Abstract
A torque operable conduit union and mating spanner wrench are shown for the hammerless coupling of the ends of abutting fluid conduits, such as pipe, hoses, and fittings. A union nut body has an upper peripheral planar face, a lower peripheral planar face and a circumferential side wall. The circumferential side wall has a series of protuberances extending outwardly therefrom which define at least two circumferentially spaced wrench receiving formations. Each of the wrench receiving formations includes a slot portion which communicates with a transverse opening portion of the formation. The mating spanner wrench has a bridge region which spans certain of the receiving formations and engaging tangs which engage the slot portions of the formations for applying torque to the union nut.
Claims
1. A torque operable union nut, comprising: a union nut body having an upper peripheral planar face, a lower peripheral planar face and a circumferential side wall connecting the upper and lower planar faces, and wherein the circumferential side wall has a series of protuberances extending outwardly therefrom which define at least two circumferentially spaced wrench receiving formations; each of said wrench receiving formations comprising a slot portion which communicates with a transverse opening portion of the formation, the slot portions and transverse opening portions of the formations forming a series of circumferentially extending beam members when viewed in a plan view, the beam members each having a front side surface and a rear side surface; wherein each of the slot portions of the receiving formations forms a pair of oppositely arranged, circumferentially spaced nooks formed at opposite ends of each slot and wherein the receiving formations are selectively sized to receive engaging surfaces of a mating wrench tool, the tool being used to apply torque to the union nut by rotating the union nut; and wherein a planar backup ring is located on the circumferential side wall which connects the upper and lower planar faces of the union nut, the planar backup ring encircling the side wall at a position adjacent the rear side surfaces of the circumferentially extending beam members, thereby closing off the slot portions to prevent the mating wrench tool from sliding out of the slot portions and off the union nut when torque is being applied to the union nut.
2. The torque operable union nut of claim 1, wherein the same wrench is engageable with the receiving formations for both making-up and breaking-out the nut from a pipe connection.
3. The torque operable union nut of claim 2, wherein the union nut is hand tightenable with a suitable wrench.
4. In combination, a torque operable union nut and spanner wrench useful for forming a pipe connection between two mating pressure pipes in a pipeline conveying drilling muds, fracturing fluids or oil and gas produced as a result of well drilling operations for making-up and braking-out such connections, the combination comprising: a union nut body having an upper peripheral planar face, a lower peripheral planar face and a circumferential side wall connecting the upper and lower planar faces, and wherein the circumferential side wall has a series of protuberances extending outwardly therefrom which define at least two circumferentially spaced wrench receiving formations; each of said wrench receiving formations comprising a generally arcuate slot portion which communicates with a transverse opening portion of the formation, each of the slot portions of the receiving formations forming a pair of oppositely arranged, circumferentially spaced nooks formed at opposite ends of each slot, the slot portions and transverse opening portions of the formations further forming a series of circumferentially extending T-shaped beam members when viewed in a plan view; wherein a planar backup ring is located on the circumferential side wall which connects the upper and lower planar faces of the union nut, the planar backup ring encircling the side wall at a position adjacent the rear side surfaces of the circumferentially extending beam members, thereby closing off the slot portions to prevent the mating wrench tool from sliding out of the slot portions and off the union nut when torque is being applied to the union nut. a spanner wrench, the spanner wrench having wrench body having an outer peripheral surface and an interior bridge region, the bridge region terminating at either of two opposite ends in an engagement tang for engaging the wrench receiving formations in the union nut body; wherein a first one of the engagement tangs of the spanner wrench forms an U-shaped head portion the most distal portion of which forms a laterally extending foot for engaging one of the circumferentially spaced nooks formed at the end of a selected slot one of the wrench receiving formations on the union nut body and wherein a second, opposite tang also has a distal end, this distal end being truncated so that it extends within a selected slot in a direction generally perpendicular to the circumferential sidewall of the union nut body, the truncated tang being located on a low pressure side of the pipe connection when used to make-up or break-out the pipe connection; and wherein the spanner wrench is flipped over and inverted to an opposite position when changing between make-up and break-out of the pipe connection.
5. The combination torque operable union nut and spanner wrench of claim 4, wherein the same wrench is engageable with the receiving formations for both making-up and breaking-out the nut from a pipe connection.
6. The combination torque operable union nut and spanner wrench of claim 5, wherein the union nut is hand tightenable with a suitable wrench.
