STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods of controlling fluid flow in a well bore. More specifically, the present invention addresses apparatuses and methods of connecting shunt tubes and leak-off tubes used in completion operations.
BACKGROUND
Down-hole completion operations commonly require filter screens to restrain flow of sand and particulates existing in the well environment from entering pipe openings. In a common application, shunt tubes are utilized exterior of a base pipe to provide fluid communication downhole independent of flow through the base pipe.
As presently practiced, jumper tubes are provided at connections of the base pipe sections. Jumper tubes provide fluid connection of a shunt tube on a pipe section to a corresponding shunt tube attached to an abutting pipe section. Jumper tubes are installed after connection of pipe sections.
Generally, for adjoining pipe sections, shunt tube ends are aligned when pipe sections are connected. The jumper tube is inserted between respective shunt tube ends. The jumper tube has a connector at each end comprising a telescoping tube section slideable on the jumper tube. Each telescoping tube section is extended to cover a corresponding shunt tube end. Seals are provided intermediate the telescoping sections and corresponding jumper tube sections, and intermediate the telescoping sections and corresponding shunt tube ends to provide a contained fluid flow path from a shunt tube through a jumper tube to the next corresponding shunt tube.
Traditionally, set screws are used to retain a telescoping tube section to a corresponding shunt tube end and to retain a telescoping tube end to a corresponding jumper tube. Exemplary jumper tube connectors utilizing set screws are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,497,267 to Setterberg, Jr. and U.S. Pat. No. 7,886,819 to Setterberg, Jr. In one known technology, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0220606, removable “snap-on clips” may be utilized to secure a jumper tube connector. Each of these jumper connector retaining mechanisms, however, requires the use of separate components that must be provided and individually installed.
By another technology, as is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0240572, which application is incorporated herein by reference as if reproduced in full below, jumper tube connectors are secured by means of a retainer ring segment disposed on the interior of a shroud assembly utilized to protect the jumper tube connector assembly.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention comprise a jumper tube connector assembly and/or jumper tube connection assembly. In one embodiment, a jumper tube connector assembly comprises a jumper tube and two fasteners biased toward the jumper tube. In one embodiment, the jumper tube connector assembly further comprises two connectors, the connectors slideable on the jumper tube. In one embodiment, in an un-installed position, each fastener at least partially covers and is biased against the exterior of a connector, wherein upon slidably engaging the connector with a shunt tube, i.e., an installed position, the connector ceases to be disposed between the fastener and the jumper tube, and a portion of a bottom surface of the fastener is biased proximate the jumper tube, whereby an end surface of the fastener is disposed such that the connector is prevented from moving in a direction toward the fastener.
In one embodiment, a jumper tube connection assembly comprises a shunt tube and two fasteners affixed, directly or indirectly, to the shunt tube, wherein the fasteners comprise opposingly oriented retention clips each comprising a locking surface and disposed such that upon axially movement of a connector there between, the retention clips are biased apart, and circumferential engagement of the connector with the shunt tube by movement of the connector in one direction allows the locking surfaces to prevent axial movement of the connector in the opposite direction.
In another embodiment, a jumper tube connection assembly comprises a shunt tube and one or more fasteners affixed, directly or indirectly, to the shunt tube, wherein the fasteners comprise pin-locking retention clips each comprising a spring-loaded pin for connection to a jumper connector and disposed such that upon biasing the pin away from the shunt tube (or shunt tube extended), axial movement of a connector into circumferential engagement with the shunt tube by movement of the connector, followed by removal of the biasing force, allows the pin to prevent axial movement of the connector.
Further embodiments of the present invention comprise a method of retaining jumper connectors with a fastener. In an additional aspect, embodiments of the present invention comprise a spring-loaded system for securing a leak-off tube utilized in conjunction with jumper tube connector assemblies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments, reference is now made to the following Description of Exemplary Embodiments of the Invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 depicts a view of a jumper tube connector assembly of an embodiment of the present invention in an uninstalled arrangement.
FIG. 2 depicts an additional view of a jumper tube connector assembly of an embodiment of the present invention in an installed arrangement.
FIG. 3 depicts a view of a jumper tube connector assembly of an embodiment of the present invention in an uninstalled position.
