Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HIGH PRESSURE PIPE LINER COUPLING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling system utilized in
connecting end-to-end
lined pipe used in oil wells and the like, and, more particularly, a liner
assembly for use in a
joint between two pipe segments and a method of connecting two unmodified pipe
segments
with a linear system which will prevent corrosion.
Description of Related Art
[0002] Many downhole oil-production operations are carried out in highly
corrosive
environments resulting from production and/or re-injection of hydrocarbons and
formation of
brinewaters containing salts and gases, such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon
dioxide which
can pass through the pipe interior.
[0003] To provide a useful life to the lengths of steel pipes that are used in
such
environments, corrosive resistant liners are installed within each pipe length
before it is
installed into the downhole string. Appropriate threaded coupling assemblies
are required to
connect the pipe in an end-to-end relationship. Coupling assemblies are also
required to
connect the internal liners that provide protection for the pipe and pipe
threaded connection
area against internal corrosion.
[0004] There are a large number of pipe end constructions and thread
constructions
employed by various pipe manufacturers to assure against fluid and gas
leakage. Due to the
presence of unique metal-to-metal torque shoulders and metal-to-metal seal
areas, many of
these pipe end and thread constructions known in the art require a custom
built liner or
coupling assembly unique to the pipe end and potentially even a custom pipe
end thread
design to accommodate an internal lining system.
[0005] One method known in the art utilizes an internal lining system that
requires the
insertion of a rigid plastic tube inside steel tubing and filling the annular
space between the
plastic tube and steel tubing with mortar. The inner rigid plastic tube, or
liner, is capped or
terminated at the end of the pipe with a flange, known as a "flare". The flare
ends provide a
surface area for compression of a barrier ring, such as an elastorneric
barrier ring, in the
coupling assembly.
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100061 An obstacle with insertion of such an assembly is that the threaded
pipes or
couplings need to be machined and threaded with special provisions to
accommodate the
lining process. This proves to be ineffective in time and cost as well as
productivity.
[0007] Additionally, it has been discovered that when such liner systems are
used in high
temperature and pressure environments, the movement of the fluid through the
pipes causes
the liner to move or shift slightly within the pipes. This movement of the
liner causes
exposure of the grout or mortar positioned behind the liner. Such exposure
erodes the grout or
mortar and eventually corrodes the pipe.
[0008] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a standardized or
universal internal
liner coupling assembly that can accommodate the wide variety of pipe end
constructions
currently in use without the need for special modifications to proprietary
pipe end threads and
couplings. There is also a need for a liner coupling assembly that can
accommodate the liner,
particularly at high pressures, thereby preventing grout or mortar exposure
while at the same
time preventing liner movement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a
liner coupling
assembly that secures a liner within a pipe at high pressure. Additionally,
the liner coupling
assembly of the present invention can accommodate the wide variety of pipe end
constructions currently in use without the need for any special modifications.
[0010] More specifically, the present invention is directed to a liner
assembly for use in a
joint between two pipe segments. The liner assembly includes a first ring
member, a second
ring member, a corrosion barrier ring, a first liner and a second liner. The
first ring member
has a body member with a first end and a second end. The first end has a first
flange and a
second flange extending therefrom. The first flange and the second flange
define a space
therebetween. The second ring member has an extended body member having a
first end and
a second end. The second end has a first flange and a second flange extending
therefrom. The
first flange and the second flange define a space therebetween. The corrosion
barrier ring is
disposed between and cooperates with the first end of the first ring member
and the second
end of the second ring member. The first liner is configured to be secured in
the space formed
between the first flange and the second flange of the first ring member. The
second liner is
configured to be secured in the space formed between the first flange and the
second flange
of the second ring member.
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[0011] The first flange of the first ring member may be positioned adjacent
and secured to
a first pipe segment. Additionally, the first flange of the first ring member
may extend a
greater distance from the first end of the body member of the first ring
member than the
second flange of the first ring member. The first flange of the second ring
member may be
positioned adjacent and secured to a second pipe segment, and the first flange
of the second
ring member may extend a greater distance from the second end of the extended
body
member of the second ring member than the second flange of the second ring
member.
