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Wellhead valve removal and installation tool

  • US 4,460,039 A
  • Filed: 11/04/1982
  • Issued: 07/17/1984
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1982
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A tool adapted to operatively connect on an operating wellhead assembly for use in the removal or replacement of wellhead outlet valves under high pressure conditions, said tool comprising:

  • An elongate housing open at one end and having an axial bore extending from said open end substantially throughout the length of said housing, said housing having connecting means adjacent its open end for mounting on a wellhead with the axial bore of said housing in communication and substantially aligned with the bore of the wellhead;

    an elongate rod mounted in the bore of said housing and adapted for axial movement therein, said rod being of such length that one end thereof extends from the open end of said housing when positioned in said housing, and adapted at said one end for removably carrying a plug means for installation in the bore of the wellhead;

    a cylinder provided in a section of said housing by an enlarged portion of said housing bore;

    a tubular piston member slidably mounted in said cylinder in sleeved relationship to said rod and being movable in said cylinder between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, said piston member having a reduced diameter portion at one end thereof which provides an annular chamber in said cylinder about said piston member reduced diameter portion;

    a first piston packing means disposed in the bore through said piston at the upper end thereof and encompassing said rod for establishing a fluid-tight seal between said rod and said piston;

    a first adjustable packing gland assembly disposed in the bore through said piston at the lower end of the reduced diameter portion thereof, said packing gland assembly including a second piston packing means disposed in encircling relation to said rod and adjustable clamping means for selectively energizing and radially expanding said second piston packing means into clamping engagement with said rod;

    a second adjustable packing gland assembly disposed in the bore of said housing adjacent one end thereof, said second adjustable packing gland assembly including lower annular packing means disposed in encircling relation to said rod and a second adjustable clamping means for selectively energizing said lower annular packing means to radially expand said lower annular packing means into clamping engagement with said rod;

    a bi-directional packing seal means in the bore of said housing in encircling relationship to said rod and establishing a fluid-tight sealing relationship with said rod, said bi-directional packing means being disposed in said housing bore at a location spaced from the upper end of the piston when the piston is in its uppermost position;

    means for selectively communicating fluid pressure in said well bore to the bore of said housing at a location above said bi-directional packing means thereby equalizing the pressure on both ends of said rod when the tool is mounted in a wellhead and the lower end of the rod is exposed to the well pressure;

    means for selectively communicating fluid pressure in said well bore to the bore of said housing and the upper end of said piston when said piston is in its uppermost position to thereby drive said piston to its lowermost position and said rod downwardly by a distance corresponding to the piston stroke when said first clamping means clamps the piston to the rod and said second clamping means is in non-clamping condition; and

    means for selectively communicating fluid pressure in said well bore to said annular chamber to thereby drive the piston to its uppermost position when said second clamping means is in clamping relation to said rod and said first clamping means is in non-clamping condition, said housing having a section thereof which contains said first and second adjustable packing gland assemblies and being provided with openings through which said packing gland assemblies are accessible for adjustment.

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