Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for extending a pressurization time interval. The pressurization-extending device includes a number of components which cooperate together. The pressurization-extending device is coupled between a source of pressurized fluid, such as a pump, and a fluid-actuated wellbore tool, such as an inflatable packer or inflatable bridge plug. The components include an input for receiving pressurized fluid from the source of pressurized fluid, and an output for directing pressurized fluid to the fluid-actuated wellbore tool to supply an actuating force to the fluid-actuated wellbore tool. The pressurization-extending device further includes a timer device, which is responsive to the actuating force of the pressurized fluid, for automatically maintaining the actuating force of the pressurized fluid within the fluid-actuated wellbore tool at a preselected force level for a preselected time interval.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for actuating one or more downhole well tools carried by a production or work string conduit having an imperforate wall and for blocking fluid communication between an activating fluid body and a second fluid source within said well across dynamic seals between actuating members of the well tool, by producing selective signals through the conduit wall detectable by a member to produce an activating signal for actuating the downhole well tool by a downhole energy source.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the wedge-set sealing flap of the present invention includes a cylindrical mandrel disposed about a central longitudinal axis, the mandrel defining interior and exterior surfaces. At least one of the interior and exterior surfaces of the cylindrical mandrel at least in-part define a fluid flow passage. The mandrel further includes a radially-enlarged portion, and a radially-reduced portion. A cavity is disposed between the radially-enlarged portion and the radially-reduced portion. The cavity has a predetermined radial clearance. A wedge member is circumferentially disposed about the radially-reduced portion of the cylindrical mandrel in substantial axial alignment with the cavity, and slidably engaging the radially-reduced portion. The wedge member has a predetermined radial thickness which exceeds the predetermined radial clearance of a cavity by a preselected amount.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a subterranean well annulus pressure safety valve. In one embodiment, the valve is full opening to permit complete access therethrough of wireline and other remedial tools, and contains the annulus safety valve members completely offset from the central housing. The invention also relate to an annulus safety valve wherein a series of valve elements are placed exterior of a central housing and may be staged to open in series upon incremental increase of pressure thereacross. The annulus safety valve also provides pressure equalization means to equalize pressure across the valve cluster prior to opening of the cluster. The annulus safety valve also has selectively disengagable sealing plug means therein which may be removed while the valve is in the well to increase total fluid flow area through the valve components of the apparatus. A method of controlling an annular area interior of casing within a well using the annulus safety valve also is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reinflatable external casing packer which is operable in three modes, including a filling mode of operation, a locking mode of operation, and a reinflation mode of operation. A valve system is provided which allows for selective filling and reinflation of the external casing packer in response to suspected or detected loss of pressure within the inflation chamber. The present invention may also be characterized as a method of placing a wellbore.

Abstract: The present invention is a wellbore tool which includes as a component an actuator which is composed at least in-part of a shape-memory material characterized by having a property of switching between a deformed shape and a pre-deformed shape upon receipt of thermal energy of a preselected amount. The wellbore tool further includes a component which is movable in position relative to a wellbore tubular conduit into a selected one of a plurality of configurations. The plurality of configurations include a first configuration with the first component in a first position relative to the wellbore tubular conduit, and corresponding to a first mode of operation of the wellbore tool. The plurality of configurations also includes a second configuration with the first component in a second position relative to the wellbore tubular conduit, and corresponding to a second mode of operation in the wellbore tool.

Abstract: A downhole connection is provided which allows downhole releasable coupling between a workstring and a wellbore tool. The downhole connection includes a pin connector affixed to the upper end of the wellbore tool, and a box connector which is part of a retrieving head affixed to the lower end of the workstring. The pin connector has a generally cylindrical exterior surface with two lugs which are laterally disposed and extend radially therefrom. The box connector has an interior cylindrical surface with two continuous combinations of grooves disposed therein to form a track, or pathway, for the two lugs disposed on the exterior surface of the pin connector to matingly engage within to couple the workstring to the wellbore tool. When the box connector and the pin connector are matingly engaged, both torque and axial force may be transmitted from the workstring to the wellbore tool for conveyance and manipulation of the wellbore tool.

