GB2505549A

GB2505549A - Threaded coupler connector for Electric Submersible Pumps (ESPs)

Info

Publication number: GB2505549A
Application number: GB1310812.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arthur I Watson; Alejandro Camacho Cardenas; David M Eslinger; Christopher Featherby; Jason Kobersky
Original assignee: Gemalto Terminals Ltd; Schlumberger Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Gemalto Terminals Ltd; Schlumberger Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2012-06-20
Filing date: 2013-06-18
Publication date: 2014-03-05
Also published as: GB201310812D0

Abstract

A system and methodology which facilitates a threaded connection between components of an electric submersible pumping system (ESP) 32, utilizing at least one threaded coupler connector 56 to connect a first component 32/58 to a second component 32/79 of an electric submersible pumping system. The threaded coupler connector 56 is designed as a flangeless connector which utilises a shoulder ring 64 to secure and join the two components, while enabling relative rotation of the coupler without relative rotation between the first component and the second component.

Description

THREADED JOINTS FOR ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMPING SYSTEMS

BACKGROUND

[00011 An electric submersible pumping system is used to pump fluids, e.g. hydrocarbon-based fluids, from wells. The electric submersible pumping system comprises a plurality of components, such as submersible motors, submersible pumps, motor protcctors, gas separator dcviccs, gaugcs, various transition components, and othcr components. The components are assembled together during installation in a well, and the components are joined by corresponding flanges held together by a plurality of bolts.

Joining components with the multiple bolts involves substantial time and the flange type connector often consumes substantial radial space, thus rcducing the space available for fUnctional features of the pumping system. The reduced diameter of the neck proximate each flange also can create a weaker area that allows bending and thus higher bearing loading.

SUMMARY

100021 In general, the present disclosure provides a system and methodology that facilitate connection between components of an electric submersible pumping system.

The technique utilizes at least one connector designed to connect a first component to a second component of an electric submersible pumping system. The connector is designed as a flangeless connector which secures engagement of thc two components without relative rotation between the first component and the second component.

Additional flangeless connectors maybe positioned between other pairs of components to provide the enhanced connection throughout the electric submersible pumping system.

100031 However, many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

100041 Certain embodiments of the disclosure will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying figures illustrate the various implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope of various technologies described herein, and: [00051 Figure 1 is a front view of an example of an electric submersible pumping system having pumping system components coupled together by connectors, according to

an embodiment of the disclosure;

[00061 Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of an example of a connector which may be employed to couple components of an electric submersible pumping system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; [00071 Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of another example of a connector which may be employed to couple components of an electric submersible pumping system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; [00081 Figure 4 is an illustration of an example of a connector positioned between components of an electric submersible pumping system, according to an embodiment of the disclosurc; [00091 FigureS is a partial cross-sectional view of another example of a connector which may be employed to couple components of an electric submersible pumping system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; [00101 Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of another example of a connector which may be employed to couple components of an electric submersible pumping system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; [00111 Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of another example of a connector which may be employed to couple components of an electric submersible pumping system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; [00121 Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a connector which may be employed to couple components of an electric submersible pumping system,

according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure;

[00131 Figure 9 is a view similar to that of Figure 8 but showing the submersible pumping system components engaged and coupled together by the connector, according

to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[00141 Figure 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of another example of a connector which may be employed to couple components of an electric submersible pumping system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; [00151 Figure I I is a partial cross-sectional view of another example of a connector which may be employed to couple components of an electric submersible pumping system, according to an embodiment of the disclosum; [00161 Figure 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of another example of a connector which may be employed to couple components of an electric submersible pumping system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and 100171 Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of an example of an interference gland for a connector which may be employed to couple components of an electric submersible pumping system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

100181 In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the system andior methodology may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments may be possible.

[00191 The present disclosure generally relates to a system and methodology for connecting components of an electric submersible pumping system. For example, one or more connectors may be employed to couple sequential components of the pumping system, such as the submersible motor, motor protector, and submersible pump. The connector is a flangeless connector which secures engagement of adjacent pumping system components without relative rotation between the pumping system components.

In other words, the adjacent pumping system components are not threaded together by rotating one of the components relative to the other. The connector is designed to function without using bolted flanges.

