The present invention relates to a pipe section protector device to be employed at outwards/inwards facing, screw threaded, endwise engageable pipe sections, especially pipe sections for drilling/production pipes to be used in oil/gas wells, said protector device being designed for fixation at a respective end of the pipe section for sealing off of the pipe end and protecting threaded pipe portions, said protector device being axially displaceable on the pipe end and having included therein a pipe end protecting cap member and a tension means cooperating with the cap member for fixing the cap member in liquid tight manner on the pipe end, said cap member being engagable in radial direction via the tension means against the inner face of the pipe end with an adjustable tension force.

When referring in the following to pipe sections this is especially valid for pipe sections employed in drilling/-production pipes for oil/gas wells. It is a question of adjustment of the protector device to each actual pipe dimension. However, the protector device of the present invention may in addition be employed for arbitrary types of pipes, but essentially for pipes provided with outwards/-inwards facing threading.

Especially, during storing and transport of pipe sections for drilling/production pipes for use in oil/gas wells, it

is required that the pipe sections, without problems, are ready for use as soon as the protector device is removed.

It is priorly known to employ a protector device in shape of a cap member with inwards respectively outwards facing threading, to fit with a correspondingly treaded end portion of a pipe section. By employment of the respective threading of the pipe section for fixation of the corresponding protector device thereto a structurally simple construction and a relative cheap construction of the protector device is achieved. In addition an efficient protection of the pipe section threadings is achieved. It is usual that the threading of the protector device overlaps and completely covers the corresponding threading of the pipe section, i. e. that the threadings have a corresponding shape and that the protector device is being rotated into complete fitting with the threading of the pipe section.

In practice it is evident that assemblance and disassemblance of the protector device on opposite ends of the pipe section requires considerable attention to secure that the threadings of the pipe section is sufficiently covered and hence is ready for use as soon as the protector device is removed from the pipe section.

It is of great importance that the protector device is in position to provide efficient protection of the end portions of the pipe section and especially of the threadings of said end portions, when the pipe sections are out of use.

The problem with such priorly known solution of the protector device is, however, that the assemblance and disassemblance operations are quite work demanding and that the protective device accordingly is rather expensive in operation. This is of essential importance, especially in the oil/gas industry.

The aim of the present invention is a solution allowing easier and more rapid assemblance and disassemblance operations and still satisfactory

protection of the end portions of the pipe sections and especially their threadings.

From US patent 4 415 005 it is priorly known a protector device in shape of a an annular elastomeric casing arranged radially outside of and spaced from the radially outwards facing threadings of the pipe section.

The elastomeric casing is connected with a tension means which extends axially inwards of the threaded end of the pipe section and is secured by a clamping force against the inner face of the pipe section. Said tension means is a functionally inherent part of the protector device.

The aim of the present invention is a more simple solution wherein the tension means can be managed as a separate common part to be employed for fixing of a number of protector devices individually in succession to a respective pipe section respectively for release of a number of protector devices in succession from respective pipe sections. This allows manufacturing of the protector device in a cheap and relative easily manageable but still accurate and controllable manner.

A favourable solutions is achieved according to the present invention and this is characterised in that the cap member is overlapping the outwards respectively inwards facing screw threaded pipe portion by means of a radially facing support face, and that the sension means is realisably fixed to the cap member for collected assembleance/disassembleance of the protector device in a corresponding pipe end and for separate assemblance/ disassemblance of the tension means in the cap member.

According to the present invention it is, instead of applying the above stated priorly known protector device shaped in a single peace, applied two connectable parts, i. e. a separate cap member and a separate tension means for fastening of the cap member to the pipe section.

In this respect it is made possible by means of a quick and easy operation to insert respectively remove the protector device by means of a correspondingly simple

axial displacement of the protector device in relation to the pipe section, such that the threadings of the pipe section is covered respectively uncovered by means of simple manipulation. The fixation respectively release of the fixation may according to the present invention be provided by means of said tension means which is independent of the threadings of the pipe section and which may represent a common tension means for a number of separate cap members.

It is further, according to the present invention, provided for releasable fixation of the protector device in order to provide collected assemblance/disassemblance of the protector device in an associated pipe end respectively for separate assemblance/disassemblance of the tension means in the cap member. In accordance with the present invention it is possible to maintain the protector device separately in place via its associated clamping means, whereas the tension means can be separately removed for employment in remaining protector devices as required. Accordingly, a common tension means can be employed for a number of separate protector devices. Thus, a separate replacement of the cap member of the protector device is allowable, as may be required, for instance after a single application or after few applications, whereas it is made possible to apply the clamping means repeatedly, i. e. applied several times in respect of different cap members.

In priorly known protector devices recycling of the raw material of the protector device has caused great problems and the result is an accumulation of huge quantities of disposed protector devices which are without value and solely represent economical and environmental problems.

An aim of the present invention is, in the application of cap members designed for single or few times use, to allow disposal of the cap member without problems and with the possibility to recycle the raw

material of the cap member. This aim is achieved by different efforts according to the present invention, especially by application of a separate cap member which is easily disassembled and a separate, easily replayable tension means with associated regulating members and tension members.

In practice it is preferred that the tension means comprises a) a holder which, during applications thereof, is arranged to be maintained immovable in the cap member via associated fixing means, b) and a wedge member, carried by a regulating member which is pivotably and axially movable in relation to the holder, c) and a set of clamping means having a first side face designed to form a support via a clamping member against a wedge face of the wedge member and having a second side face designed to form a support against a radially inwards facing support face of the cap member, said clamping means being movable in radial direction of the holder in radial spacings between annular inner and outer portions of the holder.

In addition to the above stated members it is intended to use a separate tool, which can be applied in succession for all of the protector devices of associated pipe sections. This relate to pipe sections of different pipe section dimensions as well as for correspondingly different protector devices. Accordingly, it is made possible to simplify the protector devices and in addition to allow storing of pipe sections without any risk of unintended manipulation of the protector devices of the pipe sections.

Further details of the present invention will be apparent from the following description with reference to the enclosed illustrations, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a pipe section with associated protector devices for protection of the threaded ends of the pipe section, prepared for assemblance.

Figure 2A is a vertical section of the protector device according to a first embodiment, which is fixed to the one end of the pipe section having an inwards facing threading.

Figure 2B is a vertical section of the protector device according to a second embodiment, which is fixed to the other end of the pipe section having an outwards facing threading.

Figure 3A is a cross section of a first cap member relating to the protector device according to Figure 2A.

Figure 3B is a cross section of a second cap member relating to the protector device according to Figure 2B.

Figure 4 is an end view of the protector device in accordance with Figure 3A respectively Figure 3B.

Figure 5A is a cross section of the cap member of Figure 3A.

Figure 5B is a cross section of the cap member of Figure 3B.

Figure 6 is a side view of a separate tension means in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal section of members associated with the tension means of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a cross section of members associated with the tension means of Figure 6.

Figure 9 illustrates a holder associated with the tension means of Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a vertical cross section of a protector device of alternative embodiment including an associated operating tool illustrated in side view.

Figure 11 is a side view of the operating tool of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is an end view of the operating tool of Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a part side view and a part cross section of details of the tension means of an alternative embodiment.

Figure 14 is a section of a detail of the tension means of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a cross section of the tension means of Figure 13.

In Figure 1 is illustrated a pipe section 12 having an insert end 12a provided with outwards facing threading 12b (see Figure 2A) and a socketed end 12c provided with inwards facing threading 12d (see Figure 2B). The pipe section 12 is especially designed for application in drilling/production pipes in a pipe line in connection with an oil/gas well. The pipe section 12 is illustrated in a position prepared for insertion of a first protector device 13 (see Figure 2A) for protection of the socketed end 12d of the pipe section 12 and the associated end edge portion thereof and a second protector device 14 (see Figure 2B) for protection of the insert end 12a and the associated threading 12b thereof.

In Figure 2A the protector device 13 is illustrated in its matching position in the socketed end 12c of the pipe section 12 and secured with a radially outwards directed clamping force against the radially inwards facing threading 12d of the socketed end 12c. In a corresponding manner as illustrated in Figure 2B the protector device 14 is pushed in matching position with the insert end 12 of the pipe section 12 and is secured against the radially inwards facing face of the insert end 12a by means of an outward directed clamping force. The protector devices 13 and 14 are manufactured substantially by the same simple principle, but with mutually different dimensions and different detailed features adapted to the insert end 12a and the socketed end 12c of the pipe section 12. A detailed description is herein presented for the one device 13, whereas the other device 14 has a substantially corresponding design.

The protector device 13 comprises a separate cap member 15a and a separate tension means 16. The tension means 16 comprises a holder 17 and a tension member,

including a wedge member 18 and a separate regulating member 19 and a set of clamping means 20a-20c supporting each other sidewise in annular shape.

The cap member 15a as illustrated in Figure 3A and the cap member 15b as illustrated in Figure 3B are according to the illustrated embodiments designed for a single application or for few times application and is generally manufactured in recyclable plastic material.

The cap member 15a has an axially extending sleeve portion 21 connected with a radially extending bottom portion 22 through a in thickness increased/rigified transition portion 23.

