Abstract: An integrated control system, specifically transportable on water between offshore wells, includes mixing and blending subsystems, a pumping subsystem, a proppant subsystem and a control subsystem for controlling the other subsystems in a unified manner from a common control location.

Abstract: A self-leveling mixing apparatus includes a transportable skid frame. A mixing tub is supported from the frame in a manner such that the tube is movable between first and second positions relative to the frame. The tube has a tub fluid outlet defined in a lower portion thereof. A suction conduit is supported from the skid frame for transport therewith and includes a manifold inlet, a manifold outlet, and a tub outlet conduit portion located upstream of the manifold outlet and connected to the tub fluid outlet. A leveling valve is also included and is disposed in the suction conduit upstream of the manifold outlet for controlling a level of fluid in the tub. A connector linkage operably connects the tube and the leveling valve for adjusting the leveling valve in response to movement of the tub relative to the skid frame.

Abstract: A double poppet area relief valve for use in a well treatment pumping system. The relief valve includes a housing comprising a cylinder and a body. A piston is disposed in the cylinder and has a push rod extending therefrom into the body. A double poppet assembly is attached to an end of the push rod. In one embodiment, the double poppet assembly includes a sealing poppet assembly for sealing with a poppet seat when in a closed position and an orificing poppet assembly for providing throttled fluid flow through the body when in an open position. In a second embodiment, a ring holder is attached to the push rod and has a sealing poppet ring and an orificing poppet ring disposed thereon. The sealing poppet ring and the orificing poppet ring function in a manner similar to the sealing poppet assembly and orificing poppet assembly, respectively, of the first embodiment. With both embodiments, wear is minimized on the sealing poppet so that the valve will reseal on the poppet seat when closed after usage.

Abstract: A well testing apparatus includes a housing having a formation fluid flow passage. A sliding sleeve tester valve is reciprocably disposed in the housing. A probe separable from the housing and constructed to be received coaxially within the sliding sleeve tester valve has a probe passage defined therethrough for communicating the formation fluid flow passage with a measuring device carried on the probe. A probe valve is also disposed in the housing and is constructed to receive a lower end of the probe. A releasable connector operably connects the probe and the sliding sleeve tester valve so that the sliding sleeve tester valve is moved between its open and closed positions in response to reciprocal movement of the probe relative to the housing. The tester valve can be operated an indefinite number of times, and whenever desired the probe can be disconnected from the tester valve in response to an appropriately timed reciprocable motion of the probe.

Abstract: A retrievable gravel packer and retrieving tool therefor. The gravel packer includes an inner mandrel assembly attached to an operating tool by a left-hand threaded connection. The packer is set without rotation by the operating tool to move a pusher sleeve downwardly with respect to the mandrel, compressing a packer element and setting slips into engagement with a well bore. A ratchet prevents the pusher sleeve assembly from moving upwardly with respect to the mandrel. The packer may be retrieved by the retrieving tool which has a lower collet engagable with a releasing mandrel in the packer. After releasing collets held by the releasing mandrel, the inner mandrel of the packer is released so that the packer element and slips engaged by the mandrel are disengaged from the well bore. An upper collet in the retrieving tool engages the left-hand thread in the packer mandrel so that the packer and retrieving tool may be raised out of the well bore.

Abstract: The plug set of the present invention comprises an upper plug having a non-rotation insert retained therein and a lower plug having longitudinal splines therein and a non-rotation insert on the bottom thereof.

Abstract: An easily drillable production packer for use in testing, treating and squeeze cementing operations in wells which may be easily converted by securing an appropriate baffle, profile, valve assembly or plug assembly to the lower end of the mandrel thereof.

Abstract: A pressure actuated flow control valve for use in conjunction with inflatable packers and grouting systems on offshore oil platforms. The valve includes an elongated body with a plurality of pistons slidably disposed in the body between first and second positions, each piston being positioned adjacent a corresponding discharge port on the body. When in the first position, the piston sealingly closes the corresponding discharge port. When the piston is in the second position, the piston sealingly closes another discharge port adjacent the corresponding discharge port. A plurality of sleeves are annularly positioned around each of the pistons. First and second pressure lines are provided in communication with volumes adjacent opposite ends of pistons such that alternate pressurizing of the first and second pressure lines results in sequential movement of the pistons from the first to second positions.

