Hydrocarbon Well Pipe Connection With Pre-Alignment Locking Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe connections for hydrocarbon wells have a high risk of incorrect engagement of the locking ring with the secondary pipe member, leading to unreliable connections and potential failure during exploration and production.

Innovation Solution

A pipe connection design featuring primary and secondary alignment sleeves that overlap axially before the locking ring engages the secondary pipe member, with an adjustment portion on the secondary pipe member to elastically adjust the ring diameter, ensuring proper alignment and engagement of the locking ring with the secondary pipe member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the locking ring is made resilient in radial direction to facilitate engagement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of correct engagement deteriorates due to potential incorrect positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement facilitationVSAvoidcorrect engagement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment sleeves perform preliminary alignment of the primary and secondary pipe members before the locking ring engagement occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the resilient locking ring engages, the protrusions and slots are already correctly positioned, preventing incorrect engagement while maintaining the ease of operation provided by radial resilience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment sleeves act as intermediary elements between the pipe members and the locking ring. They establish the correct geometric relationship and positioning before the locking ring makes contact, serving as a mediator that ensures proper alignment is achieved before the final engagement action occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the locking ring is made resilient in radial direction to facilitate engagement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of damage to pipe members and locking ring increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement facilitationVSAvoiddamage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment sleeves provide a cushioning effect by establishing proper alignment before the locking ring engagement. This prevents misalignment forces and impact damage that would occur if the resilient locking ring attempted to engage without pre-positioning, thereby reducing damage risk while preserving operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If alignment sleeves of substantially equal length are used to ensure proper alignment, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment sleeves are designed with substantially equal lengths and similar structural characteristics. This homogeneity simplifies the overall design and manufacturing process while ensuring reliable alignment, as identical or similar components are easier to produce and assemble consistently than highly asymmetric or varied components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

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 design reduces the risk of incorrect engagement, resulting in a more reliable and durable pipe connection with reduced damage to the secondary pipe member and locking ring, enhancing the stability and reliability of the connection.

Implementation Method 1

the locking ring being resilient in radial direction and comprising a primary ring part having the other of the first protrusion and the first slot, a secondary ring part having the other of the second protrusion and the second slot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

an adjustment portion provided at the secondary circumferential surface to elastically adjust the ring diameter at the secondary ring part of the locking ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12486935B2Pipe connection for exploration and production of a hydrocarbon well

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 TENARIS CONNECTIONS BV

AI summary

Pipe connection for exploration and production of a hydrocarbon well, said pipe connection comprising a primary pipe member having an axially extending primary alignment sleeve and one of a second protrusion and a second slot, a secondary pipe member comprising an axially extending secondary alignment sleeve and one of a second protrusion and a second slot, and a locking ring configured to engage the primary pipe member and the secondary pipe member.