FIG. 4 depicts a view of a jumper tube connector assembly of an embodiment of the present invention in an installed position.
FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of a method of the present invention.
FIG. 6 depicts a view of a leak-off tube retention mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention with the leak-off tube in a retracted position.
FIG. 6A depicts a detailed view of a portion of FIG. 6.
FIG. 7 depicts a view of a leak-off tube retention mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention with the leak-off tube in an extended position.
FIG. 7A depicts a detailed view of a portion of FIG. 7.
FIG. 8 depicts a view of a jumper tube connection assembly of an embodiment of the present invention in an uninstalled position.
FIG. 8A depicts a view of an embodiment of a retention clip locking surface of the present invention.
FIG. 9 depicts a view of a jumper tube connection assembly of an embodiment of the present invention in an installed position.
FIG. 9A depicts another view of a jumper tube connection assembly of an embodiment of the present invention in an uninstalled position.
FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of a method of the present invention.
FIG. 11 depicts a view of a jumper tube connection assembly of an embodiment of the present invention in an uninstalled position.
FIG. 12 depicts a view of a jumper tube connection assembly of an embodiment of the present invention in an installed position.
FIG. 13 depicts an embodiment of a method of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
The exemplary embodiments are best understood by referring to the drawings with like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. As used herein, longitudinal refers to the axis A-A identified in FIG. 1, and transverse refers to a direction normal to axis A-A of FIG. 1. The terms “down-hole” and “up-hole,” as used herein to describe typical orientations for sub-surface drilling of a well bore are only exemplary, and other orientations are contemplated, as would be understood by one skilled in the art. Although the embodiments of the invention described herein are disclosed in reference to connection of shunt tubes, the invention is not so limited and may be employed in the connection of any types of tubes, pipes, or the like.
Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 1, a jumper tube connector assembly 10 comprises one or more fasteners 20 fixedly attached to one or both ends of a jumper tube 30. As would be known to one skilled in the art, jumper tube 30 is adapted to provide for fluid flow there through and may be of any useful geometry. In one embodiment, fastener 20 comprises a “snap clip” that functions similar to a binder clip in that it utilizes tension to provide bias against objects disposed adjacent thereto. In other embodiments, fastener 20 may comprises springs, hinges, and/or other biasing mechanisms.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, snap clip 20 comprises a strip of metal bent to form an angle of less than ninety degrees (90°), although other geometries may be employed. The bent metal strip is attached at a proximal end 40 thereof to an exterior surface 80 of jumper tube 30 such that the snap clip 20 formed thereby is biased toward jumper tube 30 and at least a portion of the surface of snap clip 20 is disposed proximate exterior surface 80 of jumper tube 30. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, snap clip 20 is provided such that at least a portion of the bottom surface (not visible in FIG. 2) of snap clip 20 contacts exterior surface 80 of jumper tube 30.
In this embodiment as depicted in FIG. 1, when force is applied to distal end 110 of snap clip 20 in a direction away from jumper tube 30, an object (such as jumper connector 50) can be inserted between the bottom surface (not visible in FIG. 1) of snap clip 20 and exterior surface 80 of jumper tube 30, and when the force is removed, snap clip 20, being biased in the direction toward jumper tube 30, retains the object against jumper tube 30. Although in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 snap clip 20 comprises metal, it may be constructed from other materials as would be understood by one skilled in the art. In one embodiment, snap clip 20 comprises spring steel.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the fastening mechanism at the depicted end of jumper tube 30 comprises two snap clips 20; however, the invention is not so limited and various embodiments may comprise a single snap clip 20 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), or three or more snap clips 20. For ease of description only, embodiments of the invention may be described in detail herein with respect to a jumper tube connector assembly 10 comprising a plurality of snap clips 20.
