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Anodic Protective Seal in a Blowout Preventer

a blowout preventer and anode technology, applied in the field of metal systems, can solve the problems of reducing the time required between maintenance events, requiring a complete replacement of the entire actuator assembly, and corroding materials which define the volume, so as to increase the time necessary between maintenance events

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-04-13
VARCO I P INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The present invention addresses these and other needs in the art by providing an anodic sacrificial seal element at vulnerable regions of a blowout preventer. A zinc cylinder, for example, is included at the well-bore pressure side of a bonnet which seals around the rod as it extends through the bonnet. Similarly, a zinc O-ring may be used in the seal groove provided between the bonnet and the body of the BOP. In this way, the high electropotential of the material from which the additional, sacrificial seal element is made is oxidized first, before any attack on the BOP material, thereby increasing the time necessary between maintenance events on the BOP.

Problems solved by technology

Over time, the bonnet material which defines the volume begins to corrode and eventually the entire actuator assembly, including the ram, must be refurbished or replaced.
This maintenance evolution costs money and causes down time for the well.
However, this solution is expensive and is not tolerable for most BOPs and applications.

Method used

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  • Anodic Protective Seal in a Blowout Preventer
  • Anodic Protective Seal in a Blowout Preventer

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0013] Referring now to all of the drawing figures, FIG. 1 illustrates the present invention in its intended environment. While the present invention is illustrated at particular point in a BOP, it will be immediately apparent to those of skill in the art that the invention may be applied in other regions of this and similar structures having pressure seals and stagnant, corrosion fluid captured within a vulnerable metal body.

[0014] An actuator assembly 10 includes a cylinder body 12 enclosing a cylinder chamber 14 having a piston 16 therein. A close port 18 directs hydraulic fluid pressure to one side of the piston 16 to close the ram, and an open port 20 directs hydraulic fluid pressure to the other side of the piston to open the ram. The piston 16 connects to a rod 22 which terminates at a ram head 24 which connects to a ram 26, for example, although any other appropriate type of ram head may be used.

[0015] The ram 26 moves within a body 28 of a blowout preventer which is align...

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PUM

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Abstract

An anodic sacrificial seal element is installed at vulnerable regions of a blowout preventer. A zinc cylinder, for example, is included at the well-bore pressure side of a bonnet which seals around a rod as it extends through a bonnet which joins an actuator to the body of the BOP. Similarly, a zinc O-ring may be used in a seal groove provided between the bonnet and the body of the BOP. In this way, the high electropotential of the material from which the additional seal element is made is oxidized first, before any attack on the BOP material, thereby increasing the time period between maintenance events on the BOP.

Description

DESCRIPTION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 61 8,489 filed Oct. 13, 2004.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of metal systems subjected to harsh, corrosive environments, such as for example blowout preventers for tubing, and, more particularly, to a sacrificial anodic seal element for use in such an environment on such a metal system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The use of a blowout preventer in drilling, completion, workover, and production of oil and gas wells is well known. Such a blowout preventer generally includes a housing with a bore extending through the housing. Opposed chambers extend laterally on either side of the bore in the housing and communicate with the bore. Rams within the chambers are connected to rods that are supported for moving the rams inwardly into the bore to close off the bore. The rods also serve to retract outwardly from the bore to open ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): E21B33/06
CPCC23F13/10E21B33/062E21B41/02
Inventor MCWHORTER, DAVID J.WARD, RICHARD M.
Owner VARCO I P INC