Abstract: (57) A travel multiplying device (1) has at least one outer pipe (2), one inner pipe (3) and one intermediate pipe (4) positioned between them, which can be moved relative to each other in the longitudinal direction (5) each by a particular distance of travel (16-36) with at least one cut-out formed (11-17) between facing surfaces (7, 8, 9, 10) of each pipe (2, 3, 4), which cut-outs show different gradients (18, 19) relative to a transverse plane (21) through the pipes (2, 3, 4), and which are coupled with each other by at least one movement linking element (22-26) to link the movements of the pipes. By such a travel multiplying device, a small movement of one element is transformed into a magnifying movement of another element in a simply designed and reliable manner.

Abstract: In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a sensor system for detecting a change in condition. The system includes a radioactive source. This system also includes at least one radiation detector configured to detect radiation from the radioactive source. Furthermore, the system includes a displacement assembly configured to physically displace in response to the change in condition and configured to change the radiation levels detected by the radiation detector in response to such displacement. Advantageously, this system facilitates non-intrusive communication of information across a physical barrier, via the measurement of changing radiation levels that change in response to a change in condition, for example.

Abstract: A seal assembly with an accumulator ring for protecting a seal from explosive decompression is disclosed. The accumulator ring and the seal are contained within a seal gland. The seal is made of a material that is susceptible to damage from explosive decompression. When exposed to a high-pressure fluid environment, the accumulator ring fills with a quantity of high-pressure fluid, either by permeation if it is solid or by permeation and/or vents and/or channels leading to a void if it is hollow. During an explosive decompression event, the accumulator ring expands to fill the remaining volume of the seal gland. Then, the accumulator ring exerts an axial compressive or supporting force on the seal for a sufficient amount of time to allow the seal to expel fluid contained in it and minimize the effects of explosive decompression thereto.

Abstract: A travel multiplying device (1) has at least one outer pipe (2), one inner pipe (3) and one intermediate pipe (4) positioned between them, which can be moved relative to each other in the longitudinal direction (5) each by a particular distance of travel (16-36) with at least one cut-out formed (11-17) between facing surfaces (7, 8, 9, 10) of each pipe (2, 3, 4), which cut-outs show different gradients (18, 19) relative to a transverse plane (21) through the pipes (2, 3, 4), and which are coupled with each other by at least one movement linking element (22-26) to link the movements of the pipes. By such a travel multiplying device, a small movement of one element is transformed into a magnifying movement of another element in a simply designed and reliable manner.

Abstract: A seal assembly with an accumulator ring for protecting a seal from explosive decompression is disclosed. The accumulator ring and the seal are contained within a seal gland. The seal is made of a material that is susceptible to damage from explosive decompression. When exposed to a high-pressure fluid environment, the accumulator ring fills with a quantity of high-pressure fluid, either by permeation if it is solid or by permeation and/or vents and/or channels leading to a void if it is hollow. During an explosive decompression event, the accumulator ring expands to fill the remaining volume of the seal gland. Then, the accumulator ring exerts an axial compressive or supporting force on the seal for a sufficient amount of time to allow the seal to expel fluid contained in it and minimize the effects of explosive decompression thereto.

Abstract: A clamping connector that can be remotely actuated and locked which is particularly useful in subsea applications for attaching subsea Christmas trees to marine wellheads. The clamping connector includes clamp halves linked by a locking stem. The locking stem is forced into a pre-stressed state by moving the locking stem from a first relaxed to a second pre-stressed position and retained in the second pre-stressed position by a locking collet. A locking collet through which the locking stem extends is moved from a first unlocked position to a second locked position wedged between the locking stem and one or the other of the clamp halves. When the locking collet is in the second locked position, it resists movement of the locking stem from the second pre-stressed position to the first relaxed position. The locking collet is then locked in the second locked position.

Abstract: A high torque rotating actuator is disclosed. The high torque rotating actuator has a variable helix angle that allows the actuator to generate greater torque near the end of its travel when it is needed to close a valve or operate a choke. The high torque rotating actuator is designed for use with valves and chokes. In a second embodiment, a high torque rotating actuator is configured to give a shorter overall assembly. As in the preferred embodiment, a variable helix angle is used to generate greater torque near the end of its travel when it is needed to close a valve or operate a choke.

