Abstract: A check valve including a clevis, a hinge pin, a hinge configured to be rotatably coupled to the clevis by the hinge pin, and a disc configured to be detachably coupled to the hinge. The hinge includes a first hinge member having a male interlocking feature and a second hinge member defining a female interlocking feature corresponding to the male interlocking feature. The second hinge member is configured to be detachably coupled to the first hinge member. When the first hinge member is coupled to the second hinge member, the male interlocking feature of the first hinge member is received in the female interlocking feature defined in the second hinge member to prevent angular separation of the first and second hinge members about the hinge pin. The first and second hinge members may define a non-circular opening configured to prevent rotation of the disc relative to the hinge.

Abstract: A single phase sampling apparatus and method for retrieving a formation fluid sample at or above the bubble point of the sample. The apparatus utilizes a gas charge contained between a sample piston and a charging piston to maintain a formation sample at the desired pressure. The charging piston utilizes the hydrostatic pressure present at the depth of the desired formation sample to compress and therefore increase the gas charge to the appropriate pressure necessary to maintain the formation sample at the desired pressure. The utilization of hydrostatic pressure to increase the pressure of the gas charge allows the use of a low pressure gas charging system to prepare the apparatus prior to sampling, thereby increasing the safety and ease of use of the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for downhole formation testing based on the use of one or more elongated sealing pads capable of sealing off and collecting or injecting fluids from elongated portions along the surface of a borehole. The modified sealing pads increase the flow area by collecting fluids from an extended portion along the surface of a borehole, which is likely to straddle one or more layers in laminated or fractured formations. A tester device using the elongated sealing pads can be deployed and withdrawn using an extendible element pressing the pads to the borehole. Various designs and arrangements for use with a fluid tester, which may be part of a modular fluid tool, are disclosed in accordance with different embodiments.

Abstract: A formation test tool 10 for obtaining a downhole fluid sample from a formation of interest 30 and returning the sample to the surface of a well includes a cylinder 12 forming a fluid sample chamber therein, and a piston 20 sealingly movable within the cylinder and separating the fluid sample from a cushioning fluid. A fluid line 24 connects the formation of interest to the fluid sample chamber, and a valve 26 controls fluid flow along the fluid line. In one embodiment, a magnet 76 supported on the piston outputs signals indicative of the position of the piston and thus the volume of the fluid sample within the cylinder. A meter 74 is movable along the exterior of the cylinder 12 for determining the position of the magnet within the cylinder, such that the volume of sampled fluid in the cylinder can be determined at the surface.

Abstract: The present invention is a medical infusion and aspiration system delivering precisely timed and accurately calculated, adjusted pulsated delivery in high rates of flow delivering an effective profile of pulses tailored to provide momentary spikes of levels of freely available medicines based upon the uptake of the medicine and optimally on real time measurements of the medicine or response of the patient, termed Quantitative Chronological Delivery. The system comprises any pumping mechanism, and optimally a pumping mechanism, and a cassette or cartridge having a reservoir area where the plunger rotates as it advances in reference to the cartridge to provide additional accuracy and overcome the forces of inertia and slip-stick as well as eliminate backlash. Optimally, the systems incorporates an encoded area and an opening for connection to an infusion tube with an in-line sensor area where sampling probes are located.

Abstract: A method of testing a downhole formation using a formation tester on a drill string. The formation tester is disposed downhole on a drill string and a formation test is performed by forming a seal between a formation probe assembly and the formation. A drawdown piston then creates a volume within a cylinder to draw formation fluid into the volume through the probe assembly. The pressure of the fluid within the cylinder is monitored. The formation test procedure may then be adjusted. The test procedure may be adjusted to account for the bubble point pressure of the fluid being monitored. The pressure may monitored to verify a proper seal is formed or is being maintained. The test procedure may also be performed by maintaining a substantially constant drawdown rate using a hydraulic threshold or a variable restrictor.

Abstract: This application relates to various methods and apparatus for rapidly obtaining accurate formation property data from a drilled earthen borehole. Once obtained, the formation property data, including formation fluid pressure, may be corrected, calibrated and supplemented using various other data and techniques disclosed herein. Furthermore, the formation property data may be used for numerous other purposes. For example, the data may be used to correct or supplement other information gathered from the borehole; it may be used to supplement formation images or models; or, it may be used to adjust a drilling or producing parameter. Various other uses of accurately and quickly obtained formation property data are also disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole, extendable testing apparatus and methods of use are described and claimed herein. In one embodiment, an extendable sample device is connected to a draw down piston assembly. A position indicator may be used to show the position of the draw down piston during movement, and the draw down piston may be stopped and re-started, and moved at different rates. A filter may be used to clean fluids drawn into the extendable sample device. In another embodiment, the extendable sample device may connected to a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit may include accumulators for accumulating fluid pressures and operating the apparatus. Further apparatus and methods are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A downhole, extendable apparatus and methods of use are described and claimed herein. In one embodiment, the extendable apparatus includes a piston that extends toward a borehole wall, the piston having an inner sampling member that is also extendable. The sampling member may be further extended to engage the borehole wall and penetrate the formation. The sampling member may also include a screen and an inner scraper or wiper that frictionally engages the screen and reciprocates to remove debris from the screen. The piston may comprise a seal pad having an internal cavity for receiving a volume of fluid. In another embodiment, the extendable apparatus comprises multiple, concentric pistons for extending the sampling member further toward the borehole wall than is possible with a single piston. The extendable apparatus may also include a retraction contact switch and position indicator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sealing a check valve. The check valve includes a closure member, primary and secondary sealing elements, and a spring that urges the closure member into engagement with the primary sealing element. The primary sealing element is retained by a groove formed by the housing and the second sealing elements. Increasing pressure acting on the closure member compresses the primary sealing element and allows the closure member to engage the secondary sealing element. As it compresses, the primary sealing element wipes contamination from the closure member to provide a clean sealing surface for engagement with the secondary sealing element. The secondary sealing element also provides sealing redundancy, which is especially beneficial in gas sealing applications.

Abstract: A formation testing tool is described herein, including a formation probe assembly having an extendable sampling probe surrounded by a cylindrical sleeve. The sleeve is configured to engage a metal skirt having an elastomeric seal pad coupled thereto. The skirt and seal are configured to be field replaceable. The elastomeric pad has a non-planar outer surface which engages a borehole wall in preparation for formation testing. The seal pad may be donut-shaped, having an aperture through the middle of the seal pad. The seal pad and its surface may include numerous different embodiments, including having a curved profile. The seal pad may also include numerous different embodiments of means for coupling the seal pad to the metal skirt. The formation testing tool also includes formation probe assembly anti-rotation means, a deviated non-circular flowbore, and at least one closed hydraulic fluid chamber for balancing fluid pressures.