Abstract: The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first, second and third differential gear sets, a battery, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators, and four or five selectable torque-transfer devices (two clutches and two or three brakes). The four or five selectable torque transfer devices are engaged singly or in combinations of two to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse) and four mechanically fixed forward speed ratios. The torque transfer devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide five operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, and fixed ratio mode.

Abstract: The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first, second and third differential gear sets, a battery, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators, and four or five selectable torque-transfer devices (two clutches and two or three brakes). The selectable torque transfer devices are engaged singly or in combinations of two to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse) and four mechanically fixed forward speed ratios. The torque transfer devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide five operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, and fixed ratio mode.

Abstract: An electrically variable transmission having two planetary gear sets, two motor/generators, and six torque transfer devices to provide input split, compound split, output split, neutral, electric reverse and mechanical reverse modes of operation. The electrically variable transmission includes: an input member to receive power from an engine; an output member; first and second motor/generators; and first and second differentially geared planetary gear sets each having first, second and third gear members. The input member is not continuously connected with any member of the planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously connected to the first member of the second planetary gear set. The first and second motor/generators are each continuously connected to at least one member of the planetary gear sets. The first member of the first planetary gear set is continuously connected with the third member of the second planetary gear set.

Abstract: The electrically variable transmission family of the present invention provides low-content, low-cost electrically variable transmission mechanisms including first and second differential gear sets, a battery, two electric machines serving interchangeably as motors or generators, and four or five selectable torque-transfer devices. The selectable torque transfer devices are engaged singly or in combinations of two to yield an EVT with a continuously variable range of speeds (including reverse) and three mechanically fixed forward speed ratios. The torque transfer devices and the first and second motor/generators are operable to provide five operating modes in the electrically variable transmission, including battery reverse mode, EVT reverse mode, reverse and forward launch modes, continuously variable transmission range mode, and fixed ratio mode.

Abstract: A hybrid electromechanical transmission includes first, second and third planetary gear sets, an input member, an output member, and first and second motor generators. At least one of the gear members in the first planetary gear set is connected to the first motor/generator. At least one of the gear members in the third planetary gear set is connected to the second motor/generator. First and second interconnecting members continuously connect members of the first planetary gear set with members of the second planetary gear set. Five torque-transmitting mechanisms selectively interconnect members of the planetary gear sets with a stationary member or with other members of the planetary gear sets. One of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms is operative to selectively disconnect the second planetary gear set from the third planetary gear set so that the second motor/generator may drive the output member while disconnected from the first motor/generator and the input member.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission system and method of controlling a vehicle transmission are provided that control clutch temperatures to extend clutch life. The system is comprised of an input drive shaft configured to be driven by an engine, an output drive shaft configured to drive a drive mechanism and a plurality of torque-transmitting devices connecting the input drive shaft to the output drive shaft and configured to engage and disengage to provide a transition between a plurality of operating ratios. The system is also comprised of a control module configured to calculate a temperature of the plurality of transmitting devices based at least in part upon a shifting status of the plurality of transmitting devices. The control module is further configured to conduct at least a first modification if the temperature is greater than a first predetermined temperature and a second modification if the temperature is greater than a second predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A packer for use inside a casing of a subterranean well includes a resilient element, a housing and a rupture disc. The resilient element is adapted to seal off an annulus of the well when compressed, and the housing is adapted to compress the resilient element in response to a pressure exerted by fluid of the annulus of a piston head of the housing. The housing includes a port for establishing fluid communication with the annulus. The rupture disc is adapted to prevent the fluid in the annulus from entering the port and contacting the piston head until the pressure exerted by the fluid exceeds a predefined threshold and ruptures the rupture disc.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission system and method of controlling a vehicle transmission are provided that control clutch temperatures to extend clutch life. The system is comprised of an input drive shaft configured to be driven by an engine, an output drive shaft configured to drive a drive mechanism and a plurality of torque-transmitting devices connecting the input drive shaft to the output drive shaft and configured to engage and disengage to provide a transition between a plurality of operating ratios. The system is also comprised of a control module configured to calculate a temperature of the plurality of transmitting devices based at least in part upon a shifting status of the plurality of transmitting devices. The control module is further configured to conduct at least a first modification if the temperature is greater than a first predetermined temperature and a second modification if the temperature is greater than a second predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A packer for use inside a casing of a subterranean well includes a resilient element, a housing and a rupture disc. The resilient element is adapted to seal off an annulus of the well when compressed, and the housing is adapted to compress the resilient element in response to a pressure exerted by fluid of the annulus of a piston head of the housing. The housing includes a port for establishing fluid communication with the annulus. The rupture disc is adapted to prevent the fluid in the annulus from entering the port and contacting the piston head until the pressure exerted by the fluid exceeds a predefined threshold and ruptures the rupture disc.

Abstract: A packer for use inside a casing of a subterranean well includes a resilient element, a housing and a rupture disc. The resilient element is adapted to seal off an annulus of the well when compressed, and the housing is adapted to compress the resilient element in response to a pressure exerted by fluid of the annulus of a piston head of the housing. The housing includes a port for establishing fluid communication with the annulus. The rupture disc is adapted to prevent the fluid in the annulus from entering the port and contacting the piston head until the pressure exerted by the fluid exceeds a predefined threshold and ruptures the rupture disc.

Abstract: A packer for use inside a casing of a subterranean well includes a resilient element, a housing and a rupture disc. The resilient element is adapted to seal off an annulus of the well when compressed, and the housing is adapted to compress the resilient element in response to a pressure exerted by fluid of the annulus of a piston head of the housing. The housing includes a port for establishing fluid communication with the annulus. The rupture disc is adapted to prevent the fluid in the annulus from entering the port and contacting the piston head until the pressure exerted by the fluid exceeds a predefined threshold and ruptures the rupture disc.

