Composite coiled tubing end connector
Connectors for attaching a composite pipe to a service member are described herein. In one embodiment, a connector can include a service end, a slip nut, a slip, a seal carrier, and an energy conductor. The slip nut can be disposed about the outer surface of the pipe and can be engaged by the service end. The slip can be positioned about the outer surface of the pipe and can be engaged by the service end and the slip nut to compress the slip into gripping contact with the pipe. The seal carrier can be positioned in a bore of the pipe at a location radially opposite the slip to resist deformation of the pipe when the slip is compressed into gripping contact with the pipe. The energy conductor can be embedded within and surrounded by a material of the service end for connection with an energy conductor within the composite pipe.
1. A connector for attaching a composite pipe to a service member, the composite pipe including at least one composite layer of fibers, the connector comprising:
a service end having a first coupling surface for connecting the pipe with the service member and a second coupling surface for assembling the service end with the pipe,
a slip nut disposed about the outer surface of the pipe and engageable with the second coupling surface on the service end,
a slip having multiple sections, positioned about the outer surface of the pipe and engaged by the service end and the slip nut to compress the slip into gripping contact with the pipe upon progressive engagement of the service end with the slip nut, the slip having teeth formed on the inner surface thereof for engaging the outer surface of the pipe,
a seal carrier positioned in a bore of the pipe when the connector is coupled to the pipe, the seal carrier positioned in the bore of the pipe at a location radially opposite the slip to resist deformation of the pipe when the slip is compressed into gripping contact with the pipe, the seal carrier having a seal thereon to seal between the bore of the pipe and the seal carrier, and
an energy conductor for connection with a first energy conductor within the composite pipe and a second energy conductor within the service member, wherein the energy conductor is at least one of an electrical medium, an optical medium, a hydraulic medium, and a pneumatic medium, wherein a first end of the energy conductor is external to the first coupling surface of the service end for connection with the second energy conductor within the service member, and a second end of the energy conductor is external to the second coupling surface of the service end for connection with the first energy conductor within the composite pipe.
2. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the seal carrier is removeably and replaceably positionable within a bore of the service end.
3. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the seal carrier and the service end are of unitary construction.
4. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the slip includes a longitudinal slot to facilitate embedding of the teeth of the slip into the pipe.
5. The connector of claim 1 , wherein a recess is formed in the slip nut, the recess being configured to matingly receive the slip and to engage and move the slip into gripping contact with the pipe when the slip nut is engaged with the service end.
6. The connector of claim 5 , wherein the slip nut includes a conically tapered surface defining the recess in the slip nut, the conically tapered surface engaging the slip to compress the slip into gripping contact with the pipe.
7. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the teeth of the slip are arranged in longitudinally spaced rows.
8. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the teeth of the slip are arranged in helical rows oriented at approximately 45.degree. to the longitudinal axis of the composite pipe.
9. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the teeth are arranged in longitudinally and circumferentially spaced rows.
10. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the teeth have a substantially radially extending surface.
11. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the service end is of unitary construction.
12. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the service end is constructed from at least one of metallic materials, thermoplastic materials, and composite materials.
13. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the service end is constructed from metallic materials coated with a corrosion resistant material.
14. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the seal carrier is of unitary construction.
15. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the seal carrier is constructed from at least one of metallic materials, thermoplastic materials, and composite materials.
16. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the teeth are sized and shaped to penetrate into an outer layer of the pipe.
17. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the seal carrier includes at least one annular groove formed thereon for carrying an annular seal.
18. The connector of claim 17 , further comprising an annular seal positioned within the annular groove.
19. The connector of claim 17 , wherein the annular groove is positioned at a location radially opposite the slip.