Stabilizer Assembly and Method

Abstract

A stabilizer assembly for a tubular member includes a stabilizing body dimensioned to fit around the tubular member, a central portion having a radial projection, and a first end having a first threaded outer surface and a set of integral first elastic members. A first nut member includes a proximal end with a threaded inner surface configured to engage the first threaded outer surface of the stabilizing body and a central portion with a first tapered inner surface configured to engage the first elastic members of the stabilizing body. Threading the first nut member onto the first end of the stabilizing body forces the first elastic members to engage the first tapered inner surface of the first nut member thereby radially flexing the first elastic members to engage the tubular member. An inner surface of a distal end of each first elastic member may include a grip section.

1 . A stabilizer assembly for a tubular member, comprising:
 a stabilizing body dimensioned to fit around the tubular member, a central portion of the stabilizing body including a radial projection, and a first end of the stabilizing body including a first threaded outer surface and a set of integral first elastic members;   a first nut member including a proximal end with a threaded inner surface configured to engage the first threaded outer surface of the stabilizing body, a central portion of the first nut member including a first tapered inner surface configured to engage the first elastic members of the stabilizing body;   wherein threading the first nut member onto the first end of the stabilizing body forces the first elastic members to engage the first tapered inner surface of the first nut member thereby radially flexing the first elastic members to engage the tubular member.   
     
     
         2 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first elastic members are fingers formed by a set of longitudinal slots in the first end of the stabilizing body. 
     
     
         3 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 2 , wherein each longitudinal slot includes a rounded proximal end. 
     
     
         4 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 2 , wherein an inner surface of a distal end of each finger includes a grip section configured to grip the tubular member. 
     
     
         5 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 4 , wherein each grip section includes longitudinal grooves, circumferential grooves, or a combination of longitudinal grooves and circumferential grooves. 
     
     
         6 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 4 , wherein each grip section includes a plurality of projections formed by overlapping longitudinal grooves and circumferential grooves. 
     
     
         7 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 4 , wherein each finger includes a thinned section between a proximal end and the grip section at the distal end. 
     
     
         8 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the radial projection extends only partially around the central portion of the stabilizing body. 
     
     
         9 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the stabilizing body further includes a set of radial projections spaced around the central portion of the stabilizing body. 
     
     
         10 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a second end of the stabilizing body includes a second threaded outer surface and a set of integral second elastic members, the stabilizer assembly further comprising:
 a second nut member including a proximal end with a threaded inner surface configured to engage the second threaded outer surface of the stabilizing body, a central portion of the second nut member including a second tapered inner surface configured to engage the second elastic members of the stabilizing body, wherein threading the second nut member onto the second end of the stabilizing body forces the second elastic members to engage the second tapered inner surface of the second nut member thereby radially flexing the second elastic members to engage the tubular member.   
     
     
         11 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first elastic members are first fingers formed by a set of first longitudinal slots in the first end of the stabilizing body, and wherein the second elastic members are second fingers formed by a set of second longitudinal slots in the second end of the stabilizing body. 
     
     
         12 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 11 , wherein an inner surface of a distal end of each of the first and second fingers includes a grip section configured to grip the tubular member. 
     
     
         13 . A stabilizer assembly for a tubular member, comprising:
 a stabilizing body dimensioned to fit around the tubular member, a central portion of the stabilizing body including a radial projection, and a first end of the stabilizing body including a first threaded outer surface and a set of integral first elastic members;   a first nut member including a proximal end with a threaded inner surface configured to engage the first threaded outer surface of the stabilizing body, a distal portion of the first nut member including a radial shoulder;   a first wedge member dimensioned to fit within the distal portion of the first nut member such that a distal end of the first wedge member engages the radial shoulder of the first nut member, wherein the first wedge member includes a first tapered inner surface configured to engage the first elastic members of the stabilizing body;   wherein threading the first nut member onto the first end of the stabilizing body forces the first elastic members to engage the first tapered inner surface of the first wedge member thereby radially flexing the first elastic members to engage the tubular member.   
     
     
         14 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first elastic members are fingers formed by a set of longitudinal slots in the first end of the stabilizing body. 
     
     
         15 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 14 , wherein each longitudinal slot includes a rounded proximal end. 
     
     
         16 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 14 , wherein an inner surface of a distal end of each finger includes a grip section configured to grip the tubular member. 
     
