Other

Reflange, Inc.

Mobil Oil Corporation

Hydrotech International, Inc.

Comex Marine Services, Inc.

Raymond E Latham

Gyula Pasztor

James A Burton

Gerald A Marsh

Lloyd E Billingsley

Eugene O Lee

Charles R Mynheir

Bernard P Usquin

A remotely operable closure device is disclosed. The device includes a base hub, a clamping mechanism, a closure mechanism, and a drive mechanism. The base hub is attached to a conduit and allows access to the conduit. The clamping mechanism is disposed about the base hub and is actuatable to clamp or unclamp about the base hub and a blind hub. The closure mechanism is movably connected to the clamping mechanism and is actuatable therewith to move the blind hub into or out of engagement with the base hub. The drive mechanism is remotely operable to simultaneously actuate the clamping mechanism and the closure mechanism.

Remotely operable closure device

A remotely operable coupling device is disclosed. The device is suitable for coupling misaligned first and second conduits. The device includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is attached to the first conduit and includes a first flange with a ball end extending therefrom. The second connector is attached to the second conduit and receives the first connector. The second connector includes a first mechanism operable to position a second flange adjacent the first flange and to dispose the ball end into a socket member. The second connector also includes a second mechanism disposed about the adjacent first and second flanges and operable to hold the flanges adjacent one another and maintain the ball end disposed within the socket.

Remotely operable misalignment coupling device

A ball and socket misalignment coupling includes a socket flange, ball member, retaining flange, threaded studs, and threaded retaining rings of limited shear strength. The threaded retaining rings function to permit the coupling to be pre-assembled. When the pre-assembled coupling is installed into service by using the threaded studs and associated nuts to bolt the coupling to a standard flange, the threaded rings are stripped out and remain in the assembly without obstructing the function of the coupling. The threaded retaining rings fit into recesses in the flanges through which the studs insert. The threaded retaining rings may made as a single-piece construction made from a material that has a yield and shear strength lower than that of the threaded studs about which they are mounted, or may be made as a two-piece threaded ring having inner threaded portion and a separate outer portion, each with differing material construction. The materials of the two pieces preferably are selected so that once the threaded region strips, the outer geometry can be used as a standard washer.

Threaded retainer rings for use in pipe flange connections

A dual seal is provided for establishing fluid tight engagement between conduits subjected to both internal and external pressure. The dual seal comprises four seal portions disposed between an inner and an outer cylindrical surface.

Dual seal and connection

An improved misalignment flange and method for use is provided by a socket member having a substantially spherical inside diameter surface seat which engages, in fluid-tight fashion, a ball member having a substantially spherical outside diameter surface and associated therewith a stored-energy seal. A retaining member is also utilized to clamp the ball member and spherical seal into fluid-tight engagement with the inside spherical surface of the socket member. The misalignment flange of the present invention provides up to 20.degree. of off-axis misalignment and service in hostile environments.

Misalignment flange and method for use

An annular bore seal for sealing between connected first and second coaxially aligned members, each of which is provided with an internal frusto-conical seating surface tapering inwardly from their adjoining ends. The seal comprises: an inner cylindrical surface; annular end surfaces at opposite ends thereof; frusto-conical outer sealing surfaces adjacent each of the end surfaces and tapering outwardly therefrom; an outer alignment ring surface midway between the end surfaces; and annular relieved areas between the alignment ring surface and the frusto-conical sealing surfaces.

Bore seal

Coupling apparatus capable of joining first and second conduits in a nonaligned articulated relationship may comprise: a male member having a radially enlarged end portion thereon; a female member into which the male member may be inserted; a seal assembly for sealing between the male and female members; a gripping assembly carried by the female member and radially movable from a normally expanded position, in which the male member may be freely inserted and removed from the female member, to a contracted position gripping the enlarged end portion of the male member, preventing its removal and locking it in a fixed, articulated relationship with the female member; and a load ring carried by the female member and axially movable from a first position, allowing the gripping assembly to assume its normal expanded position, to a second position engaging and forcing the gripping assembly into its contracted position.

Coupling apparatus

A hydraulic wrench comprising: an elongated body; a drive assembly mounted at one end of the body for rotating a socket member connected thereto; a hydraulic power member connected to the drive assembly and the body for rotating the drive assembly; and an elongated reaction member engageable with the body and extendable therefrom for engagement with any suitable fixed object to provide a reaction force for operation of the wrench.

Hydraulic wrench

A subsea connection unit for remotely connecting a first flowline to a complementary second flowline at a submerged location. The unit is comprised of a connector assembly which is attached to the end of the first flowline and a base structure adapted to be positioned on the marine bottom and to hold the end of the second flowline. A pulldown line is attached to the connector assembly and extends downward through the base structure and back to the surface. As the first flowline is pulled downward to the marine bottom, a guide cone on the connector assembly is pulled into a cone receiver on the base structure to properly align the two flowlines. A special guide assembly on the base structure insures that the guide cone will enter the cone receiver. Fluid actuated means on the connector assembly (1) locks the connector assembly to the base structure; (2) moves the end of the first flowline into abutment with the end of the second flowline; (3) closes a clamp means carried by said connector assembly to secure the ends of the two flowlines together; and (4) releases the pull-down line.

Subsea connection unit

Apparatus and method for placing and holding tension on a fastener device of the type having a shaft and a cooperable member engageable therewith. The apparatus may comprise a housing member for surrounding the fastener shaft in a fixed relationship; a piston member disposed within the housing member for seating axial movement therein between first and second positions; a passageway centrally disposed in the housing and piston member through which the fastener shaft may extend and be affixed to the piston member; an annular chamber defined by the housing and piston members; and one or more ports communicating with the chamber through which pressure may be applied to the piston member for movement thereof between the first and second positions so as to place the fastener shaft in tension. A method of utilizing the apparatus is also disclosed.

Fastener tensioning apparatus

A ball and socket type coupling for connecting the ends of two pipes which may be axially misaligned by as much as several degrees. It includes a pair of coupling members, each of which is arranged for connection to one of the pipes to be connected. One of the members has attached at the other end thereof a ball portion, and the other coupling member has attached thereto a housing arranged for receiving in mating relationship therewith the forward surface of the ball portion. Seal means are disposable between the ball and the housing member for providing a fluid seal therebetween. A plurality of cam members are supported in circumferentially spaced about positions in the housing and pivotally movable between a retracted position to permit the receiving portion of the housing to freely receive the ball in mating engagement with the internal surface thereof, and an extended and locked position of engagement with the rearward side of the ball at a plurality of circumferentially spaced about points and so arranged to urge the ball into continual positive contact with the housing, whereby the coupling members are restrained against relative axial separation. Means are also provided for pivoting the cam members to the extended and locked position and subsequently to the retracted and unlocked position, should the latter become desirable.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Raymond E Latham