Shear ram with vertical shear control

Abstract

The blade (400) includes a blade body (402) extending a blade length (404) and having a blade depth (406). The blade (400) also includes a flat portion (408) arranged at a forward face, extending a flat length (410) less than the blade length (404). The blade (400) further includes at least one angled portion (414, 416) arranged at the forward face, coupled to the flat portion (408) and positioned at an angled angle (422), wherein the at least one angled portion (414, 416) includes a cutting edge (418, 420).

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 929,963, filed July 15, 2020, entitled “SHEAR RAM WITH VERTICAL SHEARCONTROL”, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology 1. Technical Field

[0004] This disclosure relates in general to oil and gas tools, and more particularly to gates for blowout preventers (BOPs) used in oil and gas wells.

[0005] 2. Description of existing technology

[0006] Blowout preventers (BOPs) are commonly used in surface and subsea drilling operations to protect wells from pressure fluctuations. Generally, a BOP consists of a series of gates aligned with a center bore. The drill pipe extends through the center bore and into the well below the BOP. Each set of gates typically has one gate positioned on either side of the center bore. Some gates are designed to seal against the drill string when closed, but do not cut the drill string. Other gates include blades and are designed to shear the drill string (and any other objects in the center bore) when the gate is closed to completely seal the top of the well. These are called shear gates.

[0007] A typical BOP (Body Opening) consists of a hole that runs through the BOP and connects to the shaft. Piping and tools are introduced into the shaft through the hole in the BOP. Generally, a fully enclosed shear gate is included in a stack of BOPs and is used to shear pipes or tools within the hole, where it is necessary to maintain pressure within the hole, such as in the presence of unexpected or undesirable pressure fluctuations.

[0008] A full-sealed shear gate typically consists of a shear gate plate housed within a housing or bonnet mounted on a BOP. The shear gate plate has blades attached to its front end, facing the borehole. When the shear gate is activated, a piston pushes the shear gate plate within the housing, causing the shear gate plate and blades to close across the borehole, simultaneously shearing any pipe, tool, or other object in the borehole and sealing the well. When cutting a drill string made of tubing, it typically flattens out, resulting in an enlarged diameter. The section of tubing remaining in the wellbore is called a "joint plate," which can then be retrieved. It may be difficult to cover the enlarged diameter of the joint plate. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The applicant recognizes the problems mentioned above and has conceived and developed implementation schemes for systems and methods for shear gates according to this disclosure.

[0010] In one embodiment, the blowout preventer (BOP) assembly includes a body portion, an aperture extending through the body portion, and a brake plate assembly. The brake plate assembly includes an upper brake plate movable into the aperture, a lower brake plate movable into the aperture, and blades disposed on each of the upper and lower brake plates. Each blade includes a corresponding blade profile, each blade profile having a flat portion, a first inclined portion, and a second inclined portion, the first inclined portion being disposed between the flat portion and the second inclined portion.

[0011] In one embodiment, the blade includes a blade body extending the blade length and having a blade depth. The blade also includes a flat portion disposed forward, extending a flat length less than the blade length. The blade further includes at least one inclined portion disposed forward, connected to the flat portion and positioned at an inclined angle, wherein the at least one inclined portion includes a cutting edge.

[0012] In one embodiment, the gate plate assembly includes an upper gate plate and a lower gate plate. The assembly also includes an upper blade connected to the upper gate plate. The upper blade includes an upper flat portion, an upper vertical portion of the upper flat portion, and at least one upper inclined portion disposed forward of the upper blade. The at least one upper inclined portion is connected to the upper vertical portion and is arranged at an upper angle relative to the upper vertical portion. The assembly also includes a lower blade connected to the lower gate plate. The lower blade includes a lower flat portion, a lower vertical portion of the lower flat portion, and at least one lower inclined portion disposed forward of the lower blade. The at least one lower inclined portion is connected to the lower vertical portion and is arranged at a lower angle relative to the lower vertical portion. Attached Figure Description

[0013] This technology will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments and by viewing the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0014] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a BOP stack assembly attached to the wellhead according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0015] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of the upper and lower fully enclosed shear gates (including the pipe being sheared) in the closed position according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0016] Figure 3A This is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the cutting operation according to the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0017] Figure 3BThis is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pipe after a shearing operation, according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0018] Figure 4A This is a schematic top plan view of one embodiment of a blade having a flat portion according to the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0019] Figure 4B This is a schematic top plan view of one embodiment of a blade having a flat portion according to the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0020] Figures 5A to 5C This is a schematic top plan view of one embodiment of the cutting operation according to the embodiments of this disclosure; and

