US20190145213A1 - Positive engagement indicator for remotely operated well pressure control apparatus - Google Patents
Positive engagement indicator for remotely operated well pressure control apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- US20190145213A1 US20190145213A1 US16/188,795 US201816188795A US2019145213A1 US 20190145213 A1 US20190145213 A1 US 20190145213A1 US 201816188795 A US201816188795 A US 201816188795A US 2019145213 A1 US2019145213 A1 US 2019145213A1
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- wedge
- receptacle
- adapter
- fitting
- sensor
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- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 26
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 48
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 48
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 34
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 20
- 241000722921 Tulipa gesneriana Species 0.000 description 12
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 9
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000011160 research Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009291 secondary effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/02—Surface sealing or packing
- E21B33/03—Well heads; Setting-up thereof
- E21B33/04—Casing heads; Suspending casings or tubings in well heads
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/24—Guiding or centralising devices for drilling rods or pipes
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B34/00—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells
- E21B34/02—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in well heads
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/12—Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
-
- E21B2033/005—
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B2200/00—Special features related to earth drilling for obtaining oil, gas or water
- E21B2200/01—Sealings characterised by their shape
Definitions
- This disclosure relates to the field of well pressure control apparatus. More specifically, the disclosure relates to apparatus used to lock pressure control devices onto a wellhead or similar well structure.
- U.S. Pat. No. 9,644,443 issued to Johansen et al. discloses one example embodiment of a wellhead pressure control fitting comprising a generally tubular Pressure Control Equipment (PCE) adapter configured to mate with pressure control equipment at a first adapter end, and with a receptacle inside a generally tubular pressure control assembly at a second adapter end.
- the pressure control assembly is configured to mate with a wellhead.
- Cooperating abutment surfaces form a high pressure seal when the second adapter end is compressively received into the receptacle.
- a plurality of cam locks on the exterior of the pressure control assembly rotate responsive to extension and retraction of the cam lock pistons.
- Cam lock rotation causes perimeter curvatures on the cam locks to bear down on corresponding curvatures on the second adapter end, which in turn compresses the second adapter end into the receptacle to form the seal.
- a locking ring may restrain the cam locks from rotation while the seal is enabled.
- the pressure control fitting may be operated by a remote control.
- a wellhead pressure control fitting includes a generally tubular Pressure Control Equipment (PCE) adapter configured to mate with a pressure control assembly.
- the generally tubular pressure control assembly is configured to mate with a wellhead and has a plurality of cam locks, wherein each cam lock is configured to rotate. Means for rotating the cam locks is provided so as to urge the adapter into a receptacle in the pressure control assembly to form a pressure tight seal between the adapter and the assembly.
- a sensor is associated with each cam lock. The sensor is arranged to measure a parameter related to an amount of rotation of each cam lock.
- the sensor associated with each cam lock comprises a rotary encoder disposed on a cam lock pin.
- the sensor associated with each cam lock comprises a proximity sensor arranged to measured extension of each cam lock piston.
- the sensor associated with each cam lock comprises an accelerometer arranged to measure a rotational orientation of each cam lock.
- the senor associated with each cam lock comprises a limit switch arranged to electrically close or open only when the associated cam lock is fully rotated to a locked position.
- the senor associated with each cam lock comprises a strain gauge.
- the sensor associated with each cam lock comprises an optical sensor.
- Some embodiments further comprise a locking ring comprising means to extend and retract the locking ring, wherein retraction of the locking ring causes the locking ring to move so as to restrain the cam locks from rotation. Some embodiments further comprise a locking ring sensor operatively engaged to the locking ring whereby measurements made by the locking ring sensor correspond to full engagement of the locking ring with the cam locks.
- the sensor associated with the locking ring comprises a proximity sensor arranged to measure a parameter related to extension of the locking. ring
- the sensor associated with the locking ring comprises a proximity sensor.
- the senor associated with the locking ring comprises a limit switch arranged to electrically close or open only when the locking ring is fully engaged with the cam locks.
- the senor associated with the locking ring comprises a strain gauge.
- the senor associated with the locking ring comprises an optical sensor.
- a wellhead pressure control fitting may include a generally tubular Pressure Control Equipment (PCE) adapter configured to mate with a pressure control assembly, the pressure control assembly being configured to mate with a wellhead.
- the adapter provides a lower wedge assembly.
- the lower wedge assembly includes a plurality of lower wedges, each lower wedge having first and second opposing lower wedge sides. Each first lower wedge side provides protruding top and bottom lower wedge ribs and a generally hollow lower wedge receptacle further providing a plurality of shaped lower wedge receptacle recesses formed in an interior thereof wherein axial displacement of the lower wedge receptacle relative to the lower wedges causes corresponding radial displacement of the lower wedges.
- a sensor is arranged to measure a parameter related to an amount of engagement of the wedges with the wedge receptacle.
- the senor comprises a proximity switch.
- the senor comprises a limit switch.
- the senor comprises a linear variable differential transformer.
- the senor comprises an acoustic range finder.
- a wellhead pressure control fitting includes a generally tubular Pressure Control Equipment (PCE) adapter having first and second adapter ends.
- the first adapter end is configured to mate with pressure control equipment.
- the adapter provides an annular adapter rib distal from the first adapter end towards the second adapter end.
- a generally tubular pressure control assembly having first and second assembly ends and a longitudinal centerline defines axial displacement parallel to the centerline and radial displacement perpendicular to the centerline.
- the first assembly end provides a first assembly end interior, the second assembly end configured to mate with a wellhead.
- the first assembly end interior provides a PCE receptacle for receiving the second adapter end, the second adapter end and the PCE receptacle further each providing cooperating abutment surfaces.
- the cooperating abutment surfaces form a pressure seal between the second adapter end and the PCE receptacle when the second adapter end is received into the PCE receptacle.
- the first assembly end interior further provides a wedge assembly.
- the wedge assembly includes a plurality of wedges, each wedge having first and second opposing wedge sides, and each first wedge side providing protruding top and bottom wedge ribs.
- a generally hollow wedge receptacle further provides a plurality of shaped wedge receptacle recesses formed in an interior thereof, one wedge receptacle recess for each wedge.
- the wedge receptacle also has first and second opposing wedge receptacle sides in which the wedge receptacle recesses define the first wedge receptacle side.
- Each wedge is received into a corresponding wedge receptacle recess so that the first wedge receptacle side and the second wedge sides provide opposing sloped wedge surfaces, wherein axial displacement of the upper receptacle relative to the wedges causes corresponding radial displacement of the wedges.
- a sensor is arranged to measure a parameter related to an amount of engagement of the wedges with the wedge receptacle.
- the senor comprises a proximity switch.
- the senor comprises a limit switch.
- the senor comprises a linear variable differential transformer.
- the senor comprises an acoustic range finder.
- a wellhead pressure control fitting comprises a generally tubular Pressure Control Equipment (PCE) adapter having first and second adapter ends.
- the first adapter end is configured to mate with pressure control equipment.
- the second adapter end provides a shaped end including an adapter end curvature.
- a generally tubular pressure control assembly has first and second assembly ends.
- the first assembly end provides a first assembly end interior and a first assembly end exterior.
- the second assembly end is configured to mate with a wellhead.
- the first assembly end exterior has an exterior periphery providing a plurality of locking elements each disposed to lock the PCE adapter within the first assembly end.
- a locking ring has a plurality of locking ring actuators extensible to urge the locking ring to an unlocked position wherein the plurality of locking elements are disenagageable from the PCE adapter and a locked position wherein the locking elements retain the PCE adapter within the first assembly end.
- At least one sensor is associated the locking ring and is arranged to communicate a signal when the locking ring is in the locked position.
- the at least one sensor comprises a plurality of switches each disposed adjacent to a guide pin such that full longitudinal retraction of the locking ring closes all the plurality of switches.
- FIGS. 1 through 9 show operation of a wellhead pressure control fitting using cam locks to secure a pressure control equipment adapter into pressure control equipment that may be coupled to a wellhead.
- FIG. 10 shows one example embodiment of a sensor that can measure a parameter related to the amount of closure of a cam lock onto a pressure control equipment adapter.
- FIG. 11 shows other example embodiments of sensors that can measure parameters related to the amount of closure of the cam locks.
- FIGS. 12 through 14 illustrate one embodiment of a spring-driven ball race seal designed to provide a high pressure seal for wellhead pressure control fittings, in which FIG. 12 is a perspective cutaway view, FIGS. 13A and 13B are partial section views in an unlocked position and a locked position respectively, and FIG. 14 is an exploded view.
- FIGS. 15 through 22 illustrate two embodiments of a wedge seal, each also designed to provide a high pressure seal for wellhead pressure control fittings, in which FIGS. 15 through 18 illustrate a first wedge seal embodiment and FIGS. 19 through 22 illustrate a second wedge seal embodiment.
- FIG. 15 is a perspective cutaway view of the first wedge seal embodiment.
- FIGS. 16A and 16B are partial section views of an upper end of the first wedge seal embodiment in an unlocked position and a locked position respectively.
- FIGS. 17A and 17B are partial section views of a lower end of the first wedge seal embodiment in an unlocked position and a locked position respectively.
- FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the first wedge seal embodiment.
- FIG. 19 is a perspective cutaway view of the second wedge seal embodiment.
- FIGS. 20A and 20B are partial section views of an upper end of the second wedge seal embodiment in an unlocked position and a locked position respectively.
- FIGS. 21A and 21B are partial section views of a lower end of the second wedge seal embodiment in an unlocked position and a locked position respectively.
- FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the second wedge seal embodiment.
- FIG. 23 shows another possible embodiment of a sensor arrangement to determine status of a lock ring.
- FIG. 24 shows a cross-section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 23 .
- Example embodiments of a device according to the present disclosure provide sensors arranged to detect whether such pressure control fitting as described in the '443 patent is in condition to have well pressure applied, such that a user can be informed of such condition remotely without the need for visual observation.
- FIGS. 1 through 9 are a freeze-frame series of illustrations showing an example embodiment of a pressure control adapter and its operation.
- the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 9 is only intended to illustrate components that may be used in accordance with the present disclosure and such illustrated embodiments is in no way intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
- pressure control equipment P
- wellhead W
- a pressure control assembly 200 may be secured to the wellhead W using a conventional bolted flange, although the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.
- the wellhead end of the pressure control assembly 200 may advantageously provide a customized fitting F to connect to the wellhead W.
- An adapter 250 is secured to the PCE P using conventional threading, although again this disclosure is not limited to a threaded connection between PCE P and adapter 250 .
- FIG. 2 the PCE has been lifted and moved over the pressure control assembly 200 using, for example, a conventional crane (not shown). Entry of the adapter 250 into the pressure control assembly 200 is facilitated by a tulip 201 , which is a conically-shaped piece.
- a locking ring 240 and link arms 235 are also shown in FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a top portion of the pressure control assembly 200 in more detail.
- the tulip 201 , a locking ring 240 , link arms 235 and cam locks 220 are shown in FIG. 3 . It will be appreciated that in FIG. 3 , the locking ring 240 and cam locks 220 are in their disengaged position.
- One of a plurality of locking ring pistons 242 is also visible in FIG. 3 in a partially extended state. Locking ring pistons 242 are preferably conventional hydraulic pistons and may be circumferentially disposed around the PCE.
- FIG. 4 is an elevational view of what is shown in FIG. 3 , except in partial cutaway view to illustrate more clearly the component parts of pressure control assembly 200 .
- the tulip 201 , the locking ring 240 , the cam locks 220 , the link arms 235 and the cam lock pistons 222 are all visible in FIG. 4 .
- the cam lock pistons 222 , link arms 235 and cam locks 220 together form a pinned linkage in which extension and retraction of the cam lock pistons 222 will cause cam locks 220 each to rotate about a corresponding cam lock pin 224 .
- Cam lock pistons 222 are preferably conventional hydraulic pistons.
- FIG. 5 shows the adapter 250 (attached to PCE) entering the pressure control assembly 200 with the assistance of the tulip 201 .
- a receptacle 260 for the adapter 250 is also illustrated, waiting to receive adapter 250 .
- Conventional o-rings 252 are visible on the adapter 250 .
- FIG. 6 is similar to what is shown in FIG. 5 except that the adapter 250 is shown moving closer to its seat in the receptacle 260 .
- FIGS. 7 through 9 are magnified freeze-frame views as the adapter 250 engages its seat in the receptacle 260 .
- FIGS. 7 and 8 show features regarding the seating of the adapter 250 in the receptacle 260 .
- the adapter 250 is designed to fit in the receptacle 260 so as to provide a high pressure seal when the adapter 250 connection to the receptacle 260 is in compression.
- a shoulder 254 on the adapter 250 presents a curvature that is shaped and located to match a corresponding cam curvature 225 (refer to FIG. 8 ) on the cam locks 220 .
- the cam curvatures 225 on the cam locks 220 engage the shoulder 254 and compress the adapter 250 into the receptacle 260 .
- FIGS. 7 and 8 the locking ring 240 has been moved away from the cam locks 220 by fully extending the locking ring pistons 242 (pistons 242 are not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , see FIG. 3 instead).
- FIGS. 7 and 8 also illustrate the cam lock linkage in more detail, discussed above with reference to previously described figures.
- the cam locks 220 are disposed to rotate about corresponding cam lock pins 224 .
- the cam locks 220 each present cam curvatures 225 .
- the cam locks 220 are each in pinned linkage connection to a corresponding one of the cam lock pistons 222 via link arms 235 , and first and second linkage pins 236 and 237 .
- the cam locks 220 provide cam lock notches 226 in order to assist capture of the shoulder 254 on the adapter 250 .
- FIGS. 8 and 9 it may be observed that once the cam lock notches 226 have engaged the shoulder 254 , further rotation of the cam locks 220 around the cam lock pins 224 encourages snug engagement of the cam curvatures 225 on the shoulder 254 in order to provide a high pressure seal between the adapter 250 and the receptacle 260 .
- the relative dimensions, geometries, locations in space, and paths of travel of the cam lock pistons 222 , first and second linkage pins 236 and 237 , link arms 235 , cam locks 220 , cam lock pins 224 , cam lock notches 226 and cam curvatures 225 are all designed to cooperate with corresponding selections of dimensions and geometries on the shoulder 254 , seat surface 255 and slope surface 256 on the adapter 250 interfacing with the receptacle 260 , all to provide a high-pressure seal by compression of the adapter 250 into the receptacle 260 .
- This clearance allows for a high pressure seal capability using o-rings 252 .
- the adapter 250 has machined surfaces on the seat surface 255 and the slope surface 256 .
- the receptacle 260 also provides corresponding machined surfaces shaped to match the seat surface 255 and the slope surface 256 . Compression of the adapter 250 into the receptacle 260 thus enables a machined surface metal-to-metal seal at the seat surface 255 and slope surface 256 .
