EP1957850A1 - Connection assembly for drill collars or heavy drill pipes - Google Patents

Connection assembly for drill collars or heavy drill pipes

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Publication number
EP1957850A1
EP1957850A1 EP06841839A EP06841839A EP1957850A1 EP 1957850 A1 EP1957850 A1 EP 1957850A1 EP 06841839 A EP06841839 A EP 06841839A EP 06841839 A EP06841839 A EP 06841839A EP 1957850 A1 EP1957850 A1 EP 1957850A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
conical
male
assembly
elements
free end
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP06841839A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1957850B1 (en
Inventor
Francois Kessler
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Publication of EP1957850A1 publication Critical patent/EP1957850A1/en
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Publication of EP1957850B1 publication Critical patent/EP1957850B1/en
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Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B17/00Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/02Couplings; joints
    • E21B17/04Couplings; joints between rod or the like and bit or between rod and rod or the like
    • E21B17/042Threaded

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to fittings for tubular or cylindrical elements and more particularly to fittings intended to form a column of elements for drilling wells, in particular oil wells. More specifically, it relates to a connector assembly for drill rods and / or heavy drill rods.
  • a drill string consists, generally, respectively from top to bottom, of four types of elements:
  • drill rods in English: drill pipes
  • drill rods in English: drill collars
  • the drill rods are, by unit, the lightest of these three types of rods. They are generally an assembly by welding of a tube and two fittings (tool attached in English). The drill rods serve as a link between the tool and the surface, they are generally in tensile stress and serve to transmit the torque and the drilling fluid to the tool.
  • the heavy rods have a much larger section than the drill rods and can be in one piece; they are often stressed in flexion and have external bulges on the body (wear pads in English) in order to reduce contact and therefore wear on the walls of the well. They are useful as transition elements between drill rods and drill rods. They considerably reduce the vibrations generated by the cutting of the rock by the tool.
  • the drill sticks have very thick walls (of the order of several inches or several tens of millimeters); they are often machined in a spiral on their external part in order to leave a passage for the drilling fluid between the external surface of the rod mass and the wall of the well, this in order to reduce bonding by differential pressure. They can also receive external machining to facilitate their maneuver or their implementation ("slip and elevator recess" in English). They contribute by their weight to exert a cutting force on the drilling tool and to tension the drilling rods.
  • the aim of the present invention is to connect the lower elements of such a drill string.
  • the gravity acting, in particular, on the heavy rods and mass rods makes it possible to use them in compression in order to apply a force of penetration to the cutting elements of the drilling tool at the lower end of the drilling column.
  • the quantity of heavy rods and mass rods used in a given column depends on the load that one wishes to apply to the drilling end.
  • the elements of the drill string are rotated to give a cutting movement to the drilling tool located at its lower end.
  • the elements of the drill string and in particular the drill rods and the heavy rods are therefore both stressed in compression and in torsion.
  • the rods constituting the drill string are provided with connections at each of their ends making it possible to assemble them to each other, in order to obtain a desired configuration.
  • this type of connection is made using complementary threaded surfaces arranged at the ends of the elements to be assembled, on male and female portions respectively, usually using seals enclosed by two suitable surfaces of said two portions.
  • these are conical threads with a large pitch (several millimeters) in order to facilitate rapid assembly (a fraction of a turn necessary for tightening).
  • API American Petroleum Institute
  • a connector as defined by this standard is composed of a male element comprising a shoulder and an at least partially threaded conical portion extending from this shoulder to the free end of this element and of a complementary female element having a first internal conical surface threaded with the same conicity as the conical surface of the built-up element, but shorter than this, and extended by another smooth internal conical surface with a smaller conicity than said first conical surface.
  • a problem encountered in this technical field and in particular with this type of fittings results from the fact that the elements of the drill string, in particular the drill rods and the heavy rods, have radial dimensions several times less than their longitudinal dimensions (typically, for a heavy rod: 900cm in length for a diameter of 25cm).
  • the diameter of the boreholes in which the heavy rods and the drill rods are used is much greater than their own diameter. In general, the diameter of such a borehole is 17 Vz inches (about 44.5 cm).
  • these columns of drilling elements are naturally stressed to deform in buckling in the drilled hole.
  • This buckling results locally in bending forces, in particular at the level of the connections between the elements constituting the column.
  • these connections constitute geometric discontinuities, (in particular due to the reductions in section) relative to the rest of the column; they are therefore, in the event of buckling of the latter, the place of stress concentrations, that consequently significant risks of rupture at this level.
  • the torsional forces combined with repeated bending forces at the connections typically lead to fatigue failure problems caused mainly by stress concentrations on the female element, in particular on the circle forming the boundary between said two conical interior surfaces. It has been found, in practice, that ruptures caused by fatigue phenomena take place along this circle, portions of which are sometimes stressed in compression, sometimes in tension according to the random angular orientation of the buckling of the column.
  • the present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks and relates to a connection assembly for drilling elements, which best meets the API Specification 7 standard but which makes it possible to withstand high internal stresses, resulting from torsional, compression and buckling forces. of the drill string, and thus avoid the rupture of elements of the fitting, in particular by fatigue phenomenon. More particularly, it aims to reduce the maximum value of the local stresses observed at the connection.
  • a male connector element having substantially a shape of revolution about a longitudinal axis and which comprises in its longitudinal direction respectively:
  • a substantially cylindrical female connector element complementary to said male connector element, and which comprises:
  • a radial portion forming a bearing face for said shoulder of the first element and, longitudinally, coaxially and respectively, from this portion, an at least partially threaded conical inner surface complementary to the at least partially threaded conical surface of the male element,
  • said two connecting elements being intended to be assembled into one another by screwing on several turns of the threads, characterized in that the male connecting element comprises, in addition, between said second portion and its free end, a third portion of conical surface less than that of the second conical surface portion, and dimensioned with respect to said cylindrical inner surface so that there is a clearance thanks to which, during a stress in bending of the assembly, these two surfaces respectively come into abutment.
  • the present invention makes it possible to reduce the stresses observed at the level of the connections, resulting in particular from the buckling of the elements, and thus to increase the resistance to rupture by fatigue at the level of the connections.
  • the female element takes up the standard dimensions defined by the API Specification 7 standard and the male element is the only element of the connector assembly to be modified while being compatible with standard female elements according to this standard.
  • the invention further provides a male connector element for heavy rods or drill rod drills intended to cooperate with a female element and having substantially a shape of revolution around a longitudinal axis and which comprises in its longitudinal direction respectively:
  • the male connector element further comprises, between said second portion and its free end, a third portion of conical surface less than that of the second portion of conical surface.
  • the tubular elements described by this document are not actual drilling equipment. They are used almost statically during the exploitation of a drilled hole, and are not subjected to torsional and compression forces that are encountered in drilling equipment. These elements are only subjected to tensile forces exerted by their own weight. The role of the connections between these elements is limited to ensuring the seal between said elements and the external environment. The mechanical stresses which apply to these casing elements are therefore completely different from those of the present invention.
  • the main problem is to guide the thread when assembling two elements so as not to damage it during screwing.
  • connections between drill pipes, object of the present invention generally do not pose a screwing problem, and do not require guide elements.
