System for connecting piping systems for hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells

Abstract

In various implementations, a hydraulic fracturing piping system may include one or more rotatable elbows to connect other components of the hydraulic fracturing piping system. Using rotatable elbows may facilitate connections in the hydraulic fracturing piping system. For example, when using a rotatable elbow, in the assembly of the system, the rotatable elbow may be capable of rotating to different positions to facilitate alignment of the hydraulic fracturing manifold and hydraulic fracturing stack (e.g., christmas tree), when the hydraulic fracturing manifold and the hydraulic fracturing stack are not in alignment. In some implementations, the elbow may include an internal radial transition (e.g., of approximately 90 degrees) to control the media being injected into the wellbore. The internal radial transition of the elbow may create a more uniform media flow and/or less turbulence, which may significantly reduce erosion of the inner surfaces the bore of the elbow.

1 . A rotatable connection member of a hydraulic fracturing piping system, wherein the rotatable connection member comprises:
 a first body comprising:
 a first end; 
 a second end comprising a male connector, said connector comprising an outer surface with threads disposed thereon; and 
 an internal bore that extends from the first end to the second end; 
   a nut comprising:
 a base comprising a first aperture therethrough; 
 an arm extending from the base, wherein at least a portion of the arm comprises threads; and 
 a cavity disposed between the arm and the base; 
 wherein the nut is coupled to at least a portion of the male connector; and 
   a retainer comprising a base with a second aperture therethrough, wherein a portion of the second aperture comprises threads configured to couple with the threads of the first body, and wherein the retainer is configured to be disposed in the cavity of the nut, and wherein coupling the retainer to the first body inhibits decoupling of the nut from the first body;   wherein the rotatable connection member is configured to couple to a portion of a wellhead christmas tree of the hydraulic fracturing piping system and a portion of a hydraulic fracturing manifold of the hydraulic fracturing piping system together.   
     
     
         2 . The rotatable connection member of  claim 1  wherein the first end comprises a flange. 
     
     
         3 . The rotatable connection member of  claim 2  wherein the flange comprises openings configured to receive a fastener. 
     
     
         4 . The rotatable connection member of  claim 1  wherein the at least one arm comprises an annular collar extending from the base. 
     
     
         5 . The rotatable connection member of  claim 1  wherein the first body is elbow shaped. 
     
     
         6 . The rotatable connection member of  claim 1  wherein the first body is linear. 
     
     
         7 . The rotatable connection member of  claim 1  further comprising a retainer fastener; wherein the nut comprises an opening configured to receive the retainer fastener, and wherein the retainer fastener is configured to couple to a second rotatable connection member coupled to the first body by contacting the second rotatable connection member through the opening in the nut. 
     
     
         8 . The rotatable connection member of  claim 7  wherein the retainer fastener comprises a retainer screw. 
     
     
         9 . The rotatable connection member of  claim 8  wherein the first body at the male connector comprises an outer diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of a different portion of the body. 
     
     
         10 . The rotatable connection member of  claim 1  wherein the first body further comprises two opposing sides and the first end and the second end are each disposed on one of the two opposing sides.