100201 As described in greater detail below, an embodiment of the connector may comprise a threaded coupler, such as a threaded collar or ring, rotatably trapped on the head or base of one component. When two of the system components are joined, the threaded coupler, e.g. threaded collar, is rotated and threaded onto the base or head of the adjacent, mating component. A threaded ring variation inverts the threads but the threaded ring is similarly rotated into threaded engagement with the mating component.

100211 In certain embodiments, a shoulder ring is used to facilitate assembly of a threaded collar or ring onto an end, e.g. head or base, of an electric submersible pumping system component. The shoulder ring creates a shoulder on the head or base after thc threaded collar is installed. In this example, the shoulder is of a larger diameter than would otherwise allow the threaded collar or ring to be assembled were the shoulder integral with the head or base. Each connector may comprise a variety of other components or Ibatures, such as various attachment mechanisms, anti-rotation mechanisms, seals, seal types, and seal locations.

[00221 By way of example, the shoulder ring and the threaded collar may be assembled from the joint end of the head or base instead of the housing end (although other embodiments are assembled from the housing end). Consequently, the shoulder fbr retaining the threaded collar can be much mote robust while allowing the balance of the head or base to be a variety of sizes or shapes. The shoulder ring can be secured to the head or base by threads, welding, or other suitable fasteners. The shoulder ring also may be split into pieces, e.g. halves, which are joined in a groove by a retainer, such as a retaining ring. To prevent spinning andunscrewing, factory joints can be locked welded or otherwise secured and field joints can utilize pins, lugs, castellations, or other suitable anti-rotation mechanisms.

[00231 R.eibrring generally to Figure 1, an embodiment of an electric submersible pumping system having pumping system components coupled by connectors is illustrated. The electric submersible pumping system may be employed in a wellbore and utilized Ibr pumping fluids, such as hydmcarbon-basedproduction fluids. Depending on the application, the electric submersible pumping system may comprise a variety of components in several different types of arrangements. For example, the pumping system may comprise a submersible motor, a motor protector, a submersible pump, gauge sections, connector sections, sensors, gas separators, and/or other components in various numbers and arrangements.

[00241 Tn the example illustrated in Figure I, a pumping system 30, such as an electric submersible pumping system, is illustrated as deployed in a wellbore 31. By way of example, electric submersible pumping system 30 may comprise a plurality of pumping system components 32, such as a submersible motor 34, a motor protector 36, and a submersible pump 38 which thaws well fluid in through a pump intake 40. The electric submersible pumping system 30 may be deployed down into wellbore 31 by a conveyance 42, such as production tubing, coiled tubing, wireline, or another suitable conveyance. The conveyance 42 maybe connected to pumping system 30 by a connector sub 44. Additionally, power may be supplied to submersible motor 34 by a power cable 46.

[00251 By way of example, at least two adjacent pumping system components 32 are engaged and coupled to each other by a connector 48. In the specific embodiment illustrated, connectors 48 are disposed between several pumping system components 32, e.g. between submersible motor 34 and motor protcctor 36; betwccn motor protector 36 and submersible pump 38; and between pump 38 and connector sub 44. The connectors 48 are designed to enable engagement and coupling of adjacent pumping system components 32 without relative rotation ofthose pumping system components 32 and without the use of bolted flanges. In other words, the connectors 48 are flangeless connectors.

[00261 The pumping system 30 may be deployed in a variety of wellbores, such as vertical weilbores (as illustrated) or deviated wellbores, e.g. horizontal wellbores.

Generally the wellbore 3! is drilled into a geological formation 50. In some applications, wellbore 3! is lined with a casing 52 deployed along the rock borehole wall 54.

However, the electric submersible pumping system 30 may be utilized in a variety of other types of wellbores, including open wellbores, and also in cavems, tanks, collection features, and other spaces from which fluid is pumped and!or into which fluid is injected.

