Particular Tool-engaging Means Or With Tool Patents (Class 285/39)
  • Patent number: 4659115
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein includes a reducer coupling, a positioner tool for connecting the coupling to a conduit section, and a nut for securing the positioner tool to the coupling. The reducer coupling is useful in various operations, such as some oil field operations in which it is used to connect a smaller conduit (delivery line) into a larger conduit (production casing). In practice, the positioner tool is secured to the reducer coupling and the coupling is moved into its hook-up position above the production casing, by attaching a rig to the positioner tool. The coupling can then be threaded into the casing by turning the positioner tool with a wrench, or similar tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Dowell Schlumberger Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald C. Cameron
  • Patent number: 4657284
    Abstract: The clamp comprises two members articulated about a common pin. These members form on one side of the pin two half-clamps having profiles complimentary to that of the frustum-shaped nipples fixed to the pipes to be coupled together. On the opposite side, the members form two gripping levers between which is placed a compression spring for closing the clamp. By acting on the levers with the aid of a gripping tool, the clamp is opened and it can then be fitted to the nipples. The tightening of the clamp is controlled by a rocking bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Robert Fiori
  • Patent number: 4653778
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus comprising a lockdown connector 20 which connects a subsea wellhead 74 to an outer conductor pipe 10 of the mudline suspension system 12 to convert a mudline suspension system to a subsea well system while providing adjustability in both the longitudinal and radial directions and providing a means by which loads imposed on the wellhead are transferred to the outermost conductor pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc
    Inventor: Jose M. Alandy
  • Patent number: 4641862
    Abstract: There is disclosed a nozzle liner and a method for its installation for the protection of nozzles of vessels. The nozzle liner comprises a sleeve fitting the internal diameter of the nozzle and having an integral end flange. The nozzle liner is inserted into the nozzle with its integral end flange bearing against the outer face of the ring flange of the nozzle. The nozzle liner is rotationally molded with an end flange and is free of internal stresses and seams. The preferred method of its installation simultaneously flares and bonds the nozzle liner to the lining of the vessel in a fashion which confines the stressed portions of the nozzle liner in the annular lamination area. In this position, the end of the nozzle liner projects inside the vessel and the projecting end is thermoformed to flare it outwardly and form an annular seal laminated against the inner corrosion liner of the vessel. For this purpose a heated flaring and laminating tool is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Inventor: Randy A. Gardiner
  • Patent number: 4641861
    Abstract: A flexible joint, especially adapted for pipes in an exhaust system of an engine is disclosed. A locking ring is disposed over a flared end of the first pipe and a stop flange and a slidable locking flange are provided on the second pipe with a wave spring disposed between them. A sealing ring having a spherical surface is seated against a sealing socket in the flared end of the first pipe. Complementary bayonet coupling members on the locking ring and on the locking flange, respectively, are provided whereby the joint may be assembled by pressing the locking ring and the locking flange together against the resistance of the wave spring and rotating them relative to each other to engage the bayonet coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: O.E.M. Technical Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Scoboria
  • Patent number: 4637636
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to tube couplings in which a hollow body (10) has an opening (11) to receive a tube (15) and a collet (32) having resilient arms encircling the tube in the body to grip the tube. An annular cam (22) is mounted in the body and has a tapered internal cam surface (31) engaged by the collet arms (33) which reduces towards the open end of the body to increase compression of the arms against the tube as the collet is drawn towards the open end of the body to lock the tube in the body. The cam member (27) is mounted in the body for axial adjustment with respect to the body, for example by a screw engagement (28) in the body, to enable the cam to be adjusted with respect to the collet to vary the compressive force applied to the resilient arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Inventor: John D. Guest
  • Patent number: 4634152
    Abstract: A running tool (20) comprising a stem (22) with a plug (40), a running nut (30), a wedge (32), a cam ring (34), and a bottom nut (36) together releasably connect and support a casing hanger (12), wear bushing (14) and packoff assembly (16) thereon. The bottom nut (36) supports the cam ring (34) and is wedged into engagement with the casing hanger (12) by downward axial movement of the running nut (30). A packoff assembly (16) is threaded on the casing hanger (12) and arranged so that rotation of the plug (40) and stem (22) rotates the wear bushing (14) and the packoff assembly (16) to set the packoff.The casing hanger (12), wear bushing (14) and packoff assembly (16) are lowered on the running tool (20) into final position within the wellhead. The running tool (20) is released by rotation of the stem (22) which raises the running nut (30), disengages the wedge (32) and allowing the cam ring (34) to disengage the casing hanger (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Vetco Offshore Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Pettit
