STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure relates generally to apparatus and methods for heating and quenching objects. More particularly, it relates to apparatus and methods for heating and quenching a welded connection along a tubular.

Background

Metal objects are commonly heat treated to achieve particular mechanical properties related to strength, surface hardness, ductility, and strain relief. Heat treatment usually involves the heating of the metal object to an extreme. Quenching the metal object to rapidly reduce its temperature after the heat treatment may also be used to obtain certain mechanical properties. For example, steel can be hardened by heating the steel to the austenite phase and then quenching it to convert its microstructure to the martensitic phase.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of devices for heating and quenching tubular members are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the device has a central axis and comprises a first quenching ring disposed about the central axis. The first quenching ring is configured to receive the tubular member and comprises a first annular body having a radially inner side, a radially outer side, a first inner cavity radially positioned between the radially inner side and the radially outer side of the first annular body. The first quenching ring also comprises a first fluid inlet in fluid communication with the first inner cavity. In addition, the first quenching ring comprises a first plurality of circumferentially-spaced fluid outlets extending from the first inner cavity to the radially inner side of the first annular body. The device also comprises a second quenching ring disposed about the central axis and configured to receive the tubular member. The second quenching ring is axially spaced from the first quenching ring and comprises a second annular body having a radially inner side, a radially outer side, and a second inner cavity radially positioned between the radially inner side and the radially outer side of the second annular body. The second quenching ring also comprises a second fluid inlet in fluid communication with the second inner cavity. In addition, the second quenching ring comprises a second plurality of circumferentially-spaced fluid outlets extending from the second inner cavity to the radially inner side of the second annular body. Still further, the device comprises a heating ring disposed about the central axis and configured to receive the tubular member. The heating ring is axially positioned between the first quenching ring and the second quenching ring. The heating ring is fixably coupled to the first quenching ring and the second quenching ring. The heating ring comprises an induction coil configured to heat an annular target zone along the tubular member. The first plurality of circumferentially-spaced fluid outlets are configured to deliver a first quenching fluid to the target zone and a first annular heat affected zone extending axially from the target zone along the tubular member. The second plurality of circumferentially-spaced fluid outlets are configured to deliver a second quenching fluid to the target zone and a second annular heat affected zone extending axially from the target zone along the tubular member.

Embodiments of methods for heating and quenching a welded joint along a tubular member having a central axis are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises (a) positioning an inductive coil about the tubular member and axially aligning the inductive heating coil and the welded joint. Further, the method comprises (b) heating the welded joint with the inductive coil after (a) while maintaining the axial alignment of the welded joint and the inductive coil. Further, the method comprises (c) after (b), simultaneously quenching a first annular heat affected zone along the tubular member on a first lateral side of the welded joint with a first quench fluid and quenching a second annular heat affected zone along the tubular member on a second lateral side of the welded joint that is opposite the first lateral side of the weld with a second quench fluid while maintaining the axial alignment of the welded joint and the inductive coil.

Embodiments described herein comprise a combination of features and characteristics intended to address various shortcomings associated with certain prior devices, systems, and methods. The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical characteristics of the disclosed embodiments in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. The various characteristics and features described above, as well as others, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description, and by referring to the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes as the disclosed embodiments. It should also be realized that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the principles disclosed herein.

