Abstract: A fiber placement head for applying a plurality of composite tape segments on a mold including one or more powered wheels that are configured to engage and move composite tape; and one or more elongated fingers that closely conform to or abut an outer surface of the powered wheel(s) such that a portion of the elongated finger(s) forms at least a portion of a lane path.

Abstract: A fiber placement head assembly for applying a plurality of composite tape segments on a mold that includes a fiber placement head configured to receive composite tape from a composite tape source and apply the composite tape to the mold. The assembly also includes one or more air-operating conveyors, coupled with the fiber placement head, each having an inlet that is configured to receive an end of composite tape from the composite tape source, an outlet configured to provide the end of composite tape to the fiber placement head, and one or more inline vacuum conveyors that are configured to receive compressed fluid from a source and direct the compressed fluid toward the outlet thereby transporting the end of the composite tape from the inlet to the outlet and into the fiber placement head.

Abstract: A fiber placement head for applying a plurality of composite tape segments on a mold, including one or more lane assemblies each having one or more fluid passageways that receive compressed air; a piston assembly that selectively moves relative to the lane assembly in response to receipt of compressed air; an attachment site configured to releasably couple the lane assembly to a portion of the fiber placement head; an aperture in the lane assembly configured to receive a fastener that releasably couples a subassembly to the lane module, wherein a piston from the piston assembly engages the subassembly; and a subassembly releasably coupled to each lane module by the fastener received by the aperture.

Abstract: A fiber placement head for applying a plurality of composite tape segments on a mold including one or more powered wheels that are configured to engage and move composite tape; and one or more elongated fingers that closely conform to or abut an outer surface of the powered wheel(s) such that a portion of the elongated finger(s) forms at least a portion of a lane path.

Abstract: A fiber placement head for applying a plurality of composite tape A fiber placement head for applying a plurality of composite tape segments on a mold, including one or more lane assemblies each having one or more fluid passageways that receive compressed air; a piston assembly that selectively moves relative to the lane assembly in response to receipt of compressed air; an attachment site configured to releasably couple the lane assembly to a portion of the fiber placement head; an aperture in the lane assembly configured to receive a fastener that releasably couples a subassembly to the lane module, wherein a piston from the piston assembly engages the subassembly; and a subassembly releasably coupled to each lane module by the fastener received by the aperture segments on a mold that includes one or more lane modules each having; one or more fluid passageways that receive compressed air; a piston assembly that selectively moves relative to the lane module in response to receipt of compressed air; an attach

Abstract: A tool includes a shaft having a front end and a distal end; a displacement mechanism for extending and retracting the shaft; and one or more pivoting tool elements coupled to the tool shaft proximate to the distal end of the shaft, wherein the one or more pivoting tool elements includes a body having an upper element and a lower element, wherein the one or more pivoting tool elements includes a pivot point about which the upper element and lower element pivot while coupled to the shaft. A method includes extending the tool shaft and the pivoting tool element into a bore of the flow control device; pivoting the pivoting tool element while extending the tool shaft through a removable component of the flow control device; and removing the removable component from the flow control device by retracting the tool shaft through the bore of the choke.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator comprises a chamber, a first line, a second line, and an auxiliary line. The chamber allows fluid to move therethrough and comprises a movable element therein. The first line is in fluid communication with the chamber. The second line is in fluid communication with the chamber. The auxiliary line connects the first line and the second line and comprises a valve to selectively allow fluid communication between the first line and the second line as the movable element is moved in the chamber.

Abstract: A system useful for monitoring or controlling the back pressure of fluid in a wellbore is disclosed. The system may include: a choke assembly including: a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a bore; a choke member disposed in the bore for controlling a flow of a fluid from the inlet to the outlet, and a rod coupled to the choke member and extending through the housing; a cylinder including: a housing having an axial bore; a piston, directly or indirectly coupled to the rod, disposed in the axial bore and separating the axial bore into a first chamber and a second chamber; a position indicating device fluidly coupled to the second chamber, wherein a change in volume of fluid in the second chamber causes a corresponding change in volume of fluid in the position indicating device, thereby indicating a change in the position of the choke member.

Abstract: A fluid control system includes a choke valve having a first connector shaft; an actuator having a second connector shaft; a collar disposed around the first and second connector shafts; and a spring disposed on the first connector shaft. The collar may have an internal taper and a plurality of engagement pins.

Abstract: A tool includes a shaft having a front end and a distal end; a displacement mechanism for extending and retracting the shaft; and one or more pivoting tool elements coupled to the tool shaft proximate to the distal end of the shaft, wherein the one or more pivoting tool elements includes a body having an upper element and a lower element, wherein the one or more pivoting tool elements includes a pivot point about which the upper element and lower element pivot while coupled to the shaft. A method includes extending the tool shaft and the pivoting tool element into a bore of the flow control device; pivoting the pivoting tool element while extending the tool shaft through a removable component of the flow control device; and removing the removable component from the flow control device by retracting the tool shaft through the bore of the choke.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of a fluid, such as a drilling fluid or drilling mud, is disclosed. The apparatus may include: a valve member; and a float member mechanically coupled to the valve member and configured to operate on the valve member when fully submerged in a fluid. The coupled float member is configured to increase flow through the valve member as a density of the fluid decreases and to restrict flow through the valve member as the density of the fluid increases.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator comprises a chamber, a first line, a second line, and an auxiliary line. The chamber allows fluid to move therethrough and comprises a movable element therein. The first line is in fluid communication with the chamber. The second line is in fluid communication with the chamber. The auxiliary line connects the first line and the second line and comprises a valve to selectively allow fluid communication between the first line and the second line as the movable element is moved in the chamber.

Abstract: A fluid control system includes a choke valve having a first connector shaft an actuator haying a second connector shaft; a collar disposed around the first and second connector shafts; and a spring disposed on the first connector shaft. The collar may have an internal taper and a plurality of engagement pins.

Abstract: A system having a choke assembly with a mandrel extending therefrom, an actuator with an actuator member extending therefrom, and a spool having a bore therethrough configured to provide a passage for the mandrel and the actuator member. The spool further includes a first end configured to be coupled to the choke assembly, a second end configured to be coupled to the actuator; and an access port formed in a wall of the spool. The system also includes a locking device configured to couple the mandrel to the actuator member within the bore of the spool. The access port is configured to receive the locking device.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of a fluid, such as a drilling fluid or drilling mud, is disclosed. The apparatus may include: a valve member; and a float member mechanically coupled to the valve member and configured to operate on the valve member when fully submerged in a fluid. The coupled float member is configured to increase flow through the valve member as a density of the fluid decreases and to restrict flow through the valve member as the density of the fluid increases.

Abstract: A system useful for monitoring or controlling the back pressure of fluid in a wellbore is disclosed. The system may include: a choke assembly including: a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a bore; a choke member disposed in the bore for controlling a flow of a fluid from the inlet to the outlet, and a rod coupled to the choke member and extending through the housing; a cylinder including: a housing having an axial bore; a piston, directly or indirectly coupled to the rod, disposed in the axial bore and separating the axial bore into a first chamber and a second chamber; a position indicating device fluidly coupled to the second chamber, wherein a change in volume of fluid in the second chamber causes a corresponding change in volume of fluid in the position indicating device, thereby indicating a change in the position of the choke member.