US 12,228,001 B2
Mechanical connector with interface having stepped tapers
Samuel H Cheng, Katy, TX (US); Greg Dunn, Houston, TX (US); and Daryl Attaway, Houston, TX (US)
Assigned to Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed by Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Sep. 26, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/584,406.
Prior Publication US 2021/0095535 A1, Apr. 1, 2021
Int. Cl. E21B 23/01 (2006.01); E21B 33/04 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 23/01 (2013.01) [E21B 33/04 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
14. A method for a wellhead assembly, comprising:
placing a mechanical connector, having a first mechanical connector tapered surface comprising thereon a plurality of mechanical connector stepped tapers, in an area between rigid members of the wellhead assembly;
inserting, into the area, an actuating member having a first actuating member tapered surface comprising thereon a plurality of actuating member stepped tapers; and
enabling a bottom surface of the mechanical connector to load against a shoulder surface associated with one of the rigid members of the wellhead assembly in a locked phase of the mechanical connector and the actuating member, wherein the one of the rigid members is a single-piece component, and wherein the plurality of mechanical connector stepped tapers fully engage with the plurality of actuating member stepped tapers in the locked phase to prevent relative upward movement between the mechanical connector and the actuating member.