100271 Referring generally to Figure 2, an embodiment of connector 48 is illustrated. Tn this embodiment, connector 48 is used to couple a first pumping system component 32 to a second, adjacent pumping system component 32. As illustrated, a coupler 56, e.g. a threaded collar, is slid over an outboard end 58 of the first component 32 at, for example, a base 60 of the component 32. In this example, coupler 56 is a threaded coupler and has an opening 62 sized for receiving end 58 therethrough.

[00281 Once threaded coupler 56 is slid over end 58, the threaded coupler 56 is secured in place by a shoulder ring 64. Shoulder ring 64 may be separately assembled onto end 58 after positioning of the coupler 56 over end 58. Shoulder ring 64 also may comprise a variety of attachment mechanisms 66 by which the shoulder ring 64 engages end 58. By way of example, shoulder ring 64 may comprise attachment mechanism 66 in the form of a threaded region positioned to engage a corresponding threaded region 68 located on end 58. However, aftachment mechanism 66 also may comprise a metal melting attachment member/technique, e.g. welding or soldering, for attaching shoulder ring 64 to component 32. Additionally, the attachment mechanism 66 may comprise a separate threaded fastener or fasteners, e.g. screws. The attachment mechanism 66 also may comprise a retainer ring or an interference fit designed to affix the shoulder ring 64 to end 58 in a manner which secures coupler 56. In some applications, the shoulder ring 64 also may be secured against release by an additional fastening mechanism, such as a lock weld 70, used in combination with one or more of the other attachment mechanisms 66.

[00291 The shoulder ring 64 presents an abutment surface or shoulder 72 which engages a corresponding abutment surface or shoulder 74 of threaded coupler 56. The shoulder ring 64 secures the threaded coupler 56 while allowing the threaded coupler 56 to be rotated for engagement with the second component 32. In the embodiment illustrated, the second component 32 comprises a threaded region 76 which is engaged by a corresponding threaded region 78 of threaded coupler 56. In this example, threaded coupler 56 is a threaded collar having threaded region 78 positioned internally for engagement with externally oriented threaded region 76 of the second component 32.

The threaded region 76 may be located along the exterior of a head 79, of the second component 32, which engages the base 60 of the adjacent, first component 32. It should be noted that the coupler 56 and shoulder ring 64 may be mounted on either of the base or head 79 depending on the specifics of a given application.

100301 After the adjacent pumping system components 32 are moved axially into engagement with each other, the threaded coupler 56 is simply rotated about end 58 to threadably engage threaded region 76 and corresponding threaded region 78. As a result, the adjacent components 32 may be securely coupled together without relative rotation and without utilizing bolted, flange type connectors. After threaded regions 76, 78 are securely engaged, the threaded coupler 56 may be locked against further rotation by a suitable locking mechanism 80, such as a setscrew. The connector 48 also comprises a seal 82, such as a spring-loaded seal, positioned between adjacent pumping system components 32.

[00311 Depending on the application and the design of components 32, the connector 48 may comprise or work in cooperation with a variety of other features. For example, alignment features 84 may be used to ensure a desiied alignment of head 79 with base 60 of the adjacent pumping system components 32 as the components 32 are moved axially into engagement with each other. In the example illustrated, alignment features 84 comprise at least one pin 86 extending from one component 32 and received in a corresponding slot 88 of the adjacent component 32. Other features may comprise a ring 90, such as a metal E-ring, positioned circumferentially around end 58 between base and head 79. A test port 92 also may be positioned as illustrated or in other suitable locations. Additionally, a retraction groove 94 may be located to facilitate temporary retraction ofthreaded coupler 56 along end 58.

100321 Referring generally to Figure 3, a similar but somewhat simpler embodiment is illustrated. In this embodiment, the coupler 56 is again threaded and in the form of a threaded collar rotatably secured over end 58 by shoulder ring 64. The threaded coupler 56 is rotatably mounted on the head 79 or base 60 of one submersible pumping system component 32 and design for threaded engagement with a corresponding base or head of the adjacent pumping system component 32. Again, seal 82 is an annular seal positioned between the first and second pumping system components 32. As with the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the threaded coupler 56 has an expanded portion 93 which engages shoulder ring 64 and another portion 95 that extends over the shoulder ring 64. Shoulder ring 64 may again be secured to end 58 by a variety of suitable attachment mechanism 66.

