Patent ID: 8695693
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A wellhead system comprising: a first wellhead member including an internal bore and a first groove formed in the internal bore; a second wellhead member at least partially disposed within the internal bore of the first wellhead member, wherein the second wellhead member includes a second groove formed in an outer surface of the second wellhead member, the first and the second grooves are positioned opposite one another, the second wellhead member comprises an additional internal bore configured to facilitate flow of a fluid through the second wellhead member, and the second wellhead member is configured to facilitate isolation of at least a portion of the first wellhead member from a pressure within the additional internal bore that is substantially equal to or greater than a pressure rating of the first wellhead member; a locking ring positioned within at least one of the first or the second grooves, wherein the locking ring itself has a self bias from an unlocked position toward a locked position; a retaining ring at least partially disposed within the internal bore between the first and the second wellhead members; and an actuating member configured to selectively bias the retaining ring in response to a rotational movement, wherein the retaining ring is configured to selectively hold the locking ring in the unlocked position, and the retaining ring is configured to selectively release the locking ring to undergo self-biased movement from the unlocked position to the locked position in response to the rotational movement of the actuating member to secure the second wellhead member to the first wellhead member via the locking ring.