Granted Patent B2

US 9,556,994 · App. 14/461,297 · Granted Jan 31, 2017

Abstract

Claims (25)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a flexible member extending circumferentially around a tubular more than once, wherein a tension force on the flexible member causes the flexible member to apply a first radially-inward gripping force on the tubular; and

an annular sleeve positioned radially-outward from the flexible member, wherein the sleeve applies a second radially-inward gripping force on the flexible member and the tubular, and wherein an inner surface of the sleeve comprises a plurality of threads and the inner surface is tapered such that the second radial-inward gripping force increases with each subsequent rotation of the sleeve with respect to the flexible member, and wherein a first diameter of the inner surface of the sleeve proximate to a first axial end of the sleeve is greater than a second diameter of the inner surface of the sleeve proximate to a second axial end of the sleeve.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flexible member forms a plurality of turns in a helical configuration, and wherein the threads of the sleeve are configured to engage the turns of the flexible member when the sleeve is rotated with respect to the flexible member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an axial end of the sleeve is tapered to facilitate movement of the sleeve onto the flexible member.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a ramp positioned proximate to an axial end of the flexible member to facilitate movement of the sleeve onto the flexible member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the sleeve forms an interference fit with an outer surface of the flexible member, such that an elasticity of the sleeve causes the sleeve to apply a radially-inward force on the flexible member.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive layer positioned radially-between the tubular and the flexible member.

7. An attachment apparatus for attaching to a tubular, comprising:

a flexible member positioned circumferentially around the tubular such that the flexible member defines a plurality of turns in a helical configuration around the tubular, wherein a tension force on the flexible member causes the flexible member to apply a first radially-inward gripping force on the tubular; and

an annular sleeve positioned radially-outward from the flexible member and the sleeve covers substantially the entire length of the flexible member, wherein the sleeve applies a second radially-inward gripping force on the flexible member and the tubular, wherein an inner surface of the sleeve comprises a plurality of threads and the inner surface is tapered such that the second radial-inward gripping force increases with each subsequent rotation of the sleeve with respect to the flexible member, and wherein a first diameter of the inner surface of the sleeve proximate to a first axial end of the sleeve is greater than a second diameter of the inner surface of the sleeve proximate to a second axial end of the sleeve.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising a coating applied to an outer surface of the flexible member prior to the placement of the annular sleeve, wherein the coating is configured to reduce the friction between the annular sleeve and the flexible member when sliding the annular sleeve over the flexible member.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising a coating applied to an outer surface of the flexible member prior to the placement of the annular sleeve, wherein the coating is configured to provide a ramp surface to facilitate the placement of the annular sleeve over the flexible member.

10. A method for forming an attachment apparatus on a tubular, comprising:

positioning a flexible member around an outer surface of the tubular, wherein the flexible member comprises a plurality of turns in a helical configuration;

causing a tension force to be applied to the flexible member, wherein the tension force causes the flexible member to apply a first radially-inward gripping force on the tubular;

placing a coating on an outer surface of the flexible member;

positioning an annular sleeve around the outer surface of the tubular; and

moving the sleeve axially with respect to the tubular until the sleeve is at least partially around the flexible member, wherein the sleeve applies a second radially-inward gripping force on the flexible member and the tubular, wherein an inner surface of the sleeve comprises a plurality of threads and the inner surface is tapered such that the second radial-inward gripping force increases with each subsequent rotation of the sleeve with respect to the flexible member, and wherein a first diameter of the inner surface of the sleeve proximate to a first axial end of the sleeve is greater than a second diameter of the inner surface of the sleeve proximate to a second axial end of the sleeve.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising applying an adhesive layer to the outer surface of the tubular prior to positioning the flexible member around the outer surface of the tubular.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein positioning the flexible member around the outer surface of the tubular comprises wrapping the flexible member around the outer surface of the tubular.

13. The method of claim 10 , further comprising rotating the sleeve with respect to the flexible member.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein an inner surface of the sleeve forms an interference fit with an outer surface of the flexible member.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the coating is configured to reduce the friction between the annular sleeve and the flexible member when moving the annular sleeve with respect to the tubular.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the coating is configured to provide a ramp surface to facilitate the placement of the annular sleeve over the flexible member.

Assignments (11)