Patents Assigned to Bralorne Resources Limited
  • Patent number: 5070900
    Abstract: An emergency shut-down system to close a gate valve in a pipeline and therefore terminate flow. The closing action is initiated when a pilot valve senses pressure in the pipeline outside predetermined limits. This reduces the signal pressure in the system which, in turn, causes a fluid dump from the gate valve actuator which closes the gate valve and terminates fluid flow in the pipeline. The system is reactivated by manually pumping the system which re-opens the gate valve and allows fluid flow in the pipeline to again continue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Bralorne Resources Limited
    Inventor: Clarence W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4961560
    Abstract: A latching trip valve for opening and closing a safety device. The trip valve is operable manually and from the pressure of a pilot circuit which monitors the operating conditions of a pipeline. A floating seat is movable under the influence of a longitudinal movable poppet and its included seal means. The floating seat and seal means forms a closed passage until the pressure of the pilot circuit decreases whereas the passage is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Bralorne Resources Limited
    Inventor: James R. Ellett
  • Patent number: 4759738
    Abstract: A floating cushion connection member is operable between a power head and a drill string member. A first cap member is mounted about the periphery of a piston. A washpipe extends from within the bore of the piston to a mounting area in a second cap member. A body member connects the first and second cap members. A spline member in the form of drive pins located between the body member and the piston rotate the piston with the body member and second cap member and allow the piston to move axially relative to the body member and the second cap member. The washpipe has limited angular movement within the second cap member and the piston. Cushion members are provided between the second cap member and the piston and the piston and the first cap member, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Bralorne Resources Limited
    Inventor: Clarence W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4703812
    Abstract: A mobile drilling apparatus having a support structure, a mast positioned on the support structure, a drill head and a hydraulic assembly vertically operable on and guided by the mast. The hydraulic assembly moves the drill head and includes lower hydraulic cylinders rigidly connected to the mast and upper cylinders, each mounted inside and connected rigidly to a tube. A piston rod with connected upper and lower pistons is movable within the upper and lower hydraulic cylinders. The drill head is connected to the lower portion of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Bralorne Resources Limited
    Inventor: Clarence W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4658917
    Abstract: A jar tool having a mandrel and a housing substantially surrounding said housing. The mandrel and housing are splined such that they may move longitudinally relative to each other. First and second pairs of abutment faces for the jar and bump strokes respectively, are provided between the mandrel and the housing. Both sets of abutment faces are enclosed within the jar tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Bralorne Resources Limited
    Inventor: Curtis P. Ring
  • Patent number: 4593914
    Abstract: A wellhead sealing system comprises a casing, a tubing spool and a bushing between the casing and tubing spool. A first recess is provided in the bushing and a first casing seal is mounted therein to act between the bushing and the casing. A second recess is provided in the tubing spool and a first bushing seal is mounted therein to act between the tubing spool and the bushing. The casing seal has cylindrical inside and outside surfaces located generally at the inside and outside diameters of the seal. The cylindrical inside surface is defined by a radially inwardly extending convex central protuberance and opposed cylindrical flat surface areas extending axially outwardly from the convex central protuberance into first transition areas extending to respective end surfaces. The outside surface is defined by a circumferential centrally located groove flanked by axially outwardly extending flexible retaining flanges forming second transition areas between the cylindrical outside surface and the end surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: Bralorne Resources Limited
    Inventor: Clarence W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4537386
    Abstract: An engine shutdown valve comprises a substantially circular gate valve movable about an axis between open and closed positions within a valve housing mounted in an engine induction manifold. A gate lever connects the gate valve with the axis and a movement mechanism acts to move the lever between the two positions. A latching mechanism holds the gate lever and gate valve in the open position and a release mechanism is operable to release the latching mechanism when desired. The latching release and movement mechanisms are all located in a latch housing which is located exterior of the valve housing and manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Bralorne Resources Limited
    Inventors: Josef Krepela, Jaromir Friedrich
  • Patent number: 4494778
    Abstract: A casing hanger for hanging well casing and sealing the well pressure from the atmosphere. The casing hanger comprises a cooperating slip and slip bowl adapted to grip and retain the well casing when they abut a cooperating shoulder on the casing head whereupon the casing hanger will be in its operating position. A seal is adapted to be compressed when the casing hanger is moved downwardly and forms the seal when the casing hanger reaches its operating position. A manually adjustable bolt can increase or decrease the seal pressure without disturbing the well casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Bralorne Resources Limited
    Inventor: Clarence W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4478284
