Abstract: Tubing rotator 10 includes a main body or rotator spool 20, a selected bottom connector 50, and a selected top connector 70. The bottom connector 50 may be adapted for a screw cap type wellhead or a flanged wellhead. The top connector may comprise a pin connection mandrel 72 with either a threaded or flanged upper end, or a flow-T and/or BOP housing that bolts to the top of the spool. The tubing rotator may be adapted for hanging the tubing directly from the tubing rotator or may be used with a double box bushing 110 hung within the tubing rotator. The tubing rotator may also use a swivel hanger 120 included in the tubing head.

Abstract: A system for forming a patch in a well at a location along a tubular string which has lost sealing integrity includes a central patch body 60, an upper expander body 52 carrying an upper seal 50 or 56, and a lower expander body 98 carrying a lower seal 102, 104. The running tool includes an inner mandrel 14 axially moveable relative to the central patch body, and one or more pistons 20, 30, 20A axially moveable relative to the inner mandrel in response to fluid pressure within the running tool. Top expander 48 is axially moveable downward relative to the upper expander body in response to movement of the one or more pistons. The expander sleeves may remain downhole to radially support the downhole tubular.

Abstract: An injection molding machine 10 utilizes a two part mold to produce a molded part. A machine includes a clamping mechanism 20 including one or more clamping cylinders 22 for applying a mold clamping force to the two part mold, an injection mechanism 30 for plasticizing material and injecting the plasticized material into the closed mold, and a controller 50 for powering the molding machine hydraulic system 52. In one embodiment, clamping pressure is automatically increased or decreased to allow air to escape as plasticized material flows into the mold cavity. In another embodiment, the controller provides a minimum clamp pressure to maintain the plasticized material within the mold as a function of fluid injection pressure to the screw member of the injection system.

Abstract: The ball nose end mill cutter according to the present invention includes a cutting face 12 providing a plurality of alternating crest 52 and root 54 profiles arranged with respect to each other to further provide a serrated cutting edge 16 on the cutter. The serrations and serrated cutting edge positioned on a cutter insert 10 for removable affixation to a tool body 20 having a centerline of rotation 28, and including an insert body 18 having a contact surface 30 for mating engagement with a mounting surface of the tool body. The ball nose end mill insert further including a curved cutting face surface 12, and a plurality of face serrations formed along the curved cutting face surface, the face serrations having face crests 116 and face roots 216 forming a serrated curved cutting edge 16.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) and process for treating particulate material or powder (33) of a size capable of being fluidized in a retort (31) mounted for rotation on a pair of end axles (18, 41). Retort (31) is mounted on a tilt frame (5) for tilting movement in a vertical plane. Gas conduits (18A, 18B) are mounted within an axle (18) for the supply and exhaust of gas for retort (31). A conduit (55) mounted within the other axle (41) permits particulate material to be passed into or out of the retort (31) as shown in FIG. 1B. A removable injection assembly (90, FIG. 10) is utilized for the injection of additional particulate material. A removable sampling assembly (95, FIG. 11) is utilized for removing a sample of the particulate material from the retort (31). As the retort (31) is rotated, particles of the particulate material are constantly intermingled with each other and the walls of the retort (31). Microwave energy as shown in FIGS. 13-14 may be utilized to heat or dry materials within the retort (31).

Abstract: The liner hanger running tool 120 includes improvements to the running tool release mechanism, the packoff bushing, and the packer setting assembly. The release mechanism may be operated hydraulically in response to fluid pressure, although the tool may also be released mechanically by right-hand rotation of the running string. The releasing mechanism includes inner piston 340, an outer piston 342, and a clutch 316. The packoff bushing 10 includes a C-shaped lock ring 36 which allows the packoff bushing to be repeatedly restabbed into the top of the liner hanger. The packer setting assembly 52 includes a C-shaped ring 64 for applying set-down weight to a setting sleeve, with pressure assist provided by seals for engaging the mandrel 132 and the setting sleeve 90. A method is provided for reliably releasing a running tool from a liner hanger, for allowing stabbing of the running tool packoff bushing into the top of the liner hanger, and for reliably setting the radial set packer element.