- This metal-to-metal seal is designed to contain high pressures—up to about 15,000 psi MAWP in some embodiments.
- the scope of this disclosure is not limited to embodiments providing a machined surface metal-to-metal seal at seat surface 255 and slope surface 256 , and that other embodiments may provide other suitable sealing arrangements.
- cam lock pistons 222 are fully retracted, and cam curvatures 225 are disengaged.
- extension of cam lock pistons 222 has begun, causing rotation of cam locks 220 about cam lock pins 224 such that cam lock notches 226 have assisted capture of shoulder 254 on adapter 250 .
- cam lock pistons 222 are fully extended.
- cam locks 220 to cam lock piston 222 may be observed to have translated the extension of cam lock pistons 222 into rotation of cam locks 220 about cam lock pins 224 .
- Rotation of cam locks 220 about cam lock pins 224 brings cam curvatures 225 to bear on shoulder 254 on adapter 250 .
- Cooperating abutment surfaces at the contact interface of adapter 250 and receptacle 260 are compressed together to form a high pressure seal.
- cam locks 220 In FIG. 9 , it may be observed that the linkage between cam locks 220 , link arms 235 and cam lock pistons 222 is configured so that when cam locks 220 are fully engaged on shoulder 254 , locking ring 240 may be lowered to engage cam locks 220 . Engagement of cam locks 220 by locking ring 240 is via full retraction of locking ring pistons 242 (pistons 242 are not shown on FIG. 9 , see FIG. 3 ). Cam locks 220 also provide cam lock tapers 227 in order to assist capture of cam locks 220 by locking ring 240 . With continuing reference to FIG.
- locking ring 240 may be shaped and sized to provide an interference fit between itself and cam locks 220 to retain and secure them once fully engaged on cam locks 220 .
- locking ring 240 to secure cam locks 220 is primarily for safety purposes, to prevent cam locks 220 from becoming disengaged from shoulder 254 on adapter 250 in the event of a loss in hydraulic pressure (or otherwise) potentially compromising the high-pressure seal between adapter 250 and receptacle 260 .
- the interference fit between locking ring 240 and cam locks 220 also enables, as a secondary effect, an additional “squeezing” force on cam locks 220 when fully engaged on shoulder 254 on adapter 250 .
- extension and retraction of cam lock pistons 222 and locking ring pistons 242 may be done by remote hydraulic operation, fulfilling one of the technical advantages of the disclosed pressure control apparatus as discussed earlier in this disclosure.
- the “engineered motion and fit” of the cooperating parts as illustrated on FIGS. 7 through 9 are not limited any particular embodiment that might generate a high-pressure seal for a certain size or model of the disclosed pressure control apparatus. It will be appreciated that, consistent with the scope of this disclosure, many such “engineered motion and fit” arrangements may be selected and designed for different sizes or models in which the disclosed pressure control apparatus may be embodied.
- one of the cam lock pistons 222 is shown protruding from the bottom of its cylinder.
- a disk shaped head 222 A may be disposed on the bottom of each cam lock piston 222 such that when the cam lock piston 222 is fully extended (see FIG. 9 ), the position of the head 222 A may be measured by a sensor 10 .
- the sensor 10 may be, for example, a limit switch that closes or opens when the head 222 A contacts the sensor 10 .
- the sensor 10 may also, for example, be a proximity sensor such as an electromagnetic or capacitive proximity sensor. Irrespective of the type of sensor used for the sensor 10 shown in FIG. 10 , the sensor measures a parameter related to the amount of extension of the associated cam lock piston 222 .
- a corresponding sensor may be provided for each of the cam lock pistons 222 on the apparatus explained with reference to FIGS. 1 through 9 .
- a signal may be generated and communicated to the apparatus operator that the one or more cam locks ( 220 in FIG. 9 ) is not fully engaged, and that the adapter ( 250 in FIG. 9 ) may not be fully seated in the receptacle ( 260 in FIG. 9 ).
- the apparatus operator will have warning that opening any pressure valve in the wellhead (W in FIG. 1 ) may be unsafe.
- the cam locks may all be released and the adapter seating operation may be repeated until all the sensors 10 indicate full extension of each of the cam lock pistons 222 .
- sensors that may make measurements corresponding to the amount of rotation of the cam locks 220 may be better understood with reference to FIG. 11 .
- a rotary encoder 16 may be affixed to each cam lock pin 224 to measure the amount of rotation of each cam lock 220 .
- An accelerometer or level sensor 12 may make measurements related to the relative orientation of the cam lock 220 with reference to Earth's gravity, and thus corresponding to the rotational position of the cam lock 220 .
- Other types of sensors may comprise a spring loaded limit switch 14 that extends (and thereby opens or closes electrically) only when the cam lock 220 is rotated to its fully closed position, that is, fully engaged to the adapter ( 250 in FIG. 9 ).
- Other sensors which may be used in accordance with the present disclosure include optical sensors such as a lamp or LED and photoresistor, and force sensitive resistors such as strain gauges.
- similar configurations of sensors may be used in connection with the lock ring ( 240 in FIG. 7 ) to measure whether the lock ring 240 is fully seated against the cam locks 220 .
- a fitting and sensor system made in accordance with principles of the example embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1-11 may provide a system user with remote indication of whether the adapter is fully seated, locked and sealed in the adapter (or any corresponding structures) prior to opening any well pressure control devices.
- Such remote indication may increase the safety and efficiency with which a system such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,644,443 issued to Johansen et al. may be used.
- FIGS. 12 through 14 illustrate one example embodiment of a spring-driven ball race seal assembly 700 for providing a high pressure seal for wellhead pressure control fittings.
- the description which follows with reference to FIGS. 12 through 22 similar to what is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,670,745 issued to Johansen et al.
- FIGS. 12 through 14 should be viewed together.
- FIG. 12 is an isometric section view of ball race seal assembly 700
- FIG. 14 is an exploded view of FIG. 12 .
- FIG. 12 shows a ball race seal assembly 700 in the locked position.
- FIGS. 13A and 13B are freeze-frame views of ball race seal assembly 700 in partial section, illustrating ball race seal assembly 700 in its unlocked position ( FIG. 13A ) and locked position ( FIG. 13B ).
- conventional sealing parts such as o-rings are either shown but not called out as separate parts, or are omitted altogether.
- receptacle 760 is generally tubular and provides an exterior annular cutout at a first end that forms an elongate receptacle sealing portion 762 at the first end.
- a second end of receptacle 760 provides a flange or other suitable connection to a wellhead, or to equipment interposed between receptacle 760 and the wellhead.
- PCE adapter 750 is also generally tubular and provides a suitable connection, such as a threaded connection, to pressure control equipment (PCE) at a first end.
- Adapter 750 further provides an interior annular cutout at a second end that forms an elongate adapter sealing portion 752 at the second end.
- Adapter sealing portion 752 and receptacle sealing portion 762 are shaped and dimensioned such that when adapter sealing portion 752 is received over receptacle sealing portion 762 and constrained radially outwards, a pressure seal is formed between adapter sealing portion 752 and receptacle sealing portion 762 .
- O-rings 761 facilitate the seal.
- Lower body 710 is generally tubular, and is received over and affixed to the exterior of receptacle 760 via threading or other suitable connection. Lower body 710 has first and second ends, and is affixed at its second end to receptacle 760 . The first end of lower body 710 extends parallel with receptacle sealing portion 762 and is positioned to constrain adapter sealing portion 752 radially when adapter sealing portion 752 is in sealing engagement with receptacle sealing portion 762 .
- ball race cylinder 720 provides holes 722 to receive ball bearings 721 and retain them externally. It will be understood that although holes 722 are small enough to retain ball bearings 721 externally, ball bearings 721 may nonetheless roll freely within holes 722 while protruding internally through holes 722 .
- ball race cylinder has first and second ends. The second end of ball race cylinder 720 (including ball bearings 721 ) is positioned at the first end of lower body 710 such that ball bearings 721 , when protruding internally through holes 722 , roll against an exterior surface of adapter 750 as adapter sealing portion 752 is brought to engage over receptacle sealing portion 762 .
- adapter 750 further provides annular adapter grooves 751 that are positioned and dimensioned to receive ball bearings 721 (as ball bearings 721 protrude internally through holes 722 ) when adapter sealing portion 752 is fully engaged over receptacle sealing portion 762 .
- Adapter grooves 751 are further positioned, sized and shaped such that adapter sealing portion 752 is locked in sealing engagement with receptacle sealing portion 762 when ball bearings 721 are compressed into adapter grooves 751 .
- Floating member 730 is generally tubular and is received over lower body 710 and ball race cylinder 720 .
- Floating member 730 has first and second ends. The first end of floating member 730 retains ball bearings 721 in holes 722 , while the interior of the second end of floating member 730 is in sealing engagement with the exterior of lower body 710 .
- the first end of floating member 730 further provides a thickened floating member locking portion 731 which, when engaged on ball bearings 721 , compresses ball bearings 721 into adapter grooves 751 .
- Sleeve 770 is generally tubular and is received over ball race cylinder 720 , floating member 730 and lower body 710 .
- Sleeve 770 has first and second ends. The second end of sleeve 770 is affixed to the exterior of the second end of lower body 710 by threading or other suitable connection. The first end of sleeve 770 is further positioned, dimensioned and shaped to be in sealing engagement with the first end of ball race cylinder 720 .
- sleeve 700 has an interior annular sleeve cavity 771 formed therein.
- floating member 730 resides within sleeve cavity 771 so as to create a sealed annular upper chamber 740 above the first end of floating member 730 and a sealed annular lower chamber 745 below the second end of floating member 730 .
- Upper and lower chamber ports 741 and 746 are provided in sleeve 770 to supply hydraulic fluid to and from upper and lower chambers 740 and 745 respectively.
- Compression spring 735 resides in upper chamber 740 and is biased to encourage floating member 730 to a position furthest away from the first end of sleeve 770 .
- FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate the operation of ball race seal assembly 700 from an unlocked position in FIG. 13A to a locked position in FIG. 13B .
- hydraulic fluid is introduced through lower chamber port 746 (and denoted by the large arrow on FIG. 19A ) and pressurizes lower chamber 745 , moving floating member 730 towards the first end of sleeve 770 in the direction of the small vertical arrow on FIG. 13A and against the bias of compression spring 735 .
- Thickened floating member locking portion 731 of locking member 730 is disengaged from ball bearings 721 , allowing ball bearings 721 to displace radially outwards in the direction of the small horizontal arrows on FIG. 19A .
- adapter 750 is free to be brought into engagement with receptacle 760 , such that adapter sealing portion 752 may form a seal over receptacle scaling portion 762 , while also being constrained radially by lower body 710 .
- adapter sealing portion 752 is now fully engaged over receptacle sealing portion, and adapter grooves 751 are now positioned adjacent to ball bearings 721 .
- Hydraulic fluid is introduced through upper chamber port 741 (and denoted by the large arrow on FIG. 19B ) and pressurizes upper chamber 740 , moving floating member 730 towards the second end of sleeve 770 in the direction of the small vertical arrow on FIG. 13B and assisted by the bias of compression spring 735 .
- Thickened floating member locking portion 731 of locking member 730 engages ball bearings 721 , compressing ball bearings 721 into adapter grooves in the direction of the small horizontal arrows on FIG. 13B , and thereby locking adapter sealing portion 752 in sealing engagement with receptacle sealing portion 762 .
- FIG. 13B shows a sensor 730 A that is arranged to measure a parameter related to the amount of movement of the locking member 730 toward the bottom of or the second end of the sleeve 770 . Measurements of the parameter related to the amount of movement of the locking member 730 may be used to determine that the locking member has moved fully so as to cause engagement of the ball bearings 721 into the adapter grooves 751 in the adapter 750 , thereby indicating that the adapter 750 is fully engaged with the receptacle 760 .
- Non-limiting examples of types of sensors that may be used in various embodiments for the sensor 730 A may comprise, proximity switches, limit switches, linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs) and acoustic range finders, although the foregoing examples are not to be construed as limits on the scope of the present disclosure.
- LVDTs linear variable differential transformers
- FIGS. 15 through 22 illustrate two embodiments of a wedge seal design for providing a high pressure seal for wellhead pressure control fittings.
- FIGS. 15 through 18 illustrate a first embodiment, wedge seal assembly 800 , in which opposing sloped sides of wedges are driven in reciprocating motion directly by hydraulic fluid pressure.
- FIGS. 19 through 22 illustrate a second embodiment, wedge seal assembly 900 , in which the opposing sloped sides of the wedges are driven by hydraulically-actuated pistons.
- FIGS. 15 through 18 wedge seal assembly 800 is illustrated for providing a high pressure seal for wellhead pressure control fittings.
- FIGS. 15 through 18 should be viewed together.
- FIG. 15 is an isometric section view of wedge seal assembly 800
- FIG. 18 is an exploded view of FIG. 15 .
- FIG. 15 depicts wedge seal assembly 800 in the locked position.
- FIGS. 16A and 16B are freeze-frame views of wedge seal assembly 800 in partial section at the upper end, illustrating engagement of upper adapter rib 851 on adapter 850 .
- FIG. 16A illustrates wedge seal assembly 800 in its unlocked position prior to engagement of upper adapter rib 851
- FIG. 16B illustrates wedge seal assembly 800 in its locked position over upper adapter rib 851 .
- a sensor 825 A may be disposed in a wedge receptacle, explained further below, to make a measurement corresponding to the amount of compression of the wedge seal assembly.
- the sensor 825 may be, for example, any of the types of sensors described with reference to FIG. 13B , and may include, without limitation, proximity switches, limit switches, linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs) and acoustic range finders, although the foregoing examples are not to be construed as limits on the scope of the present disclosure.
- LVDTs linear variable differential transformers
- FIGS. 17A and 17B are freeze-frame views of wedge seal assembly 800 in partial section at the lower end, illustrating engagement of lower adapter rib 852 on adapter 850 .
- FIG. 17A illustrates wedge seal assembly 800 in its unlocked position prior to engagement of lower adapter rib 852
- FIG. 17B illustrates wedge seal assembly 800 in its locked position over lower adapter rib 852 .
- conventional sealing parts such as o-rings are either shown but not called out as separate parts, or are omitted altogether.
- not all parts on wedge seal assembly 800 are shown on freeze-frame FIGS. 16A through 17B . Some parts have been omitted for clarity in FIGS. 16A through 17B so that the unlocking and locking mechanisms of wedge seal assembly 800 can be appreciated more clearly.
- FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate that the high pressure seal between adapter 850 and receptacle 860 is functionally analogous to the high pressure seal between adapter 250 and receptacle 260 described above with reference to FIGS. 6 through 9 .
