Connector with actuatable reaction members to resist bending loads

Abstract

A connector that is adapted to establish a sealed connection between first and second hubs includes a body that is adapted to be positioned adjacent to the first and second hubs, primary locking means for connecting the first hub to the second hub, and at least one actuatable reaction member that includes a threaded rod that is threadingly coupled to the connector body, wherein, when actuated, an inner surface of the at least one actuatable reaction member is adapted to be urged radially along a line of travel that is axially spaced apart from a sealing interface between the first and second hubs and into direct abutting contact with an outer surface of the first hub.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A connector that is adapted to establish a sealed connection between first and second hubs, the connector comprising:
 a body that is adapted to be positioned adjacent to the first and second hubs;   primary locking means for connecting the first hub to the second hub; and   at least one actuatable reaction member comprising a threaded rod that is threadingly coupled to the connector body, wherein, when actuated, an inner surface of the at least one actuatable reaction member is adapted to be urged radially along a line of travel that is axially spaced apart from a sealing interface between the first and second hubs and into direct abutting contact with an outer surface of the first hub.   
     
     
         2 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the at least one actuatable reaction member is an end surface of the threaded rod. 
     
     
         3 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuatable reaction member comprises a plurality of actuatable reaction members. 
     
     
         4 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuatable reaction member further comprises a partial-ring structure that is rotatably coupled to the threaded rod, the inner surface of the at least one actuatable reaction member being an inner surface of the partial-ring structure. 
     
     
         5 . The connector of  claim 4 , wherein the partial-ring structure is rotatably coupled to the threaded rod with a ball and socket joint. 
     
     
         6 . The connector of  claim 4 , wherein the inner surface of the partial-ring structure has a radius of curvature that is substantially the same as a radius of curvature of the outer surface of the first hub. 
     
     
         7 . The connector of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one actuatable reaction member comprises a plurality of actuatable reaction members. 
     
     
         8 . The connector of  claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one actuatable reaction member is positioned in a recess formed in the body. 
     
     
         9 . The connector of  claim 4 , wherein the threaded rod is a first threaded rod, the at least one actuatable reaction member further comprising a second threaded rod that is rotatably coupled to the partial-ring structure. 
     
     
         10 . The connector of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one actuatable reaction member further comprises at least one third threaded rod that is rotatably coupled to the partial-ring structure. 
     
     
         11 . The connector of  claim 10 , wherein the partial-ring structure is a C-shaped ring structure. 
     
     
         12 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the first hub comprises a wellhead and the second hub comprises a riser. 
     
     
         13 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein, when actuated, the inner surface of the at least one actuatable reaction member is further adapted to be urged radially into an operating position wherein the inner surface is positioned adjacent to but does not contact the outer surface of the first hub. 
     
     
         14 . A connector that is adapted to establish a sealed connection between first and second hubs, the connector comprising:
 a body that is adapted to be positioned adjacent to the first and second hubs;   primary locking means for connecting the first hub to the second hub; and   a plurality of actuatable reaction members that are operatively coupled to the connector body, each of the plurality of actuatable reaction members comprising:
 a threaded rod that is threadingly coupled to the body; and 
 a partial-ring structure that is rotatably coupled to the threaded rod, wherein, when actuated, an inner surface of the partial-ring structure is adapted to be urged radially along a line of travel that is axially spaced apart from a sealing interface between the first and second hubs and into direct abutting contact with an outer surface of the first hub. 
   
     
     
         15 . The connector of  claim 14 , wherein each partial-ring structure is rotatably coupled to a respective threaded rod with a ball and socket joint. 
     
     
         16 . The connector of  claim 14 , wherein the inner surface of each partial-ring structure has a radius of curvature that is substantially the same as a radius of curvature of the outer surface of the first hub. 
     
     
         17 . The connector of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of actuatable reaction members is positioned in a recess formed in the body. 
     
     
         18 . The connector of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the plurality of actuatable reaction members comprises a plurality of threaded rods that are each rotatably coupled to a respective partial-ring structure. 
     
     
         19 . The connector of  claim 14 , wherein the first hub comprises a wellhead and the second hub comprises a riser. 
     
     
         20 . The connector of  claim 14 , wherein, when actuated, the inner surface of the at least one actuatable reaction member is further adapted to be urged radially into an operating position wherein the inner surface is positioned adjacent to but does not contact the outer surface of the first hub.