Abstract: A variable displacement pump is controlled throughout a broad range of operating conditions between a maximum pressure, low flow rate combination and a minimum pressure, high flow rate combination even when the pump is driven by a power limited prime mover. Different relief valves set at different operating pressures are automatically selectably connected to a control port of the pump in response to the actual flow rate of the fluid pumped by the pump reaching different flow rate set points.

Abstract: A shock absorber device for inclusion in a tool string to provide rapid shock dissipation for shock forces traveling up or down the string. The device includes a tubular mandrel and an outer casing that forms an annular chamber therearound. At least one annular piston and one or more metering sleeves are formed integral with the outer casing and function to divide the annular chamber into a plurality of annular chambers that are filled with either nitrogen gas or silicone oil under selected pressures. Thus, the mandrel supports the lower tool string resiliently due to the fluid supported annular pistons such that any shock wave traveling along the tool string will be rapidly dissipated at the fluid piston interfaces.

Abstract: An indicating ball catcher for use in a downhole drill pipe or tool string. The ball catcher comprises an upper body portion having an inlet opening smaller than any ball pumped thereto and a lower body portion. An elongated case interconnects the upper and lower body portions. A bypass is provided for allowing fluid flow around any ball caught in the apparatus and preventing the ball from being pumped therefrom. A reverse bypass may be provided so that fluid back flow is allowed without pumping the balls therefrom. In one embodiment, the apparatus can accommodate balls which have a larger cross-sectional area than an inner cross-sectional area of the case. The apparatus provides pressure indications at the surface when a ball reaches the upper body portion and when the ball enters the case.

Abstract: An ultra high pressure fluid end for a reciprocating pump. The pump fluid end has a built-in accumulator characterized by an annular volume chamber defined in a body of the pump end. There may be a plurality of such chambers which are interconnected by a discharge manifold which is also in communication with an outlet of the body. The pump fluid end also uses frictional clamping to connect the pump plunger to the drive end of the pump. The frictional clamping includes a collet assembly comprising a split collet positioned around an end of the plunger, a collet hub disposed around the collet, and an adapter adjacent to the collet hub. Fasteners are used for clamping the collet hub to the adapter and thereby causing the collet to clampingly or grippingly engage the plunger. Coaxial inlet and outlet valves are provided in the body. A pressure retainer is disposed in the body around the plunger, and packing is used to seal between the plunger and the pressure retainer.

Abstract: A fatigue resistant buttress thread. The thread has a load flank angle of approximately 30.degree. plus or minus approximately 5.degree. and a relief flank angle of approximately 46.degree. plus or minus approximately 5.degree.. The thread engaged depth is approximately 0.232 times the pitch of the thread, and the thread has a root radius approximately 0.175 times the pitch. The thread is particularly well adapted for use in cover retainers for holding valves and rupture discs in plunger pumps. Finite element analysis and actual tests indicate a greatly improved fatigue resistance compared to previously known buttress threads and other thread forms.

Abstract: A surge enhanced cavitating jet for a fluid jetting system. The cavitating jet includes a nozzle portion having a conical throat followed by a fluid separating section. Immediately downstream from the separating section is a substantially cylindrical surge section. The length and inside diameter of the surge section are sized such that a minimum annular area is defined between the inside diameter of the surge section and the outside of the fluid stream as the fluid discharges from the cavitating jet such that cavitation is contained in the surge volume. The fluid stream does not impinge the inside diameter of the cavitating jet. A jetting system including a pump and valve is also disclosed.

Abstract: A packer apparatus, particularly a cup type casing packer shoe, includes a pressure-actuated closing sleeve and pressure-actuated pumpout seats. An upper pumpout seat moves with the closing sleeve in response to a first pressure so that the closing sleeve closes ports through which fluid is communicated to an annulus outside the apparatus. Both the upper pumpout seat and a lower pumpout seat and any intervening fluid are pumped out of the apparatus in response to a second, higher pressure so that the apparatus communicates with the well below the annulus without a drillout procedure having to be performed through the apparatus or a tubing string in which the apparatus is connected. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus comprises two or more tubs in which mixtures can be mixed to obtain averaging of a particular property, such as density. Two recirculation lines are used. One recirculates between an initial mixing tub and a mixing inlet, and the other recirculates from the additional, secondary averaging tub(s) and the mixing inlet. Computer control responds to densities of fluids recirculated through both of the recirculation lines. In a preferred embodiment, the computer is also responsive to pressure of one of the inlet substances. In response to these measured inputs and other data entered through a data entry terminal, the computer generates control signals for controlling the inputs of both of two inlet substances. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus and a corresponding method utilize displacement tanks both as averaging tubs and as conventional displacement tanks.

Abstract: A non-corrosive, non-metallic hatch apparatus is provided for use on a container having a container opening with a container flange surrounding the container opening. A hatch base includes a base flange complementary to and constructed to be bolted to the container flange. The hatch base has a hatch opening defined therethrough and includes a base thread surrounding the hatch opening. A non-metallic hatch lid includes a lid thread defined thereon which is complementary to the base thread so that the hatch lid can be attached to the hatch base to close the hatch opening by threaded engagement of the lid thread with the base thread.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for completing wells having corroded or leaking casing which are used as production and/or injection wells. The apparatus comprises a packer, an adapter assembly, and a stinger assembly installed in the well along with associated tubing strings to provide a new completion and production or injection string in the well.

