Abstract: A casing cementer with torque-limiting rotating positioning tool. The casing cementer comprises a housing with a rotating valve sleeve therein. A positioning tool is used to rotated the valve sleeve between open and closed positions thereof. No reciprication of the positioning tool is required. The valve sleeve has a sealing ring molded thereto for sealing between the housing and the valve sleeve. The valve sleeve preferably has an inside diameter at least as large as an inside diameter of the casing. A stop is provided to limit movement of the valve sleeve when it reaches either the open or closed position. A clutch in the positioning tool provides for torque-limitation and a ratcheting indication to the operator at the surface when the valve sleeve has been opened or closed.

Abstract: A lubricated packing assembly for a reciprocating pump. The packing assembly includes a packing ring for sealingly engaging the pump plunger. A seal carrier is disposed adjacent to the packing ring. A vent zone is defined between the packing ring and a vent passage extending longitudinally through the seal carrier. The vent zone includes grooves on inner and outer surfaces of the seal carrier and a hole interconnecting the grooves. This hole is in communication with the vent passage. A lubrication passage is also provided in the seal carrier, and a seal is positioned on opposite sides of the lubrication passage. Lubricant is provided to the plunger between the seals. The lubrication passage and the vent passage are isolated from one another so that communication therebetween is prevented. In this way, leakage past the packing ring is vented without contaminating the lubricant so that pressure from the pumped fluid cannot stop lubricant flow.

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: 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: 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: 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 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 progressive cavity pump for inflating downhole inflatable packers. The pump includes a case defining an inlet port and an outlet passageway therein in which the outlet passageway is in communication with the inflatable packer at a location below the pump in the well bore. An elastomeric stator is disposed in the case between the inlet port and the outlet passageway, and the stator has a convoluted inner surface. A rotor is disposed in the stator and rotatable with respect thereto. The rotor defines a convoluted outer surface thereon engaged with the inner surface of the stator such that a plurality of progressive pumping cavities are defined therebetween. As the rotor is rotated within the stator, fluid is moved from one cavity to the next, thereby pumping fluid from the inlet to the outlet. The rotor has a central opening therethrough which provides communication between the packer and an upper testing string portion. The rotor is supported on bearings and/or bushings.

Abstract: A burner apparatus for burning hydrocarbons. The apparatus comprises a body defining a plurality of nozzle ports therein, each port facing in a different direction, a discharge nozzle disposed in each nozzle port, and a water ring assembly disposed around the body. Each nozzle is held in place by a retainer such that a first gap is defined therebetween, and a retainer nut is attached to the body adjacent to the retainer such that a second gap is defined between the retainer and the nut. This second gap acts as an air discharge orifice and is in communication with an air passage defined in the body. The water ring assembly comprises an outer ring and an inner ring which combine to define an annular water chamber therebetween. The water chamber is in communication with a plurality of notches in the outer ring which act as water discharge nozzles for directing a water stream toward the burning petroleum and air stream discharged from the apparatus.

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.

Abstract: A front-discharge fluid end for a reciprocating pump. The fluid end is distinguished by an outlet valve which is positioned substantially coaxially with the pump plunger and generally facing a longitudinally outer end thereof. The outlet valve is held in place by a valve retainer which includes an outlet port and is connectable to an outlet line. For retrofitting prior pump cylinders, a plug assembly is disclosed for plugging the original outlet valve pocket.

Abstract: A subsea inflation and grout system for use on subsea supports of offshore drilling platforms and the like. The system includes at least one grout control valve and at least one inflation control valve, each of which has a piston therein with a side always exposed to hydrostatic pressure from the sea when submerged. In the event of damage to the grout line to the grout control valve or the inflation line to the inflation control valve, the piston in the valve is pressure balanced so that hydrostatic pressure cannot prematurely or accidentally move the piston. The piston in the grout control valve is held in place by a shear pin. The piston in the grout control valve is held in place by a spring. The piston in the inflation control valve further defines a passage therethrough, and a check valve is disposed in the passage for preventing fluid flow from the outlet of the inflation control valve to the inlet even when the piston is in an open position.

Abstract: A burner nozzle for burning petroleum products. The burner nozzle includes a tube portion with a burner nozzle insert disposed therein. A nut is threadingly engaged with the tube portion to hold the insert in place. The insert has a substantially conical nozzle portion with an inlet portion extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle portion. The inlet portion defines a plurality of inlet ports therethrough. The inlet ports are angled with respect to the longitudinal axis and have an outlet end adjacent to an inner surface of the nozzle portion.

