US3339632A

US3339632A - Underwater connector

Info

Publication number: US3339632A
Application number: US339235A
Authority: US
Inventors: George E Lewis
Original assignee: Hydril LLC
Current assignee: Hydril LLC
Priority date: 1964-01-21
Filing date: 1964-01-21
Publication date: 1967-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 1984-09-05

Description

Sept. 5, 1967 G. E. LEWIS- UNDERWATER CONNECTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 21, 1964 INVENTOR. 650/265 E LEW/S BY a f, z

Sept- 1967 c;. E. LEWIS 3,339,632

UNDERWATER CONNECTOR Filed Jan. 21, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 T E60 20 I R 105 g Q: x 106 i i j i U \v azr United States Patent 3,339,632 UNDERWATER CONNECTOR George E. Lewis, Arcadia, Califi, assignor to Hydril Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of Ohio Filed Jan. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 339,235 36 Claims. (Cl. 166-.6)

This invention relates generally to the control of underwater well head equipment, and more particularly concerns methods and means for controlling separable groups of such equipment in a stack, including actuators to be left at the underwater location while another actuator is elevated.

In certain underwater well drilling or producing operations it is desirable to service the well as by means of a tool or a stack of tools connectible to a projecting well fitting, such as submarine stub casing terminating above the ocean floor. As an example, where well casing has already been sunk in the submarine hole with the free end of the casing projecting above the ocean floor, it is desirable to provide for the controlled operation of well blowout prevention equipment, safety valves, safety joints or connectors, as well as other auxiliary apparatus, typically mounted on a frame and in a stack attached to the projecting well casing, in order to serve the well. Commercial equipment of this nature is generally fluid pressure operated, and it has heretofore been considered necessary to provide a large bundle of separate pressure hoses, each extending from a surface location to a particular tool in the stack so that independent operation of such tools might be achieved as desired. However, where certain equipment in the stack is to be left at the underwater location for relatively long periods of time, say for example where the well is shut in, the continued dangling of the multiple hoses to great depths becomes impractical and a source of major difficulty. Thus, should the hoses deteriorate, or break, or become entangled with other equipment, the underwater tools may not remain operable with attendant risk of loss of the well including loss to the sea of great quantities of petroleum or gas.

Toward solving the above and other problems associated with the servicing of an underwater well, the present invention contemplates the lowering of a stack of underwater well head equipment into operating position at the well head location, and the subsequent detachment from and attachment to the stack of apparatus capable of controlling the operation of the stack equipment from the surface. More specifically, after the stack is lowered into position at the well head and appropriate tools operated, the control apparatus may then be de tached from the stack and elevated to the surface to remove the dangling control lines which otherwise may likely become the source of malfunctioning of the tools at the well head. Thereafter, whenever the operating configuration of the underwater tools is to be altered, the control apparatus is lowered and guided into detachable operating connection with the stack, and transmission from the surface to the well head of controlling signals or fluid pressure may be carried out as desired, following which the apparatus may again be elevated.

In these regards, the invention also contemplates the inclusion in the stack of a device or connector operable by fluid pressure to disconnect upper and lower or other sections of the stack, permitting the freed section to be raised with the tubing or casing and leaving the lower section of the stack to close in the well. For this purpose, the steps of the overall method of installation include the preliminary connection of certain auxiliary control apparatus with the said device, prior to lowering of the stack, whereby the device may be operated independently of the apparatus which is detachably connectible with the stack at the underwater well head location.

In its apparatus aspects, the present invention contemplates the provision of a stack of well head servicing equipment including separable actuators at least one of which is to remain at the underwater location and another of which may be separated from the stack and elevated to the surface, say with the tubing or casing. First means is provided to controllably transmit fluid pressure from a supply zone at the underwater location to the first actuator, second means is provided to transmit fluid pressure from a source at the surface to the second actuator, and there is apparatus detachably connected with the stack to control the operation of the said first means.

More specifically, the last mentioned detachable apparatus typically comprises one of a pair of members, such as spear and socket members, which are adapted for relative movement between coupled and uncoupled positions. The members may carry electrical terminals that detachably interfit when the members are coupled and they may have fluid passing ports that intercommunicate when the members are in coupled position. Also, the members are provided with guide surfaces that guide member relative advancement and rotation about an axis as the members undergo relative axial movement into coupled position.

