Abstract: A breech block hanger support member for a subsea wellhead assembly for wells having a working pressure up to approximately 15,000 psi. The assembly includes a wellhead, the support member, a packoff for sealing the support member, and one or more other casing hangers supported by the support member. The support member is connected to the wellhead for itself suspending casing, for supporting at least one other casing hanger and casing, and for containing the working pressure. Breech block teeth are provided on the wellhead and support member to permit the support member to be stabbed into the wellhead and rotated less than 360.degree. for completing the connection therebetween. The teeth include groupings of spaced-apart no-lead teeth having slots therebetween. The slots provide a flow way for passing well fluids. The support member further includes an upper annular flange for arresting its downward movement within the wellhead. This flange includes flutes aligned with the slots for passing well fluids.

Abstract: A marine riser including a uniquely designed three element connection structure and associated connecting and releasing means for the inhibiting of fatigue failure caused by moments and axial loads resulting from relative motion between the fixed ocean bottom and a floating drilling platform or ship, such as a semisubmersible rig. The system includes a preloaded connection including a female member and a male member coaxially aligned and held in compression by a nut placed in tension. The connection holds riser pipe sections together. The connection is preloaded through a tool to a degree such that when a load equal to the yield strength of the pipe section material is applied to the pipe sections joined by the connector, the compressed faces of the male and female members do not separate from each other. The degree of preload would be sufficient to maintain the contact between the compressed faces under expected working loads of the pipe sections.

Abstract: A device for connecting the flanges of two pipelines including a series of radially equally spaced gripping dogs on one of the pipelines for gripping the flange on the other of the pipelines means for moving the gripping dogs axially and radially whereby the gripping dogs axially pull the flanges toward the other pipeline into sealing relationship.

Abstract: For large diameter tubular goods, especially pipe strings installed in underwater wells, the invention provides an improved quick make-and-break coupling of the type in which part of one rotation causes axial engagement between coupling lugs. Back-angled surfaces are provided in a fashion achieving radial forces, under both compression and tension, which oppose radial separation of telescopically engaged male and female connector members.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling together heavy cargo pipes or the like which includes releasable plunger locking means to prevent rotation of a cam element in a locked condition and permit rotation in an unlocked condition. A liquid exit is also provided to prevent liquid accumulation and freezing together of relatively movable locking parts.

Abstract: A quick acting coupling for coupling together heavy cargo pipes which includes releasable locking means to permit rotation of a cam element in one direction and prevent rotation in an opposite direction, and upon release of this locking means to permit rotation in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A marine riser including a uniquely designed three element connection structure and associated connecting and releasing means for the inhibiting of fatigue failure caused by moments and axial loads resulting from relative motion between the fixed ocean bottom and a floating drilling platform or ship, such as a semisubmersible rig. The system includes a preloaded connection including a female member and a male member coaxially aligned and held in compression by a nut placed in tension. The connection holds riser pipe sections together. The connection is preloaded through a tool to a degree such that when a load equal to the yield strength of the pipe section material is applied to the pipe sections joined by the connector, the compressed faces of the male and female members do not separate from each other. The degree of preload would be sufficient to maintain the contact between the compressed faces under expected working loads of the pipe sections.

Abstract: A flexible metal hose unit comprising in combination: a spigot formed with an annular flange and an annular gripping area, both coaxial with the spigot axis, a corrugated or helical flexible inner metal tube fitting over the spigot and welded to said flange, one or more flexible sheaths fitted over said gripping area, a ferrule comprising an annular member fitted over said sheath or sheaths and crimped or swaged onto the sheath or sheaths in an area radially corresponding to said gripping area.

Abstract: The connector, in one embodiment thereof, rotatively receives a threaded coupling nut, and slidably receives an annular retainer. A spherical-keying arrangement prevents rotary movement between the retainer and body, and the retainer houses a pair of spring-loaded balls for forceably locking the coupling nut against rotation about the body. The coupling nut has an undulated radial surface which receives the balls to effect the rotation locking. The arrangement is so designed as to effect the locking with a substantially unvariably, resilient force, upon the coupling nut being rotatively threaded with and unthreaded from a mating coupling element.

Abstract: A coupling is disclosed made up of a female member and a male member adapted to fit together. The male member has an outer peripheral groove and the female member has fastening means including levers swingably connected to it. The levers can swing into alignment with the axis of the coupling to clamp the male member firmly against the seal in the female member. An improved arrangement is provided for holding the levers in place. The arrangement includes spring loaded detent balls in countersinks. The balls project out the side of ears next to the levers. The spring may be leaf springs overlying the detent balls, urging the detent balls into engagement with chamfered edges of the levers. The detent balls prevent the levers from inadvertently rotating to release the coupling due to vibration or ther reasons.