Abstract: A vehicle air treatment unit includes a number of components which cooperate together. A temperature exchange coil is housed in a coil housing. The coil housing has an input port for receiving air from the interior of the vehicle and an exhaust port. A blower motor is disposed in the coil housing adjacent the temperature exchange coils, and has a shaft oriented toward the exhaust port of the coil housing. A motor mount is coupled to the coil housing at the exhaust port for coupling the blower motor in a fixed position relative to the coil housing. A blower wheel is coupled to the motor shaft at the exhaust of the coil housing, in axial alignment with the temperature exchange coils. A blower housing in disposed about the blower wheel. The blower motor operates to pull air from the interior of the vehicle and through the temperature exchange coils by rotating the blower wheel within the blower housing.

Abstract: In subterranean wells, it is common to effect the radial expansion of an annular organic packing element into sealing engagement between a tubular inner body and the inner wall of a well conduit, such as a well casing. Extrusion of the organic material has been encountered between the inner surface of upper and lower cone elements and the exterior of a tubular body portion and also between the inclined surfaces of upper and lower cone elements and the cooperating surfaces of cone rings. The first mentioned extrusion path is eliminated by forming a generally radial surface on the inner end of the upper and lower cones orthogonal to the tubular body and inserting a carbon fiber filled organic material in the resulting annular chamber.

Abstract: A downhole well tool is provided which includes a shifting sleeve for opening a flow communication port. The well tool includes first and second primary seal elements positioned upstream and downstream, respectively, of the port as well as upstream and downstream of the threaded connections between the well tool and sections of tubing forming the well flow conduit. A fluid diffuser element may be included to abate flow damage across the primary seal elements during the shifting of the sleeve. A method of selectively transmitting fluid incorporating said well tool also is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use on a subterranean well conduit. The apparatus comprises a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior and exterior walls. A fluid flow passageway is provided within the interior wall and a fluid flow passage extends from the interior of the tubular member through the exterior wall and in communication with the fluid flow passageway. Retention mesh means are disposed around the exterior of the tubular member and pass across the fluid flow passage means having a fluid flow openings therethrough, the retention mesh means preventing particulate solids in a fluid permeable bed of the apparatus from passing into the fluid flow passage and into the fluid flow passageway through the subterranean conduit.

Abstract: A seal assembly is provided for use in a fluid flow conduit, and includes a valve seat and a valve plug. The valve seat includes a seating lip formed at least in-part of yieldable material. The valve plug is passed through the fluid flow conduit and caused to sealingly engage the valve seat. Together the valve seat and valve plug form an obstruction to the passage of fluid within the fluid flow conduit, and pressure is developed upstream. At a predetermined pressure level the valve deforms the valve seat, and is passed therethrough. A larger valve plug can be passed until it seats against the enlarged valve seat. The pass-through process can be repeated.

Abstract: An inflatable packing element for an inflatable packer or bridge plug utilized in subterranean wells comprises a tubular elastomeric sleeve which is surrounded by a plurality of circumferentially overlapping flexible metal ribs. The opposite ends of the ribs are respectively welded to an external surface provided on a force transmitting sleeve. The sleeve is provided with a shoulder having an abutting relationship with an internally projecting shoulder provided on the tubular mounting structure for the inflatable element.