  • the present invention aims to reduce, at the connections between drilling elements, the concentration of stresses generated by the buckling resulting from the compression / twisting forces acting on the column.
  • the male element has a groove disposed between said second portion and said third portion, such that, when said two elements are assembled, and when said shoulder is in abutment against the radial bearing face, the geometric limit between said conical inner surface and said cylindrical inner surface is included in the space formed by said groove;
  • the third surface portion of the male element forming a bearing is substantially cylindrical
  • the third portion has a longitudinal dimension at most equal to 2/3 of the longitudinal dimension of the second portion
  • the third portion has a longitudinal dimension between 10% and 50% of its diameter
  • the groove has a radius of curvature between ⁇ A and 3 inches, or approximately between 12 millimeters and 76 millimeters depending on the diameter of the fittings.
  • the present invention proposes to distribute the stresses on either side of the limit between the two surfaces, without stressing this critical area directly by mechanical contact.
  • the invention proposes to distribute the forces resulting from this bending over a higher contact surface between the two elements constituting the connector, and therefore to reduce the value of the maximum stresses observed. (the constraint being by definition a force per unit of surface).
  • Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional female element in itself, in accordance with the API standard.
  • FIG. 2 is a view in longitudinal section of a built-up element according to the invention
  • Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the two aforementioned elements in the assembled state according to the invention.
  • a connector assembly 100 is composed of a maie element 300 and a female element 200 assembled. These two elements are respectively visible in isolation in FIGS. 2 and 1.
  • the male connector element 300 has a shape of revolution and comprises in its longitudinal direction a first substantially cylindrical portion 302 shaped at one of its shoulder ends 301, and intended, at its opposite end, to cooperate with a column element of drilling (not shown), a conical portion 310 provided with a thread 311, a groove 320 being provided between said substantially cylindrical portion 302 shaped as a shoulder 301 and the conical portion 310, and a substantially cylindrical portion 330 forming the end of the element 300, and connected to the conical portion 310 by a groove 340.
  • This groove advantageously has a radius of curvature between ⁇ A and 3 inches depending on the diameters of the fittings, that is to say between approximately 12 millimeters and 76 millimeters.
  • connection element 300 is pierced at the end intended to cooperate with a column element of a substantially cylindrical bore 350 terminated by a conical portion 360 widening to open at the opposite end of the connection element 300 .
  • the female connector element 200 also opens out and has a substantially cylindrical external shape, and, at its end opposite the end intended to cooperate with a drill string element (not shown), a radial face 201 forming face d support for cooperating with said shoulder 301, and, in the longitudinal direction, coaxially respectively, a portion of conical inner surface 210 partially provided with a thread 211 complementary to the conical surface 310 provided with the thread 311, a substantially cylindrical interior surface portion 220 intended to cooperate with the cylindrical portion 330 in free adjustment and preferably just sliding, a conical interior surface portion 230 of the same conicity as the portion 210 , an inner surface portion 240 of substantially higher taper than the portion 210, and a cylindrical surface portion 250 opening at the end intended to cooperate with a drill string element (not shown).
  • the groove 340 is located between the conical surface 210 and the cylindrical surface 220, substantially opposite the circle 260 forming the boundary between these two surfaces.
  • grooves 320 and 340 can be used for engaging and disengaging a cutting tool used for machining the thread 311 of the part 310 that they frame.
  • the thread 311 can, however, be produced by any other method.
  • the two grooves can also serve as relaxation grooves for pressurized fluids in order to contribute to the tightness of the assembly.
  • these two grooves can receive seals (not shown), for example O-rings, in order to improve the tightness of the connector.
  • a groove (not shown) can be machined in the bearing 330 in order to accommodate a seal sealing, for example an O-ring, always with a view to improving the sealing of the assembly, in particular during an erupting drilling, for example.
  • a seal sealing for example an O-ring
  • the bearing 330 can be not cylindrical but slightly conical (with a taper less than that of the threaded portions), at least partially, at its free end, to facilitate linear contact with bearing 220 in the event of bending of the assembly , and ensure better distribution
  • the elements advantageously have the following dimensions, given by way of example (for an NC50 type connection according to the API standard):
  • maximum internal diameter of the portion 210 approximately 153 millimeters
  • total length of the conical portion 210 approximately 114 millimeters; threaded length of the conical portion 210: about 98 millimeters; length of the cylindrical portion 220: approximately 51 millimeters; - internal diameter of the cylindrical portion 220: approximately 134 millimeters;
  • maximum outside diameter of the conical portion 310 approximately 154 millimeters
  • minimum throat diameter 340 approximately 128 millimeters
  • maximum width of the groove 340 approximately 20 millimeters

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Bulkheads Adapted To Foundation Construction (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection assembly (100) for drill collars or heavy drill pipes comprising: a male connection element which comprises, in its longitudinal direction, an at least partially threaded conical surface portion which tapers from the first portion towards its free end; a female connection element which comprises an at least partially threaded conical inner surface and a cylindrical inner surface (220), said two connection elements being complementary so that one can be assembled in the other by screwing, characterized in that the male connection element additionally comprises, between its free end and said conical surface portion, another surface portion whose conicity is less than that of said surface portion and which is dimensioned with respect to said cylindrical inner surface (220) such that there is a clearance by virtue of which these two surfaces bear one against the other when the assembly is subjected to a bending stress.

Description

Ensemble à raccord pour masse-tiges ou tiges lourdes de forage  Connection set for drill rods or heavy drill rods
La présente invention concerne des raccords pour éléments tubulaires ou cylindriques et plus particulièrement des raccords destinés à former une colonne d'éléments pour le forage de puits, notamment de puits de pétrole. Elle concerne plus précisément un ensemble à raccord pour masse-tiges et/ou tiges lourdes de forage. The present invention relates to fittings for tubular or cylindrical elements and more particularly to fittings intended to form a column of elements for drilling wells, in particular oil wells. More specifically, it relates to a connector assembly for drill rods and / or heavy drill rods.
Lors du forage d'un puits dans le sol, il est nécessaire de raccorder des portions de conduits tubulaires ou autres éléments cylindriques de manière à former une colonne ou un train d'éléments permettant d'atteindre la profondeur désirée. Dans le domaine du forage pétrolier, visant l'extraction d'hydrocarbures liquides ou gazeux, il est fondamental que ces raccords garantissent, au niveau des assemblages des éléments, notamment résistance structurelle et tenue en pression.  When drilling a well in the ground, it is necessary to connect portions of tubular conduits or other cylindrical elements so as to form a column or a train of elements making it possible to reach the desired depth. In the field of oil drilling, aimed at the extraction of liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons, it is fundamental that these connections guarantee, at the level of the assemblies of the elements, in particular structural resistance and resistance to pressure.
Une colonne de forage est constituée, généralement, respectivement de haut en bas, de quatre types d'éléments :  A drill string consists, generally, respectively from top to bottom, of four types of elements:
tiges de forage (en Anglais : drill pipes)  drill rods (in English: drill pipes)
- tiges lourdes (en Anglais : heavy weight drill pipes)  - heavy rods (in English: heavy weight drill pipes)
masse tiges (en Anglais : drill collars)  drill rods (in English: drill collars)
outil de forage.  drilling tool.
