Adapter assembly for a well system

Abstract

An adapter assembly for a well system includes at least one coupling member having a passage formed therein and an adapter including a neck duct formed thereon. The neck duct is received in the passage of the coupling member forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween. At least the adapter is formed from a lead-free material, minimizing a weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adapter assembly for a well system, comprising:
 an adapter configured to be disposed in a casing of a well, the adapter including an outwardly extending duct, wherein the adapter cooperates with a first coupling member to facilitate a flow of a fluid from the well, wherein the adapter includes at least one of a substantially planar mating surface located on a face of the duct and a housing formed from a substantially lead-free material, and wherein a weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly with respect to wetted surfaces of the adapter and the first coupling member is no more than about 0.25 percent.   
     
     
         2 . The adapter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling member is disposed on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the casing. 
     
     
         3 . The adapter assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a second coupling member configured to cooperate with at least one of the adapter and the first coupling member to facilitate the flow of the fluid from the well. 
     
     
         4 . The adapter assembly of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member is formed from a substantially lead-free material. 
     
     
         5 . The adapter assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the substantially lead-free material is a polyphenylene ether-polystyrene blended plastic material. 
     
     
         6 . The adapter assembly of  claim 3 , wherein a weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly with respect to wetted surfaces of the adapter, the first coupling member, and the second coupling member is no more than about 0.25 percent. 
     
     
         7 . The adapter assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the second coupling member is disposed on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the casing. 
     
     
         8 . An adapter assembly for a well system, comprising:
 an adapter configured to be disposed in a casing of a well, the adapter cooperates with a first coupling member to facilitate a flow of a fluid from the well, wherein at least one of the adapter and the first coupling member is formed from a polyphenylene ether-polystyrene blended plastic material.   
     
     
         9 . The adapter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein a weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly with respect to wetted surfaces of the adapter and the first coupling member is no more than about 0.25 percent. 
     
     
         10 . The adapter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first coupling member is disposed on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the casing. 
     
     
         11 . The adapter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the adapter includes a laterally outwardly extending duct having at least one mating surface. 
     
     
         12 . The adapter assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a sealing member interposed between the first coupling member and the at least one mating surface of the duct. 
     
     
         13 . The adapter assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a second coupling member configured to cooperate with at least one of the adapter and the first coupling member to facilitate the flow of the fluid from the well. 
     
     
         14 . The adapter assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the second coupling member is formed from a substantially lead-free material. 
     
     
         15 . The adapter assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the substantially lead-free material is the polyphenylene ether-polystyrene blended plastic material. 
     
     
         16 . The adapter assembly of  claim 13 , wherein a weighted average lead content of the adapter assembly with respect to wetted surfaces of the adapter, the first coupling member, and the second coupling member is no more than about 0.25 percent. 
     
     
         17 . The adapter assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the second coupling member is disposed on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the casing. 
     
     
         18 . A method of forming an adapter assembly for a well system, comprising the step of:
 forming an adapter from a polyphenylene ether-polystyrene blended plastic material, wherein the adapter is configured to be disposed in a casing of a well.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of forming a first coupling member from a substantially lead-free material, wherein the first coupling member is configured to cooperate with the adapter to facilitate a flow of a fluid from the well. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of forming a second coupling member from a substantially lead-free material, wherein the second coupling member is configured to cooperate with at least one of the adapter and the first coupling member to facilitate the flow of the fluid from the well.