Cameron International Corporation

Smith International, Inc.

Onesubsea IP UK Limited

Cooper Cameron Corporation

Terry L Shinn

Dennis P Nguyen

Kirk Paul Guidry

Joseph R Wilhelmi

James A Burton

David H Theiss

Christopher George Kocurek

Keith Garbett

Various novel connectors are provided. In one embodiment, the connector includes a collar configured to receive first and second components. In this embodiment, the connector may also include a load ring configured to be received in a groove of the second component and to move into and out of engagement with the collar when the second component is received by the collar. The connector of this illustrative embodiment may also include a cotter configured for installation to the second component and to inhibit disengagement of the load ring from the collar. In some embodiments, engagement of the load ring and the collar effects securing of the first and second components to one another. Other devices, systems, and methods related to connectors are also disclosed.

Connection methods and systems

An annular seal assembly for forming a seal between two annular surfaces. The seal assembly includes an annular base including a sealing surface. The seal assembly also includes a pair of spaced apart rims extending from the annular base opposite the base sealing surface and in opposite directions, the rims also including sealing surfaces. The base is elastically deformable and the rims are elastically deformable relative to the base to effect a self-energized seal between the two annular surfaces.

Self-energizing annular seal

A string of tubular members is suspended in tension from a surface wellhead by suspending the string from a hanger within a bore in the wellhead; supposing a support member on the wellhead; moving the support member into engagement with the hanger; inserting at least one support shoulder on the support member into an annular recess in the hanger; and supporting the tubular members in tension from the support member.

Hanger assembly

A tubing head, tubing head adapter and tubing hanger are sealed against annulus fluid or downhole pressure by an upper and a lower, pressure-energizing sealing assembly. The sealing assemblies are bi-directional, pressure-energizing and operate under working pressures of up to 30,000 psi. Each assembly consists of a metal seal ring made of highly elastic and ductile 316 stainless steel with a yield strength of approximately 30,000 psi, having a frustoconical shape, with the upper and lower tips of the cone enclosing an angle of approximately 28.degree. in the prestressed state. In the axial direction, the seal ring engages a support ring on one end and a tubing hanger shoulder at the other end, both of which form inclines of 30.degree. with the vertical (radial) plane. The support ring and the tubing hanger shoulders are made of materials having yield strengths of 50,000 psi and 75,000 psi, respectively. The preload applied to the seal assemblies is such that the seal ring plastically conforms to the harder surrounding surfaces and assumes a cone taper angle of 30.degree., in conformity with the mating support ring and tubing hanger shoulder. Thereafter, working pressure applied from either axial direction will be resolved along the incline of interacting surfaces into radial components which further enhance the sealing pressure along the inner and outer sealing surfaces. Because of this bidirectional pressure-enhancement, both seal assemblies may be tested through the application of test pressure from one common test port located between the two assemblies.

High-pressure wellhead seal

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Terry L Shinn