JP2003531320A - Coiled tube connector - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A coiled tube connector includes male and female housings. A rotating ring having a thread is disposed on the male housing. When the male housing is joined to the female housing, the thread of the rotating ring is threadedly engaged with a thread disposed on the inner circumference of the female housing. The male housing also includes splines that align with the female housing grooves. The male and female housings are provided with electrical contacts, which themselves engage when the housings are joined. These electrical contacts are connected to wires embedded in the composite tube so that power or data signals from one composite tube can be routed through the connector to the other coiled tube. The ends of the composite tube are attached to both male and female housings by a compression fit.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Statement regarding research or development supported by the federal government]

  Not applicable

[0002]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to instruments used to connect multiple coiled tubes, and more particularly to instruments used to connect multiple composite coiled tubes. Another feature of the invention relates to forming a mechanical connection that is strong enough to transfer tensile, compression and torque forces through the connector from one tube material to another. Further, the connection between the tubing material is hydraulically sealed to isolate the fluid introduced inside the tubing material and the connector from the fluid on the outside of the tubing material and the connector. This connector allows fluid inside a piece of tubing to flow to the tubing that is followed by the connector. The connector of the present invention also provides a mechanism for connecting multiple tube materials without transmitting rotation to any tube material. In addition, the present invention relates to a connector capable of joining electrical connections from the junctions of electrical wiring or other types of signal cables, each embedded within a tube material of multiple conductor pairs. The electrical connection forms a seal and insulation that insulates between wires and between wires and fluid.

[0003]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The coiled tubing currently utilized in the oilfield industry generally comprises small diameter cylindrical tubing with relatively thin walls of metal or composite material. Coiled tubes are typically much more resilient and lighter than conventional drill pipes. These properties of coiled tubing have led to its use in a variety of well operations. For example, injecting gas or other fluids into wells, expanding or activating bridges and packers, transferring well logging tools downhole, performing repair cementing and cleanout operations in wells, and drilling tools. Is routinely used for sending to the downhole or collecting. This elastic and lightweight property of coiled tubing makes it particularly useful for biased wells.

Typically, coiled tubing is introduced into an oil or gas well through a controller at the top of the well. Conventional handling systems for coiled tubing can include a reel assembly, gooseneck, and tube injection head. The reel assembly includes a rotating reel that contains a coiled tube, a pedestal that supports the reel, a drive motor, and a rotating coupling. During operation, the tube injection head withdraws the coiled tube stored on the reel and injects the coiled tube into the wellhead. A drive motor rotates the reel to deliver a coiled tube and a gooseneck drives the coiled tube into the injection head.
A rotating coupling forms a juncture between the reel assembly and the fluid line from the pump. Fluids are often pumped through coiled tubing during work. Such means and devices for coiled tubing are well known in the art.

Prior art coiled tubing handling systems are suitable for coiled tubing made of metal such as steel, but of relatively long spans achievable with coiled tubing made of composite materials, or drill string lengths. It doesn't correspond to the thing
Such stretch-span composite coiled tubing strings are possible because composite coiled tubing is significantly lighter than steel coiled tubing. In fact, composite coiled tubes can be manufactured to have neutral buoyancy in drilling mud. Using a composite coiled tube that effectively floats in drilling mud, a tractor-like downhole tool need only overcome frictional forces to pull the composite coiled tube through a well. This property of the composite material greatly increases the working range of the composite coiled tube. Thus, the composite coiled tubing allows the completion of wells up to a depth of 20,000 feet or more, which was not previously easily achieved by other methods.

Furthermore, composite coiled tubing is highly resistant to fatigue failure caused by “bending events”, a form of failure that is often a problem with steel coiled tubing. At least three bending events may occur prior to placing the newly manufactured coiled tube in the well. An elongation event when the coiled tube is first unwound from the reel, a bending event when transitioning through the gooseneck, and an elongation event when entering the injection device. Such accumulation of bending events can severely compromise the integrity of the steel coiled tubing and pose a hazard to personnel and drill rig operations. Therefore, the steel coiled tube
It is usual to pull up from work after only a few runs in the well. However, the composite coiled tubing is not significantly affected by such bending events and thus can be used in operation for a very long period of time.

Because of this, systems utilizing composite coiled tubing can be used safely and cost-effectively to drill and explore deeper and longer wells than was possible with conventional drilling systems. . In addition, completed but non-productive wells can be reworked to improve recovery of hydrocarbon material. The composite coiled tubing system thus enables drilling operations into formations that were previously inaccessible, thereby maximizing fossil fuel recovery.

