PIVOT JOINT

• US 20160047191A1
• Filed: 08/18/2015
• Published: 02/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: STACHOWIAK, John Edward Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 10,443,769 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/08 Wipers; Oil savers
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 21/035 placed around the spigot end before connection F16L21/022, F16L21/025 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/08 allowing adjustment or movement only about the axis of one pipe

Abstract

A pivoting member is coupled to the stuffing box to allow the stuffing box to move in a radial direction relative to a wellhead.

Claims

1. A pivot joint, comprising:

a housing;

an adapter at least partially disposed in the housing;

a bore extending through the housing and the adapter;

a compressive member disposed between the adapter and the housing, wherein the compressive member axially separates the adapter from the housing; and

a sealing member disposed between the adapter and the housing.

2. The joint of claim 1, wherein the sealing member is energized radially.

3. The joint of claim 1, further comprising a vent port for fluid communication between the bore and an annular area between the adapter and the housing.

4. The joint of claim 3, wherein the vent port is formed in the adapter.

5. The joint of claim 3, wherein the vent port is formed in the compressive member.

6. The joint of claim 1, wherein the compressive member comprises a spring.

7. The joint of claim 1, wherein the compressive member comprises a cylindrical ring.

8. The joint of claim 1, wherein the adapter is configured to contact the housing at a predetermined compressive force.

9. The joint of claim 8, wherein a contact surface between the adapter and the housing is inclined.

10. The joint of claim 1, further comprising an annular plate for retaining the sealing member in the housing.

11. The joint of claim 10, further comprising an annular ring disposed between the sealing member and the annular plate.

12. The joint of claim 10, further comprising a shield member for blocking particulates from entering an annular area between the annular plate and the adapter.

13. The joint of claim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises two rigid members movable relative to each other along an arcuate surface.

14. The joint of claim 13, further comprising a seal disposed between the two rigid members.

15. The joint of claim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises an o-ring.

17. The joint of claim 1, wherein the sealing member is energized radially.

18. The joint of claim 1, further comprising a vent port for fluid communication between the bore and an annular area between the adapter and the housing.

19. The joint of claim 1, wherein the compressive member comprises a cylindrical ring.

20. The joint of claim 1, wherein the compressive member comprises a spring.

21. The joint of claim 1, wherein the adapter is configured to contact the housing at a predetermined compressive force.

22. The joint of claim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises two rigid members movable relative to each other along an arcuate surface.

23. The joint of claim 1, further comprising an annular plate for retaining the sealing member in the housing.

16. A pivot joint for coupling a stuffing box to a wellhead, comprising:

a housing having a lower end connected to the wellhead;

an adapter at least partially disposed in the housing, wherein an upper end of the adapter is connected to the stuffing box;

a bore extending through the housing and the adapter;

a compressive member disposed between the adapter and the housing, wherein the compressive member axially separates the adapter from the housing; and

a sealing member disposed between the adapter and the housing.