Michael H Chang

US Patent:

6712146, Mar 30, 2004

Filed:

Nov 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/998125

Inventors:

James W. Estep - Houston TX
Michael Chang - Houston TX

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 2300

US Classification:

166377, 166 651, 166 664, 1662426, 1662427, 175320

Abstract:

A disconnect assembly connecting two portions of a downhole assembly having a downhole apparatus attached to a coiled tubing string. The disconnect assembly includes a first housing connected to one portion of the downhole assembly and a second housing connected to another portion of the downhole assembly. The housings are releasably connected by a release assembly. The release assembly is coupled to a drive train on a motor by a connection transferring rotational motion into translational motion. The release assembly includes locking members having a connected position engaging both housings and a released position wherein the housings can be separated. The motor is connected to the surface by conductors extending through the coiled tubing whereby the motor may be actuated from the surface to move the release assembly between the connected and disconnected positions.

US Patent:

49078283, Mar 13, 1990

Filed:

Feb 16, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/156206

Inventors:

Michael C. Chang - Houston TX

Assignee:

Western Atlas International, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

F16L 3500

US Classification:

285 24

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for assembling, aligning and securing a sealed connection. The apparatus and method of the present invention advantageously employ the mechanical leverage of a threaded connection, preferably square threads, to overcome the high O-ring seal friction associated with large diameter, high pressure O-ring seals. The disadvantages of threads are eliminated by the use of thread relief grooves adjacent and interior to the threads. The thread relief grooves must be of sufficient length and annular dimensions to accommodate the disengaged upset threads therein to permit free rotation. The combined length of threaded engagement must be sufficient to move the O-ring seal into sealing engagement to fully achieve the advantageous ease of assembly of the present invention. Further, this connection is unlikely to separate during use in that disengagement of the threads into the thread relief grooves prevents back off where high make up torque is not employed. After makeup of the O-ring seal, continued rotation results in disengagement of the threads into the thread relief grooves where alignment in any desired orientation is easily achieved by continued rotation.