Patent Abstract:
A tubing connection for coupling two or more joints of tubing sections is disclosed comprising a plug assembly and a socket assembly. The plug assembly has a plurality of splines and the socket assembly has a plurality of receptacles adapted to receive the plurality of splines. The plurality of splines comprises a center spline and a plurality of outer splines configured to allow intermeshing with receptacle splines in a plurality of orientations. A coupling collar is used to secure the tubing joint. The plug assembly is connected to the socket assembly in a four-step process of: positioning the assemblies in close proximity, aligning the spline and the receptacle, plugging the spline into the receptacle, and then securing the two sections together with the coupling collar. The tubing joint may also have at least one conduit that may contain a wire or other material for transmitting power and data between the adjoined sections of tubing.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to a pipe connection for tubing, casing and drill pipe that is used in the drilling process and in the production of hydrocarbons from a subterranean environment, and specifically to a tubing connection for coupling multiple tubing sections in multiple orientations with optional electrical plugs and wiring. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Pulling a worn out drill bit on an offshore drilling rig can take several days of continuous labor. The labor involved includes physically disconnecting connections between each of the tubing sections as the tubing is withdrawn until the drill bit is retrieved. The process must then be repeated to reinsert the new drill bit. Any improvement in tubing connections that can reduce the time it takes to disconnect or connect tubing sections can create significant cost savings by reducing the time required to complete the operation and get the new drill bit into operation. 
   One type of tubing connection is designed so that each tubing section can be connected to the next so that the exact orientation of the drill bit can be known in relation to the above ground tubing. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,744 (the &#39;744 patent) discloses a pipe joint for self-aligning a drill string by means of “at least one downwardly projecting extension and a lower section having a corresponding recess for receiving the extension.” In the &#39;744 patent a single downwardly projecting extension may only engage the corresponding recess in one orientation. In the &#39;744 patent, multiple downwardly projecting extensions may also only mate with the corresponding recesses in one orientation because asymmetrical configurations are used for the multiple downwardly projecting extensions in order to ensure that the tubing may be connected in only one orientation. 
   The &#39;744 patent solved the problem of finding a way to join together individual pieces of pipe, tubing, or casing so that an imaginary reference line will exist down the length of the drill string and, consequently, so that the operators at the surface will know the orientation of the drill bit at the bottom of the well bore. Prior to the invention of the &#39;744 patent it was impossible to determine the orientation of the drill bit in threaded connections because the connection orientation differed from connection to connection depending on the tightness of the threaded connection. Additionally, the &#39;744 patent solved the problem that threaded connections alone limit the rotation of the drill string to one direction. If the rotational direction of a threaded drill string is reversed, then the likelihood that at least one connection in the drill string will unthread is substantially increased. The splined connections comprising outwardly extending projections and corresponding receiving recesses disclosed in the &#39;744 patent solve this problem because the splined connection strengthens the coupling and permits rotation clockwise or counterclockwise. 
   When a tubing connection can only be made in one orientation, time must be spent in rotating the tubing section to be connected until it aligns in the one position that will allow it to be joined. The amount of time spent in manipulating each tubing section to align it with the tubing section to which it is to be joined can be considerable when hundreds or thousands of connections are being made. 
   A need exists for an improvement to the &#39;744 patent so that when it is not necessary to know the orientation of the tool at the bottom of the drill string, the pipe joint can permit alignment of the tubing sections in more than one orientation. Allowing alignment in more than one orientation will permit faster joining of the tubing sections and increase the strength of the coupling by increasing the number of splines. 
   A need related to connecting tubing sections in multiple orientations using splined connections, is the need to transmit electricity downhole to power electrical motors and other downhole devices such a choke. The downhole devices may be located at some point along the drill or tubing string, or they may be located at the end of the string of pipe. The need to transmit electricity is significant when using an electrical submersible pump (ESP) in an artifical lift method. A need also exists to transmit data from downhole sensors to surface operations through internally mounted wires in drilling operations and in production operations. 
