Kvaerner Oilfield Products, Inc.

Other

Kvaerner National, Inc.

Charles Edward Jones

Robert Lee Wilkins

Steven Dwayne Gullion

A coupling element having two ends, and outer surface and a longitudinal axis extending between the ends, wherein the first end of the coupling element defines a sealing surface where extends normally to the longitudinal axis and the outer surface of the other end defines a cam follower surface forming an angle on the range of from about 2 to about 10 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis and wherein the second end defines the cam follower surface and the coupling element defines a passage extending from the sealing surface to the outer surface and apparatus comprising the coupling element and valve elements.

Lateral connector for tube assembly

A lateral connector for a tube assembly has a modular unit which can be used to establish a lateral connection through the sidewall of a tubular member positioned around it. The modular unit has a carrier ring, a coupling element, and a carrier body. The coupling element can move radially but not axially. The carrier ring has generally cylindrical inside and outside surfaces. The coupling element is carried by the carrier ring. The coupling element has a longitudinal axis which is generally radially positioned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the carrier ring. The coupling element has an inner end and an outer end and the outer end has a sealing face.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a tubular assembly having a lateral connection. The assembly comprises a spool body, a carrier ring, penetrators, and an urging means. The carrier ring is built to carry the radial penetrator(s) for the carrier body. The carrier ring is mounted in sliding relationship, concentric with the carrier body. The ring is spring loaded down relative to the carrier body, against a stop shoulder (device) there. This fixes or at least stabilizes the ring on the body during running into the spool body or retrieving from the spool body. The carrier ring fits into the spool body and seats on a stop in the spool body. The carrier body also seats in the spool body, but on a different stop. Radially extending penetrators are mounted in radial ports or passages in the carrier ring, and are fixed to control fluid lines which conduct the fluid down into the well. The penetrators can move radially relative to the ring, but not axially. The urging means includes a wedge which is also mounted in the ring, one wedge for each penetrator, a carrier for the ring, and a detent mechanism which establishes cooperation between the penetrator and the carrier. The wedge(s) can move axially relative to the ring, but not radially. Finally, the wedge devices are 'fixed' to the carrier body by a flexible spring detent (or similar). This arrangement links the wedge in downward movement to the carrier body, as the carrier body moves downward in turn relative to the carrier ring (and penetrators).

A lateral connector for a tube assembly has a modular unit which can be used to establish a lateral connection through the sidewall of a tubular member positioned around it. The modular unit has a carrier ring, a coupling element, and a carrier body. The coupling element can move radially but not axially. The carrier ring has generally cylindrical inside and outside surfaces. The coupling element is carried by the carrier ring. The coupling element has a longitudinal axis which is generally radially positioned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the carrier ring. The coupling element has an inner end and an outer end and the outer end has a sealing face. A carrier body having a generally cylindrical outside surface is positioned coaxially inside the carrier ring. The cylindrical outside surface of the carrier body is adjacent to the cylindrical inside surface of the carrier ring. A wedge positioned within a slot and grove arrangement is used to radially move the coupling element in the carrier ring in response to relative longitudinal movement between the carrier ring and the carrier body. A special seal is used to seal the coupling element.

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Humble, TX, United States of America

Charles Edward Jones