  • Patent number: 4632434
    Abstract: A quick-disconnect coupling for a pair of telescopic slidable tubular members has an annular garter spring trapped in a spring housing carried by one of the tubular members. The garter spring is adapted to be lodged between a right-angularly disposed flange on the spring housing and an upwardly-inclined annular flange formed on the end of the other tubular member. The respective flanges are arranged transverse to each other. The components of the coupling are formed conveniently and economically, without the necessity for expensive metal-forming dies, and are easily assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Murray Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Proctor, Ronald C. Hardesty
  • Patent number: 4632435
    Abstract: A tubing connector system particularly suitable for use with medical prostheses is disclosed. The system involves of a connector assembly and a connector assembly tool. The connector assembly is composed of a clamping ring and connector body which can be coupled together to connect two lengths of tubing. The connector assembly grips the tubing by compression, advantageously forming an outwardly flared tubing end portion that aids in retaining the tubing within the connector assembly. The connector assembly tool possesses jaws designed to receive and hold the connector assembly members in a nested relation as the tool closes, joining the connector assembly members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: American Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Polyak
  • Patent number: 4630850
    Abstract: A pipe joint suitable for connection with a flexible tubular member includes a joint body, a sleeve and a cap nut. The cap nut is threadably fitted over one end portion of the joint body defining a tapering axial bore communicating with a cylindrical axial bore and having a shoulder at its axial inner end. The sleeve split axially into a plurality of segments at a cutout has a flange at its axial outer end, and at least one ridge of a currugation extending from its inner surface into engagement with one of grooves of a corrugated outer surface of the flexible tubular member. To assemble, the sleeve is fitted over the outer surface of the flexible tubular member in such a manner that one to five ridges of the corrugated outer surface of the flexible tubular member extend axially inwardly of an axial inner end of the sleeve, and the flexible tubular member is inserted in the tapering axial bore while the sleeve is held between the cap nut threadably fitted over the joint body and the flexible tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, LTD
    Inventor: Yoshimi Saka
  • Patent number: 4627645
    Abstract: A pipe coupling wherein an elastic sleeve receives the end portions of two pipes and has a partition which extends between the end portions of the pipes. The sleeve is surrounded by a split ring in the form of a band whose end portions are spot welded to strip-shaped female components of a device for tightening the band around the sleeve. The median sections of the female components define with the band two aligned passages for the shank of a bolt whose head can be rotated to move it nearer to a nut which meshes with the shank and extends into a centrally located corrugation of the band. The head and nut flank the median sections of the two female components of the tightening device. Each end section of each of the two female components is welded to the adjacent portions of the band at two or more locations which are disposed at different distances from the gap between the two components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Rasmussen GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Sauer
  • Patent number: 4626000
    Abstract: A sleeve for joining two pipes in end-to-end relationship has a deformable region at each end, each deformable region tapering axially towards the end of the sleeve and being separated from the major constant diameter portion of the sleeve by an external annular shoulder. The annular rear face of each shoulder forms a locating face for annular abutment faces of a deforming tool. The tool has pressure faces for applying a deforming force to each deformable region of the sleeve in turn so as to engage the pipe received within it. The pressure faces are prevented from axial displacement relative to the sleeve during a deforming operation by the mutual abutment of the annular locating faces of the sleeve and tool and the axial taper of the deformable region allows deformation of the sleeve to engage the pipe to take place within lateral buckling of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Inventor: Michael O'Leary
  • Patent number: 4624483
