Abstract: Apparatus for connecting together flowlines including separately actuated gripping and sealing assemblies which are actuated by hydraulic pressure but are held in actuated positions utilizing internally mounted mechanical-type mechanisms.

Abstract: The present mounting chock is a system of elements designed to allow the chock to conform to non-rectilinear objects and to therefore allow greater flexibility in mounting objects to floors or decks. The invention includes right and left mounting elements, the right and left elements being mirror images in the vertical plane, and a spacing attachment means which is used to locate the right and left mounting elements relative to the mounted object and to each other which together comprise a mounting chock.

Abstract: A device for preventing liquids or liquid-like substances splashed out of a bowl or basin from falling onto a background surface includes a base for supporting the device around a portion of the bowl or basin. A shield portion is attached to and extends upwardly from the base between the bowl or basin and the background surface. The base may include legs on opposite sides of a cutout in the shield portion for allowing access to a faucet or other fixture. The shield portion may be provided with an overhang folding back over the bowl or basin from the top of the shield portion, such overhang having a lip disposed vertically over the bowl or basin. The shield portion may include a rear shield and two side shields attached substantially perpendicularly to the base and to one another, and the base may include a lip for extending over an edge of the basin. The device preferably is made of a transparent or translucent material, such as acrylic plastic, safety glass, or the like.

Abstract: A reclosing apparatus for reclosing an open container while still laden with contents, to inhibit spillage of the contents. The reclosing apparatus comprises a plate mounted about the central post of a container top for rotating between open and closed positions. The plate includes an axis bore for receiving the central post therethrough, and a sealing region for effecting a spill-resistant seal over the opening in the container top. The sealing region may include a seal depression and/or a seal ridge. When the reclosing apparatus is in the closed position, the seal depression protrudes through the opening, effecting at least a partial spill-resistant seal therewith. The seal ridge, if included, is formed in the plate to matingly align with a border ridge formed in the container top around the periphery of the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealed housing for a bolt, including a nut body in threaded engagement with the bolt, and a housing which encloses the nut body. A lock cylinder locks the housing to an anchoring shoulder in the nut body. An elastomeric O-ring is disposed between a circumferential groove in the nut body and a gland bore in the housing.

Abstract: In the art of acoustic well sounding a gas-gun for the sudden discharge of a measured quantity of compressed gas, comprised of two chambers, viz. a discharge chamber closed at one end by a poppet, and on the opposite end by a power-head, the latter a cylinder including a sealed piston, with the poppet connected by sealed piston rod penetrating the cylinder head, and terminated at the piston. The entire assembly to be so proportioned that regardless of the position of the piston a gap remains between the piston and the cylinder-head penetrated by the piston rod. Means for connecting this gap to the inside of the discharge chamber through a check valve permits gas flow from the discharge chamber to the gap, but not in the reverse direction, and means for venting the gap to the atmosphere. A passage from the opposite side of the piston to the axial outlet of the discharge chamber, a spring or a positive locking device for pressing the poppet against the valve seat.

Abstract: The elevation of a tool carried by an implement towed by a tractor is determined by a hydraulic motor mounted on the implement adjusting the wheel height. A servo valve mounted on the tractor responsive to line pressure controls the hydraulic motor. An operator actuated vent valve mounted on the tractor vents line pressure to control the servo valve. A tool elevation responsive feedback vent valve mounted on the implement increasingly vents line pressure as the hydraulic motor changes tool elevation, to negate the effect of venting by the operator actuated vent valve. When hydraulic motor movement equals movement of the operator actuated vent valve, the feedback venting equals that of the operator actuated bent valve. A second negative feedback on the servo motor pistons then returns the servo valve to neutral closed position and change in tool elevation stops.

Abstract: The subsea wellhead system includes a wellhead, a housing seat disposed in and connected to the wellhead, a casing hanger supported by the seat, a holddown and sealing assembly in the annulus between wellhead and hanger, a running tool attached to the hanger for lowering it into the well and initially actuating the holddown and sealing assembly, and apparatus for applying hydraulic pressure to further actuate the seal. The housing seat and wellhead are connected by breech block teeth. The seat maintains 360.degree. bearing surface with the hanger. The holddown and seal assembly includes an upper rotating member threadingly engaging the hanger and suspending a lower stationary member. The latter includes a Z-shaped portion having a plurality of frustoconical metal rings positively connected by links. The rings form grooves housing resilient elasotmeric members.

Abstract: The subsea wellhead system includes a wellhead, a housing seat disposed in and connected to the wellhead, a casing hanger supported by the seat, a holddown and sealing assembly in the annulus between wellhead and hanger, a running tool attached to the hanger for lowering it into the well and initially actuating the holddown and sealing assembly, and apparatus for applying hydraulic pressure to further actuate the seal. The housing seat and wellhead are connected by breech block teeth. The seat maintains 360.degree. bearing surface with the hanger. The holddown and seal assembly includes an upper rotating member threadingly engaging the hanger and suspending a lower stationary member. The latter includes a Z-shaped portion having a plurality of frustoconical metal rings positively connected by links. The rings form grooves housing resilient elastomeric members.

Abstract: A flangeless, disc-like seal plate is disclosed for insertion between opposing flowline hubs for sealingly connecting, blocking or rerouting fluid flow between various fluid carrying lines within said flowline hubs. For connecting flow lines, straight throughbores within the seal plate are provided with V-seals in channels on said seal plate around the throughbores, as well as O-ring seals around said V-seals and another O-ring near the periphery of the disc itself. No seals or seal grooves are necessary on the hub faces. For connecting hydraulic control lines, the seal plate is equipped with transverse channels interconnecting various throughbores but may also be provided with blind ports for totally blocking off certain control lines at the plate. Within said throughbores, fluid diverter plugs are inserted which are either equipped with protruding caps for opening up corresponding check valves housed within hub lines or flush plugs such that said check valves remain closed after clamp-up.