The one or more snap clips 20 may be disposed along all or part the transverse diameter of a “top” surface 32 of jumper tube 30. A single snap clip 20 may be centered with respect to the transverse axis of jumper tube 30, or may be offset therefrom. Multiple snap clips 20 may be evenly or unevenly spaced along the transverse diameter of jumper tube 30. In other embodiments (not shown), one or more snap clips 20 may be disposed on one or more side surfaces 34 of jumper tube 30. In additional embodiments (not shown), one or more snap clips 20 may be disposed on top surface 32 of jumper tube 30 and snap clips 20 may be disposed on one or more side surfaces 34 of jumper tube 30.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, snap clips 20 are fixedly attached proximate proximal end 40 thereof to jumper tube 30. In FIG. 1, the two snap clips 20 are affixed to jumper tube 30 at approximately the same location along the longitudinal axis of jumper tube 30, but the invention is not so limited and snap clips 20 may be affixed to jumper tube 30 at different locations along the longitudinal axis of jumper tube 30. In addition, snap clips 20 may be of similar length or of differing lengths with respect to their dimension along the longitudinal axis of jumper tube 30, and snap clips 20 may be of similar width or of differing widths with respect to their dimension along the transverse axis of jumper tube 30. In one embodiment, end surfaces 130 of two or more snap clips 20 are disposed at approximately the same location with respect to the longitudinal axis of jumper tube 30.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, fixed attachment of snap clips 20 to jumper tube 30 comprises welding of snap clips 20 to jumper tube 30. Other methods of fixed attachment may be employed. In addition, snap clips 20 may be integrally formed as a component of jumper tube 30.
Still referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment a jumper connector 50 adapted to provide for fluid flow there through and which may be of any useful geometry is circumferentially disposed around a portion of jumper tube 30. One or more seals (not shown), such as but not limited to seal rings, may be disposed within jumper connector 50 to provide a fluid seal between jumper connector 50 and jumper tube 30. In the “uninstalled” arrangement depicted in FIG. 1, jumper connector 50 is provided such that a portion of the exterior surface 60 of a distal end 70 thereof is disposed between the exterior surface 80 of jumper tube 30 and at least a portion of the bottom surface (not shown) of snap clips 20. As snap clips 20 are biased toward jumper tube 30, jumper connector 50 is retained in this position with respect to the longitudinal axis of jumper tube 30. Snap clips 20 may comprise a protuberance 90, such as but not limited to a knob or handle on the top surface 100 of snap clips 20, which assists in providing displacement of a distal end 110 of snap clips 20 away from jumper tube 30 so that a portion of the distal end 70 of jumper connector 50 may be slid between the exterior surface 80 of jumper tube 30 and at least a portion of the bottom surface (not shown) of snap clips 20 to provide jumper connector 50 in the uninstalled arrangement.
FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of jumper tube connector assembly 10 in an “installed” arrangement wherein a proximal end 120 of jumper connector 50 is slidingly engaged with a shunt tube (not shown in FIG. 1). Such movement of jumper connector 50 with regard to jumper tube 30 along the longitudinal axis thereof displaces distal end 70 of jumper connector 50 such that no portion of jumper connector 50 remains disposed between snap clips 20 and jumper tube 30. As snap clips 20 are biased toward jumper tube 30, such transposition of jumper connector 50 from its uninstalled arrangement to its installed arrangement results in at least a portion of the bottom surface (not shown) of snap clips 20 contacting exterior surface 80 of jumper tube 30. In such an arrangement, an end surface 130 (labeled in FIG. 1) of at least one of snap clips 20 prevents movement of jumper connector 50 toward snap clips 20 along the longitudinal axis of jumper tube 30.
As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, end surface 130 of each snap clip 20 comprises substantially the dimensions of the snap clip 20 proximate thereto; however, the present invention is not so limited and other end surface geometries and dimensions as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art may be employed. In one embodiment (see FIG. 3), an end surface 130 may comprise a planar surface substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of jumper tube 30. In one embodiment (not shown), end surface 130 may comprise a fixture, such as but not limited to a knob or handle, which assists in providing displacement of a distal end 110 of snap clips 20 away from jumper tube 30.
