MXPA06004078A - Tubing connector - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for connecting a first and a second section of tubing is provided. It comprise a body having a bore therethrough, a first end, a stiff section, and an exterior surface adapted for connection to the first and second sections of tubing. A first tapered section may be provided on the first end of the body, and the first end of the body may be adapted to be disposed within the first section of coiled tubing. A second tapered section may be provided on the second end of the body, and the second end of the body may be adapted to be disposed within the second section of coiled tubing. The first and second tapered sections may be provided with outer and inner tapered surfaces. By connecting two coiled tubings using a connector as disclosed herein, the result is cost savings through an improved joint between two coiled tubings that will withstand bending forces applied proximate the joint in a manner believed to be superior to joints formed by previous coiled tubing connectors. Related methods are also provided.

Description

OE PIPE CONNECTOR 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally pertains to oilfield equipment, and more particularly to a device and method for connecting pipeline for downhole use. 2. Description of the Related Branch The spiral pipe it is used in a wide array of applications in oil field operations such as drilling and completion of oil and gas wells, transporting equipment and performing maintenance on finished oil and gas wells. To deploy "spiral pipeline to xm po" zo sounding, the spiral pipe string is unraveled or removed from a spool of spiral pipe, run over an injector swan neck connector and inserted into xm well head system to inject the pipe spirally into the well of sounding »To retract the spiral pipe of xm or D of sounding, the txibería in spiral is entangled or placed again in reel outside the well of sounding to tr back of the head system, from pozp on the gooseneck connection and to the spool of "spiral pipe. It is known that bending and straightening the spiral pipe in well site operations and entangling the spiral pipe in a reel causes low cycle fatigue in the spiral pipe, which if left unchecked can lead to pipeline failure in the pipeline. turn. The ability to untangle and entangle the spiral pipe as a continuous pipe string, however, offers attractive operating vents over pipe with joints that require connections in each pipe section.There are occasions, however, when required connections between spiral pipe strings, for example in situations where the length of the spiral pipe required an operation to exceed the capacity of the spiral pipe reel, when the capacity of handling equipment limits the allowable weight of the spool " spiral pipe, limiting in this way the length of the spiral pipe allowed will entangle in it; when, a spiral pipe repair is required; or when a section of spiral pipe is removed from a well. The problem of making spiral pipe connections between two strings, of spiral pipe or between "Spiral tubing and a termination tool or string has typically been addressed in one of three ways, - those being, by field welding, using rigid connectors or using flexible connectors. To connect spiral pipe string in the field, it is commonly used butt welding. Brazing is done by placing together the ends of two "pipe" segments, each segment having one end cut perpendicular to its axis, the ends placed in line with each other ("butted together"), and making a circumferential weld placed around the joint of the cut ends. Welding under field conditions is more difficult and less strong than "deviation type" welding that is used under controlled conditions when manufacturing spiral pipe.The butt welded sections of spiral pipe are usually weaker and have a longer life of fatigue. cycle under much more cut than seamless spiral pipe sections: typically a butt weld has a low cycle fatigue life of the order of 50% to 60% of the low cycle fatigue life of the spiral pipe. Since failure of spiral pipe welds can lead to unsafe working conditions, verification test is required using methods such as X-ray, stress test, or pressure test of welding operation before deployment of "spiral pipe welded in a borehole. In addition, connections are often required in areas where explosive conditions may be present, leading to the need to take additional safety precautions in field welding. In sum, field welding is a time-consuming and operationally undesirable method for connecting two spiral pipe segments together. Rigid connectors are typically used to connect device tools to the spiral pipe end, such as for connecting a tool string to the end of spiral tubing not wound before insertion into the borehole. The rigid connectors can be used during wellbore deployment to connect between one or more uncoiled spiral pipe strings. Rigid connectors, however, are not entangled with spiral tubing in the spiral tubing reel since they lack the flexibility required to bend around the spool of "spiral tubing and deployment equipment." As a result, the connectors present a number of disadvantages., Like field welding, the use of rigid connectors in wellbore deployment requires stopping the unraveling of the spiral pipe, installing the rigid connector on the spiral pipe, making the connection, and then restarting the unraveling of the spiral pipe string to deploy the pipeline spirally connected to the borehole.In