Dril-Quip, Inc.
THREADED CONNECTOR HAVING METAL-TO-METAL SEAL

Abstract:

Threaded connectors for tubular members having metal-to-metal seals are provided. The connectors have different shapes for the contact sealing surfaces of the first and second connectors, which may be male and female connectors. In particular, the contact sealing surfaces may have mismatched surface shapes. For example, the male connector may have a frustohemispherical scaling surface while the female connector may have a frustoconical sealing surface. The disclosed mismatched male and female curvilinear surfaces, along with the flexible male connector nose, facilitate a reliable threaded connection having a metal-to-metal seal. The mismatched surfaces may provide for a wide parabolic distribution of contact stresses along the metal-to-metal seal of the curvilinear sealing surfaces.