Other

Vetco Gray Inc.

Varco International, Inc.

Neogas Inc.

Hughes Tool Company-usa

Igor Krasnov

George I Boyadjieff

Robert Scott Smith

Taylor L Jones

Gregg A Goris

John K Moses

Stephen B Wetch

Gregory A Goris

Henry D Calk, Jr

Billy L McDougal

Alexander Kucher

Yury Bromberg

A storage vessel is filled with compressed gas by filling a first tank with gas from a low pressure gas source. Hydraulic fluid is drawn from a reservoir and pumped into the first tank in contact with the gas. This causes the gas in the first tank to flow into the storage vessel as it fills with hydraulic fluid. At the same time, gas is supplied from the gas source to a second tank. Hydraulic fluid previously introduced into the second tank flows out to the reservoir as the second tank fills with gas. When the first tank is full of hydraulic fluid, a valve switches the cycle so that the hydraulic pump begins pumping hydraulic fluid back into the second tank while the first tank drains. The cycle is repeated until the storage vessel is filled with gas to a desired pressure.

Method and apparatus for filling a storage vessel with compressed gas

A compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling system has banks of cylinders containing CNG, a hydraulic fluid reservoir containing a hydraulic fluid which does not readily mix with CNG, and reversible flow valves. Each cylinder has a fitting installed in an opening at one end. The fitting contains a hydraulic fluid port and a gas port. The other end of each cylinder is closed. Hydraulic fluid is pumped from the reservoir into each cylinder through the hydraulic fluid port. Inside each cylinder, the hydraulic fluid directly contacts the CNG, forcing the CNG out through the gas port. When a sensor detects that the cylinders are substantially drained of CNG, the reversible flow valves will reverse orientation, allowing the hydraulic fluid to flow back into the reservoir.

Compressed natural gas dispensing system

A compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle refueling system is designed for refueling fleets of vehicles with identical fuel tanks. The amount of CNG dispensed into the tanks may be closely approximated without the use of a flow meter. An initial standardized volume is calculated based upon the ambient temperature, the initial pressure level and an approximate compressibility of the gas. Gas is dispensed into the fuel tank to a desired pressure which is confirmed with a pressure gage. A final standardized volume of gas contained within the fuel tank is calculated based upon the final pressure level and assuming no change in the compressibility of the gas. The initial standardized volume of gas is subtracted from the final standardized volume of gas to yield an actual volume of gas dispensed from the storage vessel. Empirically derived temperature correction factors may be used to generate an even more accurate approximation of CNG dispensed. The temperature correction factors compensate for the difference in temperature between operating temperatures and the standardized temperature of zero degrees celsius.

Method for measuring compressed natural gas

A compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle refueling system has a hydraulic fluid reservoir, an accumulator, and two banks of cylinders, each of which has an axially moveable piston, a pair of inlets and an outlet. The pistons separate the CNG from hydraulic fluid. The refueling system drains the banks one at a time by refueling CNG vehicles with a plurality of refueling depots. Hydraulic fluid is pumped from reservoir to the cylinders to maintain 3600 psi of pressure in the cylinders while CNG is being dispensed. A pressure limiting valve limits pressure in the vessel tanks to 3000 psi. When the bank is drained of CNG, the pistons stop moving, the pressure at the outlets drops below 3000 psi, and the pressure at the inlets increases. This difference in pressure is sensed, causing the control panel to change banks. The pressure in the accumulator and the lack of pressure in the reservoir causes the hydraulic fluid to return to the reservoir. The second bank simultaneously begins to dispense CNG in the same manner as the first bank.

Cascade system for fueling compressed natural gas

A tank for compressed natural gas utilizes internal tension members. The tank has an upper half and a lower half, each half being formed with at least two cylindrical portions separated by a Y-shaped junction. The sections of each half have engagement members in the interiors. The engagement members include a head and a socket which slide longitudinally together to secure the upper and lower halves against tension due to the gas pressure.