    Abstract: A coupling apparatus is provided for connection to a cylindrical member. The coupling apparatus includes a body member and an annular seal between the body member and the cylindrical member. A plurality of collet sections are disposed about the body member, and each collet section has a first end connected to the body member and a second end adapted for engagement with a downward facing surface of a shoulder of the cylindrical member. An outer sleeve is slidable relative to the collet sections between an open position wherein the second ends of the collet sections are held in a relatively radially expanded position and a closed position. A release device is operably associated with the plurality of collet sections and the outer sleeve for moving the second ends of the collet sections to their relatively radially expanded position upon sliding of the outer sleeve from its closed position to its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: James L. Stromberg
  • Patent number: 4623123
    Abstract: A conduit coupling having in one embodiment a coupling body, a union nut adapted to slip over the free end of the coupling body, and a clip cooperative with a special configuration of the coupling body to engage the nut and prevent its inadvertent separation from the body. Various forms of clip are disclosed. In another embodiment of the coupling the body includes an annular section having a raised portion, a resilient band mounted upon the annular section, and a ring having a venting opening and rotatable upon the band to vent the interior of the coupling whenever the venting opening is out of alignment with the raised portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Inventor: Paul Traylor
  • Patent number: 4616855
    Abstract: A threadless nonrotating steel coupling system that is quickly connected and disconnected in an axial manner by simple hand tools, is sealed by a compressible gasket, and is locked together by a pin system to prevent rotation of the male half-coupling relative to the female half-coupling. The coupling is held together by means of matching circular saw-toothed ridges and grooves at right angles to the axis of the coupling, which substitute for the pitched threads used in standard threaded coupling systems. The steel male half-coupling is rigid whereas the steel female half-coupling, which contains a series of spring-loaded and parallel longitudinal fingers, is flexible, since each steel finger is free to move in a radial direction with respect to the axis of the coupling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Inventor: James L. Ruhle
  • Patent number: 4615544
    Abstract: The subsea wellhead system includes a wellhead, a housing seat disposed in and connected to the wellhead, a casing hanger supported by the seat, a holddown and sealing assembly in the annulus between wellhead and hanger, a running tool attached to the hanger for lowering it into the well and initially actuating the holddown and sealing assembly, and apparatus for applying hydraulic pressure to further actuate the seal. The housing seat and wellhead are connected by breech block teeth. The seat maintains 360.degree. bearing surface with the hanger. The holddown and seal assembly includes an upper rotating member threadingly engaging the hanger and suspending a lower stationary member. The latter includes a Z-shaped portion having a plurality of frustoconical metal rings positively connected by links. The rings form grooves housing resilient elasotmeric members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Benton F. Baugh
  • Patent number: 4613158
    Abstract: A coupling unit comprising a first coupling part and a second coupling part. The second coupling part can be displaced longitudinally relative to the first coupling part by means of screw threads or the like. The first coupling part is equipped with a first nut-shaped section and the second coupling part with a second nut-shaped section. The second nut-shaped section has a cross-section measurement which allows passage of the internal surface of a tightening and/or loosening sleeve, when the latter is passed over the second nut-shaped section, to co-act with the first nut-shaped section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Inventor: Kjell R. Ekman
  • Patent number: 4611829
    Abstract: A tieback tool (10) for connecting tieback conductors (12) to a well system (14) where there is misalignment between the tool and the well system including a body (40) rigidly connected to the tieback conductor (12), a stab connector (12) swivel mounted on said body and free to align with the well system during initial contact between the tieback tool and the well system, and an internal straightening stab (60) which is extended by rotation into the well system to finally align the tieback tool with the well system. In one embodiment, the tieback conductor (12) is not rotated to make up the final connection of the tool and the well system, the straightening stab (60) is extended into the well system by a rotatable torquing tool (66), and the stab connector (16) locks on to the well system by a lock ring (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: Vetco Offshore Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4610465
    Abstract: A rigid connection for joining together two successive sections of a string of piling or the like includes a tubular box member, a pin member having a portion which projects into the box member, a locking member operable to releasably hold the pin and box members against separation, and a retaining element for holding the locking member in its active locking position. The locking member may take the form of a split ring having an interruption within which the retaining element is receivable to hold the locking member in an expanded locking condition. The locking member is preferably initially actuated to its locking condition by fluid pressure actuated means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: Varco International, Inc.
