Sand Control Screen Assembly Having a Mechanically Attached Screen Jacket

Abstract

A sand control screen assembly ( 100 ) for use in a subterranean well. The sand control screen assembly ( 100 ) includes a base pipe ( 102 ) having an outer surface and at least one opening ( 104 ). A screen jacket ( 106 ) is disposed around the base pipe ( 102 ). The screen jacket ( 106 ) has a filter medium ( 112 ) and an outer shroud ( 114 ). The outer shroud ( 114 ) has first and second ends ( 124, 126 ) with inner and outer surfaces. Connector rings ( 120, 122 ) form mechanical interfaces between the base pipe ( 102 ) and the first and second ends ( 124, 126 ), respectively, of the outer shroud ( 114 ). Each of the connector rings ( 120, 122 ) is operable to mechanically induce permanent deformation in the outer surface of the base pipe ( 102 ) and at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the outer shroud ( 114 ), thereby connecting the screen jacket ( 106 ) to the base pipe ( 102 ).

1 . A sand control screen assembly for use in a subterranean well, the sand control screen assembly comprising:
 a base pipe having an outer surface and at least one opening in a side wall portion thereof;   a screen jacket disposed around the base pipe, the screen jacket having a filter medium and an outer shroud, the outer shroud having first and second ends with inner and outer surfaces; and   connector rings forming a mechanical interface between the base pipe and the first and second ends, respectively, of the outer shroud, each of the connector rings operable to mechanically induce permanent deformation in the outer surface of the base pipe and at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the outer shroud, thereby connecting the screen jacket to the base pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The sand control screen assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the connector rings prevent longitudinal movement of the screen jacket relative to the base pipe. 
     
     
         3 . The sand control screen assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the connector rings prevent rotational movement of the screen jacket relative to the base pipe. 
     
     
         4 . The sand control screen assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein each connector ring is disposed between the outer surface of the base pipe and one of the inner surfaces of the outer shroud. 
     
     
         5 . The sand control screen assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein each connector ring is disposed around the outer surface of the base pipe and one of the outer surfaces of the outer shroud. 
     
     
         6 . The sand control screen assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the mechanically induced permanent deformation further comprises crimping the connector rings to create penetrations into the base pipe and the outer shroud. 
     
     
         7 . The sand control screen assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the connector rings further comprise cylindrical rings. 
     
     
         8 . The sand control screen assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the connector rings further comprise a plurality of spikes extending outwardly from at least one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the connector rings. 
     
     
         9 . The sand control screen assembly as recited in  claim 8  wherein the spikes further comprise removable inserts. 
     
     
         10 . The sand control screen assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the connector rings further comprise a plurality of friction riser extending outwardly from at least one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the connector rings. 
     
     
         11 . The sand control screen assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the connector rings have a cross sectional shape selected from the group consisting of a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially triangular shape and a substantially pyramidal shape. 
     
     
         12 . A sand control screen assembly for use in a subterranean well, the sand control screen assembly comprising:
 a base pipe having an outer surface and at least one opening in a side wall portion thereof;   a screen jacket disposed around the base pipe, the screen jacket having a filter medium and an outer shroud, the outer shroud having first and second ends with inner surfaces; and   connector rings disposed between the base pipe and the first and second ends, respectively, of the outer shroud, each of the connector rings operably coupled to the outer shroud and operable to mechanically induce permanent deformation in the outer surface of the base pipe, thereby connecting the screen jacket to the base pipe.   
     
     
         13 . The sand control screen assembly as recited in  claim 12  wherein the mechanically induced permanent deformation further comprises crimping the connector rings to create penetrations into the base pipe. 
     
     
         14 . The sand control screen assembly as recited in  claim 12  wherein the connector rings further comprise a plurality of spikes extending outwardly from an inner surface of the connector rings. 
     
     
         15 . The sand control screen assembly as recited in  claim 12  wherein the connector rings further comprise a plurality of friction riser extending outwardly from an inner surface of the connector rings. 
     
     
         16 . The sand control screen assembly as recited in  claim 12  wherein the connector rings have a cross sectional shape selected from the group consisting of a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially triangular shape and a substantially pyramidal shape. 
     
     
         17 . A sand control screen assembly for use in a subterranean well, the sand control screen assembly comprising:
 a base pipe having an outer surface and at least one opening in a side wall portion thereof;   a screen jacket disposed around the base pipe, the screen jacket having a filter medium and an outer shroud, the outer shroud having first and second ends with outer surfaces; and   connector rings disposed around the outer surface of the base pipe and the first and second ends, respectively, of the outer shroud forming a mechanical interface therebetween, each of the connector rings operable to mechanically induce permanent deformation in the outer surface of the base pipe and the outer surface of the outer shroud, thereby connecting the screen jacket to the base pipe.   
     
     
         18 . The sand control screen assembly as recited in  claim 17  wherein the mechanically induced permanent deformation further comprises crimping the connector rings to create penetrations into the base pipe and the outer shroud. 
     
     
         19 . The sand control screen assembly as recited in  claim 17  wherein the connector rings further comprise a plurality of spikes extending outwardly from an inner surface of the connector rings. 
     
     
         20 . The sand control screen assembly as recited in  claim 17  wherein the connector rings further comprise a plurality of friction riser extending outwardly from an outer surface of the connector rings.