[0012] The corrosion barrier ring may include opposing indented ends comprised
of
beveled portions and the second end of the first ring member and the first end
of the second
ring member may include registering beveled portions to cooperate with the
opposing
indented ends of the corrosion barrier ring. The beveled portions of the
corrosion barrier ring,
the second end of the first ring member and the first end of the second ring
member may be
beveled at a 450 angle. The second end of the first ring member and the first
end of the
second ring member may be bonded adhesively to the opposing ends of the
corrosion barrier
ring.
[0013] The first and second ring members may be made of glass reinforced
epoxy. The
corrosion barrier ring may be made of a resilient elastomeric material or any
other suitable
compressible material. A bottom portion of the second flange of the first ring
member may
taper away from the first end of the body member of the first ring member, and
a bottom
portion of the second flange of the second ring member may taper away from the
second end
of the extended body member of the second ring member.
[0014] The present invention is also directed to a coupling assembly. The
coupling
assembly includes a first pipe, a second pipe, a coupling member fixedly
connecting the first
pipe and the second pipe, a first ring member positioned at a first end of the
first pipe, a
second ring, a corrosion barrier ring, a first liner and a second liner. The
first ring member
includes a body member having a first end and a second end. The first end has
a first flange
and a second flange extending therefrom. The first flange and the second
flange define a
space therebetween. The second ring includes an extended body member
positioned adjacent
to the coupling member and has a first end and a second end. The second end
has a first
flange and a second flange extending therefrom into the second pipe. The first
flange and the
second flange define a space therebetween. The corrosion barrier ring is
disposed between
and cooperates with the first end of the first ring member and the second end
of the second
ring member. The first liner is disposed in the first pipe and has an end
configured to be
secured in the space formed between the first flange and the second flange of
the first ring
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member. The second liner is disposed in the second pipe and has an end
configured to be
secured in the space formed between the first flange and the second flange of
the second ring
member.
[0015] The first flange of the first ring member may be secured to the first
pipe with grout.
The first flange of the first ring member may extend a greater distance from
the first end of
the body member of the first ring member than the second flange of the first
ring member.
The first flange of the second ring member may be secured to the second pipe
with grout. The
first flange of the second ring member may extend a greater distance from the
second end of
the extended body member of the second ring member than the second flange of
the second
ring member. A bottom portion of the second flange of the first ring member
may taper away
from the first end of the body member of the first ring member. A bottom
portion of the
second flange of the second ring member may taper away from the second end of
the
extended body member of the second ring member.
[00161 Additionally, the present invention is a method of connecting two pipe
segments.
The method includes the steps of providing a first pipe segment; providing a
second pipe
segment; inserting a first liner into the first pipe segment; inserting a
second liner into the
second pipe segment; and providing a first ring member comprising a body
member having a
first end and a second end. The first end has a first flange and a second
flange extending
therefrom. The first flange and the second flange define a space therebetween.
Thereafter, the
first ring member is placed in engagement with the first liner by securing an
end of the first
liner in the space formed between the first flange and the second flange of
the first ring
member. Next, a second ring member comprising an extended body member having a
first
end and a second end is provided. The second end has a first flange and a
second flange
extending therefrom. The first flange and the second flange define a space
therebetween.
Then, the second ring member is placed in engagement with the second liner by
securing an
end of the second liner in the space formed between the first flange and the
second flange of
the second ring member. A corrosion barrier ring is interposed between the
second end of the
first ring member and the first end of the second ring member and a coupling
member
adapted to receive a second end of the first pipe segment and a first end of
the second pipe
segment therein is provided. Finally, a second end of the first pipe segment
having the first
liner disposed therein is received into the coupling member to fixedly join
the first pipe
segment with the coupling member, and a first end of the second pipe segment
having the
second liner disposed therein is received into the coupling member to fixedly
join the second
pipe segment with the coupling member.
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100171 Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a liner
assembly for use
in a joint between two pipe segments. The liner assembly includes a two-part
ring member
comprising an outer sleeve having a generally cylindrical shape with a first
end and a second
end; and an inner sleeve configured to be positioned within the outer sleeve.
The inner sleeve
includes a body member having a first end and a second end. The first end has
a flange
extending therefrom. The outer sleeve and the flange define an annular gap
therebetween
when the inner sleeve is positioned within the outer sleeve. The liner
assembly also includes a
second ring member comprising an extended body member having a first end and a
second
end. The second end has a first flange and a second flange extending
therefrom. The first
flange and the second flange define a space therebetween. The liner assembly
also includes a
corrosion barrier ring disposed between and cooperating with the first end of
the inner sleeve
of the two-part ring member and the second end of the second ring member, a
first liner
configured to be secured in the annular gap formed between the flange of the
inner sleeve and
outer sleeve and a second liner configured to be secured in the space formed
between the first
flange and the second flange of the second ring member.
[00181 The outer sleeve may be configured to have a first end that extends a
greater
distance from the first end of the body member of the inner sleeve than the
flange of the inner
sleeve. The first flange of the second ring member may be positioned adjacent
and secured to
a second pipe segment. The first flange of the second ring member may be
configured to
extend a greater distance from the second end of the extended body member of
the second
ring member than the second flange of the second ring member. The corrosion
barrier ring
may include opposing indented ends comprised of beveled portions and the
second end of the
body member of the inner sleeve and the first end of the second ring member
comprise
registering beveled portions to cooperate with the opposing indented ends of
the corrosion
barrier ring.
100191 These and other features and characteristics of the present invention,
as well as the
methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and
the combination
of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon
consideration of the
following description and the appended claims with reference to the
accompanying drawings,
all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference
numerals designate
corresponding parts in the various figures.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
]0020] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a high pressure pipe liner coupling
assembly in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a portion of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 enlarged for
magnification
purposes;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a first ring member used in
the coupling
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second ring member used
in the
coupling assembly of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a corrosion barrier ring
used in the
coupling assembly of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a high pressure pipe liner coupling
assembly in
accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a portion of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 enlarged for
magnification
purposes;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a two-part ring member used
in the
coupling assembly of FIG. 6; and
[0028] FIG. 9 is an exploded, partial cross-sectional view of the two-part
ring member of
FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0029] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms "upper",
"lower", "right",
"left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "lateral", "longitudinal"
and derivatives
thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing
figures. However, it is to
be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations,
except where
expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the
specific devices
illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following
specification, are simply
exemplary embodiments of the invention.
[0030] A conventional process of connecting pipes in the oil and gas industry
utilizes steel
threaded couplings, which are machined and threaded and adapted to accommodate
an insert
liner. The present invention relates generally to a coupling assembly, denoted
generally as
reference numeral 1, used to connect adjacent or opposing pipe segments, and a
liner
assembly 3 for use in coupling assembly 1. Coupling assembly I is adapted to
connect
internal liners of the liner assembly 3 as described in detail hereinafter.
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[0031] With reference to FIGS. I and 2, coupling assembly 1 includes a first
pipe segment
5, a second pipe segment 7, a coupling member 9 interconnecting first and
second pipe
segments 5, 7 and liner assembly 3 generally disposed within an area defined
by coupling
member 9. First pipe segment 5 has a second end I1 that is configured to be
inserted into
coupling member 9, and second pipe segment 7 has a first end 13 that is
configured to be
inserted into coupling member 9.
[0032] Liner assembly 3 includes a first liner 15 disposed in first pipe
segment 5. First
liner 15 is placed in the first pipe segment 5 and defines a first annular gap
17 with the inside
surface of first pipe segment 5. First annular gap 17 is typically filled with
mortar or grout as
is known in the art. For oil and gas applications, the mortar or grout may be
a mixture of oil
well cements and oil well cement additives mixed with water to a controlled
slurry viscosity.
Liner assembly 3 further includes a second liner 19 disposed in the second
pipe segment 7
that defines a second annular gap 21 with the inside surface of second pipe
segment 7.
Second annular gap 21 is also typically filled with mortar or grout as
described above. First
liner 15 and second liner 19 may be made of materials such as filament wound
fiber
reinforced thermosetting resin or extruded thermoplastic, and the like.
[0033] Second end 11 of first pipe segment 5 and first end 13 of second pipe
segment 7 are
connected together by coupling member 9 as described hereinabove. Coupling
member 9
may be a steel threaded coupling having internal threads (not shown) provided
in both ends
thereof. In particular, the internal threads (not shown) may be provided at a
first end 23 and a
second end 25 of coupling member 9 and a central, unthreaded portion 27 is
located between
first end 23 and second end 25. The internal threads (not shown) located at
first end 23 of
coupling member 9 receive external threads (not shown) provided at second end
11 of first
pipe segment 5 and internal threads (not shown) located at second end 25 of
coupling
member 9 receive external threads (not shown) of first end 13 of second pipe
segment 7.
Coupling member 9 may vary in shape and size for various applications. For
example, first
and second ends 23, 25 of coupling member 9 may be tapered to further ensure a
tighter seal
between first and second pipe segments 5, 7 and coupling member 9.
[0034] With reference to FIG. 3 and with continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and
2, liner
assembly 3 includes a first ring member 29 configured to securely engage first
liner 15 at
second end 11 of first pipe segment 5. First ring member 29 includes a body
member 31 with
a first end 33 and a second end 35. First end 33 has a first flange 37 and a
second flange 39
extending therefrom. First flange 37 and second flange 39 define a space 41
therebetween.
First flange 37 extends a distance dl from first end 33 of body member 31, and
second flange
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39 extends a distance d2 from first end 33 of body member 31. Additionally,
first flange 37
extends a greater distance di from first end 33 of body member 31 of first
ring member 29
than second flange 39 of first ring member 29. A bottom portion 42 of second
flange 39 of
first ring member 29 is formed to taper away from first end 33 of body member
31. First liner
15 is configured to be secured in space 41 formed between first flange 37 and
second flange
39 of first ring member 29.
[00351 Furthermore, first flange 37 extends from first end 33 of body member
31 at a
position slightly below a top portion 43 of body member 31 thereby creating a
step 45. First
flange 37 of first ring member 29 is positioned adjacent to first pipe segment
5. When
properly positioned, step 45 of first ring member 29 creates a void 47 between
first flange 37
and first pipe segment 5. Void 47 may be filled with grout to secure first
ring member 29 to
first pipe segment 5. Additionally, second end 35 of body member 31 of first
ring member 29
defines a shoulder and includes a beveled portion 49.
[0036] First ring member 50 may be made of molded fiber reinforced resin and
the like.
First ring member 29 may also be adhered or bonded to first liner 15 with an
adhesive or first
liner 15 may be friction fit within space 41 formed between first flange 37
and second flange
39 of first ring member 29.
[0037] With FIG. 4 and with continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, liner
assembly 3 also
includes a second ring member 51 configured to securely engage second liner 19
at first end
13 of second pipe segment 7. Second ring member 51 has an extended body member
53
having a first end 55 and a second end 57. Second end 57 has a first flange 59
and a second
flange 61 extending therefrom. First flange 59 and second flange 61 define a
space 63
therebetween. First flange 59 extends a distance d3 from second end 57 of
extended body
member 53, and second flange 61 extends a distance d4 from second end 57 of
extended body
member 53. Additionally, first flange 59 extends a greater distance d3 from
second end 57 of
extended body member 53 of second ring member 51 than second flange 61 of
second ring
member 51. A bottom portion 65 of second flange 61 of second ring member 51 is
formed to
taper away from second end 57 of extended body member 53. Second liner 19 is
configured
to be secured in space 63 formed between first flange 59 and second flange 61
of second ring
member 51.
[00381 Furthermore, first flange 59 extends from second end 57 of extended
body member
53 at a position slightly below a top portion 67 of extended body member 53
thereby creating
a step 69. First flange 59 of second ring member 51 is positioned adjacent to
second pipe
segment 7. When properly positioned, step 69 of second ring member 51 creates
a void 71
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between first flange 59 and second pipe segment 7. Void 71 may be filled with
grout to
secure second ring member 51 to second pipe segment 7. Additionally, first end
55 of
extended body member 53 of second ring member 51 defines a shoulder and
includes a
beveled portion 73.
[0039] Extended body member 53 of second ring member 51 has a longer axial
length than
body member 31 of first ring member 29 and is generally shaped to fit within
(i.e., cooperate
with) unthreaded portion 27 of coupling member 9. Extended body member 53 of
second ring
member 51 may be adjusted (i.e., sized) to accommodate different length
coupling members
9. Extended body member 53 ensures internal protection of unthreaded portion
27 of
coupling member 9 and protects coupling member 9 from corrosion.
[0040] Second ring member 51 may be made of molded fiber reinforced resin and
the like.
Second ring member 51 may also be adhered or bonded to second liner 19 with an
adhesive
or second liner 19 may be friction fit within space 63 formed between first
flange 59 and
second flange 61 of second ring member 51.
[0041] By securing first liner 15 between first flange 37 and second flange 39
of first ring
member 29 and second liner 19 between first flange 59 and second flange 61 of
second ring
member 51, liners 15, 19 are prevented from shifting when a high pressure or
temperature
fluid flows through first and second pipe segments 5, 7 thereby preventing
corrosion of the
mortar or grout positioned between liners 15, 19 and pipe segments 5, 7.
[0042] With reference to FIG. 5 and with continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and
2, liner
assembly 3 also includes a corrosion barrier ring 75 disposed between first
and second ring
members 29, 51. Corrosion barrier ring 75 may be made of glass reinforced PTFE
(Teflon)
and the like. Corrosion barrier ring 75 defines opposing indented ends 77.
Opposing indented
ends 77 include beveled portions 79.
[0043] Opposing indented ends 77 of corrosion barrier ring 75 cooperate with
first ring
member 29 and second ring member 51. More particularly, opposing indented ends
77
cooperate with second end 35 of body member 31 of first ring member 29 and
first end 55 of
extended body member 53 of second ring member 51. Beveled portion 49 of second
end 35
of body member 31 of first ring member 31 and beveled portion 73 of first end
55 of
extended body member 53 of second ring member 51 are adapted to register with
beveled
portions 79 of corrosion barrier ring 75. The cooperation between opposing
indented ends 77
with second end 35 of body member 31 of first ring member 29 on one side and
first end 55
of extended body member 53 of second ring member 51 on the opposite side
ensures integrity
of the sealing fit of liner assembly 3.
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10044] Beveled portions 79 of corrosion barrier ring 75 may be beveled at 45
angles.
Additionally, beveled portion 49 at second end 35 of body member 31 of first
ring member
29 and beveled portion 73 at first end 55 of extended body member 53 of second
ring
member 51 may also be beveled at 45 angles. When placed adjacent to one end
of corrosion
barrier ring 75, the 45 angle of beveled portion 49 at second end 35 of body
member 31 of
first ring member 29 complements the 45 angle of beveled portion 79 of
corrosion barrier
ring 75 to seal and join corrosion barrier ring 75 and first ring member 29
together. Similarly,
when placed adjacent the opposite end of corrosion barrier ring 75, the 45
angle defined by
beveled portion 73 at first end 55 of extended body member 53 of second ring
member 51
complements the 45 angle of beveled portion 79 of corrosion barrier ring 75
to seal and join
corrosion barrier ring 75 and second ring member 61 together. Additionally,
second end 35 of
body member 31 of first ring member 29 and first end 55 of extended body
member 53 of
second ring member 51 may be bonded adhesively to opposing ends 77 of
corrosion barrier
ring 75.
[0045] While beveled portions 79 of corrosion barrier ring 75 have been
discussed herein
as having a 45 angle, this is not to be construed as limiting the present
invention as beveled
portions 79 of corrosion barrier ring 75 may be of any shape or size, so long
as first ring
member 29 and second ring member 51 have registering (i.e., corresponding)
beveled
portions 49, 73, respectively.
[0046] The present invention is also directed to a method of connecting two
pipe segments.
Initially, first pipe or pipe segment 5 and second pipe or pipe segment 7 are
provided. First
liner 15 is inserted into first pipe 5 and second liner 19 is inserted into
second pipe 7. First
ring member 29 is placed in engagement with first liner 15 by securing first
liner 15 in space
41 formed between first flange 37 and second flange 39 of first ring member 29
as discussed
hereinabove. Second ring member 60 is placed in engagement with second liner
19 by
securing second liner 19 in space 63 formed between first flange 59 and second
flange 61 of
second ring member 51 as discussed hereinabove. Thereafter, corrosion barrier
ring 75 is
interposed between second end 35 of body member 31 of first ring member 29 and
first end
55 of extended body member 53 of second ring member 51 in the manner discussed
previously. Opposing indented ends 77 of corrosion barrier ring 75 cooperate
with second
end 35 of body member 31 of first ring member 29 and first end 55 of extended
body member
53 of second ring member 51, respectively. Second end 35 of body member 31 of
first ring
member 29 and first end 55 of extended body member 53 of second ring member 51
define
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corresponding registering shapes to cooperate with opposing indented ends 77
of corrosion
barrier ring 75.
[00471 The method also includes the step of fixedly joining first and second
pipe segments
5, 7 with external coupling member 9 extending between first and second pipe
segments 5, 7,
respectively. Coupling member 9 is adapted to receive ends 11, 13 of the first
and second
pipe segments 5, 7. First pipe segment 5 is received into coupling member 9 by
engaging the
external threads (not shown) of first pipe segment 5 with the internal threads
(not shown) of
coupling member 9. First pipe segment 5 has first liner 15 disposed therein
with first ring
member 29 secured to first liner 15.
[00481 Typically, coupling member 9 is engaged with second end 11 of first
pipe segment
including first liner 15 and first ring member 29 prior to installation, for
example, in an oil
or gas well. Corrosion barrier ring 75 is then installed in coupling member 9
such that
beveled portion 79 engages with beveled portion 49 at second end 35 of body
member 31 of
first ring member 29. Once corrosion barrier ring 75 is installed in coupling
member 9,
second pipe segment 7 is threaded or otherwise positioned into coupling member
9 such that
beveled portion. 77 on the opposing end of corrosion barrier ring 75 engages
with beveled
portion 73 of first end 55 of second ring member 51.
[00491 Corrosion barrier ring 75 is then compressed between second end 35 of
body
member 31 of first ring member 29 and first end 55 of extended body member 53
of second
ring member 51 as second pipe segment 7 is rotated into engagement with
coupling member
9, which fixedly joins first and second pipe segments 5, 7 together.
Unthreaded portion 27 of
coupling member 9 functions to absorb the concentrated stresses so as to allow
corrosion
barrier ring 75 to be compressed between first ring member 29 and second ring
member 51.
[0050] Compressed corrosion barrier ring 75 acts to prevent fluids passing
through the
joined pipe segments 5, 7 from causing coupling member 9 to fail due to
internal corrosion.
Liners 15, 19 function to energize or compress corrosion barrier ring 75
inside the connection
between first and second pipe segments 5, 7 to provide continuous corrosion
protection not
only inside lined pipes or casing joints generally, but also through coupling
member 19.
Corrosion barrier ring 75 undergoes further compression between second end 35
of body
member 31 of first ring member 29 and first end 55 of extended body member 53
of second
ring member 51 as new pipe is added to the pipe string.