[00331 In Figure 4, a specific example of pumping system components 32 engaged and coupled to each other by connector 48 is illustrated. Tn this example, pumping system components 32 comprise a motor head section 96 coupled to a stator section 98 by connector 48. Connector 48 utilizes threaded coupler 56 to engage a stator adapter 100. Tn this example, power cable 46 is connected through the motor head section 96 by a suitable pothead 102.

100341 RefelTing generally to Figure 5, another embodiment of connector 48 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the threaded coupler 56 is assembled over the housing end of the base 60 (or head 79) of the pumping system component 32. For example, the threaded coupler 56 may comprise a threaded collar that is slid over the housing end of thc base 60 of component 32 until butting against a shoulder 104 that is integral with the base 60. In this example, the base 60 (or head 79) is formed as an independent component which may be coupled to a housing portion 106 of pumping system component 32. In the illustrated example, the shoulder ring 64 is then assembled over the housing end of base 60 to form a shoulder 108 against which housing portion 106 abuts.

A seal 110 may be positioned between base 60 (or head 79) and the corresponding housing portion 106.

[00351 The shoulder ring 64 may again comprise threaded region 66 for engagement with corresponding threaded region 68. As illustrated, threaded region 68 is extended and positioned for engagement with housing portion 106. Tn other words, the shoulder ring 64 shares the same thread 68 as housing portion 106. The shoulder ring 64 also may be welded to base 60 alone or in combination with the threaded engagement.

However, other types of suitable fastening mechanisms maybe used to secure shoulder ring 64. To connect the first component 32 with the second component 32, the threaded collar 56 is again rotated to threadably engage the second component 32 via threaded regions 76 and 78.

[00361 Referring generally to Figure 6, another embodiment of connector 48 is illustrated. In this embodiment, shoulder ring 64 may be in the form of a split shoulder ring 112 sized to fit in a recess or groove 114 formed in the end 58 of the base 60 or head 79 of component 32. By way of example, the illustrated split shoulder ring 112 may be in a variety of forms depending on the specifics of a given application. For example, the illustrated split shoulder ring 112 may comprise a multi-piece split shoulder ring. In other applications, the split shoulder ring 112 comprises an expandable C-ring type split shoulder ring. However, in some embodiments the shoulder ring 64 may be a continuous, swaged shoulder ring.

[00371 If a split shoulder ring 112 (or other type of shoulder ring 64)is employed, the shoulder ring may be positioned to engage shoulder 72 via its corresponding shoulder 74. Coupler 56, e.g. a threaded collar, is slid over shoulder 72 and into engagement with, for example, split shoulder ring 112. Thc coupler 56 may be attached to the split shoulder ring 112 (or other shoulder ring 64) by a suitable fastener 115. Examples of suitable attachment methods include threaded engagement, metal melting techniques, e.g. welding or soldering, a threaded fastener or fasteners, e.g. screws, a retainer ring, an interference fit, or other suitable attachment members and/or techniques (e.g. see the illustrated threaded region and weldment combination). The threaded coupler 56 also may be attached to shoulder ring 64 by a variety of combinations of fasteners 115.

[00381 Another embodiment of connector 48 is illustrated in Figure 7. The embodiment of Figure 7 is similar to the embodiment illustrated in FigureS, however the shoulder ring 64 has a different configuration. In this embodiment, shoulder ring 64 comprises threaded region 66 internally oriented for engagement with corresponding threaded region 68 of the base 60 (or head 79) of one of the adjacent pumping system components 32. However, shoulder ring 64 also has an external, threaded region I 16 oriented for engagement with a corrcsponding threaded region 118 of housing portion 106. A radially extended portion of shoulder ring 66 forms a shoulder 120 which abuts against an end of housing portion 106. Seal 110 is disposed between shoulder ring 64 and the internally located and independent portion forming base 60 (or head 79). In the illustrated example, the portion to which shoulder ring 64 is mounted has been labeled base 60, but the shoulder ring 64 also could be mounted on head 79. An additional seal l0 122 is disposed between shoulder ring 64 and housing portion 106. The threaded coupler 56 is similarly rotatably mounted for engagement with the corresponding, second pumping system component 32, as described above with respect to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5.

