Abstract: A fire-safe rotary valve seat assembly for use in pressurized fluid systems subject to fire risk, the seat assembly having both a metal seat ring and an annular resilient non-metallic seal member to provide essentially zero fluid leakage at normal operating temperatures, and the metal seat ring to provide an extremely low rate of fluid leakage in the event high temperature should destroy the flexible seal member. The metal seat ring includes an annular groove around its radially inward face with a pair of flexible lips forming the walls of the groove, and the annular resilient seal member is mounted in the groove between the lips. The lips and the annular resilient seal member both engage a sealing surface on the circumference of a metal valve disc to provide a primary seal for the valve. If the annular resilient seal member is destroyed, the metal lips continue to provide an undamaged secondary seal.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a fluid cargo transfer hose to a marine tanker manifold, comprising a flow control valve and a flanged spool on the end of the hose, and a pipe coupler-valve operator assembly on the tanker manifold. In one embodiment of the invention the pipe coupler-valve operator assembly is mounted on an articulated pipe assembly and supported by a guide structure that facilitates moving the coupler into and out of contact with the spool flange on the end of the hose, and moving the valve operator into and out of engagement with the valve stem, during coupling and uncoupling operations. In another embodiment of the invention the pipe coupler-valve operator assembly is mounted in a fixed position on the tanker manifold, and the flow control valve and flanged spool are brought into coupling position by means of a winch and a guide assembly mounted on the tanker deck.

Abstract: An offshore loading system especially suited for transferring petroleum from a floating storage and loading terminal to a marine tanker. The system comprises a support boom pivotally mounted on the deck of the terminal, a pair of fluid conduits extending generally horizontally along the boom from risers at the deck, a pair of vertical fluid conduits slidably connected to the outboard end of the boom and a pair of articulated manifold assemblies connected between the lower ends of the vertical conduits and the marine tanker. The outboard end of the horizontal conduits are articulated and are connected by swivel joints to the vertical conduits to facilitate raising and lowering the vertical conduits relative to the outboard end of the boom.

Abstract: A system for sensing the positon in space of the outer end of an articulated fluid loading arm while it is connected to a marine tanker or other transport vessel, and for sounding an alarm if the arm's operating envelope is exceeded. The sensing system includes means for determining various angles representative of the orientation of the booms or limbs of the arm, and a microprocessor for using these angles to compute the spatial position of the arm's outboard end. The boundaries between the safe and unsafe areas of operation of the arm are stored in a digital memory and compared with the actual position of the arm. The boundaries which define the safe areas can be any desired shape, and the shape can be readily changed by storing a new set of boundary values in the digital memory. If desired, the location of the boundaries can be made to depend upon the velocity of the arm as it is being maneuvered.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve operating circuit for providing positive opening and closing of a downhole safety valve includes shut-off valves which prevent leakage of fuel to the outside environment if a leak should occur in the hydraulic lines which are connected to the hydraulic actuator of the downhole safety valve. A hydraulic control line is connected to the actuator of the safety valve through a normally-closed shut-off valve and the hydraulic control line is also connected to the actuator of the shut-off valve to hold both the shut-off valve and the downhole safety valve open when the hydraulic line is pressurized. Another valve moves to a position to direct the flow of fluid from the safety valve to an accumulator when the pressure in the control line falls below a predetermined value to insure that the downhole safety valve will close properly.

Abstract: A remotely controllable connector for releasably interconnecting the ends of two oil well flowlines. The connector comprises two coupling members, one of which is extended into engagement with the other by actuation of fluid cylinders, and ball joints in one or both coupling members to accommodate misalignment of the flowlines. A pair of mating cones mounted on the opposed ends of the two coupling members align the members into proper position during the connecting operation, and clamp means that are activated by remote control secure the two coupling members together in a fluid-tight connection. Seals are then set by remote control to seal all joints and to lock the coupling members in working alignment.

Abstract: A rotary valve for providing control of fluid flow throughout a wide range of pressures and temperatures. The valve includes a pressure-sensitive and temperature-responsive flexible annular seat that cooperates with the valve's flow control element to establish a fluid seal, and a temperature-responsive rigid energizer ring for maintaining both a radial and an axial load on the seat through a wide range of ambient and low temperatures. The valve seat includes an annular, radially outward extending support leg that is held in position against a radial surface of the valve's body by the energizer ring, at least one outer annular sealing lip that extends in a generally axial direction from the leg, and a central sealing lip that extends radially inwardly from the support leg toward the flow control element.

Abstract: A guidelineless subsea wellhead system includes TV/sonar guidance components which direct operating and/or service equipment into a position adjacent a subsea wellhead. An offset funnel mounted on the wellhead is used to guide a probe, which is mounted on a riser, into alignment with the wellhead. The probe is used to guide the riser and the service equipment into exact alignment with the wellhead so that tasks such as well entry, tree installation, well reentry, tree cap removal, tree cap replacement and downhole wireline operations can be completed without any cable guidelines. The system can also be used with the usual guidelines to increase the speed and accuracy of connecting to the wellhead.

Abstract: A vapor recovery system especially useful for collecting the evolved vapors from crude oil or other volatile liquids being transferred between floating tankers and a storage container. A generally U-shaped frame is pivotably mounted to a support at each end of the frame. The frame carries a pair of conduit members having a plurality of openings distributed along the length thereof. Flexible hoses are connected between each of the openings in the conduit members and a corresponding vent in the tankers. A winch and cable arrangement is used to lower the frame into operating position and to raise the frame into a stowed position at the end of a loading period. The ends of the conduit members are each connected to a vapor storage container through a swivel joint.

Abstract: A hydraulic coupling device for drawing and connecting two pipe flanges together, comprising a pair of clamps one of which is adapted for bolting the coupling device to one of the pipe flanges, and the other of which is movable towards and away from the first clamp by actuation of a hydraulic motor. An externally threaded spindle is connected to the motor and extends through an internally threaded bore in a sleeve on which the movable clamp is mounted, so that actuation of the motor causes the sleeve and movable clamp to slide lengthwise in the body bore as the spindle rotates. When the motor is reversed, the movable clamp swings radially away from the pipe to facilitate disconnecting the two pipe flanges. The coupling device also includes a hydraulic bypass switch to disable the hydraulic motor when the movable clamp arrives at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A test plug for use in pressure testing a Christmas tree and blowout preventer atop an oil or gas wellhead. The test plug includes a cylindrical body having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the bore of the wellhead, and a plurality of support dogs that fit into an annular groove in the wellhead to support the plug during pressure testing. The plug is landed on a relatively narrow shoulder in the bore of the wellhead and the dogs are then extended into the groove by vertical movement of a mandrel, thereby lifting the plug off the shoulder and securely supporting it in test position.