   Basic artificial lift methods of producing oil and water from a well have improved and changed in recent years. Nearly all artificial lift methods still connect a plurality of pipes to form a conduit within a well that has been drilled and cased to allow oil and water to be pumped from the bottom of the well to production tanks at the surface. The production string usually has a pumping device at its lower end that is positioned near the bottom of the well bore that has been prepared for production. Pumping mechanisms such as electrical submersible pumps (ESP) and progressive cavity pumps (PCP) provide the energy needed to bring fluids to the surface through a string of jointed tubing. These pumps normally require an electric motor to function. Although many improvements have been made to these pumps over the years, there has been little done to reposition the wires that provide power to the pump from the outside of the tubing to the inside of the tubing. 
   For various reasons, those who are skilled in the science of producing fluids from a well have sought out a reliable method of supplying power to the bottom of a well bore. The previously proposed solutions to this problem have been unreliable, expensive, and complicated to install and remove. For example, the currently preferred power transmission method is to use bands to secure a cable that contains one or more wires to the outside of the production string of tubing. The bands keep the wire adjacent to the tubing so that it does not snag on the production casing or on any objects that might be in the well bore. The bands also support the cable&#39;s weight by securing the cable to the tubing. This method is problematic because it exposes the cable and bands to the corrosive elements of the well bore. Moreover, the odds of band failure increase during the installation (running) and removal (pulling) of the tubing in inclined well bores (the most common type of well bore) because the bands are more likely to hang at the gap where two joints of casing have been connected. Failure of one or more bands can prevent the removal of the pump or tubing because the annular space between the outside of the production tubing and the inside of the production casing is small and the cable, if not secured to the tubing, can wedge between the casing and the tubing causing the tubing to become stuck. Even if the cable does not break, the insulation on the wire inside the cable can be damaged which can create a short in the electrical circuit, rendering the wire essentially useless. The tubing string then has to be pulled back to the surface, and the short found and repaired before the pump can be run back to the bottom of the well bore. The problems created by banded external cables are costly and time consuming, and a reliable and cost effective alternative method of transmitting power from the surface to the bottom of the well bore is needed. 
   One solution to this problem is to use a plurality of tubing with multiple wires attached to the inside of the tubing instead of the outside of the drill pipe. While this solution alleviates the problem of snagging the wire or the bands, it does not solve the problem of exposing the wire to the harsh environment of the produced fluids that are contained within the production tubing. Simply hanging the cable on the inside of the tubing is also problematic because there is no way to support the cable&#39;s weight and the pump&#39;s pressure requirements will be higher because of the added friction between the fluid that is being pumped and the rough exterior of the cable. 
   Another solution to the above stated problem is to concentrically position the wires on the exterior of a tube that is inserted and attached to the actual production tubing itself. This solution avoids the problems presented by simply attaching the wire to either the interior or the exterior of the tubing. An example of this technique can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,944 (the &#39;944 patent) entitled “Drill Pipes and Casings Utilizing Multi-Conduit Tubulars.” The &#39;944 patent discloses a drill pipe with electrical wires positioned inside conduits in the drill pipe wall. But positioning the wire inside the drill pipe wall significantly decreases the overall pipe wall thickness. In order to overcome the decreased wall thickness, significantly thicker drill pipes would have to be used. The multiple conduits also create weak points in the drill pipe between the conduits. The high rotational stress that the drill pipe encounters in the drilling operations can cause stress fractures in the pipe wall between the multiple tubing conduits. In an extreme case, high rotational stress can lead to an internal fracture in the drill pipe that disengages the drill pipe&#39;s interior wall from its exterior wall. 
   Furthermore, manufacturing multiple conduit drill pipe is a complicated process, which is quite unlike the conventional drill pipe manufacturing process. Conventional drill pipe is manufactured by attaching male and female pipe connections to opposite ends of a conventional piece of pipe. The two connections are usually welded to the pipe. Multiple conduit pipes must be either extruded with the multiple conduits in place, or the multiple conduits must be drilled or cut out of a conventional drill pipe. In either case, the costs associated with manufacture of multiple conduit drill pipe are prohibitive. 