Other objects of the invention include the provision of electrical cable and fluid line elements connected with the spear for lowering it to the well head location and novel means attaching the said elements to the spear body so as to avoid undesirable tensioning of the electrical terminals carried by the spear, an upright guide attached to the socket member and running upwardly to the surface and a guide follower attached to the spear member to guide vertical movement of the spear toward and away from the socket, flaring external guide surface extent carried by the socket body for guiding the spear nose into the socket, and novel means for protecting the electrical terminals carried by the spear and socket assemblies from deterioration by the ocean water.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, Will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation showing a stack of well servicing tools at a submarine well head location, together with apparatus permanently and detachably connected with the stack for controlling operation of the stack actuators;

FIGURES 2 and 2a are enlarged vertical sections showing the details of the control apparatus detachably connected to the stack;

FIGURE 3 is a section taken on line 33 of FIG- URE 2a;

FIGURE 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of FIG- URE 2a;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view showing the spear and socket terminals following disconnection thereof;

FIGURE 6 is a view of the surface equipment for lowering and elevating the stack and easing or tubing, the control apparatus connectible thereto and the surface source of fluid pressure;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary elevation showing the top of a stack of underwater well servicing tools, with casing thereabove, together with a modified apparatus detachably connectible with the stack for controlling operation of the stack actuators;

FIGURES 8 and 8a constitute an enlarged vertical elevation taken in section to show the details of the FIG. 7 control apparatus detachably connected to the stack;

FIGURE 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8; and

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary elevation taken on line 1010 of FIG. 8a.

In FIG. 1 a drill hole sunk beneath the ocean floor 11 contains a string of casing 12 cemented or otherwise fixed in position for further suitable drilling or producing operations. Drill pipe or tubing is shown at 13 extending downwardly through the casing string.

The submarine well head equipment includes a lower connector unit 14 releasably fastened onto the casing stub 15 projecting upwardly. In sequence above unit 14 are double master gate 16, blowout preventer 17, a pressure distributing control unit 18, and another connector 19, intermediate tubular stubs or extensions being indicated at 20, 21, 22 and 23. The connectors 14 and 19 are releasably attached to stubs 15 and 23 respectively, and may be of the type disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,962,096 to Knox; the unit 18 may be of the type disclosed in Lewis application for US. Letters Patent Ser. No. 165,742 filed Ian. 12, 1962, now U.S. Patent 3,219,118; and the blowout preventer 17 may be of the type disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,609,836 to Knox.

Fluid pressure is transmitted from an underwater supply source in the form of

pressure vessels

24 and 25 to the unit 18 via lines 26 and 27; and pressure is controllably transmitted from unit 18 to the connector 14 via lines 28, to the master gate 16 via lines 29, and to the preventer 17 via lines 30. Fluid pressure is supplied from the surface source 31 seen in FIG. 6 via hoses 32 to the upper connector unit 19 in the stack, for operation independently of unit 18 or in combination therewith.

To complete the general description of FIG. 1, the numeral 33 designates the base of. a frame for the well head equipment stack, the frame also including guide lines 34 attached to the base and

transverse members

35 and 36 respectively attached to the lower connector 14 and the top of unit 19, said members interconnecting the guide lines at vertically spaced locations. The guide lines 34 extend to the surface, and the

members

35 and 36 have slidable connection therewith at 3'7 and 38 for guiding the connectors downwardly into position as shown. If the connect-or 14 is released from the stub 15, it and the equipment thereabo-ve may be elevated to the surface as the casing 39 in the string or stack is run upwardly. Alternatively, if the connector 19 is released from the stub 23, it and the casing 39 may be elevated as the casing 39 is run upwardly, leaving the equipment in the stack therebelow at the well head, as for example when the well is shut-in. The casing is run downwardly or upwardly by adding or subtracting casing lengths at the surface, by suitable means generally indicated at 40 in FIG. 6 and on platform or vessel 41.

Extending the description to the remaining figures, apparatus generally indicated at 42 is connectible with the stack to control the operation of unit 18, the latter being characterized as typical of a means to controllably transmit pressure from an underwater supply zone (such as vessels 24 and 25) to an actuator such as any of the

equipment

14, 16 and 17. In this regard,

actuators

14, 16 and 17 may be considered as of a first type in that they are controlled by unit 18, whereas actuator 19 may be considered as of a second type in that it is independently operable in response to pressure transmission from the surface source such as pressure vessel 31 suitably supplied with hydraulic pressure from a pump at location 43.

Apparatus 42 may be broadly considered to include telescopically extending spear and socket members, one of which is connected to the stack and the other of which is detachably connectible to said one member. Thus, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a socket member or assembly 44 is carried by the cross piece 45 anchored to the stack at unit 18, whereas spear member or assembly 48 is detachably connected to the stack via the socket member 44.

