovation Solution
A protector design featuring a main body with a housing and a removable threaded ring that can be adapted to various thread types, ensuring secure attachment and easy disassembly, with features like elastic deformation and frictional locking to prevent unintentional unscrewing, and allowing for easy cleaning and replacement of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a protector is screwed onto the thread of the connection to protect functional surfaces, then protection against corrosion, dust and impacts is improved, but the risk of unintentional unscrewing or damage during transport and handling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protector is divided into two main segments: a reusable main body and a replaceable threaded ring. This segmentation allows the threaded ring to be specifically designed for secure attachment features (such as non-circular cross-sections or anti-unscrewing mechanisms) while the main body provides protection functionality, resolving the contradiction between protection effectiveness and secure attachment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded ring is pre-equipped with attachment features (such as specialized thread profiles, engagement ribs, or non-circular cross-sections) that enable secure locking onto the connection before transport begins. This preliminary design ensures the protector remains reliably attached throughout handling and transport operations.
2Reliability
If a protector with a fixed thread design is used, then protection functionality is maintained, but adaptability to different connection types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the threaded ring from the main body, the system allows different threaded rings with various thread specifications (pitch, diameter, profile) to be interchanged on a single main body, providing adaptability to different connection types while maintaining the core protection functionality of the main body.
Solution Approach 2:
The main body is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple types of threaded rings, each tailored to specific connection types. This multi-functionality allows a single main body to serve multiple protection purposes across different tubular connections without sacrificing protection effectiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the entire protector is replaced to adapt to different thread types, then adaptability is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of the protector into a permanent main body and a replaceable threaded ring eliminates the need to replace the entire assembly. Only the threaded ring needs to be changed for different applications, significantly reducing complexity and cost while maintaining full adaptability to different thread types.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded ring is extracted as a separate, interchangeable component from the main body. This extraction allows the threaded ring to be independently replaced without affecting the main body, simplifying the adaptation process and reducing the resources required for changes.
4Ease of manufacture
If a monoblock protector design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but ease of cleaning and maintenance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the protector into separable components (main body and threaded ring) enables each part to be independently cleaned, inspected, and maintained. Grease and contaminants can be more effectively removed from internal surfaces and threads when components are separated, improving maintenance ease while still allowing for simple manufacturing of each individual component.
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
The protector effectively safeguards threaded ends against mechanical damage and environmental factors, ensures secure attachment, facilitates easy assembly and disassembly, and allows for adaptability to different connection types, enhancing durability and usability.
Implementation Method 1
The threaded ring (8, 108) is screwed onto a male or female threaded end (11, 14)
Implementation Method 2
The threaded ring (8, 108) housed in said housing (7, 107) in a removable manner
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a protector (1) for protecting a male (11) or female threaded end of a tubular component (10) for drilling, exploiting hydrocarbon wells, transporting oil and gas, transporting or storing hydrogen, carbon capture or geothermy, the male or female threaded end being provided with at least one external or internal thread (14), the protector comprising: - a main body (2) intended to receive the male or female threaded end, the main body comprising a peripheral side wall (4) extending in an axial direction (X), in which a housing (7) is provided in a thickness of the peripheral side wall, the housing extending around the peripheral side wall, - at least one threaded ring removably housed in the housing, the threaded ring having a thread intended to be screwed onto the external or internal thread of the male or female threaded end.