Abstract: A coupling for coupling two pipe sections in sealed relationship, the coupling comprising a male member for connection to one pipe section, a female member for connection to a second pipe section, a locking member located on the male member, the locking member comprising a locking sleeve having a plurality of circumferentially spaced bendable locking fingers which extend integrally and axially from the locking sleeve, a displacement piston mounted on the male member for displacing the free end portions of the locking fingers radially outwardly, and a locking recess in the female member for receiving the locking fingers when displaced by the displacement means while the members are in mating engagement, the locking recess defining a bearing surface against which the free ends of the locking fingers will bear during displacement to draw the two members into sealing engagement with each other, the bearing surface being shaped to allow displacement of the locking fingers into and over center locking position.

Abstract: A disconnectable tube-to-tube coupling that includes a locking collar arred to span two radially-projecting rings carried by end fittings on the tubes. A special cam-like depresser sleeve is slidably arranged on the collar to move one of the rings into a groove in its end fitting, thereby breaking the coupling connection. The sleeve is operated by mechanical or manual force applied in the axial direction.

Abstract: The connector of the present invention comprises a hydraulically actuated connector which may be remotely actuated. The connector of the present invention comprises body means, hydraulically actuated cylinder means surrounding the body means and a plurality of segmental lug means interposed between the body means and cylinder means which selectively engage the end of a flow line.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a riser connector assembly for connecting two riser members. The riser connector assembly includes connecting means which are remotely activated by a shifting tool. The connecting means includes a latch attached to one riser member and which engages the other riser member, a locking sleeve for holding the latch in engagement, an actuator sleeve for driving said locking sleeve to a position where it holds the latch in engagement, and locking means for locking the locking sleeve in that position. The shifting tool is attached to a tubing string or a line and lowered into the riser. The shifting tool has a first engagement means for engaging and moving the actuator sleeve and second engagement means for engaging and moving the locking sleeve. The shifting tool is used for remotely activating the connecting means in both connecting and disconnecting the riser members.

Abstract: Improved latch means for well tools, such as retrieving or handling tools, and well components, such as tubing hangers and casing hangers, employing latch segments disposed in an annular series in an outwardly opening groove free from the usual windowed retaining lip. The segments are retained in the groove by the annular means used to retract the segments, and that means is improved both as to capability of retaining the segments in the groove and its ability to be actuated for retraction of the segments.

Abstract: A coupler for connecting two seismic streamer sections together consists of a two-part hollow quick-disconnect fitting. The fitting has an internal diameter sufficient to contain a multicontact connector strip for electrically interconnecting the signal wires from the two streamer sections. When assembled the two parts of the housing are non-rotatable with respect to each other.

Abstract: A quick-acting closure unit for temporarily sealing the open end of a line used to convey a fluid under pressure. A cylindrical sleeve having a lower section that is tapered inwardly is passed over the open end of the line which contains a collapsible jaw means slidably mounted within the lower section that encircles the line. A cup-like member, which is also slidably mounted in the sleeve, is passed over the open end of the line and contains a sealing assembly that, when compressed, produces a fluid-tight seal between the cup and the line. A camming lever is arranged to act between the sleeve and the cup to force the cup downwardly into driving contact with the jaw means. The downward movement of the cup initially causes the seal to be compressed thereby closing off the line and then forces the jaws into holding contact with the line to secure the unit in a sealing posture thereon.

Abstract: A swivel joint for incorporation in a pipe network maintains flow path integrity at the joint for both swivel and rigid connection modes. A butt flange and a connector body having aligned flow paths therethrough are coupled together by a bearing which provides rotational movement between the butt flange and the connector body. A dynamic seal is disposed between the butt flange and the bearing. A retainer between the bearing and the connector body allows axial movement therebetween when the connector body is urged toward the butt flange, but restrains such axial movement when the connector body is urged away from the butt flange. A static seal carried by the butt flange and axially spaced from the connector body in the swivel mode is engaged by the connector body when the latter is moved axially toward the butt flange, thereby establishing the rigid connection mode.

Abstract: A hub mounted on a wellhead has hydraulic control line openings around its outer periphery. A body containing control lines to be connected to the hub carries a plurality of dogs arranged within the body to annularly surround the hub. These dogs are cammed into sealing and locking arrangement with the hub and have openings which align with the hub openings and are connected to the body with flexible tubing.