Abstract: A grooving head for cutting an internal helical groove is mounted at one end of a tubular boring bar. The head has two cutter sockets that are axially spaced apart and are azimuthally spaced apart 180 degrees. Cutters are disposed in the sockets and means are provided to adjust the radial distance to which the cutters extend from the axis of the bar and head, the trailing cutter extending farther than the leading cutter. The bar is stabilized by a plurality of wear buttons at its outer periphery, the buttons having convex outer ends and being azimuthally spaced apart and radially adjustably positioned.

Abstract: For joining together two concrete slabs (1, 2) juxtaposed side by side along a crack (3), a cylindrical cartridge with vertical axis is used comprising two half shells (4.sub.1, 4.sub.2) made from cast metal and joined vertically together by a key (11) housed in recesses (10.sub.1, 10.sub.2) each formed in a central projecting step (9.sub.1, 9.sub.2), these half shells being urged mutually horizontally apart by a continuous elastic belt (12) made from an elastomer material adapted to ensure sealed isolation of the inside of the cartridge with respect to the outside.

Abstract: A torque multiplier subsea tool for setting a seal between a casing hanger and a subsea wellhead includes a mandrel having a sun gear with axial elongate teeth. An outer barrel is disposed around the mandrel forming an annulus therebetween. A planetary gear assembly is disposed in the annulus between the barrel and the sun gear to transmit to the barrel a torque which is higher in magnitude than that applied to the mandrel. A connector body disposed around the mandrel, below the planetary gear assembly, includes radially movable dogs for engaging the casing hanger. The barrel engages the sealing assembly and transmits the increased torque thereto to advance the sealing assembly downwards and to set the seal. The mandrel advances downwards with the sealing assembly and releases the dogs from the casing hanger. An emergency release mechanism is provided to advance the mandrel downwards to release the dogs in the event such downward movement is prevented during normal seal setting operation.

Abstract: A torque multiplier subsea tool for setting a seal between a casing hanger and a subsea wellhead includes a mandrel having a sun gear with axial elongate teeth. An outer barrel is disposed around the mandrel forming an annulus therebetween. A planetary gear assembly is disposed in the annulus between the barrel and the sun gear to transmit to the barrel a torque which is higher in magnitude than that applied to the mandrel. A connector body disposed around the mandrel, below the planetary gear assembly, includes radially movable dogs for engaging the casing hanger. The barrel engages the sealing assembly and transmits the increased torque thereto to advance the sealing assembly downwards and to set the seal. The mandrel advances downwards with the sealing assembly and releases the dogs from the casing hanger. An emergency release mechanism is provided to advance the mandrel downwards to release the dogs in the event such downward movement is prevented during normal seal setting operation.

Abstract: A fire responsive stem retention apparatus for a non-rising stem valve including an outer hollow sleeve secured to the top of the valve bonnet around the valve stem. An inner cap is received in the outer hollow sleeve and closely fitted therewithin, and houses upper and lower stem bearings therein. The inner cap has a shoulder which provides an upper support for the upper stem bearing. Under normal environmental conditions, the inner cap is sweated to the outer sleeve with a thin layer of fusible material. The upper bearing and stem are prevented from moving upward by the shoulder on the inner cap, and an annular shoulder on the stem is prevented from engaging a backseat in the bonnet. Under fire conditions, the thin layer of fusible material melts rapidly, freeing the inner cap from the outer sleeve and permitting the stem to rise until the annular shoulder on the stem engages the backseat in the bonnet.

Abstract: Method for completing an underwater well includes locating drilling apparatus at the well site, and installing conductor casing in the floor of the body of water with a wellhead, blowout preventer stack, and riser attached thereto at a point near the floor, with the riser extending upwardly to the drilling means. A drill string and standard 171/2 inch drill bit is then run through the wellhead and conductor casing, and a hole is drilled for suspending 16 inch casing within the wellhead and conductor casing. A hanger-support member having a casing string attached thereto is lowered into the well until it lands in the wellhead, and it is then rotated less than 360.degree. to connect it within the wellhead. The hanger-support member is then latched within the wellhead. A hole is then drilled for suspending another casing within the wellhead, and a casing hanger with casing string is run through the riser and into the wellhead, and the casing hanger is landed on the hanger-support member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connecting aligned butt ends of isostatic elements (generally girders) of a constructive work. Between the crosspieces connecting the opposite girder butt ends there is disposed at least one tubular cylinder prestressed by clamping screws and by a coaxial tensioned tie rod whose ends bear on the outer faces of the crosspieces. The invention is more particularly applicable to bridges formed by independent isostatic girders.

Abstract: The invention has for its object a device for connection between two rectilinear portions of a stretched cable, said device passing through a massive constructive work.According to the invention said device transmits the tension from one of the portions of cable to the other by a segment of cable of which the strands, curved along the desired incurvation, are separated from one another and stretched, with a total tension force at least equal to that of the more stretched of the two portions of cable, to ensure precompression of the portion of massive structure which these strands traverse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to elongated elements of concrete pre-stressed by tensioned reinforcements adherent to this concrete. Each element comprises a box capping its end to which the reinforcements are fixed and which is provided with a flange allowing tensioning of the reinforcements and the possible assembly of two elements end to end. The invention is applicable to all structures formed by elements pre-stressed by adherent reinforcements, and in particular to driven-in piles.