addition, the rigid connectors are often larger in diameter than the spiral pipe and fit externally around the spiral pipe As such, they cause operating difficulties because they do not pass through the wellhead equipment. that are designed to be the same diameter as the spiral pipe or to have an end that can be inserted into the inner diameter of the spiral pipe; said connectors are referred to herein as internal connectors. The internal connectors offer advantages of operation over the externally placed connectors since the internal connectors do not cause an increased external diameter over the connected portion of the pipe string. Even when difficulties of operation are reduced by the use of internal connectors, the use of rigid internal connectors in spiral pipe, however, imposes difficulties. The use of a rigid connector with "flexible spiral pipe creates an abrupt transition between the connector and the pipe." As the spiral pipe is bent in routine activities, the end of the spiral pipe adjacent to the end of the rigid pipe It is flexed to an undesirable degree.This area is commonly called the point of articulation since the bend can be so severe as to resemble an articulated connection.The said effort of the spiral pipe in a rigid connection can quickly make the pipe in It is common for tubing used with a connector to become unsuitable for use or to fail after only a few bending / straightening cycles.In general, rigid connectors lack the flexibility to allow them to become entangled Spiral pipe spool On occasion, in those situations where the end of a rigid connection is connected to the end ter In the case of the spiral pipe and the connector is relatively short, it may be possible to clamp the spiral pipe on a reel with a fixed rigid connector, provided that the opposite end of the connector is not connected to anything. One such internal connector for connecting a string of helical tubing to another string of spiral tubing or to a termination string (an attachment for permanent installation in a well) to a string of spiral tubing is described in U.S. Pat. 6,447,701 issued November 5, 2002 to Bowles et al. It is known that flexible connectors provide an interlocking connection for spiral pipe strings. A method for making a flexible connectable connection for connecting tool strings to a string of spiral tubing is described in US Pat. No. 6,561,278, issued May 13, 2003, issued to Restaríck et al., And related to the Patent of E.U.A. Mo. 6,766,858 issued July 27, 2004, to Restarick et al. The external connectors disclosed therein are particularly applicable for use with spiral tubing made of composite materials and spiral tubing having a line embedded within a sidewall. In these patents, a pair of connectors comprising a first connector arranged around a first end of a cut pipe string and a second connector disposed around a second end of a cut pipe string is used to connect one or more sets of Well tool to the spiral pipe. Another type of internal flexible connector for use with spiral tubing is described in SPE 89527, Luft, H1B., Et al., Entitled "Development of a New Enragable Mechanical Spiral Pipe Connector, March, 2QQ4". As described therein, this flexible connector uses composite materials, including an elastomeric middle section to provide flexibility, and involves a construction having composite materials and using both super alloy steels and elastomers against refilled to the external diameter of the connector . The flexible connector described in SPE 89527 has transition sections at either end of the connector where the spiral tubing overlaps the connector. In accordance with Luft et al, the test of this connector indicated that the low cycle fatigue performance of the spiral connector / tubing combination provided a life expansion for the combination of 59% to 69% of the life-expansion for spiral pipe alone. The test required to confirm that the materials from which a connector is made are compatible for use in a downhole environment or for oilfield operations is also discussed in SPE 89527. Spiral pipe connectors, like the spiral pipe itself, need to be compatible with the environment in which they are used. The test is required to demonstrate that significant degradation or failure of the spiral pipe connector will not result from exposure to the borehole environments. For example, spiral pipe can be used to deliver acid treatments to underground formations, or in environments where high levels of H2S are present. The acid test reported in SPE 89527 on various connector materials shows that this compatibility may vary. To avoid the cost and time required for compatibility testing, it would be advantageous to build an internal flexible connector of materials that have chemical resistance equal to or similar to spiral tubing. As a general matter, it would be more cost effective to build an internal spiral pipe connector of easily available commercial materials instead of specialty products such as those used in the connector described in SPE 89537. A particular challenge of using a flexible connector and pipe Spiral made from conventional materials is the variable scale of material properties generally accepted in materials such as commercial grade steel used to make spiral pipe. These materials are normally produced with a tolerance of 10-20% breaking strength. For example, steel 4048 (18-22-Rc) is known to have a breaking strength between 5,624 kg / cm2 and 6,678.5 kg / cm2 (80,000 and 95,000 psi.).

