Ratcheting Anti-Rotation Lock for Threaded Connectors

摘要

A pipe connection includes a pin having external threads and a box having internal threads. A circumferentially extending row of pin teeth are located on an exterior portion of the pin. A slot extends through a side wall of the box. A key is carried in the slot, the key having a row of key teeth that mate with the box teeth. The key is mounted to the box such that a movable portion of the key is radially movable relative to the box between radially outward and radially inward positions. The key is biased toward the inward position, so that the key teeth ratchet on the pin teeth during make-up of pin and the box. The teeth have a saw-tooth configuration to resist unscrewing rotation of pin and the box. The key may be an integral part of the side wall of the box or a separate component.

主权项

1. A pipe connection, comprising:
a pin having external threads and a longitudinal axis; a box having internal threads that mate with the external threads; a circumferentially extending row of pin teeth on an exterior portion of the pin; a key on the box, the key having at least one key tooth that engages the box teeth; the key being mounted to the box such that a portion of the key containing the key tooth is radially movable relative to the box so that the key tooth ratchets on the pin teeth during make-up of pin and the box; and each of the pin teeth having a saw-tooth configuration to resist unscrewing rotation of pin and the box.