However, these significant improvements in drilling operations cannot be achieved without a handling system that can effectively and cost effectively utilize stretched length composite coiled tubing. Prior art coiled tube handling systems do not easily accommodate the reel changes required when pouring down thousands of coiled tubes into the downhole. Prior art coiled tube handling systems require interruption to replace an empty reel with a full reel. As such a procedure is not efficient, there is a need for a coiled tube handling system that more efficiently replaces subsequent reels of coiled tube.

Composite coiled tubing has the potential to exceed the performance limits of isotropic metals, thus increasing the useful life of the pipe and broadening its operating parameters. Composite coiled tubes are generally manufactured as continuous tubes machined from non-metallic materials to provide high body strength and wear resistance. This tube is the pressure of breaking and crushing,
It can be adjusted to exhibit unique properties that optimally accommodate tensile and compressive loads and large strains caused by bending. This usable feature extends the performance parameters beyond the physical limits of steel or another isotropic material tubing. In addition, the fibers and resins used in the composite coiled tube construction render the tube impervious to corrosion and resistant to the chemicals used to treat oil and gas wells.

High performance composite structural members are generally constructed as a combination of layers laminated with fibers in respective layers oriented in a particular direction or directions. These fibers are usually fixed in a preferred orientation by the surrounding matrix material. This matrix material, which is usually much weaker than the fiber, plays the role of transferring the load into the fiber. Fibers with high potential for use in making composite pipes include glass, carbon and aramid. Epoxy resins or thermoplastics are good candidate materials for matrix materials.

In current practice, coiled tubing is often used in conjunction with a bottom hole assembly that connects to the ends of a tube string. The bottom hole assembly includes a variety of downhole tools and sensors, orienters, motors,
A hydraulic ram and an instrument including an operating tool may be provided. If the tube supports a bottom hole assembly for drilling, the bottom hole assembly will be equipped with a drill and other drilling equipment. Other types of sensors and monitoring devices can be positioned upstream of the drill. One consequence of the various devices used in conjunction with coiled tube strings is the need for some means of conducting power and signals from one end of the string to the other. In this way, power and signals can be sent from a control / operation point on the surface of the earth to the bottom hole assembly at the opposite end of the string, and likewise, signals can be sent from the bottom hole assembly to the surface. Thus, a composite coiled tube can be manufactured with the conductor embedded in the wall of the tube itself. The conductors can be electrical wiring, optical transmission cables, or other forms of cables that can carry energy or data. The electrical conductor in the coiled tube can be connected to the bottom hole assembly at one end of the string and the conductor at the other end of the string is a meter,
It can be connected to gauges, controllers and computers.

However, there is one problem with transmitting a signal through a composite coiled tube. Where two or more tubes must be joined to form the overall length required for a particular well operation, connectors are provided to pass energy or data between adjacent coiled tubes. There must be. Such a connection must first be provided with a strong electrical contact between the two wires to be joined, in order to allow uninterrupted signals to pass in the presence of wobbles and spots that occur during well work. . In addition, the connection must form an insulation. The connected conductors must not only be insulated from the fluid and other materials in the surrounding well environment, but also properly insulated from other conductors in the composite tube. Materials present in the well environment are highly corrosive to electrical conductors and can be harmful. The usual drawback of existing methods of connecting composite coiled tubing is that they do not adequately meet the needs for a strong and well-insulated electrical connection of electrical conductors in the joined assembly of tubes. That is.

Notwithstanding the above-mentioned prior art, a coil that combines the features of a strong mechanical connection, the sealing of the fluid in the coiled tube from the external environment, and the formation of a strong electrical connection. There is a need for a tubular connector. These and other features and advantages are found in the present invention.

[0014]

[Patent Document 1]       U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,379

[Patent Document 2]       U.S. Pat. No. 4,568,145

[Patent Document 3]       U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,028

[Patent Document 4]       US Pat. No. 4,699,454

[Patent Document 5]       U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,516

[Patent Document 6]       U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,618

[Patent Document 7]       US Pat. No. 5,064,268

[Patent Document 8]       US Pat. No. 5,146,982

[Patent Document 9]       US Pat. No. 5,156,206

[Patent Document 10]       US Pat. No. 5,332,049

[Patent Document 11]       US Pat. No. 5,351,752

[Patent Document 12]       US Pat. No. 5443099

[Patent Document 13]       US Pat. No. 5,988,702

[Patent Document 14]       U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,538

[Patent Document 15]       U.S. Pat. No. 3,753,206

[Patent Document 16]       US Patent No. 3879097

[Patent Document 17]       U.S. Pat. No. 4,012,092

[Patent Document 18]       U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,237

[Patent Document 19]       U.S. Pat. No. 4,220,381

[Patent Document 20]       U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,203

[Patent Document 21]       U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,657

[Patent Document 22]       International Patent Publication No. 97/12115

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0015]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned deficiencies of the prior art by providing a connector with a female and male housing that are joined together to create a coiled tube connection. The rotating ring of the male housing comprises threads that engage corresponding threads of the female housing. The spindle of the male housing also aligns with the corresponding groove in the female housing. The female and male housings, respectively, are attached to the ends of the coiled tubing by clamps or threaded connections.

