Patent Publication Number: US-2023139413-A1

Title: Hinged quick-release connector

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to oilfield pipe connectors, and in particular, to a hinged quick-release connector for oil well applications. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In some oil field service operations such as hydraulic fracturing, cementing, acidizing and the like, frac fluids are pumped at high pressure down the well. In some cases, the fluid pressures may be in excess of 15,000 psi. Typically, an operator brings high pressure pumping equipment to the well site and installs temporary service flowlines from the high-pressure pumps to the wellhead. Because high volumes of fluid may also be needed, a number of pumping units may be connected together at one well site using a number of flowlines. 
     The flowline components include joints or sections of steel pipe of differing lengths, various junctions, valves, swivels and the like. Generally, each well site differs, and the workers have to arrange the flowlines or irons to extend around and past a variety of well site equipment. Many connections have to be made up, and each connection must be able to withstand the high-pressure frac fluids flowing in the lines. The workers need to be able to quickly make and break out the connections to minimize the time for each job. 
     A hammer union is a common type of connector used for temporary flowlines where the two flowline components have ends that abut each other. Generally, a collar fits loosely on one end, the collar having internal threads for engaging threads on the end of the other flowline component. The collar has external lugs, and the workers mechanically deliver blows to the lugs to tighten the collar around the flowline components. While these hammer union systems generally work well, there are disadvantages. The larger size flowline irons can be fairly heavy, and the two ends being joined together have to be elevated above the ground to tighten the hammer union. A worker might sustain an injury while lifting the flowline ends and simultaneously delivering blows with a hammer to tighten the hammer union. In very cold climates, the hammer union could shatter or break during installation. Sparks can be created by delivering the blows, which could create an explosion if any combustible gas is present in the vicinity. The task of connecting the flowline components with a hammer union is thus physically taxing and time consuming. 
     Another type of temporary oilfield service flowline uses clamps to clamp the ends of the flowlines together. The workers employ wrenches to secure multiple bolts that draw the clamp halves together. The weight and unwieldy nature of the flowlines and the clamps also make the installation and servicing job challenging. 
     A prior safety iron connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,204,525. This connector has two C-shaped portions that are bolted together around the flanged ends of flowlines using two sets of fasteners. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an embodiment of a hinged quick-release connector according to the teachings of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  2  and  3    are perspective views of an embodiment of the hinged quick-release connector being supported by its hinge pin in the closed and open positions according to the teachings of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a hinged quick-release connector joining the flanged ends of two conduits according to the teachings of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hinged quick-release connector being used to join sections of a valve assembly according to the teachings of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the hinged quick-release connector joining sections of a valve assembly according to the teachings of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a hinged quick-release connector  10  of the present disclosure is a clamp assembly with two semi-circular clamp portions  12  and  13 , where the two clamp portions are rotatably coupled by a hinge  14 . The hinge  14  may be any suitable rotatable coupling mechanism where the hinge portion  15  of one half of the connector interlaces the hinge portion  16  of the other half of the connector. The hinge  14  incorporates a through-hole or opening  18  that is designed to receive a hinge pin  20  that can be used in combination with through-holes  21  of a stand  22  to support the weight of the connector, as shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3   . The through-hole  18  and the hinge pin  20  may be engaged via a threaded interface or be engaged via friction-fitting. The hinge through-hole  18  is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the connector  10 . The clamp portions  12  and  13  also each has a protruding lug  24  and  25  with a coaxial through-hole  26 . When the clamp portions  12  and  13  are in the closed position, the through-hole  26  of the lugs  24  and  25  of each clamp portion  12  and  13  are in alignment so that they may accept a single fastener  28 , such as a bolt to secure the lugs  24  and  25  together. Preferably, the inside surface of the through-hole  26  in the lugs  24  and  25  are threaded. The bolt  28  may have a head  30  having a diameter larger than the diameter of the through-hole  26  and has drive surfaces for engagement by a tool, such as a socket of an air impact wrench. The bolt  28  may be retained within the hole  26  by the use of another fastener, such as a threaded nut  32 . One or more grooves  34  are defined within the inside surfaces of the clamp connector  10  that corresponds to the profile of the abutting flanges  40  of the flowline end portions  36  and  37  as shown in  FIG.  3   . 
     As shown, the clamp connector  10  is closed in  FIG.  2    and open in  FIG.  3   . One or both ends of the hinge pin  20  may be supported by the stand  22 , so that the connector’s weight can be at least partially supported while workers physically maneuver and move it into place to clamp around the flanged ends of the two flowlines  36  ad  37 . The hinge pin  20  may also incorporate an eyelet, a flange, or another feature that enables the hinge pin to be supported by another structural element. An exemplary embodiment of the stand  22  includes a bracket  40  that is supported by a vertical post  42  that is firmly erected on the ground or on a stable base or foundation  44 . The bracket  40  comprises two prongs  46  and  47  each with a through-hole  21  that are sized to accommodate the hinge pin  20 . The bracket  40  is shaped so that it does not interfere with the operations of the clamp to enable the clamp  10  to open and shut while its hinge pin  20  is supported by the stand  22 . For example, the two-pronged bracket  40  may be C-shaped, square-shaped, or rectangular-shaped. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , in the closed position, the inside contour of the two clamp portions  12  and  13  of the connector  10  form a circle that encircles the two flanged ends of two adjoining flowline members  36  and  37  such as the ends of two tubular pipes or safety irons. The hinged quick-release connector  10  can be used to connect pipes, valves, swivels and other common flow components used to connect the frac pump to a well. The inside contour of the connector  34  is designed to fit around the end flanges  40  of the two adjoining members (of a flowline, valve, swivels, etc.)  36  and  37  that are abutted together. The inside contour of the two portions  12  and  13  of the connector  10  therefore function to force the two end flanges  40  together and maintain the connection when the clamp portions are in the closed position. One or more seals, such as an elastomer seal  46  and a seal gland  47  may be disposed at the interface between the two abutting ends of the adjoining members  36  and  37 . 
       FIG.  5    is a perspective view of hinged quick-release connectors  50  (hinge pin and fastener not explicitly shown) being used to join flanged components of a valve assembly  52  according to the teachings of the present disclosure.  FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view of a hinged quick-release connector  60  being used to join the flanged components  62  and  64  of a valve assembly  66 . It should be noted that the inside contours of the connector may be shaped to accommodate the flanged profiles of components that are being joined together. Further, the inside contours of the connector need not be circular in shape. For example, a hinged connector with a square inside contour would be used to clamp around the flanged ends of conduits that have a square cross-section profile. 
     The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth below with particularity in the appended claims. However, modifications, variations, and changes to the exemplary embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the hinged quick-release connector described herein thus encompasses such modifications, variations, and changes and are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein.