초록 ▼

A wellsite connector apparatus and related method. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes connecting a base plate to a first member via a first weld-less connection, the first member defining a first fluid passageway and being adapted to be connected to a first wellsite component; connectin

A wellsite connector apparatus and related method. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes connecting a base plate to a first member via a first weld-less connection, the first member defining a first fluid passageway and being adapted to be connected to a first wellsite component; connecting a flange to a second member via a second weld-less connection, the second member defining a second fluid passageway and being adapted to be connected to a second wellsite component; and connecting the flange to the base plate via a third weld-less connection; wherein the first, second, and third weld-less connections are configured so that: the first and second fluid passageways are co-axial; and the first and second wellsite components are in fluid communication with each other, via at least the first and second fluid passageways, when the first and second members are connected to the first and second wellsite components, respectively.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A wellsite connector apparatus, comprising: a first component comprising a first end face having a first annular groove formed therein, a first annular shoulder, and a first annular portion extending axially between the first end face and the first annular shoulder;a second component adapted to b

1. A wellsite connector apparatus, comprising: a first component comprising a first end face having a first annular groove formed therein, a first annular shoulder, and a first annular portion extending axially between the first end face and the first annular shoulder;a second component adapted to be fully connected to the first component, the second component comprising a second end face, a second annular shoulder having a second annular groove formed therein, and a second annular portion extending axially between the second end face and the second annular shoulder; anda resilient metal seal adapted to be axially crushed between the first and second annular grooves when the second component is connected to the first component, the resilient metal seal being a circumferentially-extending metal C-ring seal that is adapted to circumferentially extend within at least one of the first and second annular grooves before the second component is fully connected to the first component;wherein the metal C-ring seal has a C-shaped cross section so that, when the metal C-ring seal circumferentially extends within the at least one of the first and second annular grooves before the second component is fully connected to the first component: the C-shaped cross section of the metal C-ring seal lies in a first plane that is perpendicular to at least one of the first end face and the second annular shoulder, andthe direction of circumferential extension of the metal C-ring seal lies in a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane and thus coplanar with, or parallel to, the at least one of the first end face and the second annular shoulder;wherein, when the second component is fully connected to the first component: the first end face abuts the second annular shoulder so that the metal C-ring seal is axially crushed between the first and second annular grooves in a direction that is perpendicular to the second plane and extends along the first plane,the second end face is spaced axially from the first annular shoulder to permit the abutment of the first end face with the second annular shoulder,the first and second annular portions are radially adjacent one another, andrelative movement between the first and second components is prevented while the axial spacing between the second face and the first annular shoulder is maintained; andwherein, when the second component is fully connected to the first component, the wellsite connector apparatus is connected to a wellhead, and the wellhead is pressurized: the axially crushed metal C-ring seal prevents, or at least reduces, leakage of a fluid from the wellhead to atmosphere. 2. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second annular portions comprises one or more annular grooves and the other of the first and second annular portions comprises an annular sealing surface;wherein the wellsite connector apparatus further comprises one or more annular seals extending within the one or more annular grooves, respectively; andwherein, when the first and second annular portions are radially adjacent one another, the one or more annular seals sealingly engage the annular sealing surface. 3. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a connector comprising internal threads and an internal annular shoulder; wherein one of the first component and the second component comprises external threads and the other of the first component and the second component comprises an external annular shoulder;wherein, when the second component is fully connected to the first component, the internal threads of the connector threadably engage the external threads so that the internal annular shoulder of the connector engages the external annular shoulder and the metal C-ring seal is axially crushed between the first and second annular grooves. 4. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a base plate connected to the second component via a first weld-less connection and a flange connected to a third component via a second weld-less connection, the base plate and the flange being connected to each other via a third weld-less connection; wherein the second and third components define first and second fluid passageways, respectively; andwherein the first, second, and third weld-less connections are configured so that the first and second fluid passageways are in fluid communication with each other. 5. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 4, wherein a plurality of threaded-holes are formed in one of the base plate and the flange and distributed circumferentially thereabout;wherein a plurality of through-holes are formed through the other of the base plate and the flange and distributed circumferentially thereabout, the through-holes being aligned with the threaded-holes; andwherein a plurality of fasteners extend through the through-holes and threadably engage the threaded-holes to effect the third weld-less connection. 