Abstract: A tension connector, and offshore platform mooring system embodying the connector, characterized in that the connector can be made up remotely and released remotely. The connector comprises a male connector member, typically attached to a string of pipe which serves as a mooring element, and a female connector member, typically secured to an anchoring base at the bottom of a body of water. The connector is made up simply by inserting the male member downwardly into the female member by manipulating the pipe string. Advantageously, two remote release means are provided, one operating hydraulically, the other by manipulation of the pipe string.

Abstract: Connections for attaching together successive sections of an axially driveable pile, including pin and box ends having engaging threads which are tapered and which as viewed in axial section have opposite side faces both disposed at a very small angle of not over about 5.5 degrees with respect to a line extending perpendicular to and intersecting the axis of the threaded connection, preferably between about 4.5 and 5.5 degrees, so that the threads can take very high axial driving and rebounding forces. Each thread desirably has an axial thickness at its pitch line at least about one and one-half times the height of the thread from its root to its crest. The pin and box elements preferably do not have shoulders engageable to limit the extent to which the parts can be screwed together in the fully made-up condition of the joint.

Abstract: A locking slip coupling for coupling two tubular elements in sealed relationship. The coupling comprises a first tubular member having an outer end for connection to one tubular element, and having an inner end comprising an axially extending locking sleeve, the locking sleeve having an annular gripping zone defined by the locking sleeve having a plurality of annular gripping teeth along its inner surface in the gripping zone, having cam means along its outer surface in the gripping zone, and by the locking sleeve being radially compressible in the gripping zone. The coupling further comprises a second tubular member having an outer end for connection to another tubular element, and having an inner end comprising an inner barrel located within the locking sleeve.

Abstract: A spacing apparatus for tubing conduit in a subterranean well, normally for use with an electric component with a longitudinally extending external electrical cable, permits irrotational adjustment of the length of the tubing conduit. The spacing apparatus comprises telescoping members which are keyed to prevent rotation therebetween. A threaded member, longitudinally fixed relative to one longitudinal member, normally engages threads extending substantially along the entire length of the other telescoping member. Movement of a retaining sleeve permits disengagement of the threaded segments which ratchet along the threads during telescoping movement. The length of the conduit can thus be irrotationally adjusted to remove slack from the electrical cable.

Abstract: A wellhead connector comprises a tubular main body movably mounting a set of circumferentially spaced members for radial extension and retraction. An actuator on the main body is operatively associated with the members to radially extend them. Levers are interengaged between the main body and the members, when the latter are extended, and are operative to at least partially retract the members.

Abstract: An expansion joint for use with a retrievable packer includes a stop to limit the extent to which the joint may be extended and for providing vertical support for packer retrieval and further includes and interfitting key and slot acting between a housing and a mandrel telescoped into the housing in order to transmit torque through the joint.

Abstract: In a locking mandrel for releasably locking a well tool in a well flow conductor of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,208,531 which includes a tubular body mandrel adapted for securing with a running tool and with a well tool, a locking dog retainer sleeve on the body mandrel, expandible and contractible locking dogs carried by the retainer sleeve, and a locking sleeve movable on the body mandrel within the retainer sleeve between a first position at which the locking dogs are expanded and release positions at which the locking dogs are movable inwardly to release positions, the improvement for releasably latching the locking sleeve at the first locking position on the body mandrel which includes an annular latching boss on the body mandrel and an annular latching flange and recess within the locking sleeve.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling for use in a high pressure fluid system includes a plug member in the form of a plug tube with an upset bead thereon that is adapted to be inserted into a socket member, a ring seal being positioned to encircle the pilot plug end of the tube. A split retainer is positioned to encircle the socket member and is provided with opposed sets of abutment surfaces at opposite ends thereof that are adapted to engage against the bead on the plug member and a flange provided on the socket member, respectively, when the plug member is fully inserted into the socket and a rigid locking collar is positioned to encircle the split retainer whereby to bias the split end thereof with its associate abutment surfaces radially inward into positive locking engagement with the flange of the socket member.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement consists of two cylindrical parts, a shell having three radially extending projections and a track part having three helical tracks on its internal surface for the reception of the projections. Each track is provided with a locking member consisting of a rotatable pin having a recess. The projections enter the recesses on relative rotation of the two parts and are retained in this position by a compression spring which tends to urge the two parts apart and hold the projections in the recesses. The parts can be separated by compressing the spring and relatively rotating the parts in the opposite direction, or a sleeve surrounding the track part, which normally prevents rotation of the pins, can be moved axially on the track part to allow the pins to rotate and permit the shell and its projections to be withdrawn axially from the track part.

