Wellhead union with safety interlock
US5967235A · kind A · utility
9Cited by
12References
42Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B33/03
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A wellhead union and associated methods provide enhanced safety in operations involving access to, and/or fluid communication with, a wellhead. In a described embodiment, a wellhead union has a housing structure which includes a fluid conduit and a plug. A safety interlock prevents removal of the plug from the fluid conduit when fluid pressure is present within the wellhead. As a warning that such fluid pressure is present within the wellhead, the safety interlock additionally provides an externally visible indication when the fluid pressure is present.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.