   Another problem encountered in the addition of wires to drill pipe, which is not unique to multiple conduits, is the problem associated with creating reliable, secure electrical connections. In conventional drill pipe, the individual pipe segments screw together, creating a problem for connecting the wires during the screwing or unscrewing process. This problem can be overcome by using drill pipe that plugs together and is secured with a threaded coupler. This type of connection is known in the art. The &#39;944 patent discloses a similar type of coupling connection, but requires a planer conduit seal between the individual pipe segments in order to assure the integrity of the conduit connection. The removable conduit seal is crucial to the method in the &#39;944 patent because a permanently installed conduit seal would be susceptible to damage during manufacture, transportation, storage, and installation of the multiple conduit drill pipe during drilling operations. Installing these conduit seals during the drilling process is also a cumbersome and a time consuming process. Therefore, a need exists for a method of transmitting electrical power to the bottom of a well bore in which the electrical connections are adequately protected from damage and the process of connecting the individual pipe segments is relatively simple and fast. 
   The prior art has previously attempted to supply power to the bottom of a well bore by alternative delivery methods as well. For example, in SPE/IADC article 798866 (the &#39;866 article) entitled “Smart Drilling with Electric Drillstring™,” the authors disclose a method of supplying power to the bottom of a well bore using three separate ring connectors at each end of the tool joint.  FIG. 1  is an illustration of the ring connectors  20  on the male end of the tool joint. As seen in  FIG. 2 , ring connectors  20  on the male end of the tool joint are positioned to mate up with ring connectors  21  in the female end of the tool joint when two pieces of pipe are mated together. Threading the tool joint together seals the electrical connection between the ring connectors. The use of ring connectors has the advantage that the pipe sections can be mated in any orientation. However, ring connectors have the disadvantage that frequent connection, disconnection, exposure, and reconnection of tool joints during the running and pulling process causes mud, dirt, and contaminants to become trapped between the ring connectors, that can cause an electrical short. Furthermore, the method disclosed in the &#39;866 article is not preferable because wire  22 , used to transmit power to the bottom of the well bore, makes two right-angle turns  24 . Right angle turns  24  are not preferable because right angle turns  24  place excessive stress on wire  22  and substantially increase the likelihood of wire failure. Therefore, a need exits for an improved method of joining pipe together and supplying power to the bottom of a well bore that eliminates the need for ring connectors and that allows wire to run through the pipe in an approximate straight line without the need for any sharp angled turns in the path of wire. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,274 (the &#39;274 patent) discloses a section of tubing with coupled end connectors and an insert containing at least one electrical wire. The insert has an outside diameter that is approximately equal to the inside diameter of the improved tubing. The insert also has projections at each end such that when two inserts are placed end to end, the projections will mate up. The insert has at least one groove cut into its side and running the length of the insert. The groove is for the placement of a wire for transmission of power to the well bore or for the placement of a wire for transmission of data from the well bore. The groove is installed down the length of the insert. The groove is deep enough so that when a wire is placed inside the groove, the wire does not project beyond the outside diameter of the insert. The insert may contain as many grooves and wire combinations as are necessary for the particular appiication. The wire has an electrical connection at each end of the insert. When the inserts are placed end to end, the insert projections line up the electrical connectors and correct mating of the insert projections will result in correct mating of the electrical connectors. 
   The inserts of the &#39;274 application are the same length as the tubing and are installed inside the tubing such that the insert is flush with the first end of the tubing. The inserts are then welded to the tubing or secured to the tubing by some other method. A threaded coupler is then installed on the second end of the tubing to protect the exposed insert and electrical connector. The coupler will also be used to secure the improved tubing together. One of the methods disclosed by the &#39;274 patent to solve the problem of aligning the electrical connectors for proper mating is the use of outwardly extending projections on one end and corresponding receiving recesses on the opposite end. (See  FIGS. 10 through 14 ). 
   Persons skilled in the art are aware of various methods of protecting exposed wires within the tubing. For example, the article “Composite-lined Tubulars Can Lower Operating Expenses,”  World Oil , July 2000, discloses fiberglass epoxy-lining, internal plastic coating and polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene coating. In the context of oil field applications the article states that “[l]ined tubulars consist mainly of steel tubing with standard oilfield connections lined with composites like glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE) or thermoplastic matrix materials such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).” 