[00391 Referring generally to Figures 8 and 9, another embodiment of connector 48 is illustrated. In this embodiment, threaded coupler 56 is assembled onto the base 60 or head 79 from the housing side rather than from the joint side of the pumping system component 32. Consequently, the base 60 (or head 79) over which the threaded coupler 56 is assembled has a reduced outside diameter 124 so the threaded coupler 56 can be passed over it from the housing end of the independent section forming base 60 (or head 79). The threaded coupler 56 is slid from a recessed position prior to engagement of adjacent components 32 (see Figure 8) to an engaged position as illustrated in Figure 9.

The reduced diameter base 60 (or head 79) may be secured to an external housing 126 of the component 32 by a suitable fastener 128, e.g. screws or rings, as illustrated best in Figure9.

[00401 Following engagement ofthe adjacent components 32, the threaded coupler 56 is slid into engagement with threaded region 76 and the threaded coupler 56 is rotated until threaded region 78 hilly engages the corresponding threaded region 76. The threaded coupler 56 may then be rotationally and axially locked in place along the reduced outside diameter section 124 via a suitable fastener 130, e.g. set screws. It should be noted that in some applications, coupler 56 may be designed without threaded region 78 and the coupler 56 may be secured to the adjacent components 32 by other suitable types of fasteners, such as set screws or other locking mechanisms.

[00411 Depending on the application, the embodiment of connector 48 illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 may have a variety of other features to facilitate formation of the connection. For example, the fasteners 130, e.g. set screws, may be replaced or combined with other types of mechanisms. As illustrated in Figure 10, a variation on this hanger style approach is to incorporate a specially designed ofThet shoulder ring 64

II

having an offset region forming a shoulder 132 oriented to engage a corresponding shoulder 134 of the threaded coupler 56. In this latter example, offset shoulder ring 64 comprises threaded region 66 oriented to engage threaded region 68 disposed along an interior of the reduced diameter section 124 of base 60 or head 79. The shoulder ring 64 also may operate in cooperation with a pair of seals 136 positioned to provide a fluid tight seal between the adjacent pumping system components 32.

100421 Referring generally to Figure 11, another embodiment of connector 48 is illustrated. In this embodiment, shoulders or fhces are used on both adjacent components 32 to enable preloading in compression. In some applications, an abutment shoulder 137 may be positioned to enable preloading between the base 60 and head 79. In the illustrated example, shoulder ring 64 comprises another type of split shoulder ring 138 which is retained in a recessed area or groove 140 along base 60 (or head 79) via a retainer ring 142. In this example, the groove 140 is positioned in one of the base 60 or head 79; and the threaded coupler 56 is in the form of a threaded ring having its attachment mechanism 66, e.g. threaded region 66, externally oriented to engage an internally threaded region 68 on the other of the base 60 or head 79. For example, attachment mechanism 66 may comprise external threads oriented to threadably engage internal threads of internally threaded region 68.

[00431 In this embodiment, if groove 140 is located in the base 60, then the coupler 56 is designed to threadably engage internally threaded region 68 of head 79. As illustrated, the portion of coupler 56 comprising threaded region 66 is positioncd between portions of the base 60 and corresponding head 79 of adjacent pumping system components 32. Axially, the coupler 56 is trapped between an abutment surface 144 on split shoulder ring 138 and an abutment surface 146 of the same base 60 or head 79 containing groove 140 (see Figure 11). It should be noted that either or both the shoulder ring 64 and coupler 56 may be split to facilitate assembly. Additionally, the shoulder ring may be attached to the corresponding base 60 or head 79 by attachment mechanisms other than retainer ring 142. For example, the shoulder ring may be assembled to the base 60 or head 79 by threaded engagement, a metal melting technique, e.g. welding or soldering, a threaded fastener or fasteners, e.g. screws, an interference fit, and!or other suitable aftachment mechanisms and techniques.