Ces trois types de tiges sont percés axialement de part en part afin de fournir un passage pour les fluides à extraire ou à injecter lors du forage.  These three types of rods are drilled axially right through to provide a passage for the fluids to be extracted or injected during drilling.
Ces différents types de tiges se distinguent principalement par le fait que :  These different types of rods are mainly distinguished by the fact that:
les tiges de forage, sont, à l'unité, les plus légères de ces trois types de tiges. Elles sont généralement un assemblage par soudure d'un tube et de deux raccords (tool joint en Anglais). Les tiges de forage servent de lien entre l'outil et la surface, elles sont généralement en sollicitées en traction et servent à transmettre le couple de rotation et le fluide de forage vers l'outil.  the drill rods are, by unit, the lightest of these three types of rods. They are generally an assembly by welding of a tube and two fittings (tool attached in English). The drill rods serve as a link between the tool and the surface, they are generally in tensile stress and serve to transmit the torque and the drilling fluid to the tool.
les tiges lourdes ont une section beaucoup plus importante que les tiges de forage et peuvent être monobloc ; elles sont souvent sollicitées en flexion et ont des renflements extérieurs sur le corps (wear pads en Anglais) afin de réduire les contacts et donc l'usure sur les parois du puits. Elles sont utiles comme éléments de transition entre les masses tiges et les tiges de forage. Elles diminuent considérablement les vibrations générées par la coupe de la roche par l'outil. the heavy rods have a much larger section than the drill rods and can be in one piece; they are often stressed in flexion and have external bulges on the body (wear pads in English) in order to reduce contact and therefore wear on the walls of the well. They are useful as transition elements between drill rods and drill rods. They considerably reduce the vibrations generated by the cutting of the rock by the tool.
les masse-tiges ont des parois très épaisses (de l'ordre de plusieurs pouces soit plusieurs dizaines de millimètres) ; elles sont souvent usinées en spirale sur leur partie extérieure afin de laisser un passage pour le fluide de forage entre la surface extérieure de la masse tige et la paroi du puits, ceci afin de réduire les collages par pression différentielle. Elles peuvent aussi recevoir des usinages extérieurs pour faciliter leur manœuvre ou leur mise en œuvre (« slip and elevator recess » en anglais). Elles contribuent par leur poids à exercer un effort de coupe sur l'outil de forage et à mettre en tension les tiges de forage.  the drill sticks have very thick walls (of the order of several inches or several tens of millimeters); they are often machined in a spiral on their external part in order to leave a passage for the drilling fluid between the external surface of the rod mass and the wall of the well, this in order to reduce bonding by differential pressure. They can also receive external machining to facilitate their maneuver or their implementation ("slip and elevator recess" in English). They contribute by their weight to exert a cutting force on the drilling tool and to tension the drilling rods.
L'ensemble des tiges lourdes, des masse-tiges et de l'outil de forage est parfois appelé (en anglais) « Bottom HoIe Assembly ».  The set of heavy rods, drill rods and the drilling tool is sometimes called (in English) "Bottom HoIe Assembly".
C'est le raccordement des éléments inférieurs d'une telle colonne de forage que vise la présente invention.  The aim of the present invention is to connect the lower elements of such a drill string.
La gravité agissant, notamment, sur les tiges lourdes et masse tiges permet de les utiliser en compression afin d'appliquer une force de pénétration aux éléments coupants de l'outil de forage à l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne de forage. La quantité des tiges lourdes et masse tiges utilisées dans une colonne donnée dépend de la charge que l'on souhaite appliquer à l'extrémité de forage. De plus, les éléments de la colonne de forage sont entraînés en rotation afin de donner un mouvement de coupe à l'outil de forage situé à son extrémité inférieure.  The gravity acting, in particular, on the heavy rods and mass rods makes it possible to use them in compression in order to apply a force of penetration to the cutting elements of the drilling tool at the lower end of the drilling column. The quantity of heavy rods and mass rods used in a given column depends on the load that one wishes to apply to the drilling end. In addition, the elements of the drill string are rotated to give a cutting movement to the drilling tool located at its lower end.
Les éléments de la colonne de forage et notamment les masse tiges et les tiges lourdes sont donc, à la fois, sollicités en compression et en torsion.  The elements of the drill string and in particular the drill rods and the heavy rods are therefore both stressed in compression and in torsion.
Les tiges constituant la colonne de forage sont pourvues de raccords à chacune de leurs extrémités permettant de les assembler les unes aux autres, afin d'obtenir une configuration souhaitée.  The rods constituting the drill string are provided with connections at each of their ends making it possible to assemble them to each other, in order to obtain a desired configuration.
Habituellement, ce type de raccord est réalisé à l'aide de surfaces filetées complémentaires disposées aux extrémités des éléments à assembler, sur des portions respectivement mâles et femelles, utilisant, habituellement, des joints d'étanchéité enserrés par deux surfaces appropriées desdites deux portions. En général, il s'agit de filetages coniques ayant un pas important (plusieurs millimètres) afin de faciliter un assemblage rapide (une fraction de tour nécessaire pour le serrage). Usually, this type of connection is made using complementary threaded surfaces arranged at the ends of the elements to be assembled, on male and female portions respectively, usually using seals enclosed by two suitable surfaces of said two portions. In general, these are conical threads with a large pitch (several millimeters) in order to facilitate rapid assembly (a fraction of a turn necessary for tightening).
De tels raccords à filetage conique pour éléments de forage pétrolier ont étés normalisés dans la norme API Spécification 7 considérée ici à titre de référence (API : American Petroleum Institute).  Such tapered thread fittings for oil drilling elements have been standardized in API Specification 7 considered here for reference (API: American Petroleum Institute).
Un raccord tel que défini par cette norme est composé d'un élément mâle comportant un épaulement et une portion conique au moins partiellement filetée s'étendant depuis cet épaulement jusqu'à l'extrémité libre de cet élément et d'un élément femelle complémentaire ayant une première surface intérieure conique filetée de même conicité que la surface conique de l'élément maie, mais plus courte que celle -ci, et prolongée par une autre surface conique intérieure lisse de conicité plus faible que ladite première surface conique.  A connector as defined by this standard is composed of a male element comprising a shoulder and an at least partially threaded conical portion extending from this shoulder to the free end of this element and of a complementary female element having a first internal conical surface threaded with the same conicity as the conical surface of the built-up element, but shorter than this, and extended by another smooth internal conical surface with a smaller conicity than said first conical surface.
Un problème rencontré dans ce domaine technique et en particulier avec ce type de raccords résulte du fait que les éléments de la colonne de forage, notamment les masse tiges et les tiges lourdes, ont des dimensions radiales plusieurs fois inférieures à leurs dimensions longitudinales (typiquement, pour une tige lourde : 900cm de longueur pour un diamètre de 25cm). De plus, le diamètre des trous de forage dans lequel sont mises en œuvre les tiges lourdes et les masse tiges est largement supérieur à leur diamètre propre. En général, le diamètre d'un tel trou de forage est de 17 Vz pouces (soit environ 44,5cm).  A problem encountered in this technical field and in particular with this type of fittings results from the fact that the elements of the drill string, in particular the drill rods and the heavy rods, have radial dimensions several times less than their longitudinal dimensions (typically, for a heavy rod: 900cm in length for a diameter of 25cm). In addition, the diameter of the boreholes in which the heavy rods and the drill rods are used is much greater than their own diameter. In general, the diameter of such a borehole is 17 Vz inches (about 44.5 cm).