   As discussed above, a need exists for an improvement to the &#39;744 patent to permit alignment of the tubing sections in more than one orientation. In addition, a need exists for an improvement to the &#39;744 patent to allow the introduction of electrical wiring and connections. A further need exists for an improvement to both the &#39;744 patent and the &#39;274 patent so that the benefits of both inventions can be combined in one improved tool joint that allows connection in multiple orientations where the electrical connectors are in the tool joint itself and not in an insert. The needs identified above exist for production tubing, drill pipe, casing, and/or for any cylindrical pipe used to produce hydrocarbons in a subterranean environment. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention, which meets the needs stated above, is an apparatus comprising a tubing joint having a plug assembly and a socket assembly. The plug assembly has a plurality of splines and the socket assembly has a plurality of receptacles adapted to receive the plurality of splines. The splines and receptacles are typically disposed on opposite ends of a single tubing section. The number of orientations in which a first tubing joint may be connected to a second tubing joint is equal to the number of splines. The tubing joint further comprises a coupling collar. The coupling collar is threaded onto either the spline or receptacle element so that it may be used to secure the spline and receptacle elements together. 
   The tubing joint may also have one or more wires for transmitting power and/or data between the surface and the well bore. Each tubing joint may also have a conduit running through a portion of the tubing joint. Wires extend from one tubing joint to the next within the tubing and may be protected by a casing. The casing may be a plastic insert or it may be a suitable coating. When tubing sections are joined with the tubing joint aligned in one of the multiple orientations, the electrical connectors are also properly aligned for correct mating of the electrical connectors. The present invention allows a plurality of casing sections to be connected together in a plurality of distinct orientations. 
   Individual tubing sections, each having appropriate tubing joints attached, are connected together in a four-step process. To begin, the first end of one tubing section is positioned above the second end of another tubing section. Next, the tubing joint splines are properly aligned with the tubing joint receptacles so that they will mate together. Then, the two tubing sections are plugged together so that the joint splines engage the joint receptacles. Finally, the coupling collar is screwed onto the second tubing section so that the two tubing sections are secured together. The process may be repeated as necessary to create an elongated string of tubing. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of the prior art ring connectors. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of prior art method of joining two pieces of pipe containing ring connectors. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of the tubing joint in a two-spline configuration. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional illustration of the two-spline embodiment taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional illustration of the two-spline embodiment taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional illustration of the two-spline embodiment taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional illustration of the two-spline embodiment taken along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional illustration of the two-spline embodiment taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 9  is an illustration of the positioning and alignment steps for the two-spline embodiment. 
       FIG. 10  is an illustration of the plugging step for the two-spline embodiment. 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional illustration of the two-spline embodiment taken along line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 12  is an illustration of the securing step for the two-spline embodiment. 
       FIG. 12A  is an illustration of the securing step for an embodiment of the tubing joint have two splines and connected electrical conductors. 
       FIG. 13  is an illustration of the tubing joint in a three-spline configuration. 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional illustration of the three-spline embodiment taken along line  14 - 14  in  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional illustration of the three-spline embodiment taken along line  15 - 15  in  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional illustration of the three-spline embodiment taken along line  16 - 16  in  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 17  is an illustration of the positioning and alignment steps for the three-spline embodiment. 
       FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional illustration of the three-spline embodiment taken along line  18 - 18  in  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 19  is an illustration of the plugging step for the three-spline embodiment. 
       FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional illustration of the three-spline embodiment taken along line  20 - 20  in  FIG. 19 . 
       FIG. 21  is an illustration of the securing step for the three-spline embodiment. 
       FIG. 21A  is an illustration of the securing step for an embodiment of the tubing joint having three splines and connected electrical conductors. 
       FIG. 22  is an illustration of the casing of the present invention with wires and wire connectors. 
       FIG. 23  is an illustration of the aligning step for the plug section and the socket section of the present invention. 