[00441 Another embodiment of connector 48 is illustrated in Figure 12. Tn this example, the coupler 56 also may be in the form of a split threaded ring 148 trapped in a groove in the base 60 or head 79. For example, the split threaded ring 148 may be fined into a T-groove 150 and held in place by a retainer ring 152 or another suitable fastening mechanism, as discussed in the previous paragraph. The split threaded ring 148 may comprise attachment mechanism 66 in the form of a threaded region designed for engagement with corresponding threaded region 68 located along an inwardly oriented surface of the base 60 (or head 79) engaged with the corresponding head 79 (or base 60) of the adjacent pumping system component 32. As illustrated, the split threaded ring 148 is trapped between abutment surfaces 154 and 156 of the pumping system component 32 which does not early threaded region 68. An additional seal T58 may be positioned along the split threaded ring T48, as illustrated, or in another suitable location.

[00451 Another aspect of the embodiments described herein is that upon coupling components 32 of electric submersible pumping system 30, an improved seal between joints is created. Each coirnector 48 may be designed to help remove the gap that would otherwise be created between flanges and through which a seal would otherwise tend to extrude under high pressure. A variety of features and variations in the designs described herein may further be utilized to reduce or prevent extrusion of seals by creating an interference gland to reduce seal extrusion between pumping system components.

[00461 By way of example, interference glands may comprise mating surfaces which are tapered or conical in shape so that assembly or movement in one direction produces interference in another direction. Axial assembly of male and female conical surfaces, for instance, removes the radial gap between the surfaces and thus between the corresponding components. Mating surfaces also may be stepped or shouldered so that during assembly or movement, one portion causes definite contact or deformation with respect to another portion. Additionally, at least one of the interfering surfaces may feature an inner or outer recess, such as a groove, to contain the sealing element which may be formed of elastomer, polymer, graphite, metal, or composite. Similarly, the two parts scaled with respect to each other may feature integral interfering surfaces that mate with each other.

[00471 Other options for providing an interference gland 160 and for thus improving sealing include, for example, use of a third intermediate part bridge located between the two parts being sealed with respect to each other. As illustrated in Figure 13, for example, the interference gland 160 is in the form of a bridge disposed between adjacent pumping system components 32. In this example, the intermediate bridge 160 has interfering surfaces 161 that mate with corresponding surfaces on each of the components 32 and promote long-term sealing with respect to seals 162. By way of example, the interfering surfaces 161 may be tapered surfaces. The interference gland also may be formed with features integral in the base 60 or head 79. The interference gland 160 also may be in the form of an offset gland ring.

[00481 In some embodiments, the sealing may be improved by creating interference of the surfaces during assembly. The interference is designed to elastically or plastically deform at least one of the parts to conform to the other part and to remove the potential for an extrusion gap which would allow extrusion ofthe seal. In some applications, the pressure acting on the seal area can be used to elastically or plastically deform at least one ofthe parts to conform to the other part, thus removing the extrusion gap. In some embodiments, the extrusion gap may be removed by effectively creating rigid contact between two surfaces that are accurate enough, e.g. appropriately toleranced, so that deformation of components can be avoided. Additionally, various combinations of these techniques may be employed to prevent creation of an extrusion gap and to thus prevent extrusion of seals between adjacent components 32. Each of these methods for limiting or preventing extrusion of seals utilizes some type of interference gland, e.g. bridge 160, to protect and maintain the seal between pumping system components 32.

[00491 Depending on the environment and the parameters of a given application, the components of the electric submersible pumping system and the design of the connector or connectors between cornponcnts can vary. For example, additional pumping system components maybe incorporated into the system. Various embodiments of the connector may be used between each adjacent pair of components or between some adjacent pairs while other types of connectors are employed between other adjacent pairs.

The threaded coupler and/or the shoulder ring may be formed as individual pieces or as assemblies of split pieces depending on the design of the overall connector. Additionally, a variety of individual or plural seals may be incorporated into the connector to provide the desired sealing. Various types of interference glands and techniques also may be employed to reduce or prevent extrusion of such seals. A number of alignment features, engagement features, locking features, shoulder featurcs, and other features also may be utilized in each of the connectors to facilitate coupling of adjacent pumping system components.

[00501 Although a few embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications arc intended to be included within the scope

of this disclosure as defined in the claims. CLATh