Abstract: The two Remote Back-flow Detection and Shut-off Systems that are developed by this patent narrows the possible 12 month time span for contaminating back-flow by detecting and shutting off the back-flow while not changing the current installation or inspection methods of the double check valve assembly.

Abstract: A flow device includes a flow-through region comprising at least one stage having a pocket configured to create a first pressure drop across the flow-through region in response to flow through the flow-through region in a first direction and a second pressure drop in response to flow through the flow-through region in a second direction. The first pressure drop is less than the second pressure drop under the same flow rates. The flow device has no moving parts to create the difference in pressure drop between the first direction and the second direction, the pocket has a larger cross sectional flow area than a first opening and a second opening fluidically connected to the pocket and a baffle positioned within the pocket having a “U” shape with a concave side of the baffle facing toward the second opening.

Abstract: A Self-Locking Slurry Tube Connector and Protection Arrangement includes a jumper tube; a tube cover supporting and protective of the jumper tube. A connector sealed to the jumper tube and configured to move on the jumper tube from a first position to a second automatically locked position. A method for joining slurry tubes between adjacent sand screens.

Abstract: A flow device, includes a flow-through region comprising at least one stage and configured to create a first pressure drop across the flow-through region in response to flow through the flow-through region in a first direction and a second pressure drop in response to flow through the flow-through region in a second direction. The first pressure drop being less than the second pressure drop under the same flow rates. The flow device having no moving parts to create the difference in pressure drop between the first direction and the second direction. A method of creating different pressure drops based on a direction of flow.

Abstract: A Self-Locking Slurry Tube Connector and Protection Arrangement includes a jumper tube; a tube cover supporting and protective of the jumper tube. A connector sealed to the jumper tube and configured to move on the jumper tube from a first position to a second automatically locked position. A method for joining slurry tubes between adjacent sand screens.

Abstract: A method of opening an orifice in a downhole article includes forming a downhole article having an orifice, the orifice having a selectively removable plug sealingly disposed therein, the selectively removable plug comprising a selectively removable plug body formed of a plug body material and a selectively removable sealant coating formed of a coating material disposed on an outer surface of the plug body. The method also includes disposing the article within a wellbore. The method further includes exposing the selectively removable plug to a first wellbore fluid that is configured to selectively remove the sealant coating and provide a fluid access to the plug body. The method further includes exposing the selectively removable plug body to a second wellbore fluid through the fluid access that is configured to selectively remove the plug body and using the second wellbore fluid to break the sealant coating into a plurality of pieces.

Abstract: A method of opening an orifice in a downhole article includes forming a downhole article having an orifice, the orifice having a selectively removable plug sealingly disposed therein, the selectively removable plug comprising a selectively removable plug body formed of a plug body material and a selectively removable sealant coating formed of a coating material disposed on an outer surface thereof. The method also includes disposing the article within a wellbore. The method further includes exposing the selectively removable plug to a first wellbore fluid that is configured to selectively remove the sealant coating and provide a fluid access to the plug body. The method also includes exposing the selectively removable plug body to a second wellbore fluid through the fluid access that is configured to selectively remove the plug body.

Abstract: A flow device includes a flow-through region comprising at least one stage having a pocket configured to create a first pressure drop across the flow-through region in response to flow through the flow-through region in a first direction and a second pressure drop in response to flow through the flow-through region in a second direction. The first pressure drop is less than the second pressure drop under the same flow rates. The flow device has no moving parts to create the difference in pressure drop between the first direction and the second direction, the pocket has a larger cross sectional flow area than a first opening and a second opening fluidically connected to the pocket and a baffle positioned within the pocket having a “U” shape with a concave side of the baffle facing toward the second opening.

Abstract: A flow device, includes a flow-through region comprising at least one stage and configured to create a first pressure drop across the flow-through region in response to flow through the flow-through region in a first direction and a second pressure drop in response to flow through the flow-through region in a second direction. The first pressure drop being less than the second pressure drop under the same flow rates. The flow device having no moving parts to create the difference in pressure drop between the first direction and the second direction. A method of creating different pressure drops based on a direction of flow.

Abstract: A method of opening an orifice in a downhole article includes forming a downhole article having an orifice, the orifice having a selectively removable plug sealingly disposed therein, the selectively removable plug comprising a selectively removable plug body formed of a plug body material and a selectively removable sealant coating formed of a coating material disposed on an outer surface of the plug body. The method also includes disposing the article within a wellbore. The method further includes exposing the selectively removable plug to a first wellbore fluid that is configured to selectively remove the sealant coating and provide a fluid access to the plug body. The method further includes exposing the selectively removable plug body to a second wellbore fluid through the fluid access that is configured to selectively remove the plug body and using the second wellbore fluid to break the sealant coating into a plurality of pieces.