    Inventor: George I. Boyadjieff
  • Patent number: 4606559
    Abstract: A sleeve connector for connecting the ends of two tubes together, in particular socket tubes, comprises a socket formed with or connected to one of the tubes. The socket has an inner annular recess which is bounded by a conical surface which tapers radially inwardly toward an end of the socket. A retaining collar is secured around the spigot end of another tube to be connected to the first mentioned tube. At least one locking member is disposed around the spigot and is positioned in the annular recess so that it can bear against the conical surface. The locking member has an inner cylindrical contact surface which engages on the spigot and an outer contact surface which has a sectional toroidal shape wherein all normals to the toroidal shape pass through the cylindrical contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Thyssen Industrie AG
    Inventor: Jurgen Rammelsberg
  • Patent number: 4603889
    Abstract: A threaded fastener having an axis adapted to thread connect to two bodies for holding such bodies in fastened condition, one body having one thread and another body having another thread,the fastener comprising(a) threading having first and second load flanks which face axially oppositely,(b) said first flank defining a first pitch, and said second flank defining a second pitch, said pitches being different and characterized in that when said fastener is screwed onto body threads said first flank tightens against said one body thread when said second flank tightens against said other body thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Inventor: James W. Welsh
  • Patent number: 4601492
    Abstract: A releasable coupling has opposite ends adpated to be connected into a tool string or tubing string and run downhole into a borehole. A sealing member is passed down through the tubing string and allowed to become seated within the axial passageway of the releasable coupling. Pressure is applied through the axial passageway above the sealing member whereupon the differential in pressure effected across the sealing member is also effected across a slidable piston reciprocatingly received within the releasable coupling. The piston moves into a position which enables a male member to be released and separated from a female member. When the male and female members are released and separated from one another, the lower part of the tubing string is disconnected from the upper part of the tubing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: Geo Vann, Inc.
    Inventor: Flint R. George
  • Patent number: 4596410
    Abstract: The invention pertains to the attachment of a wrenching nut to a metal conduit wherein torque forces can be applied to the conduit through the nut. An annular nut member is located upon a conduit and the conduit is radially deformed to force the conduit material into engagement with keying surfaces defined upon the nut. Conduit deformation occurs on both sides of the nut for axial positioning thereof, as well as establishing a torque transmitting relationship between the nut and conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation
    Inventors: Brett A. Hughes, David L. Gilbert, Eugene A. Ellerbrock
  • Patent number: 4593939
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for interconnecting a first pality of conduits with a second plurality of conduits such as conduits of the kind utilized in nuclear facilities. Maintenance work in large-area hot cells subjected to radioactivity is conducted with remotely-controlled apparatus that is movable within the hot cell. The conduits must be disconnected and connected again with remotely-controlled apparatus. The connection should be completed quickly and effectively. For this purpose, conduit end portions of the conduits which are to be connected are arranged on a fixed supporting bracket. The two sets of conduit end portions which are to be interconnected curve continuously away from the bracket to define an angle of ninety degrees so that the open terminations of the one set of conduits are spaced from the open terminations of the other set of conduits and the axes of the conduit end portions are mutually parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Wiederaufarbeitung von Kernbrennstoffen mbH
    Inventor: Klaus Blaseck
  • Patent number: 4590960
    Abstract: Hose connector adapter apparatus for an evaporative cooler float valve includes an integral ferrule for sealing the float valve to the adapter and an internal hexagonally configured passageway through which the water flows and which passageway receives a hex wrench or the like for securing the adapter to the float valve when there is insufficient external clearance for manually securing the adapter to the float valve. The adapter apparatus is able to be secured to evaporative cooler float in virtually any location on a cooler housing, regardless of the cooler housing configuration either by manually securing the adapter or by using a wrench internally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Inventor: Robert L. Koble, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4586734