The socket member 44 is shown in FIG. 2a to include a tubular body made up of

forward sections

49 and 50, and intermediate section 51 having a somewhat enlarged or stepped bore 52, and a rearward section 53 having a further outwardly stepped bore 54. The latter terminates rearwardly or upwardly at a funnel 55 the inner surface 56 of which flares upwardly and outwardly. The spear member or assembly 48 is shown as generally vertically coaxial with the socket assembly, and as including a forward body section 57 received within the bore 58 of the socket body 49. The spear body also includes an intermediate section 59 which is enlarged at 69 to slidably fit in a loose manner within the bore 52 of the socket body section 51. Spear body intermediate section 59 has a lower small section having a close fit 52a in the bore of forward socket section 50. Finally, the spear body includes an upper section 70 which projects upwardly through the socket body section 53 and through the funnel 55, as better seen in FIG. 2, said section carrying an alignment ring 71 slidably fitting within the socket body section 53. Because of the relative bore diameters and spear outside diameters, the engagement of the spear and socket takes advantage of the effect of placing a cone into a mating conical funnel; i.e., the nearer the twoare to engagement the tighter the fit.

The spear section 59 contains a pair of

fluid passing ports

72 and 73, and

port terminals

74 and 75 which communicate with the

ports

76 and 77 in the socket body section 50 when the spear and sockets are fully coupled, as seen in FIG. 2a. Accordingly, at such time the fluid pressure may be transmitted downwardly through the

fluid lines

78 and 79 from the surface to the spear body ports, and then through the

socket ports

76 and 77 and

transfer lines

80 and 81 to the unit 18 seen in FIG. 1. The fluid pressure is then transmitted to the

storage vessels

24 and 25 via lines 26 and 27, in order to replenish fluid pressure therein which may be used up in operating the various actuators in the stack. Referring back to FIG. 2a, seal rings are shown at 82 and 83 above and below the

ports

74 and 76 for sealing off between the spear body surface and the socket bore to prevent escape of fluid passing between said ports in coupled position. Likewise, seal rings 82 and 84 seal off below and above the

ports

75 and 77.

Extending the description to FIG. 5, the spear includes a central retainer 85 carried within the

body sections

57 and 59 for holding or clamping the enlarged end portion 86 of an electrical cable 87, the latter extending vertically and centrally within the spear assembly as shown. It will be understood that the cable 87 together with the

hoses

78 and 79 extend upwardly to the surface, as indicated in FIG. 6. In similar manner, the socket assembly includes a retainer 88 for holding or clamping the end portion or head 89 of a cable 90 running from the socket to the control unit 18, as better seen in FIG. 1. The retainer 88 is held in place by the socket body cap structure 91 bolted to the socket body section 49. Set screws are shown at 92 and 93 for orienting the

retainers

85 and 88, and the

cable end portions

86 and 89, about their common axis and in such relation as to assure proper interfitting of the electrical terminals carried by the cable end portions.

The socket terminals are indicated at 94 in FIG. 5 as projecting upwardly for reception within the nose recess 95 in the spear assembly, and specifically within a skirt 96 carrying the receptacles 97 for the terminals 94. Furthermore, the nose recess 95 is shown as containing a flowable waterproof material such as silicone grease indicated at 98 as protectively overlying the spear terminals or receptacles 97. One such grease is known as Dow Corning 11 Compound. The construction is such that when the spear is retracted upwardly from the socket, as seen in FIG. 5, the protective material remains coated on the terminals 94 and 97 to protect them against damage from sea water contact. In this regard, the forward end portion of the spear nose 57 is notched at 99 to vent excess grease escaping from the nose recess 95 and from within the skirt cavity during interconnection of the terminals 94 and 97. The notching 99 is such as not to prevent bottoming of the spear nose against the socket interior end surface 100 during coupling of the spear and socket assemblies. Finally, the socket body section 49 contains a side opening or window 101 at the general location of the notch 99 to pass sea water during coupling and de-coupling of the spear and socket assemblies. Window 101 also serves as a clean out opening should ocean sediments settle in the bottom of the receptacle.

The purpose of the

cables

87 and 90 is to transmit electrical signals to the unit 18 for operating suitable valves therein controlling the distribution of fluid pressure from the

underwater sources

24 and 25 to different actuators in the stack, seen in FIGURE 1. In order to insure against tensioning of the cable 87 pulling it upwardly out of the position shown in FIG. 2a, the cable and

hoses

78 and 79 are clamped at 102 to the spear body section 70, leaving certain looseness in the hoses and cable at the general location 103 below the clamp. Additional means attaching the hoses and cable to the spear body include an arm 104 having pivotal attachment at 105 to the spear body member'106, allowing the arm to rotate between up and down positions, the up position being indicated by the broken lines 107, FIG. 1. The hoses and cable are typically attached to the arm 104 as by the clamp 108, seen in FIG. 2, so as to be free of tension below said clamp when the arm is extended vertically and upwardly. Accordingly, the spear assembly may be elevated and lowered by means of the cable and hose lengths above the arm since lifting force is transmitted to the arm through the clamp 108, and from the arm to the spear body 70 through the pivot 105.