Referring now to FIG. 3, an embodiment comprising two jumper tube connector assemblies 10 of the present invention in an uninstalled position is depicted. In referring to FIG. 3 and throughout, for convenience only, reference is made to a higher vertical paginal representation as “up-hole,” and a lower vertical paginal representation as “downhole,” as would be understood by one skilled in the art. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, two jumper connectors 50 are disposed circumferentially to each jumper tube 30. Each jumper connector 50 is retained with respect to the longitudinal axis of jumper tube 30 by a single snap clip 20. In FIG. 3, jumper tube connector assemblies 10 are disposed proximate shunt tubes 140 disposed on each of two connected pipe sections 150.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, pipe sections 150A and 150B are connected by pipe connector 170. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, an up-hole shunt tube 140A comprises a down-hole end 160A thereof, and a down-hole shunt tube 140B comprises an up-hole end 160B thereof. As depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 3, jumper tube connector assemblies 10 are disposed such that alignment with corresponding shunt tubes 140A, 140B disposed on pipe sections 150A, 150B allows for sliding engagement of proximal ends 120 of jumper connectors 50 circumferentially around ends 160A, 160B of shunt tubes 140.
As shown in FIG. 4 in an embodiment depicting jumper tube connector assemblies 10 in an installed position, proximal ends 120 of jumper connectors 50 are engaged circumferentially around ends 160 of shunt tubes 140. In one embodiment, one or more seals (not shown), such as but not limited to seal rings, disposed within a jumper connector 50 provide a fluid seal between that jumper connector 50 and the shunt tube 140 with which it is engaged.
As also shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4, sliding engagement of jumper connectors 50 with shunt tubes 140 results in displacement of jumper connectors 50 from a position between the exterior surface 80 of jumper tube 30 and at least a portion of the bottom surface (not shown) of snap clips 20. Consequentially, at least a portion of the bottom surface (not shown) of each snap clip 20 is biased into contact with an exterior surface 80 of a jumper tube 30. As is further depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 4, this installed position provides end surface 130 of snap clip 20 in a position which prevents movement of jumper connector 50 along jumper tube 30 in the direction of snap clip 20.
In another embodiment of the invention (not shown), snap clips 20 are fixedly attached to shunt tubes 140 to be connected, similarly to how they are attached to jumper tube 30 as described above, with the difference being the proximal ends 40 and distal ends 70 of the snap clips 20 are oppositely disposed along the shunt tubes. In this embodiment, jumper connectors 50 are slidingly fluidly engaged with the shunt tubes 140 and retained with the snap clips 20 by providing each jumper connector 50 at least partially between a bottom surface of a snap clip 20 and the exterior surface of a shunt tube 140, as previously described with regard to jumper tube 30. A jumper tube 30 can then be disposed and aligned between corresponding shunt tubes 140 to be connected, and the jumper connectors 50 are slidingly circumferentially engaged with opposite ends of the jumper tube 30. When jumper connector 50 is slidingly engaged sufficiently with jumper tube 30 to displace jumper connector 50 from its retained position between the bottom surface of snap clip 20 and shunt tube 140, the end surface 130 of snap clip 20 prevents movement of jumper connector along shunt tube 140 in the direction of snap clip 20. In this embodiment, jumper tube 30 may be equipped with, in lieu of snap clips 20, one or more features, such as but no limited to protrusions, knobs, or the like, on the exterior service of jumper tube 30, that prevent further movement of jumper connector 50 there along.
FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary method 200 for utilizing an embodiment of jumper tube connector assembly 10 of the present invention comprising the following steps:
A jumper tube connector assembly preparation step 210 comprising providing a jumper tube, such as jumper tube 30, at least one fastener, such as fastener 20, attached to the jumper tube, and two jumper connectors, such as jumper connectors 50, wherein each jumper connector is fluidly engaged with one end of the jumper tube, and at least one jumper connector so engaged is retained by a fastener against the jumper tube.
A jumper tube connector assembly provision step 220 comprising providing the thus prepared jumper tube connector assembly between an aligned pairs of shunt tubes, such as shunt tubes 140, to be fluidly connected, such that each jumper connector is disposed proximate and aligned with a shunt tube.
A jumper tube connector assembly installation step 230 comprising slidably extending each jumper connector into fluid engagement with a shunt tube such that each jumper connector retained by a fastener is no longer retained against the jumper tube by the fastener, but rather is blocked by the fastener from moving along the jumper tube in the direction of the fastener.
