Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing and recovering solvent vapor for cleaning the interior surfaces of substantially sealed vessels and the exterior surfaces of structures contained therein]. In the illustrated embodiment, a transportable vessel cleaning system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of solvent vapor producing chambers, each having a solvent vapor outflow port and a solvent vapor inflow port coaxially arranged along a vapor flow axis extending through each chamber along flow channels associated with the solvent vapor outflow and inflow ports. When operationally configured with a substantially sealed vessel, each solvent vapor producing chamber of the present invention produces a solvent vapor stream which is recirculated through the vapor delivery tube, vessel interior, vapor recovery tube and the solvent vapor producing chamber along the direction of its vapor flow axis.

Abstract: An electronic recording device and multiple sensors for measuring various parameters at locations remote from the recording device. The multiple sensors can be joined together to comprise a downhole tool for measuring various parameters within a well bore and transmitting information concerning each parameter to the recording device via a single conductor electrical wireline. The embodiment disclosed within this patent measures the parameters of pressure, temperature, flow rate plus direction, and collar location. A wide variety of sensors can be included within the downhole tool to measure additional parameters as desired. This invention allows the multiple sensors to measure various parameters at any location remote from the recording device and to transmit information concerning each parameter to the recording device on single conductor electrical line as a composite signal.

Abstract: A submergible pump installation for wells comprising a submergible pump assembly adapted to be landed in position within the well bore for pumping well fluids to the surface, together with a safety system for the well including a subsurface valve or valves for maintaining the well under control as the pump is run into and removed from the well. At least one subsurface valve of the system is hydraulically actuated by the discharge pressure of the pump with the pressure fluid being conducted to the valve by a conducting means located exteriorly of the pump housing. The invention also contemplates the use of a novel poppet-type subsurface valve which may be suitably pressure balanced so that it is capable of being actuated by relatively low hydraulic control pressure supplied by the pump.

Abstract: A valve for automatically dumping a load of solids entrained within a fluid transport medium in response to flow interruption is disclosed. The automatic dump valve is particularly well-suited for use in combination with a module transport riser in deep ocean mining operations. The automatic dump valve system is combined with a tubular conduit defining a longitudinally extending flow passage having a sidewall opening defining a dump port. The automatic dump valve assemby includes a movable dump port cover plate and a hydraulic actuator coupled to the cover plate The hydraulic actuator is operably responsive to pressure changes within the flow passage relative to the pressure exerted by a surrounding body of water to open and close the dump port.

Abstract: A valve to control flow between outside and inside a tubular member. The valve is housed concentrically in an annular body around a tubular member and may be utilized mounted on an outside mandrel or in a side pocket mandrel which may be included in a well tubing string to control injection or lift gas flow from the well annulus into the tubing. Variable and staged flow restrictors upstream and downstream protect the resilient valve seal from flow cutting and opening closing stresses. The valve is balanced and is not urged to open by increasing outside pressure. The balanced valve minimizes difference between open and close pressures as opening pressure is very near closing pressure. An operating piston, in communication with outside and inside pressures, senses differential pressure and moves the valve axially to open when outside pressure is sufficiently higher than inside pressure. A compressed spring holds the valve closed and opening and closing pressures may be adjusted.

Abstract: A locking assembly for well devices, such as a cable suspended electric pump, for anchoring the device against both axial and rotative movement within a well flow conductor. The assembly includes locking keys engageable with locking recesses provided in the flow conductor to support the device within said conductor. An expander mandrel actuated by the torque forces developed by a rotating element of the well device coacts with said locking keys to urge said keys into tighter locking position and thereby prevent rotation of said assembly within the flow conductor. The assembly also includes an equalizing valve which equalizes pressures across the assembly and the well device prior to releasing the locking action of the locking keys.

Abstract: A valve for automatically dumping a load of solids entrained within a fluid transport medium in response to flow interruption is disclosed. The automatic dump valve is particularly well-suited for use in combination with a nodule transport riser in deep ocean mining operations. The automatic dump valve system is combined with a tubular conduit defining a longitudinally extending flow passage having a sidewall opening defining a dump port. The automatic dump valve assembly includes a movable dump port cover plate and a hydraulic actuator coupled to the cover plate. The hydraulic actuator is operably responsive to pressure changes within the flow passage relative to the pressure exerted by a surrounding body of water to open and close the dump port.

Abstract: A valve for automatically dumping a load of solids entrained within a fluid transport medium in response to flow interruption is disclosed. The automatic dump valve is particularly well-suited for use in combination with a nodule transport riser in deep ocean mining operations. The automatic dump valve system is combined with a tubular conduit defining a longitudinally extending flow passage having a sidewall opening defining a dump port. The automatic dump valve assembly includes a movable dump port cover plate and a hydraulic actuator coupled to the cover plate. The hydraulic actuator is operably responsive to pressure changes within the flow passage relative to the pressure exerted by a surrounding body of water to open and close the dump port.