A first advantage of the connector of the present invention is that the connector forms a strong connection for joining a plurality of consecutive composite coiled tubes. In this way, compressive, tensile and torque forces can be transmitted along the length of the composite drill string.

Another advantage of the connector of the present invention is that it allows the fluid passing inside the coiled tube to
The connector forms a hydraulic seal to isolate fluids and substances passing outside the coiled tubing. The connector also allows fluid to be delivered uninterrupted from one tube to the next.

The composite tube does not have to have a perfectly round cross section. The fact that the composite tube is bendable allows the composite tube to bend until it deviates from the round cross section. The connector of the present invention ensures that the coiled tubing is strongly bonded and sealed to the connector despite the tendency to deviate from the round cross section of the tubing. The connector achieves this advantage with a hydraulic seal.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the connector can be assembled without transmitting rotational forces to either coiled tube.

Another advantage of the present invention is the ability to provide strong and well protected contacts between matched pairs of electrical conductors in adjacent composite tubes. This contact is
Achieved by aligned assembly of ring contacts. The ring contact mounted on the male end has a springback located just below the engagement surface of the ring contact. Thus, when the male contact ring engages the female contact ring, this springback ensures that the contacts are engaged.

Another advantage of the electrical contacts achieved by the connector of the present invention is the insulation it forms from the surrounding well environment and from adjacent conductors between adjacent electrical signals.

Another advantage of the connector is that many members in the connector subassembly
It is the same for the male and female parts of the connector. Thus another design,
No need for drawings or inventory management. The same members can be used in either male or female housing constructions.

Thus, the present invention comprises a combination of features and advantages that can overcome the various problems of the prior art coiled tube connectors. The various characteristics described above, as well as other features,
Objects and advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024]

[Description of preferred embodiments]

  For a detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings.

The invention is capable of embodiments in various aspects. These are shown in the drawings, in which particular embodiments of the invention are to be regarded as an illustration of the principles of the invention and the invention is limited to that shown and described herein. Explain in detail, with the understanding that it is not what you are trying to do.

The coiled tube connector of the present invention comprises a female and male housing that are joined together to form a coiled tube connection. The rotating ring on the male housing includes threads that engage corresponding threads on the female housing. The splines on the male housing are also aligned with the corresponding grooves on the female housing. Each of the female and male housings is attached to the end of the coiled tube through a clamp connection.
Passages or conduits in the female and male housings allow electrical conductors embedded within respective portions of the coiled tube to pass through the ring contacts. Ring contacts on the female and male housings align when both housings are connected to pass electrical energy or signals from one sized coiled tube to the next sized coiled tube .

Referring first to FIG. 1, one preferred embodiment of a connector 10 for connecting a plurality of adjacent composite coiled tubes 12, 14 is shown. Connector 10
Comprises a male housing 20 and a female housing 40.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the male housing 20 is generally hollow cylindrical in shape. Moving the eye all the way from right to left in FIG. 2 shows some features of the male housing. Splines 28 are machined or mounted on the outer edge of the male housing described above. Inner electrical contacts 50 are also located on the male housing 20. The inner electrical contact 50 is substantially cylindrical in shape and comprises both electrical contacts or rings 51 and wiper seals 52. The inner electrical contacts 50 are located approximately on the outer radius of the male housing 20. The contact ring 51 is composed of any electrical conductor and the wiper seal 52 is composed of an electrical insulator.

Still referring to FIG. 2, a rotating ring 27 is disposed on the male housing 20. The rotating ring 27 is free to rotate about the barrel of the male housing 20, but does not slide axially along the length of the male housing 20. The rotating ring 27 is prevented from sliding along the length of the male housing 20 by the locking ring 30 and may be blocked by conventional mechanical devices such as splines or stoppers. The rotating ring 27 has a threaded portion 31 on its outer surface.

Another feature of male housing 20 and rotating ring 27 is the presence of seal 29. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, seals 29 are located on the surfaces of male housing 20 and rotating ring 27, respectively. However, the seal could also be placed on the female housing 40. The seal itself is composed of an elastic material that allows the compression seal to form against the hydraulic pressure encountered in the well. As shown, the seal 29 is a groove provided on the male housing 20 and the rotating ring 27,
It can be provided in a recess or in a ring.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a female housing 40 is shown. Male housing 2
Like 0, the female housing 40 is also substantially cylindrical in shape. The female housing 40 comprises a slot or groove 48 and a receiving thread 41. The female housing 40 is provided with a sealing surface 49 and an outer electrical contact 60, both of which are located on the inner diameter of the female housing 40.

