Releasable ratchet latch connector
A system including a releasable connector having a housing and a split ring, and a complementary mandrel that is attachable/detachable from the connector, is provided. The mandrel is designed to be received into the housing such that a portion of the mandrel extends out of the housing for connection to a tool. The split ring is disposed in an annular space between the housing and the mandrel when the mandrel is in the housing. The split ring includes at least one set of threads and a detent formed on a radially internal surface, and the mandrel includes complementary threads. The threads on the split ring fully engage the complementary threads on the mandrel when the mandrel is in a particular axial position within the housing. The detent prevents the split ring from collapsing into engagement with the threads on the mandrel until the mandrel is in a desired axial position.
1. A system, comprising:
a tubular housing;
a mandrel removably disposed in the housing, wherein the mandrel comprises at least one set of threads formed on a radially external surface thereof;
a split ring disposed within the housing and biased in a radially inward direction, wherein the split ring comprises:
at least one set of threads formed on a radially internal surface of the split ring, wherein the at least one set of threads on the split ring is complementary to the at least one set of threads of the mandrel; and
a detent formed on the radially internal surface of the split ring adjacent the at least one set of threads of the split ring, wherein the detent has a length in an axial direction greater than a pitch of any one thread in the at least one set of threads on the split ring.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the split ring is disposed within an annular space between the mandrel and the housing when the mandrel is disposed in the housing.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the split ring comprises a first set of threads and a second set of threads formed on the radially internal surface of the split ring, wherein the detent is located axially between the first set of threads and the second set of threads.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one set of threads of the split ring comprises threads having an angled profile.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the detent extends around the entire internal surface of the split ring, and wherein the detent is located at the same axial position as it extends around the entire split ring.
6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a key coupled to the housing, wherein the key extends into a cavity formed at a circumferential position where the split ring is split, wherein the key prevents the split ring from rotating relative to the housing.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the detent on the split ring acts as a cam to expand the split ring from a collapsed position to an expanded position upon engagement with a thread of the at least one set of threads of the mandrel while the split ring is rotated relative to the mandrel.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one set of threads on the split ring is configured to engage the at least one set of threads of the mandrel to facilitate load transfer between the housing and the mandrel.
9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a BOP test tool coupled to a proximal end of the mandrel.
10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a connector sub comprising a distal end, a proximal end opposite the distal end, and a bore formed therethrough, wherein the connector sub further comprises a threaded connector at the distal end, and wherein the housing is coupled to the proximal end of the connector sub.
11. The system of claim 10 , further comprising an outer housing disposed externally around the housing and around a portion of the connector sub.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the outer housing comprises an opening at a bottom portion thereof, the opening comprising sloped walls to guide the mandrel into the housing.
13. A method, comprising:
receiving a mandrel into an opening at a proximal end of a connector, the connector comprising a tubular housing and a split ring disposed in the housing, wherein the split ring is biased in a radially inward direction;
expanding the split ring radially outward as the mandrel is received further into the connector, wherein the split ring is in a radially expanded position within the housing such that at least one set of threads formed on a radially internal surface of the split ring floats over a complementary at least one set of threads on the mandrel; and
collapsing the split ring to engage the at least one set of threads on the mandrel upon the mandrel reaching a position where a detent formed on the radially internal surface of the split ring is received into a corresponding slot on the mandrel.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising rotating the connector with respect to the mandrel to disengage the split ring from the mandrel.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein disengaging the split ring comprises:
engaging the detent of the split ring with a thread of the at least one set of threads on the mandrel; and
forcing the split ring into a radially expanded position within the housing via the detent interacting with the thread such that the at least one set of threads of the split ring are disengaged from the at least one set of threads on the mandrel.
16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising moving the connector with respect to the mandrel after disengaging the split ring to detach the connector from the mandrel.
17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising preventing the split ring from rotating relative to the housing via a key coupled to the housing and extending into a cavity formed at a circumferential position where the split ring is split.
18. A system, comprising:
a tubular housing;
a mandrel removably disposed in the housing, wherein the mandrel comprises at least one set of threads formed on a radially external surface thereof;
a split ring disposed within the housing and biased in a radially inward direction, wherein the split ring comprises:
at least one set of threads formed on a radially internal surface of the split ring, wherein the at least one set of threads on the split ring is complementary to the at least one set of threads of the mandrel;
a detent formed on the radially internal surface of the split ring adjacent the at least one set of threads of the split ring, wherein the detent on the split ring acts as a cam to expand the split ring from a collapsed position to an expanded position upon engagement with a thread of the at least one set of threads of the mandrel while the split ring is rotated relative to the mandrel.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the detent has a length in an axial direction greater than a pitch of any one thread in the at least one set of threads on the split ring.
20. The system of claim 18 , further comprising a key coupled to the housing, wherein the key extends into a cavity formed at a circumferential position where the split ring is split, wherein the key prevents the split ring from rotating relative to the housing.