US2387106A - Blowout preventer - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 16', 1945. H. ALLEN BLOWOUT PREVENTER Filed April 11, 1942 3 Sheets-Shut 1 HERBERT. ALLEN INVENTDR Oct. 16, 1945. H. ALLEN BLowoIiT PREVENTER Filed April 11, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 HERBERT ALLEN BY afar fi. GM.

ATTORN EX.

Oct. 16, 1945. H. ALLEN 2,387,106

BLOWOUT PREVENTER Filed Agril 11, 1942 s Sheets-sheaf. s

HERBERT ALLEN INVENTO R ATTORN CY.

Patented Oct. 16. 1945 Herbert Allen,

Houston,

Tex., asslgnor to Cameronlron Works, Houston, Tex. Application April 11, 1942, Serial No. 438,527

'14 Claims.

The invention relates to a blowout preventer.

In the drilling of deeper and deeper wells higher pressures are encountered and the equipment for controlling such pressures of necessity becomes heavier and more massive. Such heavler equipment is dimcult to handle and the present invention therefore relates to a high pressure blowout preventer wherein the pressure can be applied not only for the opening and closing of the ram members, but also for the purpose of inserting and removing the ram members relative to the blowout preventer housing.

In the use of blowout preventers to be closed about a pipe in the well the ram members have a recess therein so that the two ram members cooperate together to fit closely about the pipe and form a seal. Whenever a difierent diameter pipe is run into the well it is necessary to change the ram so as to provide a pair of rams forming a recess which will fit about the particular pipe which is then in the well. In view of the massive construction of the ram members, the fact that they must fit tightly in the chambers in the housing, and the fact that they are usually covered with heavy grease as well as grit and mud, makes the changing of the ram a rather diflicult and timeconsuming operation. The present blowout preventer has been constructed with a view of permitting quick changing of the rams and also provides a construction wherein fluid pressure can be utilized in pulling the rams from the preventer housing so that they can be readily changed, and for also forcing the rams back into the housing into an operative position.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide a quick'change ram construction in high pressure blowout preventers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a blowout preventer wherein fluid pressure is utilized for removing and inserting the rams.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a blowout preventer bonnet structure to which a ram may be readily connected.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a construction wherein a minimum number of fastening members are utilized in clamping the bonnet to the preventer housing.

It is also an. object of the invention to provide a fluid pressure mechanism for operating the rams of a blowout preventer wherein such mechanism can move beyond the normal stroke of the ram in order to remove the ram from the preventer housing.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a stem for blowout preventer rams to which the ram can be readily connected or removed but wherein the stem will hold the ram against rotation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a minimum number of connecting members for a blowout preventer bonnet.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an operative yoke and bonnet assembly for blowout preventers.

A still further object of the invention is to provide anarrangement of packing for blowout preventer rams which can be readily attached to the ramsand removed therefrom and which will form a seal about the upper half of the ram so as to exclude the well pressure therefrom.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a blowout preventer wherein the well pressure is applied to a greater area behind the ram than on the forward face of the ram after the ram is closed, so that the well pressure will tend to hold the ram in closed and sealed position.

Other and further objects of the invention will be more fully apparent when the following description is considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partially in section, of the assembled blowout preventer.

Fig. 2 is a, perspective view of part of the ram stem.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the ram member disconnected from the stem.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view looking down on the blowout preventer with one of the operating cylinders in section and showing the rams as having been withdrawn from the housing by the application of fluid pressure.

Fig.5 is a top plan view with-the rams in closed position and the bonnets connected to the preventer body.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4 and showing the construction of the ram, packing and stem.

In Fig. 1 the blowout preventer body is shown at 2 and preferably has the upper and lower flanges 3' by which it is connected to the well head. This body has th vertical passage 4 and the ram chambers 5 therein. Each of the chambers 5 is closed by the bonnet assembly 1 which is connected to the body by a plurality of stud bolts 8 which project from the body and pass through suitable openings in the flange 9 of the bonnet. It is important to note that in the form shown in the drawings only four of these studs a have been provided andthat each stud is arranged to receive a hammer lug nut it. These and have the lugs II thereon which are adapted to be struck with a hammer in. order to tighten and loosen the nuts. They are .of such large diameterthat they may be tightened very securely and in this manner clamp the bonnet rigidly to the body. Heretotore some twenty to twentyfour stud bolts have been used in connecting the flanges, so that it should be apparent that a tremendous saving of time and energy has been eflected by providing but four such nuts.