Abstract: A rapid coupling and uncoupling joint includes a male part having an outer surface with an annular groove, and a female part having an inner surface dimensioned to receive the male part. The female part has radially extending therethrough a plurality of holes. A control ring includes an annular element positioned externally of and surrounding the female part and displaceable axially only with respect thereto. The annular element has integral with an inner surface thereof, at positions adjacent a first end thereof facing the male part, a plurality of flexible tangs including radially inwardly extending first portions and second portions extending axially from the first portions away from the male part. The tangs have integral therewith a plurality of locking elements positioned to extend through the holes in the female part and into the annular groove in the male part when the male part is inserted into the female part, to thereby lock the male part in the female part.

Abstract: A speed slip-on type of hose coupler structured to enable ready coupling and uncoupling of the male and female coupler bodies by way of an interlocking means for the coupler bodies and a releasing device for the interlocking means. The interlocking means comprises a unitary or one-piece locking element having locking portions connected by a resiliently arcuately expansible portion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a quick acting coupling for interconnecting tubular members such as hoses which is particularly useful with fire fighting equipment. The device has a body member for attachment to one of a pair of tubular members. The body member distally carries a plurality of segmented jaws which are pivotally mounted thereon to permit movement between radially expanded and contracted positions. The outer surfaces of the jaws have flat grooves having leading and trailing cam surfaces. The jaws are surrounded by a cam guide ring that is mounted for limited axial displacement on the assembly of jaws with cam guides of mating contour. The cam guide surfaces are beveled, planar surfaces and are engaged by the cam guides of the cam ring in both the opened and closed positions so that axial movement of the cam ring positively expands and contracts the segmented jaws.

Abstract: There is disclosed a riser pipe having telescoping sections which are held in retracted position by a part which is adapted to sever upon application of a predetermined tensile load, and a fluid-actuated connector at its lower end which is adapted to be released from connection with a blowout preventer stack at the upper end of an underwater wellhead automatically in response to extension of said sections upon severance of said part.

Abstract: A well locking device and method of operation including a well lock and a landing nipple for locking well equipment in the production string of oil and/or gas wells. The well lock includes two sets of locking dogs, one of which locks the well lock in the landing nipple and holds against loads either from above or below the lock. The second set of locking dogs prevents the release of the well lock from the nipple when a pressure differential exists across the lock. A locking nipple includes first and second recesses and a stop shoulder and the coacting well lock includes a housing carrying first and second locking dogs in which the vertical spacing of the first and second locking dogs is less than the vertical distance between the tops of the first and second recesses. A seal is positioned on the exterior of the well lock housing and adapted to seal in the locking nipple, and locating means are provided on the housing for engaging the stop shoulder of the nipple.

Abstract: A misalignment connector for large pipelines, conductor pipes or the like, includes an internal, metal seal ring having an external spherical periphery which is axially and circumferentially loaded between opposed internal spherical surfaces of connector structures which are operable by hydraulic piston and cylinder means to be interconnected over a range of angular misalignment. The internal sealing ring is preloaded when the connector parts are secured together. Initially, the internal sealing ring is supported in or nearly in engagement with one of the companion spherical surfaces of the connector parts for proper engagement and angular motion upon the interconnection of the connector parts over the permissible angular range of misalignment. The connector is made up by the application of fluid pressure to the actuator cylinder and piston means after the connector parts have been stabbed together. Radially shiftable locking elements are wedged towards one another by the action of the actuator cylinders.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for sealing the annulus between a wellhead and a casing hanger in which the assembly includes a recess for receiving a sealing element in which the recess includes a tapered surface and a tapered seat for coacting with a seal for setting the seal with a small setting force. A resilient sealing element is positioned in the recess and tapers downwardly and outwardly at a lower end. The sealing element is compressed in the recess to form a seal requiring only a low seating load and unseats with a low unseating load. An expandable metal ring is positioned in the lower outside portion of the sealing element to reduce extrusion of the element when set. A non-extrusive protective covering is positioned around the top, the outside and the outer portion of the bottom of the sealing element to protect it as it moves downhole in a well. Various seal modifications provide wedge actuated lip seals to increase the sealing area.

Abstract: The invention is an elongated tool for detachably connecting a sand screen and liner assembly to a tubing string. The tool comprises a releasing housing sleeve, a hookup nipple section which partly telescopes within the releasing housing sleeve with the telescoped end closed by a removable hookup nipple plug. A movable hollow piston having a ball valve seat at one end and a cross bore extending through its other end part fits within the other end of the releasing housing sleeve with the cross bore aligned with longitudinally extending slots in the releasing housing sleeve.The hookup nipple has circumferentially extending grooves near its upper end which each mate with an array of bores extending through the releasing housing sleeve. Ball detent elements are disposed in the bores and grooves.