Abstract: A method of opening an orifice in a downhole article includes forming a downhole article having an orifice, the orifice having a selectively removable plug sealingly disposed therein, the selectively removable plug comprising a selectively removable plug body formed of a plug body material and a selectively removable sealant coating formed of a coating material disposed on an outer surface thereof. The method also includes disposing the article within a wellbore. The method further includes exposing the selectively removable plug to a first wellbore fluid that is configured to selectively remove the sealant coating and provide a fluid access to the plug body. The method also includes exposing the selectively removable plug body to a second wellbore fluid through the fluid access that is configured to selectively remove the plug body.

Abstract: A material that reacts to produced hydrocarbons acts as a latch to retain a stored potential energy force. In a specific application, a sliding sleeve valve is held away from a circulating port to allow drilling mud to be circulated out. Later, when the well is put on production, the lock that holds collets in a groove releases as exposure to produced hydrocarbons at a retaining sleeve makes it get soft. This, in turn, allows a spring force to run the collets out of their groove and straddle the circulation port between two o-rings on the shifting sleeve to close the port. The closure of the port directs produced hydrocarbons to screens that had been bypassed when mud was circulated out due to ports being the path of least resistance.

Abstract: A material that reacts to produced hydrocarbons acts as a latch to retain a stored potential energy force. In a specific application, a sliding sleeve valve is held away from a circulating port to allow drilling mud to be circulated out. Later, when the well is put on production, the lock that holds collets in a groove releases as exposure to produced hydrocarbons at a retaining sleeve makes it get soft. This, in turn, allows a spring force to run the collets out of their groove and straddle the circulation port between two o-rings on the shifting sleeve to close the port. The closure of the port directs produced hydrocarbons to screens that had been bypassed when mud was circulated out due to ports being the path of least resistance.

Abstract: A system for preferable use in gravel packing is disclosed which includes a plurality of transport tubes which are mounted outside of gravel pack screens. The multiplicity of shunt tubes cover a particular zone so that the tubes have a varying length to deposit gravel at different portions of the zone. The tops of the tubes are preferably sealed until ready for use and activated by applied pressure. In the preferred embodiment, rupture discs are found at the tops of each of the tubes, set for different pressures so as to open up the transport tubes to the lower most portion of a particular zone and later in sequence to the higher-most portion. The transport tubes are affixed to each section of pipe and are made up when two sections of pipe are made up to alignment marks. When the marks are aligned, the transport tube segments from each pipe section are in an aligned and sealed relation while the tool joint is properly torqued.

Abstract: A blocked jaw clutch assembly (156) having a second positive stop member (200,202) to limit axial movement of a second jaw clutch member (116) away from the first stop member (134) is provided. During initiation of a shifting operation, if the first (164) and second (116) jaw clutch members are not at substantially synchronous rotation, the second stop member will limit axial movement of said first jaw clutch member (108, 164) to a preselect position (FIG. 9B) axially intermediate the neutral axial position (FIG. 9A) and fully engaged axial position (FIG. 9C) thereof.

Abstract: A compound change gear semi-blocked transmission (10) of the splitter type is provided. The transmission comprises a multi-speed main section (12) connected in series with an multi-speed auxiliary section (14). The main section utilizes manually engaged, non-blocked, nonsynchronized jaw clutch assemblies (56, 58, 60) while the auxiliary section utilizes resiliently shifted blocked jaw clutch assemblies (114, 116, 118, 120). The blocked jaw clutch assemblies are provided with ramps (176, 178, 180, 182) which will cause unblocking during a clutching operation if the main section is not engaged.

Abstract: A multiple, load-sharing countershaft assembly (12, 14) change gear transmission (10) utilizing double-helical gearing is provided.

Abstract: A blocked jaw clutch assembly (156) of the type having sensor unblocking ramps (176, 178, 180, 182) is provided with structure tending to cause the blocking torque friction surface (188) carried by the blocker ring (124) to frictionally engage the blocking torque friction member (190) carried by the first jaw clutch member (108, 164, 188) with a circumferentially non-symetrical axial force.

Abstract: An automatic mechanical change gear transmission system (10) is provided. The transmisssion (12) is a splitter type comprising a main section (48) connected in series with a blocked splitter type auxiliary section (50). The auxiliary section blockers (172) and clutch members (164) are provided with ramps (218, 220, 222, 224) which will tend to align the blockers and ramps in a nonblocking condition under the influence of biasing spring (178) if the main section is in neutral. A control unit (38) receives input signals and commands transmission shifts in a sequence including shifting the main section into neutral and shifting the auxiliary section to a new ratio during each shift procedure.

Abstract: An automatic mechanical change gear transmission system (10) is provided. The transmission (12) is a splitter type comprising a main section (48) connected in series with a blocked splitter type auxiliary section (50). The auxiliary section blockers (172) and clutch members (164) are provided with ramps (218, 220, 222, 224) which will tend to align the blockers and ramps in a nonblocking condition under the influence of biasing spring (178) if the main section is in neutral. A control unit (38) receives input signals and commands transmission shifts in a sequence including shifting the main section into neutral and shifting the auxiliary section to a new ratio during each shift procedure.