Tank for compressed gas

A torque transfer apparatus and method wherein a device such as a pipe tong is provided with hard metallic inserts (steel) on the tong jaws with thin facing material (bonding key material) which is interposed between the surface of the pipe and the insert. This soft bonding key material, aluminum or bronze sheeting, or coatings of soft alloy, under pressure by the clamping force of the tong jaws flows into the imperfections in the pipe and the imperfections in the insert thereby creating a bond. The bond fails when the applied torque overcomes the shear strength of the key material, shearing off small protrusions from the surface of the key material. This leaves the pipe surface undamaged. The surface of the inserts are provided with grooves and drainage holes and to insure greater contact with the pipe whose diameter may vary, the inserts are made from spring steel with a smaller diameter than that of the pipe so that when the clamping force is applied, the insert and the bonding key material straighten out and wrap around the pipe.

Shear gripping apparatus and method

A bridge coupling for connecting between a drill pipe and an upper tubular member, such as a kelly cock safety valve in a drill rig and an actuator mechanism for the coupling. The bridge coupling permits rapid and accurate coupling at lower torque levels than with prior couplings. The coupling basically includes a stem having a lower male threaded end adapted to connect with female threads on the upper end of a drill pipe and a threaded upper end adapted to connect with an upper member on a drill rig. A shoulder sleeve surrounds and is secured to the stem intermediate the ends thereof. A spacer sleeve surrounds the stem at the lower stem end, spaced from the shoulder sleeve. A shoulder on a spacer sleeve engages the upper edge of the drill pipe when the drill pipe is threaded onto the stem to low torque, typically by a kelly spinner. An actuator sleeve surrounding the stem and shoulder sleeve is movable to drive a wedge ring between the stem and shoulder ring, tensioning the stem and loading the shoulder engaging the pipe end to provide the required forces locking the pipe in place. A bridge coupler actuator includes an upper fork adapted to engage the stem and a lower fork adapted to engage the actuator sleeve. A hydraulic cylinder system forces the lower fork away from the upper fork to make the connection and toward the upper fork to break the connection. A locking spring ring is provided to lock the connection in the engaged position and prevent accidental opening of the connection under vibration and automatically open when the connection is broken.

Drill string bridge coupler and actuator

A floor drive drilling system comprising a pipe drive bushing having a frame and a rotor which is raised and movable to and from a master bushing by wheels and lowered and coupled to the master bushing for rotary drilling and reaming. The rotor is driven by the master bushing and has a plurality of gripper assemblies which selectively engage the drill string to transfer torque thereto and are movable upward and downward a selected distance for drilling and reaming. Each gripper assembly comprises actuating rings and jaws for gripping and ungripping the drill string. Frictional inserts with large surface areas and grooves are positioned on the jaws to allow mud and contaminants to escape and means are provided for cushioning the engagement of the inserts with the drill pipe to reduce surface damage. Sensing means indicate the grip and ungripped position of the jaws and are used to indicate when a joint or other obstacle prevents the pipe being fully gripped. Also disclosed is a method for floor drive rotary drilling and reaming. The pipe drive bushing may also be used with casing.

Floor drive drilling system

A torque coupling for connecting between upper and lower tubular members of a drill rig allows make up and break out at lower torques than normally required. The coupling has a body which has an upper end that connects to the upper tubular member and lower end which connects to the lower tubular member. The lower tubular member has an upward facing torque shoulder. A torque shoulder sleeve mounts slideably to the body. The torque shoulder sleeve has a downward facing shoulder that engages the torque shoulder of the lower tubular member. The body and the torque shoulder sleeve have opposed load shoulders, at least one of which is conical. A wedge member locates between these load shoulders. When the wedge member slides outward, it decreases the distance between the load shoulders and reduces the pressure of the lower end of the torque shoulder sleeve against the upper end of the lower tubular member.

