Abstract: A coiled tubing injector includes two chains mounted for continuous, opposing rotation and aligned to grip between the continuous tubing. Behind a portion of each chain is a straight skate that presses gripper elements on the chain against the tubing as it passes between the chains. The skate includes a beam. Rollers are mounted on carriers, and the carriers slide into slots formed on the beam. A resilient pad is placed between the carriers and the beam. The gripper elements roll over the rollers as they are being pressed against the continuous tubing. Dimensional variations in gripper elements, rollers, and the roller carriers that may otherwise cause grippers to be out of alignment are accommodated by compression of the pad. Furthermore, the last roller at each end of each skate is mounted for pivoting against a spring in order to deflect as gripper elements turn into, or out of, alignment with the skate.

Abstract: The gripping element of a coiled tubing injector has a carrier and a removable gripping shoe mounted to the carrier. The removable shoe slides onto slots formed on the carrier and is floated on the carrier by inserting an elastomeric pad sandwiched between the carrier and shoe. A manually depressible spring along ones side of the carrier prevents the shoe from sliding out of the slots during operation of the injector.

Abstract: A coiled tubing injector has a transmission with reduction gear trains having two rotary power outputs for driving each of the injector's two chains, and one or more rotary power inputs located on the same side of the transmission as the rotary drive outputs.

Abstract: An automated fueling facility allows untrained persons to safely dispense homogeneous phase liquid methane from a cryogenic storage tank into a motor vehicle. The fueling facility automatically maintains pressure on the liquid methane within a predetermined safe operating range using methane gas trapped in the cryogenic storage tank. The pressure on the liquid methane is at least set equal to a set pressure equal to the sum of the saturation pressure of the liquid methane plus an additional amount to help to ensure that it remains in a fully saturated condition after exposure to any pressure losses as the fluid enters the pump. A pump is cooled by placing it in the storage tank and circulating liquid methane through the pump and back into the storage tank. A dispenser, including nozzle for connecting to a motor vehicle, is cooled by circulating liquid through the nozzle and back to the storage tank through a receptacle on the dispenser to which the nozzle is connected.

Abstract: An automated fueling facility allows untrained persons to safely dispense homogenous phase liquid methane from a cryogenic storage tank into a motor vehicle. The fueling facility automatically maintains pressure on the liquid methane within a predetermined safe operating range using methane gas trapped in the cryogenic storage tank. The pressure on the liquid methane is at least set equal to a set pressure equal to the sum of the saturation pressure of the liquid methane plus an additional amount to help to ensure that it remains in a fully saturated condition after absorbing any heat during pumping from the storage tank. A pump is cooled by placing it in the storage tank and circulating liquid methane through the pump and back into the storage tank. A dispenser, including nozzle for connecting to a motor vehicle, is cooled by circulating liquid through the nozzle and back to the storage tank through a receptacle on the dispenser to which the nozzle is connected.

Abstract: An LNG refueling facility includes a nozzle for mating with the receptacle on a motor vehicle to deliver a flow of LNG to the vehicle's tank. The nozzle is supplied with a flow of dry gas to purge moisture-laden air from around surfaces which mate with the receptacle to prevent freezing of moisture on the mating surfaces when the nozzle turns very cold. The nozzle also includes a boot enclosing mechanical linkages for latching the nozzle to the receptacle. Dry gas is supplied to the interior of the boot to displace air from around the mechanical linkages and thereby prevent moisture from freezing onto the mechanical linkages.

Abstract: An operator cab for an over-the-road truck includes a forward disposed driver's compartment and a separate equipment control station disposed rearwardly of the driver's compartment. The control station includes a control panel disposed below a window in the rear wall of the cab. The cab provides standing head room at the control station whereby equipment on board the truck may be monitored and controlled from the control station and instrumentation on the driver's compartment instrument panel may also be viewed by the operator at the control station. A combination bunk and operator's seat is disposed across the interior of the cab between the driver's compartment and the control station and, together with foldable curtains disposed within the interior of the cab, defines a convertible sleeping compartment.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a length of pipe to accommodate pipe stabbing and removal operations during launching or recovery of the length of pipe is disclosed. The apparatus is designed for use with a hoist rig of the type having a mast structure secured to a support platform, a traveling block, and power means including a sheave and cable assembly supported by the mast structure which are operatively connected to raise and lower the traveling block. A detachable elevator block is provided for supporting the length of pipe in a make up position at a stabbing station on the support platform. Latching means are carried by the traveling block for releasably coupling the elevator block to the traveling block during pipe running and recovery operations. In a preferred embodiment, the latching means are mounted for reciprocal and pivotal movement within a latching chamber of the traveling block.

Abstract: A stabilized hoist rig for lowering, lifting, and supporting a pipe string from a vessel or floating platform in a deep ocean is disclosed. A resilient bearing member is disposed in load supporting relation intermediate the vessel and the hoist rig. A powered system is provided for angularly displacing the hoist rig with respect to the vessel to maintain vertical alignment of the hoist rig with respect to the pipe string as the vessel rolls and pitches during pipe stabbing and removal operations. In a preferred embodiment, the pipe string is supported by a slip bowl and a second resilient bearing member disposed intermediate the slip bowl and the hoist rig, and a system is provided for locking the hoist rig in a fixed position with respect to the vessel for permitting the vessel and hoist rig to roll and pitch with respect to the slip bowl in response to movements of the ocean in a passive support operating mode.

Abstract: A portable workover rig for handling a pipe string in a well casing includes a base platform and a collapsible mast which is movable from a reclining transport position to an erect elevated position of use. The mast is supported for free-standing operation by a carriage assembly including a cantilever support base mounted on the base platform for pivotal movement from the transport position to the position of use. The carriage assembly includes lift arms coupled in parallel relation intermediate the cantilever support base and the rig support platform for maintaining the cantilever support base in parallel alignment with the base platform. Hoisting and snubbing operations are performed by drawworks including a linear hydraulic actuator carried on the base platform, a traveling block supported for vertical movement along the mast by hoist and snub cables, and traveling sheaves carried by the actuator through a stroke pathway which is oriented transversely with respect to the mast.

Abstract: A control valve for actuating a double acting hydraulic jack or lift cylinder features a pressure compensator assembly for limiting the rate of retraction of the cylinder and piston relative to each other under heavy loading conditions to prevent dropping a load or letting the load get out of control. Pressure compensation is provided by a floating piston which is movably coupled in releasable engagement with a spool, wherein engagement of the piston with the spool defines a restricted flow path for limiting hydraulic flow out of the blind end of the cylinder to tank during retraction. According to a preferred embodiment, the spool is provided with a plurality of notches defining restricted flow passages which are covered and uncovered by the piston as it moves into and out of engagement with the spool. A compression spring is coupled between the piston and the spool for biasing the piston for movement away from the spool.

Abstract: A hoist rig for lifting and lowering a pipestring is disclosed. The rig includes first and second vertical mast structures, a traveling block for engaging and transporting the pipestring, and a compound power transmission system for raising and lowering the traveling block and pipestring. The compound power transmission system includes traveling sheaves mounted on the extensible portion of the linear actuators, crown sheaves mounted on the upper ends of the mast structures, and first and second cable systems having end portions secured to the traveling block and having intermediate portions disposed in cooperative reeved engagement with the traveling sheaves and crown sheaves of each mast structure for displacing the traveling block in response to extension or retraction of the linear actuators.