Locking slip joint and method of use

摘要

A locking slip joint has primary utility in the making up of a tie-in in pipeline laying and repair operations. In a preferred embodiment the slip joint comprises an inner sleeve telescopically received within an outer sleeve. Means for locking the sleeves together is disposed in an annulus between the sleeves and comprises a seal ring having annular teeth in communication with both sleeves. A pair of opposed tapered annular pistons engage mating recesses in the seal ring and are hydraulically actuated to deform the seal ring outwardly thereby embedding the teeth into both sleeves. The embedment provides an irreversible metal-to-metal seal.