Abstract: Disclosed is a system including two or more fluid pressure piston-and-cylinder assemblies. The cylinders are linked in pairs so that retraction of both piston rods reduces the length of the pair of assemblies to the length of a single assembly. Operation of both pistons in a pair provides an effective stroke twice the length of a single assembly stroke. In a particular embodiment, a double cylinder system is used as a pickup system for elevating equipment along a mast in a well workover rig.

Abstract: A seal assembly releasing tool is shown having an outer support case and an inner unlocking element rotatably mounted on a shaft and coupled by a planetary gear train. The seal assembly is provided with cam surfaces into which cam followers latch for securely connecting the tool to the seal assembly and enabling the outer case to turn the assembly in one direction while the inner element turns the locking sleeve of the seal assembly in the other direction to release the seal assembly.

Abstract: Improved rotary power slips having a housing for mounting in a rotary table of an earth drilling rig. Air is transferred from a stationary fluid source on the drilling rig to pneumatic cylinders carried by the housing when said housing is static to operate said slips. Transfer is accomplished by expansion of a perforated annular bladder thereby forming an expansive fluid duct between a stationary seal ring connected to the stationary fluid source and an air transfer plate which is rotatable with the housing.

Abstract: An annulus valve apparatus integrated within a tubing hanger controls fluid flow through a tubing-casing annulus formed between a casing and a tubing string located within and generally concentric to the casing and connected to the tubing hanger. The tubing hanger is landed within the casing and sealing relation thereto and divides the annulus into an upper and lower portion. Fluid flow passages located within the hanger body communicate between the portions of the annulus above and below the hanger. An annulus opening means, mounted to the hanger body, allows fluid to pass between the fluid flow passages and the portion of the annulus below the hanger. The opening means is spring biased to close the passages to fluid flow. A plurality of control fluid passages in the hanger body communicate between the opening means and the hanger bore, which is aligned with the tubing bore, and pass a hydraulic control fluid from the hanger bore to the opening means.

Abstract: An expansive admixture is shown of the type used in cementing oil and gas well bores. Aluminum particles are coated with a gasoline and water insoluble wood resin. The resin coated aluminum particles in combination with activated charcoal and a fluid loss additive provide controlled expansion of the slurry over an extended period of time without detracting from other desirable properties of the slurry.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use in an inflatable packer system comprising an outer valve member, an inner valve member adapted to move axially relative to said outer valve member when weight is set down on and lifted from the system, and a shifting sleeve which is pumped down by inflation fluid with respect to both said inner and outer valve members to establish an inflation fluid passageway.

Abstract: The invention is for a pipeline pigging plug which is adapted to be launched from normal instrumented pig launchers and received in comparable pig traps utilized in connection with pipeline operations. The pigging plug is arranged for pigging along the internal surface of a pipeline by the application of fluid pressure therebehind until it arrives at a selected point in the pipeline where a plug is to be effected. Upon application of pressurized fluid to the apparatus the pig is caused to become set or locked in position within the pipeline and a fluid-tight seal is created with the pipeline by the plug. Thus set, the plug is self-energized, i.e., it will remain set against high differential pressure without continued application of said pressurized fluid. When it is desired to remove the plug it can be deactuated and removed by a tether or by the application of fluid pressure thereto as with a conventional pig.

Abstract: A tool holder has compliance features that allow a hole to be drilled at high tolerances by a remote controlled control arm. The holes are drilled in a workpiece that has a template secured over it with guide holes for positioning the holes to be drilled. A self-feeding drill of the type that will simultaneously rotate and advance a drill bit is mounted in a support. A sleeve is carried at the forward end of the support for enclosing the drill bit. An index carriage moves the support forwardly into the guide hole after the control arm has substantially aligned the sleeve with the guide hole. Compliance mechanisms in the support allow the entire drill, drill bit and sleeve to move as a unit a limited amount parallel to and angularly with respect to the template and the indexing carriage, to allow advancement of the sleeve into the guide hole even though there may have been initial misalignment. The compliance mechanisms preferably include an inner guide member mounted within an outer guide member.

Abstract: Low voltage starting of a three-phase submersible pump motor in a shallow well is achieved by employing a high-impedance transformer for supplying the three-phase power to the motor. Upon starting, the normally heavy current drawn by the motor results in a voltage drop through the high-impedance transformer sufficient to substantially lower the voltage across the motor and hence the starting current. In the absence of limiting the starting current, abnormally high starting torques will be produced on the motor shaft resulting in mechanical fatigue and eventually shaft breakage.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator, especially for use with a submersible well pump, having a substantially conical-shaped mesh member in the path of flow of gas-laden liquid. The majority of the liquid flows through the mesh; gas bubbles are trapped by the mesh and are swept by the flow of the liquid to a location where they are removed with a relatively small amount of bleed liquid from the separator Any particulate foreign matter in the gas-laden liquid, is trapped by the mesh and is swept along with the gas bubbles to the gas removal location.