This variation in breaking strength is the basis for design limitations between the connector and the spiral pipe. For example, if one of the components has a breaking strength close to the minimum allowed ("low performance component") and another component has a breaking strength close to the maximum allowed "High performance component ^), the stress on the components under the same conditions would differ, leading to different low cycle fatigue lives.In such situations, when the low performance component reaches the performance point, the low performance component It begins to deform plastically, but the high-performance component remains on its elastic scale and does not give in. For the point at which the performance point of the high-performance component is reached and the high-performance component begins to deform plastically, the component of For example, for a conventional material such as 4140 steel that has minimum and maximum performance curves as shown in Figure 1, at an effort of 100 ksi, the low performance component will have as much 4% effort, while the high performance component would have an effort of around 0.5%. of low cycle fatigue is closely related to the amount of cyclic stress, the low performance component will fail significantly sooner than the high performance component. The flexible connectors that are known, such as that described in SPE 89527, have a flexible section in the center of the connector. This medium flexible section is designed to have a bending stiffness similar to that of the spiral pipe. The end sections on either side of the flexible center section are much stiffer than the spiral pipe. The design theory behind such configuration is to provide a flexible central section of the spiral pipe connector which deforms the spiral pipe itself under the same amount of stress. The low cycle fatigue performance of these flexible connectors depends on the rigid end connections that provide a gradual transition between the flexible spiral pipe and the flexible center section of the connector and in the section of flexible centers that have similar stiffness and fatigue life similar to the spiral pipe. Therefore, it is crucial to the operation of these flexible connectors designed with flexible center sections that both the flexible center section of the connector and the spiral pipe work equally well. This is not easily achieved given the variation of material properties and the varying stress / resistance conditions along the bending distance between the flexible section of the connector and the length of the string of "pipe spiraling beyond the influence". It has been observed that spiral pipe connectors that use a flexible section between two rigid end connections often have inconsistent performance and periodically fail much sooner than expected. Need for Improved Methods and Apparatus for Connecting Spiral Tubes In carrying out the principles of the present invention and embodiments thereof, methods and apparatuses are provided which solve the problems in the above branch COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method for connecting a first pipe and a second pipe using a pipe connector internal having a perforation, the connector having a first end section having a tapered outer surface and a rigid section wherein the rigid section of the connector is secured to the first and second pipes. In some modalities,, the internal surface of the connector along the bore is also tapered. In some embodiments, a second end section having a tapered outer surface is also provided and disposed within the second pipe. In preferred embodiments, at least one of the first pipe or second pipe is spiral pipe, and in particular embodiments, both of the pipes are spiral, the first and second pipes can be wound on a spool. The connector and connection method of the present invention is particularly useful when making repairs in spiral tubing, wherein a section of the spiral tubing is damaged or removed and the apparatus and method of the present invention is used for repairing, patching or generally connect the two sections of spiral pipe between which a portion of the pipe has been damaged or removed.

The connecting apparatus of the present invention useful for connecting the first and a second pipe section comprises a body with a longitudinal bore therethrough, a first end section, and a rigid section; the first end section of the connector having a tapered outer surface; and the outside of the rigid section adapted to connect to the internal diameter of a first and second pipe. In some modalities ,. the connector may further comprise a second end section, the second end section having a tapered outer surface and the rigid section being disposed between the first and second end sections, The first or second end section may further comprise a tapered inner surface along the perforation. An annular flange can be provided around the body and adapted to be disposed between ends of the first and second pipe sections. One or more seals may be disposed between the connector body and the first or second, or both, pipes. The rigid section of the connector of the present invention can be secured within the first and second pipes by coupling the outer surface of the body to the inner surface of the pipe using a plurality of indentations, grooves, flanges, punch hole, or other means of Connection. In some embodiments, a waste barrier is provided between at least one end section of the connector and the pipe. The present invention in specific embodiments relates to a method for deploying spiral pipe in a borehole comprising providing a spiral pipe connector having a body with a bore therethrough, body and surfaces and a rigid section. arranged between the first and second end sections to place an end section towards a first spiral pipe section, to place the second end section towards a second spiral pipe, to secure the rigid section to the internal diameter of the