Adjustable flowline connections

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11754211-B2
Application number	US-202016991848-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 12, 2020
Priority date	Aug 12, 2020
Publication date	Sep 12, 2023
Grant date	Sep 12, 2023

Abstract

A tubular connection system includes a connector coupled to a tubular segment, the connector having a first bore with a first bore diameter and a mating connector coupled to the connector, the mating connector having a second bore with a second bore diameter. The connector includes a plurality of connector lugs extending into the first bore. The connector also includes a plurality of gaps, respective gaps of the plurality of gaps are arranged between adjacent connector lugs of the plurality of connector lugs in a first alternating pattern. The plurality of connectors lugs are arranged in connector lug rows. The mating connector includes a plurality of mating lugs radially outward. The mating connector also includes a plurality of openings, respective openings of the plurality of openings are arranged between adjacent mating lugs of the plurality of mating lugs. The plurality of mating lugs are arranged in mating lug rows.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A tubular connection system, comprising:
a connector coupled to a tubular segment, the connector having a first bore with a first bore diameter, the connector comprising:
a plurality of connector lugs extending into the first bore for a first radial distance, the connector lugs being positioned circumferentially about the first bore;
a plurality of gaps, wherein respective gaps of the plurality of gaps are arranged between adjacent connector lugs of the plurality of connector lugs in a first alternating pattern;
wherein the plurality of connectors lugs are arranged in connector lug rows, axially separated by connector spaces, extending for a first row length axially along the first bore;

a mating connector coupled to the connector, the mating connector having a second bore with a second bore diameter, the second bore diameter being smaller than the bore diameter, the mating connector comprising:
a plurality of mating lugs radially outward for a second radial distance, the mating lugs being positioned circumferentially about the second bore;
a plurality of openings, wherein respective openings of the plurality of openings are arranged between adjacent mating lugs of the plurality of mating lugs in a second alternating pattern;
wherein the plurality of mating lugs are arranged in mating lug rows, axially separated by mating slots, extending for a second row length axially along the second bore; and

a tubular extending through the second bore, the tubular being coupled to the mating connector at a location external to the second bore.

2. The tubular connector system of claim 1 , wherein respective axial mating lug lengths of the plurality of mating lugs correspond to respective space lengths of the connector spaces to provide an area to receive the plurality of mating lugs.

3. The tubular connector of claim 1 , wherein respective axial lug lengths of the plurality of connector lugs correspond to respective slot lengths of the mating slots to provide an area to receive the plurality of connector lugs.

4. The tubular connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector and mating connector are axially movable, with respect to one another, via alignment of the plurality of mating lugs and the plurality of connector gaps, wherein the plurality of mating lugs pass through the plurality of connector gaps.

5. The tubular connector of claim 4 , wherein axial movement between the connector and mating connector is blocked when the plurality of mating lugs at least partially align with the plurality of connector lugs.

6. The tubular connector of claim 4 , wherein an overall axial length is based, at least in part, on a respective position of the plurality of mating lugs within respective connector spaces.

7. The tubular connector of claim 1 , further comprising:
a locking assembly, coupled to the connector, the locking assembly having a locking extension extending into at least one of gap of the plurality of gaps, the locking extension blocking rotation of at least one of the connector or the mating connector.

8. The tubular connector of claim 1 , further comprising:
a seal arranged within a groove formed in the mating connector, the seal and the groove being arranged axially higher than the plurality of mating lugs.

9. The tubular connector of claim 8 , wherein the seal is an environmental seal.

10. The tubular connector of claim 1 , wherein the mating connector is a sleeve positioned about a tubular.

11. The tubular connector of claim 10 , wherein the tubular comprises a smooth outer surface and the sleeve comprises a smooth inner surface.

12. The tubular connector of claim 1 , wherein the tubular further comprises:
an end connector arranged at a first tubular end opposite a second tubular end, the second tubular end being arranged within the second bore.

13. The tubular connector of claim 1 , further comprising:
a seal positioned axially lower than both the connector and the mating connector.

14. The tubular connector of claim 13 , wherein the seal is compressed against both the tubular and the connector.

15. The tubular connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector is positioned to extend axially lower than the mating connector such that the connector forms at least a portion of the second bore.

16. The tubular connector of claim 1 , further comprising:
a fitting securing the tubular to the mating connector.

17. The tubular connector of claim 16 , wherein the fitting is a lock washer that restricts axial movement of the tubular with respect to the mating connector.

18. The tubular connector of claim 1 , wherein a sealing connection is formed between the connector and the mating connector to block fluid flowing through the tubular.

19. The tubular connector of claim 18 , wherein the sealing connection is a pressure-containing connection.

Assignees

• Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations Llc

Inventors

• Choate Jeremy
• Adams Keith
• Udipi Mahesha
• Munk Brian N
• Montoya Blanca Estela

Classifications

• F16L27/127 Primary

  with means for locking the longitudinal adjustment or movement in the final mounted position · CPC title

• F16L23/032

  characterised by the shape or composition of the flanges · CPC title

• F16L27/125

  having longitudinal and rotary movement · CPC title

• E21B43/2607

  Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations · CPC title