The outer electrical contact 60 is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises an outer electrical plate or ring 61. In the preferred embodiment, outer electrical contact 60 comprises an outer electrical ring 61 for each conductor on inner electrical contact 50. The contact ring 61 can be made of any conductive material. The outer electrical ring 61 is not isolated by a wiper seal, but by a plastic insulator (not shown).
The outer electrical contacts 60 are located on the inner radius of the female housing 40. The electrical ring 61 is connected to a conductor embedded in the composite tube 14 that is joined to the female housing 40.

Both male housing 20 and female housing 40 share many common features. For ease of discussion, these common features are specified together below.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the passageway 71 and the conforming seal 72 are shown.
The conformable seal 72 is constructed of an elastic material capable of forming a compression seal when subjected to hydraulic pressure.

Both male housing 20 and female housing 40 include an axial passage 73. These passages are voids or grooves that have approximately the diameter of the electrical wiring or the dimensions of the voids. These passages can take any of several shapes, depending on the final shape of the connector 10 and the manufacturing method selected.

In the preferred embodiment, the male housing 20, the female housing 40 and the rotating ring 27 have a plurality of openings 32, 34 and 42 perforated in their respective members.

Both male housing 20 and female housing 40 comprise an outer conical housing 43 and an inner skirt 44. Surrounding the inner skirt 44 on both male housing 20 and female housing 40 is a split ring wedge member 45. In a preferred embodiment, the split ring wedge member 45 has a straight outer diameter and a tapered inner diameter. The conical housing 43 has a straight outer diameter and a tapered inner diameter. The inner skirt portion 44 has a linear inner diameter and a tapered outer diameter. The split ring wedge member 45 itself is made of a material that exhibits strength at high stress and is relatively bendable. Beryllium copper alloy was used as a suitable material.
The other components of both male housing 20 and female housing 40 are made of any high strength material such as steel, preferably a material that is corrosion resistant.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there are transitions 53, 54 in the inner diameters of male housing 20 and female housing 40.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner electrical contacts 50 and the outer electrical contacts 60 are each 4
It has one contact plate or ring 51, 61. This number is chosen to correspond to the number of conductors arranged in the typical coiled tubes 12,14 used. Various numbers of contact rings can be used. Both inner electrical contacts 50 and outer electrical contacts 60 can include wiper seals, such as seal 52. A wiper seal formed of a resilient insulating material forms a raised isolation between the electrical contacts 51,61. In the preferred embodiment, the wiper seal has outer electrical contacts 6
It is only on the inner electrical contact 50, not on 0.

2 and 3, caps 36, 4 placed on the male and female housings.
6 is shown. These caps are not part of the assembled connector, but are attached to their respective housings during manufacture to allow for handling and to prevent the ingress of foreign objects to prevent possible housing damage. To be done. In the preferred embodiment, both male housing 20 and female housing 40 structures may consist of separate components incorporated into the final housing.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the clamp subassembly 80 comprises members for both male and female housings, which can be converted to a male or female housing by assembly of separate members. A skirt or straight support 81 is shown as a separate member of the clamp subassembly 80. Straight support 81
Is joined to the body of the clamp subassembly 80 by a suitable fastener, such as a threaded connection, or a press fit. The junction of the clamp subassembly 80 to the linear support 81 is a metal seal and a plastic seal 82, 83, which seal itself comprises an O-ring elastic seal 84. FIG. 4 also shows a stopper clamp ring 85 that forms a separate member of the clamp subassembly 80. The stopper clamp ring 85 forms the lower structural member on which the outer conical housing 43, the inner skirt 44 and the split ring 45 are mounted.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the clamp subassembly 80 further comprises a plug 86 and an adapter 87. FIG. 3 shows the clamp subassembly 80 further converted into the final female housing 40 by the addition of a female retaining sleeve 88 and a female end member 89. 5 and 6 show detailed views of the female retaining sleeve 88 and the female end member 89. Similarly, FIG. 2 shows the clamp subassembly 80 converted to the male housing 20 by the addition of the male end member 90 and the rotating ring 27.

The assembly of male housing 20 and female housing 40 creates a complete connector 10. Assembly of the male housing 20 and the female housing 40 begins by aligning the splines 28 provided on the male housing 20 with the grooves 48 provided on the female housing 40. Because the female housing 40 is configured to have an inner diameter at one end and the male housing 20 is configured to have a corresponding outer diameter, the male housing 20 described above can be sealingly engaged with the female housing 40 during assembly. .