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: In the representative embodiment of the invention described herein, an adjustable sprinkler for a fire protection system has a sprinkler assembly tube which is mounted for longitudinal movement in a bore extending longitudinally into a component of a fluid supply piping network for the fire protection system. A latching device is resiliently urged into the bore of the component to prevent accidental removal of the sprinkler assembly tube during its longitudinal movement in the bore by releasably engaging the sprinkler assembly tube before it is completely removed from the bore. When the sprinkler assembly tube is disengaged by the latching device, the sprinkler assembly tube can be removed from the bore.

Abstract: A well bore tubing system for releasably coupling upper tubing strings with lower tubing strings. The system includes an orienting body connectible on the upper end of a well packer and having a pair of separate laterally spaced longitudinal bores, each having a locking recess and a seal surface, a longitudinal side orienting surface along the body, an upper end male guide surface leading to the orienting surface, an orienting head assembly to releasably couple with the orienting body comprising an orienting head having two longitudinal bores alignable with the bores in the orienting body and a lower end female guide surface engageable with the male surface on the orienting body, a longitudinal orienting arm secured on the guide head having a longitudinal orienting surface engageable with the orienting surface on the orienting body, and a tubular seal and latch assembly secured at one end in each of the bores of the orienting head.

Abstract: A plug assembly is provided including an elongated sleeve defining a longitudinal bore therethrough and including structure thereon for at least semi-permanent sealed securement through the drain bore of an oil pan. The plug assembly further includes a plug member defining an enlarged head and an elongated shank projecting lengthwise outwardly from one side of the head and removably telescopingly receivable in the longitudinal bore through the sleeve. Seal structure is carried by the shank and establishes a slidable fluid tight seal between the shank and the adjacent surfaces of the sleeve bore. The head of the plug member and the adjacent end of the sleeve include coacting structure releasably securing the plug member against outward displacement relative to the sleeve end and thus lengthwise retraction of the shank and the seal structure from the sleeve bore.

Abstract: A pipe connector has a pin initially stabbed into a box, the pin and box then being axially loaded together at confronting transverse surfaces while the pin and box are pressurized to expand the box and compress the pin, so that when the pressure is relieved a pressure energized shrink fit is provided and the connector is rendered rigid to enhance tensile, compressive and bending strength and provide a fluid tight joint useful in making up lengths of pipe such as piles and pipelines. Lock means hold the connector against axial separation to maintain the pin under axial compression and maintain the box under axial tension, including circumferentially spaced locking elements projecting radially from one of said pin and box into a locking recess of the other of said pin and box.

Abstract: Pipe coupling for the high-strength coupling of plastic pipe ends, a coupling sleeve having internal sawtooth ridges which mesh with counter profiles on the pipe ends.

Abstract: A connector apparatus particularly useful in pile driving in water to enable a pile string to be released or disconnected in the vicinity of the mudline after the pile has been driven to its final depth, the connector including an upper box secured to one portion of a pin apparatus attached by a releasable mechanism to another lower portion of the pin apparatus, release of the mechanism by a suitable tool operated from a remote location enabling the drive pile string above the lower portion of the pin to be withdrawn through the water to the surface.

Abstract: An improved coupling assembly includes a plug and socket which are connectable to interconnect a pair of fluid conduits. When the coupling is disconnected, resiliently deflectable spring fingers on a plug body are disposed in a retracted position. When the coupling assembly is to be connected, the retracted spring fingers are inserted through an opening into a socket chamber. A slide is then moved axially toward the socket to resiliently deflect the spring fingers outwardly away from the plug body to an extended position in which outer end surfaces on the spring fingers are engageable with an annular stop surface in the socket chamber. When the coupling is to be disconnected, the sleeve or slide is moved axially away from the spring fingers and their natural resilience causes them to move inwardly toward the plug body so that the outer ends of the spring fingers can pass through the opening as the plug is withdrawn from the socket chamber.

Abstract: Two electrical connectors are coupled by inserting a contact protecting slotted split shroud of one connector over a mating contact body housing of the other connector. As the split shroud engages the mating housing, an enlarged ring section on the mating housing outwardly deflects the split shroud and allows the enlarged ring area of the mating housing to engage an inwardly directed relief area inside the split shroud to latch the two connectors together. A coupling ring on one connector is movable to cover the split shroud, thus locking the two connectors in their mated position by preventing the split shroud from opening if a force in the unmating direction is applied. The coupling ring is held in its locks position by detent fingers residing within a forward retaining groove in the connector.