Patent ID: 7686342

Claim:
A connection system for a tubular string, comprising: first and second tubular members; a connector sleeve mounted to an end of the second tubular member, the connector sleeve having a connector sleeve axis and being rotatable about the connector sleeve axis relative to the second the tubular member, the connector sleeve being connectable to the first tubular member in response to rotation of the connector sleeve about the connector sleeve axis relative to the first tubular member for securing the tubular members to each other; a curved rack of gear teeth, the rack being engagable with the connector sleeve for causing rotation of the connector sleeve in unison with the rack while the rack is engaged with the connector sleeve, the rack extending less than 180 degrees around the connector sleeve; the rack having a receptacle that extends along a length of the rack from one end to another end of the rack; a power tool that rotates a drive shaft; a gear mounted to the drive shaft in engagement with the gear teeth of the rack to cause the rack to move in a rotational direction about the connector sleeve axis when the drive shaft is rotated, causing the connector sleeve to rotate about the connector sleeve axis relative to the first and second tubular members to secure the first and second tubular members together; a retainer extending from the power tool into the receptacle, the rack being slidable relative to the retainer when the gear rotates; and the rack being detachable from the connector sleeve while the first and second tubular members remain secured together.