When the male housing 20 is connected to the female housing 40, the screw portion 31 of the rotating ring 27 engages with the receiving screw portion 41 of the female housing 40. Then the rotating ring 2
When 7 is rotated, the screw part 31 is screwed into the receiving screw part 41 and locked. Since the rotating ring 27 freely rotates around the barrel 33 of the male housing 20, the male housing 20 and the female housing 40 themselves do not rotate even if the rotating ring 27 rotates. In this way, the male housing 20 can be securely connected to the female housing 40 without applying a twisting force to the plurality of composite coiled tubes 12, 14 connected to the male and female housings 20, 40.

A plurality of openings 31, 34 and 42 drilled in the male housing 20, the female housing 40 and the rotating ring 27 aid in connecting the male housing 20 to the female housing 40. The openings 32, 34 and 42 in the housing 20, ring 27 and housing 40, respectively, provide protrusions from a connecting tool (not shown) used to join multiple composite coiled tubes 12, 14 at the work site. Accept. Due to this engagement, the connection tool is connected to the male housing 20 and the female housing 40.
And the rotating ring 27 can be engaged, gripped or manipulated. During the assembly stage, male housing 20 and female housing 40 are held fixed by the use of openings 32 and 42. At the same time as the rotating ring 27 rotates by utilizing the opening 34, the male housing 20 is joined to the female housing 40 as described above.

Although the openings 32, 34, 42 have been described as engaging a connecting tool, it goes without saying that other methods can be used. For example, the openings 32, 34, 42 can have various shapes. Similarly, instead of openings, flats can be machined on these parts so that a spanner tool can apply a force to the flats. In addition, a chain or friction tool can be used on the unmachined, smooth surface on the male housing 20, female housing 40 and rotating ring 27 to apply the required gripping force.

The seal 29 present on the male housing 20 and the rotating ring 27 is compressed against the corresponding sealing surface 49 on the female housing 40 when the male housing 20 is joined to the female housing 40. In this way, the assembled connector 10 forms a fluid tight seal to isolate the fluid inside the coiled tubes 12, 14 from the fluid surrounding the outside of the coiled tubes 12, 14. The seals 29, 37 are located on the male housing 20 and the rotating ring 27 for ease of manufacture and can be similarly located on the female housing 40.

Attachment of the coiled tubes 12, 14 to the connector 10 is similar for both male and female housings 10, 40. Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of composite tubes 12, 1 joined to a male housing 20 and a female housing 40.
4 is shown. The male and female housings 10, 40 have an outer conical housing 43
And an inner skirt portion 44. Surrounding the inner skirt portion 44 is a split ring wedge member 45. As can be seen, the ends of the composite tube 14 are mounted around the split ring wedge member 45 and inside the inner diameter of the outer conical housing 43. When the outer conical housing 43 is withdrawn against the inner skirt 44, the composite tube 14 is compression clamped in place against the ring wedge member 45. Additionally, the split ring wedge member 45 is withdrawn closely against the composite tube 14 when the outer conical housing 43 is pressed against the inner skirt 44.

In practice, it may be advantageous to mount male housing 20 and female housing 40 to the ends of a composite coiled tube at a factory, worksite or other worksite. That is, a plurality of coiled tubes preassembled at the connector end can then be shipped to the work site. At the work site, the male and female portions of the connector are then joined together as needed.

Friction forces hold the conical housing 43, inner skirt 44 and composite tube together. In fact, the clamping force is achieved so that the bond strength between the tube and the housing exceeds that of the coiled tube itself.

When assembling the conical housing 43, inner skirt 44 and split ring wedge member 45 into a composite tube, a taper 56 on the ends of the composite tubes 12,14.
It is advantageous to cut. The conical housing 43, the inner skirt 44, the split ring wedge member 45 and the taper on the composite tubes 12, 14 are preferably of approximately the same degree to achieve a secure connection. The preferred degree of taper is about 1.5 degrees.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a preferred split ring wedge member 45 that is generally cylindrical in shape is shown. The wall thickness of the split ring wedge member 45 tapers from one end to the other end. Further, the taper frequency is determined so that the inner surface 47 of the split ring wedge member 45 when pressed around the inner skirt 44 is pressed against the inner skirt 44 at all points on the surface 47. The outer surface 49 of the split ring wedge member 45 is also pressed at all points against the composite tube 14 so as to clamp the composite tube 14 against the inner bearing surface of the outer conical housing 43. However, the split ring wedge member 45 does not form a continuous cylindrical shape. A split 46 is provided along the length of the split ring wedge member 45. The split 46 allows the split ring wedge member 45 to compress when the outer conical housing 43 is pressed against the inner skirt 44. The same method as described above for joining the composite tube to the female housing 40 is used to join the composite tube to the male housing 20. The composite tube is thus similarly joined to the male housing 20 by a friction joint that includes an outer conical housing 36, an inner skirt portion 37 and a split ring wedge member 38.

