Abstract: A fuel injector comprises one or more elongate fuel passages (802) having an elongate axis extending from an upstream inlet end to a downstream outlet end. One or more outlets (803) are provided at the outlet end and extend obliquely with respect to the elongate axis. The elongate fuel passage is defined by an inner skin of a double skinned pipe, the double skinned pipe defining a first annular cavity (804) between the inner skin and outer skin. The inner skin and the outer skin converge adjacent the one or more outlets (803) to form a nose (808). A bridge is arranged within the fuel passage (802) and upstream of the nose (808), the bridge comprising a plurality of arms (811) extending radially from a centre (812) to a wall of the fuel passage (802), the centre (812) arranged in axial alignment with a centre of the nose (808).

Abstract: Floats having a buoyant portion and a chamber portion hold liquid within their chambers above the interface of the surrounding body of liquid and gas which creates a downward force which stabilizes the float. If the liquid is water, the float holds water in the inner chamber which is disposed above the waterline of the body of water in which the float is suspended. The elevated water exerts a downward force that acts against rocking, swaying, and other destabilizing forces.

Abstract: The present invention is an interprocess communications (IPC) system and method which utilizes shared memory to transfer message contents and a separate, efficient notification mechanism to perform message control functions. The present invention supports robust, asynchronous communications between potentially large number of software application processes residing on any single or tightly-coupled multiple processor arrangement supporting shared memory between the processes. The present invention is a combination of existing IPC mechanisms available in most commercially available UNIX operating systems. The IPC mechanism utilizes the presently available UNIX shared memory IPC mechanism for transferring message contents and the presently available UNIX datagram socket IPC mechanism for message control and notification. The IPC mechanism may be adapted to other operating system environments.

Abstract: A sandwich shaped piston seal is shown for sealing multiple mandrel well packers. The seal has a plate shaped center portion made of a compliant elastomer material having upper and lower surfaces and an outer rim. The center portion is provided with multiple holes for receiving multiple mandrels with the mandrels being arranged perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces. A pair of external backup rings circumscribe the outer rim of the elastomeric center portion and a pair of internal backup rings circumscribed the interior surface of each of the mandrel holes. A pair of header plates surround the center portion in sandwich fashion, the plates being provided with multiple holes corresponding to the holes in the center portion for receiving the mandrels. The backup ring design prevents extrusion of the elastomeric sealing portion when pressure acts upon the seal.

Abstract: An improved device for tapping and plugging fluid conductors under high pressure has independently operable feed and cutting motors for improved cutting action. The device has a cutter housing whe precise location of the cutter on the drive axis to allow the cutter to be operated remotely.

Abstract: A setting tool is shown of the type adapted to be made up in a pipe string for releasably engaging a setting sleeve in a well bore. The setting tool has a mandrel having an upper end adapted to be connected in the pipe string and having a lower end. A setting nut is carried on the mandrel having external connecting threads for engaging mating connecting threads located on the interior of a setting sleeve disposed about the lower end of the mandrel. The mandrel is slidably disposed within the setting nut when the setting nut is engaging the setting sleeve and the mandrel is slidable between an extended running-in position and a weight set-down position.A latch collar having at least one latch ear is carried on the mandrel exterior.

Abstract: A retrievable well packer is shown of the type adapted for releasable setting within a well conduit. The packer has a central mandrel extending within an outer assembly, seal members carried on the outer assembly for sealingly engaging the conduit, anchoring slips carried on the outer assembly for grippingly engaging the conduit, and a hold down piston-collet assembly for releasably connecting the mandrel to the outer assembly to maintain sealing and gripping engagement between the seal members an anchoring slips and the conduit. The collet is movable between a locking position in contact with the piston whereby the mandrel is connected to the outer assembly, and a release configuration out of contact with the piston whereby the mandrel is released for longitudinal movement relative to the outer assembly. A shear wire fixes the piston in the locking configuration in contact with the collet.

