Patents Assigned to NL Industries, Inc.
  • Wellhead connector with check valve
    Patent number: 4460156
    Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus for making up fluid connections in association with an underwater wellhead structure. The apparatus comprises a pair of matable bodies including a female body having a generally laterally inwardly facing wall defining a receptacle and a male body adapted for insertion into and removal from the receptacle by movement in a generally longitudinal directional mode. The male body has a generally laterally outwardly facing wall for disposition adjacent the wall of the female body when the male body is inserted therein. Each of the bodies has a respective fluid passageway, and each of these passageways has a port opening through the laterally facing wall of the respective one of the bodies, the two ports being generally in register when the bodies are matingly engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Hazelrigg, Edward W. Locheed, Jr.
  • Viscous heavy brines
    Patent number: 4459214
    Abstract: Hydroxyethyl cellulose and a sequestrant are added to a heavy brine containing one or more salts selected from calcium chloride, calcium bromide, and zinc bromide to increase the viscosity of the brine. Preferably the brine contains zinc bromide, has a density in the range from about 14.2-19.2 pounds per gallon, and the sequestrant is a polyphosphonic acid or water soluble salt thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy F. House, Lonnie D. Hoover
  • Drill bit and method of metallurgical and mechanical holding of cutters in a drill bit
    Patent number: 4453605
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for mechanically and metallurgically holding a cutter in a drill bit pocket. The method includes using powder metallurgy techniques in the formation of a drill bit member having a plurality of pockets configured to inhibit displacement of cutters out of the pockets in a direction transverse to the drill bit working surface. The method further includes the steps of metallurgically bonding and mechanically engaging the cutter with the cutter pocket. The drill bit manufactured in accordance with the methods of the present invention include a carbide menstrum drill bit head having a working surface with a plurality of fluid courses and nozzles thereon in adjacent relationship with a plurality of cutter blade bands comprising a series of cutter pockets having cutters disposed therein in a fashion parallel with the working surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Lot W. Short, Jr.
  • Logging tool and method for measuring resistivity of different radial zones at a common depth of measurement
    Patent number: 4451789
    Abstract: A wireline logging system for measuring formation resistivity includes a longitudinal housing having three transmitters and three receivers arranged at measured distances on the housing, with about four feet between the outermost ends of the array. The transmitters are operated at three different frequencies, with each receiver receiving all three frequencies. The output of each receiver is the three received frequencies, which is amplified and fed to a mixer. A local oscillator frequency is also fed to each mixer. The output from each mixer of the three received frequencies mixed with a local frequency is passed through a filter to output one of the three received signals at a lower frequency. The frequency mix is arranged so that the output of each of the filters is at a common frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Meador
  • Motion compensator system
    Patent number: 4449854
    Abstract: The invention pertains to motion compensators and compensator systems, particularly adapted for disposition between an offshore platform and a riser or conductor pipe. Each compensator includes a cylinder with a piston reciprocably mounted therein, the piston rod protruding from one end of the cylinder. That one end of the cylinder is directed toward and connected to either the platform or the riser pipe, with its other end being directed toward the other of those two bodies. Link rods are independently connected to the protruding part of the piston rod and extend longitudinally toward said other end of the cylinder for connection to said other of the two bodies. A compressible fluid is disposed between the piston and said other end of the cylinder to resist movement of the piston toward said other end and thereby resist movement of the platform and the riser pipe away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. J. Nayler
  • Organophilic clay gellant having enhanced dispersibility
    Patent number: 4450095
    Abstract: The viscosity of liquid organic systems is increased by adding thereto an organophilic clay gellant which is the reaction product of a smectite-type clay having a cation exchange capacity of at least 75 milliequivalents per 100 grams of said clay and from 100 to 120 milliequivalents per 100 grams of clay of methyl or benzyl trialkyl ammonium salt, wherein the alkyl groups independently contain from 14 to 20 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Claude M. Finlayson
  • Locking mechanism for annular blowout preventer
    Patent number: 4438900
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for securing the upper housing of an annular blowout preventer to the lower housing. A split latch ring having a plurality of angled teeth cut in its outer diameter is expandable into the lower housing which is provided with a plurality of locking grooves contoured to mate with the teeth. A locking ring with a tapered outer surface mates with a tapered inner surface on the latch ring for expanding the latch ring. Bolting the inner locking ring to the upper housing causes downward movement of the locking ring forcing the latch ring outwardly and down the taper of the engaging teeth. The upper housing is locked to the lower housing as the upper housing has a shoulder engaging the lower edge of the downwardly moving latch ring causing seating of the upper housing on to the lower housing and compensating for variations in machining tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Schaeper, Richard A. Olson
  • Heavy brine viscosifiers
    Patent number: 4439333
    Abstract: Polymeric compositions for, and methods of, increasing the viscosity of aqueous brine well servicing fluids comprising adding to the brine a composition containing hydroxyethyl cellulose, a solid organic activating agent for the hydroxyethyl cellulose, and a solvent for the activating agent which also functions as a suspending medium or carrier for the hydroxyethyl cellulose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy F. House, Lonnie D. Hoover
  • Invert emulsion well servicing fluids
    Patent number: 4436636
    Abstract: An invert emulsion well servicing fluid containing an oleaginous phase, an aqueous phase, an invert emulsifier and an effective amount of a solid, particulate polyolefin having a density of about 0.90 gms/cc or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Carnicom
  • Thermally stable thickener
    Patent number: 4436862
    Abstract: A thermally stable thickener is composed of a stabilizing agent and a water dispersible polyurethane. The stabilizing agent is a smectite-type clay having a cation exchange capacity of at least 75 milliequivalents per 100 grams of clay, 100% active clay basis. The water dispersible polyurethane must possess the property that it forms an aqueous composition that experiences a decrease in Stormer viscosity upon thermal aging. Aqueous compositions incorporating the thermally stable thickener may be exposed to extended periods at elevated temperatures without substantially affecting the level of thickening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin T. Tetenbaum, Burlon C. Crowley