As described above, the plurality of coiled tubes 12 and 14 are connected to the female and male housings 40.
, 20, it is advantageous to taper the ends of the coiled tubes to be connected. When forming the taper at the end of the coiled tube, it is preferable to strip the working length of the embedded conductor. This conductor is first passed through an axial passage 73 molded into the female and male housings 40, 20 so that the conductor can pass from the ends of the coiled tube to the inner electrical contacts 50 and outer electrical contacts 60.

In the preferred embodiment, the conductors from composite tubes 12, 14 are not directly connected to inner electrical contacts 50 or outer electrical contacts 60. Rather, the contact plates or rings 51, 61 of both the inner electrical contacts 50 and the outer electrical contacts 60 are manufactured with individual conductor leads (not shown). The leads themselves are drawn through passages 73 in the male and female housings 20,40. During assembly,
The lead conductors starting from the coiled tube are connected or soldered to the lead conductors starting from the contact plates 51, 61. The connections between the conductors are then covered by pressure boots (not shown). The pressure boot is a substantially elastic seal that excludes fluid from the contacts between the conductors by pressure means. Pressure boots are known in the industry.

The inner electrical contacts 50 and the outer electrical contacts 60 are disposed on the male and female housings 20, 40, respectively, so that when the male housing 20 is joined to the female housing 40 to form the connector 10, the inner electrical contacts are formed. The electrical ring 51 of the contact 50 is aligned with and makes electrical contact with the outer electrical ring 61 provided on the outer electrical contact 60. Either or both of the inner electrical contact 50 and the outer electrical contact 60 have springbacks or biasing members that act to hold the inner electrical contact 50 and the outer electrical contact 60 in secure contact with each other. You can

Each contact ring 51, 61 is radially mounted and positioned so as to connect with the corresponding ring 51, 61. Rings 51, 6 in that the electrical contacts do not depend on the relative radial position of male and female housings 20, 40.
There is the advantage of mounting the 1 in a radial position. Rather, the contact rings 51, 61
To ensure proper alignment and contact between both male and female housings 20, 40
Is the relative axial position of. Thus, the inner and outer contacts 51, 61 are arranged to be in alignment when in the axial position that would be obtained when the male and female housings 20, 40 were fully connected. It is not necessary to position the housings 20, 40 in any particular radial position to achieve electrical contact.

The wiper seal 52 provided on the inner electrical contacts 50 functions during assembly.
The diameter dimensions of the male and female housings are such that the wiper seal 52 is partially compressed when assembled into the connector 10. Further, the assembly of the male and female housings 20, 40 causes the partially compressed wiper seal 52 to be dragged across the electrical contact ring 61 of the outer electrical contact 60. This drag action acts to wipe contaminants from the contact ring 61 so that the mating surfaces for the inner and outer electrical contacts 50, 60 are reliably cleaned.

In operation, once the male housing 20 has been positively joined to the female housing 40, the assembled connector 10 transfers pulling and compressing forces above and below the coiled tube string. In this way, a plurality of continuous coiled tubes 12, 14 can be drawn into or out of the well.
When the spline 28 engages the groove 48, the twisting force in one tube is transferred to the other connected tube in the other. In addition, the spline 28 and the groove 48
By this alignment, accurate rotational alignment of the male housing 20 and the female housing 40 can be realized.

The assembled connector 10 also forms a sealed passage for the fluid to be guided within the coiled tube. During assembly, the seal 29 sealingly engages the receiving surface 49. Thus, fluid can pass through the coil 10 above and below the plurality of coiled tubes 12, 14 without contacting any material outside the coiled tubes.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the male housing 20 and the female housing 40 of the connector 10 are
The transitions 53, 54 at their respective inner diameters direct the fluid as it passes from a single coiled tube into the connector 10. As the fluid enters the connector 10, it faces a gradual tapering decrease in the inner diameter of the connector 10 and also when the fluid is in the connector 1.
As it exits from 0 through another coiled tube, its inner diameter increases in steps. The taper thus facilitates fluid flow. Connector 10
The graduated taper within reduces turbulence of the flowing fluid. This reduction in fluid turbulence has the additional benefit of reducing damage or damage to the interior of the connector 10.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 4, the inner skirt 81 extends a small distance along the inner diameter of the coiled tube. The purpose of extending the length of the inner skirt 81 is to provide a support on which the coiled tube can be placed.
This support prevents the coiled tube from being excessively bent and broken at a position where the coiled tube is mounted on the female housing 40. The length of the inner skirt 44 is preferably 1 to 20 times the diameter of the coiled tube.