       FIG. 24  is an illustration of the splines and wire connectors of the present invention taken along line  24 - 24  in  FIG. 23   
       FIG. 25  is an illustration of the splines and wire connectors of the present invention taken along line  25 - 25  in  FIG. 23   
       FIG. 26  is an illustration of the three spline embodiment with wire connectors of the present invention. 
       FIG. 27  is an illustration of the plugging step for the plug section and the socket section of the present invention. 
       FIG. 28  is an illustration of the securing step for the plug section and the socket section of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   As used herein, the term “tubing” means production tubing, drill pipe, casing, and/or any other cylindrical pipe that is used to produce hydrocarbons, water, or some other desired product in a subterranean environment and that is adapted to receive the tubing joint described herein. 
   As used herein, the term “tubing joint” collectively refers to the components of the invention that enable two tubing sections to be secured together, and includes a plug assembly and a socket assembly. 
   As used herein the term “plug assembly” shall mean a distal end of a section of tubing having a coupling collar and a plurality of splines. 
   As used herein the term “socket assembly” shall mean a distal end of a section of tubing that is adapted to receive a plug assembly. 
   As used herein the term “spline” means a projection extending outwardly from a first end of a first tubing joint that is adapted for insertion into a receiving recess in the second end of a second tubing joint. 
     FIG. 3  is an illustration of tubing joint  100  without coupling collar  700  (see  FIG. 9 ). Tubing joint  100  comprises socket assembly  120  and plug assembly  160 . Socket assembly  120  comprises coarse threads  122 , receptacle  180 , receptacle spline  182 , and wrench grip  126 . Plug assembly  160  comprises fine threads  162 , spline  170 , and coupling stop flange  166 . Socket assembly  120  and plug assembly  160  may be like those found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,744 (the &#39;744 patent) entitled “Method and Apparatus for Aligning Pipe and Tubing ”, incorporated herein by reference. Typically, socket assembly  120  and plug assembly  160  are manufactured by either casting or forging. While the preferred method of attaching socket assembly  120  and plug assembly  160  to a piece of tubing is welding, those skilled in the art will be aware of other methods of attaching socket assembly  120  and plug assembly  160  to a piece of tubing. Regardless of the method of manufacture and/or attachment, the inside diameter of socket assembly  120 , plug assembly  160 , and the tubing are substantially the same. Spline  170  comprises center spline  172  and a plurality of outer splines  174 . For simplicity of illustrating the invention,  FIGS. 3 through 12A  depict an embodiment having two outer splines  174 . Embodiments with other spline configurations are illustrated in subsequent figures. The improved tubing shown in  FIG. 3  illustrates center spline  172  extending beyond two outer splines  174 . 
   As seen in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 , center spline  172  forms a cylindrical passage that has the same inside diameter as the rest of plug assembly  160 , and outer splines  174  are coaxially symmetric around center spline  172 . The outer splines  174  may be manufactured as a single uniform member with center spline  172 , or manufactured separately and subsequently attached to center spline  172 . Additionally, coupling stop flange  166  and fine threads  162  are depicted in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 . 
     FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate receptacle  180  located within socket assembly  120 . Much like spline  170 , receptacle  180  forms a cylindrical passage having the same inside diameter as the inside wall of socket assembly  120 . The cavity created by receptacle  180  and receptacle spline  182  is shaped such that center spline  172  (not shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) and outer spline  174  (not shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) will intermesh with receptacle  180  and receptacle spline  182  when plug assembly  160  (not shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) and socket assembly  120  are plugged together. Additionally, coarse threads  122  and wrench grip  126  can be seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 9 , coupling collar  700  is seen installed on plug assembly  160  prior to engaging plug assembly  160  with socket assembly  120 . Coupling collar  700  is annular in shape and contains coupling fine threads  702  and coupling coarse threads  704 . Coupling fine threads  702  are configured for screwing engagement with fine threads  162 . Coupling coarse threads  704  are configured for screwing engagement with coarse threads  122 . Coupling collar  700  can only mate up with tubing joint  100  in one orientation because the pitch of coarse threads  122  and fine threads  162  are different. In other words, coupling collar  700  cannot be removed from tubing joint  100 , inverted, and replaced onto tubing joint  100 . Similarly, when engaging coupling fine threads  702  and coupling coarse threads  704  with coarse threads  122  and fine threads  162 , coarse threads  122  and fine threads  162  do not interfere with the threading process of each other. As seen in  FIGS. 4 through 6  coupling stop flange  166  has a larger cross-sectional area than fine threads  162  and acts as a stop for coupling collar  700  so that coupling collar  700  does not go past plug assembly  160 . The outside diameter of coupling collar  700  is sufficiently similar to wrench grip  126  so that when the user is securing socket assembly  120  and plug assembly  160  together, a pipe wrench will fit onto both wrench grip  126  and coupling collar  700  without undue adjustment of the pipe wrench. Coarse threads  122  and coupling coarse threads  704  are tapered so that they may be completely engaged with a minimal amount of rotation after socket assembly  120  and plug assembly  160  have been mated.  FIG. 9  is representative of how plug assembly  160  will be stored, transported, and handled. 
