Abstract: A new and improved threaded connector having one or more non-tapered threads on separate diametral steps with at least one flank "hooked" so as to achieve a tensile strength approximately that of the tubular body, is disclosed. The wall thickness of the female member is controlled to improve thread loading and enable inwardly radial movement with the male member to prevent "pulling out" under axial tensile loading. The outer thread step on the male member may only partially engage the threads on the female member such that the critical reduction of the tube wall thickness at the thread roots is a minimum. The resulting threaded connection formed on tubular members has a tensile efficiency in excess of the tube body yield strength and approaching that of the tube body ultimate tensile strength.

Abstract: Corrosion resistance of tubular metal products is enhanced, and particularly to welds formed between metal tubes or pipes and threaded ends.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connector for mechanically joining members having large force loading while enabling limited relative angular movement therebetween. The connector employs a plurality of stacked metal roll plates to provide rolling metal-to-metal contact while avoiding sliding movement of contacting members transmitting the force load between connector members. Each of the roll plates is provided with a concave and convex load carrying surface with the radius of the concave surface greater than that of the convex surface to provide rolling rather than sliding contact. To obtain universal angular movement, one embodiment of the connector employs a single stack of spherical surface roll plates while a second embodiment employs a plurality of roll plate stacks having substantially cylindrical load carrying surfaces.

Abstract: An improved ball-type valve apparatus adapted for use in flowlines which provide a straight through flow path which minimizes flow turbulance and flow resistance in either direction through the valve housing. The ball is rotated by a crank between the open and closed positions for controlling flow through the valve. Oppositely facing seat rings engage the ball on opposite sides to provide a dual redundant sealing system with the primary seals located at the upstream seat with the secondary seal formed at the downstream seat. An access plug retains the ball in the valve housing and is secured with the valve housing by a segmented locking ring. When the plug is removed from the housing maintenance or assembly access to the ball, seat rings and their retaining means without disturbing the connections of the valve housing in the flowlines is provided.

Abstract: A gaging system and method involves sensing longitudinal, lateral and rotatable displacements of a gaging tip or probe, for processing, as via a computer, and readout. One or more base positions of the tip may be selectively established; and corrections for misalignment of the gage relative to the work may be made as via the computer. Means is provided to obtain diameter or radius measurements associated with an annular body surface, at various locations on that surface, and said measurements may be averaged, as via the computer. Also, the measurement signals may be transmitted only after predetermined pressure application to a gaging tip.

Abstract: An improved seal for a blowout preventer ram which can be moved into and out of engagement with a length of pipe and includes intersecting recesses formed in the outer surfaces of the ram body for accommodating seal for forming a pressure-tight seal around the length of pipe and between the ram and at least a portion of a housing in which the ram moves when the ram engages the pipe. The seal includes a front seal with a curved portion shaped to engage the length of pipe and a body portion formed of an elastomeric material shaped to fit within one of the recesses in the ram. An insert in the body portion is formed of a deformable material with low friction properties and positioned to engage the pipe when the ram is in its engaging position. The insert is held between a pair of rigid retainer plates oriented perpendicular to the pipe. The seal engages a second top seal located in the other recess and pushes it outwardly into sealing positions when force is exerted on the front seal.

Abstract: Subsurface apparatus and method for using same in a hydrocarbon producing well to enable retrieval of a full opening subsurface safety valve mounted in the well tubing without disturbing the major portion of the well tubing located below the safety valve. The apparatus includes a subsurface tubing hanger below the safety valve from which the major portion of the well tubing is suspended and through which tubing the hydrocarbons flow to the surface. Disposed above the safety valve is a tubing holddown apparatus and a controllable safety joint. The holddown apparatus provides a lower anchor for the portion of the tubing disposed above the tubing hanger and the stinger which is received in and seals with the tubing hanger.

Abstract: A composite seal is adapted to fit in a groove formed in the outer surface of a first body and project outwardly to engage a second body spaced apart from the first body and form a fluid-tight seal between the two bodies. The seal includes an elongated raised portion which engages the second body and is formed of a deformable material. The seal further includes a pair of retainer portions formed of a material stiffer than the raised portion, the raised portion being formed integral with and located between the retainer portions. The raised portion projects outwardly beyond the outer ends of the retainer portions. The seal also includes recesses between the raised portion and both retainer portions extending below the outer ends of the retainer portions so that when the second body moves closer to the first body the material forming the raised portion will deform and flow into the recesses.

