Anti-Rotation Device for Mating Connectors and Methods of Using Same

Abstract

The present invention is generally directed to an anti-rotation device for mating connectors, and methods of using same. In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises coupling a first connector to a second connector, removing at least a portion of the second connector after the first and second connectors are coupled together to thereby define a recess in the second connector, and coupling an anti-rotation member to at least one of the first and second connectors, wherein the anti-rotation member engages at least a portion of the first connector and is adapted to engage at least a portion of the recess in the second connector.

1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a first connector;    a second connector, said second connector being coupled to said first connector; and    an anti-rotation member threadingly coupled to a threaded opening defined in said first connector, said anti-rotation member adapted to engage at least a portion of said second connector.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first connector is a pin connector and said second connector is a box connector.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said anti-rotation member comprises at least one of a self-tapping fastener and a threaded fastener.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said threaded opening in said first connector is a threaded circular opening.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said threaded opening in said first connector is threaded for less than an entirety of its depth.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said threaded opening in said first connector is threaded throughout substantially an entirety of its depth.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said anti-rotation member is adapted to engage a recess formed in said second connector.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein a surface of said recess in said second connector is threaded and wherein said anti-rotation member is threadingly coupled to said threaded surface of said recess of said second connector and to said threaded opening in said first connector.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said anti-rotation member is adapted to be coupled to said threaded opening by rotating said anti-rotation member within said threaded opening.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an axis of rotation of said anti-rotation member is approximately normal to a centerline of said first connector.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said anti-rotation member has a yield strength that is greater than a yield strength of said first and second connectors by at least 10 ksi.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second connectors are comprised of carbon steel having a yield strength of approximately 56 ksi and said anti-rotation member is comprised of a material having a yield strength of approximately 70 ksi.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second connector has a lip that extends at least partially into a groove formed in said first connector, and said anti-rotation member engages a recess formed in said lip.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second connector has a lip that extends at least partially into a groove formed in said first connector, and said anti-rotation member engages a threaded surface of a recess formed in said lip.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a first connector having a threaded opening formed therein;    a second connector having a recess with a threaded surface formed therein, said second connector being coupled to said first connector; and    an anti-rotation member threadingly coupled to said threaded opening in said first connector and to said threaded surface of said recess in said second connector.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said first connector is a pin connector and said second connector is a box connector.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said anti-rotation member comprises at least one of a self-tapping fastener and a threaded fastener.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said threaded opening in said first connector is a threaded circular opening.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said threaded opening in said first connector is threaded for less than an entirety of its depth.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said threaded opening in said first connector is threaded throughout substantially an entirety of its depth.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein an axis of rotation of said anti-rotation member is approximately normal to a centerline of said first connector.