Abstract: A slip assembly carried about a liner for lowering into a wellbore includes a C-ring having an inner conical surface contracted about a matching outer surface of the liner and held in contracted position by disposal of its end closely within a recess in the member. When its end is raised from the recess, the c-ring expands to cause its teeth to engage with the wellbore, whereby the liner may be lowered to further expand the c-ring to cause its teeth to dig into the wellbore to suspend the liner therefrom.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for varying fluid pressure in a circulation system while circulating a kick out of a well bore 30 drilled through a subterranean formation using a drilling rig 25 and a drill string 50. The kick may be automatically circulated out of the well bore and/or a kill fluid may be circulated into the well bore. A controller 100 reduces the circulation rate by automatically controlling the rate of the pump 90 and the position of well bore choke 70. Various sensors interconnected with the controller may be used to maintain circulation system operation. The controller may control various components utilized in the circulation procedure to maintain a substantially constant bottom hole pressure on the formation while circulating the kick out of the well.

Abstract: An improved inflatable packer 10 is provided having a pre-stretched bladder to minimize Z-folding. An expandable outer body 11 includes an inner elastomeric bladder layer 12, a reinforcement layer 14 which may include overlapping slats or cable, and an outer elastomer cover layer 16 which may cover only a portion of the reinforcement layer 14. The bladder 12 may expand non-uniformly due to the variations in the cross-section of the borehole 20, irregularities in construction of the bladder 12, and/or difference in resistance to expansion between the covered portion and the exposed portion of the reinforcement layer 14. An improved inflatable packer and method comprises pre-stretching the bladder 12 to keep the bladder in tension and minimize the occurrence of Z-folds.

Abstract: The chemical injection system (10) is provided for controlling the distribution of chemical fluid from a supply conduit (12) into an individual petroleum well at an adjustable rate. The system includes a remotely operated two position control valve (14) connected to the supply conduit, and cylinder (30) having a cylinder bore (31) with first input-output port (34), and a second input-output port (36). The fluid barrier (50, 150, 250, 251) is provided within the cylinder bore, such that chemical fluid flows from the supply conduit through the control valve to one end of the cylinder bore and forces the barrier to displace a fixed volume of fluid. Each operation of the directional control valve reverses travel direction of the barrier within the cylinder bore and injects another fixed quantity of fluid into the well.

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: A pumped voltage generating circuit for a semiconductor device is disclosed in which measures are taken to minimize undesirable gate-induced diode leakage, especially during standby or idle states of operation of the device. In one embodiment, the pumped voltage generating circuit comprises a charge pump for generating a voltage which is either higher than the voltage of an externally-applied positive supply voltage or lower than the voltage of an externally-applied negative supply voltage. In one disclosed embodiment, a voltage pump generates a pumped voltage and a voltage regulator provides a regulated voltage, where the pumped voltage is characterized as being either more positive than the most positive externally-applied positive voltage supply signal or more negative than the most negative externally-applied negative voltage signal. The pumped voltage and the regulated voltage are applied to respective inputs of a multiplexer receiving a select signal.

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 gas sampling separator 29 for the separation of liquid or other contaminants from gas received from a pipeline may be easily inspected visually and cleaned. A cylindrical body 62 forming a separation chamber 64 is threaded onto a base 40. A tube 68 within the separation chamber receives gas from a port in the base and directs the gas into the separation chamber for separation of the gas from the contaminants. The separated contaminants collect in a sump 58 formed by the base and may be vented upon actuation of a manually actuated valve 76.

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: A semiconductor memory device is organized in such a way that undesirable interference and cross-coupling between various signals generated during operation of the device is minimized. The semiconductor memory device comprises an array of rows and columns of memory cells organized logically and physically into a plurality of sub-arrays. Within each sub-array, the memory cells are organized logically and physically into a plurality of dependent, interleaved banks of memory cells. The banks of memory cells, in turn, each comprise a plurality of memory cores comprising a plurality of memory cells. The memory cores are arranged in such a way as to define a plurality of substantially elongate, orthogonal “stripes” therebetween. Row decoder circuitry for selecting a specified row of memory cells is disposed along the stripes extending in a first direction.

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: A safety kit 10 is provided for use with a flexible hose 2 for interconnecting a portable tank 14 with a another tank 12 to transmit fluids between the tanks. The safety kit includes a control housing 5 adapted for securing to one end of the hose, and a cable support housing 36 for securing to the opposing end of the hose. A valve member 20 is moveable relative to a seating surface for opening and closing flow through the control housing. A cable 18 is provided for positioning within the flexible hose 2. The cable may be in compression in one embodiment and in tension in other embodiments. If in compression, the cable support housing includes a cable loading mechanism 210, 250. When the cable is in tension, the trigger moves in response to movement of the cable to close off flow to the flexible hose.

Abstract: A booster actuator 10 may be positioned between the solenoid 12 and a valve 14, and increases the energy output from the solenoid to activate the valve. The booster actuator 10 may include a force input member 28 and a force output member 30 each linearly movable with respect to a body 20 from an initial position to an activated position. A coil spring 46 biases the input member to the initial input position, while a plurality of disk springs 48 bias the output member 30 to the activated output position. A plurality of linking members 32 each pivotable with respect to the body normally retain the force output member in the initial position, but upon movement of the input member to the activated position release the force output member in response to the disk springs.

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: An apparatus for connecting first and second tubular bodies comprising first and second flange assemblies, each of which has a hub and an annular flange in surrounding relationship to the hub, the hubs and flanges having engageable, complementary frustoconical surfaces that, when the first and second flange assemblies are subjected to compressive loading by means of threaded studs and nuts, cooperate to urge seal faces on the hubs into metal-to-metal sealing contact.

Abstract: A tubing hanger positioned within the bore of a wellhead body has a vertical bore from which a tubing string may be suspended within a well bore. When the hanger is landed, a fluid passageway in the tubing hanger has one end in fluid communication with a passageway in the wellhead body and its other end connected to a pressure responsive downhole function. The poppet valve mounted in the passageway is urged closed, and when opened permits fluid pressure from a source to be supplied to the function.

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.