first and second pipes in spiral to form a connected pipe and lower the connected pipe to a borehole. The method may further comprise removing the spiral pipe from the borehole. The first or second spiral pipe can be arranged on a spool. Similarly, the connected spiral pipe can be arranged on a reel. In some embodiments, the connector may comprise an annular rim disposed about the body and adapted to be disposed between ends of the first and second spiral pipe sections and in some embodiments, the connector may comprise at least one barrier to prevent waste between the End section and spiral pipe. Other particularities, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following discussion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a stress / resistance curve representative of a steel grade. Figure 2 is a side view of a specific embodiment of a spiral pipe connection constructed in accordance with the present invention and in use for connecting a spiral pipe section to a tool string, - Figure 3? is a side view of another specific embodiment of a spiral pipe connector constructed in accordance with the present invention, similar to that shown in Figure 2, but shown not connected to any spiral pipes. Figure 3B is a side view of another specific embodiment of a spiral pipe connector constructed in accordance with the present invention. Figure 3C is a side view of another specific embodiment of a spiral pipe connector constructed in accordance with the present invention. Figure 4 is a side view of two spiral pipe connectors constructed in accordance with the present invention, and in use for connecting spiral pipe to a tool string. Figure 5 is a side view of a specific embodiment of a spiral pipe connector constructed in accordance with the present invention, and in use to connect two spiral pipe sections to a tool string. Figure 6A is a resistance diagram of a finite element model of a pipe coactor and internal spiral of the previous branch having a flexible central section. Figure 6B is a resistance diagram of a finite element model of a spiral pipe connector embodiment in accordance with the present invention. Figure 7 is a side view of another specific embodiment of a spiral pipe connector constructed in accordance with the present invention, and in use for connecting two spiral pipe sections. While the invention will be described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like numbers denote identical elements throughout the various views, a spiral pipe connector 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention and in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 2. use to connect a first section of spiral pipe 12 and a second section of spiral pipe 14. The connector 10, having a body 16 having a longitudinal bore 18 therethrough, comprises a rigid section 27 and at least one end section 28. Frequently the rigid section 27 is provided between two end sections 28, as shown in Figure 2. In some embodiments, the body 16 of the connector 10 may be discontinuous, and in additional embodiments, the rigid section 27 is detachable from one or more end 28 sections. It is preferred for embodiments to connect two spiral pipe sections such as that shown in Figure 2, that the body 16 of the connector 10 be a continuous body in which one region of the connector body 16 is rigid section 27 and another region or regions of the connecting body 16 are end section or sections 28. Said embodiment is particularly useful to be placed between a first section of spiral pipe 12 and a second section of spiral pipe 14 to form a repair between the two sections, for example, when an area has been damaged, stretched, or is of high quality. lower. The rigid section 27 of the connector 10 has an outer diameter that will fit snugly within the internal diameter of first and second spiral pipe sections 12 and 14. The outer diameter of the body 16 remains essentially constant through the rigid section 27, except in localized areas where a means, such as a groove or indentation, for effecting a connection with spiral pipe 12 and 14 is present. In the end sections 28 of the body 16, the external diameter 29 of the body 16 gradually decreases from the end 31 of the end section 28 proximal to the rigid section 27, towards the distal end 33 of the body 16, so that the outer diameter of the end section 28 of the body 16 is not tightly engaged within the inner diameter of the spiral pipe 12 or 14. When the spiral pipe 12 and 14 is straight, the end section 28 is not in contact with the internal diameter of the spiral pipe 12 or 14 due to the external diameter 29 that decreases from the end section 28. This external diameter, which is mentioned here as tapered, can be constructed in one. variety of shapes that provides a smaller external diameter at the remote end 33 of the end section 28; Examples of ways in which a taper can be formed include, but are not limited to, a single angle, a series of sectors of short angle, a constant radius, or a composite radius. As the spiral pipe 12 is connected to the connector 10 in the rigid section 27 and the spiral pipe 12 is bent as is routine in deployment and spiral pipe operation, only a limited area of the end section 28 will be in contact with the inner diameter of the spiral pipe 12 as it is bent due to the decreasing outer diameter 29 of the end section 28. In this way, there is a limited area of contact between the spiral pipe 12/14 as it is bent over the length of the end section 28 and that limited area of contact is translated along the length of the section 28. of tailor-made 'that the pipe. 12 spiral is bent. As such, the point of stress occurring at the point of contact travels along the end section 28 and overlapping spiral pipe 12, thus preventing the formation of a specific point of stress concentration or point of articulation . This feature of the present invention is referred to herein as the particularity of restrictive bending.