Abstract: A tubing hanger is provided for suspending a tubing hanger from a wellhead housing. The tubing hanger body includes a production bore and an annulus bore, a valve opening inlet port, a valve closed inlet port, and a hydraulically operated ball valve to selectively open and close the annulus bore. An actuator sleeve surrounds the ball valve and is movable in response to fluid pressure between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: The pipe shoe 10 includes a generally horizontal base plate 12, 52, a left-side support plate 22, 62, a right-side support plate 24, 64, a curved lower plate 32, 72, and a curved upper plate 34, 84. An attachment mechanism for securing the lower end of the upper plate to the respective support plate includes a bolt which passes through a hole in a lower end of the upper plate and a port in the respective support plate. When the bolt is tightened, the curved upper plate is pulled toward the base plate to place the bolt in both tension and shear. Each support plate is preferably angled with respect to a plane perpendicular to a plane of the base plate and away from the centerline of the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus suspends a pipe from the lower end of a tubular body positioned concentrically within an outer casing. Pockets are formed about the outer circumference of the body, each to receive a cone having an inner conical side adjacent the inner wall of each pocket, and a slip having an inner conical side adjacent an outer conical side of the cone. Slots are formed in side walls of the pocket for guiding the slip an securing the slip and cone with respect to the body.

Abstract: The shear ram assembly 10 for shearing an oil well tubular T includes a first ram 16 axially moveable along the first axis 66 for moving an upper blade 17, and an opposing second ram 18 axially moveable along the second ram axis 68 for moving a lower blade 19. An upper planar surface 40 of the lower blade passes closely adjacent a lower planar surface 42 of the upper blade as the blades move towards each other to shear the tubular. The sealing system 24 is positioned within a recess 26 in the upper surface of the lower blade, and includes an elastomeric seal 28 for sealing engagement with the lower planar surface of the upper blade and a rigid actuator 30 moveable relative to the lower blade to energize the elastomeric seal.

Abstract: A gripping tool 10 may be positioned in a well on a running string RS to at least temporarily secure the gripping tool to a borehole wall. The gripping tool includes a drag member 72, a plurality of slips 40, 48, and a cone member 30, 46. A slip setting mechanism 88 is provided for securing the slips in the radially inward position when the slip setting mechanism is run-in the well. At least one ramp moves the slip setting mechanism to a released position upon rotation of the running string in a first direction. A ratchet member rotationally releases the running string from the slip setting mechanism when the running string is rotated in an opposing direction. The tool may be set, released by pickup and returned to the run-in position, then reset without returning the tool to the surface.

Abstract: A walkway for extending between a pair of adjacent platforms on offshore marine structures including a pair of slidable sections having floors or decks which overlap each other. Interfitting support members which extend along opposed sides of the sliding sections support the slidable sections for sliding movement.

Abstract: A catalytic heater 10 has an insulation pad 36 and a catalyst pad 34 mounted in face-to-face relation within an enclosure 11 having an open front face 20. A starter 48 is mounted within the catalyst pad and is effective for preheating of the catalyst pad. Fuel gas is supplied to the rear face of the insulation pad and air is supplied to the front face of the catalyst pad, so that a catalytic reaction occurs generally when the catalyst pad and sear the ope front face. After the catalytic reaction begins, electrical energy is ceased to the starter. The starter preferably comprises a quartz-halogen lamp of a relatively small size which is mounted within the catalyst pad.

Abstract: The plug holder sub 110 for being supported on a conveyance tubular temporarily supports a liner wiper plug 150, so that a pump down plug may land in the liner wiper plug and be supported from a generally tubular body 116 of the plug holder sub. The retaining member 114 is provided for attaching the liner wiper plug to the tubular body, and a piston 134 moves within the tubular body from a retaining position to a release position. A metering jet 130, 131 on a fluid flow path 128 from chamber 132 restrains the piston movement, thereby preventing release of the liner wiper plug until the piston moves to the release position.