The bonnet assembly is made up of the flange 9 which is arranged to fit against the end face I! of the extension which provides the ram chamber 5. This flange carries a yoke l4 having a bearing l5 therein which is threaded to receive the spindle it. -This spindle is rotatably mounted so that it may be turned to abut a head or crossarm l8 which extends through the yoke 14 to force the arm toward the housing by manual force or to lock the arm against outward movement. A ram stem 20 is threaded at 2| into this crossarm and extends through a packing assembly 22 in the flange 9.

The inner end or this stem has a non-circular lug 24 thereon. which is spaced by a neck portion 25 from the head 28 on the stem. This construction is provided in order to receive the ram 21 which has a channel 25 extending transversely of the rear end 29 of the ram and spaced inwardly from the end by the flanges 30. This channel 28 is or a width to receive the head 25, with the lug 24 sliding in the groove between the inner edges of the flanges 30. The ram will drop down over the head until it arrives at the position shown in Fig. 1, and when thus positioned the ram is held against rotation relative to the stem 20, and the stem 20 is firmly secured by the threads 2| in the crossarm l8.

In order to reciprocate the ram from the open position of Fig. 1 to the closed position of Fig. 5, the piston rods 35 are connected to each end of each ofthe crossarms l8 and secured to the arm by the nuts 35. Each of these piston rods extends through the cap 3'! on the end of a pressure or operating cylinder 38, one of these cylinders being positioned at each side of the preventer body and supported thereon by the arms 39. The cylinders are removable relative to the arms by disconnecting the retainer blocks 40.

Each oi. the cylinders 38 contains a pair or pistons 4 i, one of which is positioned on each or the rods 35 in order to control the movement of the rams. Each piston is slidably mounted in its cylinder.

With the parts in the position of Fig. 4 with the rams 21 inserted over the head 26 and in position to be moved into the chamber 5, the pistons will be at the outer ends of the cylinders.

In order to move the pistons a fluid pressure control piping is shown at 43. This arrangement includes the control valve 44 which can admit or release pressure through the piping 45 to a,aav,1oe'

' nuts, as best seen in Fig. 5, are relatively massive each other, causing the crossarm i8 and the bonnet construction to move inwardly, thus forcing the rams into the chambers 5. Any desired pressure may be applied and the rams forced into the each end of the cylinders 38, and an additional connection to admit or release pressure at the centers of the cylinders through the ports 41. The connection 48 may lead from a source of pressure, and the rear side oi. the valve 44 (not shown) may contain an exhaust or release for the pressure from either the pipes 45 or 46. In this manner the single valve 44 will serve to manipulate the pistons and the rams.

With the parts in the position of Fig. 4, it pressure is admitted to the ends 45, the pistons at the opposite ends of the cylinder will move toward housing. The bonnet flange 8 is brought against the face i3 so that the hammer lug nuts i0 may be employed to anchor the bonnetto the body.

It seems apparent from the relative position of the parts in Fig. 4 that when either bonnet is connected and the corresponding ram is retracted until it engages the bonnet as in Fig. l, the pistons 4! connected to each ram will not have moved to the centers of their respective cylinders but that there will be a sufllcient additional space in each cylinder to permit additional movement oi the pistons so as to eflect the closing of the "ram by sliding opposite ram assemblies toward each other, as seen in the position of Fig. 5. This sliding movement is permitted by the spindle I6 because such spindle merely abuts the arm i8 but by tightening oi the spindle It, the ram can be locked in closed position or it can be closed by manual operation of the spindle.

During the normal operation of the rams in actual practice, when the rams are closed the pistons will be in the position of Fig. 5. When pressure is introduced at the port 4! the pistons will move out until the .ram abuts the flange I oi! the bonnet. at which time the pistons will have moved outwardly for only a portion of the length of the cylinder. When, however, it is desired to withdraw the rams for repair or to change rams, the hammer lug nuts ill will be loosened and removed and the application or pressure at the port 41 will be efiective to move the pistons beyond their normal stroke in operating the rams and to apply pressure to withdraw the rams to the position of Fig. 4, pulling them out of the housing completely.