- adapter 850 provides machined surfaces on seat surface 855 and slope surface 856 .
- Receptacle 860 also provides corresponding machined surfaces shaped to match seat surface 855 and slope surface 856 at a first (distal) end 861 thereof. It will be appreciated compression of adapter 850 into receptacle 860 on wedge seal assembly 800 as depicted in FIGS. 17A and 17B enables a machined surface metal-to-metal seal at seat surface 855 and slope surface 856 .
- wedge seal assembly 800 (as depicted in FIGS. 17A and 17B ) over the embodiment of pressure control assembly 200 (as depicted in FIGS. 6 through 9 ) arises in the mechanism by which wedge seal assembly 800 compresses adapter 850 into receptacle 860 to form a high pressure seal.
- FIG. 17B when adapter 850 is received into seal engagement with receptacle 860 , lower adapter rib 852 is presented for engagement with lower wedge 840 .
- Lower wedge 840 provides lower wedge top and bottom ribs 843 and 844 . Hydraulic fluid is introduced under pressure through lower engage port 832 into lower engage chamber 831 , as denoted by the large arrow on FIG. 17B .
- Lower wedge receptacle 845 Pressurization of lower engage chamber 831 causes movement of lower wedge receptacle 845 in the direction of the small vertical arrow on FIG. 17B (i.e., in a direction away from the wellhead), assisted by the bias of lower compression spring 846 .
- This movement of lower wedge receptacle 845 compresses lower wedge 840 radially against the engagement of adapter 850 and receptacle 860 , in the direction of the small horizontal arrows on FIG. 17B .
- Lower wedge top rib 843 locks over lower adapter rib 852 and lower wedge bottom rib 844 locks into wedge groove 865 provided in receptacle 860 .
- the release of the high pressure seal enabled by wedge seal assembly 800 is substantially the reverse of the disclosure immediately above describing FIG. 17B .
- Hydraulic fluid is introduced under pressure through lower release port 834 into lower release chamber 833 , as denoted by the large arrow in FIG. 17A . It will be understood that at the same time, hydraulic fluid pressure is released in lower engage chamber 831 through lower engage port 832 . Pressurization of lower release chamber 833 causes movement of lower wedge receptacle 845 in the direction of the small vertical arrow on FIG. 17A (i.e., in a direction towards the wellhead), against the bias of lower compression spring 846 .
- upper adapter rib 851 is presented for engagement with upper wedge 820 .
- Upper wedge 820 provides upper wedge top and bottom ribs 823 and 824 .
- Hydraulic fluid is introduced under pressure through upper engage port 812 into upper engage chamber 811 , as denoted by the large arrow on FIG. 16B .
- Pressurization of upper engage chamber 811 causes movement of upper wedge receptacle 825 in the direction of the small vertical arrow on FIG. 16B (i.e., in a direction away from the wellhead), assisted by the bias of upper compression spring 826 .
- upper wedge receptacle 825 compresses upper wedge 820 radially against upper adapter rib 851 , in the direction of the small horizontal arrows on FIG. 16B .
- Upper wedge top and bottom ribs 823 and 824 lock over upper adapter rib 851 and further restrain adapter 850 from movement relative to the high pressure seal below (seal shown on FIG. 17B ).
- FIG. 16A the release of the locking mechanism over upper adapter rib 851 is substantially the reverse of the disclosure immediately above describing FIG. 16B .
- Hydraulic fluid is introduced under pressure through upper release port 814 into upper release chamber 813 , as denoted by the large arrow on FIG. 16A .
- hydraulic fluid pressure is released in upper engage chamber 811 through upper engage port 812 .
- Pressurization of upper release chamber 813 causes movement of upper wedge receptacle 825 in the direction of the small vertical arrow on FIG. 16A (i.e., in a direction towards the wellhead), against the bias of upper compression spring 826 .
- This movement of upper wedge receptacle 825 releases upper wedge 820 from its engagement of upper adapter rib 851 , in the direction of the small horizontal arrows on FIG. 16A .
- wedge seal assembly 800 comprises a generally tubular receptacle 860 that provides an exterior annular wedge groove 865 at a first end 861 thereof.
- a second end of receptacle 860 provides a flange or other suitable connection to a wellhead, or to equipment interposed between receptacle 860 and the wellhead.
- PCE adapter 850 is also generally tubular and provides a suitable connection, such as a threaded connection, to pressure control equipment (PCE) at a first end.
- Adapter 850 further provides a lower adapter rib 852 at a second end proximate machined seal surfaces including seat surface 855 and 856 .
- PCE pressure control equipment
- the high pressure seal between adapter 850 and receptacle 860 is functionally analogous to the high pressure seal between adapter 250 and receptacle 260 described above with reference to FIGS. 6 through 9 .
- Lower wedge receptacle 845 is generally cylindrical and is received over the first end 861 of receptacle 860 .
- Lower wedges 840 are received into shaped recesses 845 A in lower wedge receptacle 845 and are positioned around the first end 861 of receptacle 860 .
- Three (3) lower wedges 840 are illustrated on FIGS. 15 and 18 , although the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.
- Lower wedges 840 are separated and kept in circumferential bias by lower wedge separator springs 841 .
- Six (6) lower wedge separator springs 841 are illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 18 , although again, the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.
- Shaped recesses 845 A and lower wedges 840 present opposing sloped surfaces such that lower wedges 840 are caused to constrict and expand radially within lower wedge receptacle 845 responsive to axial displacement of lower wedge receptacle 845 relative to lower wedges 840 .
- Each lower wedge 840 further provides lower wedge top and bottom ribs 843 and 844 .
- Lower wedge top rib 843 is shaped and positioned to be received over lower adapter rib 852 when adaptor 850 is sealingly received into receptacle 860 .
- Lower wedge bottom rib 844 is shaped and positioned to be received into wedge groove 865 on receptacle 860 when adaptor 850 is sealingly received into receptacle 860 .
- Lower compression spring 846 is received over receptacle 860 and interposed between lower wedge receptacle 845 and the second end of receptacle 860 .
- Lower compression spring 846 is biased to encourage radial constriction of lower wedges 840 via axial displacement of lower wedge receptacle 845 relative to lower wedges 840 .
- Lower sleeve 804 is generally tubular and is received over lower wedge receptacle 845 and lower compression spring 846 . Exterior ribs 845 B on lower wedge receptacle 845 sealingly engage with lower sleeve 804 . Two (2) exterior ribs 845 B are illustrated on FIGS. 21 and 24 , although the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.
- Lower sleeve 804 has first and second ends. The second end of lower sleeve 804 is affixed to the exterior of the second end of receptacle 860 by threading or other suitable connection, and is advantageously further secured in place by securement ring 805 . The first end of lower sleeve 804 sealingly engages with lower roof member 830 .
- Lower roof member 830 also contacts lower wedge top ribs 843 .
- Lower engage chamber 831 is formed by lower wedge receptacle 845 (including exterior ribs 845 B), lower sleeve 804 and receptacle 860 .
- Lower engage port 832 supplies and drains lower engage chamber 831 with hydraulic fluid.
- Lower release chamber 833 is formed by lower wedge receptacle 845 (including exterior ribs 845 B), lower sleeve 804 and lower roof member 830 .
- Lower release port 834 supplies and drains lower release chamber 833 with hydraulic fluid.
- compression spring retainer sleeve 827 is generally cylindrical and has first and second ends. The second end of compression spring retainer sleeve 827 is received into an interior annular recess 830 A in lower roof member 830 .
- Upper wedge receptacle 825 is received over the first end of compression spring retainer sleeve 827 .
- Upper wedges 820 are received into shaped recesses 825 A in upper wedge receptacle 825 .
- Three (3) upper wedges 820 are illustrated on FIGS. 15 and 18 , although the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard. Upper wedges 820 are separated and kept in circumferential bias by upper wedge separator springs 821 .
- Shaped recesses 825 A and upper wedges 820 present opposing sloped surfaces such that upper wedges 820 are caused to constrict and expand radially within upper wedge receptacle 825 responsive to axial displacement of upper wedge receptacle 825 relative to upper wedges 820 .
- Each upper wedge 820 further provides upper wedge top and bottom ribs 823 and 824 .
- Upper wedge top and bottom ribs 823 and 824 are shaped and positioned to enable upper wedges 820 to constrict around and restrain upper adapter rib 851 when adaptor 850 is sealingly received into receptacle 860 .
- Upper compression spring 826 is received over compression spring retainer sleeve 827 and interposed between upper wedge receptacle 825 and lower roof member 830 . Upper compression spring 826 is biased to encourage radial constriction of upper wedges 820 via axial displacement of lower wedge receptacle 825 relative to lower wedges 820 .
- Upper sleeve 803 is generally tubular and is received over upper wedge receptacle 825 and upper compression spring 826 . Exterior rib 825 B on upper wedge receptacle 825 sealingly engages with upper sleeve 803 .
- One (1) exterior rib 825 B is illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 18 , although the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.
- Upper sleeve 803 has first and second ends. The second end of upper sleeve 803 is sealingly affixed to the exterior of the first end of lower sleeve 804 by threading plus gasket, or other suitable connection. The first end of upper sleeve 803 is sealingly engaged to upper roof member 810 .
- Upper roof member 810 also contacts upper wedge top ribs 823 .
- Upper engage chamber 811 is formed by upper wedge receptacle 825 (including exterior rib 825 B) and upper sleeve 803 .
- Upper engage port 812 supplies and drains upper engage chamber 811 with hydraulic fluid.
- Upper release chamber 813 is formed by upper wedge receptacle 825 (including exterior rib 825 B), upper sleeve 803 and upper roof member 810 .
- Upper release port 814 supplies and drains upper release chamber 813 with hydraulic fluid.
- Upper roof member 810 is affixed to tulip 801 .
- Tulip 801 provides tulip clearance 802 sufficient to allow upper and lower adapter ribs 851 and 852 on adapter 850 to pass through tulip 801 .
- FIGS. 19 through 22 wedge seal assembly 900 is illustrated for providing a high pressure seal for wellhead pressure control fittings.
- FIGS. 19 through 22 should be viewed together.
- FIG. 19 is an isometric section view of wedge seal assembly 900
- FIG. 22 is an exploded view of FIG. 19 .
- FIG. 19 depicts wedge seal assembly 900 in the locked position.
- FIGS. 20A and 20B are freeze-frame views of wedge seal assembly 900 in partial section at the upper end, illustrating engagement of upper adapter rib 951 on adapter 950 .
- FIG. 20A illustrates wedge seal assembly 900 in its unlocked position prior to engagement of upper adapter rib 951 and
- FIG. 20B illustrates wedge seal assembly 900 in its locked position over upper adapter rib 951 .
- FIGS. 21A and 21B are freeze-frame views of wedge seal assembly 900 in partial section at the lower end, illustrating engagement of lower adapter rib 952 on adapter 950 .
- FIG. 21A illustrates wedge seal assembly 900 in its unlocked position prior to engagement of lower adapter rib 952
- FIG. 21B illustrates wedge seal assembly 900 in its locked position over lower adapter rib 952 .
- conventional sealing parts such as o-rings are either shown but not called out as separate parts, or are omitted altogether.
- not all parts on wedge seal assembly 900 are shown in freeze-frame in FIGS. 20A through 21B . Some parts have been omitted for clarity on FIGS. 20A through 21B so that the unlocking and locking mechanisms of wedge seal assembly 900 can be understood more clearly.
- FIG. 20B shows an example sensor 925 A that may be used to measure a parameter related to the amount of compression of the wedge seal assembly 900 .
- the sensor 925 A may be proximity switches, limit switches, linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs) and acoustic range finders, although the foregoing examples are not to be construed as limits on the scope of the present disclosure.
- LVDTs linear variable differential transformers
- FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate that the high pressure seal between adapter 950 and receptacle 960 is functionally analogous to the high pressure seal between adapter 250 and receptacle 260 described above with reference to FIGS. 6 through 9 .
- adapter 950 provides machined surfaces on seat surface 955 and slope surface 956 .
- Receptacle 960 also provides corresponding machined surfaces shaped to match seat surface 955 and slope surface 956 at a first (distal) end 961 thereof. It will be appreciated that analogous to FIGS.
- wedge seal assembly 900 compresses adapter 950 into receptacle 960 to form a high pressure seal.
- FIG. 21B when adapter 950 is received into seal engagement with receptacle 960 , lower adapter rib 952 is presented for engagement with lower wedge 940 .
- Lower wedge 940 provides lower wedge top and bottom ribs 943 and 944 . Hydraulic fluid is introduced to actuate and extend lower piston 975 , as denoted by the large arrow on FIG. 21B .
- Extension of lower piston 975 causes movement of lower wedge receptacle 945 in the direction of the small vertical arrows on FIG. 21B (i.e., in a direction away from the wellhead), assisted by the bias of lower compression spring 946 .
- This movement of lower wedge receptacle 945 compresses lower wedge 940 radially against the engagement of adapter 950 and receptacle 960 , in the direction of the small horizontal arrows on FIG. 21B .
- Lower wedge top rib 943 locks over lower adapter rib 952 and lower wedge bottom rib 944 locks into wedge groove 965 provided in receptacle 960 .
- FIG. 21A the release of the high pressure seal enabled by wedge seal assembly 900 is substantially the reverse of the disclosure immediately above describing FIG. 21B .
- Hydraulic fluid is released to retract lower piston 975 .
- Retraction of lower piston 975 causes movement of lower wedge receptacle 945 in the direction of the small vertical arrows on FIG. 21A (i.e., in a direction towards the wellhead), against the bias of lower compression spring 946 .
- This movement of lower wedge receptacle 945 releases lower wedge 940 from its engagement of lower adapter rib 952 and wedge groove 965 , in the direction of the small horizontal arrows on FIG. 21A .
- Adapter 950 and receptacle 960 are now free to separate, releasing the high pressure seal between them.
- upper adapter rib 951 is presented for engagement with upper wedge 920 .
- Upper wedge 920 provides upper wedge top and bottom ribs 923 and 924 .
- Hydraulic fluid is introduced to actuate and extend upper piston 970 , as denoted by the large arrow in FIG. 20B .
- Extension of upper piston 970 causes movement of upper wedge receptacle 925 in the direction of the small vertical arrows on FIG. 20B (i.e., in a direction away from the wellhead), assisted by the bias of upper compression spring 926 .
- upper wedge receptacle 925 compresses upper wedge 920 radially against upper adapter rib 951 , in the direction of the small horizontal arrows on FIG. 20B .
- Upper wedge top and bottom ribs 923 and 924 lock over upper adapter rib 951 and further restrain adapter 950 from movement relative to the high pressure seal below (seal shown on FIG. 21B ).