During lifting and lowering of the spear assembly relative to the socket, the spear is guided vertically along a guide cable or line 109 which extends from the surface downwardly to the socket location for connection to the structure integral with the stack, typical structure being indicated at 45, and the connection thereto at 110. Guide cable followers carried by the spear are generally indicated at 111 and 112 with openings therein to pass the guide cable 109, whereby underwater vertical movement of the spear is guided toward and away from the socket entrance. As the spear nose which is tapered at 113 approaches the socket, it is guided into the bore 54 by engagement with the funnel flare surface 56, and thereafter the enlarged spear section 69 engages the funnel to produce approximate alignment as the nose of the spear pilots into the lower body sections of the socket. In addition, the guide structure includes surfaces for guiding relative advancement and rotation of the spear about the common axis as the spear and socket members undergo relative movement into coupled position. Such guide means may include an, exterior cam roller 114 carried by the spear body section 59 to engage an interior cam shoulder 115 at the upper terminal of the socket body section 51, said shoulder spiraling about the socket axis in a downward direction thereby to guide rotation and downward advancement of the spear in the socket for ultimate intercoupling of the spear and socket electrical terminals. In this regard, the guide flange 71 on the spear is spaced sufficiently rearwardly of the cam roller 114 to allow it to penetrate the socket bore 54 after the cam roller has engaged the top of the shoulder 115. Also, the ring 71 penetrates the socket bore 54 before the reduced diameter portion of the spear body section 59 penetrates the bore of the socket section 50. When the latter occurs, the cam 114 has arrived at the vertically extending slot 116 in the socket body section 51, whereby the spear from then on is not rotated and the seal rings 82 84 are not twisted as they are advanced into the bore of the socket body section 50.

Referring to the overall method of installation and operation of the stack of underwater well head equipment shown in FIG. 1, and the apparatus 42 also shown, the stack is lowered into operating position at the well head location typically with the spear and socket members or assemblies coupled together. Thereafter, the unit 18 may be operated to place the actuators in the stack in desired configurations, as for example, by closing the master gate 16 or the blowout preventer 17, and coupling the connector 14 to the casing stub 15. The spear apparatus may then be detached from the socket and elevated away from the stack. Also, the connector 19 may be independently operated to release from the stub 23 and thereafter lift away from the stack. The spear apparatus may subsequently be lowered toward the stack and guided into operative connection therewith via the socket member, the spear then being operated to transmit fluid pressure and/ or electrical signals to control delivery of fluid pressure from the

underwater sources

24 and 25 to selected actuators, by operation of the unit 18. Accordingly, the stack of equipment may be left on the ocean floor with the spear apparatus elevated, and also the casing 39 elevated as, for example, where the well is shut-in. The well head equipment may be serviced at any time by lowering of the spear apparatus as described and connecting said apparatus to the stack to operate the unit 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, the top of the stack of under-Water well head equipment is indicated generally at 120 in FIG. 7, with casing 39 projecting thereabove, as was discussed in connection with FIG. 1. Suitably attached to the casing sections 39a and 3% as by straps 121 are guide tubes 122, the latter extending in vertical alignment when the casing sections are fully made up at the general location 123.

A receptacle or socket member 124 is located directly below and in alignment with the tubes 122 so as to extend telescopically as in interfitting relation with the spear member 125, which is better seen in FIG. 8a. The spear is suspended by a cable 126 extending from the surface downwardly through the guide tubes 122, whereby the spear may be raised and lowered through the tubes as desired in order to effect operative electrical connection, via the socket 124, with the actuators in the stack of equipment at the well head on the ocean floor. In this regard, it will be noted that vents or openings 127 are provided at intervals along the tubes 122 in order to allow flow of sea water therethrough as the spear is lifted and lowered. The ends of the tubes 122 may be spaced apart by gaps 123a laterally opposite the joints 123 between casing sections so that the tubes 122 may be individually removed from and applied to the casing section as the latter are run into or out of the ocean.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 8a the socket member 124 is seen to include a tubular body shell 128 having a side cutaway at 129. The lower interior of the body shell 128 is plugged or closed by a split retainer 130 for bolding a cable 132 having enlarged end portion 133 projecting upwardly from the retainer. Ring 131a extending about the retainer is held in place by screw 131. Rotary adjustment and setting of the retainer 130 is facilitated by a setscrew 134. Finally, the socket member carries a guide in the form of a projection 135 exposed at the socket interior opposite the window or cutaway 129.