Par conséquent, étant soumises à des contraintes en compression, ces colonnes d'éléments de forage sont naturellement sollicitées à se déformer en flambage dans le trou foré. Ce flambage se traduit localement par des efforts de flexion, notamment au niveau des raccords entre les éléments constituant la colonne. En pratique, ces raccords constituent des discontinuités géométriques, (notamment en raison des réductions de section) par rapport au reste de la colonne ; ils sont donc, en cas de flambage de celle-ci, le lieu de concentrations de contraintes, que par conséquent des risques importants de rupture à ce niveau.  Consequently, being subjected to compressive stresses, these columns of drilling elements are naturally stressed to deform in buckling in the drilled hole. This buckling results locally in bending forces, in particular at the level of the connections between the elements constituting the column. In practice, these connections constitute geometric discontinuities, (in particular due to the reductions in section) relative to the rest of the column; they are therefore, in the event of buckling of the latter, the place of stress concentrations, that consequently significant risks of rupture at this level.
Notamment, les efforts de torsion combinés à des efforts de flexion répétés au niveau des raccords entraînent typiquement des problèmes de rupture par fatigue causés principalement par des concentrations de contraintes sur l'élément femelle, notamment sur le cercle formant limite entre lesdites deux surfaces intérieures coniques. Il a été constaté, dans la pratique, que des ruptures causées par des phénomènes de fatigue avaient lieu le long de ce cercle, dont des portions sont sollicitées tantôt en compression, tantôt en traction selon l'orientation angulaire aléatoire du flambage de la colonne. In particular, the torsional forces combined with repeated bending forces at the connections typically lead to fatigue failure problems caused mainly by stress concentrations on the female element, in particular on the circle forming the boundary between said two conical interior surfaces. It has been found, in practice, that ruptures caused by fatigue phenomena take place along this circle, portions of which are sometimes stressed in compression, sometimes in tension according to the random angular orientation of the buckling of the column.
La présente invention vise à pallier ces inconvénients et a pour objet un ensemble à raccord pour éléments de forage, répondant au mieux à la norme API Spécification 7 mais permettant de résister à des contraintes internes élevées, résultant des efforts de torsion, compression et du flambage de la colonne de forage, et éviter ainsi la rupture d'éléments du raccord, notamment par phénomène de fatigue. Plus particulièrement, elle vise à réduire la valeur maximale des contraintes locales observées au niveau du raccord.  The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks and relates to a connection assembly for drilling elements, which best meets the API Specification 7 standard but which makes it possible to withstand high internal stresses, resulting from torsional, compression and buckling forces. of the drill string, and thus avoid the rupture of elements of the fitting, in particular by fatigue phenomenon. More particularly, it aims to reduce the maximum value of the local stresses observed at the connection.
Elle propose à cet effet un ensemble à raccord pour tiges lourdes ou masse-tiges de forage comprenant :  To this end, it offers a connector assembly for heavy rods or drill rods comprising:
- un élément de raccord mâle ayant sensiblement une forme de révolution autour d'un axe longitudinal et qui comporte dans son sens longitudinal respectivement :  a male connector element having substantially a shape of revolution about a longitudinal axis and which comprises in its longitudinal direction respectively:
une première portion sensiblement cylindrique formant épaulement à une de ses extrémités,  a first substantially cylindrical portion forming a shoulder at one of its ends,
- une seconde portion de surface conique au moins partiellement filetée et s'effilant à partir de la première portion vers l'extrémité libre de l'élément  - a second portion of conical surface at least partially threaded and tapering from the first portion towards the free end of the element
- un élément de raccord femelle sensiblement cylindrique, complémentaire dudit élément de raccord mâle, et qui comporte :  a substantially cylindrical female connector element, complementary to said male connector element, and which comprises:
- une portion radiale formant une face d'appui pour ledit épaulement du premier élément et, longitudinalement, coaxialement et respectivement, à partir de cette portion, une surface intérieure conique au moins partiellement filetée complémentaire de la surface conique au moins partiellement filetée de l'élément mâle,  a radial portion forming a bearing face for said shoulder of the first element and, longitudinally, coaxially and respectively, from this portion, an at least partially threaded conical inner surface complementary to the at least partially threaded conical surface of the male element,
une surface intérieure cylindrique  a cylindrical inner surface
lesdits deux éléments de raccord étant destinés à être assemblés l'un dans l'autre par vissage sur plusieurs tours des filetages, caractérisé en ce que l'élément de raccord mâle comporte, en outre, entre ladite deuxième portion et son extrémité libre, une troisième portion de surface de conicité inférieure à celle de la seconde portion de surface conique, et dimensionnée par rapport à ladite surface intérieure cylindrique de manière à ce qu'il existe un jeu grâce à quoi, lors d'une sollicitation en flexion de l'ensemble, ces deux surfaces entrent respectivement en appui. said two connecting elements being intended to be assembled into one another by screwing on several turns of the threads, characterized in that the male connecting element comprises, in addition, between said second portion and its free end, a third portion of conical surface less than that of the second conical surface portion, and dimensioned with respect to said cylindrical inner surface so that there is a clearance thanks to which, during a stress in bending of the assembly, these two surfaces respectively come into abutment.
Ainsi, la présente invention permet de réduire les contraintes observées au niveau des raccords, résultant notamment du flambage des éléments, et d'augmenter ainsi la résistance à la rupture par fatigue au niveau des raccords.  Thus, the present invention makes it possible to reduce the stresses observed at the level of the connections, resulting in particular from the buckling of the elements, and thus to increase the resistance to rupture by fatigue at the level of the connections.
De manière préférée, l'élément femelle reprend les dimensions standard définies par la norme API Spécification 7 et l'élément mâle est le seul élément de l'ensemble à raccord à être modifié tout en étant compatible avec des éléments femelle standard selon cette norme.  Preferably, the female element takes up the standard dimensions defined by the API Specification 7 standard and the male element is the only element of the connector assembly to be modified while being compatible with standard female elements according to this standard.
C'est ainsi que l'invention propose en outre un élément de raccord mâle pour tiges lourdes ou masse-tiges de forage destiné à coopérer avec un élément femelle et ayant sensiblement une forme de révolution autour d'un axe longitudinal et qui comporte dans son sens longitudinal respectivement :  Thus, the invention further provides a male connector element for heavy rods or drill rod drills intended to cooperate with a female element and having substantially a shape of revolution around a longitudinal axis and which comprises in its longitudinal direction respectively:
une première portion sensiblement cylindrique formant épaulement à une de ses extrémités,  a first substantially cylindrical portion forming a shoulder at one of its ends,
une seconde portion de surface conique au moins partiellement filetée et s'effilant à partir de la première portion vers l'extrémité libre de l'élément,  a second portion of conical surface at least partially threaded and tapering from the first portion towards the free end of the element,
caractérisé en ce que l'élément de raccord mâle comporte, en outre, entre ladite deuxième portion et son extrémité libre, une troisième portion de surface de conicité inférieure à celle de la seconde portion de surface conique.  characterized in that the male connector element further comprises, between said second portion and its free end, a third portion of conical surface less than that of the second portion of conical surface.