    Abstract: A first tubular member is coupled to a pipe fitting or the like having a specially adapted embracing tubular member thereon. The embracing member has an inner bore dimensioned for snugly receiving the first tubular member, and the inner bore is provided with first and second shoulders. An annular locking member is seated against the first shoulder within the bore and engages the first tubular member so as to prevent its withdrawal from the embracing member. A deformable annular sealing member is disposed between the locking member and the second shoulder for sealing the first tubular member to the embracing member. A rigid annular member is interposed between and engages the sealing member and the locking member and is formed to urge the locking member into tighter locking configuration when the sealing member is deformed thereagainst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: General Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Wilfred J. Grenier
  • Patent number: 4582350
    Abstract: A helicoid thread mechanism which comprises a male helically threaded tube and a female helically threaded tube is provided with a helically threaded block for threadedly engaging the female tube onto the male tube. A sliding frictional contact noise which is produced between the two tube members when they engage with each other is eliminated by suitable selection on the helically threaded shape and the material of the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidekazu Okajima
  • Patent number: 4580643
    Abstract: The longitudinal position of an inner barrel within a core barrel assembly can be adjusted and locked in the field without necessitating the disassembly of the cartridge cap assembly within the core barrel tool, and therefore without entailing loss of expensive rig time. The inner tube is coupled through a swivel assembly to a cartridge cap. The cartridge cap is threadedly coupled to the coring tool, and in particular to the outer tube. Thus, the cartridge cap is arranged and configured to be rotated, and thus longitudinally adjusted with respect to the outer tube. An upper portion of the cartridge cap is provided with a plurality of radially expanding fingers. A jam nut is disposed within a cylindrical array formed by the fingers, and is threadably engaged with the inside surface of the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Norton Christensen, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Fox, Larry C. Greenhalgh
  • Patent number: 4577891
    Abstract: A torque limiting collar includes a support plate attached to a stationary support adjacent a fitting and a locking plate engaged with a nonmovable part of the fitting and bolted to the support plate. When the rotatable portion of the fitting is tightened against the nonmovable part, the torque is transmitted through the locking and support plates to the stationary support instead of being transmitted into the conduit connected to the nonmovable or rigid part of the fitting. The locking plate has an edge defined in the configuration of a segment of a socket pattern which matches and mates with the profile of the rigid part of the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Fielding
  • Patent number: 4576402
    Abstract: A locking pipe sub is disclosed including a threaded pin connection for engaging, for example, a pipe stuck in a well bore. The threads on the pin are formed in two sections which are adapted to align upon initial make-up of the sub to the stuck pipe, but to misalign, both axially and radially, when reverse torque is applied to the sub. The result is to create axial and radial forces between the threads of the sub and the threads of the stuck pipe which positively lock the sub against disconnection from the pipe except with the use of a releasing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Tri-State Oil Tool Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Kirby Murray, David O. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4576403
    Abstract: A push one fitting for pipe joints and comprising a bell having a central bore adapted to receive one end of the pipe joint therein, a sealing member interposed between the outer periphery of the pipe joint and the inner periphery of the bell, and clamping apparatus cooperating directly with the bell for securing the bell in position on the pipe joint, the clamping apparatus being in the form of set screws extending through the sidewall of the bell for engagement with the pipe, or a split ring having a hook-shaped flange for engagement with a complementary groove on the outer periphery of the bell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Inventor: Jack Burkholder
  • Patent number: 4573712
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein includes a reducer coupling, a positioner tool for connecting the coupling to a conduit section, and a nut for securing the positioner tool to the coupling. The reducer coupling is useful in various operations, such as some oil field operations in which it is used to connect a smaller conduit (delivery line) into a larger conduit (production casing). In practice, the positioner tool is secured to the reducer coupling and the coupling is moved into its hook-up position above the production casing, by attaching a rig to the positioner tool. The coupling can then be threaded into the casing by turning the positioner tool with a wrench, or similar tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Donald C. Cameron
  • Patent number: 4572549
    Abstract: A pipeline connector capable of functioning as a buckle arrestor which is a tubular member having two sections with a suitable profile for threaded or collect connection of the two sections in axial alignment with each other. A method of repairing a pipeline having the improved connector of the present invention including the steps of removing the damaged section of pipeline, locating new section of pipeline with collet type connectors on each end in place of the damaged section and connecting the new section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: Cameron Iron Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek Sidwell