7. A method of tightening a torque operable union nut useful for forming a pipe connection between two mating pressure pipes in a pipeline conveying high pressure fluids for making-up and braking-out such connections, the method comprising the steps of: providing a union nut body having an upper peripheral planar face, a lower peripheral planar face and a circumferential side wall connecting the upper and lower planar faces, and wherein the circumferential side wall has a series of protuberances extending outwardly therefrom which define at least two circumferentially spaced wrench receiving formations; wherein each of said wrench receiving formations is formed with a generally arcuate slot portion which communicates with a transverse opening portion of the formation, each of the slot portions of the receiving formations forming a pair of oppositely arranged, circumferentially spaced nooks formed at opposite ends of each slot, the slot portions and transverse opening portions of the formations further forming a series of circumferentially extending T-shaped beam members when viewed in a plan view; wherein a planar backup ring is located on the circumferential side wall which connects the upper and lower planar faces of the union nut, the planar backup ring encircling the side wall at a position adjacent the rear side surfaces of the circumferentially extending beam members, thereby closing off the slot portions to prevent the mating wrench tool from sliding out of the slot portions and off the union nut when torque is being applied to the union nut; threadedly engaging the union nut with one of a respective pair of pipe components to be joined in a pipeline, whereby rotating the union nut tightens the pipeline connection; providing a spanner wrench for tightening the union nut, the spanner wrench having a wrench body with a curved outer periphery and an interior bridge region, the bridge region terminating at either of two opposite ends with an engagement tang for engaging the wrench receiving formations in the union nut body; engaging the spanner wrench with the wrench receiving formations in the union nut body and applying torque to the spanner wrench and, in turn, to the union nut body to turn the union nut body and tighten the union nut.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the high pressure fluids being conveyed in the pipeline are drilling muds, fracturing fluids or oil and gas produced as a result of well drilling operations
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the spanner wrench body has an upper planar surface and a lower planar surface with a thickness therebetween, a front wrench face and a rear wrench face, and wherein a connecting lug extends from the rear wrench face, the connecting lug being selectively sized to receive an operative end of a torque handle for applying torque to the spanner wrench and, in turn, to the union nut body.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the spanner wrench is flipped over and inverted to an opposite position when changing between make-up and break-out of the pipe connection.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional, prior art hammer union employing a spherical metal-to-metal pressure seal.
[0024] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the wing nut portion of the prior art hammer union of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing one version of the torque style union of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the torque style union of the invention shown being engaged by one of the make-up break-out wrenches of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 3A is another top plan view, similar to FIG. 3, but showing a smaller spanner wrench engaging the wing nut.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the torque style union of the invention showing the make-up break-out wrench engaging two of the outer slots on the wing nut.
[0029] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an electronic style torque wrench of the type which is used to engage and turn the spanner wrench of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the torque style union of the invention having an additional safety feature to prevent the accompanying torque wrench from slipping off he union nut when applying torque to the nut.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the torque style union of FIG. 6.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the second embodiment of the torque style union of the invention showing another version of the make-up break-out wrench engaging two of the outer slots on the wing nut.
[0033] FIG. 9 is an isolated, perspective view of the torque handle used with the spanner wrench of FIG. 10.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the union nut and engaged spanner wrench which is used to apply torque to the union nut.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] While the invention will be described primarily with reference to the union nut and a tool (wrench) for turning the nut, it will be understood that the hammerless connection of the present invention encompasses not only the union nut and wrench system but suitable male and female subs, e.g. such as described with respect to the prior art assembly shown in FIG. 1. Further it will be understood that in addition to the metal-to-metal sealing shown in the prior art embodiment of FIG. 1, other sealing systems can be employed including elastomeric seals, composite seals, etc.