Each ram may have a threaded socket ll therein to which a bolt or spindle can be connected so that a hoist may be used to lift the ram from the stem in changing the ram. In inserting the ram, the reverse procedure will be followed.

The ram construction is best seen in Figs. 3

and 6 wherein the metal body 5| of the ram is shown as having a plurality of grooves 52 therearound which will receive grease or lubricant to lubricate the movement or the ram. A particular type of packing 53 is shown as extending across the front face and along the sides oi. the ram. This packing is the same as that disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,194,255 granted March 19, 1940.

In order to provide a seal around the upper or crown portion of the rear of the ram, 9. special packing 54 has been provided. This packing is seen in section in Fig. 6 as having been deposited in a groove 55 which is somewhat more than a semi-circle. The packing is a body of rubber or similar material 55 with a springlike member 51 incorporated therein which is somewhat resilient so that the portion or end 58 of the packing tends to snap over the ram and the resiliency or the member 51 tends to hold the packing in place. The ends 59 of this member extend to the inner face or the packing so as to position it rigidly against the base of the groove. This packing abuts against the ends or the lug portions 60 of the side packing 53 so that a. complete seal is formed across the face or the ram, at the center and around the top and rear portion of the ram. The discontinuity of the packing 54 around the bottom of the ram leaves space for and permits aeamoe the ram to have a groove or slot ti in its lower face which extends axially of the ram to at pressure into the rear portion 02 of the chamber 5 behind the ram. Thus, when the ram is open, the total forces exerted by the pressure on the front and rear surfaces of the ram will be eqized, except that the total force exerted on the front of the ram will exceed that on the rear of the ram by an amount equal to the total force front face of the ram, plus, or course, a cient amount oi force to overcome friction. The ram may, therefore, be moved with only a fraction of the external force which would be necessary if the pressures on the front and rear faces of the ram were not equalized to the extent indicated.

as the ram moves to closed position around the pipe, however, the packing 53 will form a seal with the pipe and the side 80 will form a "seal with the preventer. housing. These seals cut off the well pressure from the upper forward part 65 of the ram, while the entire rear face of the ram is still exposed to the well pressure. Thus, if the rams are closed and sealed there will be a predominating pressure on the rear of the ram from the well, tending to hold the ram closed. This is true because of the extent of the sealing of the packing 5d, the lugs 00 and the front packm 53.

It seems apparent that a very high pressure ratio for closing the rams has been provided and with the design of the parts as actually used, the

pressure ratio is about to 1 so that, for in stance, if a source of pressure of, say 1000 pounds is available in the piping at, then the blowout preventer could be closed against a well pressure of 10,000 pounds. This is true because the area of the two pistons tending to close each ram is ten times the area of the ram stem or screw, while the area of the ram itself is balanced ex cept for themes, of the stem,

In operation it is probable that one or the other of the rams may slide more readily than the other so that one ram may close and then an increase or a continuation of the pressure may cause the other ram to close.

Broadly, the invention contemplates a high pressure fluid operated blowout preventer wherein the rams can be quickly changed and are manipulated by fluid pressure.

What is claimed is:

l. A high pressure blowout preventer including a body, ram chambers therein, a ram in each chamber, a head closing each chamber, a stem extending through each head and connected to the ram, a. crossarm on each stem, a piston con= nected to each end of the crossarm, and a pres sure cylinder at each side of the body in which the two pistons on the same end of the body are movable by the application of pressure so as to open or close both rams.

2. A high pressure blowout preventer including a body, ram chambers therein, a ram in each chamber, a head closing each chambena stem extending through each head and connected to the ram, a crossarm on each stem, a piston connected to each end of the crossarm, and a pressure cylinder at each side of the body in which the two pistons on the same end of the body are movable by the application of pressure so as to open or close both rams, said cylinders being of a length to permit movement of said pistons to efiect withdrawal of said rams fromthe body upon release of said heads.

