Abstract: A system for regulating the flow of fluid through a progressing cavity motor includes an annulus restriction (22) for restricting flow through the annulus passageway, and an annular biasing member (24) for biasing the annular restriction toward a closed position. Fluid flow in the annulus passageway creates an opening force on the annulus restriction. A central restriction (28) within the motor provides a restricted flow through the motor. A central biasing member (26) biases the central restriction toward an open position, with fluid flow in a central passageway exerting a closing force on the central restriction.

Abstract: A system for regulating the flow of fluid through a progressing cavity motor includes an annulus restriction (22) for restricting flow through the annulus passageway, and an annular biasing member (24) for biasing the annular restriction toward a closed position. Fluid flow in the annulus passageway creates an opening force on the annulus restriction. A central restriction (28) within the motor provides a restricted flow through the motor. A central biasing member (26) biases the central restriction toward an open position, with fluid flow in a central passageway exerting a closing force on the central restriction.

Abstract: A generator (10) is provided for positioning downhole in a drill string (12) to generate power powering one or more downhole tools (16). The generator includes a progressive cavity housing (28) and a progressive cavity rotor (30) which rotates in response to fluid passing through the progressive cavity housing. A restriction (36) in the annulus downstream from the ports controls the fluid flow in the annulus and past the restriction, and thereby the fluid flow through the progressive cavity housing. The generator may provide either hydraulic or electrical power, or both, powering the one or more tools.

Abstract: A drive assembly for powering a rotating rod string (14) passing through a surface wellhead (18) includes a torque conveying housing (32) containing a radially outer member supporting a plurality of outer member magnets and rotated by a motor. A radially inner member (48) supports a plurality of inner member magnets and is rotatable within the outer member, with magnetic forces between the plurality of outer member magnets and the plurality of inner member magnets rotating the inner member magnets and thus the radially inner member.

Abstract: A generator (10) is provided for positioning downhole in a drill string (12) to generate power powering one or more downhole tools (16, 18). The generator includes a progressive cavity housing (28) and a progressive cavity rotor (13) which rotates in response to fluid passing through the progressive cavity housing. A restriction (36) in the annulus downstream from the ports controls the fluid flow in the annulus and past the restriction, and thereby the fluid flow through the progressive cavity housing. The generator may provide either hydraulic or electrical power, or both, powering the one or more tools.

Abstract: A drive assembly for powering a rotating rod string 14 passing through a surface wellhead 18 includes a torque conveying housing 32 containing a radially outer member supporting a plurality of outer member magnets and rotated by a motor. A radially inner member 48 supports a plurality of inner member magnets and is rotatable within the outer member, with magnetic forces between the plurality of outer member magnets and the plurality of inner member magnets rotating the inner member magnets and thus the radially inner member. The drive assembly provides a highly reliable sealed construction for rotating in the rod string with minimal risk of fluid leaking from the assembly.

Abstract: A closure includes a hub having a bore in fluid communication with the port of a vessel. A door is removably positioned within the bore of the hub, and a locking ring is threaded with the hub thread for moving the door to a closed and circumferentially sealed position against the shoulder. At least one rotatable actuator element, such as a plurality of gears, engages the locking ring and is rotated to rotate the locking ring. A breaker bar or impact wrench could be used to rotatable drive the actuator elements.

Abstract: A closure includes a hub having a bore in fluid communication with the port of a vessel. A door is removably positioned within the bore of the hub, and a locking ring is threaded with the hub thread for moving the door to a closed and circumferentially sealed position against the shoulder. At least one rotatable actuator element, such as a plurality of gears, engages the locking ring and is rotated to rotate the locking ring. A breaker bar or impact wrench could be used to rotatable drive the actuator elements.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vessel or pipeline closure. A closure 10 includes a hub 12 fixedly and sealingly secured to the vessel, and a cap 30 for threaded engagement with the hub 12. An anchor 22 may be fixedly secured to the hub and a tightening pulling stop 32 and a loosening pulling stop 132 each may be fixedly secured to the cap 30. A connector body 26 may be engaged with the anchor 22, and has a through bore 27 to accommodate a threaded rod 44. A flexible, elongate member 46 may be engaged at one end to the threaded rod 44, and selectively engaged with one of the pulling stops 32 or 132. A threaded collar 28 advances the threaded rod 44 axially, thereby rotating the cap 30 relative to the hub 12.

Abstract: Closure 10 includes a closure hub 12 for receiving a closure cap 30. A vessel end of the hub may be welded to a pressurized vessel or pipeline. A pulling device 20 may include a pivot member 26, a pulling lever 27, a pulling connector 28, and a flexible member 46. A pulling lever is connected by a connector pivot 23 to the pivot member, and the pulling connector is connected at a lever pivot 29 to the pulling lever. In the method of the invention, the pulling lever is pulled toward an anchor to thread or unthread the cap from the hub.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vessel or pipeline closure such as the type used on pipeline pig launching and receiving systems, and closures on access portals for pressurized vessels. A threaded closure 10 is disclosed which may eliminate hammering on hammer-lugs to tighten or loosen the closure from the vessel, thereby improving safety, closure life expectancy and functional operation. A closure 10 according to the present invention may include a hub 12 fixedly and sealingly secured to the vessel, and a cap 30 for threaded engagement with the hub 12. An anchor 22 may be fixedly secured to the hub and a tightening pulling ear 32 and a loosening pulling ear 132 each may be fixedly secured to the cap 30.

