Patent US3881516A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3881516A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulically operated diverter
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1973-08-15
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1993-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A hydraulically operated diverter for use subsea in directing ''''pumpdown'''' or through-flow-line (TFL) tools through wyebranched flow passageways formed in a diverter body member located on submerged wellheads. In the diverter body member a paddle is hinged to a shaft at the junction of the wye-branched flow passageways for alternately diverting tools through one and the other of such passageways. A removable and replaceable paddle operator assembly, which when in operating position sealingly engages the diverter body member, contains a hydraulic piston assembly which causes a shaft, nonrotatably connected to the paddle, to rotate the paddle against the bias of a spring from one of its diverting positions in which it is normally maintained by the spring to the other of its diverting positions. The operator assembly is removable and replaceable by means of a subsea manipulator. Means are provided for testing the seals used in sealing the operator assembly to the diverter body member. The diverter shaft is configured so as to ensure its proper connection to an operator assembly shaft with which it engages. The piston assembly is designed to prevent overstressing of the diverter shaft and paddle and to limit the side load on the operator shaft bearing.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas W Childers
- 👤 Ronald A Weber
- 👤 John K Rains
- 👤 Benton F Baugh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:33
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K11/00; F16K11/02; F16K11/04; F16K11/052; E; E21; E21B; E21B23/00; E21B23/08; E21B23/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86847; Y10T137/877; Y10T137/87788; Y10T137/87812
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
Apparatus for diverting flow comprising: a flow diverter body member containing branched passageways joined together in a wye confIguration; a paddle arranged at the junction of said passageways and movable from one position in which flow through one of said passageways is blocked to another position in which flow through said other passageway is blocked; a shaft nonrotatably connected to said paddle; rotatable means connected to said shaft; means for rotating said rotatable means including piston means and spring means, said piston means rotating said rotatable means against the bias of said spring means from one position of said rotatable means to another position of said rotatable means and said spring means rotating said rotatable means in a counter direction; and means on said piston means for limiting stress on said rotatable means, said shaft and said paddle, and for adjusting travel of said paddle to permit full rotation of said paddle from said one to said other position where differences might exist in the distance to be travelled by said paddle between its two positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
Apparatus for diverting flow comprising: a flow diverter body member containing branched passageways joined together in a wye confIguration; a paddle arranged at the junction of said passageways and movable from one position in which flow through one of said passageways is blocked to another position in which flow through said other passageway is blocked; a shaft nonrotatably connected to said paddle; rotatable means connected to said shaft; means for rotating said rotatable means including piston means and spring means, said piston means rotating said rotatable means against the bias of said spring means from one position of said rotatable means to another position of said rotatable means and said spring means rotating said rotatable means in a counter direction; and means on said piston means for limiting stress on said rotatable means, said shaft and said paddle, and for adjusting travel of said paddle to permit full rotation of said paddle from said one to said other position where differences might exist in the distance to be travelled by said paddle between its two positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
230 words
Apparatus for diverting flow from one conduit into another conduit comprising: a diverter body member having branched passageways; a paddle arranged at the junction of said branched passageways and movable from one position in which flow through one of said passageways is blocked to another position in which flow through another passageway is blocked and vice versa; a shaft nonrotatably connected to said paddle; an operator assembly connected to said shaft, said operator assembly including a hydraulically operable piston assembly having a chamber and piston means reciprocal in said chamber, said piston means comprising inner and outer piston members capable of moving relative to each other, said two piston members being movable outwardly together in response to fluid pressure applied to said inner piston member; rotatable means engageable with said shaft for causing rotation of said shaft and movement of said paddle; pivotal means connected to said rotatable means for rotating said rotatable means, said outer piston member engaging said pivotal means to urge said pivotal means in one direction; biasing means also connected to said pivotal means for urging said pivotal means in a counter direction to said one direction; and said piston assembly including resilient means permitting said outer piston member to move inwardly relative to said inner piston member to prevent over-stressing said diverter shaft and paddle and to compensate for variations in travel of said paddle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
230 words
