Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for using optical sensors to determine the position of a movable flow control element in a well control tool. A housing has a movable element disposed within such that the element movement controls the flow through the tool. An optical sensing system senses the movement of the element. Optical sensors are employed that use Bragg grating reflections, time domain reflectometry, and line scanning techniques to determine the element position. A surface or downhole processor is used to interpret the sensor signals.

Abstract: A torque transfer device is disclosed that utilizes one or more universal joints to transfer rotary motion between first and second shafts that rotate about non-aligned axes of rotation. The torque transfer device maintains these rotational axes at a fixed angle while allowing the shafts to freely rotate. In order to maintain the rotational axes of the shafts at a fixed angle relative to one another, a stabilizer is utilized. In one embodiment, first and second sections of the stabilizer, which are disposed at a desired angle to one another, are disposed within central bores of the first and second shafts. In this embodiment, the first and second shafts are interconnected with a ring-type universal joint. The ring type universal joint allows the stabilizer to pass between the central bores of the two shafts without interfering with the operation of the joint connecting the two shafts.

Abstract: Water-based mud filtrate concentration in a downhole fluid sample drawn from the borehole of an oil well is assessed. To measure water-based mud filtrate concentration, a water-based mud having a water-soluble fluorescent dye tracer is pumped into the borehole; sample fluid from a selected downhole location is pumped through a downhole flow line having a window; sample fluid flowing in an excitation region of the downhole flow line is illuminated through the window with fluorescence excitation light; and fluorescence emission from the excitation region is measured to produce a measured value. The measured value represents the fraction of water-based mud filtrate in the sample fluid. A calibration value is determined representing 100% water-based mud filtrate. A method for validating a sample of connate water as having an acceptably low WBM filtrate contamination tests for validation downhole, in real time.

Abstract: In order to also be able to use a clamping device with structural components and girders with different dimensions or inclinations, a clamping device is proposed that comprises a tension element, to which a force can be applied, and a bearing element, which interacts with the tension element and is provided with a bearing surface that can rest against a girder or structural component. In order to ensure parallel contact of the bearing surface of the bearing element on a flange of the girder or a bearing surface of the structural component, the clamping device according to the invention further has means for coupling or connecting the tension element to the bearing element, which under the influence of the tension force or clamping force, enables the independent rotation and/or inclination of the bearing element relative to the tension element under the influence of the applied tension force, until the bearing surface of the bearing element is essentially parallel to the girder or structural component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of boring a hole using a boring system constituted by a simple auger and a dip tube slidably mounted in said auger, said dip tube being provided at its bottom end with a tool. The method comprises the following steps: causing said auger and said dip tube to descend and to rotate simultaneously, said tool on the dip tube being substantially level with the bottom end of the auger; interrupting the descent and rotation of said auger so that the auger constitutes anchor means for anchoring the boring system in the ground; and causing the dip tube to descend and rotate on its own, whereby the tool of the dip tube performs boring by displacing ground at the bottom end of the borehole, thereby compacting the ground.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper, especially a dual-mass flywheel, has a primary side and a secondary side, which is free to rotate around an axis of rotation relative to the primary side. Starting from a rotation in a direction of rotation around a forward base angle (?), a forward base spring arrangement exerts a forward base restoring force on the secondary side. Starting from rotation around a forward auxiliary angle (?), which is greater than the forward base angle (?), a forward auxiliary spring arrangement exerts an additional forward auxiliary restoring force. Upon rotation around a forward limit angle (?), both spring arrangements come to a stop together.

Abstract: A longitudinal plunging unit (11) for torque transmitting purposes in a shaft assembly, comprising an outer profiled sleeve (21) having circumferentially distributed, inner, longitudinally extending first ball grooves (22) to be connected to a first attachment part, a profiled journal (31) positioned inside the outer profiled sleeve (21) and having circumferentially distributed, outer, longitudinally extending second ball grooves (32) to be connected to a second attachment part, groups of balls (41) arranged in pairs of first and second ball grooves (22, 32), and a sleeve-shaped ball cage (42) which is positioned in the annular space between the profiled sleeve (21) and the profiled journal (31) and which fixes the groups of balls (41) in their respective positions relative to one another. The profiled journal (31) is a hollow journal comprising a material with a substantially uniform wall thickness with a maximum deviation of ±15%.

Abstract: In a torque transmission system, plural engagement pieces elastically deformable are formed integrally with an outer peripheral portion of a circular portion of a center hub to be engaged with an inner periphery portion of a pulley. A bridge portion of the center hub is disposed to be broken when a torque large than a predetermined torque is applied there to. Since the engagement protrusion pieces are engaged with a part of the pulley, it can prevent the center hub from being removed and falling when the bridge portion of the center hub is broken.

Abstract: A downhole moineau pump assembly includes a stator with a rotor extending through the stator. The rotor and stator sealingly engage each other at spaced intervals to form a series of annular spaces. A primary inlet is provided for fluids to enter a first of the series of annular spaces. A surface mounted top drive unit rotates the rotor. As the rotor rotates, fluids are drawn through the primary inlet and up the series of annular spaces between the rotor and the stator. A portion of the rotor is hollow with a central flow passage extending from a secondary inlet spaced from the primary inlet to the primary inlet. A portion of the fluids being pumped to surface are diverted into the secondary inlet and pumped under pressure down the central flow passage of the rotor to the primary inlet, thereby washing accumulated solids form the primary inlet.