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic top view of one embodiment of the cutting operation according to the embodiments of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The foregoing aspects, features, and advantages of this technology will be further understood when considered with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings of preferred embodiments, wherein similar reference numerals denote similar elements. In describing preferred embodiments of the technology shown in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for clarity. However, this technology is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology used, and it should be understood that each specific term includes equivalents that operate in a similar manner to achieve similar purposes.

[0023] When describing elements of various embodiments of this disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” are intended to mean the presence of one or more elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that additional elements may be present in addition to those listed. Any examples of operating parameters and / or environmental conditions do not exclude other parameters / conditions of the disclosed embodiments. Furthermore, it should be understood that references to “an embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” of this disclosure are not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also include the referenced features. Additionally, references to terms relating to orientation, such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “front,” “rear,” or other terms, are made with reference to the illustrated embodiments and are not intended to limit or exclude other orientations. Furthermore, similar reference numerals may be used for similar items throughout the specification; however, such use is for convenience and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0024] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to blades that can be incorporated into a gate plate to shear wellbore fittings and / or larger diameter pipes with reduced shear forces. In various embodiments, the blade includes a vertical section that pierces a portion of the pipe before initiating standard shearing. This configuration distributes the shear load and, therefore, reduces the closing force. Additionally, it reduces pipe stretching and expansion, facilitating subsequent recovery operations. The vertical section may be referred to as a flat section and may include a generally square portion of the blade. In various embodiments, the flat section and / or the vertical section does not include a cutting edge, but in some embodiments, a cutting edge may be used in conjunction with the flat section.

[0025] Figure 1 A typical subsea BOP assembly 100 (including a lower stack assembly 102) and an upper stack assembly 104 or lower marine riser package (LMRP) are shown. The upper stack assembly 104 may include, for example, a riser adapter 106, an annular blowout preventer 108, an annular blowout preventer 110, a control box 112, and choke and kill lines 114. The lower stack assembly 102 may include a frame 116 and a hydraulic accumulator 120, the frame 116 having a wellhead connector 118 at its lower end for connection to a subsea wellhead assembly (not shown). Typically, a borehole passes through the BOP assembly, including through the upper stack assembly 104 and the lower stack assembly 102. This borehole can accommodate piping, such as elongated fittings. A shear gate housing 122 is typically located above pipe gate housings 124, 126, and 128 on the lower stack assembly. The shear gate housing 122 houses the upper and lower shear blocks of the shear gate, which are attached to the upper and lower blades, respectively. Pipe gate housings 124, 126, and 128 each include a pipe gate plate (not shown) with grooves (e.g., semi-circular grooves) on a mating surface for closure around pipes of varying sizes. When open, the shear gate plate and pipe gate plate are positioned on either side of the orifice. When closed, the shear gate blades seal the orifice. If a pipe is present in the orifice, the shear gate blades will shear the pipe.

[0026] Figure 2This is a perspective view of one embodiment of a brake plate assembly 200 including an upper brake plate 202 and a lower brake plate 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the brake plates 202 and 204 are shown removed from the shear gate housing 122 and shown in the closed position. The upper shear gate plate 202 has a defining face or side surface facing forward 206. An upper blade 208 is mounted to the facing forward 206 of the upper brake plate 202. The upper blade 208 has a facing front 210 with an upper edge 212 and a lower front edge 214. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "forward" in reference to brake plates and associated components should refer to the face 210 of the upper shear gate plate 202 facing forward 206 toward the blade 208. Figure 2 In the example shown, the lower leading edge 214 of the upper blade 208 extends further forward from the upper shear gate plate 202 towards the front end 206 than the upper edge 212. The face 210 of the upper blade 208 may also be generally concave or converging, such that the center of face 210 is recessed relative to the forward portion of face 210 at the outer ends 216 and 218. Of course, upper blades 208 of different shapes can be used. It can be seen that when the shear gate plates 202 and 204 are closed, the upper blade 208 overlaps with the lower blade 220, thereby positioning the shearing conduit 222 between the gate plates 202 and 204 in the orifice of the BOP. The shearing portion of the conduit 222 may be referred to as a joining plate (e.g., an upper joining plate above the gate plates 202 and 204 and a lower joining plate below the gate plates 202 and 204).