3. A high pressure blowout preventer including a body, ram chambers therein, a ram in'each chamber, a head closing each chamber, 'astem extending through each head and connected to the ram, a orossarm on each stem, a piston con--- nected to each end of the crossarm, a pressure cylinder at each side of the body in which the two pistons on the same end of the body are movable by the application of pressure so as to open or close both rams, said cylinders being of a length to permit movement of said pistons to efiect withdrawal of said rams from the body upon release of said heads, and means which are half and less than the full circumference of the 1 ram, and a springlike reenforcing member there= quickly operable to aihx and release said head relative to said body.

4. A blowout preventer including a body having a vertical passage therethrough, rams therein movable transversely to open or close said passage, means to move said rams including pressure cylinders on opposite sides of said rams and a connection from a piston in each of said cylinders to each of said rams, and means to control the how of pressure to the cylinders to move the pistons so that said rams may be forced into or withdrawn from said body.

5. In a blowout preventer having a body a well passage therethru, lateral chambers extending from the passage, and rams movable therein to close the passage, means to move said rams including a pair of hydraulic cylinders, pistons in each cylinder connected to each ram, said cylinders being constructed to actuate said pistons to withdraw said rams from the body.

6. A packing for circular rams to seal the upper portion thereof in the ram cylinder including a curved portion somewhat in excess of onein to clamp said packing to the ram as it passes beyond a diameter of the ram.

7. In combination with a ram type of blowout preventer for wells 9, pair of power cylinders on opposite sides of the rams for operating the rams of the blowout preventer, a pair of pistons in each cylinder, one piston in each cylinder being connected to each ram, means to introduce pressure fluid into said cylinders respectively between the pistons therein to open the rams and behind the pistons to close the rams.

8. A power cylinder for operating the rams of a blowout preventena, pair of pistons in said cylinder each of which is connectable to a ram, means to introduce pressure fluid into said cylinder between the pistons to open the ra ms and behind the pistons to close the rams, said cylinder being of a length to move the pistons beyond the travel required for normal operation so that such abnormal movement will effect withdrawal of the rams from the preventer.

9. A ram and head assembly for blowout pre venters including a head, a ram stem slidable therethrough, a. ram removably positioned on said stem, a U-shaped yoke on said head, a crossarm connected to move said stem and extending through said yoke, power means connected to said crossarm to move said stem, ram, and crossarm with respect to said head and yoke, and a locking spindle threaded through said yoke to move or to lock said stem and crossarm.

10. A ram and head assembly for hydraulically tionol'said yoke, hydraulicpower means connected to the laterallyextending parts or said crossarm to move said stem, ram and crossarm with respect to said head and yoke, and a lock member on said yoke movable against said crossasa'moe means connected to said crosshead at a positiontions to prevent rotation of said ram, and power spaced from said stem to move said stem, ram and crosshead with respect to said head and yoke.

13. A blowout preventer for wells, including a body, a pair of rams mounted in slideways therein .k

v and slidable toward and away from each other am to confine or limit the-movement of the stem and ram.

11. A ram for blowout preventers including a I cylindrical body, a longitudinal passage along the underside of said body, a packing across the front across the upper portion only of the ram at the rear and crossing the ends of the side packings, and a crown type oi packing in said groove including an arcuate springlike reenforcing and retaining means in said crown packing and extending' more than halfway and less than completely around said body to inherentlyihold the packing in the groove 12;. A ram and head assembly for blowout preventers, including a head, a ram stem slidable therethrough, a ram reinovably positioned on said stem, an open U-shaped yoke on said head, and

a power operated crosshead on said stem extending through said yoke to move said ram, said stem and ram having non-circular en agin p rlo, and along the sides of said body, a packing groove x ment or the ram.

to close the well passage, means carried by said body to simultaneously apply an equal and uniform pressure to actuate each of said rams, said rams being removable from said means'in a lateral direction with respect to the direction of movement oi the rams in said slideways, said means being of an extent to withdraw and support the rams outside of said body and beyond said slideways to permit such lateral movement of the rams.

14. A device of the character described, comprising a body having a slideway therein, and a passage therethrough, -ram mounted in said slideway and slidable toward and from said passage, means carried by said body to actuate said ram, said ram being removable from said means in a lateral direction with respect to the direction of movement of the ram in said slideway, and said means being of an extent to withdraw and to support said ram outside of said body and beyond said slideway and to permit such lateral move- HER BERT v ALLEN.

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