Abstract: An actuator system for shifting a control device that is pressure-loaded in the direction opposite the shift direction. The actuator system comprises an actuator element capable of being axially moved in the shift direction within a system enclosure by a rotating spindle of an advance mechanism. The rotating spindle is connected to a rotating sleeve that is pivot-mounted in the system enclosure and surrounds the rotating spindle. The rotating sleeve is locked in position in the direction opposite the direction of advance rotation of the rotating spindle by a volute spring. The volute spring is associated with an emergency release unit for resetting the actuator element against the shift direction. The emergency release unit comprises a tensioning sleeve for the volute spring. The tensioning sleeve rotates between a tensioned and a relaxed position and is pressure-loaded in the direction of its relaxed position. The volute spring is releasably retained in the tensioning sleeve's tensioned position.

Abstract: A rotary seal assembly for a rotary support table for use in drilling systems and the like to provide pressurized fluid to a rotary slip assembly disposed within the rotary support table is provided. The rotary seal assembly is designed to be coupled to an existing rotary support table which is used to rotate a drill string, and includes a powered slip that is powered into an engaged position to securely engage a pipe segment, for example, a casing segment.

Abstract: A device and a method are provided for the hydraulic fracturing of multiple zones in a well bore. A stinger carries a plurality of packers into a well bore. Each packer is separably connected to each adjacent packer. As each packer is sequentially secured in the well bore, the stinger is withdrawn from the secured packer and the process is repeated as the remaining packers are sequentially secured and separated.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elastic shaft coupling, comprising at least one torsion element, with an elastomer body as transfer element, to which connecting flanges are fixed. According to the invention, the axial shortening of the elastomer body, in such an elastic shaft coupling, at high revolutions, can be reduced, without producing the resilience thereof, whereby the elastomer body is encompassed by a circumferential support ring, which is exclusively bonded to the elastomer body.

Abstract: A rolling ball spline type of slip joint includes a first tubular member having a plurality of inwardly extending regions formed therein. The first tubular member has a wall thickness that is essentially uniform throughout the circumference thereof. The slip joint also includes a second tubular member having a plurality of outwardly extending regions formed therein. The inwardly extending regions of the first tubular member are radially aligned with the outwardly extending region of the second tubular member to define a plurality of longitudinally extending raceways. The second tubular member has a wall thickness that is essentially uniform throughout the circumference thereof. A plurality of balls is disposed in each of the raceways for transmitting rotational force between the first and second tubular members, while accommodating a limited amount of relative axial movement therebetween.

Abstract: An anchoring tool is provided for preventing rotation of a tubing string relative to a surrounding well casing in both right and left hand directions of rotation. The tool includes tubular housing for connection in line with the tubing string. A gripping member is supported alongside the housing for rotation about an anchor axis lying substantially parallel to the housing. The gripping member has a profile which increases in radial dimension from a first gripping portion to a second gripping portion thereof. The first gripping portion and the second gripping portion being arranged to grip the surrounding well casing in a retracted position and an extended position respectively. Rotation of the housing with the tubing string relative to the well casing rotates the gripping member in relation to the housing to vary an overall diameter of the anchoring tool within the well casing, thereby preventing further rotation.

Abstract: A coiled tubing injector apparatus for use in inserting coiled tubing into a well, temporarily suspending the coiled tubing, and removing the coiled tubing from the well is described. The apparatus includes a base with a pair of spaced-apart carriages extending upwardly therefrom. The base is part of a frame positioned above a wellhead. The carriages each have a gripper chain drive system rotatably mounted thereon and movable therewith. An actuation and linkage system allows the carriages to move toward and away from one another in a lateral or transverse direction with respect to the superstructure and the base. Thus, the gripper chain systems comprises gripper chains that can be engaged or disengaged from the coiled tubing extending through the apparatus. A wetting fluid basin is positioned below the gripper chains, and support guides engage the coiled tubing below the gripper chains to prevent buckling of the coiled tubing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a constant velocity joint having an outer part (3), an inner part (8), a cage (14) and balls (24). For the purpose of fitting the inner part (8) in the cage (14), there is provided a groove (16a) which can be entered by the inner part (8) by means of the web (13), so that the inner part (8) can be introduced into the cage (14), although the outer diameter of the inner part (8) is greater than that of the end aperture of the cage (14).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively actuating a dual check valve assembly within a well for a direct circulating operational mode or a reverse circulating operational mode. A tubular housing which may be connected to well tubing is provided with a check valve assembly and may be provided with a rotatable J-slot mode indexing sleeve having an internal J-slot geometry. An inner tubular member which also may be connected to well tubing is linearly movable within the tubular housing to a valve open position, an indexing position and a valve enabled position being controlled by the J-slot geometry of the J-slot indexing sleeve or being controlled by moving the inner tubular element and resisting movement of the tubular housing. Relative positioning of the inner tubular member and the tubular housing to selective valve mode positions may also be achieved responsive to fluid flow, by mechanical compression, or by motion operation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for using aqueous VES-based gravel carrier fluids in gravel packing operations using screens and shunt tubes that have been run into a well completed with an oil-based mud. With this method, the previously necessary but undesirable steps of first running in a perforated liner and then displacing the oil-based mud with an aqueous-based fluid in the region to be gravel packed are both avoided while the advantages of gravel packing with an aqueous-based fluid are retained.

Abstract: In a production system for producing oil or gas from a well, the production system including a plunger in well tubing, and a motor valve in a sales line connected to a plunger lubricator which connects to the well tubing, a differential pressure controller system includes: a) a plunger arrival sensor; b) a plunger cycle controller receptive to signals from the plunger arrival sensor and receptive to signals from pressure transducers, for controlling the cycle of the plunger; c) a differential pressure controller; d) a first pressure transducer conductively coupled to the differential pressure controller, for measuring pressure in the well tubing, e) a second pressure transducer conductively coupled to the differential pressure controller for measuring pressure in the sales line; and f) a solenoid valve conductively coupled to the differential pressure controller and connected to the motor valve.