    Abstract: A jar tool for use in a drill string for use in dislodging a drill bit or well-tools trapped in well bores. The tool comprises an outer housing adapted to move longitudinally with respect to an inner spline mandrell. A piston assembly is acted on by a piston actuator and hydraulic fluid restricts the movement of the piston assembly and, therefore, the movement of the mandrell relative to the housing, while the piston assembly is within a narrower portion of a hydraulic cylinder. When the piston assembly reaches a larger diameter portion of the cylinder, the hydraulic fluid rushes past the piston assembly which allows a knocker connected to the spline mandrell to collide with the outer housing. A compression spring returns the piston assembly to its rest position abutting a shoulder on the outer housing. Provision is made for pressure release values to be inserted in the piston assembly so that the tool can be operated within minimum and maximum operating limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Bralorne Resources Limited
    Inventors: Wayne R. Tomm, Curt Ring
  • Patent number: 4391152
    Abstract: A sampling device for sampling fluids such as those carried in an oil pipeline comprises two valve means and a sampling chamber located on the fluid passageway in the sampler housing. Fluid is admitted to the probe of the sampling device when the first valve means allows the passageway to be opened and the fluid is admitted or drawn into the sampling chamber. After the first valve means is closed, the second valve means is opened and the fluid exits from the sampling chamber under the action of the plunger. Provision is made to easily clean the buildup of deposits in the fluid passageway without disassembly of the sampling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: Bralorne Resources Limited
    Inventor: James R. Ellett
  • Patent number: 4285494
    Abstract: The present invention provides an engine air cut-off device which can be connected into the manifold air passage of an internal combustion engine. The device includes a valve body having a passage therethrough which is alignable with the manifold air passage, the valve body incorporating a gate which is reciprocally mounted therein for movement between a retracted position in the body and a closed position which blocks the manifold air passage. The gate is provided with at least one integrally formed cylindrical bore which has a piston face at one end thereof. Means are provided in the valve body for introducing fluid underpressure into the cylindrical bore so that when the device is actuated the fluid under pressure will be introduced into the bore and will act against the piston face to drive the gate from its retracted to its closed position. Means are also provided for normally biasing the gate to its retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Assignee: Bralorne Resources Limited
    Inventor: Leonard A. Sturgeon
  • Patent number: 4215845
    Abstract: The present invention provides an engine air cut-off device which can be connected into the manifold air passage of an internal combustion engine. The device includes a valve body having a passage therethrough which is alignable with the manifold air passage, the valve body incorporating a gate which is reciprocally mounted therein for movement between a retracted position in the body and a closed position which blocks the manifold air passage. The gate is provided with at least one integrally formed cylindrical bore which has a piston face at one end thereof. Means are provided in the valve body for introducing fluid underpressure into the cylindrical bore so that when the device is actuated the fluid under pressure will be introduced into the bore and will act against the piston face to drive the gate from its retracted to its closed position. Means are also provided for normally biasing the gate to its retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Assignee: Bralorne Resources Limited
    Inventor: Leonard A. Sturgeon
  • Patent number: 4192155
    Abstract: A floating cushion sub for connection to the rotary power head of a drill rig has a mandrel section connectable to a drill string and an outer housing section connectable to the power head. The mandrel and the housing have mating, axially extending splines permitting relative axial movement while also transmitting torque from the power head to the mandrel. Mandrel axial movement is limited by a cap member and by an internal shoulder in the housing. A resilient cushion adjacent the shoulder dampens vibrations when the mandrel and housing are compressed together and a similar cushion adjacent the cap member dampens vibrations when the mandrel and housing are at full extension. The axial movement of the mandrel relative to the housing improves the function of making or breaking the threaded connections with the drill string by permitting proper coordination of the mating thread pitches and reduces the chance of cross-threading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Assignee: Bralorne Resources Limited
    Inventor: Gary D. Gray
  • Patent number: 3982594
    Abstract: A stabilizer for use in a blast hole drilling has a shaft connectable at each end to a drill string. A plurality of individual bushings are axially spaced along the shaft, and each bushing carries a roller reamer rotatable thereon. Each bushing has its inner bore eccentrically positioned relative to its outer surface, and each bushing is mounted to the shaft so that its major eccentricity is angularly offset from that of the other bushings. In this manner, large diameter roller reamers can be used and the rotational speed thereof is reduced thereby reducing wear and increasing life. There are sufficient rollers such that the stabilizer is centrally supported in the drill hole and will not waver as it rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1976
    Assignee: Bralorne Resources Limited
    Inventor: Derek B. Berthiaume
  • Patent number: 3951470
    Abstract: A drill steel idler guide having an internal sleeve rotatably supported in a base by means of ball bearings fitting in opposed annular grooves in the sleeve and base, said sleeve having a bore through which a drill steel can slidably fit. Means is provided for directing pressure air through the base and into an annular space between the base and the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1976
    Assignee: Bralorne Resources Limited
    Inventor: Donald F. McLean
  • Patent number: 3947044
    Abstract: A secondary sealing device is provided for a pump used for pumping gases under pressure. Leakage of gas between a main seal and the pump shaft is permitted up to a predetermined maximum pressure but once that pressure has been exceeded, a pressure sensor activates a switch to stop rotation of the pump shaft. When the shaft has come to a halt, a high pressure gas such as nitrogen is introduced into a secondary seal circumferential of the shaft whereby a resilient sealing ring is forced into tight sealing contact with the pump shaft to prevent any further leakage of the pumped gas to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1976
    Assignee: Bralorne Resources Limited
    Inventor: Jaromir Friedrich