The particularity of restrictive bending prevents the formation of a point of articulation that results from the effort that is repeatedly concentrated in areas. It is known that said points of articulation create a weak point in spiral pipe connectors. By design, this restrictive bending feature provides a transition between the rigid section 27 of the connector 10 and the spiral pipe 12 or 14 and distributes the resistance of the spiral pipe through the length of the. end section 28 instead of at a localized point of articulation. By such resistance distribution, the maximum stress imposed at any particular point of the spiral pipe 12 or 14 overlapping the end section 28 and the length of time at which any particular point is subjected to that stress is reduced. This serves to improve the low cycle fatigue performance of the total spiral pipe and connector configuration. Said configuration is remarkably different from the known flexible internal connectors and is contrary to the conventional approach of providing a flexible middle section with stiffer section on either side. In this manner, the spiral pipe connector of the present invention is useful to provide a connection that is flexible at both ends and rigid in the middle. In various embodiments, the diameter of the inner surface of the body 16 along the longitudinal bore 18 in end section 28 may decrease in a manner similar to the outer diameter 29, may remain the same through the end section 28, or it may increase to form an internal tapered surface 30. In embodiments in which the diameter of the inner surface of the body 16 along the longitudinal bore 18 in the end section 28 remains the same or increases, the wall thickness of the cross section of the body 16 in the end section 28 decreases towards the distant end 33 as a result of decreasing the external diameter 29. This decreasing wall thickness makes the end section 28 more flexible at the distal and incrementally less flexible end 33 along the length of end section 28 extending to the end of the rigid section 27. Thus, the connector 10 is more flexible at the end 33 remote from the end section 28 and has decreasing flexibility going through the rigid section 27 along the length of the end section 28 so that the stiffer area of the section 28 of end is at the end 31 adjacent to the rigid section 27. The connector 10 can be secured to the pipe 12 and 14 ea spiral to the rigid section 27 by techniques appropriate for use with internal connectors such as bearing connectors, screws, stamping and crushing. In Figure 2, the connection between the rigid section 27 and the spiral pipe 12 and 14 is shown by indentations 22 on the external surface of the rigid section 27 receiving protuberances 20 of the spiral pipe 12 and 14. These indentations can be made in a variety of ways, such as by wrapping the spiral pipe with a mold and pressing the mold to form indentures, using a thrust or screw to form the indentations, or by using a previous pattern of weaker spots in the mold. the rigid section 27 towards which the spiral pipe 12 or 14 can be easily pressed. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the rigid section 27 can be made in pattern in order to facilitate this connection with the spiral pipe 12 and 14a. For example, the indentations on the outer surface of the rigid section 27 may be uniformly dispersed around the circumference in a localized area or along the length of the rigid section 27. Alternatively, depressions for receiving screw holes can be provided on the outer surface of the rigid section 27; said depressions may be similarly in a localized area or along the length of the rigid section 27.

In addition, the pattern, shape, or depth of said indentations can be varied and in particular, varied such that the stress during the bend of the connection is distributed through the indentations and is not concentrated in a limited localized area. Furthermore, this variation can be done in such a way as to vary the relative fit of the connection between the connector 10 and the spiral pipe 12 or 14 through the rigid section 27 of the connector 10 so that the connection between the connector 10 and the spiral pipe 12 or 14 is relatively tight near the ends of the spiral pipe 12 or 14 and the connection is less tight in other areas of the rigid section 27 of the connector 10. For example, the humidress screws more Near the ends of the spiral pipe 12 or 14 of the pipe can be tightened to a different depth compared to those screws furthest from the ends of the spiral pipe 12 or 14. Alternatively or in addition to the indentations along the outer surface of the rigid section 27, the indentations may be provided on the inner surface of the body 16 along the longitudinal bore 18. In this way, a thinner wall section of the body 16 is provided at desired locations where the spiral pipe 12 or 14 can be pressed or stamped to ensure contact between the connector 10 and the spiral pipe 12 or 14. In another embodiment, a groove may be provided around the circumference of the rigid section 27 or a series of circumferential or partially circumferential grooves may be placed or staggered along the length of the rigid section 27. Various combinations of these techniques can also be used and are considered within the scope of the present invention. The connector 10 may preferably be provided with one or more seals 24 to prevent leakage of fluid between the connector 10 and each of either or both of the spiral pipes 12/14. These seals 24 may be of any known type, including but not limited to o-rings, V-shaped seals, T seals, dynamic seals such as PolyPak * ®, and various other elastomeric devices. In specific embodiments, the present connector 10 may include an annular flange 26 disposed about the body 16 in the rigid section 27 and positioned so as to be disposed between the respective ends of the spiral pipes 12 and 14. The diameter of the annular rim 26 is the same or essentially equivalent to the outer diameter of the spiral pipe 12 and 14 .. As such? the annular flange 26 does not prevent the connector 10 from passing through the wellhead equipment. The annular flange 26 provides support for the end of the spiral pipe 12 or 14 or to reduce forces that cause flare of the pipe ends and also to contain and protect the pipe ends. