Manual pipe valve connector for jointed pipe connections with quick release check valve assembly and uses thereof

Abstract

A connection that provides for a means to manually make-up a pipe connection or assembly without the need for wrenches, tongs, hydraulic torque equipment, etc. A connection design that can be assembled and manufactured without threads and permits the same loading, torque and integrity requirements of threaded joint systems. A system that incorporates a locking mechanism that requires only manual effort to disengage.

Claims

1. A system locked together by means of a set of four interlocking segments providing for attachment and securing of the male and female connections.

2. An external locking sleeve, wherein said sleeve when rotated initiates a dog interlock mechanism to secure the male and female connections and ensure they are locked securely together.

3. The external locking sleeve of claim 2, wherein said sleeve when rotated anti-clockwise will de-activate the locking dogs and permit release of the male and female connectors from one another.

4. The external locking sleeve of claim 2, wherein said sleeve has a multi-start thread to ensure minimal circular rotation to provide full locking capabilities of the dogs into the male recess.

5. The external locking sleeve of claim 2, wherein said sleeve permits ease of removal of the male and female connectors in the event the system requires mechanical release, due to sticking, debris, galling, over that of manual release.

6. The external locking sleeve of claim 5, wherein said male and female connectors is removed by rotating the external locking ring anti-clockwise onto the loading shoulder to jack apart the male and female connectors.

7. The external locking sleeve of claim 2, wherein said sleeve has an internal ramp design that engages the dog segments into the locked position through the segment windows in the female connector and interlocking into the locking groove in the male connector to secure the male and female top and bottom subs.

8. The external locking sleeve of claim 2, where said sleeve comprises an optional external ring that ensures no rotation of the locking ring is possible during operation.

9. The external locking sleeve of claim 2, wherein said male and female connectors comprises a loading and unloading shoulder for unloading of the locking dog section during milling or drilling operations when load bearing weight is applied in the downward motion.

10. A hoop spring unlocking system, comprising a locking ring that can rotate anti-clockwise to the unlocked position to push the locking dogs into unlocked position.

11. The hoop spring unlocking system of claim 10, wherein said system prevents the to locking dogs from falling into the body of the female assembly once the male has been released from the female.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The advantages and other aspects of the invention will be readily appreciated by those of skill in the art and better understood with further reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or similar elements throughout the several figures of the drawings and wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wellbore 3 which has been drilled through the earth 4 down to a hydrocarbon-bearing formation 5 from the surface 6. Perforations 7, a type known in the art, extend through the wellbore 3 and outwardly into the formation 5 to permit hydrocarbon production fluid to flow from the formation 5 to the interior of the wellbore 3.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the fully assembled connector is the released position numerically detailed constructed in accordance with the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the fully assembled connector is the released position constructed in accordance with the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the fully assembled connector is the Locked position constructed in accordance with the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a pipe joint portraying the male and female connectors disconnected constructed in accordance with the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a pipe joint portraying the male and female connections connected constructed in accordance with the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 7 is across sectional view of a coiled tubing system portraying a connector system attached to the bottom of the coiled tubing string for make up bottom hole assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wellbore 3 which has been drilled through the earth 4 down to a hydrocarbon-bearing formation 5 from the surface 6. Perforations 7, of a type known in the art, extend through the wellbore 3 and outwardly into the formation 5 to permit hydrocarbon production fluid to flow from the formation 5 to the interior of the wellbore 3.

[0022] The present invention FIG. 2 provides for a way to either cross-over onto existing pipe a Clutch joint connection that allows for make-up to individual pipe joints collet tubing pipe joints, bottom hole assemblies, tools and equipment utilizing the male and female threaded portion of the connections #13 & #14. The system can also be manufactured directly onto pipe, coiled tubing or bottom hole assemblies, tooling, etc without the need for iron rough necks, pipe wrenches, mechanical and hydraulic make-up tools, etc.