Abstract: A sealing system for sealing with a generally cylindrical surface 52 of a tubular or another tool 50 includes an annular packer element 10, a wedge ring 60 having a substantially conical outer surface 62 configured to radially expand the packer element, and a positioner 40 for moving one of the packer element and wedge ring relative to the other packer element and wedge ring. The packer element 10 includes an first elastomeric seal body 20 axially supported on a first metal rib 14 extending radially from a metal base 12, and a second seal body 22 axially supported on a second metal rib 16. The second seal body 22 has an elasticity lower than that of the first seal body. According to the method of the invention, the positioner is moved to cause the first seal body 20 to sealingly engage the cylindrical surface, and hydraulic forces due to that sealing engagement then move the packer element to the expanded diameter sealing position, in which the second seal body 22 seals against the cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A subsea well apparatus includes a wellhead member body adapted to be lowered into and latched within the bore of a conductor by split locking and ratchet rings carried by the body. The locking ring includes locking teeth engageable with locking grooves in the bore, and the ratchet ring includes ratchet teeth engageable with ratchet grooves within the locking ring. Upper and lower coaxial downwardly and inwardly extending wedge surfaces are tightly engaged as the body is latched within the conductor.

Abstract: A method of forming a surgical splint to receive a patient's dentition and thereby align the upper jaw and the lower jaw during surgery includes generating a CT computer model of bone structure, generating a digital dental computer model of the patient's dentition, and then combining the CT computer model and the digital dental computer model to form a composite computer model. The composite computer model may be displayed, and at least one of the upper jaw and lower jaw repositioned relative to the patient's skull and the composite computer model to form a planned position computer model. Using this desired position computer model, a computer model surgical splint of the patient's dentition may be formed, which is then input into a fabrication machine to form a surgical splint. The method also includes forming and displaying the composite computer model. A workstation includes a CT machine, a digital scanner, a computer, an input command mechanism, a display, and a fabricating machine.

Abstract: A tool for use in a subterranean wellbore seals with a generally cylindrical interior surface of a tubular or another downhole tool. The tool includes a conveyance tubular 16 for positioning the tool at a selected location below the surface of the well, an annular seal assembly 10 disposed about the conveyance tubular, and a substantially conical wedge ring 14 having an outer surface configured to radially expand the annular seal assembly upon axial movement of the seal assembly relative to the wedge ring. The seal assembly 10 includes a metal framework having an annular base 18 and a plurality of metal ribs 30, 32, 34, 36 each extending radially outward from the base. A primary elastomeric seal 24 is positioned between the ribs 32, 34, while backup elastomeric seal body 22 is positioned between ribs 30 and 32 and backup seal body 26 is positioned between ribs 34 and 36.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system in which a liner is lowered into and landed within an outer casing. The casing includes a casing joint having upwardly facing landing shoulders formed about its bore, and the liner has a recess thereabout which receives a “C” shaped hanger carried in a retracted position as it is lowered into the bore. The hanger has teeth about it which are arranged to seat upon the landing shoulders when the hanger is released to expand against the bore so that its teeth may be lowered onto the landing surface.

Abstract: A small diameter stage cementer assembly 10 and a hydraulically operated packer collar stage cementer 110, including a cementer housing 12 for interconnection with a casing string 14 positionable in a slim-hole wellbore for a cementing operation. The cementer housing 12 including a seat 11 for receiving a lower, drillable portion 335 of an opening sleeve assembly 135 after the upper drillable portion 235 of the opening sleeve assembly 135 has been drilled out. The lower, drillable portion 335 wedges into engagement with the seat 11 to prevent rotation of the drillable portion 335 during drill-out, such that the lower portion 335 may be drilled up using a small diameter bit and drill string, and accommodating a reduced weight on bit. The packer collar embodiment includes a hydraulically actuatable packer 70.