The spear member 125 is shown in FIG. 8a as generally vertically coaxial with the socket member, and as includ ing intercoupled

tubular body sections

136, 137 and 138. Split section 137 retains the cable 126 the lower end portion of which is enlarged at 139, and

setscrews

140 and 141 are provided to hold the

tubular sections

136 and 138 in place about split section 137. Such orientation contributes to proper interfitting of the electrical terminals 142 and 143 carried by the

cable end portions

133 and 139 respectively. The socket cable terminals or pins 142 project upwardly for reception within the nose recess 144 in the spear assembly, and specifically within a cable end skirt 145. Furthermore, the recess 144 preliminarily contains a protective viscous waterproof material such as silicone grease in a thin layer protectively overlying the spear electrical terminals or terminal sockets 143, in a manner similar to the embodiment seen in FIG. 5. Suit 7 able notching may be provided in the skirt 145 to vent excess grease escaping from the recess 144 during interconnection of the terminals.

As the spear member 125 is lowered by the cable into the socket 124, it is guided longitudinally by the rather close interfitting of the spear body outer diameter with the socket body bore 146. In addition, the spear is guided in rotation about the common axis of said members, as by sliding engagement of spear guide shoulder 147 with the socket guide projection 135, all for the purpose of aligning the electrical terminals 142 and 143 just before they interfit together. Shoulder 147 spirals vertically about the common axis and terminates in a longitudinal and vertical slot 148 into which the projection fits with the terminals 142 and 143 then precisely aligned. The load of the spear, cable and weights thereon is not imposed on the projection, but is rather transmitted by interengageable stops limiting relative telescopic movement of the

members

124 and 125 into coupled condition. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 10, a V-shaped stop may project downwardly at 150 on the spear, to interfit the V- shaped stop notch 151 on the socket body, these elements also helping to bring the spear and socket members into exact rotary orientation.

Finally, tubular weighting means is carried on the cable 126 above the spear 125 to urge the latter downwardly as it is lowered through the guide tubes 122 toward the socket 124 and to provide suflicient force to securely engage contacts 1-42 and receptacles 143. Typical of such weighting means are the vertically split tubular inner sections 152 seen in FIG. 9 as assembled about the cable 126 and held in place by the tubular outer section 153. The weighting means is further characterized as allowing restricted flexing of the cable 126, and for this purpose the

sections

152 and 153 may be rather short of otherwise disconnected at short intervals along the cable, whereby jamming or binding of the cable and weighting means thereon in the guide tube-s 122 is prevented.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the character described, comprising underwater axially extending socket and spear members adapted for relative movement between uncoupled and coupled positions, said members carrying electrical terminals that interfit when the members are coupled and having fluid passing ports that intercommunicate when the members are in coupled position, one of said members having a recess at the terminus thereof containing a flowable waterproof material protectively overlying the member electrical terminals and adapted to be displaced as the terminals of both members interfit, and said members having guide surfaces for guiding member relative advancement and rotation about said axis as the members undergo said relative movement into coupled position.

2. Apparatus of the character described, comprising underwater axially extending socket and spear members adapted for relative movement between uncoupled and coupled positions, said members carrying electrical terminals that interfit when the members are coupled and having fluid passing ports that intercommunicate when the members are in coupled position, the spear having a nose recess containing a flowable waterproof material protectively overlying the spear electrical terminals, at least one of said members containing a vent to receive said material displaced from said recess as the member terminals interfit, and said members having guide surfaces for guiding member relative advancement and rotation about said axis as the members undergo said relative movement into coupled position.

3'. Apparatus of the character described, comprising underwater axially extending socket and spear members adapted for relative movement between uncoupled and coupled positions, said members carrying electrical terminals that interfit when the members are coupled and having fluid passing ports that intercommunicate when the members are in coupled osition, one of said members having a recess at the terminus thereof containing a flowable waterproof material protectively overlying the member electrical terminals and adapted to be displaced as the terminals of both members interfit, and said members having guide surfaces for guiding member relative advancement and rotation about said axis as the members undergo said relative movement into coupled position, the socket flaring at the entrance thereof to direct the spear nose into the socket interior, and cable means to direct said relative movement so that the spear nose engages said socket flare.