The sleeve portion 21 is at one of its ends provided with a relatively short, backwards extending, outer rim portion 21a and the latter, together with the outer face of the sleeve portion 21, provides a pocket for reception of the socketed end 12c of the pipe section 12. The inwards facing face of the rim portion 21a is designed to form a support against the outer face of the socketed end 12c, whereas the inwards facing threading 12d of the socketed end 12c is designed to form a support against the outer face of the sleeve portion 21 as illustrated in Figure 2A.

The sleeve portion 21 as illustrated in Figure 3A respectively as illustrated in Figure 5A is provided with inclined, local through cuts 21b which allow radially/ circumferentially deflection of the sleeve portion 21 in a central portion for local clamping against the inwards facing threading 12d at the socketed end 12c of the pipe section 12.

Correspondingly inclined through cuts 21b'are illustrated in Figure 5B to be used in the cap member of Figure 3B.

The sleeve portion 21 is at its radially outwards facing face provided with an axial row of mutually parallel circumferential grooves 24 for ventilating and draining off of occurring liquid from the threading 12d of

the socketed end 12c. In the bottom of said circum- ferential grooves 24 a number of bores are illustrated for ventilating of and/or draining off of liquid from the spacing between the pipe section 12 and the sleeve portion 21, such as illustrated in Figure 3A.

In Figure 3B is illustrated a corresponding helical groove 24'with associated bores 25'.

In corresponding manner there is provided a bore 26 at the bottom of said pocket, i. e. in the transition portion between the sleeve portion 21 and the rim portion 21a, for venting/draining of said pocket. The bore 26 is in alignment of an enlarged compartment 27 which is communicating with a key hole shaped cavity 28, which is further illustrated in Fig. 4.

An easily releasable bracing and strengthening means, in the shape of a metal sleeve 28 with L-shaped cross section, is fixed to the cap member 15a of plastic material. The key hole shaped cavity 28 is provided in a radially outwards bent portion 29a of the metal sleeve 29.

With dotted lines 30 in Figure 3A is indicated head carrying engagement means at a three branched tool (see Figures 10 and 12) for retraction of the metal sleeve 29 from the cap member 15a when it is due for disposement of the cap member 15a. The metal sleeve may be recycled in a substitute cap member 15a. The tool with associated members will be described further with reference to Figures 10-12.

The tension means 16, which is separately illustrated in Figure 6, is design to fix the cap member 15a to the pipe section 12 and as illustrated in Figure 2A (and 2B) is engaged in the cap member (15a (15b) in pivot preventing manner. In this respect the transition portion 23 between the sleeve portion 21 and the bottom portion 22 extends relatively stretched out in the longitudinal direction of the cap member 15a and is provided with a multi edged, i. e. as illustrated in Figure 4, with an octagonal cavity 31, for reception of a corresponding

multiedged/octagonal head portion 32 which is provided in the holder 17 of the tension means 16.

The tension means 16 is further received in the cap member 15a, such that axial movement of the tension means 16 in relation to the cap member is prevented. In this respect the head portion 32 of the holder 17 provides support against the bottom portion 22 of the cap member 15a, whereas a threaded fixing pin 33, which extends through a bore 34 in said bottom portion 22 (see Figure 4), is secured by a fixing means in shape of a screw threaded nut 35.

In said holder 17 three radially extending cavities 36 are arranged between the head portion 32 and an annular end member 37, as illustrated in Figure 8. The clamping means 20a-20c are designed by means of an associated web portion 38 to form a support against a separate clamping member 39 which is allowed to be moved along a cone surface of the wedge member 18. The web portion 38 of the clamping means 20a-20c are allowed to move in radial direction in the cavities 36, whereas the clamping member 39 is designed for corresponding circumferential expansion and compression as may be required. In the illustrated embodiment the clamping member 39 is manufactured separately. Alternatively, the clamping member may be divided in say three sections each of which may be rigidly connected with an associated clamping means. In the illustrated embodiment the clamping member 39, as illustrated in Figure 7, is provided with rows of axial notches 39a, 39b in opposite ends of the clamping member 39. The clamping member 39 may accordingly be stretched out respectively elastically compressed in circumferential direction, in dependency of the actuation from the wedge member 18. An efficient support for the clamping means 20a-20c against the clamping member 39 is secured more or less independent of the circumferential movement acting on the clamping member 39. The clamping means 20a-20c are moveable to a certain extent in relation to each other in

the circumferential direction and are in this respect provided with a correspondingly overlapping, inwards graduated end portions 38a respectively outwards graduated end portions 38b. In the illustrated embodiment an elastically yielding sleeve 38c surrounds the clamping means and maintain the clamping means 20a-20c in mutual positions. In addition the sleeve 38c forms a compressible clamping/friction face against the inwards facing threading (in the socketed end) respectively against the inner face (of the insert end) of the pipe section 12. By seizing the clamping means 20a-20c against the sleeve portion 21 of the cap member an essential part of clamping forces is transmitted close to the web portion 38 and a relatively lesser part of clamping forces is transmitted to portions at the end portions 38a, 38b. The clamping means 20a-20c may as an example be manufactured in plastic material, metal or other suitable material, as may be required. The same goes for the material selected for the complete cap member 16.