Abstract: A new and improved ram lock and blowout preventer are provided for locking a blowout preventer ram in any of a number of variable, adjustable sealing positions in a bore in the preventer. A ram carrier is mounted in a housing to move the ram to and from the sealing positions. The housing is provided with a tapered inner surface which selectively engages locking wedge members mounted with the ram carrier. A locking cone mounted with the ram carrier responds to fluid pressure during movement of the ram carrier to move the locking wedges into engagement with the tapered inner surface for locking purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surge absorber that may be easily custom fabricated to a particular flow line application. The surge absorber prevents "water hammer" by providing an enlarged compressible fluid chamber that is separated from the flow line by a diaphragm. When the pressure surge occurs, the greater incompressible fluid volume provided by the intermediate tubular section of the pressure vessel housing provides sufficient baffling while an internal diaphragm protector protects the diaphragm from damage by the incompressible fluid.

Abstract: A pulsation dampener providing high attenuation in a narrow quiet band or frequency. The pulsation dampener is tuned to provide a reflected wave 180.degree. out of phase in the narrow band to cancel the undesired pulsation. A silicone polymer contained by a diaphragm is used as the dampening fluid. The pulsation dampener operation is virtually unaffected by changes in working fluid pressure or density. The latter aspect makes the pulsation dampener particularly well suited for use in well drilling operations where pressure pulses in the drilling fluid are used to transmit information to the surface.

Abstract: Subsurface apparatus and method for using same in a hydrocarbon producing well to enable retrieval of a full opening subsurface safety valve mounted in the well tubing without disturbing the major portion of the well tubing located below the safety valve. The apparatus includes a subsurface tubing hanger below the safety valve from which the major portion of the well tubing is suspended and through which tubing the hydrocarbons flow to the surface. Disposed above the safety valve is a tubing holddown apparatus and a controllable safety joint. The holddown apparatus provides a lower anchor for the portion of the tubing disposed above the tubing hanger and the stinger which is received in and seals with the tubing hanger.

Abstract: An inside blowout preventer well tool includes an elongated body threaded at both ends and including an axial opening. A flapper is pivotally mounted on a side of the opening and movable between a lower-open position and an upper-closed position. A downwardly-facing valve seat is formed around the opening, the flapper engaging the seat in the upper-closed position. A spring urges the flapper toward the seat and a piston is movable in the opening between an upper position, where the lower end of the piston is above the valve seat, and a lower position, where the piston encases the flapper and holds it in the lower-open position. The piston is normally urged toward its upper position, the piston being shaped so that when the internal pressure of drilling mud normally circulating through the opening is greater by a predetermined amount than pressure outside the body, the pressure differential will overcome the force urging the piston upwardly and move the piston to the lower position.

Abstract: A testing mechanism for a ram lock for blowout preventer rams which permits testing of lock mechanism by overriding the automatic unlocking capability of the mechanism.

Abstract: Subsurface apparatus and method for using same in a hydrocarbon producing well to enable retrieval of a full opening subsurface safety valve mounted in the well tubing without disturbing the major portion of the well tubing located below the safety valve. The apparatus includes a subsurface tubing hanger below the safety valve from which the major portion of the well tubing is suspended and through which tubing the hydrocarbons flow to the surface. Disposed above the safety valve is a tubing holddown apparatus and a controllable safety joint. The holddown apparatus provides a lower anchor for the portion of the tubing disposed above the tubing hanger and the stinger which is received in and seals with the tubing hanger.

Abstract: A ram lock for blowout preventer rams which permits locking of the ram at multiple and adjustable positions. Automatic locking of the ram at a desired position, such as in adjustable sealing positions to compensate for ram elastomer wear, is obtained. The ram also automatically unlocks in response to opening fluid pressure acting on a cylinder liner which contains a ram carrier moving the ram.

Abstract: Subsurface apparatus and method for using same in a hydrocarbon producing well to enable retrieval of a full opening subsurface safety valve mounted in the well tubing without disturbing the major portion of the well tubing located below the safety valve. The apparatus includes a subsurface tubing hanger below the safety valve from which the major portion of the well tubing is suspended and through which tubing the hydrocarbons flow to the surface. Disposed above the safety valve is a tubing holddown apparatus and a controllable safety joint. The holddown apparatus provides a lower anchor for the portion of the tubing disposed above the tubing hanger and the stinger which is received in and seals with the tubing hanger.

Abstract: A subsurface safety valve having a flapper-like pivoting closure element that is moved to and from the open and closed positions by a reciprocating operator assembly. When moved to the open position, the closure element is pivoted out of the flow path to protect it from possible damage.

Abstract: Subsurface well apparatus and method of operating same, wherein a controlled ball valve or closure means is provided, with means for mounting same in a well tubing for normally opening and closing flow through the well tubing, and wherein a fluid flow control assembly having a replacement ball valve therewith is adapted to be dropped in or otherwise lowered through the well tubing so as to position same above said controlled ball valve for subsequent operation of said replacement valve to thereafter serve as a replacement for said controlled valve.

Abstract: A pipe joint includes pin and box members having interengaged threads characterized as producing hoop tension in the pin member and hoop compression in the box members.