A shear coupling can be used with reciprocating and rotary pumps. The shear coupling uses a shear nut and connecting member as the shear element. The connecting member and shear nut are located inside the axial bore of the shear coupling to protect from corrosive wellbore elements. The coupling members may be connected by matching polygonal shaft and hub profiles on the coupling members to transmit torque. The shaft and hub may have octagonal profiles for better torque transmission capacity. The shear nut may be isolated from large alternating stresses due to pretensioning of the connecting member. The length of the connecting member, especially when pretensioned, and a reduced cross-section that may be formed on the outer surface of the shear coupling increase the overall flexibility of the shear coupling, thereby increasing the resistance to bending stress.

A shear coupling can be used with reciprocating and rotary pumps. The shear coupling uses a shear nut and connecting member as the shear element. The connecting member and shear nut are located inside the axial bore of the shear coupling to protect from corrosive wellbore elements. The coupling members may be connected by matching polygonal shaft and hub profiles on the coupling members to transmit torque. The shaft and hub may have octagonal profiles for better torque transmission capacity. The shear nut may be isolated from large alternating stresses due to pretensioning of the connecting member. The length of the connecting member, especially when pretensioned, and a reduced cross-section that may be formed on the outer surface of the shear coupling increase the overall flexibility of the shear coupling, thereby increasing the resistance to bending stress.

A transition device for deploying instrumentation below a downhole tool, such as a downhole pump, employed in hydrocarbon recovery operations can include a housing serially connectable between the downhole tool and a guide string insertable into the well ahead of the downhole tool. The transition device can also include a sealable crossover channel extending through the housing and having a proximal and a distal end, the crossover channel providing a crossover path for at least one instrumentation line between an exterior of the transition device at the proximal end and an interior of the guide string at the distal end. The fluid channel can extend through the housing and be radially offset from and capable of establishing fluid communication with the crossover channel, the fluid channel being configured to provide a pressurized fluid into the crossover channel to propel the at least one instrumentation line forward inside the guide string.

A connection release system for the disconnection of various connections, such as electrical, hydraulic, optical, and/or multi-connector, to a service tool in a high pressure environment. An embodiment of the connection release system includes a first and second housing portion with a piston disposed partially within both the first and second housing portions, the piston having a plurality of threads at an exterior portion of a second end. The system further includes a plurality of fluid chambers disposed in the first housing portion, the fluid chambers are filled with fluid to pressure-balance the piston such that the addition of a pressurized fluid to the pressure-balanced piston causes the piston to move, the exterior threaded portion of the piston to disengage an interior threaded portion within the housing second portion, and allow the first housing portion to separate from the second housing portion.

A connection release system for the disconnection of various connections, such as electrical, hydraulic, optical, and/or multi-connector, to a service tool in a high pressure environment. An embodiment of the connection release system includes a first and second housing portion with a piston disposed partially within both the first and second housing portions, the piston having a plurality of threads at an exterior portion of a second end. The system further includes a plurality of fluid chambers disposed in the first housing portion, the fluid chambers are filled with fluid to pressure-balance the piston such that the addition of a pressurized fluid to the pressure-balanced piston causes the piston to move, the exterior threaded portion of the piston to disengage an interior threaded portion within the housing second portion, and allow the first housing portion to separate from the second housing portion.

A downhole ratchet is utilized between tubulars in the drill string to reduce torsion energy in the drill string. A first gear and a second gear are biased into engagement to drive the drill string below the position of the downhole ratchet in the drill string during normal drilling. The downhole ratchet is constructed to release between the first gear and second gear when the tubular below the ratchet spins faster than the tubular above the ratchet due to slip-stick. Once the tubular below spins more slowly or at the same speed then the ratchet mechanism locks the upper and lower tubulars together to rotate the bit. The effect is to release torsional energy in the drill string to reduce slip stick oscillations.

A tool string carrying an external tool, such as a liner hanger, on a release mechanism is lowered into the wellbore. Interlocking lugs and J-slot profile, defined between the exterior surface of the mandrel and interior surface of the release mechanism, allow relative movement of release mechanism and mandrel without releasing the release mechanism. The relative movement allows mechanical operation of a valve or other tool positioned below the release mechanism. Weight-down and rotation of the tool string and mandrel actuates the lower valve assembly by turning a sleeve into alignment with cooperating members of the mandrel. The sleeve, no longer constrained, moves longitudinally in response to a biasing mechanism. Movement of the sleeve allows closure of the valve. After actuation of the valve tool, further weight-down releases the release mechanism from the carried tool.

A tool string carrying an external tool, such as a liner hanger, on a release mechanism is lowered into the wellbore. Interlocking lugs and J-slot profile, defined between the exterior surface of the mandrel and interior surface of the release mechanism, allow relative movement of release mechanism and mandrel without releasing the release mechanism. The relative movement allows mechanical operation of a valve or other tool positioned below the release mechanism. Weight-down and rotation of the tool string and mandrel actuates the lower valve assembly by turning a sleeve into alignment with cooperating members of the mandrel. The sleeve, no longer constrained, moves longitudinally in response to a biasing mechanism. Movement of the sleeve allows closure of the valve. After actuation of the valve tool, further weight-down releases the release mechanism from the carried tool.

This disclosure provides an expansion joint apparatus that has a releasable coupler that holds the tool in a locked position for run-in purposes. Once in position, the releasable coupler can be activated to release a tubular housing from an outer mandrel located within the tubular housing to allow for independent movement between the tubular members comprising the expansion joint apparatus.

This disclosure provides an expansion joint apparatus that has a releasable coupler that holds the tool in a locked position for run-in purposes. Once in position, the releasable coupler can be activated to release a tubular housing from an outer mandrel located within the tubular housing to allow for independent movement between the tubular members comprising the expansion joint apparatus.