[0027] As will be described herein, this configuration can cause problems when the shapes of blades 208 and 220 cannot adequately control the shape of the formed conduit. For example, in various embodiments, conduit 222 can extend into the area where blades 208 and 220 cut the conduit. That is, the shearing force can drive an extension of the conduit diameter during shearing, which may result in a joint plate end that is too large to move through other wellbore components. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the shearing force on the conduit may increase as the conduit diameter increases. Although Figure 2 A clean cut is shown, but it should be understood that in operation, given the temperature and pressure associated with the BOP, such cuts are often jagged, deformed, and difficult to control. For example, the shape of the pipe end may stretch, and then it may be difficult to remove pipe 222 because the diameter of the newly formed end may be larger than the diameter of other wellbore components. Embodiments of this disclosure include improved blades for controlling the cut end of the pipe to reduce or eliminate stretching, thereby enabling the pipe to be removed after shearing. Furthermore, embodiments can achieve reduced shearing forces and / or shearing for larger diameter pipes.

[0028] Figure 3AThis is a schematic side view of one embodiment of the shearing operation 300, in which blades 208 and 220 have sheared the conduit 222. In the illustrated embodiment, the conduit 222 is arranged within a bore 302 of a BOP having an inner bore diameter 304. As shown, the conduit diameter 306 is smaller than the inner bore diameter 304, allowing the conduit 222 to pass through the bore 302. The conduit 222 includes an upper connecting plate 222A and a lower connecting plate 222B. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper connecting plate 222A is being retrieved from the wellbore. As shown, after the shearing operation, the sheared end 308 has been extended to have an end diameter 310 substantially equal to the inner bore diameter 304. Therefore, the conduit 222 can be drawn into the bore during removal. This is undesirable for continuous wellbore operations that could increase costs. This can also present additional challenges when removing the lower connecting plate 222B, as the lower connecting plate 222B will also pass through the BOP, where the end may be damaged or otherwise come into contact with surfaces in the BOP. Embodiments of this disclosure relate to systems and methods for reducing extension at the shearing end 308 to facilitate the removal of pipe 222. Furthermore, the embodiments can reduce shearing force, which facilitates the shearing of pipes with larger diameters.

[0029] Figure 3B This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of pipe 222 with an extended end pipe diameter 310 after pipe 222 has been cut. The end diameter 310 is larger than the pipe diameter 306 (not shown). Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the cut end 308 is shaped as a joining eyelet and / or elliptical. As previously mentioned, such an arrangement is undesirable because it may be fixed or jammed during removal operations and / or may scratch or damage surfaces along the system.

[0030] Figure 4A This is a top plan view of one embodiment of a blade 400, which can be coupled to and / or integrally formed into a gate plate. Embodiments of the blade 400 may include one or more features for controlling the extension and / or engagement of the pipe when shearing pipe using a BOP. The blade 400 shown includes a body portion 402, which may include one or more orifices (not shown) for securing the blade 400 to the gate plate. However, as mentioned above, the blade may also be integrally formed with the gate plate. The blade 400 shown has a blade length 404, which can be specifically selected at least in part based on the expected dimensions of the pipe and / or BOP orifice associated with the blade 400.

[0031] The blade 400 shown also includes a blade depth 406. In various embodiments, the blade depth 406 is specifically selected based on the expected operating conditions. When the blade 400 is coupled with... Figure 2When comparing the upper blade 208, it can be seen that the corresponding blade profiles are different. For example, Figure 2 The blade shown in the diagram includes a flat portion 408 at the forward end of the blade 400. As described above, the flat portion 408 can be used to pierce the pipe during a shearing operation, which reduces the shearing force used. The flat portion 408 extends a flat length 410 less than the blade length 404. In various embodiments, the flat length 410 can be specifically selected based on operating conditions. For example, a larger pipe diameter may drive a modification of the flat length 410. In some embodiments, the flat length 410 is about one-third of the blade length 404. However, such lengths are merely illustrative and it should be understood that other lengths may also be included. For example, the flat length 410 may be about one-eighth, one-quarter, one-half, two-thirds, three-quarters, or any other suitable size of the blade length 404.

