Wear resistant tubular members and systems and methods for producing the same

Abstract

A system for manufacturing a tubular member includes a mandrel configured to be inserted within a throughbore of the tubular member to engage with an inner diameter of the throughbore. In addition, the system includes a die assembly comprising a cavity. The die assembly is configured to be disposed about an outer surface of the tubular member such that a central portion of the tubular member is aligned with the cavity. Further, the system includes a ram configured to apply a load to the tubular member along a central axis of the tubular member to expand the central portion of the outer surface of the tubular member into the cavity to form an upset region along the tubular member.

1 . A system for manufacturing a tubular member, the tubular member including a central axis, a first end, a second end, a throughbore extending between the first end and the second end, and an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the outer surface includes a central portion that is spaced from the first end and the second end along the central axis, the system comprising:
 a mandrel configured to be inserted within the throughbore to engage with an inner diameter of the throughbore;   a die assembly comprising a cavity, wherein the die assembly is configured to be disposed about the outer surface such that the central portion is aligned with the cavity; and   a ram configured to apply a load to the tubular member along the central axis of the tubular member to expand the central portion of the outer surface into the cavity to form an upset region along the tubular member.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heater configured to heat the outer surface of the tubular member. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , comprising a plurality of guides configured to be coupled to the outer surface of the tubular member to prevent buckling of the tubular member. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ram is configured to apply the load to the first end or the second end of the tubular member. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the die assembly comprises a throughbore, wherein the cavity is defined within the throughbore of the die assembly, and wherein an inner diameter of the throughbore of the die assembly reaches a maximum within the cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the die assembly comprises a body that includes the throughbore of the die assembly and the cavity, wherein the body of the die assembly comprises a plurality of segments that are configured to be coupled together to circumferentially surround the tubular member. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the cavity is defined by:
 a pair of frustoconical surfaces; and   a cylindrical surface positioned between the pair of frustoconical surfaces.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the mandrel comprises:
 a mandrel body; and   a shank extending from the mandrel body,   wherein the mandrel body has an outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the shank.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the mandrel body is cylindrical in shape, wherein the shank is cylindrical in shape, and wherein the mandrel comprises a frustoconical surface extending between the mandrel body and the shank. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein both the mandrel body and the shank are configured to be inserted within the throughbore of the tubular member. 
     
     
         11 . A system for manufacturing a tubular member, the tubular member including a central axis, a first end, a second end, a throughbore extending between the first end and the second end, and an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the outer surface includes a central portion that is spaced from the first end and the second end along the central axis, the system comprising:
 a mandrel configured to be inserted within the throughbore, wherein the mandrel comprises:
 a mandrel body having an outer diameter that is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the tubular member; and 
 a shank having an outer diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the mandrel body; 
 a die assembly comprising a cavity, wherein the die assembly is configured to be disposed about the outer surface such that the central portion is aligned with the cavity; and 
 a ram configured to apply a load to the tubular member along the central axis of the tubular member to expand the central portion of the outer surface into the cavity to form an upset region along the tubular member. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a heater configured to heat the outer surface of the tubular member. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , comprising a plurality of guides configured to be coupled to the outer surface of the tubular member to prevent buckling of the tubular member. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the ram is configured to apply the load to the first end or the second end of the tubular member. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the die assembly comprises a throughbore, wherein the cavity is defined within the throughbore of the die assembly, and wherein an inner diameter of the throughbore of the die assembly reaches a maximum within the cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the die assembly comprises a body that includes the throughbore of the die assembly and the cavity, wherein the body of the die assembly comprises a plurality of segments that are configured to be coupled together to circumferentially surround the tubular member. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the cavity is defined by:
 a pair of frustoconical surfaces; and   a cylindrical surface positioned between the pair of frustoconical surfaces.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the mandrel body is cylindrical in shape, wherein the shank is cylindrical in shape, and wherein the mandrel comprises a frustoconical surface extending between the mandrel body and the shank. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein both the mandrel body and the shank are configured to be inserted within the throughbore of the tubular member. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the mandrel is configured to be selectively radially expandable.