6. A wellsite connector apparatus, comprising: a first component comprising a first end face having a first annular groove formed therein, a first annular shoulder, and a first annular portion extending axially between the first end face and the first annular shoulder;a second component adapted to be connected to the first component, the second component comprising a second end face, a second annular shoulder having a second annular groove formed therein, and a second annular portion extending axially between the second end face and the second annular shoulder;a resilient metal seal adapted to be axially crushed between the first and second annular grooves when the second component is connected to the first component, the resilient metal seal being a metal C-ring seal; anda base plate connected to the second component via a first weld-less connection and a flange connected to a third component via a second weld-less connection, the base plate and the flange being connected to each other via a third weld-less connection, the second and third components defining first and second fluid passageways, respectively, and the first, second, and third weld-less connections being configured so that the first and second fluid passageways are in fluid communication with each other;wherein the second component includes first external threads and the base plate includes first internal threads that are threadably engaged with the first external threads to effect the first weld-less connection;wherein the second member defines second external threads and the flange defines second internal threads that are threadably engaged with the second external threads to effect the second weld-less connection;wherein, when the second component is connected to the first component: the first end face is engaged with the second annular shoulder so that the metal C-ring seal is axially crushed between the first and second annular grooves, the second end face is spaced axially from the first annular shoulder to permit the engagement of the first end face with the second annular shoulder, and the first and second annular portions are radially adjacent one another;wherein, when the second component is connected to the first component, the wellsite connector apparatus is connected to a wellhead, and the wellhead is pressurized: the axially crushed metal C-ring seal prevents, or at least reduces, leakage of a fluid from the wellhead to atmosphere. 7. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 6, wherein the metal C-ring seal is adapted to extend circumferentially within at least one of the first and second annular grooves before the second component is fully connected to the first component; and wherein the metal C-ring seal has a C-shaped cross section so that, when the metal C-ring seal circumferentially extends within the at least one of the first and second annular grooves before the second component is fully connected to the first component: the C-shaped cross section of the metal C-ring seal lies in a first plane that is perpendicular to at least one of the first end face and the second annular shoulder, and the direction of circumferential extension of the metal C-ring seal lies in a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane and thus coplanar with, or parallel to, the at least one of the first end face and the second annular shoulder. 8. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 6, wherein, when the second component is fully connected to the first component: the first end face abuts the second annular shoulder and the metal C-ring seal is axially crushed between the first and second annular; andrelative movement between the first and second components is prevented while the axial spacing between the second face and the first annular shoulder is maintained. 9. A wellsite connector apparatus, comprising: first and second members defining first and second fluid passageways, respectively, the first and second members being adapted to be connected to first and second wellsite components, respectively;a base plate directly connected to the first member via a first weld-less connection, the first weld-less connection including direct contact between the base plate and the first member; anda flange directly connected to the second member via a second weld-less connection, the second weld-less connection including direct contact between the flange and the second member;wherein the base plate and the flange are connected to each other via a third weld-less connection; andwherein the first, second, and third weld-less connections are configured so that: the first and second fluid passageways are co-axial; andthe first and second wellsite components are in fluid communication with each other, via at least the first and second fluid passageways, when the first and second members are connected to the first and second wellsite components, respectively. 10. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 9, wherein a plurality of threaded-holes are formed in one of the base plate and the flange and distributed circumferentially thereabout;wherein a plurality of through-holes are formed through the other of the base plate and the flange and distributed circumferentially thereabout, the through-holes being aligned with the threaded-holes; andwherein a plurality of fasteners extend through the through-holes and threadably engage the threaded-holes to effect the third weld-less connection. 11. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first member comprises a first annular shoulder having a first annular groove formed therein; andwherein the wellsite connector apparatus further comprises: an adapter to which the first wellsite component is adapted to be connected, the adapter being connected to the first member and comprising a first end face having a second annular groove formed therein; anda resilient metal seal crushed between the first and second annular grooves. 12. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a connector comprising internal threads and an internal annular shoulder; wherein one of the adapter and the first member comprises external threads and the other of the adapter and the first member comprises an external annular shoulder; andwherein the internal threads of the connector threadably engage the external threads and the internal annular shoulder of the connector engages the external annular shoulder so that the resilient metal seal is crushed between the first and second annular grooves. 13. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first member further comprises a second end face and a first annular portion extending axially between the second end face and the first annular shoulder;wherein the adapter further comprises a second annular shoulder and a second annular portion extending axially between the first end face and the second annular shoulder; andwherein the first and second annular portions are radially adjacent one another. 14. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 13, wherein one of the first and second annular portions comprises one or more annular grooves and the other of the first and second annular portions comprises an annular sealing surface;wherein the wellsite connector apparatus further comprises one or more annular seals extending within the one or more annular grooves, respectively; andwherein, when the first and second annular portions are radially adjacent one another, the one or more annular seals sealingly engage the annular sealing surface. 15. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first member comprises a first end face and a first annular groove formed in the first end face;wherein the second member comprises a second end face and a second annular groove formed in the second end face; andwherein a seal is disposed within the first and second annular grooves to retain a fluid within the first and second fluid passageways of the first and second members, respectively. 16. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 9, wherein the flange and the base plate define first and second diameters, respectively, the first diameter being less than the second diameter so that at least a portion of the base plate extends radially beyond the periphery of the flange. 17. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 16, wherein the base plate comprises a plurality of stay rod connectors to which a corresponding plurality of stay rods are adapted to be connected, the plurality of stay rod connectors being positioned at the portion of the base plate extending radially beyond the periphery of the flange. 18. A wellsite connector apparatus, comprising: first and second members defining first and second fluid passageways, respectively, the first and second members being adapted to be connected to first and second wellsite components, respectively;a base plate connected to the first member via a first weld-less connection; anda flange connected to the second member via a second weld-less connection;wherein the first member includes first external threads and the base plate includes first internal threads that are threadably engaged with the first external threads to effect the first weld-less connection;wherein the second member defines second external threads and the flange defines second internal threads that are threadably engaged with the second external threads to effect the second weld-less connection;wherein the base plate and the flange are connected to each other via a third weld-less connection; andwherein the first, second, and third weld-less connections are configured so that: the first and second fluid passageways are co-axial; andthe first and second wellsite components are in fluid communication with each other, via at least the first and second fluid passageways, when the first and second members are connected to the first and second wellsite components, respectively. 19. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 18, wherein a plurality of threaded-holes are formed in one of the base plate and the flange and distributed circumferentially thereabout;wherein a plurality of through-holes are formed through the other of the base plate and the flange and distributed circumferentially thereabout, the through-holes being aligned with the threaded-holes; andwherein a plurality of fasteners extend through the through-holes and threadably engage the threaded-holes to effect the third weld-less connection. 20. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first member comprises a first annular shoulder having a first annular groove formed therein; andwherein the wellsite connector apparatus further comprises: an adapter to which the first wellsite component is adapted to be connected, the adapter being connected to the first member and comprising a first end face having a second annular groove formed therein; anda resilient metal seal crushed between the first and second annular grooves. 21. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a connector comprising internal threads and an internal annular shoulder; wherein one of the adapter and the first member comprises external threads and the other of the adapter and the first member comprises an external annular shoulder; andwherein the internal threads of the connector threadably engage the external threads and the internal annular shoulder of the connector engages the external annular shoulder so that the resilient metal seal is crushed between the first and second annular grooves. 22. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first member further comprises a second end face and a first annular portion extending axially between the second end face and the first annular shoulder;wherein the adapter further comprises a second annular shoulder and a second annular portion extending axially between the first end face and the second annular shoulder; andwherein the first and second annular portions are radially adjacent one another. 23. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 22, wherein one of the first and second annular portions comprises one or more annular grooves and the other of the first and second annular portions comprises an annular sealing surface;wherein the wellsite connector apparatus further comprises one or more annular seals extending within the one or more annular grooves, respectively; andwherein, when the first and second annular portions are radially adjacent one another, the one or more annular seals sealingly engage the annular sealing surface. 24. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first member comprises a first end face and a first annular groove formed in the first end face;wherein the second member comprises a second end face and a second annular groove formed in the second end face; andwherein a seal is disposed within the first and second annular grooves to retain a fluid within the first and second fluid passageways of the first and second members, respectively. 25. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 18, wherein the flange and the base plate define first and second diameters, respectively, the first diameter being less than the second diameter so that at least a portion of the base plate extends radially beyond the periphery of the flange. 26. The wellsite connector apparatus of claim 25, wherein the base plate comprises a plurality of stay rod connectors to which a corresponding plurality of stay rods are adapted to be connected, the plurality of stay rod connectors being positioned at the portion of the base plate extending radially beyond the periphery of the flange. 27. A method of assembling a wellsite connector apparatus, the method comprising: connecting a base plate directly to a first member via a first weld-less connection, the first member defining a first fluid passageway and being adapted to be connected to a first wellsite component, the first weld-less connection including direct contact between the base plate and the first member;connecting a flange directly to a second member via a second weld-less connection, the second member defining a second fluid passageway and being adapted to be connected to a second wellsite component, the second weld-less connection including direct contact between the flange and the second member; andconnecting the flange to the base plate via a third weld-less connection;wherein the first, second, and third weld-less connections are configured so that: the first and second fluid passageways are co-axial; andthe first and second wellsite components are in fluid communication with each other, via at least the first and second fluid passageways, when the first and second members are connected to the first and second wellsite components, respectively. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein a plurality of threaded-holes are formed in one of the base plate and the flange and distributed circumferentially thereabout;wherein a plurality of through-holes are formed through the other of the base plate and the flange and distributed circumferentially thereabout; andwherein connecting the flange to the base plate via the third weld-less connection comprises threadably engaging a plurality of fasteners with respective ones of the threaded-holes, aligning the through-holes with the threaded-holes, and inserting the plurality of fasteners through respective ones of the through-holes. 