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the annular flange 26 functions to reduce the deformation or "packing" of the ends of the spiral pipe 12 or 14 during use, In some embodiments, a flow control device , such as a check valve, can be used in conjunction with the connector 10. The flow control device allows the fluid to flow through in one configuration and restricts the flow of fluid through in another configuration. said flow control devices from one configuration to another configuration are well known and include, for example, exerting an axial pressure ßxtßraa on connecting, dropping a ball, or providing a control signal.These modes are of particular use When the spiral pipe is under pressure, such as pressurized fluid pressure, the flow control device can be placed inside the rigid section. of the connector 10 or within the spiral pipe 12 or 14 adjacent to the connector 10. A combination of internal and external flow control devices may also be used. As shown in Figures 3A to 3C, the decreasing outer diameter 29 of the end section 28 can be constructed on the external surface of the body 16 in a variety of ways, including but not limited to a single angle, a series of short angle sectors, a constant radius or a composite radio In some embodiments, the diameter of the inner body of the body 16 along the longitudinal bore 18 may increase in end section 28 to form an internal tapered surface 30. For example, in the specific embodiments shown in Figure 2, the end section 28 is shown having an outer tapered surface 29 and an internal tapered surface 30 in the longitudinal bore 18. This internal bobble surface 30 can similarly be constructed in a - Variety of forms, including but not limited to a single angle a series of sectors of short angle a constant radius, or a compound radius. In some embodiments, the manner in which the decreasing outer diameter 29 and the inner tapered surface 30 are constructed may be the same and in some embodiments, the manner in which they are formed may be different. In the specific modality shown in Figure 3A.,. the end section 28 includes an internal tapered surface 30 and a tapered outer surface of the body 29, In the embodiment shown in Figure 3B, the end section 28 includes a plurality of external tapered surfaces, or short angle sectors, 29A. , 29B and 29C, and the inner surface 30 is not tapered. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3C, the end section 28 includes a tapered axtara surface 29 burned by a constant radius and internal surface 30 in the longitudinal bore 18 is not tapered. In Figure 4 there is shown a spiral pipe connector 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention and in use for connecting a first section of spiral pipe 12 and a tool string 13. The connector 10 has a body 16 having a longitudinal bore 18 therethrough and comprises a rigid section 27 and an end section 28. In some embodiments, the connector 10 can be disassembled by separating the rigid sections 27 from an end section 28 and assembled by the rigid section 27 attached to the end section 28 using any number of known connection methods to connect while It maintains an outer surface flush, such as by screwing, by a joint with a pattern, or a lock and key. The stiff shaft 27 of the connector has an outer diameter and fits snugly within the internal diameter of the spiral pipe 12. The other end 41 of the rigid section 27 connects the string 13 of the tool. Said connection to the tool string 13 can be made by any number of known connection methods to connect while maintaining the outer surface flush such as by threading, with joint with pattern, or lock and key. In the end section 28, the external diameter 29 of the body 16 gradually decreases from the end of the end section 28 near the rigid section 27 towards the distal end 33 of the body 16, such as the external diameter 29 of the section 28. at the far end 33 of the body 16 is not tightly engaged within the inner diameter of the spiral pipe 12. When the pipe 12 is spirally straight * the end section 28 is not in contact with the inner diameter of the spiral pipe due to its decreasing external diameter 29. In this manner, there is a limited area of contact with the spiral pipe 12/14 as it is bent over the length of the end section 28 and that limited area of contact is translated along the length of the section. 28 end as the spiral pipe 12 bends. As such, the point of stress occurring at the point of contact sa translates along the end section 28 and the overlapping spiral pipe 12, avoiding in this way the formation of a specific point of concentration of effort or point of articulation. The restrictive, restrictive feature of the end section 28 previously described is present in the embodiment shown in Figure 4. A specific embodiment is shown in Figure 5, in which two spiral pipe connectors 10 constructed in accordance with The present invention is shown connecting a first section of spiral pipe 12, a tool string 13, and a second section of spiral pipe 14. Each spiral pipe connector 10 has a body 16 which has a longitudinal bore 18 therethrough and comprises a rigid section 27 and an end section 28. Each pipe connector 10 is connected to the spiral pipe 12 or 14 in the rigid section 27 and to the tool string 13 at one end 41. The first pipe connector 10 is connected in the rigid section 27 to the pipe 12 in spiral and the second pipe connector 10 is likewise connected in the rigid section 27 to the spiral pipe 14 »The rigid sections 27 have an external diameter that fits snugly within the inner diameter of the spiral pipe 12. The end section 28 of each, one of the first and the second connecting pipe 10 has an outer diameter 29 that gradually decreases from the end 40 of the end section 28 close to the rigid section 27 to the distant end 33 of the body 16. , so that the external diameter 29 of the end section 28 at the distal end 33 of the body 16 is not coupled within the inner diameter of the spiral pipe 12 or 14, respectively when the spiral pipe is not bent. some embodiments, the first or second connecting 1Q, or both, may comprise a body 16 wherein one region of the body 16 is the rigid section 27 and another region of the body 16 is the end section 28. In other embodiments, the body 16 of the first or second connector 10, or