Method 200 is merely exemplary, and additional embodiments of a method of utilizing a jumper tube connector assembly of the present invention consistent with the teachings herein may be employed. For example, in one embodiment, one or both of the jumper connectors may be provided separately from the jumper tube and slidingly engaged with a shunt tube, whereupon the jumper tube is provided and each jumper connector already fluidly engaged with a shunt tube is slidingly fluidly engaged with the jumper tube.
In one embodiment of the present invention, depicted in FIGS. 8, 8A, 9, & 9A, a jumper tube connection assembly 410 comprises one or more fasteners, such as retention clips 420, fixedly attached to shunt tube 140 proximate end 160 thereof. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, two retention clips 420 are affixed to shunt tube 140. In other embodiments (not shown), one or more retention clips 420 may be affixed to a shunt tube bracket, such as shunt tube bracket 350 depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, and/or a shunt tube housing, such as a shunt tube housing 630 depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12.
In various embodiments, retention clips 420 may be affixed at approximately the same location along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140, but the invention is not so limited and retention clips 420 may be affixed to shunt tube 140 (and/or a shunt tube bracket or shunt tube housing) at different locations along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140. In addition, retention clips 420 may be of similar length or of differing lengths with respect to their dimension along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140, and retention clips 420 may be of similar width or of differing widths with respect to their dimension along the transverse axis of shunt tube 140. In addition, one or more retention clips 420 may be attached to a “side” surface 144 of shunt tube 140, as shown in FIG. 9A, a “top” surface 142 of shunt tube 140, and/or a “bottom” surface (not shown) of shunt tube 140. In one embodiment, end surfaces 530 of two or more retention clips 420 are disposed at approximately the same location with respect to the longitudinal axis (or axis extended) of shunt tube 140. A retention clip 420 may comprise metal, or may be constructed from other materials as would be understood by one skilled in the art. In one embodiment, retention clip 420 comprises spring steel.
In one embodiment, fixed attachment of retention clips 420 to shunt tube 140 and/or a shunt tube bracket and/or a shunt tube housing comprises welding of retention clips 420 to shunt tube 140 and/or a shunt tube bracket and/or a shunt tube housing. Other methods of fixed attachment may be employed. In addition, retention clips 420 may be integrally formed as a component of shunt tube 140 and/or a shunt tube bracket and/or a shunt tube housing.
Still referring to FIG. 8, in one embodiment, a distal end 510 of retention clip 420 comprises a beveled surface 512 extending inward from an outside surface 514 of the distal end 510 of retention clip 420. As shown in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, retention clip 420 may comprise a locking surface 540. In one embodiment, locking surface 540 is substantially planar and oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, beveled surface 512 is configured such that insertion of a jumper connector 50 between two opposing retention clips 420 biases the distal ends 510 thereof further apart. Continued movement of the jumper connector 50 in the direction of end 160 of shunt tube 140 eventuates in circumferential engagement of jumper connector 50 with shunt tube 140, as described above with regard to jumper tube connector assembly 10. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9, engagement of jumper connector 50 with shunt tube 140 provides an end surface 550 of the distal end 70 of jumper connector 50 beyond beveled surface 512, thereby allowing the distal ends 510 of retention clips 420 to return to their unbiased position. In this installed position of jumper connector 50, locking surface 540 prevents axial movement of jumper connector 50 along jumper tube 30 in a direction toward distal end 510 of retention clip 420. In one embodiment, jumper tube connection assembly 410 comprises one or more retention components 560 configured and adapted such that upon disposition of jumper connector 50 in an installed position, end surface 580 of proximal end 120 of jumper connector 50 is provided proximate a retention component 560, and further axial movement of jumper connector 50 along shunt tube 140 in a direction away from distal end 510 of retention clip 420 is prevented. In one embodiment, a retention component 560 comprises the welding material utilized to connect a retention clip 420 to a shunt tube 140 (or a shunt tube bracket or a shunt tube housing) by welding. In other embodiments (not shown) a retention component 560 may comprise, but is not limited to, a protuberance on the exterior surface of a shunt tube 140 (or a shunt tube bracket or a shunt tube housing), and/or a protuberance on the internal surface 570 of a retention clip 420.
