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: There is described herein an annular elastomer seal arranged for primary compression-type sealing capability and secondary lip-type sealing capability. The annular seal includes a pair of grooves in a radial seal face thereof, the grooves diverging with depth to form what appears as a V-shaped cut when the seal is viewed in radial cross section. When compressive stress diminishes as a result of elastomer relaxation phenomena, seepage of pressurized fluid into the grooves creates a lip seal.

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.

Abstract: A plier sheath having an open end pocket for receiving and supporting a pair of pliers. The pocket is formed by folding over and by interconnecting the lower side portions of a flexible sheath panel. The plier sheath can be permanently or removably attached to a knife sheath in a superimposing fashion by fastener elements. The plier sheath may also be removably attached to a person's clothing item such as a belt with a loop disposed at the upper back portion of a plier sheath, through which the belt may be placed.

Abstract: The present invention includes a ferrous conduit mounted over an aperture in the pipeline, launch tube, or receiver through which the pigs pass. A non-magnetic sensing rod is reciprocally mounted within the conduit with the rod extending through the aperture and into the pipeline. That end of the non-magnetic sensing rod extending into the pipeline has attached thereto a head with a lower rounded surface for engaging the pigs. A non-magnetic end cap is secured to the upper end of the conduit and a non-magnetic magnet holder with a magnet disposed therein are mounted on the upper end of the rod. A magnetically operated switch is mounted adjacent the non-magnetic cap. The conduit shields the magnetic field of the magnet from the switch until a pig is detected. Upon the engagement of the head with a pig, the magnet on the upper end of the sensing rod moves above the conduit inside the non-magnetic cap and sends a magnetic flux to the magnetically operated switch.

Abstract: A breech block hanger support member for a subsea wellhead assembly for wells having a working pressure up to approximately 15,000 psi. The assembly includes a wellhead, the support member, a packoff for sealing the support member, and one or more other casing hangers supported by the support member. The support member is connected to the wellhead for itself suspending casing, for supporting at least one other casing hanger and casing, and for containing the working pressure. Breech block teeth are provided on the wellhead and support member to permit the support member to be stabbed into the wellhead and rotated less than 360.degree. for completing the connection therebetween. The teeth include groupings of spaced-apart no-lead teeth having slots therebetween. The slots provide a flow way for passing well fluids. The support member further includes an upper annular flange for arresting its downward movement within the wellhead. This flange includes flutes aligned with the slots for passing well fluids.

Abstract: An educational apparatus is disclosed including a base, a question/answer disc, a cover disc and a pointer all disposed on a post screw stacked from bottom to top in the order listed. The base displays a circle of numbered question/answer blocks which may be seen around the question/answer disc. The question/answer disc displays radial question/answer segments corresponding to the numbers in the question/answer blocks on the base. The question/answer segments are divided radially into a single question subsegment and a single answer subsegment. The cover disc has a window through which to view a single question displayed radially within the question subsegment. After the answer to the question has been attempted, the window in the cover disc is moved clockwise to reveal the correct answer in the answer subsegment. This answer is compared with the attempted answer. The question/answer discs are exchangeable. The apparatus may be used by a single person or may be used to play a competitive multiplayer game.

Abstract: A swiveling device for tensioning a pre-stress bar having a threaded end projecting from an end face of the element to be pre-stressed comprises a jack having a movable part attached to the bar and a fixed part bearing against the element. A first bearing plate is mounted on the end face of the element around the bar and includes an annular spherical cup surface. A swivel joint nut is threaded on the end of the bar and has a spherical ball part seated in the cup surface of the first bearing plate forming a first swivel joint. A second bearing plate is slidably disposed on a face of the first bearing plate and includes a second annular spherical cup surface. The end of the fixed part of the jack proximate the element includes a spherical surface seated in the second annular spherical cup surface forming a second swivel joint.

Abstract: A temporary hub cover for the hubs of flow lines, hydraulic lines, and electrical conduits and the mating hubs of the underwater production unit includes a body enclosing the hub, plungers within the body for releasably engaging into detents on the hub to hold the cover on the hub, and a trigger mechanism operable from a remote location to release the engagement between the cover and hub whereby the cover can be removed from the hub. A connector tool is lowered through the water and supports means for operating the trigger mechanism upon downward movement of the connector tool.

