Tools and methods for refacing tubular ends forming a threaded connection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12076798-B2
Application number	US-202118021148-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 20, 2021
Priority date	Sep 4, 2020
Publication date	Sep 3, 2024
Grant date	Sep 3, 2024

Abstract

A refacing tool includes a feed assembly that holds a first set of cutters positioned for refacing the inner shoulder of a pin or box end of a tubular and a second set of cutters positioned for refacing the outer shoulder of the pin or box end. The axial spacing between the first set of cutters and the second set of cutters is fixed and determined by the geometry of the feed assembly. The refacing tool can simultaneously reface the inner shoulder and the outer shoulder, as well as chamfers.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tool for refacing a tubular end having an inner shoulder, an outer shoulder, and threads for forming a connection, the refacing tool comprising:
a feed assembly;
cutters coupled to the feed assembly so as to move in unison with the feed assembly, the cutters being positioned so as to reface the inner shoulder or the outer shoulder of the tubular end;
a rotating assembly, the rotating assembly passing through the feed assembly, and the feed assembly being capable of sliding relative to the rotating assembly;
a mandrel assembly coupled to the rotating assembly, the mandrel assembly including threads configured to directly complement and engage the threads of the tubular end;
a locking pin coupled to the rotating assembly so as to slide between a first position, wherein the locking pin does not engage the mandrel assembly, and a second position wherein the locking pin engages the mandrel assembly and prevents rotation of the mandrel assembly relative to the rotating assembly; and
a cam coupled to the rotating assembly so as to slide between an unlock position, wherein the cam allows a spring to urge the locking pin in the first position, and a lock position, wherein the cam retains the locking pin in the second position;
wherein the feed assembly comprises at least a window located such that the cam is accessible through the at least one window, wherein the at least one window includes a transparent shield that covers the at least one window.

2. The refacing tool of claim 1 , the feed assembly comprising:
a drive shaft;
an outer barrel rigidly coupled to the drive shaft; and
an inner barrel rigidly coupled to the drive shaft, the inner barrel being positioned at least partially inside the outer barrel,
wherein the at least one window is provided on the outer barrel.

3. The refacing tool of claim 2 , the inner barrel comprising a shaft, and at least one of the cutters being rigidly coupled to the shaft.

4. The refacing tool of claim 2 , the outer barrel comprising a cylinder, and at least one of the cutters being rigidly coupled to the cylinder.

5. The refacing tool of claim 4 , the at least one window comprising a plurality of windows located near the at least one of the cutters rigidly coupled to the cylinder.

6. The refacing tool of claim 5 , the outer barrel comprising a first outer barrel portion and a second outer barrel portion that surrounds the first outer barrel portion, wherein the plurality of windows are provided in the second outer barrel portion.

7. The refacing tool of claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of windows include a transparent shield.

8. The refacing tool of claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of windows includes a transparent shield that covers one of the plurality of windows only partially.

9. The refacing tool of claim 1 , further comprising a power tool including:
a housing;
a handle attached to the housing;
a propeller shaft coupled to the housing by a fourth hinged joint and coupled to the feed assembly by a prismatic joint; and
a motor configured to provide a torque between the propeller shaft and the housing.

10. The refacing tool of claim 9 , further comprising a support that attaches to the handle of the power tool, the support being telescopic and capable of preventing spinning of the power tool when resting on a floor.

11. A method of refacing a tubular end having an inner shoulder, an outer shoulder, and threads for forming a connection, the method comprising:
providing a refacing tool including:
a feed assembly;
cutters coupled to the feed assembly so as to move in unison with the feed assembly, the cutter being positioned so as to reface the inner shoulder or the outer shoulder of the tubular end;
a rotating assembly, the rotating assembly passing through the feed assembly, and the feed assembly being capable of sliding relative to the rotating assembly;
a mandrel assembly coupled to the rotating assembly, the mandrel assembly including threads configured to directly complement and engage the threads of the tubular end;
a locking pin coupled to the rotating assembly so as to slide between a first position, wherein the locking pin does not engage the mandrel assembly, and a second position wherein the locking pin engages the mandrel assembly; and prevents rotation of the mandrel assembly relative to the rotating assembly; and
a cam coupled to the rotating assembly so as to slide between an unlock position, wherein the cam allows a spring to urge the locking pin in the first position, and a lock position, wherein the cam retains the locking pin in the second position;
wherein the feed assembly comprises at least a window located such that the cam is accessible through the at least one window, wherein the at least one window includes a transparent shield that covers the at least one window;

coupling the threads of the tubular end to the threads of the mandrel assembly;
applying a torque to the feed assembly; and
refacing the inner shoulder or the outer shoulder of the tubular end.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising refacing the inner shoulder and the outer shoulder of the tubular end simultaneously.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising refacing the inner shoulder, the outer shoulder, and at least one chamfer of the tubular end simultaneously.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the refacing tool further comprises a power tool including a housing, a handle attached to the housing, a propeller shaft coupled to the housing by a hinged joint and coupled to the feed assembly by a prismatic joint, a motor configured to provide a torque between the propeller shaft and the housing, and a support attached to the handle of the power tool, the support being telescopic.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
resting the support on a floor; and
using the support to prevent spinning of the power tool.

16. The method of claim 11 , the feed assembly comprising:
a drive shaft;
an outer barrel rigidly coupled to the drive shaft, the outer barrel comprising a cylinder, and at least one of the cutters being rigidly coupled to the cylinder; and
an inner barrel rigidly coupled to the drive shaft, the inner barrel being positioned at least partially inside the outer barrel, the inner barrel comprising a shaft, and at least one of the cutters being rigidly coupled to the shaft,
wherein the at least one window is provided on the outer barrel.

17. The method of claim 16 , the at least one window comprising a plurality of windows located near the at least one of the cutters rigidly coupled to the cylinder.

18. The method of claim 17 , the outer barrel comprising a first outer barrel portion and a second outer barrel portion that surrounds the first outer barrel portion, wherein the plurality of windows are provided in the second outer barrel portion.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of windows includes a transparent shield.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of windows includes a transparent shield that covers one of the plurality of windows only partially.

Assignees

• Nat Oilwell Varco Lp

Inventors

• Martin Floyd
• Muradov Andrei
• Stokley Edgar
• Morgan Dan

Classifications

• B23B2220/04

  Chamferring (B23B2220/28 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B23B5/161

  Devices attached to the workpiece · CPC title

• B23B2260/088

  Indication scales · CPC title

• B23B41/00 Primary

  Boring or drilling machines or devices specially adapted for particular work {(surgical drilling machines A61B17/16)}; Accessories specially adapted therefor · CPC title

• B23B2220/00

  Details of turning, boring or drilling processes · CPC title