Abstract: A pull release apparatus is provided for use in a wellbore when coupled between a fluid-actuated wellbore tool and a retrievable source of pressurized fluid. The pull release, fluid-actuated tool, and source of pressurized fluid are positioned in the wellbore by a positioning member, such as a wireline or a work string. A central fluid conduit is defined within the pull release device, and is adapted for receiving pressurized fluid from the source of pressurized fluid, and for directing the pressurized fluid to the fluid-actuated wellbore tool. A first latch is provided, which is operable in latched and unlatched positions. The first latch mechanically links the source of pressurized fluid to the fluid-actuated wellbore tool which unlatches the source of pressurized fluid from the fluid-actuated wellbore tool in response to axial force of a first preselected magnitude. A lock is provided which is operable in locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use on a subterranean well conduit. The apparatus comprises a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior and exterior walls. A fluid flow passageway is provided within the interior wall and a fluid flow passage extends from the interior of the tubular member through the exterior wall and in communication with the fluid flow passageway. Retention means are disposed around the exterior of the tubular member and pass across the fluid flow passage means having a fluid flow openings therethrough, the retention means preventing particulate solids in a fluid permeable bed of the apparatus from passing into the fluid flow passage and into the fluid flow passageway through the subterranean conduit.

Abstract: An inflatable packing tool is provided for use in a subterranean wellbore. The inflatable packing tool is coupled to a wellbore conduit with a central bore which directs pressurized fluid into the wellbore. The inflatable packing tool includes a central tubular body for directing fluid in the wellbore. Upper and lower stationary collar members are secured to the central tubular body for coupling the central tubular body to the wellbore conduit. An annular inflatable packing element surrounds the central tubular body, and includes a flexible fluid-tight sleeve covered by a plurality of overlapping an axially extending reinforcing ribs. A slidable sleeve assembly is coupled to one end of the annular inflatable packing element.

Abstract: A seal is provided for containing fluid (either gaseous or liquid fluids) under variable pressure in a pressurized region to prevent leakage into a less pressurized region. First and second interfacing seal members are provided and adapted to slidably engage one another at an interface region during makeup of the seal apparatus. A seal region is carried by the first seal member at the interface region and composed of a deformable material. A seal bead is carried at the interface region by the second seal member and protrudes therefrom. The seal bead is composed of a material less malleable than the seal region for seating in the seal region. At least a portion of the second seal member adjacent the seal bead forms a containment barrier with the pressurized region on one side and the less-pressurized region on the opposite side.

Abstract: In a blow film extrusion system in which film is extruded as a tube from an annular die and then pulled along a predetermined path, an apparatus is provided for gauging and controlling the circumference of the extruded film tube. At least one transducer, preferably ultrasonic, is mounted adjacent the extruded film tube for transmitting and receiving interrogating pulses along paths normal to the extruded film tube, and for producing a current position signal corresponding to the circumference of the extruded film tube. The current position signal is continuously compared with at least one previous position signal, preferably with a computer program resident in a controller memory. If at least one preselected condition is violated, the current position signal is disregarded in favor of an estimated position signal.

Abstract: In subterranean wells, it is common to effect the radial expansion of an annular organic sacking element into sealing engagement between a tubular inner body and the inner wall of a well conduit, such as a well casing. Extrusion of the organic material has been encountered between the inner surface of upper and lower cone elements and the exterior of a tubular body portion and also between the inclined surfaces of upper and lower cone elements and the cooperating surfaces of cone rings. The first mentioned extrusion path is eliminated by forming a generally radial surface on the inner end of the upper and lower cones orthogonal to the tubular body, and inserting a carbon fiber filled organic material in the resulting annular chamber.

Abstract: An inflatable packing device is provided for use in wellbore containing fluid. The inflatable packing device provides a seal between a conduit carrying the inflatable packing device and an interior surface within the wellbore. A cylindrical housing is provided having a central longitudinal axis, and including upper and lower collar members. A means for securing the cylindrical housing to the conduit is provided. An annular inflatable wall with upper and lower ends is secured to the upper and lower collar members respectively, with the annular inflatable wall disposed over at least a portion of the cylindrical housing. The annular inflatable wall includes an inner elastomeric sleeve covered by an array of movable slats. Upper and lower elastomeric annular covers are disposed over a portion of the annular inflatable wall between the upper and lower collar members of the cylindrical housing.