Threaded Tubular Protector With Flexible Gasket and Retaining Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protectors for threaded tubular components used in drilling or operating hydrocarbon wells fail to provide a satisfactory seal against water and often suffer from inadequate retention of sealing gaskets, leading to potential mechanical damage and contamination during storage, handling, and use.
Innovation Solution
A protector design featuring a principal body with orifices for a less rigid sealing gasket, a retaining extension with a locking head, and a head stud for secure positioning, which allows for improved retention and a reliable seal, while also facilitating easy fitting and inspection without additional products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid sealing gasket is used to ensure mechanical strength, then the gasket can withstand operational loads, but it cannot adapt to surface irregularities and provide a satisfactory seal against water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the gasket from rigid to flexible by selecting materials with appropriate elastomeric properties. This flexibility allows the gasket to deform and conform to surface irregularities, creating an effective seal against water and contamination while still maintaining sufficient mechanical strength for operational loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining a flexible elastomeric gasket material with a rigid or semi-rigid protector body. This composite approach allows the gasket to provide flexible sealing while the protector body provides structural strength and rigidity, resolving the contradiction between gasket flexibility and overall mechanical strength.
2Reliability
If a flexible sealing gasket is used to provide a satisfactory seal, then the gasket can adapt to surface irregularities, but the gasket retention becomes inadequate and the gasket may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gasket retention system by providing multiple independent retention features distributed around the protector body. These include axially spaced retaining rings, lateral retaining features, and threading engagement. This segmentation ensures that if one retention feature fails, others remain to hold the gasket in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different retention mechanisms at different locations along the gasket. Axial retention is provided by retaining rings at specific positions, lateral retention by protrusions engaging grooves, and threaded retention by screw threads. Each location has optimized quality for its specific retention function.
3Strength
If multiple retention features are added to secure the gasket, then the gasket retention strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple retention functions into an integrated protector body design. The retaining rings, lateral retaining features, and threading are combined into a single unified structure that is molded or formed as one piece. This integration reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps while maintaining strong gasket retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The protector body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the main structural protection, contains the sealing gasket, provides axial retention through retaining rings, provides lateral retention through protrusions, and enables threaded attachment. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate components for each function.
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 solution enhances the protection of threaded ends against mechanical damage and contamination, ensures a robust seal, and simplifies the fitting and inspection process, reducing the risk of gasket loss and improving operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a first sealing gasket (25) formed from a material which is less rigid than the material of the protector body (21) and intended to make a seal with a surface of an end of the component
Implementation Method 2
the principal body (21) comprises a plurality of orifices (22) through which the sealing gasket (25) passes
Implementation Method 3
a retaining extension (27) with a locking head (28) and a head stud (31) for secure positioning
Data Source
AI summary
A protector for the male or female end of a threaded tubular connection for drilling or operating hydrocarbon wells, comprising a principal body, a first sealing gasket formed from a material which is less rigid than the material of the protector body and intended to make a seal with a surface of an end of the component, the principal body comprising a plurality of orifices through which the sealing gasket passes.