Abstract: A clamp assembly, for mounting around a tool joint coaxially joining cylindrical upper and lower workpieces, comprises an upper collar assembly and a lower collar assembly, each having semi-cylindrical left and right collar segments. The left and right collar segments of each collar assembly are removably connectable to each other by threaded fasteners to form the collar assembly. The upper and lower collar assemblies are coaxially mountable around the upper and lower workpieces, respectively, such that tightening the fasteners will urge the upper and lower collar assemblies to grip the upper and lower workpieces, respectively, and thus to provide increased resistance to relative rotation between the two workpieces about the tool joint axis. The upper and lower left collar segments, and/or the upper and lower right collar segments, may be interlockingly and radially slidable relative to each other to accommodate differences between the outside diameters of the two workpieces.

Abstract: A clamp assembly, for mounting around a tool joint coaxially joining cylindrical upper and lower workpieces, comprises an upper collar assembly and a lower collar assembly, each having semi-cylindrical left and right collar segments. The left and right collar segments of each collar assembly are removably connectable to each other by threaded fasteners to form the collar assembly. The upper and lower collar assemblies are coaxially mountable around the upper and lower workpieces, respectively, such that tightening the fasteners will urge the upper and lower collar assemblies to grip the upper and lower workpieces, respectively, and thus to provide increased resistance to relative rotation between the two workpieces about the tool joint axis. The upper and lower left collar segments, and/or the upper and lower right collar segments, may be interlockingly and radially slidable relative to each other to accommodate differences between the outside diameters of the two workpieces.

Abstract: An axial linkage acting between the main body and the gripping assembly of a tool for gripping tubular workpieces includes a drive cam body that coaxially engages an intermediate cam body via a drive thread, with the intermediate cam body coaxially engaging a driven cam body via a driven thread, and with the drive thread and the driven thread having opposite orientations. The linkage includes a latch mechanism for preventing relative axial displacement of the drive cam body and the driven cam body. In operation while unlatched, the linkage converts bi-directional relative rotation into relative axial movement of the drive cam body and the driven cam body, thus increasing or decreasing the overall length of the linkage according to the rotational direction. The linkage can be re-latched using any of multiple operational sequences.

Abstract: Configurations and compositions for frameworks supporting optics such as lenses are described that provide an invariant structure regardless of temperature swings, thereby maintaining alignment and focus. Frameworks may comprise tiered structures of materials having multiple distinct coefficients of thermal expansion. An optical framework includes a first framework portion coupled to a first lens and a second framework portion coupled to a second lens. The first framework portion and second framework portion comprise materials having a coefficient of thermal expansion such that expansion of the first framework portion in one direction is offset by expansion of the second framework portion in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A cementing head apparatus includes a plug-launching tool and a tubular plug receiver cage disposed within a bore of the launching tool, plus one or more paddles selectively movable within a bore of the receiver cage between a hold position in which the paddles at least partially occlude the receiver cage bore to hold a plug within a retained plug interval of the receiver cage bore, and a launch position in which the paddles are substantially retracted from the receiver cage bore to allow passage of the plug through the receiver cage bore and onward into a casing string to which the launching tool is mounted.

Abstract: An axial linkage acting between the main body and the gripping assembly of a tool for gripping tubular workpieces includes a drive cam body that coaxially engages an intermediate cam body via a drive thread, with the intermediate cam body coaxially engaging a driven cam body via a driven thread, and with the drive thread and the driven thread having opposite orientations. The linkage includes a latch mechanism for preventing relative axial displacement of the drive cam body and the driven cam body. In operation while unlatched, the linkage converts bi-directional relative rotation into relative axial movement of the drive cam body and the driven cam body, thus increasing or decreasing the overall length of the linkage according to the rotational direction. The linkage can be re-latched using any of multiple operational sequences.

Abstract: A rotary latch release mechanism includes axially-aligned upper and lower rotary latch components carried on and rotationally coupled to upper and lower latch assemblies, respectively. The latch release mechanism is movable from an axially-latched position to an axially-unlatched position in response to relative rotation between the upper and lower rotary latch components. The latch release mechanism has a movable land surface that acts in response to relative axial displacement to induce the relative rotation required to release the latch. The latch release mechanism may be configured such that the axial movement of the movable land surface will cause the relative axial movement required to release the latch in combination with the required rotation. Accordingly, the rotary latch mechanism operates in response to externally-controlled axial movement of a movable land surface carried by the latch release mechanism, without requiring externally-induced rotation.

