Quick connect system and method for fluid devices

• US 20020195820A1
• Filed: 06/21/2001
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Surjaatmadja, Jim B.
• Granted Patent: US 6,565,129 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/373
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/0861 Arrangements of joints with one another and with pipes or hoses
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/1225 using a retaining member the extremities of which, e.g. in the form of a U, engage behind a shoulder of both parts

Abstract

A quick connect system and method for fluid devices according to which one end portion of a first tubular member is inserted in an end portion of a second tubular in a telescoping relationship. An arcuate clamp extends over the telescoping portions of the tubular members, and a tapered locking surface is formed on at least one of the tubular members and on the clamp. The tubular members move relative to each other in an axial direction in response to fluid pressure therein to move the tapered locking surfaces into engagement to lock the clamp against radial movement relative to the tubular members. A pipe assembly including a first connection system for connecting one end of a first pipe to one end of a second pipe while permitting relative rotation between the pipes, and a second connection system for connecting the other end of the first pipe to a third pipe so that rotation of the first pipe relative to the second pipe causes angular movement of the third pipe.

Claims

1. A quick connect system comprising a first tubular member having an end portion;

a second tubular member having an end portion with a bore that receives the end portion of the first tubular member in a telescoping relation;

at least one of the end portions having a tapered locking surface; and

at least one clamp extending around at least a portion of the telescoping portions of the tubular members, the clamp having at least one tapered locking surface;

the tubular members adapted to move relative to each other in an axial direction in response to fluid pressure therein to move the tapered locking surface of the clamp into engagement with the corresponding tapered surface of the one end portion to lock the clamp against radial movement relative to the tubular members.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the end portions has a tapered locking surface and wherein the clamp has two locking surfaces which engage the respective locking surfaces of the end portions.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein there are two clamps that together extend around the telescoping portions of the tubular members.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein each of the end portions has a tapered locking surface and wherein each clamp has two locking surfaces which engage the respective locking surfaces of the end portions.

5. The system of claim 3 further comprising a retaining member extending around the clamps to retain the clamps against radial movement before the axial movement of the tubular members and the movement of the tapered locking surface of the one end portion.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the end portions of the first and second tubular members each have a reduced diameter portion for receiving the clamp.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of the external surface of the reduced-diameter end portion of the first tubular member is tapered;

and wherein the internal surface of the end portion of the second tubular member defining the bore is tapered so as to receive the tapered end portion of the first tubular member.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the first tubular member and the second tubular member each has a groove formed in its external surface, and wherein the clamp has two spaced internal flanges formed therein which extend in the grooves.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the groove extending in the end portion of the second tubular member defines two opposed shoulders and wherein the locking surface of the second end portion is formed on one of the shoulders.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the locking surface of the clamp is disposed on the wall of its flange facing the latter shoulder of the second end portion.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein an external surface of the end portion of the first tubular member is tapered and wherein the internal surface of the end portion of the second tubular member defining the bore is tapered so as to receive the tapered end portion of the first tubular member.

12. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one seal ring extending between the telescoping portions of the first tubular member and the second tubular member.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein each other end of each tubular member is connected to, or formed integrally with, a flow device for receiving the fluid.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein a tapered locking surface is formed on each of the end portions and wherein two locking surfaces are formed on the at least one clamp which engage the respective locking surfaces of the end portions.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein two clamps are positioned around the telescoping portions of the tubular members.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein a tapered locking surface is formed on each of the end portions and wherein two locking surfaces are formed on the at least one clamp which engage the respective locking surfaces of the end portions.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the tubular members move away from each other in an axial direction in response to predetermined fluid pressure therein.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of forming two grooves in the external surfaces of the first and second tubular members, respectively, and forming two internal flanges on each clamp, the step of positioning comprising inserting the flanges of each clamp in the two grooves, respectively.

20. The method of claim 14 further comprising placing a retaining member around the clamps to retain the clamps against radial movement before the movement of the tubular members and the movement of the tapered locking surfaces.

14. A method of connecting two fluid flow devices, comprising the steps of providing a first tubular member on one of the flow devices, providing a second tubular member on the other flow device, inserting one end portion of the first tubular member into an end portion of the second tubular in a telescoping relationship, positioning at least one arcuate clamp over the telescoping portions of the tubular members, forming a tapered locking surface on at least on of the tubular members, and forming at least one tapered locking surface on the clamp, the tubular members moving relative to each other in an axial direction in response to fluid pressure therein to move the at least one tapered locking surfaces of the clamp into engagement with the tapered locking surface of the at least one of the tubular members to lock the clamp against radial movement relative to the tubular members.

21. A pipe assembly comprising a first pipe, a second pipe and a third pipe, and a first connection system for connecting one end of the first pipe to one end of the second pipe together while permitting relative rotation between the pipes, and a second connection system for connecting the other end of the first pipe to a third pipe so that rotation of the first pipe relative to the second pipe causes angular movement of the third pipe.

22. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the first connecting system quick-detachably connects the one end of the first pipe to the one end of the second pipe, and wherein the second connecting system quick-detachably connects the other end of the first pipe to the third pipe.

23. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the first pipe is L-shaped.

24. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the second quick-connect system permits relative rotation between the first pipe and the third pipe.

25. The assembly of claim 21 further comprising a fourth pipe, and a third quick-connect system for connecting the other end of the second pipe to the fourth pipe while permitting relative rotation between the pipes.

26. The assembly of claims 25 wherein the second pipe is L-shaped.

27. The assembly of claim 25 wherein the third quick-connect system permits relative rotation between the second pipe and the fourth pipe.

28. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the first connecting system comprises a first tubular member connected to the first pipe and having an end portion;

a second tubular member connected to the second pipe and having an end portion with a bore that receives the end portion of the first tubular member in a telescoping relation;

one of the end portions having a tapered locking surface;

at least one clamp extending around at least a portion of the telescoping portions of the tubular members, the clamp having a tapered locking surface;

the tubular members adapted to move relative to each other in an axial direction in response to fluid pressure therein to move the tapered locking surface of the one end portion into engagement with the tapered locking surface of the clamp to lock the clamp against radial movement relative to the tubular members.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the one end of the first pipe is quick-detachably connected to the one end of the second pipe and wherein the other end of the first pipe is quick-detachably connected to the third pipe.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the second step of connecting permits relative rotation between the first pipe and the third pipe.

32. The method of claim 29 further comprising connecting the other end of the second pipe to a fourth pipe while permitting relative rotation between the second pipe and the fourth pipe.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the other end of the fourth pipe is quick-detachably connected to the other end of the fourth pipe.

29. A method for connecting pipes, the method comprising connecting one end of a first pipe to one end of a second pipe while permitting relative rotation between the pipes, and connecting the other end of the first pipe to a third pipe so that rotation of the first pipe relative to the second pipe causes angular movement of the third pipe.