Hydril Company

Julian D Keithahn

Joseph R Roche

James A Burton

Charles D Morrill

Charles P Peterman

Kenneth W Colvin

Raymond Wieveg

A flow control apparatus having a valve body forming a longitudinal axis with an inlet and an outlet connected by flow passage that are all substantially disposed on the longitudinal axis to provide a straight flow path is disclosed. A moveable flow control sleeve is concentrically disposed about a cylindrical seat member fixed in the valve body. Radially opposed ports are disposed in the seat member. A quick acting 90 degree rotatable stem is operably connected to the flow control sleeve to reciprocate the sleeve axially along the cylindrical seat to and from the open and closed position to regulate the fluid flowing through the opposed ports and valve apparatus. A flowmeter sensor is mounted with the valve body for providing a signal in response to the rate of flow through the flow passage. The signal is usable by a flow rate determining system which may be connected to a valve actuator for automatically operating the valve in response to certain prearranged flow conditions.

Flow control apparatus

An annular blowout preventer packer unit is disclosed having an annulus of elastomeric material in which is embedded metallic drive inserts provided in an outward circle about the axis. Metallic lead inserts are provided in an inward circle about the axis. The top and bottom plates of the drive inserts have two angled longitudinal forward surfaces which interface with reverse angled adjacent longitudinal rearward surfaces of the top and bottom plates of the lead inserts, respectively. When the BOP piston is closed, the drive inserts cause the lead inserts to advance inwardly a greater radial distance than the advance of the drive inserts. The result is that less stroke may be required to close the blowout preventer, and a controlled, predictable, uniform movement of the lead inserts is achieved. The drive inserts top plates are broad across their rearward longitudinal surface operably covering the area behind the lead inserts on closure of the packer unit. The shape of the drive inserts allows the lead inserts to be driven to a smaller diameter without opening up the back side and causing outer diameter elastomer loss to the unit.

Annular blowout preventer packing unit

Flow diverter apparatus is disclosed having a housing and a piston and annular packer disposed therein. The diverter has passages in the piston and housing walls providing fluid communication between the borehole and a vent line. A valve in the vent line is opened before the packer of the apparatus is closed about a tubular member in the bore of the apparatus or completely closes the vertical flow path of the bore of the apparatus when no object is therein, thereby diverting pressurized borehole fluid away from the rig equipment and personnel.

Flow diverter

An improved ball-type valve apparatus adapted for use in flowlines which provide a straight through flow path which minimizes flow turbulance and flow resistance in either direction through the valve housing. The ball is rotated by a crank between the open and closed positions for controlling flow through the valve. Oppositely facing seat rings engage the ball on opposite sides to provide a dual redundant sealing system with the primary seals located at the upstream seat with the secondary seal formed at the downstream seat. An access plug retains the ball in the valve housing and is secured with the valve housing by a segmented locking ring. When the plug is removed from the housing maintenance or assembly access to the ball, seat rings and their retaining means without disturbing the connections of the valve housing in the flowlines is provided.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Julian D Keithahn