En fait, il a déjà été proposé par le document FR-2 508 970 d'utiliser des portées cylindriques de guidage sur chacun des éléments à assembler, de part et d'autre des portions coniques filetées, lesdites portées étant dimensionnées de manière à ce qu'elles soient emboîtées les unes dans les autres avant que les filetages n'entrent en prise, dans l'objectif d'assurer un alignement correct de ceux- ci préalablement au vissage, pour éviter tout endommagement des filets. Mais ce document se place dans un domaine très différent de celui du forage pétrolier puisqu'il se situe dans le domaine du tubage de surface, notamment en mer.  In fact, it has already been proposed by document FR-2 508 970 to use cylindrical guide bearing surfaces on each of the elements to be assembled, on either side of the threaded conical portions, said bearing surfaces being dimensioned so that that they are nested one inside the other before the threads come into engagement, with the objective of ensuring a correct alignment of these prior to screwing, to avoid any damage to the threads. However, this document is in a field very different from that of oil drilling since it is located in the field of surface casing, especially at sea.
Les éléments tubulaires décrits par ce document ne sont pas du matériel de forage proprement dit. Ils sont utilisés de manière quasi-statique lors de l'exploitation d'un trou foré, et ne sont pas soumis à des efforts de torsion et compression que l'on rencontre dans le matériel de forage. Ces éléments sont uniquement soumis à des efforts de traction exercés par leur propre poids. Le rôle des raccords entre ces éléments se limite à assurer l'étanchéité entre lesdits éléments et le milieu extérieur. Les contraintes mécaniques qui s'appliquent à ces éléments de tubage sont donc totalement différentes de celles de la présente invention. De plus, sur le type de tubages décrits par le document FR 2 508 970, le principal problème est de guider le filetage lors de l'assemblage de deux éléments afin de ne pas l'endommager lors du vissage. The tubular elements described by this document are not actual drilling equipment. They are used almost statically during the exploitation of a drilled hole, and are not subjected to torsional and compression forces that are encountered in drilling equipment. These elements are only subjected to tensile forces exerted by their own weight. The role of the connections between these elements is limited to ensuring the seal between said elements and the external environment. The mechanical stresses which apply to these casing elements are therefore completely different from those of the present invention. In addition, on the type of casing described in document FR 2 508 970, the main problem is to guide the thread when assembling two elements so as not to damage it during screwing.
A contrario, les connections entre tiges de forage, objet de la présente invention, ne posent généralement pas de problème de vissage, et ne nécessitent pas d'éléments de guidage.  Conversely, the connections between drill pipes, object of the present invention, generally do not pose a screwing problem, and do not require guide elements.
Or, la présente invention vise à réduire, au niveau des raccords entre éléments de forage, la concentration de contraintes générées par le flambage résultant des efforts de compression/torsion agissant sur la colonne.  However, the present invention aims to reduce, at the connections between drilling elements, the concentration of stresses generated by the buckling resulting from the compression / twisting forces acting on the column.
Il résulte de ce qui précède, que l'homme de métier cherchant à améliorer les raccords pour éléments de forage n'a a priori aucune raison de faire appel aux connaissances du domaine technique diamétralement opposé des raccords pour tubages pour extraction, d'autant que les normes applicables au forage sont très strictes et dissuadent en pratique l'homme de métier de chercher à les retoucher.  It follows from the above, that a person skilled in the art seeking to improve the fittings for drilling elements has a priori no reason to call on the knowledge of the diametrically opposite technical field of fittings for casings for extraction, especially as the standards applicable to drilling are very strict and dissuade in practice the person skilled in the art from seeking to retouch them.
On connaît du document US 5 908 212 A un raccord d'outil à haute résistance au couple, à deux épaulements, impliquant la venue en butée d'épaulements situés de part et d'autre de la zone filetée respectivement sur la portion mâle et femelle, ce qui exclut toute possibilité de consommation du jeu entre le nez de l'élément mâle et la surface interne de l'élément femelle correspondante. Ainsi, un tel raccord d'outil est incapable de résoudre le problème de la réduction de la valeur maximale des contraintes locales observées au niveau du raccord.  Document US Pat. No. 5,908,212 has a tool connection with high torque resistance, with two shoulders, implying the abutment of shoulders situated on either side of the threaded zone respectively on the male and female portion. , which excludes any possibility of consumption of the clearance between the nose of the male element and the internal surface of the corresponding female element. Thus, such a tool fitting is unable to solve the problem of reducing the maximum value of the local stresses observed at the fitting.
Il en va de même pour le document WO 2005/095840 A1, qui décrit un joint d'outil à haute résistance au couple, à double épaulement, ce qui exclut également toute possibilité de consommation du jeu, pour les mêmes raisons.  The same goes for document WO 2005/095840 A1, which describes a tool seal with high torque resistance, with double shoulder, which also excludes any possibility of consumption of the clearance, for the same reasons.
Selon des caractéristiques avantageuses de l'invention, éventuellement combinées : l'élément mâle comporte une gorge disposée entre ladite seconde portion et ladite troisième portion, de telle manière que, lorsque lesdits deux éléments sont assemblés, et lorsque ledit épaulement se trouve en butée contre la face d'appui radiale, la limite géométrique entre ladite surface intérieure conique et ladite surface intérieure cylindrique se trouve comprise dans l'espace formé par ladite gorge ; According to advantageous characteristics of the invention, possibly combined: the male element has a groove disposed between said second portion and said third portion, such that, when said two elements are assembled, and when said shoulder is in abutment against the radial bearing face, the geometric limit between said conical inner surface and said cylindrical inner surface is included in the space formed by said groove;
- la troisième portion de surface de l'élément mâle formant portée est sensiblement cylindrique ;  - The third surface portion of the male element forming a bearing is substantially cylindrical;
- ladite portion est partiellement conique à son extrémité libre ;  - Said portion is partially conical at its free end;
- ladite conicité est inférieure à celle de la seconde portion conique au moins partiellement filetée ;  - Said taper is less than that of the second conical portion at least partially threaded;
- la troisième portion a une dimension longitudinale au plus égale aux 2/3 de la dimension longitudinale de la seconde portion ;  the third portion has a longitudinal dimension at most equal to 2/3 of the longitudinal dimension of the second portion;
- la troisième portion a une dimension longitudinale comprise entre 10 % et 50 % de son diamètre ;  - The third portion has a longitudinal dimension between 10% and 50% of its diameter;
- la gorge a un rayon de courbure compris entre ΛA et 3 pouces soit environ entre 12 millimètres et 76 millimètres suivant le diamètre des raccords. - the groove has a radius of curvature between Λ A and 3 inches, or approximately between 12 millimeters and 76 millimeters depending on the diameter of the fittings.
- les deux éléments sont axialement percés et débouchants. Ainsi, la présente invention propose de répartir les contraintes de part et d'autre de la limite entre les deux surfaces, sans solliciter cette zone critique directement par contact mécanique.  - the two elements are axially drilled and through. Thus, the present invention proposes to distribute the stresses on either side of the limit between the two surfaces, without stressing this critical area directly by mechanical contact.