- the release of the locking mechanism over upper adapter rib 951 is substantially the reverse of the disclosure immediately above describing FIG. 20B .
- Hydraulic fluid is released to retract upper piston 970 .
- Retraction of upper piston 970 causes movement of upper wedge receptacle 925 in the direction of the small vertical arrows on FIG. 20A (i.e., in a direction towards the wellhead), against the bias of lower compression spring 946 .
- This movement of upper wedge receptacle 925 releases upper wedge 920 from its engagement of upper adapter rib 951 , in the direction of the small horizontal arrows on FIG. 20A .
- wedge seal assembly 900 comprises a generally tubular receptacle 960 that provides an exterior annular wedge groove 965 at a first end 961 thereof.
- a second end of receptacle 960 provides a flange or other suitable connection to a wellhead, or to equipment interposed between receptacle 960 and the wellhead.
- PCE adapter 950 is also generally tubular and provides a suitable connection, such as a threaded connection, to pressure control equipment (PCE) at a first end.
- Adapter 950 further provides a lower adapter rib 952 at a second end proximate machined seal surfaces including seat surface 955 and 956 .
- the high pressure seal between adapter 950 and receptacle 960 is functionally analogous to the high pressure seal between adapter 250 and receptacle 260 described above with reference to FIGS. 6 through 9 .
- Lower wedge receptacle 945 is generally cylindrical and is received over the first end 961 of receptacle 960 .
- Lower wedges 940 are received into shaped recesses 945 A in lower wedge receptacle 945 and are positioned around the first end 961 of receptacle 860 .
- Three (3) lower wedges 940 are illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 22 , although the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.
- Lower wedges 940 are separated and kept in circumferential bias by lower wedge separator springs 941 .
- Six (6) lower wedge separator springs 941 are illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 22 , although again, the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.
- Shaped recesses 945 A and lower wedges 940 present opposing sloped surfaces such that lower wedges 940 are caused to constrict and expand radially within lower wedge receptacle 945 responsive to axial displacement of lower wedge receptacle 945 relative to lower wedges 940 .
- Each lower wedge 940 further provides lower wedge top and bottom ribs 943 and 944 .
- Lower wedge top rib 943 is shaped and positioned to be received over lower adapter rib 952 when adaptor 950 is sealingly received into receptacle 960 .
- Lower wedge bottom rib 944 is shaped and positioned to be received into wedge groove 965 on receptacle 960 when adaptor 950 is sealingly received into receptacle 960 .
- Lower wedge receptacle 945 is received into lower wedge receptacle retainer 949 , and lower wedge receptacle ring 948 retains lower wedge receptacle 945 in lower wedge receptacle retainer 949 .
- Lower compression spring 946 is received over receptacle 960 and interposed between lower wedge receptacle retainer 949 and the second end of receptacle 960 .
- Lower compression spring 946 is biased to encourage radial constriction of lower wedges 940 via axial displacement of lower wedge receptacle 945 (within lower wedge receptacle retainer 949 ) relative to lower wedges 940 .
- Lower compression spring telescoping retainer sleeves 947 A and 947 B are received over lower compression spring 946 and also interposed between lower wedge receptacle retainer 949 and the second end of receptacle 960 .
- Lower compression spring telescoping retainer sleeves 947 A and 947 B extend and retract in register with extension and retraction of lower compression spring 946 .
- Lower sleeve 904 is generally tubular and is received over lower wedge receptacle retainer 949 , lower compression spring telescoping retainer sleeves 947 A and 947 B, and lower compression spring 946 .
- Lower sleeve 904 has first and second ends. The second end of lower sleeve 904 is affixed to base ring 907 .
- Base ring 907 is affixed to the exterior of the second end of receptacle 960 by threading or other suitable connection, and lower sleeve 904 is advantageously further secured in place on base ring 907 by lower securement ring 905 .
- the first end of lower sleeve 904 is affixed to lower roof member 930 .
- Lower roof member 930 also contacts lower wedge top ribs 943 .
- Lower pistons 975 are positioned in the annular space between lower sleeve 904 and lower compression spring telescoping retainer sleeves 947 A and 947 B, and are advantageously secured to the exterior of receptacle 960 by bolts or other suitable fasteners.
- Lower piston ports 976 supply and drain hydraulic fluid from lower pistons 975 .
- Two (2) lower pistons 975 are illustrated on FIGS. 19 and 22 , although the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.
- lower pistons 975 are connected to lower wedge receptacle retainer 949 .
- extension and retraction of lower pistons 975 cause radial constriction and expansion of lower wedges 949 via displacement of lower wedge receptacle 945 (as received inside lower wedge receptacle retainer 949 ) with respect to lower wedges 940 .
- upper compression spring retainer sleeve 927 is generally cylindrical and has first and second ends. The second end of upper compression spring retainer sleeve 927 is received into an interior annular recess 930 A in lower roof member 930 .
- Upper wedge receptacle retainer 929 is received over the first end of compression spring retainer sleeve 927 .
- Upper wedge receptacle 925 is received into upper wedge receptacle retainer 929 .
- Upper wedge receptacle ring 928 retains upper wedge receptacle 925 in upper wedge receptacle retainer 929 .
- the first end of upper compression spring retainer sleeve 927 contacts upper wedge bottom ribs 924 on upper wedges 920 .
- Upper wedges 920 are also received into shaped recesses 925 A in upper wedge receptacle 925 .
- Three (3) upper wedges 920 are illustrated on FIGS. 19 and 22 , although the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.
- Upper wedges 920 are separated and kept in circumferential bias by upper wedge separator springs 921 .
- Six (6) upper wedge separator springs 921 are illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 22 , although again, the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.
- Shaped recesses 925 A and upper wedges 920 present opposing sloped surfaces such that upper wedges 920 are caused to constrict and expand radially within upper wedge receptacle 925 responsive to axial displacement of upper wedge receptacle 925 relative to upper wedges 920 .
- Each upper wedge 890 further provides upper wedge top and bottom ribs 923 and 924 .
- Upper wedge top and bottom ribs 923 and 924 are shaped and positioned to enable upper wedges 920 to constrict around and restrain upper adapter rib 951 when adaptor 950 is sealingly received into receptacle 960 .
- Upper compression spring 926 is received over upper compression spring retainer sleeve 927 and interposed between upper wedge receptacle retainer 929 and lower roof member 930 . Upper compression spring 926 is biased to encourage radial constriction of upper wedges 920 via axial displacement of upper wedge receptacle 925 (within upper wedge receptacle retainer 929 ) relative to upper wedges 920 .
- Upper sleeve 903 is generally tubular and is received over upper wedge receptacle retainer 929 and upper compression spring 926 .
- Upper sleeve 903 has first and second ends. The second end of upper sleeve 803 is affixed to lower roof member 930 and secured in place by upper securement ring 906 . The first end of upper sleeve 903 is affixed to upper roof member 910 .
- Upper roof member 910 also contacts upper wedge top ribs 923 .
- Upper pistons 970 are positioned in the annular space between upper sleeve 903 and upper compression spring retainer sleeve 927 , and are advantageously secured to upper sleeve 903 by bolts or other suitable fasteners.
- Upper piston ports 971 supply and drain hydraulic fluid from upper pistons 970 .
- Two (2) upper pistons 970 are illustrated on FIGS. 19 and 22 , although the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.
- upper pistons 970 are connected to upper wedge receptacle retainer 929 .
- extension and retraction of upper pistons 970 cause radial constriction and expansion of upper wedges 929 via displacement of upper wedge receptacle 925 (as received inside upper wedge receptacle retainer 929 ) with respect to upper wedges 920 .
- Upper roof member 910 is affixed to tulip 801 .
- Tulip 901 provides tulip clearance 902 sufficient to allow upper and lower adapter ribs 951 and 952 on adapter 950 to pass through tulip 901 .
- a locking ring 2302 may perform a function similar to that explained with reference to FIG. 3 , that is, to hold locking elements in their locked position.
- the locking ring 2302 may be moved longitudinally such as by locking ring clamps 2300 shaped to engage an exterior surface of the locking ring 2302 when a respective locking ring actuator 2301 is affixed to the pressure control assembly housing (e.g., 200 in FIG. 1 ).
- each locking ring actuator 2301 may comprise an hydraulic cylinder and piston 2304 disposed in a respective bore in the locking ring actuator 2301 .
- Each locking ring actuator may comprise a respective guide pin 2306 that moves longitudinally within the locking ring actuator 2301 as the locking ring 2302 is moved longitudinally.
- a locking ring longitudinal position switch 2308 may be disposed in each locking ring actuator 2301 as will be further explained with reference to FIG. 24 such that when all the locking ring actuators 2301 are fully retracted (downward in FIGS. 23 and 24 ), a closed circuit is made such that a signal may be generated in response to such full retraction.
- FIG. 24 the respective positions of the hydraulic piston and cylinders 2304 , locking ring clamps 2300 and guide pins 2306 A used to actuate the switches 2308 may be observed in cross section.
- all switches 2308 will be closed.
- the switches 2308 may be connected in electrical series such that a closed circuit exists when the locking ring ( 2302 in FIG. 23 ) is fully retracted and in its locking position.
- Such closed circuit may provide that a signal may be generated and communicated to the apparatus operator that the one or more hydraulic cylinders and pistons 2304 ) and consequently the locking ring 2302 are not fully retracted, and that the adapter ( 250 in FIG. 9 ) may not be fully seated in the receptacle ( 260 in FIG. 9 ).
- the apparatus operator will have warning that opening any pressure valve in the wellhead (W in FIG. 1 ) may be unsafe.
- the hydraulic cylinders and pistons 2304 may be extended and the adapter seating operation may be repeated until the switches 2308 all indicated full retraction of the locking ring ( 2302 in FIG. 23 ).
- sensors described herein measure a parameter related to longitudinal motion of a wedge or wedge containing device as a proxy for measurement of the degree of lateral compression of the wedges into corresponding receptacles. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other types of sensors may be arranged that more directly measure a parameter related to lateral compression of the wedges into corresponding receptacles yet be within the scope of the present disclosure.
- a fitting and sensor system made in accordance with principles of the example embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 12-24 may provide a system user with remote indication of whether the adapter is fully seated, locked and sealed in the adapter (or any corresponding structures) prior to opening any well pressure control devices.
- Such remote indication may increase the safety and efficiency with which a system such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,670,745 issued to Johansen et al. may be used.
Abstract
Description
- Priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/586,203 filed Nov. 15, 2017 and which is incorporated herein by reference.
- Not Applicable
- Not Applicable.
- This disclosure relates to the field of well pressure control apparatus. More specifically, the disclosure relates to apparatus used to lock pressure control devices onto a wellhead or similar well structure.
- U.S. Pat. No. 9,644,443 issued to Johansen et al. discloses one example embodiment of a wellhead pressure control fitting comprising a generally tubular Pressure Control Equipment (PCE) adapter configured to mate with pressure control equipment at a first adapter end, and with a receptacle inside a generally tubular pressure control assembly at a second adapter end. The pressure control assembly is configured to mate with a wellhead. Cooperating abutment surfaces form a high pressure seal when the second adapter end is compressively received into the receptacle. A plurality of cam locks on the exterior of the pressure control assembly rotate responsive to extension and retraction of the cam lock pistons. Cam lock rotation causes perimeter curvatures on the cam locks to bear down on corresponding curvatures on the second adapter end, which in turn compresses the second adapter end into the receptacle to form the seal. A locking ring may restrain the cam locks from rotation while the seal is enabled. The pressure control fitting may be operated by a remote control.
- A wellhead pressure control fitting according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a generally tubular Pressure Control Equipment (PCE) adapter configured to mate with a pressure control assembly. The generally tubular pressure control assembly is configured to mate with a wellhead and has a plurality of cam locks, wherein each cam lock is configured to rotate. Means for rotating the cam locks is provided so as to urge the adapter into a receptacle in the pressure control assembly to form a pressure tight seal between the adapter and the assembly. A sensor is associated with each cam lock. The sensor is arranged to measure a parameter related to an amount of rotation of each cam lock.
- In some embodiments, the sensor associated with each cam lock comprises a rotary encoder disposed on a cam lock pin.
- In some embodiments, the sensor associated with each cam lock comprises a proximity sensor arranged to measured extension of each cam lock piston.
- In some embodiments, the sensor associated with each cam lock comprises an accelerometer arranged to measure a rotational orientation of each cam lock.
- In some embodiments, the sensor associated with each cam lock comprises a limit switch arranged to electrically close or open only when the associated cam lock is fully rotated to a locked position.
- In some embodiments, the sensor associated with each cam lock comprises a strain gauge.
- In some embodiments, the sensor associated with each cam lock comprises an optical sensor.
- Some embodiments further comprise a locking ring comprising means to extend and retract the locking ring, wherein retraction of the locking ring causes the locking ring to move so as to restrain the cam locks from rotation. Some embodiments further comprise a locking ring sensor operatively engaged to the locking ring whereby measurements made by the locking ring sensor correspond to full engagement of the locking ring with the cam locks.
- In some embodiments, the sensor associated with the locking ring comprises a proximity sensor arranged to measure a parameter related to extension of the locking. ring
- In some embodiments, the sensor associated with the locking ring comprises a proximity sensor.
- In some embodiments, the sensor associated with the locking ring comprises a limit switch arranged to electrically close or open only when the locking ring is fully engaged with the cam locks.
- In some embodiments, the sensor associated with the locking ring comprises a strain gauge.
- In some embodiments, the sensor associated with the locking ring comprises an optical sensor.
- A wellhead pressure control fitting according to another aspect of the present disclosure may include a generally tubular Pressure Control Equipment (PCE) adapter configured to mate with a pressure control assembly, the pressure control assembly being configured to mate with a wellhead. The adapter provides a lower wedge assembly. The lower wedge assembly includes a plurality of lower wedges, each lower wedge having first and second opposing lower wedge sides. Each first lower wedge side provides protruding top and bottom lower wedge ribs and a generally hollow lower wedge receptacle further providing a plurality of shaped lower wedge receptacle recesses formed in an interior thereof wherein axial displacement of the lower wedge receptacle relative to the lower wedges causes corresponding radial displacement of the lower wedges. A sensor is arranged to measure a parameter related to an amount of engagement of the wedges with the wedge receptacle.
- In some embodiments, the sensor comprises a proximity switch.
- In some embodiments, the sensor comprises a limit switch.
- In some embodiments, the sensor comprises a linear variable differential transformer.
- In some embodiments, the sensor comprises an acoustic range finder.