Drill string torque coupling and method for making up and breaking out

Disclosed is a method and apparatus comprising a side drive system with a drive shaft (24, 24a) driven from the platform level (10) and powering a drilling unit (16) for rotating drill pipe (14). Except for the tethering of the drive shaft at the top of the derrick (60-64) and its coupling to a power source (70) at the platform level, there is preferably no stabilizing means for the system. The drive shaft (24, 24a) is stationary, preferably hollow, and extends the height of the derrick located to one side of the main drilling axis. The power source (70) at the platform level comprises a power takeoff from a conventional rotary table (84). The upper drive assembly (18) of the drilling unit (16) is coupled to the drive shaft (24, 24a) and capable of vertical movement along the drive shaft and providing torque to the drill string. As an option, a stabilizing system for the drilling unit in the form of tension members (182) may be used, or the drive shaft itself may be stabilized at various elevations along its length by stabilizing arms (190) to provide lateral bending restraint yet permitting rotational freedom. The preferred embodiment is such that the side drive system may operate without stabilizing mechanisms for the drilling unit or drive shaft.

Alternate forms of, side drive drilling

A device for reducing the break-out torque in a drill pipe tool joint selectively can be disabled so that break-out is at standard torque. The torque reducing device includes a collar located on the pin. The collar has a makeup shoulder that makes up against the makeup shoulder of the box of the drill pipe. The collar has a pair of ramp rings that will slide relative to each other during break-out torque. When they slide, they reduce the overall vertical height, allowing the collar to move vertically from the makeup shoulder a slight distance to reduce the torque. A split ring encircles the ramp rings for urging the ramp rings back to the initial position. A pin engages a slot in the split ring. The pin can be rotated between locked and unlocked positions to prevent the split ring from expanding. This prevents the ramp rings from operating.

Break-out joint with selective disabler

A kelly cock valve for a drill rig uses a sliding gate to open and close the flow passage through the drill string. The valve has a body with a longitudinal passage through it. The gate is mounted in the body perpendicular to the flow passage. Pushrods extend from each end of the gate out through bonnets mounted to the body of the valve. The fluid cylinders are mounted on each side of the gate. Each fluid cylinder has a piston with a piston rod extending in opposite directions. The piston rods are connected to a beam that also connects to the pushrod. Hydraulic passages supply fluid to the cylinders to stroke the piston and thus move the gate valve between open and closed positions.

Gate type kelly cock valve

An apparatus for a top drive drill rig lifts a stand of the drill pipe into engagement with the drive stem in the derrick. The apparatus includes a set of elevators mounted between the drive head by a link assembly. The link assembly includes two link sections connected together by a swivel joint. An upper hydraulic cylinder is connected between the drive head and the upper link section. A lower hydraulic cylinder is connected between the upper and lower link sections. These cylinders may be retracted to pull the stand of drill pipe upward into contact with the drive stem.

Articulated elevator links for top drive drill rig

A pipe handling apparatus for a drilling rig is mounted on the rig floor. The drilling rig has a top drive with a power drive stem. Elevators are suspended below the drive stem. The lifting member has a supporting arm to receive the bottom of a stand of drill pipe lifted by the elevators. A stabilizing arm is mounted to the lifting member above the supporting arm to stabilize the stand. The lifting member telescopes upward to slide the stand of drill pipe upward through the elevators and into engagement with the drive stem.

Pipe handling apparatus and method

A gate valve (10) having a valve operator (40) fully contained within a valve body with means for communicating fluid under pressure to the valve operator (40) to move a gate (32) to a valve open or a valve closed position. The valve operator (40) is located within the gate chamber (30) and the gate (32) itself contains and forms part of the valve operator (40) and, thus, considerable space is conserved. In one embodiment, the means for communicating pressure fluid to the valve operator includes a manifold (16) to allow the valve body (12) to rotate as part of a drilling assembly yet be remotely controllable. In another embodiment, the manifold may be eliminated for the use of the valve does not require rotation. This invention introduces gate valve technology into drilling operations to displace ball valves as kelly cock valves.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Igor Krasnov