En d'autres termes, pour une même flexion du raccord, l'invention propose de répartir les efforts résultant de cette flexion sur une surface de contact plus élevée entre les deux éléments constituant le raccord, et donc de réduire la valeur des contraintes maximales observées (la contrainte étant par définition une force par unité de surface).  In other words, for the same bending of the connector, the invention proposes to distribute the forces resulting from this bending over a higher contact surface between the two elements constituting the connector, and therefore to reduce the value of the maximum stresses observed. (the constraint being by definition a force per unit of surface).
De plus, le fait d'ajouter une portée faiblement conique, voire cylindrique, au-delà de cette zone critique, permet de déplacer une partie des efforts sur une surface plus éloignée de l'extrémité libre de l'élément femelle vers une portion de cet élément femelle où les parois ont une section plus importante leur permettant de mieux résister aux sollicitations mécaniques. Les caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention ressortiront de la description qui suit, donnée à titre illustratif et nullement limitatif, en regard aux dessins annexés sur lesquels : In addition, the fact of adding a slightly conical, or even cylindrical, range beyond this critical zone, makes it possible to move part of the forces on a surface more distant from the free end of the female element towards a portion of this female element where the walls have a larger section allowing them to better resist mechanical stresses. The characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, given by way of illustration and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings in which:
La figure 1 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un élément femelle classique en soi, conforme à la norme API.  Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional female element in itself, in accordance with the API standard.
La figure 2 est vue en coupe longitudinale d'un élément maie selon l'invention,  FIG. 2 is a view in longitudinal section of a built-up element according to the invention,
La figure 3 est une vue en coupe longitudinale des deux éléments précités à l'état assemblé selon l'invention.  Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the two aforementioned elements in the assembled state according to the invention.
Comme visible en figure 3, un ensemble à raccord 100 selon l'invention est composé d'un élément maie 300 et d'un élément femelle 200 assemblés. Ces deux éléments sont respectivement visibles isolément en figures 2 et 1.  As can be seen in FIG. 3, a connector assembly 100 according to the invention is composed of a maie element 300 and a female element 200 assembled. These two elements are respectively visible in isolation in FIGS. 2 and 1.
L'élément de raccord mâle 300 présente une forme de révolution et comporte dans son sens longitudinal une première portion 302 sensiblement cylindrique conformée à une de ses extrémités en épaulement 301, et destinée, à son extrémité opposée, à coopérer avec un élément de colonne de forage (non représenté), une portion conique 310 pourvue d'un filetage 311 , une gorge 320 étant prévue entre ladite portion sensiblement cylindrique 302 conformée en épaulement 301 et la portion conique 310, et une portion sensiblement cylindrique 330 formant extrémité de l'élément 300, et raccordée à la portion conique 310 par une gorge 340.  The male connector element 300 has a shape of revolution and comprises in its longitudinal direction a first substantially cylindrical portion 302 shaped at one of its shoulder ends 301, and intended, at its opposite end, to cooperate with a column element of drilling (not shown), a conical portion 310 provided with a thread 311, a groove 320 being provided between said substantially cylindrical portion 302 shaped as a shoulder 301 and the conical portion 310, and a substantially cylindrical portion 330 forming the end of the element 300, and connected to the conical portion 310 by a groove 340.
Cette gorge a avantageusement un rayon de courbure compris entre ΛA et 3 pouces suivant les diamètres des raccords, soit entre environ 12 millimètres et 76 millimètres. This groove advantageously has a radius of curvature between Λ A and 3 inches depending on the diameters of the fittings, that is to say between approximately 12 millimeters and 76 millimeters.
L'élément de raccord 300 est percé à l'extrémité destinée à coopérer avec un élément de colonne d'un alésage 350 sensiblement cylindrique terminé par une portion 360 conique s'élargissant pour déboucher à l'extrémité opposée de l'élément de raccord 300.  The connection element 300 is pierced at the end intended to cooperate with a column element of a substantially cylindrical bore 350 terminated by a conical portion 360 widening to open at the opposite end of the connection element 300 .
L'élément de raccord femelle 200 est également débouchant et présente une forme extérieure sensiblement cylindrique, et, à son extrémité opposée à l'extrémité destinée à coopérer avec un élément de colonne de forage (non représenté), une face radiale 201 formant face d'appui pour coopérer avec ledit épaulement 301, et, dans le sens longitudinal, coaxialement respectivement, une portion de surface intérieure conique 210 partiellement pourvue d'un filetage 211 complémentaire de la surface conique 310 pourvue du filetage 311 , une portion de surface intérieure sensiblement cylindrique 220 destinée à coopérer avec la portion cylindrique 330 en ajustement libre et de préférence glissant juste, une portion de surface intérieure conique 230 de même conicité que la portion 210, une portion de surface intérieure 240 de conicité sensiblement plus élevée que la portion 210, et une portion de surface cylindrique 250 débouchant à l'extrémité destinée à coopérer avec un élément de colonne de forage (non représenté). The female connector element 200 also opens out and has a substantially cylindrical external shape, and, at its end opposite the end intended to cooperate with a drill string element (not shown), a radial face 201 forming face d support for cooperating with said shoulder 301, and, in the longitudinal direction, coaxially respectively, a portion of conical inner surface 210 partially provided with a thread 211 complementary to the conical surface 310 provided with the thread 311, a substantially cylindrical interior surface portion 220 intended to cooperate with the cylindrical portion 330 in free adjustment and preferably just sliding, a conical interior surface portion 230 of the same conicity as the portion 210 , an inner surface portion 240 of substantially higher taper than the portion 210, and a cylindrical surface portion 250 opening at the end intended to cooperate with a drill string element (not shown).
Comme visible en figure 3, lorsque les deux éléments 200 et 300 sont assemblés, l'épaulement 301 se trouve en butée contre la surface radiale 201 , et la portée 330 sensiblement en face de la portée 220, un léger jeu, exagéré pour la clarté de la figure, étant visible entre ces deux portées. Ce jeu est avantageusement de l'ordre d'un ajustement H7g6, par exemple (selon NF R91- 011).  As shown in Figure 3, when the two elements 200 and 300 are assembled, the shoulder 301 is in abutment against the radial surface 201, and the range 330 substantially opposite the range 220, a slight play, exaggerated for clarity in the figure, being visible between these two staves. This clearance is advantageously of the order of an H7g6 adjustment, for example (according to NF R91-011).
Le contact entre l'épaulement 301 et la surface radiale 201 assure l'étanchéité de l'ensemble.  The contact between the shoulder 301 and the radial surface 201 seals the assembly.
La gorge 340 se trouve à cheval entre la surface conique 210 et la surface cylindrique 220, sensiblement en face du cercle 260 formant limite entre ces deux surfaces.  The groove 340 is located between the conical surface 210 and the cylindrical surface 220, substantially opposite the circle 260 forming the boundary between these two surfaces.
Ainsi, lors d'une sollicitation en flexion de l'ensemble 100, les deux surfaces formant portée 330 et 220 entrent en contact puis en appui, ce qui permet de distribuer les efforts, réduire les contraintes observées au niveau de l'élément femelle, sans que le cercle critique et son voisinage immédiat ne soient sollicités en contact.  Thus, during a bending stress on the assembly 100, the two surfaces forming bearing 330 and 220 come into contact then in support, which makes it possible to distribute the forces, reduce the stresses observed at the level of the female element, without the critical circle and its immediate vicinity being contacted.