Abstract: A system includes an interface through which actual train operating data can be transferred from a recording medium, such as a magnetic tape, into a train simulator. The date contents of the magnetic tape are generated from real-time data obtained on-board an operating locomotive. For entering additional data, the interface switches a manual data entry terminal to the train simulator in response to a control signal provided by the train simulator. A method incorporating this system simulates train responses to the actual train operating data.

Abstract: A hydraulic setting tool for packers. The setting tool comprises a case with a ball valve therein, a bypass passageway for bypassing around the ball valve when the ball valve is in a closed position, a fill valve for closing the bypass passageway when desired, and a packer setting sleeve for hydraulically setting a packer attached below the setting tool. The fill valve is preferably characterized by a sliding sleeve valve annularly disposed on a stationary mandrel in the case and is movable in response to a pressure in the tool. The packer setting sleeve is attached to a setting piston which may be actuated in response to a first differential pressure between the tool string and a well annulus. A slidable mandrel is provided in operative association with the ball valve and is movable in response to a second differential pressure between the well annulus and the tool string.

Abstract: Apparatus for retaining axial mandrel movement relative to a cylindrical housing. A cylindrical housing has an open longitudinal passageway therethrough and a circulation port disposed through a wall thereof. A valve mandrel is slidably received in the housing and is moveable between a position in which fluid may be circulated only between the passageway and the exterior of the housing, a position in which fluid may be circulated only between the exterior of the housing and the passageway and a position in which fluid may not be circulated in either direction. An annular piston is operatively connected to the valve mandrel and has a first side exposed to the pressure exterior of the housing and a second side exposure to the pressure interior of the housing to permit movement of the valve mandrel to its various positions by application of pressure to the interior and exterior of the housing.

Abstract: A progressive cavity pump capable of operating at both high and low system pressures. The pump includes a housing with an elastomeric stator disposed therein. A rotor is rotatably and pumpingly disposed in a pumping chamber defined by the stator. A support member is disposed annularly between inner and outer portions of the stator, and the member bears longitudinally against an annular end portion of the stator and a facing annular shoulder in the housing such that deformation of the stator is prevented when high inlet pressures are present.

Abstract: The present invention includes devices for absorbing shock in a tool string within a borehole. These components may serve together in a variety of configurations to form a shock absorbing system. A longitudinal shock absorber is connected in the tool string. The longitudinal shock absorber includes compressible members utilized to damp longitudinal movement. A radial shock absorber is connected in the tool string. The radial shock absorber includes resiliently mounted contact pads for contacting the sides of the borehole to damp radial movement. A carrier assembly is utilized to provide a shock absorbing mounting for particularly delicate components such as gauges, and to damp any shock which might be transmitted thereto from either a radial or longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A sub-surface release plug assembly for use in cementing an outer casing annulus around a well casing. The assembly includes a top plug releasably connected to a drill string by a collet mechanism and including a swivel connector and a vent thereabove. A sleeve assembly extends through the top plug and a bottom plug is releasably attached thereto. A vent is provided in the sleeve assembly between the top and bottom plugs, and this vent may be closed prior to releasing the bottom plug. The construction of the inner sleeve assembly provides that no high pressure from the drill string is applied to inner portions of either the top or bottom plugs. Thus, the plugs may be made of relatively soft, easily drillable material, even including plastic. When the lower plug is released and pumped to the bottom of the well casing, additional pressure opens a valve so that a flow passageway is provided therethrough.