[0036] With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a cross sectional view of a typical hammer union commonly used for joining conduits together, for example, conduit used to convey drilling mud, fracturing fluids and the like, commonly found in oil and gas operations. FIG. 1A shows the same hammer union in perspective. Hammer unions are typically commercially available in, for example, one inch to twelve inch sizes, capable of handling pressures on the order of 1000 psi to as much as 20,000 psi, or more. As shown in FIG. 1, hammer unions typically include three major parts: a shouldered male sub; a threaded union nut; and a threaded female sub. The hammer union is typically made-up or broken out by applying a sledgehammer to radial lugs on the threaded union nut. For example, with reference to FIGS. 1 and IA, the threaded union nut 11 has hammer lugs 13 which project radially outwardly from nut 11 and which are struck with a sledgehammer to turn and tighten the nut. Union nut 11 also has internal, female threads 15. As seen, union nut 11 has an annular flange 17 which bears on annular shoulder 19 on a distal end of the shouldered male sub 21. A sealing surface 23, in this case a metal-to-metal seal is formed on the end of sub 21. Threaded female sub 25 has external threads 27 which mate with threads 15 and a sealing surface 29 which forms the other half of the metal-to-metal seal with surface 23. It will be understood that other types of pressure seals may be utilized, as well, such as those having elastomeric, or composite seals, especially for (relatively) low working pressure unions.
[0037] Turning then to FIG. 2, a torque style hammerless union of the present invention is shown in cross-section, designated generally as 10. The union of the invention includes a male sub shown generally as 12 comprised of a tubular portion 14 on the end of which is formed an annular, radially outwardly projecting head portion 16. Head portion 16 forms an annular region 18, e.g., a convex surface formed by a spherical segment but which in any event is radiused. Head portion 16 joins the tubular portion 14 to form an annular shoulder 20.
[0038] The union connection of the invention also includes a female sub shown generally as 22 which can comprise a tubular portion 24 and an upset portion 26, the upset portion 26 having external threads 28. Upset portion 26 is recessed to form a concave annular seating surface 30 which is complementary in shape to spherical surface 18 such that when surfaces 30 and 18 are in engagement, a metal-to-metal seal can be formed.
[0039] Connecting the subs 12 and 22 together is a torque style (hammerless) union nut shown generally as 40 in FIG. 2 and described more fully below. As can be seen, union nut 40 has internal threads 42 which threadedly engage external threads 28 on sub 22 when the connection is made-up. Union nut 40 also has an annular, radially inwardly extending lip portion 44. Union nut 40 has an upper peripheral planar face 41, a lower peripheral planar face 43, and a circumferential outer side wall 54. Union nut 40 also has a through bore that is provided with internal female threads 42 in surrounding relationship to the through bore. As shown in FIG. 2, in the fully made-up position, i.e., when union nut 40 is threaded onto threaded upset portion 26, lip portion 44 of union nut 40 is forced into engagement with shoulder 20 of male sub 12 forcing surfaces 30 and 18 into metal-to-metal sealing engagement with each other.
[0040] As perhaps can be best appreciated from FIG. 3, the peripheral outer side wall 54 of the union nut 40 has a series of T-shaped beam members or protuberances (such as protuberances 53, 55, 56) extending radially outwardly therefrom which define at least two circumferentially spaced, inwardly extending wrench receiving formations. One such wrench receiving formation is indicated at 49 in FIG. 3. Each of the wrench receiving formations further comprises a series of generally circumferentially extending, arcuate slots 52 which communicates with a transverse opening portion 50 (see FIG. 3). Accordingly, there are formed first and second nooks or recesses 58 and 60 located at the terminal ends of each slot.
[0041] It can thus be seen from FIG. 3 that each of the pairs of oppositely arranged, circumferentially spaced nooks 58 and 60, the outer peripheral surface 54 of union nut 40, and transverse openings 50 comprise the wrench receiving formations for receiving mating engagement portions of a cooperating spanner wrench, to be further described.
[0042] In order to thread nut 40 onto female sub 22, a wrench shown generally as W in FIG. 3 is employed. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the spanner wrench W has a wrench body having a curved outer periphery 70. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the outer periphery is generally arcuate shaped. The wrench body also has an interior bridge region 72. The bridge region 72 terminates at either of two opposite ends with an engagement tang, i.e., tangs 74, 76, for engaging selected ones of the wrench receiving formations in the union nut body. The spanner wrench W is sized to span at least two of the receiving formations in the union nut body with the engagement tangs 74, 76, of the wrench body being received in selected receiving formations of the union but body, at least one of the engagement tangs 74, 76 being engaged within one of the pair of oppositely arranged, circumferentially spaced nooks (such as nooks 58, 60 in FIG. 3) formed at opposite ends of the receiving formation slots. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the spanner wrench W actually spans three of the receiving formations.
[0043] The spanner wrench body has an upper planar surface 78, a lower planar surface 79 and a thickness t therebetween (see FIG. 4). A polygonally shaped opening 90 communicates the upper and lower planar surfaces 78, 79. The polygonally shaped opening is selectively sized to receive an operative end of a torque wrench for applying torque to the spanner wrench and, in turn, to the union nut body.
