Connector Assembly

Abstract

A connector assembly ( 11 ) comprising a first hollow member which may be in the form of a first casing ( 13 ), and a second hollow member which may be in the form of a second casing ( 15 ). The first casing ( 13 ) has a first end ( 17 ) adapted to releasably retain a second end ( 21 ) of the second casing ( 15 ) therein. The connector assembly ( 11 ) further comprises a jacket ( 33 ) secured around a first outer portion adjacent the first end ( 17 ) of the first casing ( 13 ), and a second outer portion adjacent the second end ( 21 ) of the second casing ( 15 ). In use the jacket ( 33 ) bears against or is adjacent to a wall of a bore of a well. A sealed cavity ( 35 ) is defined between the jacket ( 33 ) and the outer portions of the casings ( 13, 15 ). When the connector ( 11 ) is assembled the cavity ( 33 ) is filled with a fluid and is in fluid communication with a vent ( 41 ). During disconnection of the first casing ( 13 ) from the second casing ( 15 ), the fluid in the cavity ( 35 ) is discharged from the cavity ( 35 ) through the vent ( 41 ) allowing the jacket ( 33 ) to move inwardly away from the bore wall to assist removal of the first casing ( 13 ) from the bore as it detaches from the second casing ( 15 ).

1 . A connector assembly comprising
 a first hollow member having a first end adapted to releasably retain a second end of a second hollow member therein   a jacket secured around a first outer portion, adjacent the first end of the first hollow member, and a second outer portion, adjacent the second end of the second hollow member, whereby in use the jacket bears against or is adjacent to a wall of a bore of a well;   a sealed cavity between the jacket and the outer portions of the hollow members, the cavity being filled with a fluid and is in fluid communication with a vent;   
     whereby during disconnection of the first hollow member from the second hollow member fluid is discharged from the cavity through the vent allowing the jacket to move inwardly away from the bore wall to assist removal of the first hollow member from the bore as it detaches from the second hollow member. 
   
   
       2 . The connector assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the first hollow member has a plurality of bores extending through its wall, such that when the first hollow member is connected to the second hollow member each bore is in fluid communication with an interface of the two members. 
   
   
       3 . The connector assembly according to  claim 2  wherein each bore is in fluid communication with a reservoir of fluid from which a pressurised fluid may be pumped to the interface, causing the walls of the second hollow member to deflect inwardly, and the walls of the first hollow member to deflect outwardly. 
   
   
       4 . A connector assembly for connecting a first hollow member and a second hollow member, in operation the second hollow member and a portion of the first hollow member are located within a bore such as a well, the connector assembly having means to assist the removal of the first hollow member from the bore, the connector assembly comprising:
 a first jacket having an outer surface which bears against or is adjacent to the inner surface of the bore of the well when in position; the first jacket spanning between the first hollow member and second hollow member enclosing a cavity wall, defined by outer surfaces of the first hollow member and second hollow member, to provide a sealed cavity,   the sealed cavity is in fluid communication with a vent, and is filled with a fluid when assembled,   
     wherein during detachment of the first hollow member from the second hollow member the fluid is vented from the seated cavity, permitting the first jacket to deflect inwardly away from the bore wall, reducing the outer diameter of the first jacket to permit easy removal of the first hollow member once detached from the second hollow member. 
   
   
       5 . The connector assembly according to  claim 4  wherein the venting of the fluid from the cavity also permits the end of the first hollow member to be moved outwardly away from the second hollow member to assist detachment of the first hollow member therefrom. 
   
   
       6 . The connector assembly according to  claim 4  wherein the first hollow member is in the form of a first casing, cylindrical in shape. 
   
   
       7 . The connector assembly according to  claim 4  wherein the second hollow member is in the form of a second casing, cylindrical in shape. 
   
   
       8 . The connector assembly according to  claim 7  wherein the first casing has one end adapted to releasably engage an end of the second casing. 
   