Abstract: A positive tubing releasable coupling apparatus which is interposed within a tubing string, and the string subsequently parted by separating various component parts of the coupling from one another. A wireline fishing tool is used for actuating the releasing mechanism.

Abstract: A pipe coupling apparatus is disclosed. This apparatus is adapted for quick connection of two pipes without the use of flanges and the like. The apparatus is adapted for undersea connections and it may be used elsewhere. The present apparatus is comprised of an elongate housing enclosing two tapered sets of slips or collets. They work opposite a tapered surface in the housing. A circular piston is hydraulically pumped against the taper to force the collets against the pipe. This siezes and holds the pipe as a first step in completing the coupling. A second housing is adapted to be connected to the mating pipe. The second housing incorporates a circular piston therein which has an internal face which is tapered. The tapered face is driven past the exterior of an encircling clamp ring. The clamp has a cross section which is defined by a pair of inwardly protruding shoulders.

Abstract: An oil well tool containing a well packer and which is particularly suitable for use in well bores located in extremely cold climates utilizes an hydraulically actuated packer which is actuable when the well head is flanged up and releasable thermal expansion means for compensation against thermal expansion and contraction in the tool string.

Abstract: An improved coupling assembly includes a plurality of resilient spring fingers which engage a plug to hold it against both axial and sidewise movement relative to a socket body. Each of the spring fingers has an axially inner end portion with a pair of mounting tabs which engage openings in an outer side surface of the socket body to hold the spring fingers against axial movement relative to the socket body. When the coupling assembly is in a disengaged condition, axially outer end portions of the spring fingers are disposed in a circular array having a relatively large diameter to enable the plug to be readily inserted in a socket chamber. Once the plug has been inserted into the socket chamber, a slide is moved axially relative to the socket body to resiliently deflect the spring fingers inwardly. As this occurs, radially extending retaining surfaces on the spring fingers are moved into engagement with an annular rim formed on the plug to hold the plug against axial movement relative to the socket body.

Abstract: A thin plastic tube has at the end a continuous or interrupted inclined plane means which collapses the plastic tube end section over a nipple or another tube end. The plastic tube end section is inserted over the nipple or other tube end to be sealed thereby with a locking ring drawn over the inclined plane means. The locking ring is drawn over the inclined plane surfaces to uniformly collapse the tube end section into engagement with the nipple or other tube end with a sealing force and with the locking sleeve in frictional locked engagement therewith.

Abstract: A ball and socket type coupling for connecting the ends of two pipes which may be axially misaligned by as much as several degrees. It includes a pair of coupling members, each of which is arranged for connection to one of the pipes to be connected. One of the members has attached at the other end thereof a ball portion, and the other coupling member has attached thereto a housing arranged for receiving in mating relationship therewith the forward surface of the ball portion. Seal means are disposable between the ball and the housing member for providing a fluid seal therebetween.

Abstract: A locking assembly for use in a well for locking a first member to a second tubular well member which includes a locking notch. The assembly includes a locking dog carried by the first member and a locking sleeve positioned for longitudinal movement towards and away from the back side of the locking dog for locking and releasing the dog from the notch. The first member and sleeve are telescopically positioned relative to each other for longitudinal movement with a limited longitudinal lost motion between the first member and sleeve allowing longitudinal movement therebetween for setting and releasing the lock, but preventing disengagement between the first member and the sleeve so that the first member may be retrieved by retrieving the sleeve.

Abstract: A releasable coupling which can be interposed within a tubing string and the string subsequently parted by separating parts of the coupling from one another. A wire line fishing tool is used for actuating the releasing mechanism.

Abstract: A push -- pull connector including a sleeve lockable to a spigot by locking balls controlled by a sliding member mounted on the sleeve, wherein the sliding member has a stable locked position and a stable unlocked position, with no intermediate stable position. The stable positions are determined by a resilient ring mounted in a groove on the sleeve and not by any spring action on the balls. The arrangement may be such that the force necessary to move the sliding member from unlocked to locked position is just greater than the force necessary to effect full engagement of the spigot and the sleeve.

Abstract: A plug and socket connector is disclosed having releasable locking means to prevent unintentional disconnection. The locking means comprises spring catches preferably formed from flat resilient material and they are fitted in a recess or respective recesses in a shell which forms part of one of the connector portions. An environmental seal is provided by locating the catches in the recess or recesses. Other catches are disclosed which are formed in a solid tubular member.