High pressure remote connector with self-aligning geometry

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10094501-B2
Application number	US-201314023610-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 11, 2013
Priority date	Sep 11, 2013
Publication date	Oct 9, 2018
Grant date	Oct 9, 2018

Abstract

A connector can include multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures which clamp two hubs together, and a biasing device which biases the engagement structures toward an open configuration thereof, in which the hubs are separable from each other. Another connector can include multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures, each having a recess which receives hubs therein, and a sleeve which encircles the engagement structures and prevents the engagement structures from displacing radially outward from an open configuration thereof, in which the hubs are separable from each other. A method of making a connection to a wellhead can include applying pressure to a connector, thereby allowing multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures to displace outward to an open configuration thereof, and displacing one hub of the connector into contact with another hub secured to the wellhead, the engagement structures axially aligning the hubs during the displacing.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A connector for use with a subterranean well, the connector comprising:
multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures which clamp directly together first and second radially enlarged hubs such that the first and second hubs abut each other, the engagement structures having first and second ends, the second ends having a funnel shape that engages the second hub to center the second hub and the first hub as the first and second hubs are displaced toward each other;
a biasing device disposed on the first ends of the engagement structures which biases the engagement structures toward an open configuration thereof, in which the second hub is separable from the first hub;
a sleeve which encircles the engagement structures, wherein the sleeve prevents the engagement structures from displacing radially outward from the open configuration when the second hub engages the engagement structures such that engagement between the second hub and the engagement structures in the open configuration axially aligns the second hub and the first hub;
a seal coaxially disposed within the first hub such that the engagement between the second hub and the engagement structures guides a seal insert coaxially disposed within the second hub into engagement with the seal of the first hub to prevent damage to the seal insert by the first hub; and
an actuator which, in response to a first pressure differential applied across a piston of the actuator, displaces the sleeve to an open position in which the biasing device displaces the engagement structures to the open configuration;
wherein the engagement structures and the piston of the actuator align circumferentially directly over one another so as to define a flow path therethrough coaxial with the first and second hubs when the engagement structures clamp together the first and second hubs.

2. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the actuator, in response to a second pressure differential applied across the piston, displaces the sleeve to a closed position in which the sleeve biases the engagement structures into clamping engagement with the first and second hubs.

3. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the engagement structures are pivotably mounted relative to the first hub to pivot at a point between the first and second ends of the engagement structures.

4. The connector of claim 3 , wherein the biasing device inwardly biases the first ends of the engagement structures.

5. The connector of claim 4 , wherein the second ends of the engagement structures are displaced outward by a biasing force exerted by the biasing device.

6. A connector for use with a subterranean well, the connector comprising:
multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures which clamp directly together first and second radially enlarged hubs such that the first and second hubs abut each other, the engagement structures having first and second ends, the second ends having a funnel shape that engages the second hub to center the second hub and the first hub as the first and second hubs are displaced toward each other;
a sleeve which encircles the engagement structures and prevents the engagement structures from displacing radially outward from an open configuration thereof, in which the second hub is separable from the first hub, such that engagement between the second hub and the engagement structures in the open configuration axially aligns the second hub and the first hub;
a seal coaxially disposed within the first hub such that the engagement between the second hub and the engagement structures guides a seal insert coaxially disposed within the second hub into engagement with the seal of the first hub to prevent damage to the seal insert by the first hub; and
an actuator which, in response to a first pressure differential applied across a piston of the actuator, displaces the sleeve to an open position in which the engagement structures are in the open configuration;
wherein the engagement structures and the piston of the actuator align circumferentially over one another so as to define a flow path therethrough extending coaxially with the first and second hubs when the engagement structures clamp together the first and second hubs.

7. The connector of claim 6 , wherein engagement between the second hub and the engagement structures in the open configuration aligns the first and second hubs.

8. The connector of claim 6 , wherein the actuator, in response to a second pressure differential applied across the piston, displaces the sleeve to a closed position in which the sleeve biases the engagement structures into clamping engagement with the first and second hubs.

9. The connector of claim 6 , wherein the engagement structures are pivotably mounted relative to the first hub between first and second ends of the engagement structures.

10. The connector of claim 6 , further comprising a biasing device which biases the engagement structures toward the open configuration.

11. The connector of claim 10 , wherein the biasing device inwardly biases the first ends of the engagement structures.

12. The connector of claim 11 , wherein opposite ends of the engagement structures are displaced outward by a biasing force exerted by the biasing device.

Assignees

• Halliburton Energy Services Inc

Inventors

• Bull Brad R
• Kendrick William D

Classifications

• Y10T29/4987

  Elastic joining of parts · CPC title

• F16L37/122 Primary

  using hooks tightened by a wedge section · CPC title

• E21B33/038

  Connectors used on well heads, e.g. for connecting blow-out preventer and riser · CPC title

• F16L37/138

  using an axially movable sleeve · CPC title

• F16L37/121

  using freely rocking hooks (F16L37/1215 takes precedence) · CPC title