Abstract: A valve for automatically dumping a load of solids entrained within a fluid transport medium in response to flow interruption is disclosed. The automatic dump valve is particularly well-suited for use in combination with a nodule transport riser in deep ocean mining operations. The automatic dump valve system is combined with a tubular conduit defining a longitudinally extending flow passage having a sidewall opening defining a dump port. The automatic dump valve assembly includes a movable dump port cover plate and a hydraulic actuator coupled to the cover plate. The hydraulic actuator is operably responsive to pressure changes within the flow passage relative to the pressure exerted by a surrounding body of water to open and close the dump port.

Abstract: A well packer for use in geothermal wells or stem injection wells. The packer can be anchored to the inner wall of a casing string to resist differential pressure in either direction. The anchoring means includes a single set of slip elements which are hydraulically or mechanically set. The packer includes a sealing unit with packing elements especially adapted for high temperature wells. The packer can be simply released from the casing by upward tension on the tubing.

Abstract: A piston for use as a TFL locomotive or well swab having a seal unit forming a fluid seal between the piston and the inner wall of a flow conductor or tubing string. The seal unit comprising at least one annular fin or lip extending radially from the piston. The annular fin or lip having an exterior portion formed from elastomeric material which is deformable to seal with the flow conductor and an interior portion formed from elastomeric material molded on wire mesh. The interior portion providing increased wear resistance and strength for the annular lip. In one version, the piston carries several individual seal units each having an annular lip.

Abstract: Disclosed is a valve to control fluid flow between a region exterior of a tubular member and a region interior of the tubular member. The valve includes a tubular seal element which is radially expandable to prevent flow and is radially contractible upon sliding movement thereof to permit flow and to reduce frictional resistance to such sliding movement.

Abstract: Disclosed is an axially movable valve for admitting fluid to a fluid starved region. The admitted fluid feeds a pressure generating pump. Fluid pressure generated by the pump provides a force to further open the valve and to move a tool actuator. The valve opens with minimal sliding friction resistance. During the opening sequence, the flow area of the valve gradually increases. This abstract is neither intended to define the scope of the invention, which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to limit the invention in any way.

Abstract: A swivel connector for joining well tools or similar apparatus with a main longitudinal bore or passage through which well operations may be conducted and at least one separate passage for conducting fluid therethrough which extends through the swivel joint and is not blocked by rotation or pivoting of the swivel joint. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A collar lock and seal assembly for releasably locking a well tool such as a pump in a well flow conductor, such as casing or tubing, and sealing with the flow conductor around the assembly to restrict flow to a path into the pump. The assembly has an annular support surface engageable with a no-go shoulder in the flow conductor, radially movable locking keys for expansion into a locking recess in the flow conductor above the no-go shoulder, a longitudinally operable bypass valve, and interference fit annular seals. First shear pins hold the assembly unlocked while running in and second shear pins are activated to lock the assembly at operating position. The seals and connected parts are coupled to resist rotation by the pump when locked in a well casing. In operation the assembly is coupled in a tool train including an electric well pump, valves, and related structure. The tool train is lowered on a cable in a well casing until the flow conductor no-go shoulder is engaged.

Abstract: A device for locking and unlocking two concentric pipes, for example extending between an underwater oil well and a surface apparatus, comprising first and second locking means on one of said pipes and at least two stop means on the other of said pipes operative to limit relative movement of said pipes in the connection direction and to prevent relative movement of said pipes, when locked together, in the disconnection direction, wherein locking and unlocking is effected solely by relative axial movement of the pipes.

Abstract: A leak-tight connecting device for the connection of two pipes comprising a primary ball-and-socket joint traversed by a bore, a secondary connecting support for said ball-and-socket joint, said secondary support comprising first and second outer sealing joints and a common central sealing joint located between said first and second outer sealing joints, each said sealing joint being disposed between said ball and socket joint and said support to define with said support and said ball-and-socket joint two chambers, means for connecting said chambers to a source of an incompressible fluid under pressure, mechanical means externally connecting said ball-and-socket joint and said secondary support, said mechanical means being pivotally coupled to each said joint and said support and operable to transmit torque from one of said joint and support to the other for various relative angular dispositions of said joint and said support and means for biasing at least one of said outer sealing joints bounding said chambe

Abstract: A well packer for use in geothermal wells or .[.stem.]. .Iadd.steam .Iaddend.injection wells. The packer can be anchored to the inner wall of a casing string to resist differential pressure in either direction. The anchoring means includes a single set of slip elements which are hydraulically or mechanically set. The packer includes a sealing unit with packing elements especially adapted for high temperature wells. The packer can be simply released from the casing by upward tension on the tubing.