Abstract: Closure 10 includes a closure hub 12 for receiving a closure cap 30. A vessel end of the hub may be welded to a pressurized vessel or pipeline. A pulling device 20 may include a pivot member 26, a pulling lever 27, a pulling connector 28, and a flexible member 46. A pulling lever is connected by a connector pivot 23 to the pivot member, and the pulling connector is connected at a lever pivot 29 to the pulling lever. In the method of the invention, the pulling lever is pulled toward an anchor to thread or unthread the cap from the hub.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vessel or pipeline closure. A closure 10 includes a hub 12 fixedly and searingly secured to the vessel, and a cap 30 for threaded engagement with the hub 12. An anchor 22 may be fixedly secured to the hub and a tightening pulling stop 32 and a loosening pulling stop 132 each may be fixedly secured to the cap 30. A connector body 26 may be engaged with the anchor 22, and has a through bore 27 to accommodate a threaded rod 44. A flexible, elongate member 46 may be engaged at one end to the threaded rod 44, and selectively engaged with one of the pulling stops 32 or 132. A threaded collar 28 advances the threaded rod 44 axially, thereby rotating the cap 30 relative to the hub 12.

Abstract: A self-contained downhole apparatus for being lowered into an oil or gas well to internally record samples of at least one environmental condition comprises three body sections linearly and releasably interconnected. One of the body sections is a selected one of a plurality of transducer housing sections. The selected transducer housing section is mechanically and electrically connected to a second body section containing microcomputer-operated signal processing circuitry. The third body section contains a power supply.

Abstract: A self-contained memory gauge includes either semiconductor or magnetic core memory for retaining downhole information related to sampled parameters, such as borehole temperature and pressure. A microprocessor-based computer manages the power utilization by independently and selectably energizing and de-energizing different sections of the gauge. The magnetic core memory is tested for operability, and the addressing of the magnetic core memory is adjusted in accordance with any inoperable memory locations. Samples of the monitored environmental conditions can be taken at variable rates dependent upon software monitoring of the condition, the remaining battery life and the remaining memory capacity and in response to hardware monitored pressure changes. Each sample can be taken to a selectable resolution. A watchdog circuit monitors the microprocessor to insure that it is operating within a preselected time limit.

Abstract: In an oil well instrumentation system, the downhole sensor system is controlled by a computer which is powered-on only during sampling movement. An independent circuit, continuously powered, detects significant sensor rate-of-change values whereby the computer-sampling equipment is powered-on. A self-contained memory gauge includes either semiconductor or magnetic core memory for retaining downhole information related to sampled parameters, such as borehole temperature and pressure. A microprocessor-based computer manages the power utilization by independently and selectably energizing and deenergizing different sections of the gauge. The magnetic core memory is tested for operability, and the addressing of the magnetic core memory is adjusted in accordance with any inoperable memory locations.

Abstract: A housing which is connectible to a pressure sensitive tool has a filter cartridge mounted within it to communicate a pressure from an external fluid to a clean fluid contained within the filter cartridge and the tool. The filter cartridge includes one or more filters having a plurality of passageways small enough to hold the clean fluid under pressure equilibrium conditions, but large enough to communicate pressure from the external fluid to the clean fluid. There are enough of such passageways so that it is unlikely that all will become clogged by any contaminants within the external fluid should a portion of the external fluid be sucked in through the filter in response to expansion and contraction phenomena of the clean fluid.

Abstract: A housing which is connectible to a pressure sensitive tool has a filter cartridge mounted within it to communicate a pressure from an external fluid to a clean fluid contained within the filter cartridge and the tool. The filter cartridge includes one or more filters having a plurality of passageways small enough to hold the clean fluid under pressure equilibrium conditions, but large enough to communicate pressure from the external fluid to the clean fluid. There are enough of such passageways so that it is unlikely that all will become clogged by an contaminants within the external fluid should a portion of the external fluid be sucked in through the filter in response to expansion and contraction phenomena of the clean fluid.

Abstract: The method for controlling the rate at which a downhole logging tool samples and records a detected condition obtains three samples of the condition at three consecutive sample times and computes a prediction value for the n-th sample from the first three samples. The method compares the actual n-th sample with the predicted value and records the (n- 1)-th sample if the variance between the predicted and actual values is outside a predetermined threshold or difference. The sample rate is changed if the actual values of the samples remain within the predicted value's preselected range for more than a preselected number of samples. The sample rate interval is also increased if the battery life or memory capacity decrease below predetermined thresholds. The sample rate interval is decreased to its shortest interval if a pressure change above a predetermined threshold is detected.

Abstract: The cable head provides an H.sub.2 S resistant assembly which includes a weak link therein substantially isolated from any stress other than tensile stress induced by the logging cable. The cable head also provides a fishing neck at the top of the tool string after the weak link is severed and the wireline retrieved. Moreover, the logging cable is positively secured to the cable head by a force-fit wedge, and the design thereof ensures that parting of the weak link also provides for a positive mechanical disengagement of the logging cable from the cable head. Finally, an external sinker bar has been provided which mounts externally of the cable head, surrounding the logging cable above the cable head and mechanically interlocking therewith; such sinker bars may be run above the cable head in series, each interlocking with the one below it.