  • Anionically modified organophilic clays and their preparation
    Patent number: 4434075
    Abstract: An organophilic clay gellant is disclosed which comprises the reaction product of an organic cation compound, an organic anion, and a smectite-type clay having a cation exchange capacity of at least 75 milliequivalents per 100 grams of said clay. The organic cation compound has the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of a .beta., .gamma.-unsaturated alkyl group and a hydroxyalkyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof; R.sub.2 is a long chain alkyl group having 12 to 60 carbon atoms; R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are individually selected from the group consisting of a .beta., .gamma.-unsaturated alkyl group, a hydroxyalkyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, an aralkyl group, an alkyl group having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof; X is selected from a group consisting of phosphorous and nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilbur S. Mardis, Claude M. Finlayson
  • Clay cation complexes and their use to increase viscosity of liquid organic systems
    Patent number: 4434076
    Abstract: An organophilic clay gellant comprising the reaction product of an organic cationic compound and a smectite-type clay having a cation exchange capacity of at least 75 milliequivalents per 100 grams of said clay, wheein said organic cationic compound contains (a) a first member selected from the group consisting of a .beta., .gamma.-unsaturated alkyl group, and a hydroxyalkyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof, (b) a second member comprising a long chain alkyl group having 12 to 60 carbon atoms and (c) a third and fourth alkyl member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilbur S. Mardis, Claude M. Finlayson
  • Wellhead connector with release mechanism
    Patent number: 4433859
    Abstract: A wellhead connector comprises a tubular main body movably mounting a set of circumferentially spaced members for radial extension and retraction. An actuator on the main body is operatively associated with the members to radially extend them. Levers are interengaged between the main body and the members, when the latter are extended, and are operative to at least partially retract the members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Driver, Richard J. Herman
  • Dispersible hydrophilic polymer compositions
    Patent number: 4427556
    Abstract: A polymer composition for use in aqueous mediums comprising a hydrophilic polymer, a water miscible polar organic liquid which acts as a solvating agent for the hydrophilic polymer, the solvating agent being of a type which forms a semi-solid to viscous mixture with the hydrophilic polymer under certain conditions, and a diluting agent which is a non-solvating agent for the hydrophilic polymer. The polymer compositions can be added to aqueous mediums, particularly heavy brines, to produce well servicing fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy F. House, Lonnie D. Hoover
  • Underwater connector apparatus
    Patent number: 4426104
    Abstract: Apparatus for making up underwater fluid connections comprising first and second connector assemblies each comprising at least one conduit connector member, the connector members of the two assemblies being matably connectable by movement of the assemblies toward each other. A pair of levers carried by the first assembly are pivotable about a first axis transverse to the direction of movement in connecting the two assemblies, the two levers further being generally parallel and spaced apart along said first axis. The levers have force transmitting arms engageable with the second assembly to urge it toward the first assembly, and are interconnected for joint pivotal movement. The levers have a terminal position engaged with the second assembly when the connector members are connected, and lock bars carried by the first assembly retain the levers in the terminal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith R. Hazelrigg
  • Motion compensator with improved position indicator
    Patent number: 4421173
    Abstract: A motion compensator for disposition between an offshore support and an offshore well string or the like movable with respect to the support comprises first and second compensator bodies interconnected with the support and the well string such that relative movement between the support and well string causes relative movement between the compensator bodies. The compensator bodies are further interconnected with each other for relative movement in generally vertical directional modes. A compressible fluid or the like is associated with the compensator bodies for resiliently resisting relative movement therebetween in a first directional mode. A position indicator associated with the compensator bodies comprises a flexible vessel having one end connected to one of the compensator bodies and the other end connected to the other compensator body generally below the one end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce E. Beakley, Douglas W. J. Nayler
  • Thickened heavy brines
    Patent number: 4420406
    Abstract: A thickened brine solution useful as a well servicing fluid is prepared, said solution consisting essentially of water, at least 20% by weight zinc bromide, calcium bromide, and a viscosifying amount of hydroxyethyl cellulose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy F. House, Lonnie D. Hoover
  • Expendable die casting sand core
    Patent number: 4413666
    Abstract: Sand cores containing an acid curable binding agent are used in the production of die castings having undercut regions because of the favorable combination of shakeout properties, resistance to washout, and resistance to surface penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Enno H. Page
  • Underwater wellhead connector
    Patent number: 4411454
    Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus for connecting to a wellhead structure. Lower and upper female bodies define first and second receptacles disposed generally in coaxially aligned, end-to-end, communicative relation. A male body is received in both receptacles. The male body and upper female body have respective sets of inductive electric couplers matched in one-to-one relation. Several features facilitate effective use of such couplers: the couplers themselves have the edges of their heads chamfered from a point located just outwardly of the O.D's of their cores; an improved mounting arrangement aligns the two female bodies in stacked relation without the lower female body interfering with proper seating of the male body in the upper female body; an improved compensator system enhances play of one female body for precise centering with the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. J. Nayler, John D. Smith
  • Organophilic clay complexes, their preparation and compositions comprising said complexes
    Patent number: 4412018
    Abstract: An organophilic clay gellant and methods of using and making the same which comprises the reaction product of an organic cation, an organic anion and a smectite-type clay having a cation exchange capacity of at least 75 milliequivalents per 100 grams of said clay such that an organic cation-organic anion complex is intercalated with the smectite-type clay and the cation exchange sites of the smectite-type clay are substituted with the organic cation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude M. Finlayson, Wilbur S. Mardis