Apparatus for diverting flow from one conduit into another conduit comprising: a diverter body member having branched passageways; a paddle arranged at the junction of said branched passageways and movable from one position in which flow through one of said passageways is blocked to another position in which flow through another passageway is blocked and vice versa; a shaft nonrotatably connected to said paddle; an operator assembly connected to said shaft, said operator assembly including a hydraulically operable piston assembly having a chamber and piston means reciprocal in said chamber, said piston means comprising inner and outer piston members capable of moving relative to each other, said two piston members being movable outwardly together in response to fluid pressure applied to said inner piston member; rotatable means engageable with said shaft for causing rotation of said shaft and movement of said paddle; pivotal means connected to said rotatable means for rotating said rotatable means, said outer piston member engaging said pivotal means to urge said pivotal means in one direction; biasing means also connected to said pivotal means for urging said pivotal means in a counter direction to said one direction; and said piston assembly including resilient means permitting said outer piston member to move inwardly relative to said inner piston member to prevent over-stressing said diverter shaft and paddle and to compensate for variations in travel of said paddle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 2 including a shoulder formed on said inner piston member; and another shoulder formed in said chamber sealingly engageable with said piston shoulder when said inner piston member is in its most outwardly extended position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3 in which said pivotal means comprises a cam arm mounted on said rotatable means, one end of said cam arm being connected to said biasing means and the other end of said cam arm engaging said outer piston member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 4 in which said rotatable means comprises a socket having the same configuration as said shaft and providing at least one flat linearly extending portion, said shaft also being configured to provide at least one flat linearly extending portion and engaging said socket such that said flat portions mate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5 in which said operator assembly includes; a closed housing filled with hydraulic oil; a closure plate arranged on one end of said housing; seal means on said closure plate for sealing off said shaft and socket when said closure plate and said diverter body are engaged; means extending through said other end of said housing adapted to equalize pressure inside and outside said housing; means for testing said seal means; a flange mounted on said body member; and a remotely operable lock ring mounted on said housing engageable with said flange for locking said operator assembLy to said body member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
251 words
Apparatus for diverting flow from one conduit into another conduit in a subsea environment comprising: a diverter body member having branched passageways; a paddle arranged at the junction of said branched passageways and movable from one position in which flow through one of said passageways is blocked to another position in which flow through another passageway is blocked and vice versa; a shaft nonrotatably connected to said paddle; a closed housing having a closure plate arranged on one end thereof and being filled with hydraulic fluid; an operator assembly arranged in said housing, said operator assembly including a hydraulically operable piston assembly having a chamber and piston means reciprocal in said chamber, said piston means comprising inner and outer piston members capable of moving relative to each other, said two piston members being movable outwardly together in response to fluid pressure applied to said inner piston member; rotatable means engageable with said shaft for causing rotation of said shaft and movement of said paddle; pivotal means connected to said rotatable means for rotating said rotatable means, said outer piston member engaging said pivotal means to urge said pivotal means in one direction; biasing means also connected to said pivotal means for urging said pivotal means in a counter direction to said one direction; said piston assembly including resilient means permitting said outer piston member to move inwardly relative to said inner piston member to prevent overstressing said diverter shaft and paddle and to compensate for variations in travel of said paddle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
251 words
Apparatus for diverting flow from one conduit into another conduit in a subsea environment comprising: a diverter body member having branched passageways; a paddle arranged at the junction of said branched passageways and movable from one position in which flow through one of said passageways is blocked to another position in which flow through another passageway is blocked and vice versa; a shaft nonrotatably connected to said paddle; a closed housing having a closure plate arranged on one end thereof and being filled with hydraulic fluid; an operator assembly arranged in said housing, said operator assembly including a hydraulically operable piston assembly having a chamber and piston means reciprocal in said chamber, said piston means comprising inner and outer piston members capable of moving relative to each other, said two piston members being movable outwardly together in response to fluid pressure applied to said inner piston member; rotatable means engageable with said shaft for causing rotation of said shaft and movement of said paddle; pivotal means connected to said rotatable means for rotating said rotatable means, said outer piston member engaging said pivotal means to urge said pivotal means in one direction; biasing means also connected to said pivotal means for urging said pivotal means in a counter direction to said one direction; said piston assembly including resilient means permitting said outer piston member to move inwardly relative to said inner piston member to prevent overstressing said diverter shaft and paddle and to compensate for variations in travel of said paddle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 7 including means arranged on said body member and means arranged on said housing for locking said body member and said operator assembly together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 in