Abstract:
A blowout preventer (BOP) lifting apparatus has a reinforced frame and a gate for securing a BOP stack. The frame has a central U-shaped recess for securing a collared portion of the BOP stack. The gate pivotally swings between a closed position on the frame and an open position for installation and removal of the lifting apparatus from the BOP stack. An actuator has a first end connected to a top surface of the frame and a second end connected to the gate for actuating the opening and closing of the gate to the frame. When the gate is in the closed position, three locking pins are inserted into three vertical pinning holes located on the frame, which are aligned with three pinning holes located on the gate. The apparatus may be lifted via cables or other lifting mechanisms attached via lifting eyelets located on each corner of the frame.
Abstract:
A pipe handling apparatus has a base, a main rotating structural member pivotally connected to the base, a pipe handler connected to the main rotating structural member for moving a pipe from a generally horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation, and a jack connected to the pipe handler. The jack exerts a downward force in generally parallel relation to the pipe when the pipe is in the vertical orientation. The pipe handler has a gripping structure for gripping an outer surface of the pipe. The gripping structure has a stab frame. The jack is affixed to the stab frame. The jack has a piston-and-cylinder assembly positioned relative to the stab frame, and a hydraulic actuator connected to the piston-and-cylinder assembly. The hydraulic actuator is suitable for passing hydraulic fluid to the piston-and-cylinder assembly so as to move the piston-and-cylinder assembly from a retracted position to an extended position.
Abstract:
A method for gripping a tubular with a tubular gripping mechanism includes the steps of moving the tubular gripping mechanism adjacent the tubular, positioning a jaw assembly of the tubular gripping mechanism around the tubular, applying a force by an actuator onto the jaw assembly of the tubular gripping mechanism such that the jaw assembly moves so as to clamp onto the tubular, removing the force from the actuator onto the jaw assembly such that the jaw assembly remains clamped onto the tubular. The clamping force is directed to surfaces of the tubular gripping mechanism away from the actuator.
Abstract:
A mobile robot has a predetermined size of large, medium, small or back-packable. The mobile robot includes a chassis, drive system components, power components, a main processor, a communication system and a power and data distribution system. The chassis has a predetermined size of large, medium, small or back-packable. Drive system components are operably attached to the chassis and power components are operably connected to the drive system components and the power and data distribution system. Each drive system component has a predetermined size that is compatible with the chassis. The main processor, the communication system and the power and data distribution system are all operably connected together and operably connected to the traction components and the power components. The main processor, the communication system, and the power and data distribution system are all compatible with the predetermined size of the chassis and at least one other size.
Abstract:
An array of plugging devices are pumped sequentially from the surface through a liner, that typically becomes horizontal in nature, where each plugging device is anchorable at a specified position along the length of the liner. When the plugging device is anchored, a cluster of perforations is generated above the plugging device where the perforations may be created by detonation of a perforating gun attached to the top side of the plugging device or the perforations may be created by shifting of a sleeve that is anchored to the plugging device. The plugging device may be a cup plug where the cup is similar to a swab cup and when pump pressure is applied to the cup, a force is generated to make the cup move through the liner. When anchored, the cup also directs frac fluids through the perforations to treat the well formation. The anchoring system used on the plug may be of the type where a full bore is maintained through the liner and also allows the cup plug to travel back to the surface due to flow from the well thus eliminating any need for milling obstructions from the well bore. The use of multiple plugging devices allows multizone stage fracing throughout the length of the well.
Abstract:
A programmable graphical display switch that provides users with a simple means of controlling other devices and for customizing how that control is initiated and communicated to the user.
Abstract:
An active, smartpipe stand (apparatus and method) for feeding and receiving pipe in a horizontal orientation to and from a pipe handling apparatus has a first pipe-lifting mechanism, a second pipe-lifting mechanism, and a pipe-rotating mechanism positioned between the first and second pipe-lifting mechanisms. The bottom of the first pipe-lifting mechanism is connected to the skid of the pipe handling apparatus. The bottom of the second pipe-lifting mechanism is connected to the skid of the pipe handling apparatus. The bottom of the pipe-rotating mechanism is connected to the skid of the pipe handling apparatus. Individual tubulars are unloaded, prepared, staged and sequenced, assembled and presented for delivery from horizontal to vertical. The pipe stand is positioned under the boom of the pipe handling apparatus when the apparatus is in the first position. The pipe stand extends within the skid structure.
Abstract:
A liquid chromatography interface is provided having an integrated column/ESI tip assembly including a liquid chromatography separation column, an ESI tip for generating ions having at least one emitting channel, and a temperature-controlled enclosure surrounding the liquid chromatography separation column. The enclosure has at least one opening and the ESI tip is exposed outside the enclosure through the opening. The enclosure has a heating or cooling device providing a substantially homogeneous distribution of temperature throughout an internal space of the enclosure where the liquid chromatography separation column is disposed. The enclosure includes at least one gas flow mixing element to permit heat exchange by directing a flow of gas toward the ESI tip. The integrated column/ESI tip assembly resides within a thermo-stabilized volume of substantially the same temperature from an entrance of the liquid chromatography separation column to the outlet of the ESI tip.
Abstract:
A device and method for transporting ions along a longitudinal direction in an elevated gas pressure region. The device includes a multipole ion guide having a set of rods positioned along the longitudinal direction on an inscribed diameter equal to or less than 3.5 mm, a voltage source which provides alternating voltages to at least a subset of the rods to create a trapping field in a transverse direction, and a conductance limit having an opening d and placed at the exit of the multipole ion guide. At the end of this configuration near the opening of the conductance limit, a converging continuum gas flow through the conductance limit is provided that transfers the ions collimating near a center of the ion guide into a low gas pressure region. The method injects ions into the elevated gas pressure region of the ion guide, and transports the ions in the converging continuum gas flow into the low gas pressure region.
Abstract:
A derrickless system for servicing tubulars at a wellhead has a first tubular handling apparatus with a gripper positioned adjacent the wellhead where the gripper grips a surface of one of the tubulars, a second tubular handling apparatus with a gripper positioned adjacent the wellhead where the gripper grips a surface of another of the tubulars, and a slip assembly positioned in the wellhead. The slip assembly has a wedge bowl positioned at the wellhead that is suitable for receiving the tubular therein, and wedges positioned in the wedge bowl that are suitable for positioning between the wedge bowl and the tubular. Each of the grippers of the first and second tubular handling apparatus has a stab frame and three grippers attached to the stab frame.