Abstract: A multiple stage inflation packer with secondary opening rupture disc. The inflatable packer comprises a case with a closing sleeve, an opening sleeve and a releasing sleeve therein. An opening plug is dropped into the casing string and is allowed to free fall, or is pumped down, to actuate the opening sleeve to allow inflation of the packer element. A back check valve prevents the packer from deflating. After the packer is inflated, additional pressure is applied which ruptures a rupture disc to open a port to the well annulus above the set packer element. Cementing may be carried out through this port, and after the cementing operation, a closing plug is pumped down the well casing behind the cement to actuate the releasing sleeve and move the closing sleeve to seal off the ports. Another check valve insures that pressure is equalized on both sides of the rupture disc as the packer is run into the well bore.

Abstract: A chamber cleaning apparatus and method includes a conduit for conducting fluid into the chamber; a nozzle assembly, connected to the conduit, for creating one of an axial fluid spray to clean the interior surfaces of the first and second end walls of the chamber and a transverse fluid spray to clean the interior surfaces of the side walls of the chamber; a rotational drive assembly for rotating the nozzle means about a rotational axis generally parallel or coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the chamber; an axial drive assembly for moving the nozzle means a preselected distance toward or away from the first end wall of the chamber for each rotation of the nozzle assembly; a transverse drive assembly for moving the nozzle assembly a preselected transverse distance toward or away from the rotational axis for each rotation of the nozzle assembly. A swivel is provided having an outer sleeve body and an inner sleeve body with the inner sleeve body coaxially and rotatably positionable in the outer sleeve body.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus comprises two or more tubs in which mixtures can be mixed to obtain averaging of a particular property, such as density. Two recirculation lines are used. One recirculates between an initial mixing tub and a mixing inlet, and the other recirculates from the additional, secondary averaging tub(s) and the mixing inlet. Computer control responds to densities of fluids recirculated through both of the recirculation lines. In a preferred embodiment, the computer is also responsive to pressure of one of the inlet substances. In response to these measured inputs and other data entered through a data entry terminal, the computer generates control signals for controlling the inputs of both of two inlet substances. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus and a corresponding method utilize displacement tanks both as averaging tubs and as conventional displacement tanks.

Abstract: An automatic rate matching system is provided such that the delivery of bulk material is matched with the quantity of bulk material required by a process. An optical probe is used which determines the depth of material delivered into a hopper, prior to its retrieval for use in the process. The probe and associated electronic components output a signal to a CPU which then varies the speed of a belt conveyor based upon the depth of material. As the material depth decreases, belt speed is increased. Conversely, as material depth increases, belt speed is decreased. Therefore, the delivery rate of bulk material is matched to the quantity required in a process by varying the speed of the conveyor belt, based upon the depth of material in the hopper.

Abstract: An easily drillable non-metallic, non-rotating plug set for use in well cementing operations.

Abstract: A sequential remote control plug release system allows actuation of plug release plungers and manifold valves associated with a cementing plug container only in a predetermined sequence. With regard to a plug container having two plugs, and thus two plug release plungers, and three manifold valves, the middle and upper manifold valves and the upper plug release plunger can be opened and retracted only in a predetermined sequence. This is implemented through interconnected actuation valves and sequencing valves contained in a housing which can be located remotely from the plug container. An improvement in plug release plungers is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a multi-bank, transportable filter unit wherein all connections are mechanical and are isolated from the fluid being filtered.

Abstract: A shock absorber apparatus for inclusion in a tool string which consists of outer and inner casings telescopically assembled with one casing having an uphole threaded joint member and the other casing having a downhole threaded joint member. The concentric casings then define spaced, sealed voids communicating through a metering sleeve clearance that are filled with a compressible oil. Shock wave induced relative movement of the casings from either direction causes a shock absorbing instantaneous displacement of oil from one void to the other via the metering clearance. Alternatively, coil springs may be disposed in the voids to aid in shock absorption.

Abstract: A vessel for receiving a test sample of fluid whose water content is to be determined and a thermal neutron sensor are retained in cavities of a biological radioactivity shield. The cavities are lined with a material which blocks external thermal neutrons outside the test sample from being detected by the thermal neutron sensor. Another cavity, having an inner end terminated by the lining material, receives a source of fast neutrons which are to be emitted through the liner into the test sample to become thermal neutrons if they interact with hydrogen within the test sample. The latter thermal neutrons which are backscattered to the sensor are detected, and in response an electrical signal encoded to represent the count of detected thermal neutrons is generated to indicate a measure of the water content of the test sample.

Abstract: A time delay perforating apparatus and method of use. The apparatus includes at least one first and second gun with a time delay device positioned therebetween. The time delay device delays firing of the second gun for a predetermined period after firing of the first gun and prevents fluid communication between the first and second guns. The time delay device is positioned in a housing interconnecting the first and second guns and closes off a central opening through the housing. The time delay device includes a body with a primer assembly, a firing pin for detonating the primer assembly, an ignition mix ignited by detonation of the primer assembly, a time delay mix triggered by ignition of the ignition mix, and an explosive disposed in the body. The firing pin is oriented such that it closes off a central opening through the body. The explosive includes a primary explosive triggered by the time delay mix and a secondary explosive triggered by the primary explosive.