4. Apparatus of the character described, comprising underwater axially longitudinally extending socket and spear assemblies adapted for relative movement between uncoupled and coupled positions, said assemblies carrying electrical terminals that interfit at the nose of the spear when the assemblies are coupled, and having fluid passing ports that intercommunicate at the spear side when the assemblies are in coupled position, the spear having a nose recess containing a flowable waterproof material protectively overlying the spear electrical terminals, and said assemblies having guides certain of which extend longitudinally and about said axis for guiding assembly relative advancement and rotation about said axis as the assemblies undergo said relative movement into coupled position.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which the spear assembly includes an upright body, an electrical cable communicating with said spear terminals, a fluid line communicating with said spear port, said cable and line having elongated extensions adapted to hang underwater above the spear body, and means attaching the line and cable to the spear body at a location spaced above said spear terminal and ports.

6. Apparatus of the character described, comprising underwater generally vertically and telescopically extending members one of which is independently vertically movable to be capable of lowering into coupling relation with the other member and also to be capable of upward withdrawal to the surface independently of the other, said members carrying electrical terminals that interfit when the members are coupled, said one member having a nose recess containing a viscous waterproof material protectively overlying the member electrical terminals upon underwater lowering thereof, the members having a common axis and also having guides for guiding member relative vertical movement along said axis and rotation about said axis as the members are brought toward and away from coupled relation underwater.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 including underwater cable means for lifting and lowering said one member, electrical lines contained within said cable and connected with the terminals protected by said viscous material.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 in which said members have interengageable stops to limit relative telescopic movement of said members into coupled condition without imposing weight on said guides.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 in which said one member comprises a spear receivable downwardly into the other member which comprises a tubular socket, said guides include a projection carried by the socket and extending into the path of spear movement, and said guides also including a shoulder carried on the spear to spiral vertically about said axis for engaging said projection as the spear penetrates the socket, thereby to guide rotation and downward advancement of the spear in the socket for ultimate alignment and intercoupling of the spear and socket member electrical terminals.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 including tubular weighting means carried on said cable above the spear to urge the spear downwardly as it is lowered toward the socket while allowing restricted flexing of said cable.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim including tubular guide means extending underwater to receive said spear, cable and tubular weighting means.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 including an underwater well head assembly operatively connected with said other member, tubular well casing extending upwardly from said assembly toward the water surface, and tubular guide means attached to said casing and sized to receive said one member and said underwater cable means, said guide means extending generally vertically above said other member to guide said lifting and lowering of said one member toward and away from said other member.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12 in which said tubular guide means includes a series of pipes respectively attached to a series of casing sections, there being pipe openings to the exterior to exhaust water from the pipe interior at different elevations as said one member is lowered by said cable means and in the pipes toward said other member.

14. In the method of installing a stack of underwater well head equipment and apparatus capable of connection with the stack to control the operation of said equipment from the surface, the steps that include lowering said stack of equipment into operating position at the well head location, then lowering said apparatus toward the stack in said position and guiding said apparatus into operative connection with said stack, and establishing an electrical connection between said apparatus and said stack by displacing flowable waterproof material away from protectively overlying relation to electrical terminals through which the electrical connection is made.

15. In the method of installing a stack of underwater well head equipment and apparatus capable of connection with the stack to control the operation of said equipment from the surface, said equipment including fluid pressure responsive actuator means, the steps that include connecting certain of said apparatus with the stack to control the operation of first actuator means, lowering said stack of equipment into operating position at the well head location, then lowering other of said apparatus toward the stack in said position and guiding said other apparatus into releasable operative connection with said stack to control the operation of second actuator means, and establishing an electrical connection between said apparatus and said stack by displacing flowable waterproof material away from protectively overlying relation to electrical terminals through which the electrical connection is made.

16. In the method of installing and operating a stack of underwater well head equipment and apparatus capable of detachable connection with the stack to control the operation of said equipment from the surface, said equipment including fluid pressure responsive actuator means and a source of fluid pressure, the steps that include lowering said stack of equipment into operating position at the well head location, detaching and elevating said apparatus from the stack, then later lowering said apparatus toward the stack in said position and guiding said apparatus into operative connection with the stack, and establishing an electrical connection between said apparatus and said stack by displacing flowable waterproof material away from protectively overlying relation to electrical terminals through which the electrical connection is made, and then operating said apparatus to control delivery of fluid pressure from said underwater source in the stack to selected actuator means.

i 17. Inthe method of installing and operating a stack of underwater well head equipment and apparatus capable of connection with the stack to control the operation of said equipment from the surface, said equipment including a fluid pressure responsive device operable to disconnect sections of the stack and other fluid pressure responsive means, the steps that include establishing connection of certain of said apparatus with said device to control the operation thereof, lowering said stack of equipment into operating position at the well head location, then lowering other of said apparatus toward the stack in said position and guiding said other apparatus into operative connection with said stack to control the operation of said other fluid pressure responsive means, and establishing an electrical connection between said apparatus and said stack by displacing flowable water proof material away from protectively overlying relation to electrical terminals through which the electrical connection is made, and later operating said device by operation of said certain apparatus to disconnect said sections of the stack.