- A wellhead pressure control fitting according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a generally tubular Pressure Control Equipment (PCE) adapter having first and second adapter ends. The first adapter end is configured to mate with pressure control equipment. The adapter provides an annular adapter rib distal from the first adapter end towards the second adapter end. A generally tubular pressure control assembly having first and second assembly ends and a longitudinal centerline defines axial displacement parallel to the centerline and radial displacement perpendicular to the centerline. The first assembly end provides a first assembly end interior, the second assembly end configured to mate with a wellhead. the first assembly end interior provides a PCE receptacle for receiving the second adapter end, the second adapter end and the PCE receptacle further each providing cooperating abutment surfaces. The cooperating abutment surfaces form a pressure seal between the second adapter end and the PCE receptacle when the second adapter end is received into the PCE receptacle. The first assembly end interior further provides a wedge assembly. The wedge assembly includes a plurality of wedges, each wedge having first and second opposing wedge sides, and each first wedge side providing protruding top and bottom wedge ribs. A generally hollow wedge receptacle further provides a plurality of shaped wedge receptacle recesses formed in an interior thereof, one wedge receptacle recess for each wedge. The wedge receptacle also has first and second opposing wedge receptacle sides in which the wedge receptacle recesses define the first wedge receptacle side. Each wedge is received into a corresponding wedge receptacle recess so that the first wedge receptacle side and the second wedge sides provide opposing sloped wedge surfaces, wherein axial displacement of the upper receptacle relative to the wedges causes corresponding radial displacement of the wedges. As the second adapter end enters the PCE receptacle and engages the cooperating abutment surfaces, axial displacement of the wedge receptacle relative to the wedges causes corresponding radial constriction of the top and bottom wedge ribs around the adapter rib, which in turn restrains the adapter from axial displacement relative to the PCE receptacle. A sensor is arranged to measure a parameter related to an amount of engagement of the wedges with the wedge receptacle.
- In some embodiments, the sensor comprises a proximity switch.
- In some embodiments, the sensor comprises a limit switch.
- In some embodiments, the sensor comprises a linear variable differential transformer.
- In some embodiments, the sensor comprises an acoustic range finder.
- A wellhead pressure control fitting according to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a generally tubular Pressure Control Equipment (PCE) adapter having first and second adapter ends. The first adapter end is configured to mate with pressure control equipment. The second adapter end provides a shaped end including an adapter end curvature. A generally tubular pressure control assembly has first and second assembly ends. The first assembly end provides a first assembly end interior and a first assembly end exterior. The second assembly end is configured to mate with a wellhead. The first assembly end exterior has an exterior periphery providing a plurality of locking elements each disposed to lock the PCE adapter within the first assembly end. A locking ring has a plurality of locking ring actuators extensible to urge the locking ring to an unlocked position wherein the plurality of locking elements are disenagageable from the PCE adapter and a locked position wherein the locking elements retain the PCE adapter within the first assembly end. At least one sensor is associated the locking ring and is arranged to communicate a signal when the locking ring is in the locked position.
- In some embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises a plurality of switches each disposed adjacent to a guide pin such that full longitudinal retraction of the locking ring closes all the plurality of switches.
- Other aspects and advantages will be apparent from the description and claims that follow.
-
FIGS. 1 through 9 show operation of a wellhead pressure control fitting using cam locks to secure a pressure control equipment adapter into pressure control equipment that may be coupled to a wellhead. -
FIG. 10 shows one example embodiment of a sensor that can measure a parameter related to the amount of closure of a cam lock onto a pressure control equipment adapter. -
FIG. 11 shows other example embodiments of sensors that can measure parameters related to the amount of closure of the cam locks. -
FIGS. 12 through 14 illustrate one embodiment of a spring-driven ball race seal designed to provide a high pressure seal for wellhead pressure control fittings, in whichFIG. 12 is a perspective cutaway view,FIGS. 13A and 13B are partial section views in an unlocked position and a locked position respectively, andFIG. 14 is an exploded view. -
FIGS. 15 through 22 illustrate two embodiments of a wedge seal, each also designed to provide a high pressure seal for wellhead pressure control fittings, in whichFIGS. 15 through 18 illustrate a first wedge seal embodiment andFIGS. 19 through 22 illustrate a second wedge seal embodiment.FIG. 15 is a perspective cutaway view of the first wedge seal embodiment. -
FIGS. 16A and 16B are partial section views of an upper end of the first wedge seal embodiment in an unlocked position and a locked position respectively. -
FIGS. 17A and 17B are partial section views of a lower end of the first wedge seal embodiment in an unlocked position and a locked position respectively. -
FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the first wedge seal embodiment. -
FIG. 19 is a perspective cutaway view of the second wedge seal embodiment. -
FIGS. 20A and 20B are partial section views of an upper end of the second wedge seal embodiment in an unlocked position and a locked position respectively. -
FIGS. 21A and 21B are partial section views of a lower end of the second wedge seal embodiment in an unlocked position and a locked position respectively. -
FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the second wedge seal embodiment. -
FIG. 23 shows another possible embodiment of a sensor arrangement to determine status of a lock ring. -
FIG. 24 shows a cross-section of the embodiment shown inFIG. 23 . - Components and operation of one example embodiment of a wellhead pressure control fitting will be described with reference to
FIGS. 1 through 9 . Such description is related to what is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,644,443 issued to Johansen et al. Example embodiments of a device according to the present disclosure provide sensors arranged to detect whether such pressure control fitting as described in the '443 patent is in condition to have well pressure applied, such that a user can be informed of such condition remotely without the need for visual observation. -
FIGS. 1 through 9 are a freeze-frame series of illustrations showing an example embodiment of a pressure control adapter and its operation. The example embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 through 9 is only intended to illustrate components that may be used in accordance with the present disclosure and such illustrated embodiments is in no way intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. InFIG. 1 , pressure control equipment (“PCE”) is labeled generally as P, and wellhead is labeled generally as W. Apressure control assembly 200 may be secured to the wellhead W using a conventional bolted flange, although the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. The wellhead end of thepressure control assembly 200 may advantageously provide a customized fitting F to connect to the wellheadW. An adapter 250 is secured to the PCE P using conventional threading, although again this disclosure is not limited to a threaded connection between PCE P andadapter 250. - In
FIG. 2 , the PCE has been lifted and moved over thepressure control assembly 200 using, for example, a conventional crane (not shown). Entry of theadapter 250 into thepressure control assembly 200 is facilitated by atulip 201, which is a conically-shaped piece. For reference, alocking ring 240 and linkarms 235 are also shown inFIG. 2 .FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a top portion of thepressure control assembly 200 in more detail. Thetulip 201, alocking ring 240, linkarms 235 andcam locks 220 are shown inFIG. 3 . It will be appreciated that inFIG. 3 , thelocking ring 240 andcam locks 220 are in their disengaged position. One of a plurality of lockingring pistons 242 is also visible inFIG. 3 in a partially extended state. Lockingring pistons 242 are preferably conventional hydraulic pistons and may be circumferentially disposed around the PCE. -
FIG. 4 is an elevational view of what is shown inFIG. 3 , except in partial cutaway view to illustrate more clearly the component parts ofpressure control assembly 200. Thetulip 201, thelocking ring 240, the cam locks 220, thelink arms 235 and thecam lock pistons 222 are all visible inFIG. 4 . It will also be appreciated that thecam lock pistons 222, linkarms 235 andcam locks 220 together form a pinned linkage in which extension and retraction of thecam lock pistons 222 will cause cam locks 220 each to rotate about a correspondingcam lock pin 224. Cam lockpistons 222 are preferably conventional hydraulic pistons. -
FIG. 5 shows the adapter 250 (attached to PCE) entering thepressure control assembly 200 with the assistance of thetulip 201. Areceptacle 260 for theadapter 250 is also illustrated, waiting to receiveadapter 250. Conventional o-rings 252 are visible on theadapter 250. -
FIG. 6 is similar to what is shown inFIG. 5 except that theadapter 250 is shown moving closer to its seat in thereceptacle 260.FIGS. 7 through 9 are magnified freeze-frame views as theadapter 250 engages its seat in thereceptacle 260. As will be described in greater detail,FIGS. 7 and 8 show features regarding the seating of theadapter 250 in thereceptacle 260. First, theadapter 250 is designed to fit in thereceptacle 260 so as to provide a high pressure seal when theadapter 250 connection to thereceptacle 260 is in compression. Second, ashoulder 254 on theadapter 250 presents a curvature that is shaped and located to match a corresponding cam curvature 225 (refer toFIG. 8 ) on the cam locks 220. As the cam locks 220 rotate responsive to extension of the respectivecam lock pistons 222, thecam curvatures 225 on the cam locks 220 engage theshoulder 254 and compress theadapter 250 into thereceptacle 260. - In
FIGS. 7 and 8 , thelocking ring 240 has been moved away from the cam locks 220 by fully extending the locking ring pistons 242 (pistons 242 are not shown inFIGS. 7 and 8 , seeFIG. 3 instead).FIGS. 7 and 8 also illustrate the cam lock linkage in more detail, discussed above with reference to previously described figures. With particular reference toFIG. 8 , it may be observed that the cam locks 220 are disposed to rotate about corresponding cam lock pins 224. The cam locks 220 eachpresent cam curvatures 225. The cam locks 220 are each in pinned linkage connection to a corresponding one of thecam lock pistons 222 vialink arms 235, and first and second linkage pins 236 and 237. - Referring now to
FIG. 7 , the cam locks 220 providecam lock notches 226 in order to assist capture of theshoulder 254 on theadapter 250. With reference now toFIGS. 8 and 9 , it may be observed that once thecam lock notches 226 have engaged theshoulder 254, further rotation of the cam locks 220 around the cam lock pins 224 encourages snug engagement of thecam curvatures 225 on theshoulder 254 in order to provide a high pressure seal between theadapter 250 and thereceptacle 260. The relative dimensions, geometries, locations in space, and paths of travel of thecam lock pistons 222, first and second linkage pins 236 and 237, linkarms 235, cam locks 220, cam lock pins 224,cam lock notches 226 andcam curvatures 225 are all designed to cooperate with corresponding selections of dimensions and geometries on theshoulder 254,seat surface 255 andslope surface 256 on theadapter 250 interfacing with thereceptacle 260, all to provide a high-pressure seal by compression of theadapter 250 into thereceptacle 260. In some embodiments, there may be about a 5-thousandths of an inch (0.005″) clearance between the exterior cylindrical surface of theadapter 250 and the interior cylindrical surface of thereceptacle 260. This clearance allows for a high pressure seal capability using o-rings 252. Further, as may be observed inFIGS. 7 through 9 , theadapter 250 has machined surfaces on theseat surface 255 and theslope surface 256. Thereceptacle 260 also provides corresponding machined surfaces shaped to match theseat surface 255 and theslope surface 256. Compression of theadapter 250 into thereceptacle 260 thus enables a machined surface metal-to-metal seal at theseat surface 255 andslope surface 256. This metal-to-metal seal is designed to contain high pressures—up to about 15,000 psi MAWP in some embodiments. However, with reference to the cooperating abutment surfaces at the interface ofadapter 250 andreceptacle 260, it will appreciated that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to embodiments providing a machined surface metal-to-metal seal atseat surface 255 andslope surface 256, and that other embodiments may provide other suitable sealing arrangements. - Still with reference to
FIGS. 7 and 8 , and includingFIG. 9 , the operation of the cam locks 220 to compressadapter 250 intoreceptacle 260 is illustrated, thereby enabling the high pressure seal discussed above. InFIG. 7 , theadapter 250 is entering thereceptacle 260. Cam lockpistons 222 are fully retracted, andcam curvatures 225 are disengaged. InFIG. 8 , extension ofcam lock pistons 222 has begun, causing rotation ofcam locks 220 about cam lock pins 224 such thatcam lock notches 226 have assisted capture ofshoulder 254 onadapter 250. InFIG. 9 ,cam lock pistons 222 are fully extended. The pinned linkage ofcam locks 220 to cam lock piston 222 (vialink arm 235 and first and second linkage pins 236 and 237) may be observed to have translated the extension ofcam lock pistons 222 into rotation ofcam locks 220 about cam lock pins 224. Rotation ofcam locks 220 about cam lock pins 224 bringscam curvatures 225 to bear onshoulder 254 onadapter 250. Cooperating abutment surfaces at the contact interface ofadapter 250 andreceptacle 260 are compressed together to form a high pressure seal. - In
FIG. 9 , it may be observed that the linkage betweencam locks 220, linkarms 235 andcam lock pistons 222 is configured so that when cam locks 220 are fully engaged onshoulder 254, lockingring 240 may be lowered to engage cam locks 220. Engagement ofcam locks 220 by lockingring 240 is via full retraction of locking ring pistons 242 (pistons 242 are not shown onFIG. 9 , seeFIG. 3 ). Cam locks 220 also provide cam lock tapers 227 in order to assist capture ofcam locks 220 by lockingring 240. With continuing reference toFIG. 10 , it will may be observed that as lockingring 240 is lowered to retain and secure cam locks 220 in an engaged position onshoulder 254, corresponding locking ring tapers 241 on lockingring 240 cooperate with cam lock tapers 227 to assist engagement of lockingring 240 on cam locks 220. In some embodiments, lockingring 240 may be shaped and sized to provide an interference fit between itself andcam locks 220 to retain and secure them once fully engaged on cam locks 220. - The action of locking
ring 240 to secure cam locks 220 is primarily for safety purposes, to preventcam locks 220 from becoming disengaged fromshoulder 254 onadapter 250 in the event of a loss in hydraulic pressure (or otherwise) potentially compromising the high-pressure seal betweenadapter 250 andreceptacle 260. However, it will be appreciated from the immediately preceding paragraphs that the interference fit between lockingring 240 andcam locks 220 also enables, as a secondary effect, an additional “squeezing” force oncam locks 220 when fully engaged onshoulder 254 onadapter 250. - It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, extension and retraction of
