Abstract: A tool (400) is disclosed for use in recovering gas from a gas well without the production of water as well. The tool (400) uses a member, such as plurality of vertically stacked balls (430) which are lighter than water to close a channel 422 when the water level (432) exceeds a certain level. As gas accumulates about the balls, the water level 432 will be moved downwardly, eventually causing the balls to move out of engagement with the seal surface (424), opening the channel (422) for passage of the gas upwardly for recovery. As the water level rises, the balls will again seal against the seal surface (424).

Abstract: Disclosed is a wireline cutting actuator and valve assembly. The valve includes a valve body having a gate reciprocatingly mounted therein. The gate has a stepped bore. The actuator includes a bonnet adapted for connection to the valve body and an actuator shaft having an inner end adapted for connection to the valve member. The actuator shaft extends outwardly of the bonnet. An actuator housing is releasibly connected to the bonnet and positioned about the actuator shaft. A spring is provided for urging the actuator shaft outwardly with respect to the bonnet. A piston housing assembly is releasibly connected to the actuator housing. A piston is slidingly mounted in the piston and is abuttable with the outer end of the actuator shaft to urge the actuator shaft inwardly with respect to the bonnet. A piston shaft is inwardly and outwardly movable with the piston and extends outwardly of the piston housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat sensitive jack for overriding a valve including a valve body and a gate valve member connected to a valve stem which is operated by a linear actuator having an actuator body and an actuator stem connected to the valve stem extending outwardly of the actuator body, wherein the actuator stem is movable between an open and a closed position, and wherein no hazardous projectiles are formed when the stem moves to the closed position. The jack includes a cap connectable to the body and a nut axially movably disposed in the cap for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein the distance between the first and second positions is at least as great as the distance between the open and closed positions of the valve. A fusible element is provided to normally maintain the nut in the first position, but which upon being exposed to excessive temperature will allow the nut to move to the second position within the cap.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat sensitive fire-safe valve energy assist device. The device includes a cup that is mountable exterior of the valve body to transmit forces thereto. The device also includes a pusher that is mountable about the valve stem to transmit force thereto. A spring or the like is provided for urging the cup and pusher axially apart, thereby to apply outwardly directed forces between the stem and the valve body. A fusible element is provided for releasably interlocking the pusher and cup at normal operating temperatures, but for allowing the pusher and cup to move with respect to each other when temperatures exceed a preselected level. The movement of the pusher with respect to the cup is limited, thereby to reduce the risk of injury to operating personnel.

Abstract: A manually operated gate valve having a fusible element located exterior of the shaft sealing element. Melting of the fusible element permitting outward movement of the shaft and gate elements with all the movable elements being confined to the housing.

Abstract: A fire-safe valve actuator which cooperates with a bolted bonnet type valve to define a bolt chamber with an exterior shroud supporting the actuator housing and providing a substantially imperfect barrier to prevent an external fire from coming into direct contact with the bolts or studs and nuts that connect the bonnet to the valve body. The bolt chamber may also be filled with an insulation material. The actuator may have a return spring connected to the actuator stem through a bearing so that the winding and unwinding of the spring does not result in any substantial torque being applied to the actuator stem. Similarly, any diaphragm in the actuator can be connected to the actuator stem by a bearing so that rotation of the stem will not impart torque to the diaphragm.

Abstract: A fire-safe valve actuator which cooperates with a bolted bonnet type valve to define a bolt chamber with an exterior shroud supporting the actuator housing and providing a substantially imperfect barrier to prevent an external fire from coming into direct contact with the bolts or studs and nuts that connect the bonnet to the valve body. The bolt chamber may also be filled with an insulation material. The actuator may have a return spring connected to the actuator stem through a bearing so that the winding and unwinding of the spring does not result in any substantial torque being applied to the actuator stem. Similiarly, any diaphragm in the actuator can be connected to the actuator stem by a bearing so that rotation of the stem will not impart torque to the diaphragm.