Locking pin for coupling components

Abstract

First and second components can be releasably coupled together with a locking pin having a sacrificial o-ring. The first and second components have respective first and second openings that are aligned with each other and receive the locking pin. The second opening has a square edge located adjacent to a recess in the first opening. The o-ring has an outside diameter greater than the diameter of the square edge and an inside diameter less than the diameter of the square edge when assembled. The locking pin is inside of the first and second openings, with the o-ring inside of the recess. To release the components, the locking pin is moved out of the first opening to shear the o-ring against the square edge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-8 show a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first component end.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are views of a second component end that receives the first component end of FIG. 1. FIG. 2A is a side view of the second component end. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the second component end taken through lines B-B of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C is an isometric view of the second component end.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are views of a sacrificial o-ring locking pin that secures or couples the first component end of FIG. 1 inside the second component of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. FIG. 3A is a side view of the locking pin. FIG. 3B is a top or end view of the locking pin. FIG. 3C is an isometric view of the locking pin.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are views of an insertion tool used for inserting the locking pin of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C. FIG. 4A is a side view of the insertion tool. FIG. 4B is an end view of the insertion tool. FIG. 4C is an isometric view of the insertion tool.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a pulling tool for removing the locking pin.

FIG. 6A is an isometric exploded view showing the assembly of the various components, including the first and second component ends and the locking pin. FIG. 6B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the first and second component ends and the locking pin shown in an assembled configuration.

FIG. 7A is an exploded isometric view showing the assembly of the first and second component ends and the locking pin, in conjunction with another embodiment, wherein an insertion tool is utilized. FIG. 7B is an isometric view showing the components assembled together, with the insertion tool located on the second component end.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are isometric views that illustrate the removal of the locking pin using the pulling tool. FIG. 8A shows the locking pin still in place in the first and second component ends. FIG. 8B shows the locking pin removed from the first and second component ends.

FIGS. 9-13 show a second embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D show the first component end in accordance with another embodiment. FIG. 9A shows the first component end in a side view. FIG. 9B shows the first component end in another side view, rotated 90 degrees from FIG. 9A. FIG. 9C shows an isometric view of the first component end. FIG. 9D shows an end view of the first component end, taken from the small diameter end.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D show the second component end, in accordance with another embodiment. FIG. 10A shows a side view of the second component end. FIG. 10B shows another side view of the second component end, rotated 90 degrees from FIG. 10A. FIG. 10C shows an isometric view of the second component end. FIG. 10D shows an end view of the second component end.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D show a primary pin in accordance with another embodiment. FIG. 11A shows an end view of the primary pin. FIG. 11B shows a side view of the primary pin. FIG. 11C shows an isometric view of the primary pin. FIG. 11D shows another end view of the primary pin, which is rotated 90 degrees from FIG. 11B.

FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C show the locking pin of the present invention, in accordance with the other embodiment. FIG. 12A shows a side view of the locking pin. FIG. 12B shows an end view of the locking pin. FIG. 12C shows an isometric view of the locking pin.

FIG. 13 shows an exploded isometric view of the first and second component ends, primary pin and locking pin, thereby illustrating the assembly thereof. FIG. 13A shows the assembled components.

FIGS. 14-16 show a third embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C show a case or housing in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 14A shows a side view of the housing. FIG. 14B shows an isometric view of the housing. FIG. 14C shows another side view of the housing, rotated 90 degrees from FIG. 14A.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D show a door for the housing. FIG. 15A shows a top view of the door. FIG. 15B shows an end view of the door. FIG. 15C shows an isometric view of the door. FIG. 15D shows a side view of the door.

FIG. 16 shows an isometric exploded view of the housing and door and locking pin. FIG. 16A shows the assembled door and housing. FIG. 16B is a detail view taken at A of FIG. 16 of the recess.

FIGS. 17-18A show a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 shows an assembled pipe connection, utilizing the locking pin. FIG. 17A is a detail view taken at B of FIG. 17 of the outer end of the locking pin.

FIG. 18 shows an exploded isometric view of the pipe connection of FIG. 17. FIG. 18A is a detail view taken at C of FIG. 18 of the recess.

FIGS. 19-23A show different embodiments of removing the locking pin.

FIG. 19 shows an isometric view of the second component having an opening with recesses. FIG. 19A shows a cross-sectional view taken through lines C-C of FIG. 19B. FIG. 19B shows a side view of the second component.

FIG. 20 is an isometric view showing the coupled first and second components with pry bars removing the locking pin. FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional view taken through lines D-D of FIG. 20C. FIG. 20B is a detail view taken at E of FIG. 20A of the pry bars engaging the locking pin. FIG. 20C is an end view of the components of FIG. 20.