which said means for locking said body member and said operator assembly together includes: a flange arranged on said diverter body member; and a threaded lock ring mounted on said housing for locking said operator assembly to said flange and said diverter body upon rotation thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 9 including means for supplying fluid pressure to said chamber to move said piston members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 10 including: a shoulder formed on said inner piston member; another shoulder formed in said chamber engageable with said piston shoulder when said inner piston member is in its most outwardly extending position; means sealingly engaging the outer wall of said inner piston member; and means to permit hydraulic fluid from within said housing escaping past said sealing means to be conducted outside said housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 11 including: means extending through said housing adapted to equalize pressure inside and outside said housing; and said flange containing alignment pins and said closure plate containing openings, said body member and said operator assembly being aligned with each other when said pins and said openings are engaged.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 12 in which said pivotal means comprises a cam arm mounted on said rotatable means, one end of said cam arm being connected to said biasing means and the other end of said cam arm engaging said outer piston member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 13 in which said rotatable means comprises a socket having the same configuration as said shaft and providing at least one flat linearly extending portion, said shaft also being configured to provide at least one flat linearly extending portion and engaging said socket such that said flat portions mate when said body member and said operator assembly are engaged.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 14 including: seal means on said closure plate for sealing off said shaft and socket when said closure plate and said diverter body are engaged; and means for testing said seal means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
184 words
Apparatus for diverting flow comprising: a flow diverter body member containing branched passageways; blocking means arranged at the junction of said passageways and movable from one position in which flow through one of said passageways is blocked to another position in which flow through said other passageway is blocked; a shaft nonrotatably connected to said blocking means; an operator assembly connected to said shaft, said operator assembly including a hydraulically operable piston assembly having a chamber and piston reciprocal in said chamber, said piston means comprising inner and outer piston members capable of moving relative to each other, said two piston members being movable outwardly together in response to fluid pressure applied to said inner piston member; rotatable means connected to said shaft for causing rotation of said shaft and movement of said paddle; pivotal means connected to said rotatable means for rotating said rotatable means, said outer piston member engaging said pivotal means to urge said pivotal means in one direction; and biasing means also connected to said pivotal means for urging said pivotal means in a counter direction to said one direction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
184 words
Apparatus for diverting flow comprising: a flow diverter body member containing branched passageways; blocking means arranged at the junction of said passageways and movable from one position in which flow through one of said passageways is blocked to another position in which flow through said other passageway is blocked; a shaft nonrotatably connected to said blocking means; an operator assembly connected to said shaft, said operator assembly including a hydraulically operable piston assembly having a chamber and piston reciprocal in said chamber, said piston means comprising inner and outer piston members capable of moving relative to each other, said two piston members being movable outwardly together in response to fluid pressure applied to said inner piston member; rotatable means connected to said shaft for causing rotation of said shaft and movement of said paddle; pivotal means connected to said rotatable means for rotating said rotatable means, said outer piston member engaging said pivotal means to urge said pivotal means in one direction; and biasing means also connected to said pivotal means for urging said pivotal means in a counter direction to said one direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 16 in which said operator assembly includes a closed housing filled with hydraulic oil; a closure plate arranged on one end of said housing; seal means on said closure plate for sealing off said shaft and socket when said closure plate and said diverter body are engaged; means extending through said other end of said housing adapted to equalize pressure inside and outside said housing; means for testing said seal means; a flange mounted on said body member; and a remotely operable lock ring mounted on said housing engagable with said flange for locking said operator assembly to said body member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 17 including a shoulder formed on said inner piston member; and another shoulder formed in said chamber sealingly engagable with said piston shoulder when said inner piston member is in its most outwardly extending position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 18 in which said pivotal means comprises a cam arm mounted on said rotatable means, one end of said cam arm being connected to said biasing means and the other end of said cam arm engaging said outer piston member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 19 in which said rotatable means comprises a socket having the same configuration as said shaft and providing at least one flat linearly extending portion, said shaft also being configured to provide at least one flat linearly extending portion and engaging said socket such that said flat portions mate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |