Method for sealing radially expanded joints

Abstract

Connectors and connections that enhance mechanical and sealing engagement between the ends of tubular bodies that are radially expanded by a forging tool. The connectors are designed to maintain or restore mechanical and sealing engagement following expansion. The connections are made by joining components that exhibit different spring back characteristics following mechanical deformation. Dissimilar material may be used for the connectors or the connected components can be made of the same materials but dimensioned and configured to exert an interfering force between engaged components following expansion. In operation, a material or component with a high spring back characteristic is positioned adjacent a material or component having a lower spring back characteristic. Following passage of a forging tool, the expanded components spring back differently toward their original unexpanded dimensions to produce the enhanced seal or mechanical engagement. The materials of the end connectors are selected and positioned such that a compressive or locking force is exerted between the different component of the connectors due to the difference in the spring back of the materials or components.

1 - 59 . (canceled)  
   
   
       60 . A method for enhancing the connection between connected members that are plastically deformed while connected to each other, comprising: 
 forming a first member to exhibit a first spring back characteristic following plastic deformation, forming a second member to exhibit a second spring back characteristic following plastic deformation,    connecting said first and second members, and    plastically deforming said first and second members while said first and second members are connected together whereby a differential in said first and second spring back characteristics enhances the connection between said first and second members following plastically deforming said first and second members.    
   
   
       61 . A method as defined in  claim 60 , further comprising: 
 forming said first member into a first radially and axially extending annular shape,    forming said second member into a second radially and axially extending annular shape, and    placing said second member at least partially radially within said first member before plastically deforming said first and second members whereby the spring back of said first and second members produces a compressive force between said first and second members following plastically deforming said first and second members.    
   
   
       62 . A method as defined in  claim 61 , further comprising: 
 forming said first member into a first radially and axially extending annular shape,    forming said second member into a second radially and axially extending annular shape, and    placing said second member adjacent said first member before plastically deforming said first and second members whereby the spring back of said first and second members produces compressive forces between said first and second members following plastically deforming said first and second members.    
   
   
       63 . A method as defined in  claim 60 , further comprising: 
 forming said first member in the shape of a first internally threaded box,    forming said second member in the shape of a first externally threaded pin, and    threadedly advancing said first pin into said first box while connecting said first and second members.    
   
   
       64 . A method as defined in  claim 61 , further comprising: 
 forming said first member in the shape of an internally threaded coupling having a first box and a second box at axial ends of said coupling,    forming a third member in the shape of a second externally threaded pin, and    connecting said first, second and third members by threadedly advancing said first pin into said first box and said second pin into said second box, and plastically deforming said coupling and said first and second pins by expanding said first and second pins radially outwardly into said coupling.    
   
   
       65 . A method as defined in  claim 63 , further comprising: 
 connecting multiple pin and box members together to form a string of well pipe,    placing said string of well pipe into a wellbore, and    radially expanding said string of well pipe.    
   
   
       66 . A method as defined in  claim 60 , wherein said first member is formed of a metal that is different from a metal of said second member whereby said second spring back characteristic is different from said first spring back characteristic.  
   
   
       67 . A method as defined in  claim 60 , wherein said first member is formed in a physical shape that is different from a physical shape of said second member whereby said second spring back characteristic is different from said first spring back characteristic.  
   
   
       68 . A method as defined in  claim 66 , wherein: 
 said first member is formed as an internally threaded box of a tubular well casing,    said second member is formed as an externally threaded pin of a tubular well casing, and    said first and second members are connected by threadedly engaging said pin and box.    
   
   
       69 . A method as defined in  claim 68 , wherein: 
 said first member is formed as an internally threaded box of a tubular well casing,    said second member is formed as an externally threaded pin of a tubular well casing, and    said first and second members are connected by threadedly engaging said pin and box.    
   
   
       70 . A method for enhancing the connection between connected members that are plastically deformed while connected with each other, comprising: 
 forming a first member to exhibit a first spring back characteristic following plastic deformation,    forming a second member to exhibit a second spring back characteristic following plastic deformation,    forming a third member to exhibit a third spring back characteristic following plastic deformation, said third spring back characteristic being different from said first or second, or both of said first and second spring back characteristics,    connecting together said first, second and third members, and    plastically deforming said first, second and third members while said first, second and third members are connected together to enhance the connection between said first and second members.    
   