FIG. 21 is an isometric view of a locking pin with a cam surface. FIG. 21A is a side view of the locking pin of FIG. 21. FIG. 21B is a side view of the locking pin where the locking pin has been rotated to the side 90 degrees.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the first component showing the opening for the cam pin. FIG. 22A is a cross-sectional view taken through lines E-E of FIG. 22.

FIG. 23 is an isometric exploded view of the first and second components along with the locking pin showing the cam. FIG. 23A is a cross-sectional view taken through lines F-F of FIG. 23B of the assembled components. FIG. 23B is a side view of the assembled components.

Claims

1. An apparatus for releasably coupling components, comprising: a) a first component having a first wall with a first opening in the first wall, the first wall having a surface, the first opening having a recess at the surface;b) a second component having a second wall with a second opening in the second wall, the second opening aligned with the first opening, the second opening having a square edge that is adjacent to the first opening recess, the diameter of the square edge being less than the diameter of the recess;c) a locking pin sized to fit within the first and second openings, the locking pin having a groove with an o-ring in the groove, the o-ring having an inside diameter that is less than the diameter of the square edge and an outside diameter that is greater than the diameter of the square edge, wherein when the locking pin is inserted into the first and second openings, the first and second components are coupled together and the o-ring is located in the recess.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a seal on the locking pin, the seal engaging the second opening.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the seal comprises a second o-ring.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an opening in an outer end of the locking pin, the locking pin opening structured and arranged to receive a pulling tool.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an exposed groove located near an outer end of the locking pin, wherein the locking pin can be pried out of the first and second openings.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cam pin located in the first opening, the cam pin cooperating with a cam surface on the locking pin, wherein when the locking pin is rotated within the first opening, the cam pin and cam surface cause the locking pin to more at least partially out of the first opening.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second components have co-axial longitudinal axes, the locking pin oriented radially with respect to the longitudinal axes.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second components have co-axial longitudinal axes, the locking pin oriented tangentially with respect to the longitudinal axes.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second components comprise drill pipes.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second components comprise respectively a door for a sonde housing and a sonde housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second components comprise pipe.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a chamfer aligned with the second opening, with the second opening being between the chamfer and the recess, the chamfer having an inside diameter that reduces from a first diameter to the diameter of the second opening, the first diameter being at least as large as the outside diameter of the o-ring.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the chamfer is on the second component.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the chamfer is on an insertion tool that is separate from the second component.

15. An apparatus for releasably coupling components, comprising: a) a first component having a first wall with a first opening in the first wall, the first wall having a third opening intersecting the first opening and having a square edge at the intersection with the first opening;b) a second component having a second wall with a second opening in the second wall, the second wall having a fourth opening, the first and second openings being aligned with each other and the third and fourth openings being aligned with each other;c) a primary pin sized to fit within the first and second openings, the primary pin having a recess that is aligned with the third opening and adjacent to the square edge, the diameter of the square edge being less than the diameter of the recess;d) a locking pin sized to fit within the third and fourth openings and the recess, the locking pin having a groove with an o-ring in the groove, the o-ring having an inside diameter that is less than the diameter of the square edge and an outside diameter that is greater than the diameter of the square edge, wherein when the primary pin is inserted into the first and second openings and the locking pin is inserted into the third and fourth openings and the recess, with the o-ring in the recess, the first and second components are coupled together.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising an opening in an outer end of the locking pin, the locking pin opening structured and arranged to receive a pulling tool.

17. A method of releasably coupling components, comprising the steps of: a) providing a first component with a first opening, the first opening having a recess;b) providing a second component with a second opening, the second opening having a square edge;c) locating the first and second components together so that the first and second openings are aligned, the recess being adjacent to the square edge;d) providing an o-ring on a locking pin, the o-ring having an outside diameter that is greater than a diameter of the second opening square edge and an inside diameter that is less than the diameter of the second opening square edge;e) inserting the locking pin into the second opening by compressing the o-ring to fit within the second opening;f) inserting the locking pin into the first opening so that the o-ring enters the recess and expands within the recess.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein: a) the step of providing a first component further comprises the step of providing a door for a sonde housing;b) the step of providing a second component further comprises the step of providing a sonde housing.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein: a) the step of providing a first component further comprises the step of providing a first drill pipe;b) the step of providing a second component further comprises the step of providing a second drill pipe.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of: a) attaching a rod to the locking pin;b) applying a force to the rod to pull the locking pin out of the first and second openings with the o-ring being cut by the square edge.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of applying a force to the rod to pull the locking pin further comprises the step of moving a mass along the rod to contact a stop.