Abstract: A tubular joint has a pair of tubular members (10, 12) with end hubs (14, 16) in opposed relation and secured by a clamp (22). A primary seal ring (40) has external tapered sealing surfaces (42, 44) engaging internal tapered sealing surfaces (28, 30) on the hubs (14, 16) to provide a primary seal. Secondary sealing surfaces (32, 36) on the hubs (14, 16) are engaged by O-rings (62, 64) as shown in FIG. 4 to seal against external fluid flow to the seal ring (40). O-rings (62, 64) permit internal fluid flow outwardly from the seal ring (40) as shown in FIG. 3.

Abstract: The improved valve of the present invention is a self-contained emergency safety shutdown valve which does not require the attendance of an individual or an outside power source for its emergency shutdown. The valve illustrated is a gate valve with the gate movable between positions opening and closing flow through the valve and having a stem which is controlled by a ball shaft extending through a rotary ball nut with means for preventing rotation of ball nut in one direction and means urging stem, gate and ball shaft in a direction closing flow through the valve. The control means controlling the release of the rotation preventing means is controlled by both high and low pressure responsive devices which are interconnected to a plunger for operating the release and to a plunger for sensing the pressure downstream of the valve.

Abstract: A fire safe valve which includes a body having an inlet, an outlet, a valve chamber communicating with the inlet and the outlet and having an opening, a bonnet secured to the body and having a bore therethrough with the opening of the bore communicating with the valve chamber opening and defining a back seat surrounding the bore, a valve member, a valve stem connected to the valve member and extending through the bonnet bore, a backseating shoulder on the valve stem, an actuator, the valve stem connecting to the actuator to move the valve member within the valve chamber to open and close flow through, the valve, a temperature sensitive material retaining the valve stem shoulder spaced from said bonnet bore seat during normal operations and allowing additional movement of the valve stem responsive to excessive temperatures to bring the valve stem shoulder into engagement with the bonnet bores seat to backseat and prevent flow of fluids within the valve from escaping therefrom.

Abstract: A temperature sensitive valve having a body with an internal valve chamber being open through said body, an inlet extending into the valve chamber, a control outlet communicating with said valve chamber, and a bleed outlet communicating with said valve chamber, a bonnet having a bore secured to said body in surrounding relationship to the opening of the valve chamber through the body, a control sleeve positioned in said valve chamber and in said bonnet bore, means for sealing between the control sleeve and the interior of the valve chamber above and below the entry of said inlet into the valve chamber, said control sleeve defining a first valve seat in its lower portion, a second valve seat surrounding the entrance of the bleed outlet into said valve chamber, a valve member extending through said valve sleeve and having valve seat engaging surfaces for engaging said first and second valve seats, a first temperature sensitive material supporting said valve member in position out of engagement with said first v

Abstract: A manual operator which is useful when used with a valve or other type of device to provide either manual operation of the valve in one direction or to provide a stop against the movement of the valve away from one of its extreme positions. The device includes a ball nut, screw shaft and balls positioned in facing grooves in the nut and shaft so that relative rotation has very low friction. Thus rotation of one of the nut or screw shaft results in axial movement of the screw shaft so that it can move or provide a stop. Aligned adjacent exterior surfaces are provided on a rotating part of the device and one a stationary part of the device which surfaces are engaged by a locking spring which can be release from such surfaces when it is desired that the manual operator cause an axial movement of screw shaft. In one form of the invention the screw shaft rotates and the ball nut is stationery. In another form the ball nut rotates and the screw shaft is stationary.

Abstract: A shearing type of gate valve having a sleeve of hard wear resistant material in the opening through the gate and coating with insert rings of hard, wear resistant material in the seat rings for shearing a wire line or tubular member extending through the valve and the gate, the sleeve and insert ring being assembled with the gate and the seat rings in a manner to provide sufficient compression preload thereon so that they are not subjected to tension loads which avoids chipping, breaking or other damage to the sleeve and the insert rings. Preferably the sleeve and insert rings are of tungsten carbide. In two modified form of the present invention an insert sleeve of hardened, wear resistant material is provided in the opening of the gate and an insert ring of hardened, wear resistant material is provided in one of the seat rings so that only a single shearing of the cable element is provided so that the short section is not created in the shearing and left in the opening through the gate while it is closed.

Abstract: An improved gate valve having a body with a chamber and an inlet and an outlet extending therethrough into said chamber, a gate mounted for reciprocation in said chamber between open and closed positions, a pressure responsive actuator having a housing, a piston, a connection to the gate and an actuating stem extending from the housing, a supplemental actuator having a connection to the actuator housing, an operating stem connected to the actuating stem, the operating stem having a shoulder facing in the direction opposite to the direction of closing movement of the gate, roller levers pivotally mounted to be in engagement with the exterior of the operating stem and a spring urging the roller levers into tight engagement with the operating stem, the roller levers pivoting on engagement with the stem shoulder to exert a closing force on the stem.

Abstract: An improved gate valve having a body with a gate positioned therein to reciprocate between positions opening and closing flow through the body, a pressure responsive actuator connected to move the gate stem, a manual override stem and an overriding drive connection connecting both the actuator and the manual override stem to the gate stem so that the gate stem and gate are moved by both the actuator and by the manual override stem independently of the actuator. A modified form of the invention is provided for directly connecting to an extension of an actuator stem for operating a valve manually. In another modified form, camming element and a camming extension are provided to increase the forces providing release of the paddles from within a groove on the interior of the housing so that the locking action of the paddles do not prevent proper operation of the mechanism.

Abstract: A shearing type of gate valve having a sleeve of hard wear resistant material in the opening through the gate and coacting with insert rings of hard, wear resistant material in the seat rings for shearing a wire line or tubular member extending through the valve and the gate, the sleeve and insert ring being assembled with the gate and the seat rings in a manner to provide sufficient compression preload thereon so that they are not subjected to tension loads which avoids chipping, breaking or other damage to the sleeve and the insert rings. Preferably the sleeve and insert rings are of tungsten carbide.

Abstract: An improved gate valve having a body with a chamber and an inlet and an outlet extending therethrough into said chamber, a gate mounted for reciprocation in said chamber between open and closed positions, a pressure responsive actuator having a housing, a piston, a connection to the gate and an actuating stem extending from the housing, a supplemental actuator having a connection to the actuator housing, an operating stem connected to the actuating stem, the operating stem having a shoulder facing in the direction opposite to the direction of closing movement of the gate, roller levers pivotally mounted to be in engagement with the exterior of the operating stem and a spring urging the roller levers into tight engagement with the operating stem, the roller levers pivoting on engagement with the stem shoulder to exert a closing force on the stem.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for operating or setting equipment within a subsea marine wellhead from the surface having an indicating signal provided at the surface of the successful completion of such operation. The steps of the method include the lowering of a well component and the detecting and transmitting equipment on a running string from the surface; detecting the successful completion of the subsea operation, and transmitting to the surface of a signal signifying that the operations within the subsea well head have been successfully completed.

Abstract: An improved override structure for a valve having an override stem having T slot on its first end for connecting to the T shape of the valve member stem, an actuator threaded onto the override stem for moving the override stem axially to cause movement of the valve member between open and closed positions, pins and slots for preventing rotary movement of said actuator, an engaging member for receiving a handwheel on the other end of the override stem for imparting rotation to the override stem within the actuator, such rotation causing axial movement of the override and valve member stems to move the valve member without movement of the actuator.

Abstract: The improved magnetic proximity detector includes a tubular housing, a tubular magnet fixed in position within the housing, a first movable magnet within the housing at one end of the tubular magnet, a second movable magnet with the housing at the other end of the tubular magnet, an annular magnet positioned in surrounding relationship to the housing and being adjustable axially with respect to the housing, a switch having a blade, a first contact and a second contact, a connection extending between the first and second movable magnets and to the switch blade to move the switch blade responsive to movement of the magnets, the poles of the first movable magnet arranged so that the magnet is attracted to the tubular magnet, the poles of the second movable magnet arranged so that the magnet is repelled by the tubular magnet, the end of the housing containing the first movable magnet moving the two magnets responsive to ferrous metal in close spaced relationship to such end to change the position of the blade swi