Abstract: A burner nozzle for petroleum products. The burner nozzle comprises a housing portion with a nozzle assembly disposed therein. In the nozzle assembly are an outer disc and an inner disc disposed in the outer disc. Helical ramps on the outer and inner discs define gaps or fluid flow orifices therebetween. A spring biases the ramp on the inner disc toward the ramp on the outer disc. Fluid pressure in the tube portion forces the ramps apart to increase the orifice size to maintain a relatively high fluid flow velocity through a wide flow rate range. Fluid is discharged from the orifices in a spiraling pattern and impinges a conical inner surface of a swirl chamber from which the fluid is discharged from the burner nozzle.

Abstract: A long stroke packer for use in a well bore. The packer has a housing assembly with an operating mandrel assembly disposed therein. A packer mandrel assembly is slidably connected to the housing assembly. During operation, the operating mandrel assembly may be actuated to cycle a tool below the packer without setting the packer. After the operating mandrel assembly and housing assembly are moved a predetemined amount with respect to the packer mandrel assembly, the housing assembly is brought into contact with a sliding shoe on the packer mandrel assembly which in turn engages and deforms packer elements into sealing engagement with the well bore.

Abstract: A burner nozzle for burning petroleum products. The burner nozzle includes a fluid conduit with an air jacket disposed therearound such that a dead air space is defined therebetween to prevent fluid leakage from entering the air jacket. The burner nozzle comprises a replaceable air jetting assembly which provides an annular stream of air, either cylindrical or conical in configuration, which impinges the fluid stream exiting the nozzle for atomization thereof. The jetting assembly includes a replaceable and interchangeable jetting insert. A swirl chamber is provided in the fluid conduit to impart a swirling motion to fluid flowing therethrough. The swirl chamber is clamped in position on opposite sides thereof so that it is always in compression, thus allowing use of non-weldable materials. One embodiment has a variable air jetting orifice.

Abstract: An eccentric gear pump for use in pumping a variety of fluids. The pump has conventional plungers reciprocably positioned in a cylinder and includes a drive case with a rotatable drive shaft therein. The driven shaft is connected eccentrically to drive gears in a plurality of gear assemblies. Each gear assembly also includes a driven gear which has a yoke assembly eccentrically connected thereto. The yoke assembly is connected to a corresponding plunger. Rotation of the drive gear results in rotation of the driven gear which in turn causes reciprocation of the yoke assembly and plunger. Cam rollers are attached to opposite sides of the driven gear, and the cam rollers ride closely within a cam groove in a cam track on opposite sides of each driven gear. The interaction of the cam roller and the cam groove limits movement of the yoke assembly and piston to substantially purely reciprocal motion with respect to the drive case. Each gear assembly includes a pressure lubricated gear case.

Abstract: An apparatus for locking a packer against premature actuation in a well bore. The locking apparatus includes a sleeve attached to a lower end of the packer and spring biased locking members adjacent to the sleeve. When in a locked position, lugs on the locking members engage a groove in the sleeve and prevent longitudinal movement of a mandrel in the packer with respect to the packer elements. When the locking apparatus enters a liner in the well bore, the locking members are biased radially inwardly, disengaging the lugs from the groove, so that the packer mandrel may be actuated and the packer set.

Abstract: A hydraulic safety joint for use in a downhole tool string. The hydraulic safety joint includes a mandrel assembly slidably disposed in a case assembly such that a chamber is defined therebetween. The chamber is filled with a volume of fluid so that the mandrel is held in a first operating position. When in this first position, the mandrel is in splined engagement with a nipple at the lower end of the case assembly. Upon application of a predetermined tensile load on the tool string, a rupture disc in communication with the fluid chamber is ruptured so that the fluid is vented therefrom. When the pressure is thus released, the mandrel assembly is moved to a second position in which it is further extended from the case assembly. In this position, the mandrel assembly is no longer in splined engagement with the nipple, but a series of lugs prevents relative rotation between the mandrel assembly and an upper portion of the case assembly.

Abstract: An injection manifold for use in injecting fluid into a well and method of use. Several embodiments of the apparatus are shown. In each embodiment, a bypass valve is used to control the discharge pressure of a pump, and a throttling valve is used to control the fluid injection flow rate to the well in response to a flow rate measured by a flow meter. In a first embodiment, the throttling is carried out manually. In a second embodiment, the throttling is carried out automatically by a controller which compares a flow rate signal from the meter with a predetermined flow rate set point and sends a corresponding output signal to an actuator of the throttling valve. A third embodiment is a combination manifold which may also be used for flowback tests from the well. In this third embodiment, the electronic controller may also be used to control the flow rate during the flowback test in response to a flow rate signal from the flow meter. A method of injecting fluid into a well using the apparatus is also disclosed.