  • Patent number: 4570977
    Abstract: A connector apparatus for releasably securing two separate force transmitting assemblies in a force transfer relationship is disclosed. A first connector assembly having a tubular member forming a central opening having a locking recess formed therein is anchored at a desired location. A second connector assembly having a primary and a secondary housing operably connects with the first connector assembly for transferring the static forces therebetween. The primary housing mounts an expandable locking ring which fits in the recess of the first connector assembly for effecting the mechanical securing. The locking ring may be released by two separate modes of operation. When released, all operating parts of the connector except the first connector assembly may be retrieved to a convenient location for inspection or repair. Should the locking ring fail to release by either mode, the secondary housing may in the alternative be released from the primary housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Hydril Company
    Inventors: James A. Burton, Richard B. Lee
  • Patent number: 4564068
    Abstract: A torque multiplier subsea tool for setting a seal between a casing hanger and a subsea wellhead includes a mandrel having a sun gear with axial elongate teeth. An outer barrel is disposed around the mandrel forming an annulus therebetween. A planetary gear assembly is disposed in the annulus between the barrel and the sun gear to transmit to the barrel a torque which is higher in magnitude than that applied to the mandrel. A connector body disposed around the mandrel, below the planetary gear assembly, includes radially movable dogs for engaging the casing hanger. The barrel engages the sealing assembly and transmits the increased torque thereto to advance the sealing assembly downwards and to set the seal. The mandrel advances downwards with the sealing assembly and releases the dogs from the casing hanger. An emergency release mechanism is provided to advance the mandrel downwards to release the dogs in the event such downward movement is prevented during normal seal setting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Benton F. Baugh
  • Patent number: 4561678
    Abstract: A closure and locking device for a pipe coupling includes lugs on the juxtaposed ends of coupling segments that interfit and can be locked in a closed position by a locking pin. The lugs each provide reaction members which are employed in the pressure loading and closing of the coupling against the bias of a resilient sealing gasket contained within the segments of the coupling, with the closing accomplished with the aid of a tool which is removably engagable with the lugs of the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Victaulic Company of America
    Inventor: Donald R. Kunsman
  • Patent number: 4557506
    Abstract: A dual-rotary union, rotational isolation adapter according to the teachings of the present invention is disclosed bridging between a rotary union in fluid communication with a source of fluid pressure and a rotation control apparatus portion rotatable with respect to a shaft. In the present invention, an adapter body is rotatably and removeably secured to the end of the shaft. In its most preferred form, the adapter body is rotatably mounted by a pin threadably received in the end of the shaft and rotatably mounted by a bearing received within a first cavity formed in the adapter body. In its most preferred form, the rotary union is received within a second cavity formed in the adapter body opposite the first cavity. Thus, the adapter body is rotatable with respect to and rotatably isolated from the source of fluid pressure by the rotary union.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Horton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Hanks, Leonid Dayen
  • Patent number: 4554976
    Abstract: A test tool adapted for use during pressure testing of a subsea blowout preventer stack is disclosed. The tool has an upper and a lower body connected in a first connection by left hand threads. A check valve landed in the bore of the tool prevents downward fluid flow from the interior of the tool, but allows upward flow through the tool and the attached drill pipe for the detection of leakage of the wellhead sealing tool about the wellhead during pressure testing of a blowout preventer in the stack. During testing of a shear ram blowout preventer, the upper body is disconnected from the lower body by turning the drill pipe to the right. Raising the drill pipe then causes the upper body to shift a second set of right hand threads into position and moves the upper body and the drill pipe from the bore of the shear ram allowing it to be closed for pressure testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: Hydril Company
    Inventors: Joseph H. Hynes, Charles D. Morrill, George D. Hall
  • Patent number: 4547004