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the first member comprises a first annular shoulder having a first annular groove formed therein; andwherein the method further comprises: providing an adapter comprising a first end face having a second annular groove formed therein; andconnecting the first member to the adapter so that a resilient metal seal is crushed between the first and second annular grooves. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein connecting the first member to the adapter comprises: threadably engaging internal threads of a connector with external threads of one of the adapter and the first member; andengaging an internal annular shoulder of the connecter with an external annular shoulder of the other of the adapter and the first member to crush the resilient metal seal between the first and second annular grooves. 31. The method of claim 29, wherein the first member further comprises a second end face and a first annular portion extending axially between the second end face and the first annular shoulder;wherein the adapter further comprises a second annular shoulder and a second annular portion extending axially between the first end face and the second annular shoulder; andwherein, when the first member is connected to the adapter, the first end face and the first annular shoulder are axially adjacent the second end face and the second annular shoulder, respectively, and the first and second annular portions are radially adjacent one another. 32. The method of claim 27, wherein the first member comprises a first end face and a first annular groove formed in the first end face;wherein the second member comprises a second end face and a second annular groove formed in the second end face; andwherein a seal is disposed within the first and second annular grooves to retain a fluid within the first and second fluid passageways of the first and second members, respectively. 33. The method of claim 27, wherein the flange and the base plate define first and second diameters, respectively, the first diameter being less than the second diameter so that at least a portion of the base plate extends radially beyond the periphery of the flange. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the base plate comprises a plurality of stay rod connectors positioned at the portion of the base plate extending radially beyond the periphery of the flange; and wherein the method further comprises connecting a plurality of stay rods to the plurality of stay rod connectors. 35. A method of assembling a wellsite connector apparatus, the method comprising: connecting a base plate to a first member via a first weld-less connection, the first member defining a first fluid passageway and being adapted to be connected to a first wellsite component, wherein connecting the base plate to the first member via the first weld-less connection comprises threadably engaging first internal threads of the base plate with first external threads of the first member;connecting a flange to a second member via a second weld-less connection, the second member defining a second fluid passageway and being adapted to be connected to a second wellsite component, wherein connecting the flange to the second member via the second weld-less connection comprises threadably engaging second internal threads of the flange with second external threads of the second member; andconnecting the flange to the base plate via a third weld-less connection;wherein the first, second, and third weld-less connections are configured so that: the first and second fluid passageways are co-axial; andthe first and second wellsite components are in fluid communication with each other, via at least the first and second fluid passageways, when the first and second members are connected to the first and second wellsite components, respectively. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein a plurality of threaded-holes are formed in one of the base plate and the flange and distributed circumferentially thereabout;wherein a plurality of through-holes are formed through the other of the base plate and the flange and distributed circumferentially thereabout; andwherein connecting the flange to the base plate via the third weld-less connection comprises threadably engaging a plurality of fasteners with respective ones of the threaded-holes, aligning the through-holes with the threaded-holes, and inserting the plurality of fasteners through respective ones of the through-holes. 37. The method of claim 35, wherein the first member comprises a first annular shoulder having a first annular groove formed therein; andwherein the method further comprises: providing an adapter comprising a first end face having a second annular groove formed therein; andconnecting the first member to the adapter so that a resilient metal seal is crushed between the first and second annular grooves. 38. The method of claim 37, wherein connecting the first member to the adapter comprises: threadably engaging internal threads of a connector with external threads of one of the adapter and the first member; andengaging an internal annular shoulder of the connecter with an external annular shoulder of the other of the adapter and the first member to crush the resilient metal seal between the first and second annular grooves. 39. The method of claim 37, wherein the first member further comprises a second end face and a first annular portion extending axially between the second end face and the first annular shoulder;wherein the adapter further comprises a second annular shoulder and a second annular portion extending axially between the first end face and the second annular shoulder; andwherein, when the first member is connected to the adapter, the first end face and the first annular shoulder are axially adjacent the second end face and the second annular shoulder, respectively, and the first and second annular portions are radially adjacent one another. 40. The method of claim 35, wherein the first member comprises a first end face and a first annular groove formed in the first end face;wherein the second member comprises a second end face and a second annular groove formed in the second end face; andwherein a seal is disposed within the first and second annular grooves to retain a fluid within the first and second fluid passageways of the first and second members, respectively. 41. The method of claim 35, wherein the flange and the base plate define first and second diameters, respectively, the first diameter being less than the second diameter so that at least a portion of the base plate extends radially beyond the periphery of the flange. 42. The method of claim 41, wherein the base plate comprises a plurality of stay rod connectors positioned at the portion of the base plate extending radially beyond the periphery of the flange; and wherein the method further comprises connecting a plurality of stay rods to the plurality of stay rod connectors.