Abstract:
A two part coupling connector for pipe having male and female components that sealably engage with an extendable multi-link spring member that is locked into a recessed slot in the female component by a rotational key. The male and female components are aligned with a mating extension and receiving groove. The parts are disengaged by insertion of a tool into circumferential apertures about the female component that apply pressure inward to move the extendable spring away from the recessed slot. The connector may also have ports for communication and control lines that are engaged to and about the coupling connector to facilitate transmission of electrical signals and flanges to support such lines.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based on provisional patent application No. 61/389,869 entitled “Pipe Connector” filed on Oct. 5, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to the field of deep sea drilling and more specifically to a pipe connector for engaging drilling pipe. 
         [0003]    Numerous coupling devices for oilfield applications include a variety of safety mechanisms. While most generally include a simple threading device included with a gasket material used to ensure that pressure is maintained at a joint, others simple rely on threading alone. Coupling devices providing for the union of joints often require repeated service due to the sealing, unsealing, joining, and release of a metal to polymer connection. Often risers and other pipes employed to carry fluid use simple connections which generally rely on threading alone. 
         [0004]    While threading is beneficial, simple to manufacture, and does not interfere with fluid flow, numerous disadvantages do exist. In instances where a male component is not fully secured to a female component, the potential for the union binding the two joints to free itself is possible. In applications where a gap exists between the male and female union of the threading, yet the sealing has properly occurred, eddies can form and fluid can be sent into the gap between the two, causing deterioration when corrosive fluids are used. 
         [0005]    While present sealing mechanisms do function, the union of pipe and the usage of polymer based sealing materials (for ease of combination and removal at the joint) often allows the sealing mechanism to expand into portions where fluids are flowing. This is problematic because even the smallest portions of foreign materials and debris can lead to catastrophic consequences once fluid is sent downhole. 
         [0006]    Thus there exists a need for a coupling mechanism that can allow for the union of male and female joints, while allowing for ease of removal and reuse. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The primary advantage of the invention is to provide an improved coupling device that is easily disengaged. 
         [0008]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide a coupling device with a secure engagement and seal. 
         [0009]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide a notched mating between two engageable members for coupling riser pipe. 
         [0010]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide an expandable seal that is easily retracted for disengagement of two members. 
         [0011]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
         [0012]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is shown a coupling mechanism for engaging two or more annular components having a male component with a first central annular member, an extendable seal about the annular member, the seal having first and second ends, a female component having a second central annular member, a receiving slot on the inside diameter of the second annular member for the extendable seal, a rotatable lock that engages the first and second ends for extension of the seal into the receiving slot, and at least one mating tab in the male component on the outer annulus of the component that reciprocally engages a second receiving slot on the inside diameter of the second central annular member of the female component. 
         [0013]    In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is shown a coupling mechanism for engaging two or more annular components having a male component with a first central annular member, one or more first sub-annular members, and, one or more engaging components, and a female component having a second central annular member, one or more second sub-annular members, a rotatable cam that can activate the one or more engaging components; and one or more apertures disposed about the second central annular member wherein the male component and the female component can disengage one another via insertion of a member into the one or more apertures to release the female component from the male component. 
         [0014]    In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is shown a coupling mechanism for engaging two or more annular components having a male annular component with an annulus and an extendable spring about the outer diameter of the annulus, the spring having first and second ends, a female annular component for receiving the male member having a receiving slot on the inside diameter of the female annular member for the extendable spring, a rotatable lock on the female member that engages the first and second ends of the spring for extension of the spring into the receiving slot, and at least one tab on the male member that engages a mating groove on the female member for stable alignment of the two components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a two part pipe connector according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a two part pipe connector according to a preferred embodiment of the invention from the opposite side as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an alternative two part pipe connector according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a coupling mechanism  10 , having a male component  10   a  and a female component  10   b , is illustrated. In a preferred embodiment, components  10   a  and  10   b  would each be fixedly joined to drill pipe for mateable engagement of one pipe to another. Male component  10   a  would be welded or otherwise fixedly joined to pipe on the upper cylindrical portion  11   a  and female component  10   b  would similarly be fixedly joined to pipe on the lower cylindrical extension  12   b . Male component  10   a  includes a male portion for aligning with a female component  10   b . Male component  10   a  includes cylindrical portion  12   a , receiving portion  14   a , and seal member  18   a . Seal member  18   a  preferably is composed of a plurality of interconnected jointed subsections  19  that unite to form a ring about the circumference of male component  10   a . Female component  10   b  includes lower cylindrical extension  12   b , grooved portion  14   b , locking member  16   b , receiving channel  18   b  and retractable tabs  20   b . Male component  10   a  can couple to female component  10   b  as further described below. Receiving portion  14   a  corresponds to grooved portion  14   b . Grooved portion  14   b  may have a V-shaped first portion above a rectilinear portion for reception and stable engagement of the extension. Locking member  16   b  can couple to male component  10   a.    
         [0020]    As is readily apparent, seal member  18   a  may be configured in a variety of ways including a single expandable section that upon pressure bows outward sufficiently to receiving channel  18   b  and provide stable engagement. In some embodiments, it may be a conventional coiled spring or other spring and may be further joined by a rubber seal or other sealing mechanism to prevent fluid leakage. Seal member  18   a  is shown here preferably with jointed subsections  19  that permit circumferential engagement with male component  10   a . Seal member  18   a  may be releasably attached to male member  10   a , or in other embodiments simply configured to stably engage around the surface of male member  10   a.    