cam lock pistons 222 and lockingring pistons 242 may be done by remote hydraulic operation, fulfilling one of the technical advantages of the disclosed pressure control apparatus as discussed earlier in this disclosure. It will be further appreciated that the “engineered motion and fit” of the cooperating parts as illustrated onFIGS. 7 through 9 are not limited any particular embodiment that might generate a high-pressure seal for a certain size or model of the disclosed pressure control apparatus. It will be appreciated that, consistent with the scope of this disclosure, many such “engineered motion and fit” arrangements may be selected and designed for different sizes or models in which the disclosed pressure control apparatus may be embodied. - Having described a mechanism to sealingly engage the
adapter 250 with thereceptacle 260, various embodiments will now be explained of devices to measure whether the cam locks 220 have been fully engaged to seat theadapter 250 in the receptacle. - In
FIG. 10 , one of thecam lock pistons 222 is shown protruding from the bottom of its cylinder. A disk shapedhead 222A may be disposed on the bottom of eachcam lock piston 222 such that when thecam lock piston 222 is fully extended (seeFIG. 9 ), the position of thehead 222A may be measured by asensor 10. Thesensor 10 may be, for example, a limit switch that closes or opens when thehead 222A contacts thesensor 10. Thesensor 10 may also, for example, be a proximity sensor such as an electromagnetic or capacitive proximity sensor. Irrespective of the type of sensor used for thesensor 10 shown inFIG. 10 , the sensor measures a parameter related to the amount of extension of the associatedcam lock piston 222. A corresponding sensor may be provided for each of thecam lock pistons 222 on the apparatus explained with reference toFIGS. 1 through 9 . Thus, if any one or more of thesensors 10 indicates that the correspondingcam lock piston 222 is not fully extended, a signal may be generated and communicated to the apparatus operator that the one or more cam locks (220 inFIG. 9 ) is not fully engaged, and that the adapter (250 inFIG. 9 ) may not be fully seated in the receptacle (260 inFIG. 9 ). In such instance, the apparatus operator will have warning that opening any pressure valve in the wellhead (W inFIG. 1 ) may be unsafe. In such instance, the cam locks may all be released and the adapter seating operation may be repeated until all thesensors 10 indicate full extension of each of thecam lock pistons 222. - Other example embodiments of sensors that may make measurements corresponding to the amount of rotation of the cam locks 220 may be better understood with reference to
FIG. 11 . For example, arotary encoder 16 may be affixed to eachcam lock pin 224 to measure the amount of rotation of eachcam lock 220. An accelerometer orlevel sensor 12 may make measurements related to the relative orientation of thecam lock 220 with reference to Earth's gravity, and thus corresponding to the rotational position of thecam lock 220. Other types of sensors may comprise a spring loadedlimit switch 14 that extends (and thereby opens or closes electrically) only when thecam lock 220 is rotated to its fully closed position, that is, fully engaged to the adapter (250 inFIG. 9 ). Other sensors which may be used in accordance with the present disclosure include optical sensors such as a lamp or LED and photoresistor, and force sensitive resistors such as strain gauges. - In some embodiments, similar configurations of sensors may be used in connection with the lock ring (240 in
FIG. 7 ) to measure whether thelock ring 240 is fully seated against the cam locks 220. - A fitting and sensor system made in accordance with principles of the example embodiments described with reference to
FIGS. 1-11 may provide a system user with remote indication of whether the adapter is fully seated, locked and sealed in the adapter (or any corresponding structures) prior to opening any well pressure control devices. Such remote indication may increase the safety and efficiency with which a system such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,644,443 issued to Johansen et al. may be used. -
FIGS. 12 through 14 illustrate one example embodiment of a spring-driven ballrace seal assembly 700 for providing a high pressure seal for wellhead pressure control fittings. The description which follows with reference toFIGS. 12 through 22 similar to what is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,670,745 issued to Johansen et al. -
FIGS. 12 through 14 should be viewed together.FIG. 12 is an isometric section view of ballrace seal assembly 700, andFIG. 14 is an exploded view ofFIG. 12 .FIG. 12 shows a ballrace seal assembly 700 in the locked position.FIGS. 13A and 13B are freeze-frame views of ballrace seal assembly 700 in partial section, illustrating ballrace seal assembly 700 in its unlocked position (FIG. 13A ) and locked position (FIG. 13B ). For clarity inFIGS. 12 through 14 , and to reduce clutter in the drawings, conventional sealing parts such as o-rings are either shown but not called out as separate parts, or are omitted altogether. - Referring first to
FIG. 12 ,receptacle 760 is generally tubular and provides an exterior annular cutout at a first end that forms an elongatereceptacle sealing portion 762 at the first end. A second end ofreceptacle 760 provides a flange or other suitable connection to a wellhead, or to equipment interposed betweenreceptacle 760 and the wellhead.PCE adapter 750 is also generally tubular and provides a suitable connection, such as a threaded connection, to pressure control equipment (PCE) at a first end.Adapter 750 further provides an interior annular cutout at a second end that forms an elongateadapter sealing portion 752 at the second end.Adapter sealing portion 752 andreceptacle sealing portion 762 are shaped and dimensioned such that whenadapter sealing portion 752 is received overreceptacle sealing portion 762 and constrained radially outwards, a pressure seal is formed betweenadapter sealing portion 752 andreceptacle sealing portion 762. O-rings 761 facilitate the seal. -
Lower body 710 is generally tubular, and is received over and affixed to the exterior ofreceptacle 760 via threading or other suitable connection.Lower body 710 has first and second ends, and is affixed at its second end toreceptacle 760. The first end oflower body 710 extends parallel withreceptacle sealing portion 762 and is positioned to constrainadapter sealing portion 752 radially whenadapter sealing portion 752 is in sealing engagement withreceptacle sealing portion 762. - Referring briefly to
FIG. 14 ,ball race cylinder 720 providesholes 722 to receiveball bearings 721 and retain them externally. It will be understood that althoughholes 722 are small enough to retainball bearings 721 externally,ball bearings 721 may nonetheless roll freely withinholes 722 while protruding internally throughholes 722. Referring once again toFIG. 12 , ball race cylinder has first and second ends. The second end of ball race cylinder 720 (including ball bearings 721) is positioned at the first end oflower body 710 such thatball bearings 721, when protruding internally throughholes 722, roll against an exterior surface ofadapter 750 asadapter sealing portion 752 is brought to engage overreceptacle sealing portion 762. The exterior surface ofadapter 750 further providesannular adapter grooves 751 that are positioned and dimensioned to receive ball bearings 721 (asball bearings 721 protrude internally through holes 722) whenadapter sealing portion 752 is fully engaged overreceptacle sealing portion 762.Adapter grooves 751 are further positioned, sized and shaped such thatadapter sealing portion 752 is locked in sealing engagement withreceptacle sealing portion 762 whenball bearings 721 are compressed intoadapter grooves 751. - Floating
member 730 is generally tubular and is received overlower body 710 andball race cylinder 720. Floatingmember 730 has first and second ends. The first end of floatingmember 730 retainsball bearings 721 inholes 722, while the interior of the second end of floatingmember 730 is in sealing engagement with the exterior oflower body 710. The first end of floatingmember 730 further provides a thickened floatingmember locking portion 731 which, when engaged onball bearings 721, compressesball bearings 721 intoadapter grooves 751. -
Sleeve 770 is generally tubular and is received overball race cylinder 720, floatingmember 730 andlower body 710.Sleeve 770 has first and second ends. The second end ofsleeve 770 is affixed to the exterior of the second end oflower body 710 by threading or other suitable connection. The first end ofsleeve 770 is further positioned, dimensioned and shaped to be in sealing engagement with the first end ofball race cylinder 720. - With reference now to
FIG. 14 ,sleeve 700 has an interiorannular sleeve cavity 771 formed therein. With reference now toFIG. 18 , floatingmember 730 resides withinsleeve cavity 771 so as to create a sealed annularupper chamber 740 above the first end of floatingmember 730 and a sealed annularlower chamber 745 below the second end of floatingmember 730. Upper andlower chamber ports sleeve 770 to supply hydraulic fluid to and from upper andlower chambers Compression spring 735 resides inupper chamber 740 and is biased to encourage floatingmember 730 to a position furthest away from the first end ofsleeve 770. -
FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate the operation of ballrace seal assembly 700 from an unlocked position inFIG. 13A to a locked position inFIG. 13B . InFIG. 13A , hydraulic fluid is introduced through lower chamber port 746 (and denoted by the large arrow onFIG. 19A ) and pressurizeslower chamber 745, moving floatingmember 730 towards the first end ofsleeve 770 in the direction of the small vertical arrow onFIG. 13A and against the bias ofcompression spring 735. Thickened floatingmember locking portion 731 of lockingmember 730 is disengaged fromball bearings 721, allowingball bearings 721 to displace radially outwards in the direction of the small horizontal arrows onFIG. 19A . At this time,adapter 750 is free to be brought into engagement withreceptacle 760, such thatadapter sealing portion 752 may form a seal overreceptacle scaling portion 762, while also being constrained radially bylower body 710. - Turning now to
FIG. 13B ,adapter sealing portion 752 is now fully engaged over receptacle sealing portion, andadapter grooves 751 are now positioned adjacent toball bearings 721. Hydraulic fluid is introduced through upper chamber port 741 (and denoted by the large arrow onFIG. 19B ) and pressurizesupper chamber 740, moving floatingmember 730 towards the second end ofsleeve 770 in the direction of the small vertical arrow onFIG. 13B and assisted by the bias ofcompression spring 735. Thickened floatingmember locking portion 731 of lockingmember 730 engagesball bearings 721, compressingball bearings 721 into adapter grooves in the direction of the small horizontal arrows onFIG. 13B , and thereby lockingadapter sealing portion 752 in sealing engagement withreceptacle sealing portion 762. -
FIG. 13B shows a sensor 730A that is arranged to measure a parameter related to the amount of movement of the lockingmember 730 toward the bottom of or the second end of thesleeve 770. Measurements of the parameter related to the amount of movement of the lockingmember 730 may be used to determine that the locking member has moved fully so as to cause engagement of theball bearings 721 into theadapter grooves 751 in theadapter 750, thereby indicating that theadapter 750 is fully engaged with thereceptacle 760. Non-limiting examples of types of sensors that may be used in various embodiments for the sensor 730A may comprise, proximity switches, limit switches, linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs) and acoustic range finders, although the foregoing examples are not to be construed as limits on the scope of the present disclosure. -
FIGS. 15 through 22 illustrate two embodiments of a wedge seal design for providing a high pressure seal for wellhead pressure control fittings.FIGS. 15 through 18 illustrate a first embodiment,wedge seal assembly 800, in which opposing sloped sides of wedges are driven in reciprocating motion directly by hydraulic fluid pressure.FIGS. 19 through 22 illustrate a second embodiment,wedge seal assembly 900, in which the opposing sloped sides of the wedges are driven by hydraulically-actuated pistons. - Turning first to
FIGS. 15 through 18 ,wedge seal assembly 800 is illustrated for providing a high pressure seal for wellhead pressure control fittings.FIGS. 15 through 18 should be viewed together.FIG. 15 is an isometric section view ofwedge seal assembly 800, andFIG. 18 is an exploded view ofFIG. 15 .FIG. 15 depictswedge seal assembly 800 in the locked position.FIGS. 16A and 16B are freeze-frame views ofwedge seal assembly 800 in partial section at the upper end, illustrating engagement ofupper adapter rib 851 onadapter 850.FIG. 16A illustrateswedge seal assembly 800 in its unlocked position prior to engagement ofupper adapter rib 851 andFIG. 16B illustrateswedge seal assembly 800 in its locked position overupper adapter rib 851. - A
sensor 825A may be disposed in a wedge receptacle, explained further below, to make a measurement corresponding to the amount of compression of the wedge seal assembly. Thesensor 825 may be, for example, any of the types of sensors described with reference toFIG. 13B , and may include, without limitation, proximity switches, limit switches, linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs) and acoustic range finders, although the foregoing examples are not to be construed as limits on the scope of the present disclosure. -
FIGS. 17A and 17B are freeze-frame views ofwedge seal assembly 800 in partial section at the lower end, illustrating engagement oflower adapter rib 852 onadapter 850.FIG. 17A illustrateswedge seal assembly 800 in its unlocked position prior to engagement oflower adapter rib 852 andFIG. 17B illustrateswedge seal assembly 800 in its locked position overlower adapter rib 852. For clarity inFIGS. 15 through 18 , and to reduce clutter in the drawings, conventional sealing parts such as o-rings are either shown but not called out as separate parts, or are omitted altogether. Further, not all parts onwedge seal assembly 800 are shown on freeze-frameFIGS. 16A through 17B . Some parts have been omitted for clarity inFIGS. 16A through 17B so that the unlocking and locking mechanisms ofwedge seal assembly 800 can be appreciated more clearly. - By way of introduction to wedge
seal assembly 800 in more detail,FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate that the high pressure seal betweenadapter 850 andreceptacle 860 is functionally analogous to the high pressure seal betweenadapter 250 andreceptacle 260 described above with reference toFIGS. 6 through 9 . Referring toFIGS. 17A and 17B ,adapter 850 provides machined surfaces onseat surface 855 andslope surface 856.Receptacle 860 also provides corresponding machined surfaces shaped to matchseat surface 855 andslope surface 856 at a first (distal) end 861 thereof. It will be appreciated compression ofadapter 850 intoreceptacle 860 onwedge seal assembly 800 as depicted inFIGS. 17A and 17B enables a machined surface metal-to-metal seal atseat surface 855 andslope surface 856. - A primary distinction between the embodiment of wedge seal assembly 800 (as depicted in
FIGS. 17A and 17B ) over the embodiment of pressure control assembly 200 (as depicted inFIGS. 6 through 9 ) arises in the mechanism by whichwedge seal assembly 800 compressesadapter 850 intoreceptacle 860 to form a high pressure seal. With reference first toFIG. 17B , whenadapter 850 is received into seal engagement withreceptacle 860,lower adapter rib 852 is presented for engagement withlower wedge 840.Lower wedge 840 provides lower wedge top andbottom ribs port 832 into lower engagechamber 831, as denoted by the large arrow onFIG. 17B . Pressurization of lower engagechamber 831 causes movement oflower wedge receptacle 845 in the direction of the small vertical arrow onFIG. 17B (i.e., in a direction away from the wellhead), assisted by the bias oflower compression spring 846. This movement oflower wedge receptacle 845 compresseslower wedge 840 radially against the engagement ofadapter 850 andreceptacle 860, in the direction of the small horizontal arrows onFIG. 17B . Lower wedgetop rib 843 locks overlower adapter rib 852 and lowerwedge bottom rib 844 locks intowedge groove 865 provided inreceptacle 860. - Referring again to
