Guiding sleeve for aligning downhole tubulars

Abstract

A guiding sleeve for aligning downhole tubulars includes a body having a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The first end portion is receptive of a terminal end of a first tubular and the second end portion includes a guiding feature that promotes axial alignment of the first tubular with a second tubular.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A guiding sleeve for aligning downhole tubulars comprising:
 a body having a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion extending there between, the first end portion being receptive of a terminal end of a first tubular and the second end portion including a guiding feature that promotes axial alignment of the first tubular with a second tubular.   
     
     
         2 . The guiding sleeve according to  claim 1 , wherein the guiding feature comprises a projection that extends radially outwardly of the second end portion. 
     
     
         3 . The guiding sleeve according to  claim 2 , wherein the projection extends annularly about the second end portion. 
     
     
         4 . The guiding sleeve according to  claim 2 , wherein the projection includes a generally rounded cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . A system of tubulars comprising:
 a first tubular including a first terminal end;   a second tubular including a second terminal end; and   a guiding sleeve connected to the first tubular, the guiding sleeve including a body having a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion extending there between, the first end portion being connected to the first terminal end, the second end portion including a guiding feature that promotes axial alignment of the first tubular with the second tubular.   
     
     
         6 . The system of tubulars according to  claim 5 , wherein the second terminal end of the second tubular comprises a box end having an angled back bore, the box end being receptive of the second end portion of the guiding sleeve. 
     
     
         7 . The system of tubulars according to  claim 6 , wherein the box end includes an edge, the angled back bore extending from the edge axially along the second tubular radially inward. 
     
     
         8 . The system of tubulars according to  claim 7 , wherein the second tubular includes a chamfer region at the edge axially outwardly of the angled back bore. 
     
     
         9 . The system of tubulars according to  claim 6 , wherein the guiding feature comprises a projection that extends radially outward of the second end portion. 
     
     
         10 . The system of tubulars according to  claim 9 , wherein the projection extends annularly about the second end portion. 
     
     
         11 . The system of tubulars according to  claim 9 , wherein the projection includes a generally rounded cross-section. 
     
     
         12 . The system of tubulars according to  claim 6 , wherein the first tubular includes a first interior and a first connector portion and the second tubular includes a second interior including a second connector portion, the guiding sleeve promoting alignment of the first connector portion and the second connector portion. 
     
     
         13 . The system of tubulars according to  claim 12 , wherein the first connector portion comprises a first electrical connector portion and the second connector portion comprises a second electrical connector portion. 
     
     
         14 . The system of tubulars according to  claim 6 , wherein the first terminal end of the first tubular comprises a pin end including a plurality of threads, the guiding sleeve being arranged axially outward of the plurality of threads. 
     
     
         15 . The system of tubulars according to  claim 14 , wherein the guiding sleeve is secured to the first terminal end through one or more mechanical fasteners. 
     
     
         16 . The system of tubulars according to  claim 6 , wherein the guiding sleeve is formed from a material having a hardness that is less than a hardness of the second tubular. 
     
     
         17 . The system of tubulars according to  claim 6 , wherein the guiding feature establishes at least two contact points with and inner surface of the second terminal end.