Tubular Thread Protector Seal Against Internal Particle Infiltration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tubular threaded components face issues with abrasion of protective coatings due to solid particles, such as mill scale and corundum, infiltrating from within, leading to degradation of functional surfaces and threads, and traditional seals fail to effectively block these particles while also causing loosening and increased installation/uninstallation difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A tubular threaded protector with an external axial seal positioned to block solid particles, anchored by a housing or joint support, ensuring the seal remains in contact with the internal wall to prevent particle infiltration and enhance locking, thereby preserving coatings and reducing loosening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional seals are used to protect functional surfaces, then protection against particle infiltration is provided, but the seals cause loosening and increase installation/uninstallation difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional seal component entirely and replaces it with a protective coating applied directly to the functional surfaces. This extraction of the seal eliminates the loosening problem and installation difficulties while maintaining protection through the coating system comprising multiple layers including anti-corrosive and anti-seize coatings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary protective coating system that serves both protective and bonding functions. The coating system acts as an intermediary layer between the functional surfaces and the environment, providing particle infiltration protection without the mechanical interference problems of traditional seals.
2Reliability
If protective coatings are applied to functional surfaces, then anti-corrosion and anti-seize properties are improved, but abrasion from solid particles degrades the coatings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies protective coatings to the functional surfaces before assembly, creating a preliminary protective barrier. This preliminary action ensures that the coatings are in place before any particle infiltration can occur, allowing the coatings to withstand abrasion rather than being applied after damage has begun.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite coating system comprising multiple layers with different properties - anti-corrosive coatings providing corrosion resistance and anti-seize coatings providing lubrication. This composite structure enhances overall coating integrity and resistance to particle abrasion by combining the strengths of different material layers.
3Manufacturing precision
If protectors are screwed onto tubular threaded elements, then precise positioning is achieved, but thermal expansion and mechanical stresses cause loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the screw-on protector entirely and replaces it with a protective coating system that is applied directly to the functional surfaces. This extraction eliminates the loosening problem caused by thermal expansion and mechanical stresses while maintaining protection through the coating's direct bonding to the surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective coating system serves itself by being inherently bonded to the functional surfaces through the coating application process. The coating provides its own positioning and retention without requiring separate mechanical fastening mechanisms that are susceptible to loosening from thermal and mechanical stresses.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a protector (1, 2) for a tubular threaded element (49) for drilling, operating hydrocarbon wells, transporting oil and gas, transporting or storing hydrogen, and capturing carbon or geothermal energy, the protector (1, 2) comprising a main body (4), the main body (4) comprising at least one inner axial surface (21) extending axially and facing outward in such a way as to face the inner surface of a tubular threaded element (49) in the mounted state, which protector is characterised in that the inner axial surface (21) of the main body (4) is provided with at least one seal (10) that is arranged so as to block solid particles (50) in the mounted state.