    Abstract: A coupling for connecting substantially identical external threaded ends of tubular conduits and the like in end-to-end relation, the coupling including a first or outer coupling member having an internal chamber and adapted to be threaded onto the threaded end of either of the conduits to be connected, and a second coupling member disposed within the chamber in the outer coupling member and adapted for threaded engagement with the threaded end of either conduit. The first and second coupling members are adapted to be threaded onto a selected one of the conduits in a manner enabling an axial alignment of the conduits by relative lateral movement therebetween after which the outer coupling member is threaded onto the other of the conduits to draw the adjacent ends of the conduits into abutting end-to-end relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Allied Tube & Conduit Corporation
    Inventor: Harold D. Goldberg
  • Patent number: 4541656
    Abstract: A metal outlet fitting intended to be welded over a side opening in a distribution pipe for water or other fluids, is constituted as a metal casting having parting lines adapted to serve the purpose of centering the fitting prior to its attachment. The fitting has a simple tubular configuration open at both ends and preferably provided with exterior lugs to accommodate a spanner wrench as a reinforcement during attachment of piping to it. One end of the fitting has a scalloped shape to fit the side wall of the distribution pipe, and the other end portion can be either internally or externally threaded, or bored to receive a branch pipe. During the welding, the normal parting lines on the exterior can be used as locators or centralizers for matching with cross lines that are scored in the distribution pipe initially to locate the pilot of the hole saw that cuts into the pipe side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Inventor: John A. Lasko
  • Patent number: 4533161
    Abstract: An improved high pressure coupler disconnecting device providing increased force necessary for uncoupling high pressure lines under high pressure at a predetermined point of separation. A flexible high pressure hose attached to the female portion of the coupler is placed through a tower device which surroundably restrains movement of the flexible hose. The tower base, supported by a ring, is positioned in such a manner as to apply lifting force to the female coupler lock sleeve when the tower is moved from the neutral position. The annular construction permits the invention to function in any position around a full 360.degree. sweep from the centrally located release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Inventors: Donald D. Burke, Jerry L. Cloninger
  • Patent number: 4530525
    Abstract: A device and method for use in forming an access port, and also in forming a leakproof seal between a conduit (e.g., a catheter tube) and a thermoplastic film (e.g., the wall of an ostomy bag, wound cover pouch, or similar pouch). The device includes internal and external coupling rings adapted to be locked together with a collar of film material clamped therebetween. An elastomeric nipple has an enlarged proximal end portion similarly clamped between the coupling rings and contributes in forming fluid-tight seal between the parts. The method of use of the device is also disclosed, such method including the insertion of a piercing element into the opening of the internal ring to form a two-piece piercing assembly, followed by the step of utilizing that assembly to pierce a flexible plastic film and form a collar of plastic material about the outer surface of the internal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: Hollister Incorporated
    Inventor: Barry L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 4524994
    Abstract: A flowable concrete delivery apparatus is provided in which both rigid and flexible pipe is connected in an end-to-end relationship to provide a high pressure conduit. These lengths of pipe are connected by clamps, each clamp being fixedly secured to a skid that provides a sliding protector for the clamp and prevents unwanted opening and damage to the clamp. The pipe lengths are carried by freely rotating wheels, each having a sleeve that provides a free fit on the outer diameter of a pipe length. The conduit is moved by a hook tool, this tool having one end formed with a handle and the other end with a bifurcated hook that is contoured to releaseably engage the outer diameter of a pipe. An attendant manipulates and moves this hook tool to position and arrange the conduit pipe in the desired delivery position. Although a great convenience, the hook tool is not required by the attendant in every instance as the wheels enable the attendant to grasp and move the pipe conduit when the occasion arises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Inventor: William T. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4522430
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for coupling a body member to a cylindrical member having a radially outward extending shoulder thereon. A coupling includes the body member and an annular seal for sealing between the body member and the cylindrical member. A plurality of collet sections are disposed around the body member, each of the collet sections having an upper end connected to the body member and having a lower end adapted for engagement with a lower end surface of the shoulder of the cylindrical member. An outer sleeve is slidably disposed about the plurality of collet sections and is slidable relative to the collet sections between an open position wherein the lower ends of the collet sections may receive the shoulder of the cylindrical member therebetween, and a closed position wherein the body member is sealingly coupled to the cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: James L. Stromberg