FIG. 17A , the release of the high pressure seal enabled bywedge seal assembly 800 is substantially the reverse of the disclosure immediately above describingFIG. 17B . Hydraulic fluid is introduced under pressure throughlower release port 834 intolower release chamber 833, as denoted by the large arrow inFIG. 17A . It will be understood that at the same time, hydraulic fluid pressure is released in lower engagechamber 831 through lower engageport 832. Pressurization oflower release chamber 833 causes movement oflower wedge receptacle 845 in the direction of the small vertical arrow onFIG. 17A (i.e., in a direction towards the wellhead), against the bias oflower compression spring 846. This movement oflower wedge receptacle 845 releaseslower wedge 840 from its engagement oflower adapter rib 852 andwedge groove 865, in the direction of the small horizontal arrows onFIG. 17A .Adapter 850 andreceptacle 860 are now free to separate, releasing the high pressure seal between them. - It will be appreciated that first from reference to
FIG. 15 , and then toFIGS. 16A and 16B , the high pressure seal provided bywedge seal assembly 800 is assisted by a locking mechanism further above the seal, whereupper adapter rib 851 is engaged byupper wedge 820. For the avoidance of doubt, it should be understood that the engagement ofupper adapter rib 851 perFIGS. 16A and 16B is not a seal, but a lock that holdsadapter 850 in sealing engagement withreceptacle 860 as described immediately above with reference toFIGS. 17A and 17B . It will be therefore necessarily understood that in the embodiment ofwedge seal assembly 800 illustrated onFIGS. 15 through 18 ,upper adapter rib 851 may be engaged and released byupper wedge 820 independently of the engagement and release oflower adapter rib 852 bylower wedge 840. - With reference now to
FIGS. 16B and 17B , whenadapter 850 is received into seal engagement withreceptacle 860,upper adapter rib 851 is presented for engagement withupper wedge 820.Upper wedge 820 provides upper wedge top andbottom ribs port 812 into upper engagechamber 811, as denoted by the large arrow onFIG. 16B . Pressurization of upper engagechamber 811 causes movement ofupper wedge receptacle 825 in the direction of the small vertical arrow onFIG. 16B (i.e., in a direction away from the wellhead), assisted by the bias ofupper compression spring 826. This movement ofupper wedge receptacle 825 compressesupper wedge 820 radially againstupper adapter rib 851, in the direction of the small horizontal arrows onFIG. 16B . Upper wedge top andbottom ribs upper adapter rib 851 and further restrainadapter 850 from movement relative to the high pressure seal below (seal shown onFIG. 17B ). - Referring now to
FIG. 16A , the release of the locking mechanism overupper adapter rib 851 is substantially the reverse of the disclosure immediately above describingFIG. 16B . Hydraulic fluid is introduced under pressure throughupper release port 814 intoupper release chamber 813, as denoted by the large arrow onFIG. 16A . It will be understood that at the same time, hydraulic fluid pressure is released in upper engagechamber 811 through upper engageport 812. Pressurization ofupper release chamber 813 causes movement ofupper wedge receptacle 825 in the direction of the small vertical arrow onFIG. 16A (i.e., in a direction towards the wellhead), against the bias ofupper compression spring 826. This movement ofupper wedge receptacle 825 releasesupper wedge 820 from its engagement ofupper adapter rib 851, in the direction of the small horizontal arrows onFIG. 16A . - Referring once again to
FIGS. 15 and 18 ,wedge seal assembly 800 comprises a generallytubular receptacle 860 that provides an exteriorannular wedge groove 865 at afirst end 861 thereof. A second end ofreceptacle 860 provides a flange or other suitable connection to a wellhead, or to equipment interposed betweenreceptacle 860 and the wellhead.PCE adapter 850 is also generally tubular and provides a suitable connection, such as a threaded connection, to pressure control equipment (PCE) at a first end.Adapter 850 further provides alower adapter rib 852 at a second end proximate machined seal surfaces includingseat surface FIG. 17B , the high pressure seal betweenadapter 850 andreceptacle 860 is functionally analogous to the high pressure seal betweenadapter 250 andreceptacle 260 described above with reference toFIGS. 6 through 9 . -
Lower wedge receptacle 845 is generally cylindrical and is received over thefirst end 861 ofreceptacle 860.Lower wedges 840 are received into shapedrecesses 845A inlower wedge receptacle 845 and are positioned around thefirst end 861 ofreceptacle 860. Three (3)lower wedges 840 are illustrated onFIGS. 15 and 18 , although the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.Lower wedges 840 are separated and kept in circumferential bias by lower wedge separator springs 841. Six (6) lower wedge separator springs 841 are illustrated inFIGS. 15 and 18 , although again, the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.Shaped recesses 845A andlower wedges 840 present opposing sloped surfaces such thatlower wedges 840 are caused to constrict and expand radially withinlower wedge receptacle 845 responsive to axial displacement oflower wedge receptacle 845 relative to lowerwedges 840. Eachlower wedge 840 further provides lower wedge top andbottom ribs top rib 843 is shaped and positioned to be received overlower adapter rib 852 whenadaptor 850 is sealingly received intoreceptacle 860. Lower wedgebottom rib 844 is shaped and positioned to be received intowedge groove 865 onreceptacle 860 whenadaptor 850 is sealingly received intoreceptacle 860. -
Lower compression spring 846 is received overreceptacle 860 and interposed betweenlower wedge receptacle 845 and the second end ofreceptacle 860.Lower compression spring 846 is biased to encourage radial constriction oflower wedges 840 via axial displacement oflower wedge receptacle 845 relative to lowerwedges 840. -
Lower sleeve 804 is generally tubular and is received overlower wedge receptacle 845 andlower compression spring 846.Exterior ribs 845B onlower wedge receptacle 845 sealingly engage withlower sleeve 804. Two (2)exterior ribs 845B are illustrated onFIGS. 21 and 24 , although the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.Lower sleeve 804 has first and second ends. The second end oflower sleeve 804 is affixed to the exterior of the second end ofreceptacle 860 by threading or other suitable connection, and is advantageously further secured in place bysecurement ring 805. The first end oflower sleeve 804 sealingly engages withlower roof member 830.Lower roof member 830 also contacts lowerwedge top ribs 843. Lower engagechamber 831 is formed by lower wedge receptacle 845 (includingexterior ribs 845B),lower sleeve 804 andreceptacle 860. Lower engageport 832 supplies and drains lower engagechamber 831 with hydraulic fluid.Lower release chamber 833 is formed by lower wedge receptacle 845 (includingexterior ribs 845B),lower sleeve 804 andlower roof member 830.Lower release port 834 supplies and drainslower release chamber 833 with hydraulic fluid. - With continuing reference to
FIGS. 15 and 18 , compressionspring retainer sleeve 827 is generally cylindrical and has first and second ends. The second end of compressionspring retainer sleeve 827 is received into an interiorannular recess 830A inlower roof member 830.Upper wedge receptacle 825 is received over the first end of compressionspring retainer sleeve 827.Upper wedges 820 are received into shapedrecesses 825A inupper wedge receptacle 825. Three (3)upper wedges 820 are illustrated onFIGS. 15 and 18 , although the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.Upper wedges 820 are separated and kept in circumferential bias by upper wedge separator springs 821. Six (6) upper wedge separator springs 821 are illustrated inFIGS. 15 and 18 , although again, the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.Shaped recesses 825A andupper wedges 820 present opposing sloped surfaces such thatupper wedges 820 are caused to constrict and expand radially withinupper wedge receptacle 825 responsive to axial displacement ofupper wedge receptacle 825 relative toupper wedges 820. Eachupper wedge 820 further provides upper wedge top andbottom ribs bottom ribs upper wedges 820 to constrict around and restrainupper adapter rib 851 whenadaptor 850 is sealingly received intoreceptacle 860. -
Upper compression spring 826 is received over compressionspring retainer sleeve 827 and interposed betweenupper wedge receptacle 825 andlower roof member 830.Upper compression spring 826 is biased to encourage radial constriction ofupper wedges 820 via axial displacement oflower wedge receptacle 825 relative to lowerwedges 820. -
Upper sleeve 803 is generally tubular and is received overupper wedge receptacle 825 andupper compression spring 826.Exterior rib 825B onupper wedge receptacle 825 sealingly engages withupper sleeve 803. One (1)exterior rib 825B is illustrated inFIGS. 15 and 18 , although the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.Upper sleeve 803 has first and second ends. The second end ofupper sleeve 803 is sealingly affixed to the exterior of the first end oflower sleeve 804 by threading plus gasket, or other suitable connection. The first end ofupper sleeve 803 is sealingly engaged toupper roof member 810.Upper roof member 810 also contacts upper wedgetop ribs 823. Upper engagechamber 811 is formed by upper wedge receptacle 825 (includingexterior rib 825B) andupper sleeve 803. Upper engageport 812 supplies and drains upper engagechamber 811 with hydraulic fluid.Upper release chamber 813 is formed by upper wedge receptacle 825 (includingexterior rib 825B),upper sleeve 803 andupper roof member 810.Upper release port 814 supplies and drainsupper release chamber 813 with hydraulic fluid. -
Upper roof member 810 is affixed totulip 801.Tulip 801 providestulip clearance 802 sufficient to allow upper andlower adapter ribs adapter 850 to pass throughtulip 801. - Referring now to
FIGS. 19 through 22 ,wedge seal assembly 900 is illustrated for providing a high pressure seal for wellhead pressure control fittings.FIGS. 19 through 22 should be viewed together.FIG. 19 is an isometric section view ofwedge seal assembly 900, andFIG. 22 is an exploded view ofFIG. 19 .FIG. 19 depictswedge seal assembly 900 in the locked position.FIGS. 20A and 20B are freeze-frame views ofwedge seal assembly 900 in partial section at the upper end, illustrating engagement ofupper adapter rib 951 onadapter 950.FIG. 20A illustrateswedge seal assembly 900 in its unlocked position prior to engagement ofupper adapter rib 951 andFIG. 20B illustrateswedge seal assembly 900 in its locked position overupper adapter rib 951.FIGS. 21A and 21B are freeze-frame views ofwedge seal assembly 900 in partial section at the lower end, illustrating engagement oflower adapter rib 952 onadapter 950.FIG. 21A illustrateswedge seal assembly 900 in its unlocked position prior to engagement oflower adapter rib 952 andFIG. 21B illustrateswedge seal assembly 900 in its locked position overlower adapter rib 952. For clarity inFIGS. 19 through 22 , and to reduce clutter in the drawings, conventional sealing parts such as o-rings are either shown but not called out as separate parts, or are omitted altogether. Further, not all parts onwedge seal assembly 900 are shown in freeze-frame inFIGS. 20A through 21B . Some parts have been omitted for clarity onFIGS. 20A through 21B so that the unlocking and locking mechanisms ofwedge seal assembly 900 can be understood more clearly. -
FIG. 20B shows anexample sensor 925A that may be used to measure a parameter related to the amount of compression of thewedge seal assembly 900. For example thesensor 925A may be proximity switches, limit switches, linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs) and acoustic range finders, although the foregoing examples are not to be construed as limits on the scope of the present disclosure. - By way of introduction to wedge
seal assembly 900 in more detail,FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate that the high pressure seal betweenadapter 950 andreceptacle 960 is functionally analogous to the high pressure seal betweenadapter 250 andreceptacle 260 described above with reference toFIGS. 6 through 9 . Referring toFIGS. 21A and 21B ,adapter 950 provides machined surfaces onseat surface 955 andslope surface 956.Receptacle 960 also provides corresponding machined surfaces shaped to matchseat surface 955 andslope surface 956 at a first (distal) end 961 thereof. It will be appreciated that analogous toFIGS. 6 through 9 as described above forpressure control assembly 200, compression ofadapter 950 intoreceptacle 960 onwedge seal assembly 900 as depicted inFIGS. 21A and 21B enables a machined surface metal-to-metal seal atseat surface 955 andslope surface 956. - A primary distinction between the embodiment of wedge seal assembly 900 (as depicted on
FIGS. 21A and 21B ) over the embodiment of pressure control assembly 200 (as depicted onFIGS. 6 through 9 ) arises in the mechanism by whichwedge seal assembly 900 compressesadapter 950 intoreceptacle 960 to form a high pressure seal. With reference first toFIG. 21B , whenadapter 950 is received into seal engagement withreceptacle 960,lower adapter rib 952 is presented for engagement withlower wedge 940.Lower wedge 940 provides lower wedge top andbottom ribs lower piston 975, as denoted by the large arrow onFIG. 21B . Extension oflower piston 975 causes movement oflower wedge receptacle 945 in the direction of the small vertical arrows onFIG. 21B (i.e., in a direction away from the wellhead), assisted by the bias oflower compression spring 946. This movement oflower wedge receptacle 945 compresseslower wedge 940 radially against the engagement ofadapter 950 andreceptacle 960, in the direction of the small horizontal arrows onFIG. 21B . Lower wedgetop rib 943 locks overlower adapter rib 952 and lowerwedge bottom rib 944 locks intowedge groove 965 provided inreceptacle 960. - Referring now to
FIG. 21A , the release of the high pressure seal enabled bywedge seal assembly 900 is substantially the reverse of the disclosure immediately above describingFIG. 21B . Hydraulic fluid is released to retractlower piston 975. Retraction oflower piston 975 causes movement oflower wedge receptacle 945 in the direction of the small vertical arrows onFIG. 21A (i.e., in a direction towards the wellhead), against the bias oflower compression spring 946. This movement oflower wedge receptacle 945 releaseslower wedge 940 from its engagement oflower adapter rib 952 andwedge groove 965, in the direction of the small horizontal arrows onFIG. 21A .Adapter 950 andreceptacle 960 are now free to separate, releasing the high pressure seal between them. - It will be appreciated that first from reference to
FIG. 19 , and then toFIGS. 20A and 20B , the high pressure seal provided bywedge seal assembly 900 is assisted by a locking mechanism further above the seal, whereupper adapter rib 951 is engaged byupper wedge 920. For the avoidance of doubt, it should be understood that the engagement ofupper adapter rib 951 perFIGS. 20A and 20B is not a seal, but a lock that holdsadapter 950 in sealing engagement withreceptacle 960 as described immediately above with reference toFIGS. 21A and 21B . It will be therefore necessarily understood that in the embodiment ofwedge seal assembly 900 illustrated onFIGS. 19 through 22 ,upper adapter rib 951 may be engaged and released byupper wedge 920 independently of the engagement and release oflower adapter rib 952 bylower wedge 940. - With reference now to
FIG. 20B , whenadapter 950 is received into seal engagement withreceptacle 960,upper adapter rib 951 is presented for engagement withupper wedge 920.Upper wedge 920 provides upper wedge top andbottom ribs upper piston 970, as denoted by the large arrow inFIG. 20B . Extension ofupper piston 970 causes movement ofupper wedge receptacle 925 in the direction of the small vertical arrows onFIG. 20B (i.e., in a direction away from the wellhead), assisted by the bias ofupper compression spring 926. This movement ofupper wedge receptacle 925 compressesupper wedge 920 radially againstupper adapter rib 951, in the direction of the small horizontal arrows onFIG. 20B . Upper wedge top andbottom ribs upper adapter rib 951 and further restrainadapter 950 from movement relative to the high pressure seal below (seal shown onFIG. 21B ). - Referring again to