In another embodiment of a retention clip 420 shown in FIG. 8A, locking surface 540 comprises a groove 545 adapted and configured to retain end surface 550 of the distal end 70 of jumper connector 50 upon disposition of jumper connector 50 in an installed position.
In another embodiment of an alternative jumper tube connection assembly 410 (not shown), wherein only one retention clip 420 is employed or wherein two retention clips 420 are not disposed in an opposing orientation, manipulation of jumper tube connector 50 into engagement with shunt tube 140 still allows for prevention, by one (or more) locking surfaces 540, of axial movement of jumper connector 50 along jumper tube 30 in a direction toward distal end 510 of retention clip 420. In such an embodiment, one or more retention components 560 may prevent further axial movement of jumper connector 50 along shunt tube 140 in a direction away from distal end 510 of retention clip 420.
In one embodiment, aligned shunt tubes 140, such as depicted in FIG. 3, may each be equipped with an opposing pair of retention clips 420, whereby installation of two jumper connectors 50 sealing engaged around the opposite ends of a jumper tube 30 may be accomplished by providing each jumper connector between a pair of retention clips 420, and slidingly moving the jumper connectors away from each other until each jumper connector 50 circumferentially engages a shunt tube 140 and is disposed such that the locking surface 540 of each retention clip 420 restricts axial movement of the jumper connector 50 engaged therewith in a direction toward distal end 510 of retention clip 420.
FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary method 700 for utilizing an embodiment of jumper tube connection assembly 410 of the present invention comprising the following steps:
A jumper tube connection assembly preparation step 710 comprising providing an aligned pair of shunt tubes, such as shunt tubes 140, each equipped with an opposingly oriented pair of retention clips, such as retention clip 420, affixed thereto, wherein each retention clip comprises a locking surface, such as locking surface 540.
A jumper tube connector assembly provision step 720 comprising providing a jumper tube, such as jumper tube 30, equipped with a pair of jumper tube connectors, such as jumper tube connector 50, each circumferentially engaged with the jumper tube at either end thereof, whereby the jumper tube and jumper tube connectors are axially aligned with and disposed between the aligned shunt tubes.
A jumper tube connector assembly installation step 730 comprising axially extending each jumper connector between a pair of the retention clips and engaging each jumper tube connector with a shunt tube, whereby each locking surface restricts movement of the jumper connector proximate therewith in a direction toward the other jumper connector.
Method 700 is merely exemplary, and additional embodiments of a method of utilizing a jumper tube connection assembly 410 of the present invention consistent with the teachings herein may be employed. For example, in one embodiment, one or both of the jumper connectors may be provided separately from the jumper tube and slidingly engaged with a shunt tube, whereupon the jumper tube is provided and each jumper connector already fluidly engaged with a shunt tube is slidingly fluidly engaged with the jumper tube.
In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, a jumper tube connection assembly 610 is depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12. In one embodiment, jumper tube connection assembly 610 comprises one or more fasteners, such as a pin-locking retention clip 620. A pin-locking retention clip 620 may comprise metal, or may be constructed from other materials as would be understood by one skilled in the art. In one embodiment, pin-locking retention clip 620 comprises spring steel. In one embodiment, one or more pin-locking retention clips 620 are affixed to a side (not labeled) of shunt tube housing 630. A pin-locking retention clip 620 may be affixed to a shunt tube housing 630 by welding. (Welding material labeled in FIG. 11 as item 660). Shunt tube housing 630 may be affixed to shunt tube 140. In one embodiment, shunt tube housing 630 is affixed to shunt tube 140 by welding. In one embodiment (not shown), shunt tube housing 630 may be affixed to or integral with a shunt tube bracket, such as shunt tube bracket 350 (see FIG. 6). In one embodiment (not shown), pin-locking retention clips 620 may be affixed directly to a shunt tube 140 or be integral therewith.
In one embodiment, pin-locking retention clip 620 extends from shunt tube housing 630 along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140 toward end 160 thereof. Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 depicts pin-locking retention clip 620 extending beyond end 160 of shunt tube 140, the invention is not so limited, and additional embodiments, such as but not limited to, wherein shunt tube 140 extends beyond a pin 640 or extends beyond an end 690 of pin-locking retention clip 620, may be employed. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, pin-locking retention clip 620 extends substantially parallel to shunt tube 140 (or shunt tube 140 extended) and separated therefrom.