   
       9 . The connector assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the one end of the first casing provides a box. 
   
   
       10 . The connector assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the end of the second casing provides a pin which is adapted to be releasably secured in the box of the first casing such that when operably engaged the first casing is releasably secured to the second casing. 
   
   
       11 . The connector assembly according to  claim 10  wherein the pin and box connection is the type known as a Merlin connector. 
   
   
       12 . The connector assembly according to  claim 9  wherein a first annular shoulder protrudes from the first casing adjacent the box. 
   
   
       13 . The connector assembly according to  claim 10  wherein a second annular shoulder does protrude from the second casing adjacent the pin. 
   
   
       14 . The connector assembly according to  claim 13  wherein the first jacket is secured around the first casing and second casing, extending between the first annular shoulder and the second annular shoulder. 
   
   
       15 . The connector assembly according to  claim 13  wherein the cavity wall spans between the first annular shoulder and the second annular shoulder. 
   
   
       16 . The connector assembly according to  claim 13  wherein the second annular shoulder has a tapered leading edge, to assist the positioning of the connector assembly in the bore of the well. 
   
   
       17 . The connector assembly according to  claim 13  wherein the second annular shoulder incorporates a projection projecting outwardly such that the projection protects the first jacket during insertion of the connector assembly into the well. 
   
   
       18 . The connector assembly according to  claim 17  wherein the projection is equal to or greater than the thickness of the first jacket. 
   
   
       19 . The connector assembly according to  claim 13  wherein the sealed cavity is defined by the first annular shoulder, the second annular shoulder, the first jacket and the cavity wall. 
   
   
       20 . The connector assembly according to  claim 7  wherein the first jacket has an outer surface tapered inwardly from the first casing to the second casing. 
   
   
       21 . The connector assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the first jacket is constructed from a material which does not adhere to concrete, such as polyurethane. 
   
   
       22 . The connector assembly according to  claim 7  wherein the first jacket breaks into two portions when the first casing is detached and removed from the second casing. 
   
   
       23 . The connector assembly according to  claim 10  wherein the box of the first casing has a plurality of bores extending through its wall, such that when the first casing is connected to the second casing each bore is in fluid communication with an interface between the box and the pin. 
   
   
       24 . The connector assembly according to  claim 23  wherein each bore is in fluid communication with a resevoir of fluid from which a pressurised fluid may be pumped to the interface bemeen the box and pin, to cause the walls of the pin to deflect inwardly, and the walls of the box to deflect outwardly. 
   
   
       25 . The connector assembly according to  claim 23  wherein each bore in the box is connected to the reservoir by a conduit passing through the sealed cavity. 
   
   
       26 . The connector assembly according to  claim 6  wherein a second jacket encases part of the first casing. 
   
   
       27 . The connector assembly according to  claim 26  wherein the second jacket is constructed from a material which does not adhere to concrete, such as polyurethane. 
   
   
       28 . The connector assembly according to  claim 26  wherein the second jacket extends from the first annular shoulder away from the box. 
   
   
       29 . The connector assembly according to  claim 26  wherein the second jacket tapers outwardly away from the first annular shoulder. 
   
   
       30 . The connector assembly according to  claim 26  wherein the first jacket and second jacket provide a substantially continuous outer surface when the first casing is connected to the second casing. 
   
   
       31 . A connector assembly comprising:
 a first casing having an end adapted to releasably retain an end of a second casing, a sheath which, when the first casing retains the second casing, surrounds an outer region of the first casing and second casing adjacent each end;   a sealed cavity between the sheath and the outer region, which is in fluid communication with a vent;   
     whereby upon assembly the cavity is filled with a fluid to prevent inward deflection of the sheath. 
   
   
       32 . The connector assembly according to  claim 31  whereby when the cavity is filled with fluid the end of the first casing is prevented from outward movement. 
   
   
       33 . A connector assembly as substantially herein described with reference to the drawings.