Abstract: A seal system includes a first annular component having a radially-outer surface with a first threaded portion and a first sealing portion, wherein the first sealing portion has a first angled surface that is oriented at a first angle relative to a vertical axis. The seal system also includes a second annular component having a radially-inner surface with a second threaded portion and a second sealing portion, wherein the second sealing portion has a second angled surface that is oriented at a second angle relative to the vertical axis, and the second angle is different from the first angle. The first annular component and the second annular component are configured to threadably couple to one another via the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion and to form a metal-to-metal seal against one another via the first angled surface and the second angled surface.

Abstract: A tool catcher system that includes a housing. The housing defines a bore that receives a tool. The tool catcher system includes a plurality of ring segments that move radially inward and radially outward to selectively couple to and uncouple from the tool. A spring plate supports the plurality of ring segments. An actuator plate couples to the spring plate. A plurality of shafts couple the actuator plate to the spring plate. An actuator system moves the actuator plate and the spring plate in a first direction to release the tool.

Abstract: A tool catcher system that includes a housing. The housing defines a bore that receives a tool. The tool catcher system includes a plurality of ring segments that move radially inward and radially outward to selectively couple to and uncouple from the tool. A spring plate supports the plurality of ring segments. An actuator plate couples to the spring plate. A plurality of shafts couple the actuator plate to the spring plate. An actuator system moves the actuator plate and the spring plate in a first direction to release the tool.

Abstract: Valves with articulated seal ring assemblies are provided. In one embodiment, a valve includes a hollow body having an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid communication with an inner chamber of the hollow body, a piston disposed within the inner chamber of the hollow body, and an articulated seal ring assembly carried by the piston. The articulated seal ring assembly includes a shear seal ring that is seated against an interior surface within the hollow body and is coupled to the piston via a joint that facilitates pivoting of the shear seal ring with respect to the piston. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring valve operation. In one embodiment, an apparatus for monitoring valve operation includes a first acoustic sensor and a monitoring system. The first acoustic sensor is to couple to a valve to detect vibration of the valve. The monitoring system is communicatively coupled to the first acoustic sensor. The monitoring system is configured to receive a signal generated by the first acoustic sensor. The signal is representative of vibration of the valve. The monitoring system is also configured to identify leakage in the valve based on the signal.

Abstract: A valve includes a cage having at least one fluid inlet proximate a first end of the cage and a fluid outlet proximate a second end of the cage. The valve also includes a spool configured to move axially within the cage between an open position in which the spool enables fluid flow from the at least one fluid inlet to the fluid outlet and a closed position in which the spool blocks fluid flow from the at least one fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The valve further includes an annular seal supported within an annular groove formed in one of the cage or the spool. The annular seal is configured to seal a radial gap between the cage and the spool while the spool is in the closed position and is positioned between the first end of the cage and the at least one fluid inlet along an axial axis of the valve to block fluid flow from the at least one fluid inlet to the fluid outlet while the spool is in the closed position.

Abstract: A pressure vessel having an adjustable volume to adjust a hydraulic time delay produced by the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel can include a piston with an adjustable stroke and a rod received in a housing to limit the stroke of the piston. The piston divides the housing into a pressure cavity and a reset cavity. Spacers can be removably coupled to the rod to limit the stroke of the piston. Optionally, a brake wall can be positioned to obstruct the path of the rod to limit the stroke of the piston.

Abstract: A subsea drilling system with a subsea component controllable by a fluid supply source. The system includes a pressure dampener in fluid communication between the fluid supply source and the subsea component. The pressure dampener includes a body consisting of a dampener fluid flow path which consists of a volume and a biasing system. The biasing system includes a piston biased to an initial position, wherein the piston is configured to move from the initial position to expand the volume of the dampener fluid flow path and dampen a pressure surge received by the pressure dampener and wherein the biasing system is configured to contract the volume of the dampener fluid flow path by returning the piston toward the initial position after dampening the pressure surge.

Abstract: Directional control valves with blind shear rings are provided. In one embodiment, a valve includes a piston within an inner chamber of a hollow body having inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with the inner chamber. The valve includes a shear seal ring positioned in the piston and seated against an interior surface within the hollow body. The shear seal ring includes an interior cavity for allowing fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port via the interior cavity depending on the position of the piston. Further, the valve includes a blind ring positioned in the piston. At least a portion of the blind ring is exposed to fluid via the interior cavity of the shear seal ring, and the blind ring prevents flow of fluid from the interior cavity of the shear seal ring through the blind ring. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve includes a cage having at least one fluid inlet proximate a first end of the cage and a fluid outlet proximate a second end of the cage. The valve also includes a spool configured to move axially within the cage between an open position in which the spool enables fluid flow from the at least one fluid inlet to the fluid outlet and a closed position in which the spool blocks fluid flow from the at least one fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The valve further includes an annular seal supported within an annular groove formed in one of the cage or the spool. The annular seal is configured to seal a radial gap between the cage and the spool while the spool is in the closed position and is positioned between the first end of the cage and the at least one fluid inlet along an axial axis of the valve to block fluid flow from the at least one fluid inlet to the fluid outlet while the spool is in the closed position.

Abstract: A pressure vessel having an adjustable volume to adjust a hydraulic time delay produced by the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel can include a piston with an adjustable stroke and a rod received in a housing to limit the stroke of the piston. The piston divides the housing into a pressure cavity and a reset cavity. Spacers can be removably coupled to the rod to limit the stroke of the piston. Optionally, a brake wall can be positioned to obstruct the path of the rod to limit the stroke of the piston.

Abstract: Directional control valves with blind shear rings are provided. In one embodiment, a valve includes a piston within an inner chamber of a hollow body having inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with the inner chamber. The valve includes a shear seal ring positioned in the piston and seated against an interior surface within the hollow body. The shear seal ring includes an interior cavity for allowing fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port via the interior cavity depending on the position of the piston. Further, the valve includes a blind ring positioned in the piston. At least a portion of the blind ring is exposed to fluid via the interior cavity of the shear seal ring, and the blind ring prevents flow of fluid from the interior cavity of the shear seal ring through the blind ring. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring valve operation. In one embodiment, an apparatus for monitoring valve operation includes a first acoustic sensor and a monitoring system. The first acoustic sensor is to couple to a valve to detect vibration of the valve. The monitoring system is communicatively coupled to the first acoustic sensor. The monitoring system is configured to receive a signal generated by the first acoustic sensor. The signal is representative of vibration of the valve. The monitoring system is also configured to identify leakage in the valve based on the signal.