Il est à noter que les gorges 320 et 340 peuvent être utilisées pour l'engagement et le dégagement d'un outil de coupe servant à l'usinage du filetage 311 de la partie 310 qu'elles encadrent. Le filetage 311 peut, cependant, être fabriqué selon tout autre procédé.  It should be noted that the grooves 320 and 340 can be used for engaging and disengaging a cutting tool used for machining the thread 311 of the part 310 that they frame. The thread 311 can, however, be produced by any other method.
Par ailleurs, les deux gorges peuvent également servir de gorges de relaxation pour fluides sous pression afin de contribuer à l'étanchéité de l'ensemble.  Furthermore, the two grooves can also serve as relaxation grooves for pressurized fluids in order to contribute to the tightness of the assembly.
Avantageusement, ces deux gorges peuvent recevoir des joints d'étanchéité (non représentés), par exemple des joints toriques, afin d'améliorer l'étanchéité du raccord.  Advantageously, these two grooves can receive seals (not shown), for example O-rings, in order to improve the tightness of the connector.
Alternativement ou en complément de ce qui précède, une gorge (non représentée) peut être usinée dans la portée 330 afin d'accueillir un joint d'étanchéité, par exemple un joint torique, toujours en vue d'améliorer l'étanchéité de l'ensemble, notamment lors d'un forage en éruption, par exemple. Alternatively or in addition to the above, a groove (not shown) can be machined in the bearing 330 in order to accommodate a seal sealing, for example an O-ring, always with a view to improving the sealing of the assembly, in particular during an erupting drilling, for example.
Avantageusement, la portée 330 peut être non pas cylindrique mais légèrement conique (avec une conicité inférieure à celle des portions filetées), au moins partiellement, à son extrémité libre, pour faciliter un contact linéique avec portée 220 en cas de flexion de l'ensemble, et assurer une meilleure distribution Advantageously, the bearing 330 can be not cylindrical but slightly conical (with a taper less than that of the threaded portions), at least partially, at its free end, to facilitate linear contact with bearing 220 in the event of bending of the assembly , and ensure better distribution
(répartition) des contraintes. (distribution) of the constraints.
Ces éléments sont avantageusement conformes à la norme API Spécification 7.  These elements advantageously comply with the API Specification 7 standard.
Plus précisément, les éléments ont avantageusement les dimensions suivantes, données à titre d'exemple (pour une connexion de type NC50 selon la norme API) :  More precisely, the elements advantageously have the following dimensions, given by way of example (for an NC50 type connection according to the API standard):
diamètre intérieur maximal de la portion 210 : 153 millimètres environ ;  maximum internal diameter of the portion 210: approximately 153 millimeters;
- diamètre intérieur minimal de la portion 210 : 134 millimètres environ ;  - minimum internal diameter of the portion 210: approximately 134 millimeters;
longueur totale de la portion conique 210 : 114 millimètres environ ; longueur filetée de la portion conique 210 : 98 millimètres environ ; longueur de la portion cylindrique 220 : 51 millimètres environ ; - diamètre intérieur de la portion cylindrique 220 : 134 millimètres environ ;  total length of the conical portion 210: approximately 114 millimeters; threaded length of the conical portion 210: about 98 millimeters; length of the cylindrical portion 220: approximately 51 millimeters; - internal diameter of the cylindrical portion 220: approximately 134 millimeters;
longueur de la portion conique 230 : 51 millimètres environ ;  length of the conical portion 230: approximately 51 millimeters;
conicité de la portion 240 : 30° environ ;  taper of the portion 240: approximately 30 °;
diamètre intérieur de la portion cylindrique 250 : 76 millimètres environ ;  internal diameter of the cylindrical portion 250: approximately 76 millimeters;
diamètre intérieur de la gorge 320 : 138 millimètres environ ;  internal diameter of the throat 320: approximately 138 millimeters;
diamètre extérieur maximal de la portion conique 310 : 154 millimètres environ ;  maximum outside diameter of the conical portion 310: approximately 154 millimeters;
longueur entre l'épaulement 301 et l'extrémité la plus éloignée de la gorge 340 : 114 millimètres environ ;  length between the shoulder 301 and the end furthest from the groove 340: approximately 114 millimeters;
diamètre minimal de la gorge 340 : 128 millimètres environ ;  minimum throat diameter 340: approximately 128 millimeters;
largeur maximale de la gorge 340 : 20 millimètres environ ;  maximum width of the groove 340: approximately 20 millimeters;
rayon de courbure minimal de la gorge 340 :  minimum radius of curvature of the groove 340:
diamètre intérieur de la portion 350 : 76 millimètres environ ; diamètre intérieur maximal de la portion conique 360 : 83 millimètres environ ; inside diameter of the portion 350: approximately 76 millimeters; maximum internal diameter of the conical portion 360: approximately 83 millimeters;
jeu sur le diamètre entre les portions 330 et 220 : ajustement H7g6) clearance on the diameter between the portions 330 and 220: adjustment H7g6)
Un test a permis d'évaluer à environ 60 % la réduction des contraintes ainsi obtenues à 10 cm de la portée d'étanchéité, constituée par le contact entre l'épaulement 301 et la surface radiale 201 (ce test a été réalisé avec des jauges de contraintes posées sur la surface extérieure de l'élément femelle, à 2, 4, 6, 8 pouces, à savoir 50,8 ; 101 ,6 ; 152,4 ; 203,2 millimètres, de la portée d'étanchéitéA test made it possible to evaluate the reduction of stresses thus obtained at approximately 60% at 10 cm from the sealing surface, constituted by the contact between the shoulder 301 and the radial surface 201 (this test was carried out with gauges stresses placed on the external surface of the female element, at 2, 4, 6, 8 inches, namely 50.8; 101, 6; 152.4; 203.2 millimeters, of the sealing surface
201 ). 201).