[0023] The connection #1 & #2 incorporate two sets of locking dogs #6 & #7. Locking dogs #6 are manufactured as part of the connector #1 and #2. The locking dogs #7 are manufactured as individual dogs. Locking dogs #6, allows for torque to be applied through the joint connection #1 & #2 in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions and allows for tensile and compression loading to permit both deployment and recovery the pipe, coil tubing bottom hole assembly, etc. The dogs #6 & #7 can be manufactured in multiples of two thereby permitting minimal rotation of the male #2 and female #1 pipe joints to align the connectors.

[0024] The second set of dogs #7 are the primary locking dogs designed to interlock the male #2 and female #1 connections through a set of windows #17 manufactured on the female connector. The second set of dogs #7 engage within a recessed groove #18 manufactured into the male section #2 of the Clutch connector.

[0025] The outer locking sleeve #5 is mounted upon a thread #19 on the female connector Clutch. Rotation of this sleeve clockwise will engage the four dogs #7 into the male mating groove #18 thereby locking the male #2 and female #1 Clutch connectors together. Dogs #6 will be locked to permit bi-directional torque loading during operations such as drilling. Rotation of the locking sleeve 5 engages an internal upset #9 that forces the dogs #7 into the male engagement groove #18.

[0026] Rotation of the locking sleeve #5 in the anti-clockwise direction will permit unlocking of dogs #7 thereby unlocking the music #2 and female #1 Clutch connectors for disassembly from the pipe, coiled tubing, bottom hole assembly or tools.

[0027] A spring release mechanism #8 assembled into the locking dogs #7 will apply a constant force outwardly on the locking dogs #7. When the Locking sleeve #5 is released in the anti-clockwise position the spring release mechanism #8 forces the locking dogs #7 outward away from the male locking groove #18 thereby enabling the male #2 and female #1 connectors to release.

[0028] In the event the male #2 and female #1 Clutch connectors become difficult to remove the looking sleeve #5 can be used to jack apart the male #2 and female #1 connectors. During normal operations the locking sleeve #5 is design to stay engaged with the threads #19 when in the release position at all times.

[0029] When the locking sleeve #5 is in the locked position (clockwise), four set screws #10 are installed to prevent the locking sleeve #5 from backing off due to vibration or rotation. A separate anchor ring #20 can be placed between the male #2 and female #1 Clutch connections to ensure the Locking ring #5 cannot move in the anti-clockwise position during operations. This anchor ring #20 can be secured with cap head or set screws.

[0030] A single anchor screw can be implemented that also prevents the locking ring from any anti-rotational movement and is placed in the #6 dog section.

[0031] Elastomeric seals #11, 15 & 16 are contained on the male #2 and female #1 Clutch connectors to ensure tubing to annulus seal integrity. Wiper rings #21 & 22 are installed a top and bottom of the seals #11, 13 & 16 and locking ring #5. These prevent ingress of debris that could result in the locking sleeve #5 becoming inoperable.

[0032] When the male #2 and female #1 connectors are mated and the locking ring #5 is rotated clockwise to the set position setting the locking dogs #7 into the mating groove; 18 the system is ready to deploy into the wellbore.

[0033] Once the system is ready to perform the given operation and weight is set down on the connector the load is then transferred from the locking dogs #7 to the load Shoulder #12. This design feature prevents excessive force being applied to both the locking dogs #7 and the four windows #17. Only when load is applied to the connectors in the upward axis does the locking dogs #7 required to have any load carrying capacity.

[0034] In coiled tubing and drilling operations to prevent the return of hydrocarbons to surface via the inside diameter of the connector assembly a dual flapper cheek valve assembly #3 is installed within the connector sub #1. The dual flappers #4 are hinged and spring loaded to return to a closed position in the event hydrocarbons travel upward within the connector system. Once the flappers #4 have closed they will seal and prevent any fluid travel to surface.

[0035] The dual flapper arrangement #4 is housed in a carrier body #3. This carrier body #3 is a service item that can be removed readily by disconnecting the Clutch connection #1 & #2 by rotating the locking ring #5, releasing the locking dogs #7 and pulling the connectors apart. The dual flapper assembly #3 can now be manually retrieved from within the connector #1 and either serviced or replaced with a new dual flapper carrier arrangement #3.