     FIG. 9  also illustrates the relative positioning of plug assembly  160  and socket assembly  120  before engaging tubing joint  100 . Plug assembly  160  may be vertically positioned above socket assembly  120 , as seen in  FIG. 9 , or vice-versa. Tubing joint  100  may also be connected in the horizontal, but the preferred embodiment is to place plug assembly  160  above socket assembly  120 . Proper positioning occurs when center spline  172  is coaxially aligned with receptacle  180 . 
     FIG. 9  is similarly illustrative of the proper alignment between plug assembly  160  and socket assembly  120  before engaging tubing joint  100 . Plug assembly  160  and socket assembly  120  are properly aligned by rotating one or both assemblies of tubing joint  100  such that outer splines  174  are properly aligned with receptacle spline  182 . Because outer splines  174  and receptacle spline  182  are coaxially symmetric and all have the same dimensions, proper alignment can be achieved in a plurality of orientations, wherein the number of orientations depends on the number of outer splines  174 . A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that creating asymmetric splines will yield only one orientation. 
   When plug assembly  160  and socket assembly  120  are properly aligned, plug assembly  160  may be inserted into socket assembly  120 .  FIG. 10  is an illustration of the engaging step in which plug assembly  160  is inserted into socket assembly  120  to complete tubing joint  100 . In the engaging step, plug assembly  160  is lowered onto socket assembly  120  such that center spline  172  properly mates with receptacle  180 . Similarly, in the engaging step, outer spline  174  intermeshes with receptacle spline  182  (not shown in  FIG. 10 ). Coupling collar  700  is backed onto coupling stop flange  166  so that coupling collar  700  does not engage coarse threads  122  in the engaging step described in  FIG. 10 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , center spline  172  is properly mated with receptacle  180  when center spline  172  and outer splines  174  intermesh with receptacle  180  and receptacle spline  182 . Coupling collar  700  then can be lowered onto receptacle assembly  120  (not shown in  FIG. 9 ). 
     FIG. 12  is an illustration of tubing joint  100  secured with coupling collar  700 . After plug assembly  160  and socket assembly  120  are properly mated, they are secured together by screwing coupling collar  700  onto socket assembly  120 . Coupling collar  700  is secured to socket assembly  120  with pipe wrenches (not shown) that grip coupling collar  700 , wrench grip  126  and torque coupling collar  700  until coupling collar  700  is firmly screwed onto socket assembly  120 . The two tubing sections that are joined by tubing joint  100  may then be used in the production process. 
     FIG. 12A  illustrates an embodiment of tubing joint  100  that further comprises conduit  1010  that may contain conductors. Conductors may be wires, electrically conductive material, or material capable of transmitting optical signals. Examples of conduit  1010  are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,274 entitled “Tubing Containing Electrical Wiring Insert,” incorporated herein by reference. ConduIts  1010  may be formed by inserting a plastic tube with one or more grooves to conductors in a groove between the plastic tube and the tubing. Alternatively, conduits  1010  may be formed by running a conductor through the tubing and coating the conductor with a suitable coating such as plastic, glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE), or thermoplastic matrix materials such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) As shown In  FIG. 12A , alignment and continuity of conduits  1010  is ensured by proper orientation and mating of spline  170  with receptacle  180  and by securing tubing joint  100  with coupling collar  700 . Connection  1014  represents a contact connection. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many types of connectors are available for assuring a proper electrical or optical connection between socket assembly  120  and plug assembly  160 , and will be able to select the appropriate type. A more prefcrable way to connect the conductors will be discussed in  FIG. 22 through 28 . 