[0044] With reference again to FIG. 3, the tang 74 of the wrench forms an U-shaped head portion the most distal portion of which forms a laterally extending foot 58. The distal end of the opposite tang 76 is truncated, since this is the low pressure side of the connection in the position shown. Thus, as wrench W engages union nut 40 as shown in FIG. 3, U-shaped end portion 74 will engage the respective receiving formation designated, while the opposite tang 76 will engage one of the other circumferentially spaced receiving formations. Note again that, with respect to FIG. 4, the wrench will span at least two of the receiving openings, but as shown in FIG. 3, may span three or more openings. The relatively smaller style spanner wrench shown in FIG. 3A is designated as W.sub.1.
[0045] It will be appreciated that in the position shown in FIG. 3, wrench W will be moved in the direction of arrow A. Thus, end portion 74 of wrench W is being forced against one end of beam 81 associated with one of the receiving formations. As well, end portion 76 is forced generally radially inwardly such that its distal end contacts the inner peripheral sidewall 54 of the union nut. Thus there will be substantial force vectors tending to rotate nut 40 in the direction of arrow A. Assuming this direction of turn, i.e., that of arrow A shown in FIG. 3 would result in tightening of nut 40 and accordingly make-up of the union, it will be recognized that if it were desired to break-out the union, i.e., loosen nut 40, wrench W could be flipped over and inverted oppositely to the position shown in FIG. 3 (see FIG. 4). This is an important feature, since the same wrench W is engageable with the existing receiving formations for both making-up and breaking-out the nut from a pipe connection. It is also significant to note that the union nut is hand tightenable with the wrench W, and does not typically require a power tong, or the like.
[0046] Several other features of the union nut/wrench combination of the present invention are important. For one, wrench W can only engage nut 40 by movement of the bridge region 72 and tangs 74, 76 into the receiving formations by insertion from an axial direction with respect to the pipe. In other words, engagement by wrench W of nut 40 cannot be accomplished by relative movement of wrench W and nut 40 in a straight-in radial direction, as viewed in FIG. 3. Further, as will be appreciated from FIG. 3, once wrench W is fully engaged with nut 40, wrench W cannot be disengaged from nut 40 by straight radial outward movement of wrench W relative to nut 40. This helps to ensure that when nut 40 is being tightened or loosened by wrench W, wrench W cannot disengage from nut 40 by a simple radial outward movement. It will be appreciated that the shapes of the receiving formations of nut 40 and the shape of head portion of bridge 72 of wrench W can vary. Thus, the shapes shown in the figures are exemplifying several embodiments but the invention is not so limited. Note that the outer peripheral surface (designated as 83 in FIG. 3) is arcuate shaped, or somewhat rounded. This ensures that there is no convenient point for a hammer to be applied to the wrench by an uninformed user.
[0047] Another important feature of the nut/wrench combination of the present invention, is that when the nut 40 is being moved, whether it be to tighten or loosen nut 40, there are significant circumferential force vectors being applied by wrench W to nut 40.
[0048] With regard to the type of torque wrench used to engage the polygonally shaped opening 90 of the wrench to apply torque, any of a variety of types of commercially available wrenches can be employed. For example, beam and dial systems can be employed. However, easier to use mechanical systems such as click or toggle torque wrench measuring devices are more preferred. In addition to purely mechanical torque measuring systems, electronic torque determinations based on strain gauges, and the like, can also be employed. Many of these systems can include electronic read-out either via a tethered connection to a portable controller or wirelessly to a remote unit.
[0049] Thus, in a further embodiment, the wrench W.sub.1 of the present invention can be provided with an electronic torque measuring device, shown in simplified fashion as 92 in FIG. 5. A number of such devices are commercially available. For example, DMC Corporation of Orlando, Fla., sells the Angle USB Electronic Digital Torque Wrench at the present time. It has a drive member 96 for engaging the opening in the spanner wrench, and an onboard memory, illustrated schematically as 94 in FIG. 5, which can upload and download information from a personal computer by means of a built-in USB port. This particular device is merely given by way of illustration, as a number of equivalent devices are commercially available at the present time.
