Method for producing sealing surfaces on a tubular member

Abstract

The metal-to-metal sealing system includes a first seal configuration on one member of the connection and a second seal configuration on the other member. Each seal configuration includes an annular groove and an adjacent annular tooth. The annular groove and annular tooth form three frustoconical surfaces with the groove having an annular undercut surface and the annular tooth having an annular shoulder surface. A seal cylindrical surface and a pre-ramp cylindrical surface extend from the mouth of the groove and a frustoconical ramp forms the transition surface between the seal and pre-ramp cylindrical surfaces. Further, at the base of the outer side of the annular tooth, there extends a cylindrical surface along the main body of the member. Upon makeup of the connection, the ramps and seal cylindrical surfaces guide and align the seal configurations. Initially the center frustoconical surfaces interferingly engage. Upon further tightening of the connection, the teeth are funneled into the grooves with the teeth being wider than the width of the grooves causing the other frustoconical surfaces to interferingly engage. Upon final power tightening of the connection, the annular shoulder surface and undercut surfaces engage whereby upon final makeup, up to seven seals are formed. Six of the sealing surfaces on each seal configuration are cut by a single plunge cut of a carbide tool insert.