     FIG. 13  through  FIG. 21  illustrate a three-spline embodiment. The manufacture of the three-spline embodiment is similar to the manufacture of the two-spline embodiment. Likewise, assembling a plurality of tubing sections using a three-spline tubing joint is similar to assembling a plurality of tubing sections using a two-spline tubing joint.  FIG. 17  is an illustration of the alignment step for a three-spline configuration, in which coupling collar  700  is installed on plug assembly  160 .  FIG. 19  illustrates the engaging step for the three-spline configuration, and  FIG. 21  illustrates the securing step for the three-spline configuration. 
     FIG. 21A  illustrates a three-spline configuration of tubing joint  100  that further comprises conduits  1010 , similar to  FIG. 12A . 
   A further advantage of the present invention is that the splines depicted herein allow a plurality of casing sections to be connected together in multiple distinct orientations. These distinct orientations can be described by the amount of rotation required for one casing section to connect with another casing section when one of the casing sections remains stationary. For example, in the two spline embodiment, two casing sections can be connected together in two orientations: 0 degrees and 180 degrees. In the three spline embodiment, two casing sections can be connected together in three orientations: 0 degrees, 120 degrees, and 240 degrees. Similarly, the present invention can be applied to any number of splines desired by the user. 
     FIGS. 22 through 28  illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention in which tubing joint  100  has been adapted for the passage and connection of wire  300 . Alternate plug assembly  360  has conduit  372  adapted for passage of wire  300 . Conduit  372  has outside aperture  370  and inside aperture  374 . Connector  304  is affixed to alternate plug assembly  360  at outside aperture  370  forming a seal between connector  304  and alternate plug assembly  360 . Alternate plug assembly  360  has reduced outside diameter section  378  that creates interior lip  376  allowing wire  300  to exit inside aperture  374  and pass through into the casing interior. Alternate socket assembly  320  has conduit  322  adapted for passage of wire  300 . Conduit  322  has outside aperture  330  and inside aperture  324 . Recess  306  is adapted for receiving connector  304  through alternate socket assembly aperture  332 . Alternate socket assembly  320  has reduced outside diameter section  328  that creates interior lip  326  allowing wire  300  to exit inside aperture  324  and pass through into casing interior  340  and be coated with coating  302 . Coating  302  may be plastic, glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE), or thermoplastic matrix materials such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Moreover, coating  302  may be any suitable material known to persons skilled in the art. 
   Wire  300  should be installed so that the length of wire  300  within casing interior  302  is longer than the distance between alternate plug assembly inside aperture  374  and alternate socket assembly interior aperture  324 . The extra wire length allows for flexing of the casing and for expansion of the casing due to heat. Wire  300  may be encased in epoxy  302  or some similar adhesive used to affix wire  300  to the casing interior. Alternatively, a cylindrical conduit containing wire  300  can be used and adhered to the inner wall of the casing. In other alternative embodiments, non-cylindrical conduits can be used to adhere wire  300  to the inner wall of the casing. Wire  300  contains connector  304  and connector  306  which plug together when a plurality of casing sections are secured together, as seen in  FIG. 23 . The present invention may include a plurality of wires  300 , connectors  304 , and connectors  306  within a single spline/receptacle of the plug/socket assembly depicted herein.  FIGS. 24-26  illustrate different wire configumtions within the present invention. A person of ordinary skill in the art will be able to create additional wire configurations other than those depictcd in  FIGS. 24  though  26 . As seen in  FIGS. 27 and 28 , the present embodiment of the present invention may be aligned, plugged, and secured together with a coupling collar in the fashion as the previous embodiments of the present invention. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art. Moreover, all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5