Abstract: A seal assembly is disclosed including first and second annular members mutually movable longitudinally to effect a first configuration in which the seal assembly is releasably anchored to a cylindrical body circumscribed by the seal assembly, and a second configuration in which the seal assembly is releasably anchored to a surrounding conduit. Sealing members are carried by the seal assembly to engage the enclosed cylindrical body as well as the circumscribing conduit. Operation of the seal assembly for movement between the first and second configurations is accomplished by manipulation of the cylindrical body which, with the seal assembly anchored to the conduit, is permitted limited longitudinal movement relative to the conduit and seal assembly while maintaining sealing engagement with the seal assembly. A disclosed embodiment includes a well seal assembly, or packer, for sealing a pipe string to a well conduit.

Abstract: A valve used in a drill stem test tool has a ball movable between an open position to allow flow through the drill string for testing and a closed position to block flow. Operating means move the ball between the open and closed positions in response to pressures in the well annulus. A nitrogen filled pressure chamber and pressure balancing piston compensate for variations in annular pressure as the tool is being lowered into position in the well. Actuating means including a weight operated sleeve are operated from the surface to overcome the compensating effect of the pressure balancing piston to allow the ball to be rotated to the open position. The ball is spring biased toward the closed position by a coil spring located inside the pressure chamber. Relieving pressure in the annulus causes the spring to close the ball.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulically operable well packer for releasable setting within a well conduit, including a seal assembly for sealing the packer to the conduit and an anchor assembly for anchoring the packer to the conduit. The seal assembly includes sealing members for engaging the conduit as well as secondary sealing members for engaging a central mandrel of the packer, both sets of sealing members being constructed of material which permits the mandrel to remain sealed to the well conduit in the presence of high temperatures. The packer may be released by straight longitudinal movement of the mandrel relative to the outer packer assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and method of closing a conduit against fluid flow in at least one longitudinal sense, and selectively disengaging and reengaging the closure mechanism without removing the closure mechanism from the conduit. In a particular embodiment, a valve assembly may be selectively anchored and sealed to a well packer, or disengaged therefrom. The valve assembly is manipulated by an operating tool to which the valve assembly is anchored in the well when the valve assembly is disengaged from the packer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a well packer for releasable setting within a well conduit, including a seal assembly for sealing the packer to the conduit and an anchor assembly for anchoring the packer to the conduit. The packer is set in stages by hydraulic pressure. The seal assembly is extended, and locked, in sealing configuration; the anchor assembly is then set, and locked, in gripping engagement with the conduit. The packer is released by longitudinal movement of a central mandrel relative to the seal and anchoring assemblies. The release of the packer also occurs in stages, with the seal assembly unlocked and released from its set configuration followed by like operations relative to the anchor assembly. A hold-down system prevents premature release of the packer by securing the mandrel against such relative longitudinal movement.

Abstract: The invention comprises a plug assembly for selectively closing and opening a flowway in a tubular conduit. The apparatus includes a seating body having a main passage and adapted to be mounted in the conduit with the main passage in register with the conduit flowway. The seating body defines a seat for receipt of a plug for closing the main passage and supporting a pressure differential across the seat. The apparatus further includes a release control mechanism operative upon the presence of a pressure differential across the seat in excess of a given magnitude to open a bypass passageway bypassing the seat and plug to permit a relatively slow decrease in the pressure differential across the seat.

Abstract: Disclosed is pressure responsive holding apparatus for maintaining a first cylindrical element fixed against fluid pressure induced longitudinal movement relative to a second element generally circumscribing the first element. The apparatus includes a gripping device, carried by the first element, and reponsive to fluid pressure between the two elements by moving into anchoring engagement with the second element to hold the first element fixed relative to the second element with force which increases as the fluid pressure increases. In the embodiment shown, the holding apparatus is used to retain a bypass passage through a well packer set in a well conduit closed by preventing fluid pressure from raising a mandrel assembly within the packer body to open the bypass passage.