II est à noter que de nombreuses modifications ou variantes de l'ensemble à raccord décrit et représenté peuvent être aisément réalisées par l'homme de métier sans sortir du cadre de l'invention.  It should be noted that many modifications or variants of the connector assembly described and shown can be easily carried out by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Ensemble à raccord (100) pour tiges lourdes ou masse-tiges de forage comprenant :  1. Connection assembly (100) for heavy rods or drill rods comprising:
- un élément de raccord mâle (300) ayant sensiblement une forme de révolution autour d'un axe longitudinal et qui comporte dans son sens longitudinal respectivement :  - a male connector element (300) having substantially a shape of revolution around a longitudinal axis and which comprises in its longitudinal direction respectively:
une première portion (302) sensiblement cylindrique formant épaulement (301 ) à une de ses extrémités,  a first substantially cylindrical portion (302) forming a shoulder (301) at one of its ends,
une seconde portion de surface conique (310) au moins partiellement filetée et s'effilant à partir de la première portion vers l'extrémité libre de l'élément  a second portion of conical surface (310) at least partially threaded and tapering from the first portion towards the free end of the element
- un élément de raccord femelle (200) sensiblement cylindrique, complémentaire dudit élément de raccord mâle, et qui comporte :  a substantially cylindrical female connector element (200), complementary to said male connector element, and which comprises:
une portion radiale (201) formant une face d'appui pour ledit épaulement (301) du premier élément et, longitudinalement, coaxialement et respectivement, à partir de cette portion, une surface intérieure conique (210) au moins partiellement filetée complémentaire de la surface conique (310) au moins partiellement filetée de l'élément mâle,  a radial portion (201) forming a bearing face for said shoulder (301) of the first element and, longitudinally, coaxially and respectively, from this portion, a conical inner surface (210) at least partially threaded complementary to the surface conical (310) at least partially threaded of the male element,
- une surface intérieure cylindrique (220)  - a cylindrical interior surface (220)
lesdits deux éléments de raccord (200, 300) étant destinés à être assemblés l'un dans l'autre par vissage sur plusieurs tours des filetages, caractérisé en ce que l'élément de raccord mâle comporte, en outre, entre ladite deuxième portion (310) et son extrémité libre, une troisième portion de surface (330) de conicité inférieure à celle de la seconde portion de surface conique (310), et dimensionnée par rapport à ladite surface intérieure cylindrique (220) de manière à ce qu'il existe un jeu grâce à quoi, lors d'une sollicitation en flexion de l'ensemble, ces deux surfaces entrent respectivement en appui. said two connecting elements (200, 300) being intended to be assembled into one another by screwing on several turns of the threads, characterized in that the male connecting element comprises, in addition, between said second portion ( 310) and its free end, a third surface portion (330) of taper less than that of the second conical surface portion (310), and dimensioned relative to said cylindrical inner surface (220) so that it there is a clearance whereby, when the assembly undergoes bending, these two surfaces come into contact respectively.
2. Ensemble à raccord (100) selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce que l'élément mâle (300) comporte une gorge (340) disposée entre ladite seconde portion (310) et ladite troisième portion (330), de telle manière que, lorsque lesdits deux éléments sont assemblés, et lorsque ledit épaulement (301 ) se trouve en butée contre la face d'appui radiale, la limite géométrique entre ladite surface intérieure conique et ladite surface intérieure cylindrique se trouve comprise dans l'espace formé par ladite gorge. 2. connector assembly (100) according to claim 1 characterized in that the male element (300) comprises a groove (340) disposed between said second portion (310) and said third portion (330), so that, when said two elements are assembled, and when said shoulder (301) is in abutment against the radial bearing face, the geometric limit between said conical inner surface and said cylindrical inner surface is included in the space formed by said groove.
3. Ensemble à raccord (100) selon l'une des revendications précédentes caractérisé en ce que la troisième portion de surface (330) de l'élément mâle formant portée est sensiblement cylindrique.  3. Fitting assembly (100) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the third surface portion (330) of the male element forming a bearing is substantially cylindrical.
4. Ensemble à raccord (100) selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que ladite portion (330) est partiellement conique à son extrémité libre.  4. A connector assembly (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that said portion (330) is partially conical at its free end.
5. Ensemble à raccord (100) selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que ladite conicité est inférieure à celle de Ia seconde portion conique (310) au moins partiellement filetée.  5. A connector assembly (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that said taper is less than that of the second conical portion (310) at least partially threaded.
6. Ensemble à raccord (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que la troisième portion (330) a une dimension longitudinale au plus égale aux 2/3 de la dimension longitudinale de la seconde portion (310).  6. fitting assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the third portion (330) has a longitudinal dimension at most equal to 2/3 of the longitudinal dimension of the second portion (310 ).
7. Ensemble à raccord (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que la troisième portion (330) a une dimension longitudinale comprise entre 10 % et 50 % de son diamètre.  7. connector assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the third portion (330) has a longitudinal dimension between 10% and 50% of its diameter.
8. Ensemble à raccord (100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce que la gorge (340) a un rayon de courbure compris entre !4 et 3 pouces soit environ entre 12 millimètres et 76 millimètres.  8. A connector assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the groove (340) has a radius of curvature between! 4 and 3 inches is approximately between 12 millimeters and 76 millimeters.
9. Ensemble à raccord (100) selon l'une des revendications précédentes caractérisé en ce que les deux éléments (200, 300) sont axialement percés et débouchants.  9. connector assembly (100) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the two elements (200, 300) are axially drilled and through.
10. Elément de raccord mâle (300) pour tiges lourdes ou masses tiges de forage destiné à coopérer avec un élément femelle (200) et ayant sensiblement une forme de révolution autour d'un axe longitudinal et qui comporte dans son sens longitudinal respectivement :  10. Male connector element (300) for heavy rods or drill rod masses intended to cooperate with a female element (200) and having substantially a shape of revolution around a longitudinal axis and which comprises in its longitudinal direction respectively:
une première portion (302) sensiblement cylindrique formant épaulement (301 ) à une de ses extrémités,  a first substantially cylindrical portion (302) forming a shoulder (301) at one of its ends,
une seconde portion de surface conique (310) au moins partiellement filetée et s'effilant à partir de la première portion vers l'extrémité libre de l'élément, caractérisé en ce que l'élément de raccord mâle comporte, en outre, entre ladite deuxième portion et son extrémité libre, une troisième portion de surface (330) de conicité inférieure à celle de la seconde portion de surface conique. a second portion of conical surface (310) at least partially threaded and tapering from the first portion towards the free end of the element, characterized in that the male connector element further comprises, between said second portion and its free end, a third surface portion (330) of conicity less than that of the second conical surface portion.
EP06841839A 2005-12-06 2006-12-01 Connection assembly for drill collars or heavy drill pipes Not-in-force EP1957850B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0512356A FR2894279B1 (en) 2005-12-06 2005-12-06 CONNECTING ASSEMBLY FOR DRILL BODY OR HEAVY DRILLING RODS
PCT/FR2006/002629 WO2007065986A1 (en) 2005-12-06 2006-12-01 Connection assembly for drill collars or heavy drill pipes

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1957850A1 true EP1957850A1 (en) 2008-08-20
EP1957850B1 EP1957850B1 (en) 2009-04-29

Family

ID=36952400

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06841839A Not-in-force EP1957850B1 (en) 2005-12-06 2006-12-01 Connection assembly for drill collars or heavy drill pipes

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20080289879A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1957850B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE430280T1 (en)
DE (1) DE602006006594D1 (en)
DK (1) DK1957850T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2894279B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2007065986A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102009052335A1 (en) * 2009-08-28 2011-03-03 Tracto-Technik Gmbh & Co. Kg Plug-in coupling for a drill pipe and drill pipe
CA3238483A1 (en) * 2022-01-31 2023-08-03 Tomas Jansson Drilling component

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5064224A (en) * 1989-03-08 1991-11-12 Baroid Technology, Inc. Oil field tubular connection
US5908212A (en) * 1997-05-02 1999-06-01 Grant Prideco, Inc. Ultra high torque double shoulder tool joint
CN102061893B (en) * 2004-03-31 2013-07-10 Nkk钢管株式会社 Double shoulder tool joint

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2007065986A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE602006006594D1 (en) 2009-06-10
WO2007065986A1 (en) 2007-06-14
DK1957850T3 (en) 2009-08-24
US20080289879A1 (en) 2008-11-27
EP1957850B1 (en) 2009-04-29
FR2894279A1 (en) 2007-06-08
FR2894279B1 (en) 2010-08-27
ATE430280T1 (en) 2009-05-15

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