Abstract: A rotary latch release mechanism includes axially-aligned upper and lower rotary latch components carried on and rotationally coupled to upper and lower latch assemblies, respectively. The latch release mechanism is movable from an axially-latched position to an axially-unlatched position in response to relative rotation between the upper and lower rotary latch components. The latch release mechanism has a movable land surface that acts in response to relative axial displacement to induce the relative rotation required to release the latch. The latch release mechanism may be configured such that the axial movement of the movable land surface will cause the relative axial movement required to release the latch in combination with the required rotation. Accordingly, the rotary latch mechanism operates in response to externally-controlled axial movement of a movable land surface carried by the latch release mechanism, without requiring externally-induced rotation.

Abstract: A rotary latch release mechanism includes axially-aligned upper and lower rotary latch components carried on and rotationally coupled to upper and lower latch assemblies, respectively. The latch release mechanism is movable from an axially-latched position to an axially-unlatched position in response to relative rotation between the upper and lower rotary latch components. The latch release mechanism has a movable land surface that acts in response to relative axial displacement, to induce the relative rotation required to release the latch. The latch release mechanism may be configured such that the axial movement of the movable land surface will cause the relative axial movement required to release the latch in combination with the required rotation. Accordingly, the rotary latch mechanism operates in response to externally-controlled axial movement of a movable land surface carried by the latch release mechanism, without requiring externally-induced rotation.

Abstract: A rotary latch release mechanism includes axially-aligned upper and lower rotary latch components carried on and rotationally coupled to upper and lower latch assemblies, respectively. The latch release mechanism is movable from an axially-latched position to an axially-unlatched position in response to relative rotation between the upper and lower rotary latch components. The latch release mechanism has a movable land surface that acts in response to relative axial displacement to induce the relative rotation required to release the latch. The latch release mechanism may be configured such that the axial movement of the movable land surface will cause the relative axial movement required to release the latch in combination with the required rotation. Accordingly, the rotary latch mechanism operates in response to externally-controlled axial movement of a movable land surface carried by the latch release mechanism, without requiring externally-induced rotation.

Abstract: An injection tip assembly 10 and methods for use more reliably provide for delivery of fluid substances, such as materials that promote removal, destruction, or isolation of contaminants, into targeted zones within soil or bedrock. The injection tip assembly 10 permits the application of pressurized fluid 163 so as to erode or cut a desired cavity or eroded volume 164 within the subsurface 14, allows for timely observation, adjustment, and control of pressure within the cavity, and directs the delivery of a second substance or fluid that may incorporate desired materials. The consequence of managed erosion and pressure control is to nucleate and propagate a hydraulic fracture of desirable form that optimally delivers remedial agents throughout the targeted formation.

Abstract: A cementing head apparatus includes a plug-launching tool and a tubular plug receiver cage disposed within a bore of the launching tool, plus one or more paddles selectively movable within a bore of the receiver cage between a hold position in which the paddles at least partially occlude the receiver cage bore to hold a plug within a retained plug interval of the receiver cage bore, and a launch position in which the paddles are substantially retracted from the receiver cage bore to allow passage of the plug through the receiver cage bore and onward into a casing string to which the launching tool is mounted.

Abstract: A rotary latch release mechanism includes axially-aligned upper and lower rotary latch components carried on and rotationally coupled to upper and lower latch assemblies, respectively. The latch release mechanism is movable from an axially-latched position to an axially-unlatched position in response to relative rotation between the upper and lower rotary latch components. The latch release mechanism has a movable land surface that acts in response to relative axial displacement, to induce the relative rotation required to release the latch. The latch release mechanism may be configured such that the axial movement of the movable land surface will cause the relative axial movement required to release the latch in combination with the required rotation. Accordingly, the rotary latch mechanism operates in response to externally-controlled axial movement of a movable land surface carried by the latch release mechanism, without requiring externally-induced rotation.