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 tubing head, tubing head adapter and tubing hanger are sealed against annulus fluid or downhole pressure by an upper and a lower, pressure-energizing sealing assembly. The sealing assemblies are bi-directional, pressure-energizing and operate under working pressures of up to 30,000 psi. Each assembly consists of a metal seal ring made of highly elastic and ductile 316 stainless steel with a yield strength of approximately 30,000 psi, having a frustoconical shape, with the upper and lower tips of the cone enclosing an angle of approximately 28.degree. in the prestressed state. In the axial direction, the seal ring engages a support ring on one end and a tubing hanger shoulder at the other end, both of which form inclines of 30.degree. with the vertical (radial) plane. The support ring and the tubing hanger shoulders are made of materials having yield strengths of 50,000 psi and 75,000 psi, respectively.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasing the means for gripping a pre-stress cable, to allow the cable to be detensioned. Each strand is usually maintained in the tensioned state by a cone truncated group of gripping means enveloping this strand. According to the invention each of the gripping means of a group surrounding a strand comprises towards the outside an extension which, in the active state of the gripping means, is spaced apart from this strand, all the extensions thus determining a volume of revolution terminating towards the outside by a hooking flange, while the extractor is formed by resilient parts distributed along the generatrices of a cylinder and comprises inwardly turned hooking flanges, the circumference determined by all the inner edges of the projections in the state of rest being of smaller diameter than that of the volume formed by the outer surface of the extensions of the gripping means beyond their hooking flange, when these gripping means are in the active state.

Abstract: Combined metal-to-metal/compliant material stem sealing means for high pressure, balanced, rising stem gate valve includes at least one seal set at each of the actuator and balance stems. Each seal set comprises a pair of frustoconical metal ring gaskets between which are disposed two make-up rings of compliant, tough material of high lubricity, e.g. tetrafluoroethylene polymer. One make-up ring is adjacent to one gasket, and the other make-up ring is adjacent to the other gasket. A core ring of material that expands substantially less volumetrically upon heating than the make-up rings, e.g. compacted graphite, is disposed between the make-up rings. Around the inner periphery of the core ring adjacent the respective actuator or balance stem is disposed a bearing ring of material like that used for the make-up rings, e.g. tetrafluoroethylene polymer.

Abstract: The holddown and packoff apparatus is disposed on the shoulder of a hanger suspending casing in a well. The shoulder engages a seat in the bore of a wellhead. An expansible metal ring is slideably disposed on the hanger shoulder for engagement with an annular groove in the wellhead. A stop ring is insertable behind the expansible ring to expand and positively hold the expansible ring into holddown engagement in the wellhead groove. An independent sealing assembly is disposed on the stop ring and has one seal for the outer surface of the hanger and another seal for the inner surface of the wellhead. The seals operate in series whereby the sealing engagement of one does not hinder the sealing engagement of the other.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a catheter having first and second conductors comprises an anode ring including an outer portion and an inner portion connected to the outer portion. The inner portion includes a solid member having a blind passage therein and a channel therethrough. One end of the first conductor is received in the blind passage and retained therein by a pair of crimps impressed into the solid member against the conductor end. The second conductor extends through the anode ring in the channel. Alternatively, the inner portion includes a post which is received in a passage in the end of the first conductor and is welded to the first conductor. The second conductor includes a lead portion and a tip portion spaced therefrom and the anode ring includes a feed-through tube extending therethrough and interconnecting the lead and tip portions of the second conductor.

Abstract: A cap for an underwater Christmas tree having locking probes to lock down the operating rods of a connector connecting the Christmas tree to an underwater wellhead housing. The tops of the operating rods are housed within hollow canisters at the top of the Christmas tree.The cap includes a body having circumferentially disposed locking dogs housed therein for engagement with the top of the Christmas tree. The dogs are actuated by a cam ring which telescopically receives the body and has a tapered surface for sliding over a correlatively tapered surface on each of the dogs. The body includes a metal gasket seal for sealing engagement with the top of the Christmas tree, and seals are provided between the cam ring and body.The cap has downwardly extending locking probes which extend telescopically into the canisters above the operating rods. The locking probes each include a housing and a releasable tubular piston slidably disposed in the housing.