[0051] With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, another embodiment of the coupling
assembly
replaces first ring member 29 with a two-part ring member as will be discussed
hereinafter.
Coupling assembly 1' in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention
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includes a first pipe segment 5', a second pipe segment 7', a coupling member
9'
interconnecting first and second pipe segments 5', 7' and liner assembly 3'
generally disposed
within an area defined by coupling member 9'. First pipe segment 5' has a
second end 11'
that is configured to be inserted into coupling member 9', and second pipe
segment 7' has a
first end 13' that is configured to be inserted into coupling member 9'.
[00521 Liner assembly 3' includes a first liner 15' disposed in first pipe
segment 5'. First
liner 15' is placed in the first pipe segment 5' and defines a first annular
gap 17' with the
inside surface of first pipe segment 5'. First annular gap 17' is typically
filled with mortar or
grout as is known in the art. For oil and gas applications, the mortar or
grout may be a
mixture of oil well cements and oil well cement additives mixed with water to
a controlled
slurry viscosity. Liner assembly 3' further includes a second liner 19'
disposed in the second
pipe segment 7' that defines a second annular gap 21' with the inside surface
of second pipe
segment 7'. Second annular gap 21' is also typically filled with mortar or
grout as described
above. First liner 15' and second liner 19' may be made of materials such as
filament wound
fiber reinforced thermosetting resin or extruded thermoplastic, and the like.
[00531 Second end 11' of first pipe segment 5' and first end 13' of second
pipe segment 7'
are connected together by coupling member 9' as described hereinabove.
Coupling member
9' may be a steel threaded coupling having internal threads (not shown)
provided in both ends
thereof. In particular, the internal threads (not shown) may be provided at a
first end 23' and a
second end 25' of coupling member 9' and a central, unthreaded portion 27' is
located
between first end 23' and second end 25'. The internal threads (not shown)
located at first end
23' of coupling member 9' receive external threads (not shown) provided at
second end 11' of
first pipe segment 5' and internal threads (not shown) located at second end
25' of coupling
member 9' receive external threads (not shown) of first end 13' of second pipe
segment 7'.
Coupling member 9' may vary in shape and size for various applications. For
example, first
and second ends 23', 25' of coupling member 9' may be tapered to further
ensure a tighter
seal between first and second pipe segments 5', 7' and coupling member 9'.
100541 With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, and with continuing reference to FIGS.
1 and 2,
liner assembly 3' includes a two-part ring member 81 configured to securely
engage first liner
15' at second end 11' of first pipe segment 5'. Two-part ring member 81
includes an outer
sleeve 83 and an inner sleeve 85. Both outer sleeve 83 and inner sleeve 85
have a generally
cylindrical shape with outer sleeve 83 having a larger diameter than inner
sleeve 85. As will
be discussed hereinafter in greater detail, outer sleeve 83 is positioned at
second end 11' of
first pipe segment 5'. Then, inner sleeve 85 is positioned within outer sleeve
83 thereby
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creating an annular gap 87 therebetween. Annular gap 87 is configured to
accommodate first
liner 15' therein.
[00551 Outer sleeve 83 has a generally cylindrical shape as mentioned above
that has a first
end 89 and a second end 91. First end 89 of outer sleeve 83 is configured to
be received
within second end 11' of first pipe segment 5', and second end 91 of outer
sleeve 83 is
adapted to receive inner sleeve 85 therein.
[00561 Inner sleeve 85 includes a body member 93 with a first end 95 and a
second end 97.
First end 95 has a flange 99 extending therefrom. Flange 99 extends a distance
d3 from first
end 95 of body member 93. A bottom portion 101 of flange 99 of inner sleeve 85
is formed to
taper away from first end 33 of body member 31. Second end 97 of body member
93 of inner
sleeve 85 defines a shoulder and includes a beveled portion 102.