   
       71 . A method as defined in  claim 70 , further comprising: 
 forming said first member into a first radially and axially extending annular shape,    forming said second member into a second radially and axially extending shape,    forming said third member into a third radially and axially extending annular shape, and    placing said third member at least partially coaxially with, and radially intermediate, said first and second members before plastically deforming said first, second and third members whereby said third spring back characteristic of said third member produces a compressive force between said first and second members following plastically deforming said first, second and third members.    
   
   
       72 . A method as defined in  claim 70 , further comprising: 
 forming said first member into a first radially and axially extending annular shape,    forming said second member into a second radially and axially extending shape,    forming said third member into a third radially and axially extending annular shape, and    placing said third member at least partially coaxially with, and radially externally of, said first and second members before plastically deforming said first, second and third members whereby said third spring back characteristic of said third member produces a compressive force between said first and second members following plastically deforming said first, second and third members.    
   
   
       73 . A method as defined in  claim 70 , further comprising: 
 forming said first member into a first radially and axially extending annular shape,    forming said second member into a second radially and axially extending shape,    forming said third member into a third radially and axially extending annular shape, and    placing said third member at least partially coaxially with, and radially intermediate of, said first and second members before plastically deforming said first, second and third members whereby said third spring back characteristic of said third member produces an axially directed compressive force between said first and second members following plastically deforming said first, second and third members.    
   
   
       74 . A method as defined in  claim 70 , further comprising: 
 forming said first member into a first radially and axially extending annular shape,    forming said second member into a second radially and axially extending shape,    forming said third member into a third radially and axially extending annular shape, and    placing said third member at least partially coaxially with, and radially intermediate of, said first and second members before plastically deforming said first, second and third members whereby said third spring back characteristic of said third member produces a radially directed compressive force between said first and second members following plastically deforming said first, second and third members.    
   
   
       75 . A method as defined in  claim 74 , further comprising: 
 forming said first member in the shape of a first internally threaded box,    forming said second member in the shape of a first externally threaded pin, and    threadedly advancing said first pin into said first box during said placing of said second member with said first member.    
   
   
       76 . A method as defined in  claim 75 , further comprising: 
 forming said third member in the shape of an annular band with a greater spring back characteristic than said first and second members, and    placing said third member adjacent said first member, at least partially, coaxially with, and radially externally of, said first and second members.    
   
   
       77 . A method as defined in  claim 75 , further comprising: 
 placing multiple third members in the shape of annular bands at axially spaced locations along said first member whereby the spring back of said third members produces compressive forces at axially spaced locations along the connection between said pin and box.    
   
   
       78 . A method as defined in  claim 77 , further comprising: 
 placing a fourth member having a fourth spring back characteristic in an annular seal area radially intermediate said pin and box whereby said fourth spring back characteristic of said fourth member produces an enhanced seal between said pin and box following plastically deforming said first, second, third and fourth members.    
   
   
       79 . A method as defined in  claim 77 , further comprising: 
 forming an annular recess in one or both of said first and second members, and    inserting at least a portion of said fourth member into said recess before said first, second, third and fourth members are plastically deformed whereby said fourth member is extruded into a spacing between said first and second members when said first, second, third and fourth members are plastically deformed.    
   
   
       80 . A method as defined in  claim 79 , wherein said fourth member is formed with a cross-section shape having one of a trapezoid, rectangle, T-shape, Z-shape, or oval.  
   
   
       81 . A method as defined in  claim 80 , wherein said fourth member is formed of multiple components to form said cross-section shape.  
   
   
       82 . A method as defined in  claim 75 , further comprising forming said third member in an axially extending sleeve.  
   
   
       83 . A method as defined in  claim 82 , further comprising forming said third member in a frustoconical sleeve.  
   
   
       84 . A method as defined in  claim 82 , further comprising forming said third member with annular recesses along radially inner and/or outer surfaces of said sleeve.  
   
   
       85 . A method as defined in  claim 82 , further comprising forming said third member with an annular sleeve having an oval cross-sectional wall.