FIG. 20A , the release of the locking mechanism overupper adapter rib 951 is substantially the reverse of the disclosure immediately above describingFIG. 20B . Hydraulic fluid is released to retractupper piston 970. Retraction ofupper piston 970 causes movement ofupper wedge receptacle 925 in the direction of the small vertical arrows onFIG. 20A (i.e., in a direction towards the wellhead), against the bias oflower compression spring 946. This movement ofupper wedge receptacle 925 releasesupper wedge 920 from its engagement ofupper adapter rib 951, in the direction of the small horizontal arrows onFIG. 20A . - Referring again to
FIGS. 19 and 22 ,wedge seal assembly 900 comprises a generallytubular receptacle 960 that provides an exteriorannular wedge groove 965 at afirst end 961 thereof. A second end ofreceptacle 960 provides a flange or other suitable connection to a wellhead, or to equipment interposed betweenreceptacle 960 and the wellhead.PCE adapter 950 is also generally tubular and provides a suitable connection, such as a threaded connection, to pressure control equipment (PCE) at a first end.Adapter 950 further provides alower adapter rib 952 at a second end proximate machined seal surfaces includingseat surface FIG. 21B , the high pressure seal betweenadapter 950 andreceptacle 960 is functionally analogous to the high pressure seal betweenadapter 250 andreceptacle 260 described above with reference toFIGS. 6 through 9 . -
Lower wedge receptacle 945 is generally cylindrical and is received over thefirst end 961 ofreceptacle 960.Lower wedges 940 are received into shaped recesses 945A inlower wedge receptacle 945 and are positioned around thefirst end 961 ofreceptacle 860. Three (3)lower wedges 940 are illustrated inFIGS. 19 and 22 , although the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.Lower wedges 940 are separated and kept in circumferential bias by lower wedge separator springs 941. Six (6) lower wedge separator springs 941 are illustrated inFIGS. 19 and 22 , although again, the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard. Shaped recesses 945A andlower wedges 940 present opposing sloped surfaces such thatlower wedges 940 are caused to constrict and expand radially withinlower wedge receptacle 945 responsive to axial displacement oflower wedge receptacle 945 relative to lowerwedges 940. Eachlower wedge 940 further provides lower wedge top andbottom ribs top rib 943 is shaped and positioned to be received overlower adapter rib 952 whenadaptor 950 is sealingly received intoreceptacle 960. Lower wedgebottom rib 944 is shaped and positioned to be received intowedge groove 965 onreceptacle 960 whenadaptor 950 is sealingly received intoreceptacle 960. -
Lower wedge receptacle 945 is received into lowerwedge receptacle retainer 949, and lowerwedge receptacle ring 948 retainslower wedge receptacle 945 in lowerwedge receptacle retainer 949.Lower compression spring 946 is received overreceptacle 960 and interposed between lowerwedge receptacle retainer 949 and the second end ofreceptacle 960.Lower compression spring 946 is biased to encourage radial constriction oflower wedges 940 via axial displacement of lower wedge receptacle 945 (within lower wedge receptacle retainer 949) relative to lowerwedges 940. Lower compression springtelescoping retainer sleeves lower compression spring 946 and also interposed between lowerwedge receptacle retainer 949 and the second end ofreceptacle 960. Lower compression springtelescoping retainer sleeves lower compression spring 946. -
Lower sleeve 904 is generally tubular and is received over lowerwedge receptacle retainer 949, lower compression springtelescoping retainer sleeves lower compression spring 946.Lower sleeve 904 has first and second ends. The second end oflower sleeve 904 is affixed tobase ring 907.Base ring 907 is affixed to the exterior of the second end ofreceptacle 960 by threading or other suitable connection, andlower sleeve 904 is advantageously further secured in place onbase ring 907 bylower securement ring 905. The first end oflower sleeve 904 is affixed tolower roof member 930.Lower roof member 930 also contacts lowerwedge top ribs 943.Lower pistons 975 are positioned in the annular space betweenlower sleeve 904 and lower compression springtelescoping retainer sleeves receptacle 960 by bolts or other suitable fasteners.Lower piston ports 976 supply and drain hydraulic fluid fromlower pistons 975. Two (2)lower pistons 975 are illustrated onFIGS. 19 and 22 , although the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard. - The cylinders of
lower pistons 975 are connected to lowerwedge receptacle retainer 949. As noted above in disclosure describingFIGS. 21A and 21B , extension and retraction oflower pistons 975 cause radial constriction and expansion oflower wedges 949 via displacement of lower wedge receptacle 945 (as received inside lower wedge receptacle retainer 949) with respect tolower wedges 940. - With continuing reference to
FIGS. 19 and 22 , upper compressionspring retainer sleeve 927 is generally cylindrical and has first and second ends. The second end of upper compressionspring retainer sleeve 927 is received into an interiorannular recess 930A inlower roof member 930. Upperwedge receptacle retainer 929 is received over the first end of compressionspring retainer sleeve 927.Upper wedge receptacle 925 is received into upperwedge receptacle retainer 929. Upperwedge receptacle ring 928 retainsupper wedge receptacle 925 in upperwedge receptacle retainer 929. The first end of upper compressionspring retainer sleeve 927 contacts upper wedgebottom ribs 924 onupper wedges 920. -
Upper wedges 920 are also received into shapedrecesses 925A inupper wedge receptacle 925. Three (3)upper wedges 920 are illustrated onFIGS. 19 and 22 , although the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.Upper wedges 920 are separated and kept in circumferential bias by upper wedge separator springs 921. Six (6) upper wedge separator springs 921 are illustrated inFIGS. 19 and 22 , although again, the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard.Shaped recesses 925A andupper wedges 920 present opposing sloped surfaces such thatupper wedges 920 are caused to constrict and expand radially withinupper wedge receptacle 925 responsive to axial displacement ofupper wedge receptacle 925 relative toupper wedges 920. Each upper wedge 890 further provides upper wedge top andbottom ribs bottom ribs upper wedges 920 to constrict around and restrainupper adapter rib 951 whenadaptor 950 is sealingly received intoreceptacle 960. -
Upper compression spring 926 is received over upper compressionspring retainer sleeve 927 and interposed between upperwedge receptacle retainer 929 andlower roof member 930.Upper compression spring 926 is biased to encourage radial constriction ofupper wedges 920 via axial displacement of upper wedge receptacle 925 (within upper wedge receptacle retainer 929) relative toupper wedges 920. -
Upper sleeve 903 is generally tubular and is received over upperwedge receptacle retainer 929 andupper compression spring 926.Upper sleeve 903 has first and second ends. The second end ofupper sleeve 803 is affixed tolower roof member 930 and secured in place byupper securement ring 906. The first end ofupper sleeve 903 is affixed toupper roof member 910.Upper roof member 910 also contacts upper wedgetop ribs 923.Upper pistons 970 are positioned in the annular space betweenupper sleeve 903 and upper compressionspring retainer sleeve 927, and are advantageously secured toupper sleeve 903 by bolts or other suitable fasteners.Upper piston ports 971 supply and drain hydraulic fluid fromupper pistons 970. Two (2)upper pistons 970 are illustrated onFIGS. 19 and 22 , although the scope of this disclosure is not limited in this regard. - The cylinders of
upper pistons 970 are connected to upperwedge receptacle retainer 929. As noted above in disclosure describingFIGS. 20A and 20B , extension and retraction ofupper pistons 970 cause radial constriction and expansion ofupper wedges 929 via displacement of upper wedge receptacle 925 (as received inside upper wedge receptacle retainer 929) with respect toupper wedges 920. -
Upper roof member 910 is affixed totulip 801.Tulip 901 providestulip clearance 902 sufficient to allow upper andlower adapter ribs adapter 950 to pass throughtulip 901. - An embodiment of a sensor arrangement for determining locking or engagement status of a locking ring, such as shown at 240 in
FIG. 3 may be better understood with reference toFIG. 23 . Alocking ring 2302 may perform a function similar to that explained with reference toFIG. 3 , that is, to hold locking elements in their locked position. Thelocking ring 2302 may be moved longitudinally such as by locking ring clamps 2300 shaped to engage an exterior surface of thelocking ring 2302 when a respectivelocking ring actuator 2301 is affixed to the pressure control assembly housing (e.g., 200 inFIG. 1 ). In the present example embodiment there may be three, equally circumferentially spaced lockingring actuators 2301, however the number of and circumferential spacing of thelocking ring actuators 2301 is not a limit on the scope of the present disclosure. Each lockingring actuator 2301 may comprise an hydraulic cylinder andpiston 2304 disposed in a respective bore in thelocking ring actuator 2301. Each locking ring actuator may comprise arespective guide pin 2306 that moves longitudinally within thelocking ring actuator 2301 as thelocking ring 2302 is moved longitudinally. A locking ringlongitudinal position switch 2308 may be disposed in each lockingring actuator 2301 as will be further explained with reference toFIG. 24 such that when all thelocking ring actuators 2301 are fully retracted (downward inFIGS. 23 and 24 ), a closed circuit is made such that a signal may be generated in response to such full retraction. - In
FIG. 24 , the respective positions of the hydraulic piston andcylinders 2304, locking ring clamps 2300 and guidepins 2306A used to actuate theswitches 2308 may be observed in cross section. When the hydraulic piston andcylinders 2304, locking ring clamps 2300 and guidepins 2306A are fully retracted longitudinally, allswitches 2308 will be closed. Theswitches 2308 may be connected in electrical series such that a closed circuit exists when the locking ring (2302 inFIG. 23 ) is fully retracted and in its locking position. Such closed circuit may provide that a signal may be generated and communicated to the apparatus operator that the one or more hydraulic cylinders and pistons 2304) and consequently thelocking ring 2302 are not fully retracted, and that the adapter (250 inFIG. 9 ) may not be fully seated in the receptacle (260 inFIG. 9 ). In such instance, the apparatus operator will have warning that opening any pressure valve in the wellhead (W inFIG. 1 ) may be unsafe. In such instance, the hydraulic cylinders andpistons 2304 may be extended and the adapter seating operation may be repeated until theswitches 2308 all indicated full retraction of the locking ring (2302 inFIG. 23 ). - The example embodiments of sensors described herein measure a parameter related to longitudinal motion of a wedge or wedge containing device as a proxy for measurement of the degree of lateral compression of the wedges into corresponding receptacles. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other types of sensors may be arranged that more directly measure a parameter related to lateral compression of the wedges into corresponding receptacles yet be within the scope of the present disclosure.
- A fitting and sensor system made in accordance with principles of the example embodiments described with reference to
FIGS. 12-24 may provide a system user with remote indication of whether the adapter is fully seated, locked and sealed in the adapter (or any corresponding structures) prior to opening any well pressure control devices. Such remote indication may increase the safety and efficiency with which a system such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,670,745 issued to Johansen et al. may be used. - Although only a few examples have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the examples. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims.
Claims (25)
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US16/188,795 US20190145213A1 (en) | 2017-11-15 | 2018-11-13 | Positive engagement indicator for remotely operated well pressure control apparatus |
PCT/US2018/061114 WO2019099563A1 (en) | 2017-11-15 | 2018-11-14 | Positive engagement indicator for remotely operated well pressure control apparatus |
US16/512,323 US10794137B2 (en) | 2015-12-07 | 2019-07-15 | Remote operator interface and control unit for fluid connections |
PCT/US2019/042039 WO2020018562A1 (en) | 2018-07-16 | 2019-07-16 | Remote operator interface and control unit for fluid connections |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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US201762586203P | 2017-11-15 | 2017-11-15 | |
US16/188,795 US20190145213A1 (en) | 2017-11-15 | 2018-11-13 | Positive engagement indicator for remotely operated well pressure control apparatus |
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US16/221,279 Continuation-In-Part US10550659B2 (en) | 2015-12-07 | 2018-12-14 | Remotely operated fluid connection and seal |
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US16/512,323 Continuation-In-Part US10794137B2 (en) | 2015-12-07 | 2019-07-15 | Remote operator interface and control unit for fluid connections |
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US20190145213A1 true US20190145213A1 (en) | 2019-05-16 |
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US16/188,795 Abandoned US20190145213A1 (en) | 2015-12-07 | 2018-11-13 | Positive engagement indicator for remotely operated well pressure control apparatus |
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WO (1) | WO2019099563A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US10794137B2 (en) | 2015-12-07 | 2020-10-06 | Fhe Usa Llc | Remote operator interface and control unit for fluid connections |
US11619110B2 (en) | 2019-08-28 | 2023-04-04 | Fmc Technologies, Inc. | System and method for an intelligent quick connect disconnect connector (QCDC) |
Families Citing this family (1)
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CN110761757B (en) * | 2019-11-29 | 2021-08-06 | 李杨 | Multi-pipe type high-efficiency stratified water injection adjusting device for balancing water injection quantity |
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US3841665A (en) * | 1972-06-09 | 1974-10-15 | Subsea Equipment Ass Ltd | System for connection of two immersed conduits |
US20130048309A1 (en) * | 2011-08-22 | 2013-02-28 | James L. Young | Method and Apparatus for Securing a Lubricator and Other Equipment in a Well |
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US3709623A (en) * | 1960-04-27 | 1973-01-09 | New Britain Machine Co | Combined boring, drilling and milling machine |
US4209040A (en) * | 1978-09-01 | 1980-06-24 | W-K-M Wellhead Systems, Inc. | Seal means for high pressure control valves |
US4815770A (en) * | 1987-09-04 | 1989-03-28 | Cameron Iron Works Usa, Inc. | Subsea casing hanger packoff assembly |
US8826988B2 (en) * | 2004-11-23 | 2014-09-09 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Latch position indicator system and method |
US7798231B2 (en) * | 2006-07-06 | 2010-09-21 | Vetco Gray Inc. | Adapter sleeve for wellhead housing |
US9163471B2 (en) * | 2012-04-27 | 2015-10-20 | Cameron International Corporation | Position monitoring system and method |
US9708863B2 (en) * | 2012-05-14 | 2017-07-18 | Dril-Quip Inc. | Riser monitoring system and method |
US9644443B1 (en) * | 2015-12-07 | 2017-05-09 | Fhe Usa Llc | Remotely-operated wellhead pressure control apparatus |
-
2018
- 2018-11-13 US US16/188,795 patent/US20190145213A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2018-11-14 WO PCT/US2018/061114 patent/WO2019099563A1/en active Application Filing
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US3841665A (en) * | 1972-06-09 | 1974-10-15 | Subsea Equipment Ass Ltd | System for connection of two immersed conduits |
US20130048309A1 (en) * | 2011-08-22 | 2013-02-28 | James L. Young | Method and Apparatus for Securing a Lubricator and Other Equipment in a Well |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US10794137B2 (en) | 2015-12-07 | 2020-10-06 | Fhe Usa Llc | Remote operator interface and control unit for fluid connections |
US11619110B2 (en) | 2019-08-28 | 2023-04-04 | Fmc Technologies, Inc. | System and method for an intelligent quick connect disconnect connector (QCDC) |
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