100571 When inner sleeve 85 is positioned within outer sleeve 83, second end
91 of outer
sleeve 83 abuts first end 95 of body member 93 at a position slightly below a
top portion 103
of body member 93 thereby creating a step 105. Additionally, outer sleeve 83
extends a
distance d4 from first end 95 of body member 93. Outer sleeve 83 extends a
greater distance
d4 from first end 95 of body member 93 of inner sleeve 85 than flange 99 of
inner sleeve 85.
[00581 As discussed above, first end 89 of outer sleeve 83 is configured to be
received
within second end 11' of first pipe segment 5' thereby positioning an outer
diameter of outer
sleeve 83 adjacent to first pipe segment 5. When properly positioned, step 105
of creates a
void 107 between outer sleeve 83 and first pipe segment 5'. Void 107 may be
filled with
mortar to secure outer sleeve 83 to first pipe segment 5.
[0059] Outer sleeve 83 and inner sleeve 85 may be made of molded fiber
reinforced resin
and the like. Outer sleeve 83 and inner sleeve 85 may also be adhered or
bonded to first liner
15' with an adhesive or first liner 15' may be friction fit within annular gap
87 formed
between outer sleeve 83 and flange 99 of inner sleeve 85,
[00601 Liner assembly 3' also includes a second ring member 51' configured to
securely
engage second liner 19' at first end 13' of second pipe segment 7'. Second
ring member 51' is
identical to second ring member 51' discussed hereinabove with regard to the
first
embodiment of the present invention. A corrosion barrier ring 75' disposed
between inner
sleeve 85 and second ring member 51' is also provided. Corrosion barrier ring
75' is identical
to corrosion barrier ring 75 discussed hereinabove with regard to the first
embodiment of the
present invention.
[00611 Liner assembly 3' in accordance with the second embodiment of the
present
invention is installed within a pipeline as follows. First, second ring member
51' is submersed
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in acetone to ensure that it is adequately cleaned. In addition, the inner
diameter of second
liner 19' is cleaned with acetone. Next, after the acetone has total
evaporated, an adhesive is
applied to the space between the first flange and the second flange of the
second ring member
51'. Thereafter, second liner 19' is positioned within the space between the
first flange and
the second flange of second ring member 51' using a clockwise rotational
motion. All
excessive adhesive is then cleaned away from the second liner 19' and the
second ring
member 51' and the adhesive is allowed to cure for at least 60 minutes.
[0062] Next, a setting plug (not shown) is installed in a first end of second
ring member
51'. The liner is then inserted into first end 23' of coupling member 9' and
then into second
pipe segment 7, which has been secured to coupling member 9', such that the
second ring
member is properly positioned within coupling member 9' as shown in FIG. 7.
Then, a
pumping cap is positioned at a second end of second pipe segment 7' over
second liner 19'.
Mortar is then pumped through the pumping cap to fill second annular gap 21'.
The mortar is
then allowed to set for about 2 to 3 hours before the pumping cap is removed.
[0063] Thereafter, first liner 15' is positioned within first pipe segment 5'
and mortar is
pumped into first annular gap 17' using the pumping cap. Outer sleeve 83 of
two-part ring
member 81 is positioned over the outer diameter of first liner 15', and then
positioned within
second end 11.' of first pipe segment 5' using a sleeve tool (not shown). Once
the mortar has
cured for a minimum of about 8 hours, second end 11' of first pipe segment 5'
with outer
sleeve 83 positioned therein is prepared for installation of inner sleeve 85.
After the finishing
process is complete, the inner diameter of first liner 15' and inner sleeve 85
are cleaned with
acetone. An adhesive is then applied to the outer diameter of inner sleeve 85
and inner sleeve
85 is positioned within second end 11' of first pipe segment 5'. All excess
adhesive is
removed from first liner 15' and inner sleeve 85, and the adhesive is allowed
to cure. Once
the adhesive has cured, second end 11' of first pipe segment 5' is positioned
within first end
23' of coupling member 9'.
[0064] Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of
illustration
based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it
is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the
invention is not
limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to
cover modifications
and equivalent arrangements. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the
present invention
contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any
embodiment can be
combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.
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