Abstract: An expansive additive for cement compositions is provided of the type used in cementing oil and gas well bores. Aluminum particles are coated with a gasoline and water insoluble wood resin to provide added control over the nature and extent of gas generation in the slurry.

Abstract: A stripper seal protection and operating tool sealing element and method for protecting stripper seals during drilling operations with operating tools having both polygonal and circular cross sections. The stripper seal protection and operating tool sealing element includes a lower protective sleeve for expanding the stripper seal radially outward to prevent contact with polygonal operating tools and includes a head portion integral therewith for mounting an elastic sealing ring for packing off on the polygonal operating tool. The protective sealing element is particularly useful for applications in diverter housings of the rotating insert type. The protective and sealing element is inserted and removed from the diverter coupling concurrently with polygonal operating tools such as kellies. The protective sealing element also includes rotating lock means to provide common rotation of the rotating insert with the kelly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing a drill pipe joint is characterized by an arm pivotally moveable with respect to a drill pipe from a first, normal, position. The arm deflects a predetermined angular distance from the normal position when it comes into contact with a predetermined distended location on a drill pipe. An electrical signal is generated by a signal arrangement associated with the arm to indicate that the predetermined distended location is reached.

Abstract: A connector for subsea flowlines is disclosed having a metal-to-metal seal affording minimum flexure of the flowline. Each end of the flowline to be connected is provided with a mandrel. One mandrel, designated the flowline mandrel, is provided with a seating surface and an external locking surface. The second mandrel, designated the connector mandrel, is provided with a seating surface adapted for mating relationship with the seating surface of the flowline mandrel with a metal seal disposed therebetween. Additionally, the connector mandrel carries a first sleeve disposed concentrically about it adapted to slide over the end of the connector mandrel into circumferential engagement with the flowline mandrel. A plurality of locking dogs are carried by the first sleeve adapted for engagement with the external locking surface of the flowline mandrel.

Abstract: A shifting sleeve retrieval mechanism for use in a valve having a stretched and collapsed configuration and an outer valve member adapted to be fixed against longitudinal movement and an inner valve member adapted to move longitudinally with the outer valve member. A shifting sleeve surrounds a length of the inner valve member and moves longitudinally with respect to both inner and outer valve members. The inner valve member has a shoulder thereon which rides under the shifting sleeve when the valve is collapsed and engages the shifting sleeve when the valve is elongated, thereby moving the shifting sleeve to its original position.

Abstract: An earth boring drill bit, particularly for large diameter shafts, has a cutter assembly with improved bearing and seal arrangement and an improved cutting insert arrangement. A cutter assembly has an axle with an enlarged central portion and reduced portions on both sides. A cutter sleeve is carried on bearings by the central portion of the axle. An annular member with a central bore is secured to each side of the cutter sleeve. A metal face seal is secured between the reduced portion and the central bore on each side. The cutter contains rows of hard metal inserts secured in holes in the exterior. To reduce tracking, the inserts within a row are separable into groups with varied pitch within each group. The groups cycle with two groups having a gradual increase in pitch and two groups having decreasing pitch.

Abstract: A check/relief valve intended for use in an inflatable packer system. The valve comprises a hollow cylindrical longitudinally extending inner member surrounded by a spring loaded relief piston and a spring loaded check valve poppet, all surrounded by a hollow longitudinally extending outer member.

Abstract: A pistol holster has features that allow the safety strap to be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of pistols. The safety strap has an outer end secured to the outer portion of the holster body by a releasable fastener. The inner end of the safety strap is secured also by a releasable fastener. The inner fastener allows the strap to be fastened at various points along the length of the holster to vary the dimensions of the loop defined by the strap. The strap passes through a slot in the side of the holster to retain it. A flap depends from the top of the holster for protecting the inner fastener. Preferably, the inner fastener consists of strips of material that adhere to each other when pressed into contact.

Abstract: Disclosed is a holder which may be used for mounting equipment, such as sensing apparatus, within an otherwise closed environment. The holder is anchored and sealed to a landing device and may extend a mounting section into the interior of such a container. The mounting section is releasably attached to a seal section of the holder, which is selectively oriented by cooperation between an orienting device, fixed to the seal section, and a contoured surface within the landing device. The seal section is connected to an anchor section of the holder by a projection of the seal section into the anchor section. A washer spring operates as a clutch between the seal and anchor sections.

Abstract: A pipe gripping head especially suitable for use with pipe handling apparatus in earth drilling operations. The pipe gripping head includes a pair of jaws operably pivotable between an open and a closed locked position which does not rely on pneumatic or hydraulic pressure to maintain the jaws in the closed position.