The cap member 15a is designed for disposal after a single application and in this respect it is advantageous that the tension means is constructed in a more durable structure in order to allow an extended lifetime thereof, intended for shifting of the cap member 15a (15b) when required. The aim is to provide cap members 15a (see Figure 3A) and cap members 15b (see Figure 3B) in such form that both types are accommodated for a common tension means 16. The tension means is accordingly described herein especially with reference to Figure 2A, but is additionally illustrated with corresponding parts in Figure 2B. The tension means (16) comprises, however, as mentioned, a number of separate parts which are allowed to be individually shifted, as may be required.

In Figure 2A is illustrated a wedge member 18 fixed at a regulating means 19. The wedge member 18 is through- passed by a stem formed holder 40 and at its broader end it is supported against a disc member 41 at the stem

formed holder 40, whereas the opposite smaller end is being blocked at the holder by means of a tension nut 42 via corresponding threadings in said nut 42 and said holder 40. The outwards facing threading in the holder 40 cooperates with a corresponding inwards facing threading in a centre bore 32a in the head portion 32 of the holder 17. A bore 40a passes concentric through the stem formed holder 40 and formes a venting duct between the inner end of the bore 32a and open air for improving setting up/release of the regulating means 19 in the head portion 32 of the holder 17.

A transverse pin 44 is provided in a cylindrical stem portion 43 axially outside of the disc member 41 and cooperates with a manually operated activating means 45 (see Figure 10).

The activating means 45 comprises a stem portion 46 with a transverse grip forming pole 47 at one end of the stem portion 46 and a sleeve portion 48 at the opposite end of the stem portion 46. In respect of regulating the protector means position in the pipe section 12 the sleeve portion 48 is arranged to be moved into position at the stem portion 43 of the regulating means 19 and via an arresting grove 49 to engage the pin 44 for maintenance of the sleeve portion 48 at the stem portion 43, as illustrated by means of parts of the regulating means 19 as shown in dotted lines in Figure 10. In other words, a pivotation of the actuating means in one direction by means of the wedge member 18 allows the cap member 15a to be secured at the inner face of the pipe section 12, and correspondingly a pivotation of the actuating means in opposite direction allows release of the cap member 15a for retraction of the protector means 13 from the pipe section 12.

In Figure 10 and 12 is illustrated a tool 50 comprising a fixing ring 51 with associated three arms 52 provided with individual gripping means 30 for engagement with the metal sleeve 29. The fixing ring 51 is as

illustrated in Figure 10 moved in position at the stem portion 46 with support against the sleeve portion 48. In Figure 10 it is, in order to have a better view, omitted one of said three arms 52.

In Figure 10 is illustrated a cap member 15c with some modifications of the outer facing of the sleeve portion 21 in relation to the details illustrated in Figure 3B. It is illustrated concavely curved surfaces 21c between draining grooves 24. By means of said concavely curved surfaces 21c, having edge portions 21c'extending radially curved outwards from said grooves 24, an efficient, local, line shaped support and an elastically yielding support against the inner face of the insert end 12, is secured.

In Fig. 13 an alternative embodiment of the clamping member 39'is illustrated in the shape of a relatively form stable, rigid annular member. Alternatively, the clamping member can be manufactured of three rigid, mutually divided annular sections (see Figure 15).

In Figure 13 is illustrated a fork shaped leaf spring 55 which is secured by means of a fixing screw 56 to a fork shaped support leg 57 in an area between the head portion 32 and the ring member of the holder 17. Said spring is partially engaged in a corresponding cavity 58 in radially inwards facing faces of the support leg 57.

In Figure 14 is illustrated the web portion 38, which is engaged in a cavity 36 in the formed shaped support leg 57 for moving of the web portion 38 towards and away from the clamping member 39'. A resilient engagement partly between the holder 17 and the clamping member 39'and partly between the web portion 38 and the claiming member 39', is provided by means of the leaf spring 55, in order that the parts should be maintained in position by means of spring power in different positions of the regulating means 19.

The protector means 14 is in general shaped in correspondence with the protector means 13, differing

therefrom solely in that it is dimensioned for assemblance in the insert end 12a of the pipe section 12 and, accordingly, provided with a lengthened, backwards extending, outwards facing sleeve portion 21', which is arranged to cover and protect the threaded end portion 12b of the insert end 12a, whereas the cap member 15b with its outwards facing surface is arranged to cover the outwards facing screw threaded portion 12b of the insert end 12a.