  • Patent number: 4519636
    Abstract: A seal for use in an underwater connector having first and second mating members each of which has a coacting mating surface with a plurality of fluid passageways for mating with the passageways of the other member. The seal is a resilient tubular member having threads on a portion of its outer diameter for connection to a passageway on one of the members. The seal includes a fluid sealing surface on its outer end for mating with the other member and the seal includes a fluid sealing surface on its inner end for sealing with the one member. The sealing point of the sealing surface on the outer end has a diameter at least as great as the diameter of the sealing point of the sealing surface on the inner end. The sealing surface on the inner end is formed by an O-ring seal in a groove in the annular resilient seal. The sealing surface on the outer end includes a ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: Koomey, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry B. Tomlin, Gustave S. Levey, Michael A. O'Neil
  • Patent number: 4508369
    Abstract: An improved releasable coupling device for a tube of the type which includes a fitting having a bore communicable with a source of fluid and an opening into the bore through which the tube is to be inserted, a retaining ring in the opening having a plurality of axially extending inwardly biased fingers adapted to engage the tube when the tube is inserted into the fitting towards the bore, and an unlocking collar for forcing the plurality of fingers radially outward to cause disengagement of the fingers from the tube. An annular sealing member is positioned in the opening axially between the fingers and the end of the opening adjacent the bore for engaging the tube and the wall of the opening to seal the tube in the fitting when the tube is inserted therethrough, and which is in engagement with the fingers. The annular sealing member is adapted to exert an axially directed force towards the fingers when subjected to the pressure of the fluid communicating with the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Nycoil Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Mode
  • Patent number: 4501441
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly having a wellhead member with an internal shoulder providing an upper outer shoulder and a lower inner seat, and a plurality of pins threaded therethrough and a landing bowl of arcuate segments connected and biased apart at their facing ends to seat on the upper shoulder so that a tubing string may be run therethrough and moved inward by said pins to be above the lower inner seat for seating thereon to support a tubing string in tension therebelow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: Cameron Iron Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark E. Crews
  • Patent number: 4497511
    Abstract: Connector for vessels or pipes which includes first and second connection members (20, 60) which are clamped and sealed together. The second connection member (60) is closed by a wall (51) through which a hole (53) is cut after the vessels or pipes have been positioned. An insertion tool (90) is used to engage a clamping bracket (40) with the wall (51) to secure the connection members together when the first connection member (20) is fitted to the hole (53). A resilient sealing ring (30) surrounds the hole (53) and is compressed between the connection members (20, 60).An O-ring seal (70) on the second connection member (60) allows for relative movement between the vessels or pipes.The connector may be installed from inside a vessel or pipe where access is restricted and the connector allows for misalignment between the inlets or outlets of the vessels or pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: A.D. & R.E. Barker Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Allan D. Barker
  • Patent number: 4496173
    Abstract: A coupling for first and second pipe sections where end portions on the first and second pipe sections are shaped and dimensioned so that the end portion of the first pipe section can be inserted in the end portion of the second pipe section. Penetration of the first section is limited relative to the second section. The outer surface of the end of the second pipe section adjacent to the other section includes at least a first set of continuous helical spin-up threads. A female union box is connected to the first section, the inner surface of the box including at least a first set of continuous helical spin-up threads interengaged with the set of threads on the second pipe section, the union box further including an additional set of helical power threads. A power ring is located around the first section and includes a set of helical power threads interengaged with the helical power threads on the union box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: Hydril Company
    Inventors: Joseph R. Roche, Charles D. Morrill, Joseph H. Hynes
  • Patent number: 4479667
    Abstract: Two pipes for low pressure water systems include a pair of tapering surfaces secured together by a threaded engagement in which the thread of one member extends helically for less than three hundred sixty degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1984
    Assignee: Clare M. Major
    Inventors: Frederick A. Major, deceased, Henry M. Woike, Clare M. Major, executrix