Abstract: A packer for use inside a casing of a subterranean well includes a resilient element, a housing and a rupture disc. The resilient element is adapted to seal off an annulus of the well when compressed, and the housing is adapted to compress the resilient element in response to a pressure exerted by fluid of the annulus of a piston head of the housing. The housing includes a port for establishing fluid communication with the annulus. The rupture disc is adapted to prevent the fluid in the annulus from entering the port and contacting the piston head until the pressure exerted by the fluid exceeds a predefined threshold and ruptures the rupture disc.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a sand-control screen jacket to a base pipe comprising a base pipe connector securably engaged with the sand-control screen jacket. The base pipe connector having a plurality of protrusions for mechanically securing the base pipe connector to the base pipe thereby securing the sand-control screen jacket to the base pipe. The base pipe connector may further comprises a plurality of sealant ports through which sealant is injected affecting an additional seal between the base pipe connector and the base pipe. The sealant ports may accept a lock pin therein after sealant is injected.

Abstract: A backup shoe for a well packer provides high pressure sealing capability without requiring a large setting force or setting stroke of the packer. In a preferred embodiment, a backup shoe has an inner portion with a relatively thin cross-section and an outer portion with a relatively thick cross-section. Additionally, the inner portion has a pivot point between its ends. In a preferred embodiment of a packer utilizing the backup shoe, an element retainer axially contacts the inner portion adjacent its pivot point, and a seal element axially contacts an inner sloping surface formed on the outer portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a sand-control screen jacket to a base pipe comprising a base pipe connector securably engaged with the sand-control screen jacket, an internal slip member slidably disposed between the base pipe connector and the base pipe and a jam nut securably engaging the base pipe connector such that the internal slip member slides toward the base pipe connector increasing the friction between the internal slip member and the base pipe, thereby securing the sand-control screen jacket to the base pipe. The base pipe connector may further comprises a plurality of sealant ports through which sealant is injected affecting an additional seal between the base pipe connector and the base pipe. The sealant ports may accept a lock pin therein after sealant is injected.

Abstract: An abrasive slurry delivery apparatus and associated method of using permit repeated and/or extended use of the apparatus in a subterranean wellbore and reduces abrasive wear of the casing during fracturing operations without requiring the disposal of expensive items of equipment after each fracturing operation. In a preferred embodiment, an abrasive slurry delivery apparatus has a tubular crossover member with an internal flow passage and side wall outlet openings, and a tubular protective member with outlet openings aligned with, but axially and circumferentially smaller than, the crossover outlet openings, coaxially disposed within the crossover.

Abstract: In a retrievable packer adapted for service under high temperature and pressure conditions, improved sealing is provided by a seal element prop surface which is radially offset with respect to the seal element support surface of the packer body mandrel. At least one seal element is supported on the elevated prop surface and is subjected to a radial squeeze in the set configuration, even though the lowermost seal element may be subject to longitudinal separation. The split level seal element support arrangement provides an annular pocket into which the seal elements can be retracted upon release and retrieval of the packer, thereby providing clearance for unobstructed retrieval. Upon release of the packer, a retainer collar is shifted away from a lower metal backup shoe, thereby providing an annular pocket into which the metal backup shoe is deflected, so that it does not obstruct the drift clearance as the packer is retrieved.

Abstract: In a retrievable packer adapted for service under high temperature and high pressure operating conditions, improved sealing is provided by a seal element prop surface which is radially offset with respect to the seal element support surface of the packer body mandrel. At least one seal element is supported on the elevated prop surface and is subjected to a radial squeeze in the set configuration, even though the lowermost outside seal element may be subject to longitudinal separation. The split level seal element support arrangement provides an annular pocket into which the seal elements can be retracted upon release and retrieval of the packer, thereby providing clearance for unobstructed retrieval. Upon release of the packer, a retainer collar is shifted away from a metal backup shoe, thereby providing an annular pocket into which the metal backup shoe is deflected, so that it does not obstruct the drift clearance as the packer is retrieved.

Abstract: A straight bore metal-to-metal seal for connecting a tubing string to the mandrel of a well packer has a radially deflectable sealing member compressed between the internal bore surface of a tubular seal receptacle and the tubular body portion of a seal mandrel. The seal receptacle has a radially stepped sealing surface which is engaged by the deflectable sealing member in the operative sealing position. The inside bore of the deflectable sealing member is positively sealed against the outside surface of the seal mandrel by a pair of metal V-rings. A positive seal is also produced by engagement of the deflectable sealing member against the radially stepped bore of the seal receptacle. The deflectable sealing member is loaded by radial compression forces produced as a result of interference engagement of the deflectable sealing member against the radially stepped bore.

Abstract: A positive position indicating tool includes a snap ring mounted on a mandrel. The snap ring is blocked on the mandrel by a shear sleeve and provides a positive stop to upward retraction of a work string. The snap ring is shearably released when it is desired to retract and/or retrieve the work string. The snap ring is supported on the mandrel by a shear sleeve which is locked onto the mandrel by shear pins. An annular recess is formed in the sidewall of the mandrel between the shear pins and the snap ring. As the tension loading on the work string increases above the combined shear strength of the shear pins, the shear sleeve and positive indication snap ring are displaced downwardly along the mandrel, and the snap ring moves into the annular recess and contracts radially out of obstructing engagement. The snap ring incorporates alternating slots which permit it to expand and recover without permanent deformation.