In various embodiments, pin-locking retention clips 620 may be affixed at approximately the same location along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140, but the invention is not so limited and pin-locking retention clips 620 may be affixed to shunt tube housing 630 at different locations along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140. In addition, pin-locking retention clips 620 may be of similar length or of differing lengths with respect to their dimension along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140, and pin-locking retention clips 620 may be of similar width or of differing widths with respect to their dimension along the transverse axis of shunt tube 140.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11, pin-locking retention clip 620 comprises one or more pins 640. In one embodiment, pin 640 extends from an “inner” surface 650 of pin-locking retention clip 620 toward an exterior surface of shunt tube 140 (or shunt tube 140 extended). In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11, pin 640 extends through pin-locking retention clip 620; however, the invention is not so limited and other configurations may be employed. In one embodiment, pin 640 comprises a spring-loaded mechanism (not shown) that allows for biased movement of an end 680 of pin 640 away from the exterior surface of shunt tube 140 (or shunt tube 140 extended) and toward inner surface 650 of pin-locking retention clip 620.
In one embodiment, pin 640 is adapted and configured to be insertable into a jumper connector 50 orifice 52, as shown in FIG. 12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, grasping of handle ring 670 and pulling pin 640 in a direction away from shunt tube 140 (or shunt tube 140 extended) allows jumper connector 50 to be extended between inner surface 650 of pin-locking retention clip 620 and an exterior surface of shunt tube 140. In other embodiments (not shown), pin 640 is adapted and configured to be biased away from shunt tube 140 by contacting movement therewith by jumper connector 50 as the jumper connector 50 is moved toward end 160 of shunt tube 140. As shown in FIG. 12, movement of jumper connector 50 into engagement with shunt tube 140 in an installed position allows for insertion of at least a portion of pin 640 into orifice 52, thereby restricting movement of jumper connector 50 along the longitudinal axis of shunt tube 140. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 12, when jumper connector 50 is disposed in an installed position with respect to shunt tube 140, end surface 580 of proximal end 120 of jumper connector 50 is provided proximate or in contact with end surface 635 of shunt tube housing 630, although other configurations may be employed.
In one embodiment, aligned shunt tubes 140, such as depicted in FIG. 3, may each be equipped with a shunt tube housing 630 comprising one or more pin-locking retention clips 620, whereby installation of two jumper connectors 50 sealing engaged around the opposite ends of a jumper tube 30 may be accomplished by biasing the end 680 of each pin 640 of each pin-locking retention clip 620 in a direction toward inner surface 650 thereof while providing each jumper connector 50 into circumferential sealing engagement with a shunt tube 140, whereby removal of the biasing force provides each pin 640 into at least partial engagement with an orifice 52 of each jumper connector 50.
FIG. 13 depicts an exemplary method 800 for utilizing an embodiment of jumper tube connection assembly of the present invention comprising the following steps:
A jumper tube connection assembly preparation step 810 comprising providing an aligned pair of shunt tubes, such as shunt tubes 140, wherein each shunt tube is equipped with a shunt tube housing, such as shunt tube housing 630, and each shunt tube housing is equipped with at least one pin-locking retention clip, such as pin-locking retention clip 620, and each pin-locking retention clip comprises at least one pin, such as pin 640.
A jumper tube connector assembly provision step 820 comprising providing a jumper tube, such as jumper tube 30, equipped with a pair of jumper tube connectors, such as jumper tube connector 50, each circumferentially engaged with the jumper tube at either end thereof, whereby the jumper tube and jumper tube connectors are axially aligned with and disposed between the aligned shunt tubes.
A jumper tube connector assembly installation step 830 comprising biasing the end, such as end 680, of each pin of each in-locking retention clip in a direction toward an inner surface, such as inner surface 650, thereof while providing each jumper connector into circumferential sealing engagement with a shunt tube, whereby removal of the biasing force provides each pin into at least partial engagement with an orifice, such as orifice 52, of each jumper connector.