both can be disassembled by separating the rigid section 27 from the end section 28 and assembled by rigid, fixed section 27, to the end section 28 using which The number of connection methods known to be connected while maintaining an outer surface flush or threaded, coupled with pattern. The rigid section 27 of each of the first and second connectors 1Q have an external diameter that fits snugly within respectively the internal diameter of the spiral pipe 12 or 14. The end section 28 of each of the first and the second pipe connection 10 has an external diameter 29 that gradually decreases from the end 31 of the end section 28 proximate the rigid section 27 to the distant end 33 of the body 16, so that the external diameter 29 of the end section 28 at the distal end 33 of the body 16 does not engage within the inner diameter of the spiral pipe 12 to 14 ea, respectively, when the spiral pipe is not bent, this The restrictive fold particularity of the end section 28 previously described is included in the embodiment shown in Figure 5. Each of the described embodiments has a reduction in the outer diameter of the end section 28. When the bend occurs in routine use, the spiral pipe 12/14 is bent until it contacts the end section 28. As the bend continues, the point of contact between the spiral pipe 12714 and the end section 28 moves along the length of the end section 28, thereby avoiding a localized hinge point. In this way, the connector 10 of the present invention is subjected to strength, lower during bending, and as a result, suffers from lower fatigue and has a longer lifespan. The advantages of the present invention can be seen by referring to Figures 6A. and 6B. in doade the finite element modeling output is shown. Figure 6A illustrates the output of the finite element modeling of a known internal spiral pipe connector having a flexible central section and rigid end sections; numerous areas of high strength concentration 50 are shown including an extended area of high strength concentration 50 in the flexible center section. Figure 6B illustrates the modeling output of the finite element having the same inputs as Figure 6R, except that the connector is modeled is of the present invention; few areas of concentration 50 of high strength are shown for the connector of the present invention. As the high strength concentration leads to decreased life of use or to the risk of major failure, the advantages of connecting of the present invention are evident from a comparison of Figure 6B to Figure 6A from which it can be seen that the connector 10 of the present invention is subjected to less resistance than the spiral pipe connector having a flexible central section. As shown in Figure 7, in another specific embodiment, the connector 10 may further be provided with a flow / waste guide barrier 32 disposed at each end of the connector 10. The barrier 32 may include a body 34 with a section 36 tubular extending therefrom and adapted to fit within the perforation 18 of the connector 10. The body 34 may include a shoulder 38 designed to engage the tip of the section 28 of. end of the IC connector The body 34 may include an annular recess 44 for receiving an annular seal 42. The body 34 may further include a tapered internal bore 40. The. barrier. 32 of waste works to maintain the waste and solids, which could prevent controlled bending, - outside the restrictive bend area between the outer diameter 29 of the end sections 28 and the inner surface 30 of the spirally wound pipes 12/14 . The barrier 32 may be separate from the connector 10, as shown or may be integral with the connector 10. In various embodiments, the barrier 32 may be rigid or flexible. An example of an integral flexible embodiment is an elastomeric cone molded to the end of the connector 10. Any combination of these techniques can be used. If the barrier 32 is separated from the connector 10 instead of. integral with it, it can be held in position by a welding flange 46 of spiral pipe on one side and connector 10 on the other side. Figure 7 further illustrates that. connecting 10 can, including a ring 48 against extrusion adjacent to seal 24. It can be seen from the light of the above description that the pipe socket of the present invention and related methods that the present invention represents an improvement over pipe connectors. in spiral and previous methods. The advantages of the present invention include a tensile strength similar to the tensile strength of the spiral pipe; the ability to bend around a spool of spiral pipe and an injector swan neck during operation? they have a life of low cycle fatigue similar to spiral pipe; providing a hermetic seal to the pressure as much of internal sources as external; and that goes through a well head assembly. Although the embodiments herein have been described with respect to spiral pipe, one skilled in the art would understand that while the present invention is useful in application to connect any pipe, despite its particular utility in pipe applications in spiral. Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all of these modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. In the claims, the claims of more function means are intended to cover the structures described herein as by performing the above mentioned work and not only structural equivalents., but also equivalent structures. In this way, even though a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, while a screw employs a spiral surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts , a nail and a screw can be equivalent structures. It is the express intent of the applicant not to invoke United States Code chapter 35, Section 112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words "means to-" 'together with an associated function,

Claims (26)

1. CLAIMS 1. A method for connecting a first pipe and a second pipe, comprising: providing a pipe connection having a body with a longitudinal bore therethrough, connecting pipe having a first end section and a cross section rigid, wherein the first end section has a tapered outer surface; arranging the first end section of the connector within a first pipe; and securing the rigid section of the connector to the first pipe and a second pipe within the internal diameter of the first and second pipes.
