In the case of a hose connector assembly (1) it is provided for a retaining plate (15) to be used for axially fixing at least two hoses (6, 7, 8) in corresponding hose receptacles (3, 4, 5). The hoses (6, 7, 8) are insertable into respective recesses (16, 17, 18) of the retaining plate (15) by way of a lateral insertion movement (19), and the hoses (6, 7, 8) engage behind the recesses (16, 17, 18).

A high capacity universal connector for use in connecting tubular members and a method for sealing the tubular members is provided. First and second tubular members are provided which each have ends that are brought into face-to-face engagement by a connector. A metal sealing element seals against conical surfaces at the ends of the first and second tubular members and enables the entire surface of the end of one tubular member to be bought into engagement with the surface of the end of the other tubular member so as to improve the bending and compression capacity of the assembly comprising the tubular members and the metal sealing element. A metal sealing ring for use in this assembly is also provided, along with a gasket retention assembly.

This invention builds up on technical features and on the industry experience with the use of Merlin™ family connectors. In addition to friction, structural means utilized to transfer high torsional loads include keys and may also include: interlocked thread systems, shear pins, dog-clutch teeth and splines, all used in isolation or in arbitrary combinations. Static and fatigue bending load capacities of the connectors remain high, while the axial load capacities may or may not be high, depending on the design requirements. Connectors according to this invention can be built as new, carefully optimized designs. In some cases upgrading existing Merlin™ family connector designs to increase they torque transfer capacities may be also feasible.

This invention builds up on technical features and on the industry experience with the use of Merlin™ family connectors. In addition to friction, structural means utilized to transfer high torsional loads include keys and may also include: interlocked thread systems, shear pins, dog-clutch teeth and splines, all used in isolation or in arbitrary combinations. Static and fatigue bending load capacities of the connectors remain high, while the axial load capacities may or may not be high, depending on the design requirements. Connectors according to this invention can be built as new, carefully optimized designs. In some cases upgrading existing Merlin™ family connector designs to increase they torque transfer capacities may be also feasible.

A union connection common in connecting pipelines in various industries comprises a threaded female pipe end, a male pipe end insertable into the female pipe end to form a sealed connection, a plurality of shaped ring segments and a threaded collar in which the shaped ring segments are placed in a shaped groove on the male pipe and positioned in the threaded collar. The threaded female pipe end is then threaded onto the threaded collar, the threads each being clocked so as to press the collar against the male pipe using the ring segments and into a sealed connection with the female pipe. A pin inserted through a pin hole in the collar and into a pin recess in the female pipe end holds the parts in place. The pin hole and pin recess are positioned relative to the clocked threads of the collar and female pipe.

A union connection common in connecting pipelines in various industries comprises a threaded female pipe end, a male pipe end insertable into the female pipe end to form a sealed connection, a plurality of shaped ring segments and a threaded collar in which the shaped ring segments are placed in a shaped groove on the male pipe and positioned in the threaded collar. The threaded female pipe end is then threaded onto the threaded collar, the threads each being clocked so as to press the collar against the male pipe using the ring segments and into a sealed connection with the female pipe. A pin inserted through a pin hole in the collar and into a pin recess in the female pipe end holds the parts in place. The pin hole and pin recess are positioned relative to the clocked threads of the collar and female pipe.

A telescopically assembled, Merlin™ Family Connector is provided with one or more sets of threads on substantially matching frustoconical surfaces of a pin and a box of the connector. Strengthening means are introduced involving at least one of: a mechanical stiffening clamp interacting with an outside surface of the box or a mechanical stiffening clamp interacting with an inside surface of the pin. The stiffening clamps may include systems of arbitrarily oriented ribs and/or fairing surfaces. The said strengthening means may be essentially annular clamps that would have relatively regular shapes essentially conforming to the external or internal surfaces of the box or the pin, respectively. The above modifications can be introduced to traditional connectors and to connectors designed to transfer high torsional loads.

A telescopically assembled, Merlin™ Family Connector is provided with one or more sets of threads on substantially matching frustoconical surfaces of a pin and a box of the connector. Strengthening means are introduced involving at least one of: a mechanical stiffening clamp interacting with an outside surface of the box or a mechanical stiffening clamp interacting with an inside surface of the pin. The stiffening clamps may include systems of arbitrarily oriented ribs and/or fairing surfaces. The said strengthening means may be essentially annular clamps that would have relatively regular shapes essentially conforming to the external or internal surfaces of the box or the pin, respectively. The above modifications can be introduced to traditional connectors and to connectors designed to transfer high torsional loads.

An improved upset connection for use in the oilfield having an external upset integral connection improving on the existing standard connections, wherein a standard upset connection is expanded creating internal and external shoulders at both the male and female connections, and wherein the external shoulder at the female connection also has an external bevel.

An improved upset connection for use in the oilfield having an external upset integral connection improving on the existing standard connections, wherein a standard upset connection is expanded creating internal and external shoulders at both the male and female connections, and wherein the external shoulder at the female connection also has an external bevel.