Method 800 is merely exemplary, and additional embodiments of a method of utilizing a jumper tube connection assembly 610 of the present invention consistent with the teachings herein may be employed. For example, in one embodiment, one or both of the jumper connectors may be provided separately from the jumper tube and slidingly engaged with a shunt tube, whereupon the jumper tube is provided and each jumper connector already fluidly engaged with a shunt tube is slidingly fluidly engaged with the jumper tube.
As would be understood by one skilled in the art, a combination of a jumper tube connector assembly 10 and/or a jumper tube connection assembly 410 and/or a jumper tube connection assembly 610 may be employed to connect jumper connectors 50 and a jumper tube 30 to aligned shunt tubes. In addition, a shunt tube 140 may be equipped (directly or via a shunt tube housing 630 or shunt tube bracket 350) with one or more retention clips 420 and one or more pin-locking retention clips 620.
In another aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a mechanism for securing and a method for securely deploying a leak-off tube is provided. A leak-off tube, sometimes referred to as a “slit tube,” is another component of a downhole fluid communication system commonly utilized in conjunction with shunt tubes. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,960,287 issued to Holderman, et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Referring to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, a leak-off tube 300 is disposed proximate and substantially parallel to one or more shunt tubes 140 along a pipe section 150. Typically, leak-off tube 300 comprises a plurality of apertures 310. In practice, leak-off tube 300 is provided as an outlet for fluids introduced into the pipe section 150 connection location. In one aspect, leak-off tube 300 may provide a conduit for fluids into a screened section 390 (labeled in FIG. 7) of a pipe section 150.
As depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 6, leak-off tube 300 is equipped with one or more spring-loaded buttons, sometimes referred to as “snap” buttons, 320. While the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6 shows two spring-loaded buttons 320, the invention is not so limited and in various embodiments only one spring-loaded button 320 is employed while in other embodiments three or more spring-loaded buttons 320 may be utilized. A more detailed view of the spring-loaded button arrangement is shown in FIG. 6A. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 6A, the two spring-loaded buttons 320 are disposed on opposite sides of leak-off tube 300, however other orientations of spring load buttons 320 may be employed.
In an un-extended or “retracted” position as, depicted in the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 6A, leak-off tube 300 is retained within a first fitting, such as an upper retainer ring 330, by protrusion of the spring-loaded buttons 320 through upper retainer ring orifices 340 in an upper retainer ring 330 that is operatively connected to a shunt tube bracket 350. In other embodiments (not shown), a leak-off tube may be connected to a pipe section 150 other means, as would be understood by one skilled in the art.
In one embodiment, in operation, spring-loaded buttons 320 are manually depressed to release leak-off tube 300, which is adapted to be slidingly movable toward a second fitting, such as a lower retainer ring 360, disposed on a manifold bracket 370 of opposite pipe section 150. When leak-off tube 300 is advanced into engagement with lower retainer ring 360, spring-loaded buttons 320 are manually depressed and introduced into engagement with lower retainer ring orifices 380, whereby, via by removal of the depression bias, leak-off tube 300 is retained in the extended position.
In an embodiment of a method of the present invention, a leak-off tube, such as leak-off tube 300, comprising one or more spring-loaded buttons, such as spring-loaded buttons 320, is provided, whereby the spring-loaded buttons are disposed at least partially through upper retainer ring orifices, such as upper retainer ring orifices 340, in an upper retainer ring, such as upper retainer ring 330, such that the leak-off tube is retained in engagement with the upper retainer ring; the spring-loaded buttons are depressed to disengage retention of the leak-off tube by the upper retainer ring, and the leak-off tube is slidingly moved into engagement with a lower retainer ring, such as lower retainer ring 360, containing one or more lower retainer ring orifices, such as lower retainer ring orifices 380; the spring-loaded buttons are depressed to allow for introduction thereof at least partially through the lower retainer ring orifices, thereby providing retained engagement of the leak-off tube with the lower retainer ring.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the teachings of the invention. Descriptions of embodiments are exemplary and not limiting. The extent and scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims and is intended to extend to equivalents thereof. The claims are incorporated into the specification. Disclosure of existing patents, publications, and known art are incorporated herein by reference to the extent required to provide details and understanding of the disclosure herein set forth.
Patent Application
20160356098