Referring again to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, passageway 71 and matching seal 72 are shown. The passage 71 allows fluid communication between the interior of the composite tube 12, 14 and the conformable seal 72. The conformable seal 72 comprises a deformable material such as rubber or elastomer. Thus, as the fluid inside the coiled tube enters the passage 71, the pressure within the fluid fills the conforming seal 72. In this way, the conformable seal 72 acts to seal the coiled tube against the male and female housings 20,40.

Electrical signals are transmitted through conductors embedded in the coiled tubes 12, 14. These conductors pass through passages 73 in male housing 20 until they make electrical contact with electrical contact ring 51 of inner electrical contact 50. At this point, electrical signals, or electrical energy if the cable is an energy-carrying conductor, are delivered from the inner electrical contacts 50 to the outer electrical contacts 60. Furthermore, the signal is the female housing 4
0 through the passage 73 in the female housing 40 and into the cable of the coiled tube 14 mounted to the female housing 40.

The wiper seal 52 also functions to isolate and insulate the contact ring 61 from fluids and other substances that are external to the composite tubes 12, 14 or guided inside the composite tubes 12, 14. To do. The wiper seal 52 thus protects the contact rings 51, 61 from chemical corrosion and physical collapse. By insulating the metal plates or rings 51, 61, the wiper seal 52 also ensures that uninterrupted contact is maintained between the conductive conductors of the upper and lower coiled tubing components 12, 14. Finally, the wiper seal 52 acts to insulate the individual electric rings 51, 61 from each other. Thus, there is no signal interference or power loss as a result of crossing or entanglement connections between the electrical plates.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or teachings of the invention. The embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not limiting. Many modifications and variations of this system and apparatus are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but only by the claims, and is intended to cover all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1]   It is sectional drawing of the connector which connects two composite tubes.

[Fig. 2]   FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a male housing of the connector.

[Figure 3]   FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a female housing of the connector.

[Figure 4]   It is sectional drawing of the clamp subassembly of a connector.

[Figure 5]   It is sectional drawing of the female end member of a connector.

[Figure 6]   It is a sectional view of a male end member of a connector.

[Figure 7]   It is sectional drawing of a split ring wedge member.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), OA (BF , BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, G M, KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ , UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, B Z, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK , DM, DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, J P, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR , LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NO, NZ, PL, PT, R O, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ , TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW (72) Inventor Estepe, James, W             United States 77059 Hue, Texas             Stone, Lake Scene Trail             14202 F term (reference) 2D029 KA00 KA01                 3H016 EA01                 3H111 AA02 DA01 DB17