     
         17 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the radial projection extends only partially around the central portion of the stabilizing body. 
     
     
         18 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the stabilizing body includes a set of radial projections spaced around the central portion of the stabilizing body. 
     
     
         19 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 13 , wherein a second end of the stabilizing body includes a second threaded outer surface and a set of integral second elastic members, the stabilizer assembly further comprising:
 a second nut member including a proximal end with a threaded inner surface configured to engage the second threaded outer surface of the stabilizing body, a distal portion of the second nut member including a radial shoulder;   a second wedge member dimensioned to fit within the distal portion of the second nut member such that a distal end of the second wedge member engages the radial shoulder of the second nut member, wherein the second wedge member includes a second tapered inner surface configured to engage the second elastic members of the stabilizing body, wherein threading the second nut member onto the second end of the stabilizing body forces the second elastic members to engage the second tapered inner surface of the second wedge member thereby radially flexing the second elastic members to engage the tubular member.   
     
     
         20 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the first elastic members are first fingers formed by a set of first longitudinal slots in the first end of the stabilizing body, and wherein the second elastic members are second fingers formed by a set of second longitudinal slots in the second end of the stabilizing body. 
     
     
         21 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 20 , wherein each of the first and second longitudinal slots includes a rounded proximal end. 
     
     
         22 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 20 , wherein an inner surface of a distal end of each of the first and second fingers includes a grip section configured to grip the tubular member. 
     
     
         23 . A method of stabilizing a tubular member within a wellbore, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a stabilizer assembly comprising: a stabilizing body dimensioned to fit around the tubular member, a central portion of the stabilizing body including a radial projection, and a first end of the stabilizing body including a first threaded outer surface and a set of integral first elastic members; and a first nut member including a proximal end with a threaded inner surface configured to engage the first threaded outer surface of the stabilizing body, a central portion of the first nut member including a first tapered inner surface configured to engage the first elastic members of the stabilizing body;   b) sliding the first nut member and the stabilizing body over the tubular member;   c) sliding the first nut member over the first end of the stabilizing body;   d) rotating the first nut member to engage the first threaded outer surface of the stabilizing body with the threaded inner surface of the first nut member;   e) securing the stabilizer assembly to the tubular member by further rotating the first nut member to further engage the first threaded outer surface of the stabilizing body with the threaded inner surface of the first nut member, engaging and flexing the first elastic members with the first tapered inner surface of the first nut member, thereby gripping the tubular member with the first elastic members;   f) lowering the tubular member with the stabilizer assembly into the wellbore such that the radial projection of the stabilizing body engages an inner surface of the wellbore or an inner surface of a larger tubular member within the wellbore to stabilize the tubular member as the tubular member is rotated.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein an inner surface of a distal end of each first elastic member includes a grip section, and wherein step (e) further comprises gripping the tubular member with the grip section of each first elastic member. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein a second end of the stabilizing body includes a second threaded outer surface and a set of integral second elastic members; wherein the stabilizer assembly further comprises: a second nut member including a proximal end with a threaded inner surface configured to engage the second threaded outer surface of the stabilizing body, a central portion of the second nut member including a second tapered inner surface configured to engage the second elastic members of the stabilizing body;
 wherein step (c) further comprises: sliding the second nut member over the tubular member and over the second end of the stabilizing body;   wherein step (d) further comprises: rotating the second nut member in order to engage the second threaded outer surface of the stabilizing body with the threaded inner surface of the second nut member; and   wherein step (e) further comprises: securing the stabilizer assembly to the tubular member by further rotating the second nut member to further engage the second threaded outer surface of the stabilizing body with the threaded inner surface of the second nut member, engaging and flexing the second elastic members with the second tapered inner surface of the second nut member, thereby gripping the tubular member with the second elastic members.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein an inner surface of a distal end of each of the first and second elastic members includes a grip section; wherein step (e) further comprises gripping the tubular member with the grip section of each of the first and second elastic members. 
     
     
         27 . A method of stabilizing a tubular member within a wellbore, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a stabilizing body dimensioned to fit around an outer surface of the tubular member, the stabilizing body including a radial projection and a set of integral elastic members;   b) sliding the stabilizing body over the tubular member; and   c) flexing the integral elastic members of the stabilizing body to contact the outer surface of the tubular member.