         [0021]    In order to allow male member  10   a  to mate with female member  10   b , cylindrical portion  12   a  must align with lower cylindrical extension  12   b . Cylindrical portion  12   a  should align with lower cylindrical extension  12   b  to allow for proper fluid transmission via coupling mechanism  10 . Once seal member  18   a  has properly aligned with the grooves of receiving channel  18   b , assurance can be provided that sealing portions are ready to engage seal members  18   a  in a circumferential manner. After male component  10   a  and female component  10   b  have aligned with one another such that receiving portion  14   a  is aligned with grooved portion  14   b , rotating member  16   b  can be turned to secure male component  10   a  to female component  10   b . To provide further alignment of male member  10   a  to female member  10   b , in a preferred embodiment a second grooved portion  17   b  positioned opposite first grooved portion  14   b  may receive a second mating protrusion (not shown) for stable engagement of male component  10   a  to female component  10   b . Mating protrusion  17   a  shown in  FIG. 2  mateably engages with second grooved portion  17   b  for stable engagement. As seen with receiving portion  14   a  and mating protrusion  17   a , a space is provided for seal member  18   a  to encircle male component  10   a . As locking member  16   b  turns, an extension portion  15 , shown in  FIG. 2 , collaborates with seal member  18   a , to expand into a void of receiving portion  18   b . As a result of locking member  16   b  collaborating with receiving portion  14   b  and engaging first end  21   a  and second end  21   b  of seal member  18   a , seal member  18   a  expands into receiving channel  18   b , thereby locking the two sections together and preventing fluid from escaping from the union of male component  10   a  and female component  10   b.    
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows the opposite side of locking member  16   b  having lock  13  and extensions  15 . As locking member  16   b  is turned, lock  13  is rotated and extension portions  15  are forced into the ends of seal member  18   a  at first end  21   a  and second end  21   b  thus spreading seal member  18   a  outward into receiving channel  18   b . Extension portion  15  may be of a variety of configurations including each being a half circle or cam-type shape so as to engage first and second ends of seal member  18   a  and upon rotation, push outward on seal member  18   a.    
         [0023]    Locking member  16   b  engages the first end  21   a  and second end  21   b  of seal member  18   a  such that by turning locking member  16   b  clockwise, pressure is applied to first end  21   a  and second end  21   b  of seal member  18   a  at links thereby extending seal member  18   a  into receiving portion  18   b . Once engaged, male component  10   a  and female component  10   b  are sealably and fixedly engaged. Such a mechanism can withstand tremendous pressure since the forces acting in the pipe are transverse to the locking member  16   b  and its engagement to seal member  18   a.    
         [0024]    To disengage male component  10   a  and female component  10   b , locking member  16   b  is rotated in the opposite direction from its first position to relax pressure on first end  21   a  and second end  21   b  of seal member  18   a , and then a cylindrical mechanism (not shown) can be inserted into retractable tabs  20   b  which in turn acts to drive individual seal members  18   a  into a collapsed or relaxed position such that male component  10   a  can be removed from female component  10   b . Once all jointed subsections  19  are disengaged from receiving channel  18   b , male component  10   a  can be removed from female component  10   b , via alignment with receiving portion  14   a.    
         [0025]    Numerous features allow male component  10   a  to mate with female component  10   b  to assure uninterrupted fluid transmission. These features include cylindrical portion  12   a  which aligns within lower cylindrical extension  12   b , receiving portion  14   a  and grooved portion  14   b  and seal members  18   a  which are sized to correspond with receiving channel  18   b . In the event that all three mechanisms are able to align, one can be assured that fluid transmission is capable of being transmitted without interruption. 
         [0026]    Disengagement of male component  10   a  and female component  10   b  may be accomplished in a preferred embodiment by reversing locking member  16   b  and turning it counterclockwise and inserting a cylindrical tool into retractable tabs  20   b  to partially collapse seal member  18   a  to permit removal of male component  10   a . Locking member  16   b  may alternatively be oriented for engagement when turned counterclockwise and reversed by clockwise rotation. Further, Locking member  16   b  may alternatively be any number of engaging mechanisms that upon activation apply an outward force on first end  21   a  and second end  21   b  sufficiently to expand seal member  18   a  into receiving channel  18   b.    
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an alternative embodiment of coupling mechanism  10  similar to that depicted in  FIG. 1 , is illustrated according to another preferred embodiment of the present application. Coupling mechanism  10  includes opposing flange portions  22   a  and  22   b  that are engaged to male member  45   a  and female member  45   b . Engagement of male member  45   a  and female member  45   b  are identical to that described with coupling mechanism  10  above. Flange portion  22   a  and flange portion  22   b  include opposing pairs of extension mounts  24   a  and  24   b ,  25   a  and  25   b ,  26   a  and  26   b , along with  27   a  and  27   b , that are intended to couple various components. Such components include choke likes, “kill” lines, and boost lines for control of various functions present in oilfield operations well known in the art. As is illustrated in the present embodiment, extension mounts  27   a  and  27   b  are formed to couple a plurality of hydraulic lines. Any component that is coupled by one pair of extension mounts may be coupled by another pair of extension mounts. The mating extension mounts are configured for stable engagement and ability to pass through any of a variety of electrical, hydraulic or other control lines as desired. 
         [0028]    It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.