2. 2. The method according to claim 1, in d.oade also compreade a tapered internal surface in the hole.
3. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the connecting further comprises a second end section, the rigid section being disposed between the first and second end sections, and further comprising: arranging the second end section of the connector inside a second pipe; and securing the rigid section of the connector to the second pipe; wherein the second end section has a tapered outer surface.
4. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first pipe is spiral pipe.
5. 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein each of the first and second pipe is spiral pipe.
6. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the first and the second spiral pipe is wound on a spool.
7. 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the connector is provided co or a repair between the first and second pipes.
8. 8. An apparatus for connecting a first and a second pipe section comprising: a body with a longitudinal perforation therethrough, a first end section, and a rigid section; the first end section of the coaector has an external bounded surface; and the outside of the rigid section adapted to be connected to the internal diameter of a first and a second pipe.
9. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the body further comprises a second end section, the second end section having a tapered outer surface and the rigid section being disposed between the first and second end sections.
10. 10.- The compliance device. with claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second end section further comprises a tapered intern surface.
11. 11. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an annular rim arranged around the body and adapted to be disposed between extramos of the first and second sections of pipe.
12. 12. The compliance apparatus, with claim 7, further comprising a plurality of indentations disposed on the outer surface of the rigid section of the body adapted for coupling with at least one of the first and second pipes.
13. 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein also the indentations are varied.
14. 14. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a seal disposed between the body and at least one of the first section and the second section of pipe.
15. 15. The apparatus according to the reliviadicaci? A 8, which also comprises at least one barrier to prevent waste between, between the end section of the body and the pipe.
16. 16. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a flow control device disposed therein.
17. 17. A method for deploying spiral tubing in a borehole, comprising: providing a spiral tubing connector having a body with a longitudinal bore therethrough, the body having a first and a second end section. , each end section having a tapered outer surface, and a rigid section disposed between the first and second end sections; arranging the first end section within a first spiral pipe; arranging the second end section within the second spiral pipe; securing the rigid section to the internal diameter of each of a first and a second spiral pipe, thereby forming a connected pipe; and lowering the connected pipe to a borehole, 18.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the connector further comprises an annular flange disposed about the body and adapted to be disposed between ends of the first and second sections of the pipe. spiral pipe ..
19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising at least one barrier disposed adjacent to at least one of the first and the second end section, thereby preventing waste from entering between the section. of end and spiral pipe.
20. 20, The method according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the first and the second spiral pipe is arranged on a spool.
21. 21. - The method according to claim 17, wherein the connected spiral pipe is removed from the borehole.
22. 22. - The method according to claim 21, wherein the connected spiral pipe is wound onto a spool
23. 23. The method according to claim 17, further comprising providing a flow control device within minus one of the canector, the first spiral pipe, or the second spiral pipe.
24. 24. A method for deploying spiral pipe in a borehole comprising: providing a first pipe connector having a body with a longitudinal bore therethrough, the first pipe connector having a first end section and a rigid section, wherein the first end section has a tapered outer surface; arranging the first end section of the first pipe connector within a first spiral pipe; secure the rigid section of the first pipe connector to the internal diameter of each, one of the. first spiral pipe; providing a second pipe connector having a body with a longitudinal bore therethrough, the second pipe connector having a first end section and a rigid section, wherein the first end section has an outer tapered surface; arranging the first end section of the second pipe connector within a second spiral pipe; securing the rigid section of the second pipe connector within the second spiral pipe; arranging a tool string between the first pipe connector and the second pipe connector, thereby forming the connected pipe; and lower the connected pipe to a borehole.
25. 25. The method according to claim 23, wherein at least one of the first and the second spiral pipe is arranged on a reel.
26. 26. The method according to claim 23, further comprising providing a flow control device within at least one of the connector, the first spiral pipe, or the second spiral pipe.