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A connector for joining a plurality of composite coiled tubes, which can be attached to one end of a first composite coiled tube and allows fluid to pass from the composite coiled tube to a male housing. A male housing having such a shape, and a shape capable of being attached to one end portion of the second composite coil-shaped tube so that fluid can pass from the composite coil-shaped tube to the female housing, and A female housing configured to seal-engage with the male housing, rotatably mounted to the male housing, securely retained in a lateral position on the male housing, and sealingly engaged with the female housing. A rotating ring that is formed so as to fit together, a first screw portion that is arranged in a radial direction with respect to the rotating ring, A second threaded portion disposed in a direction, the first threaded portion engaging the second threaded portion when the rotating ring is rotated, whereby the male housing and the female housing are Having a second threaded portion for sealing engagement with the male housing and the rotating ring, and a sealing member for sealing engagement between the male housing and the female housing. . 2. Further comprising at least one spline disposed in the male housing and at least one groove disposed in the female housing and formed to closely engage the spline. The connector according to claim 1. 3. A plurality of splines disposed in the male housing, and a plurality of splines disposed in the female housing, and closely engaging the splines when the male housing and the female housing are seal-engaged. The connector of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of grooves so formed. 4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the male housing, the female housing and the rotary ring are formed so that a tool can operate the male housing, the female housing and the rotary ring. 5. The male housing, the female housing, and the rotating ring are formed with a void portion that allows the male housing, the female housing, and the rotating ring to be operated by a work tool. connector. 6. The male housing and the rotating ring are arranged in a radial direction,
The connector of claim 1, further comprising a seal configured to sealingly engage the male housing and the rotating ring with the female housing. 7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein an annular space for sealingly engaging the seal is formed in the female housing. 8. An inner skirt portion is further provided on both the male and female housings, said inner skirt portion having a length of between 1 and 20 times an inner diameter of the coiled tube inside the composite coiled tube. The connector of claim 1, extending along. 9. The connector according to claim 1, wherein both the male housing and the female housing have tapered inner diameters. 10. A connector for joining a plurality of composite coiled tubes comprising male and female housings, each of said male and female housings having an inner diameter of one end of one coiled tube. A split ring mounted on the inner side, and an inner skirt portion formed so as to be securely fitted to the inner diameter of the split ring,
Pressing the end of the coiled tube against the split ring and the inner skirt,
A conical housing configured to be mounted on the end of the coiled tube. 11. The split ring has a tapered inner diameter and a straight outer diameter,
11. The female housing of claim 10, wherein the inner skirt has a tapered outer diameter and a constant inner diameter, and the conical housing has a straight outer diameter and a tapered inner diameter. 12. The female housing of claim 10, wherein the split ring, the inner skirt and the conical housing have a taper of about 1.5 degrees. 13. A connector forming an electrical connection between first and second sections of a composite coil tube having embedded wiring, the connector being mounted on the first section of the composite coil tube and having a composite structure. A male housing having a conduit formed to allow the wires embedded within the coiled tube to pass through the conduit, and the wires of the composite coiled tube attached to the second section of the composite coiled tube A female housing having a conduit formed therethrough, and a first electrical contact ring disposed on the male housing, the at least one contact plate embedded around the first electrical contact ring. And a plurality of wiper seals, and a conduit for connecting the wires from the first composite coiled tube to the contact plate. A first electrical contact ring and a second electrical contact ring disposed on the female housing, the second electrical contact ring comprising at least one matching plate embedded in the periphery. And also having conduits for connecting wires from a second composite coiled tube to the matching plate, and when the male housing is joined to the female housing, the contact plate of the first electrical contact ring. A second electrical contact ring arranged to positively engage the matching plate of the second electrical contact ring. 14. The first electrical contact ring disposed on the male housing comprises four contact plates, and the second electrical contact ring disposed on the female housing includes four matching plates. 14. The connector of claim 13, comprising a plate. 15. The connector of claim 13, further comprising biasing means for pressing the contact plate against the alignment plate when the male housing is joined to the female housing. 16. A connector for forming an electrical connection between first and second sections of a composite coiled tube having embedded electrical wiring, the connector being attached to the first section of the composite coiled tube. A male housing and a ring disposed in the male housing, the female housing having contacts embedded in the periphery of the ring, the contact portion having an exposed surface, the ring being a composite coil A connector having a ring having a conductor for receiving wiring from a first section of the tubular coil and a female housing mounted to the second section of the composite coiled tube. 17. A connector for joining a plurality of composite coiled tubes, which is a male housing attachable to one end of a first composite coiled tube, wherein the fluid in the composite coiled tube is A male housing having a hollow shape so that it can pass through the male housing, and a female housing that can be attached to one end portion of the second composite coiled tube so that the fluid in the composite coiled tube can pass through the female housing. A female housing having a hollow shape and formed so as to seal-engage with the male housing, and having a receiving screw portion to be arranged on an inner circumference of the female housing; and an engaging screw portion. A rotating ring rotatably attached to the male housing, wherein the engaging screw portion is placed so as to engage with a receiving screw portion of the female housing. A first electrical contact disposed on the male housing, the rotating ring rotating the rotating ring to sealingly engage the male housing with the female housing, and a plurality of contact rings and a wiper seal. Wherein the contact ring comprises a first electrical contact having a wire lead that can be joined to a wire embedded in a composite coiled tube mountable to the male housing, and a plurality of contact rings. A second electrical contact disposed on the inner circumference of the housing, wherein the contact ring has a wiring lead wire capable of joining to a wiring embedded in a composite coiled tube mountable to the female housing. Two electrical contacts and urging means located below the contact ring provided in the male housing, the male housing being the female housing. Connector having a biasing means for reliably acts to engage the contact rings of the first electrical contact to the contact ring of the second electrical contact when it is joined to. 18. A connector for mechanically joining and hydraulically sealing the first and second sections of a composite coiled tube, the composite coiled tube having a hollow shape. A male housing for allowing the fluid therein to pass therethrough; a means for mounting the male housing to one first composite coiled tube; A female housing for allowing the passage of the female housing, means for mounting the female housing to one end of the second composite coiled tube, and a rotating ring rotatably mounted on the male housing, the sealing means being arranged. A rotating ring provided, first screw means arranged on the rotating ring, and when the rotating ring is rotated, the first screw means turns into second screw means. Combined,
A second screw means disposed on the female housing so that the male housing is sealingly engaged with the female housing.