[0050] With an electronic torque measuring device of this type, an on-board data module can be used to store and retrieve a history of the torque applied at each pipe connection being made with the union nut and spanner wrench. In some instances it is envisioned that the data storage module will incorporate an electronic storage disk (Scandisk or the like) which can be removed from the electronic torque wrench and read by a remotely located computer. In another embodiment, the electronic torque wrench can store and transmit data wirelessly to a remote location for establishing a history of the torque applied at each pipe connection being made with the union nut and spanner wrench.
[0051] FIGS. 6-10 show another embodiment of the union nut and spanner wrench of the invention. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the torque operable union nut again has a union nut body having an upper peripheral planar face 101, a lower peripheral planar face 103 and a circumferential side wall 105 connecting the upper and lower planar faces. The circumferential side wall 105 again has a series of protuberances (such as protuberances 107, 109 in FIG. 6) extending outwardly therefrom which define at least two circumferentially spaced wrench receiving slot formations 111, 113.
[0052] As has been previously described with respect to FIG. 3, each of said wrench receiving formations 111, 113, comprises a slot portion which communicates with a transverse opening portion of the formation. The slot portions and transverse opening portions of the formations form a series of circumferentially extending beam members when viewed in a plan view, the beam members each having a front side surface and a rear side surface.
[0053] The union nut shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is otherwise similar to the wrench of FIG. 3 but has one different feature which can offer advantages in some situations. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a planar backup ring 115 is located on the circumferential side wall 105 which connects the upper and lower planar faces 101, 103, of the union nut. The planar backup ring encircles the side wall 105 at a position adjacent the rear side surfaces (generally at 117 in FIGS. 6 and 7) of the circumferentially extending beam members. The presence of the planar backup ring 115 closes off the slot portions 111, 113, and helps to prevent the mating wrench tool from sliding out of the slot portions in one direction and off the union nut when torque is being applied to the union nut.
[0054] FIG. 8 shows one type of spanner wrench 119 which is suitable for use with the union nut of FIGS. 6 and 7. The spanner wrench 119 has a wrench body having an upper planar surface 121, a lower planar surface 122 and a thickness (generally at 124) which defines a rear wrench face. The wrench also has an interior bridge region 123, the bridge region terminating at either of two opposite ends in engagement tang 125, 127, for engaging the wrench receiving formations in the union nut body. A connecting lug 129 extends from the rear wrench face. The connecting lug 129 is selectively sized to receive an operative end of a torque handle (such as handle 131 in FIG. 9) for applying torque to the spanner wrench and, in turn, to the union nut body.
[0055] In the same manner as the wrench of FIG. 3, the spanner wrench 119 of FIG. 8 has a first one of the engagement tangs 125 of the spanner wrench which forms an U-shaped head portion the most distal portion of which forms a laterally extending foot for engaging one of the circumferentially spaced nooks formed at the end of a selected slot one of the wrench receiving formations on the union nut body. The second, opposite tang 127 also has a distal end, this distal end being truncated so that it extends within a selected slot in a direction generally perpendicular to the circumferential sidewall of the union nut body. The truncated tang is located on a low pressure side of the pipe connection when used to make-up or break-out the pipe connection.
[0056] Once again, the spanner wrench 119 of FIG. 8 can be flipped over and inverted to an opposite position when changing between make-up and break-out of the pipe connection. The same wrench is thus engageable with the receiving formations for both making-up and breaking-out the nut from a pipe connection. The union nut of FIG. 8 is also preferably hand tightenable with a suitable wrench.
[0057] FIGS. 9 and 10 show one form of a hand wrench that can be used to apply torque to the spanner wrench 119. The hand wrench (shown in perspective as 131 in FIG. 9) has a polygonally shaped end opening 133 at one outer extent thereof which engages the connecting lug (129 in FIG. 8) of the spanner wrench. It will also be appreciated from FIG. 10 that the presence of the planar backup ring 115 helps to stabilize the spanner wrench 119 and prevent it from inadvertently sliding off the union nut in a direction parallel to the central axis 135 of the union nut. The spanner wrench and torque wrench shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is thus stabilized in two different directions, as opposed to the arrangement of the union nut and wrench shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A.
[0058] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein in some detail, this has been done solely for the purposes of explaining the various aspects of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow. Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment shown and described is exemplary, and various other substitutions, alterations and modifications, including but not limited to those design alternatives specifically discussed herein, may be made in the practice of the invention without departing from its scope.
[0059] Thus, while the invention has been shown in several of its forms, it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.