18. In the method of operating a stack of underwater Well head equipment including fluid pressure responsive actuators, the steps that include transmitting fluid pressure from a storage zone at the underwater location to one of said actuators, lowering underwater and coupling to the stack a fluid pressure line and an electrical cable terminating at a spear, and transmitting fluid pressure from a storage zone at the surface and through said line to another of said actuators.

19. The method of claim 18 including transmitting fluid pressure from a storage zone at the surface to said underwater storage zone to replenish the pressure at said underwater storage zone.

20. The method of claim 18 in which said other actuator comprises a device for disconnecting sections of the stack, and including the step of elevating a disconnected stack section while maintaining provision for transmission of fluid pressure from said underwater storage zone to another stack section at said underwater location.

21. In the method of installing a stack of underwater well head equipment and apparatus capable of operative connection with the stack to control the operation of said equipment from the surface, the steps that include lowering said tack of equipment into operating position at the well head location, said lowering step including running a string of tubular casing underwater, attaching guide tubes to said casing to extend in alignment therealong, and lowering said apparatus through said guide tube means toward the stack in said position for operatrve connection therewith.

22. In combination with a stack of underwater well head equipment adapted to be lowered into operating position at the well head location, apparatus capable of underwater connection with the stack to control the operation of said equipment from the surface, said apparatus including a spear having electrical and fluid pressure terminals connectible in operatively controlling relation with the stack, and means for lowering said apparatus toward the stack in said underwater position for gtuidling said apparatus into operative connection with the s ac 23. In combination with a stack of underwater well head equipment including a first fluid pressure actuator at an underwater well head location and a second fluid pressure actuator to be elevated from said location while the first actuator remains at said location, first means to controllably transmit fluid pressure from a supply zone at the underwater location to said first actuator, second means to transmit fluid pressure from a source at the surface to said second actuator, and electrical and fluid supply apparatus detachably connected with the stack to control the operation of said first means.

24. The combination of claim 23 including means for lowering said apparatus toward the stack in said under Water location and for guiding said apparatus into connection with the stack.

25. Apparatus of the character described, comprising underwater axially longitudinally extending socket and spear assemblies adapted for relative movement between uncoupled and coupled positions, said assemblies carrying electrical terminals that interfit at the nose of the spear when the assemblies are coupled, and having fluid passing ports that intercommunicate at the spear side when the assemblies are in coupled position, and said assemblies having guides certain of which extend longitudinally and about said axis for guiding assembly relative advancement and rotation about said axis as the assemblies undergo said relative movement into coupled position, said spear assembly including an upright body, an electrical cable communicating with said pear terminals, a fluid line communicating with said spear port, said cable and line having elongated extensions adapted to hang underwater above the spear body, and means attaching the line and cable to the spear body at a location spaced above said spear terminal and ports, said last named means including an arm having pivotal attachment to the spear body to rotate between up and down positions, the line and cable being attached to said arm in either of said arm positions.

26. Apparatus of the character described, comprising underwater axially longitudinally extending socket and spear assemblies adapted for relative movement between uncoupled and coupled positions, said assemblies carrying electrical terminals that interfit at the nose of the spear when the assemblies are coupled, and having fluid passing ports that intercommunicate at the spear side when the assemblies are in coupled position, and said assemblies having guides certain of which extend longitudinally and about said axis for guiding assembly relative advancement and rotation about said axis as the assemblies undergo said relative movement into coupled position, said spear assembly including an upright body, an electrical cable communicating with said spear terminals, a fluid line communicating with said spear port, said cable and line having elongated extensions adapted to hang underwater above the spear body, and means attaching the line and cable to the spear body at a location spaced above said spear terminal and ports, and including an upright guide line attached to the socket assembly and a guide line follower attached to the spear assembly for guiding underwater vertical movement of the spear away from and toward the socket entrance.

27. Apparatus as defined in claim 26 including an underwater well head assembly supporting said socket assembly, said Well head assembly including electrically responsive and fluid responsive actuators operatively coupled to said electrical terminals and ports respectively.

28. Apparatus as defined in claim 27 in which the well head assembly includes a frame supporting said actuators and said socket assembly.