Abstract: A self-leveling mixer apparatus includes a base and a generally downwardly tapered movable mixing tub supported from the base in a manner such that the tub is movable between first and second positions relative to the base. A leveling valve is provided for controlling a level of fluid in the movable mixing tub. A connector linkage is operably associated with the mixing tub and the leveling valve for adjusting the leveling valve in response to movement of the mixing tube relative to the base. A rotating mechanical agitator is disposed within the tub for inducing a generally vortex type of fluid flow pattern within the generally downward tapered tub.

Abstract: A vent subassembly includes a vent body having an opening which is covered or uncovered dependent upon the location of a vent sleeve relative to the vent body. The vent subassembly can be connected below a packer, and the vent sleeve can be connected to a perforator so that movement of the vent sleeve is concurrently communicated to the perforator, such as for initiating the firing of the perforator. The vent sleeve is moved by an actuator subassembly, which is to be connected above the packer if the vent and actuator subassemblies are used with a packer. The actuator subassembly has a piston housing, a piston slidably disposed in the piston housing, and a connector string extending from the piston to the vent sleeve. The piston is responsive to a differential pressure existing between the annulus outside the actuator subassembly and an interior pressure within the actuator subassembly.

Abstract: A dual seal valve having a bubble-tight primary seal and a metal-to-metal secondary seal for sealing engagement with a rotating valve element. The primary seal is preferably a composite seal comprising a relatively hard, high lubricity element bonded to a relatively soft, resilient elastomeric element. The elastomeric element biases the hard element into sealing engagement with the valve element. Several embodiments of the primary seal are disclosed. Tapered inserts are positioned on opposite sides of the valve element, and a seal groove is provided on a tapered outer surface of the insert and adapted for receiving a seal therein. The groove has an enlarged portion which provides a seal relief, allowing deformation and unsealing disengagement of the seal when pressure thereon exceeds a predetermined level. While plug valve embodiments are disclosed, the dual seal arrangement and seal relief are also applicable to ball valves, spherical plug valves, and other valve types having rotating valve elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the operation of a railroad train includes two on-board units which collect and utilize data for ultimate transfer to a portable unit which can be carried onto and off of the railroad train. One of these on-board units operates under microcomputer control to compute speed, acceleration/deceleration, and distance traveled data and to store such computred data for subsequent transfer to the portable unit. The other on-board unit acquires additional data under separate microcomputer control. This data acquisition retrieves either binary or analog data, or both, and stores it in the acquiring on-board unit for later transfer to a separate memory in the other on-board unit for subsequent transfer to the portable unit. Power failure detection circuits are also implemented to insure the microcomputers are initiated in respective determinate states.

Abstract: A retrievable gravel packer and retrieving tool therefor. The gravel packer includes an inner mandrel assembly attached to an operating tool by a left-hand threaded connection. The packer is set without rotation by the operating tool to move a pusher sleeve downwardly with respect to the mandrel, compressing a packer element and setting slips into engagement with a well bore. A ratchet prevents the pusher sleeve assembly from moving upwardly with respect to the mandrel. The packer may be retrieved by the retrieving tool which has a lower collet engagable with a releasing mandrel in the packer. After releasing collets held by the releasing mandrel, the inner mandrel of the packer is released so that the packer element and slips engaged by the mandrel are disengaged from the well bore. An upper collet in the retrieving tool engages the left-hand thread in the packer mandrel so that the packer and retrieving tool may be raised out of the well bore.

Abstract: A hydrant includes one or more novel and improved features, namely: (1) a nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle and a retainer ring mounted from within the upper standpipe section of the hydrant; (2) an operating assembly defining an excess reservoir volume to receive valve stem lubricating fluid to prevent blocking movement of the valve stem; (3) a coupling assembly including a collar, a retainer ring for engaging one end of the collar against one standpipe section, and a retainer bar inserted through the collar and bent around an adjoining standpipe section; (4) a coupling assembly including a floating seal band carrying two seals, one of which seals against one standpipe section and the other of which seals against an adjoining standpipe section; (5) an otherwise conventional valve body but for a double-D valve body cavity in which a complemental boss of a valve member retainer disk is nested to prevent rotation therebetween, and also including a flat sealing gasket disposed between the valve stem and an ann