Abstract: A collet-type mechanism for releasably gripping either an external or internal target surface of a tubular workpiece includes a collet receiver defining a collet receiver contact surface configured as a curved lateral surface of a truncated right circular cone, and a segmented collet assembly comprising a plurality of collet segments. Each collet segment defines a workpiece engagement surface configured for gripping engagement with a workpiece target surface, and a collet segment contact surface configured for at least partial contacting engagement with the collet receiver contact surface. The collet segment contact surface may comprise two axially-contiguous regions, one of which corresponds to a curved lateral surface of either an oblique circular cylinder or a right circular cylinder, and the other of which corresponds to a curved lateral surface of a truncated right circular cone.

Abstract: An adjustable-length bail extension includes a tubular outer link member, an inner link member axially movable within the bore of the outer member, and an adjustment mechanism for releasably clamping the outer member to the inner member at any of multiple locking positions defined by sets of locking grooves formed at axial intervals on the inner member. The adjustment mechanism is operable between a locked position wherein a collet assembly linked to the outer member engages a selected locking groove set and thereby enables axial load transfer between the inner and outer members; and an unlocked position wherein the collet assembly does not lockingly engage any locking grooves, such that the inner member is axially movable within the outer member to enable adjustment of the overall length of the adjustable-length bail extension by repositioning the collet assembly to engage the inner member at a different locking position.

Abstract: A collet-type mechanism for releasably gripping either an external or internal target surface of a tubular workpiece includes a collet receiver defining a collet receiver contact surface configured as a curved lateral surface of a truncated right circular cone, and a segmented collet assembly comprising a plurality of collet segments. Each collet segment defines a workpiece engagement surface configured for gripping engagement with a workpiece target surface, and a collet segment contact surface configured for at least partial contacting engagement with the collet receiver contact surface. The collet segment contact surface may comprise two axially-contiguous regions, one of which corresponds to a curved lateral surface of either an oblique circular cylinder or a right circular cylinder, and the other of which corresponds to a curved lateral surface of a truncated right circular cone.

Abstract: A tool for launching wiper plugs into a casing string in a gas or oil well during cementing operations employs a collet-like mechanism carrying radially-movable jaws arranged to retain a plug in a fluid flow path when the tool is in a closed position, and to release the plug into the fluid flow path when the tool is in an open position. Selection of the desired operational position of the plug launcher (i.e., open or closed) is effected by actuation of an axially-movable sliding sleeve. Alternative means for actuating the sliding sleeve include rotary actuation about the tool's longitudinal axis, rotary actuation about a radial axis generally normal to the longitudinal axis, rotary actuation about a generally tangent axis, and pneumatic or hydraulic actuation. The tool may be adapted to carry multiple wiper plugs for sequential launching into a casing string.

Abstract: A container has a paperboard outer shell and an inner lining. The container also has a main body portion, a neck portion providing an opening of the container and a base on which the container may be supported in use. The outer shell has a first side wall element including a part of the neck portion and a part of the main body portion of the container; a second side wall element including a part of the neck portion and a part of the main body portion of the container; and a third base element including the base of the container. The first, second and third elements are separate elements bonded together to form the shell, and are formed from flat sheet material pressed to form the 3-dimensional shape of the shell.

Abstract: A grip element for gripping a tubular CRA workpiece has a hardened grip surface carrying an array of generally pyramidic die teeth, which may have either pointed or rounded tips, with the configuration of the tooth tips being selected for effective gripping of the CRA workpiece by way of an interference grip, and without unacceptably marking the CRA workpiece. The die tooth density over the grip surface may be selected to minimize accumulation of contaminants between teeth and/or to facilitate removal of accumulated contaminants. The substrate of the grip element may comprise a stainless steel having no free iron, with the grip surface being hardened by nitriding. Optionally, the tips of the grip element may truncated after nitriding to partially expose the stainless steel substrate. In alternative embodiments, the grip element may have a carbon steel substrate with a nitrided grip surface.

Abstract: A rotary latch release mechanism includes axially-aligned upper and lower rotary latch components carried on and rotationally coupled to upper and lower latch assemblies, respectively. The latch release mechanism is movable from an axially-latched position to an axially-unlatched position in response to relative rotation between the upper and lower rotary latch components. The latch release mechanism has a movable land surface that acts in response to relative axial displacement to induce the relative rotation required to release the latch. The latch release mechanism may be configured such that the axial movement of the movable land surface will cause the relative axial movement required to release the latch in combination with the required rotation. Accordingly, the rotary latch mechanism operates in response to externally-controlled axial movement of a movable land surface carried by the latch release mechanism, without requiring externally-induced rotation.