29. Apparatus of the character described, comprising underwater axially longitudinally extending socket and spear assemblies adapted for relative movement between uncoupled and coupled positions, said assemblies carrying electrical terminals that interfit at the nose of the spear when the assemblies are coupled, and having fluid passing ports that intercommunicate at the spear side when the assemblies are in coupled position, and said assemblies having guides certain of which extend longitudinally and about said axis for guiding assembly relative advancement and rotation about said axis as the assemblies undergo said relative movement into coupled position, said spear assembly including an upright body, an electrical cable communicating with said spear terminals, a fluid line communicating with said spear port, said cable and line having elongated extensions adapted to hang underwater above the spear body, and means attaching the line and cable to the spear body at a location spaced above aid spear terminal and ports, the socket assembly including an upright tubular body and a cable communicating with the socket terminals projecting upwardly in the lower interior of said body, and the spear having a nose recess to receive the socket terminals and containing a flowable waterproof material protectively overlying the spear terminals.

30. Apparatus as defined in claim 29 in which the socket body has a vent for water escaping from the socket interior a the spear assembly advances relatively into the socket interior.

31. Apparatus as defined in claim 29 in which the spear body has a vent for said flowable material escaping from said nose recess as the socket terminals are received therein.

32. Apparatus of the character described, comprising underwater axially longitudinally extending socket and spear assemblies adapted for relative movement between uncoupled and coupled positions, said assemblies carrying electrical terminals that interfit at the nose of the spear when the assemblies are coupled, and having fluid passing ports that intercommunicate at the spear side when the assemblies are in coupled position, and said assemblies having guides certain of which extend longitudinally and about said axi for guiding assembly relative advancement and rotation about said axis. as the assemblies undergo said relative movement into coupled position, said assemblies including generally upright spear and socket bodies, said guides including an upwardly presented surface flaring upwardly and outwardly from the socket axis to guide the spear assembly nose downwardly into the socket interior.

33. Apparatus as defined in claim 32 in which said guides include an exterior cam carried by the spear body and an interior shoulder carried by the socket body to spiral about said axis and to extend longitudinally for engaging said cam a the spear penetrates the socket, thereby to guide rotation and advancement of the spear in the socket for ultimate intercoupling of said terminals.

34. Apparatus as defined in claim 33 in which said guides include an exterior guide flange on the spear body spaced sufiiciently rearwardly of said cam to penetrate the socket at the flare surface neck after the cam has engaged said spiral shoulder.

35. Apparatus as defined in claim 33 in which the spear nose and the lower interior of the socket have interengageable stops to limit penetration of the spear into the socket at said coupled position thereof.

36. Apparatus as defined in claim 33 in which said assemblies include means sealing off between the spear exterior surface and the socket bore to prevent escape of fluid passing between said spear and socket ports in said coupled position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 455,021 6/1891 Krehbiel 39916 1,686,817 19/1928 Johnson 339-116 2,614,803 10/1952 Wiggins 166.5 X 3,004,602 10/1961 Kofahl 8 3,063,507 11/1962 ONeill et al. 166.5 X 3,064,735 11/1962 Bauer et al. 166.6 3,086,590 4/1963 Jackson et al. 166.6 3,142,337 7/1964 Poorman et al 166-.6 3,163,222 12/1964 Foster et al. 166.6 3,163,224 12/1964 Haeber et al 166-.6 3,186,486 6/1965 Rhodes et al 175-7 X 3,189,098 6/1965 Haeber 166-.6 3,199,595 8/1965 Lafitte et al. 166.6 3,219,117 11/1965 Iohnstone et al 1=66.5 3,236,301 2/1966 Johnstone et al. 166-5 R. E. FAVREAU, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. APPARATUS OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, COMPRISING UNDERWATER AXIALLY EXTENDING SOCKET AND SPEAR MEMBERS ADAPTED FOR RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN UNCOUPLED AND COUPLED POSITIONS, SAID MEMBERS CARRYING ELECTRICAL TERMINALS THAT INTERFIT WHEN THE MEMBERS ARE COUPLED AND HAVING FLUID PASSAGE PORTS THAT INTERCOMMUNICATE WHEN THE MEMBERS ARE IN COUPLED POSITION, ONE OF SAID MEMBERS HAVING A RECESS AT THE TERMINUS THEREOF CONTAINING A FLOWABLE WATERPROOF MATERIAL PROTECTIVELY OVERLYING THE MEMBER ELECTRICAL TERMINALS AND ADAPTED TO BE DISPLACED AS THE TERMINALS OF BOTH MEMBERS INTERFIT, AND SAID MEMBERS HAVING GUIDE SURFACES FOR GUIDING MEMBER RELATIVE ADVANCEMENT AND ROTATION ABOUT SAID AXIS AS THE MEMBERS UNDERGO SAID RELATIVE MOVEMENT INTO COUPLED POSITION.