[0032] The flat portion 408 shown also has a flat depth 412 that is less than the blade depth 406. In various embodiments, the flat depth 412 is about one-quarter of the blade depth 406. That is, as will be described below, the flat depth 412 extends along the vertical portion until it contacts the inclined portion. The flat depth 412 can be any suitable depth, such as about one-fifth, one-third, half, or any other suitable depth of the blade depth 406.

[0033] The illustrated blade 400 includes a first inclined portion 414 and a second inclined portion 416, each inclined portion including a corresponding first cutting edge 418 and a second cutting edge 420. As described above, the cutting edges can be inclined away from the body 402, and furthermore, can be inclined at any suitable angle. In the illustrated embodiment, the first inclined portion 414 and the second inclined portion 416 are positioned at an inclined angle 422. The inclined angle shown is approximately 110 degrees; however, it should be understood that the inclined angle 422 can be any suitable degree. For example, the inclined angle 422 can be approximately 100 degrees, approximately 110 degrees, approximately 115 degrees, approximately 120 degrees, approximately 125 degrees, approximately 130 degrees, or any other suitable angle. Furthermore, the inclined angle 422 can be between approximately 100 degrees and 120 degrees, approximately 110 degrees and 130 degrees, approximately 120 degrees and 140 degrees, or any other suitable range. Therefore, the inclined angle 422 can be specifically selected based on operating conditions.

[0034] like Figure 4AAs shown, there is no cutting edge on the flat portion 408. However, in other embodiments, the flat portion 408 may include a cutting edge to facilitate shearing on the pipe. The inclined portions 414, 416 shown extend a first inclined length 424 and a second inclined length 426. In various embodiments, the first inclined length 424 is shorter than the second inclined length 426. For example, in some embodiments, the first inclined portion 414 and the second inclined portion 416 meet at a midpoint 428. Because the flat length 410 occupies a portion comprising half of the first inclined portion 414, the second inclined portion 416 can be longer. However, it should be understood that the first inclined portion 414 and the second inclined portion 416 may not meet at a midpoint 428, and therefore, the respective inclined lengths 424, 426 can be specifically selected based on operating conditions. Cutting edge depths 430 and 432, which are substantially equal in the illustrated embodiment but may not be substantially equal in other embodiments, are further shown. As described above, the cutting edge depths 430 and 432 can be specifically selected based on the slope. As will be described below, in operation, such as in previous embodiments, cutting edges 418 and 420 shear the pipe, and the pipe may contact a flat portion 408 that can pierce the pipe before full shearing, thereby reducing shearing force and also reducing pipe stretching.

[0035] In various embodiments, the vertical portion 434 corresponding to the flat depth 412 is arranged close to the first inclined portion 414. The vertical portion 434 can be used to limit the extension of the pipe during the shearing operation. For example, a corner 436 can facilitate piercing the pipe. It should be understood that the corner 436 is only shown as 90 degrees, and in other embodiments, it can be any other suitable angle, such as about 80 degrees, about 70 degrees, about 100 degrees, etc. In various embodiments, the vertical portion 434 does not include a cutting edge, but it should be understood that embodiments may include a cutting edge along the vertical portion 434.

[0036] Figure 4B An embodiment of the blade 400 is shown, wherein the flat length 410 is approximately half the blade length 404. As shown, in this embodiment, the first inclined portion 414 has been removed and replaced by the flat portion 408. Furthermore, due to the removal of the first inclined portion 414, when... Figure 4A When compared, the flatness depth 412 increases. However, in this embodiment, the flatness depth 412 is smaller than the blade depth 406. The second inclined portion 416 shown is still arranged at an inclination angle 422, which in this embodiment is shown relative to the vertical portion 434. In this embodiment, the inclination angle 422 shown is less than 90 degrees.

[0037] Figures 5A to 5C A shearing sequence 500 is shown, in which pipe 222 is sheared along blade 400. It should be understood that, for clarity, certain features such as mating blades, gate plates, etc., have been removed. In various embodiments, when a BOP is initiated, blade 400 is driven toward pipe 222, such that the first cutting edge 418 and the second cutting edge 420 engage pipe 222. When force is applied to pipe 222, pipe diameter 306 may increase. This increase is undesirable for recovery operations because the ends of the upper and lower engagement plates may be too large to pass through other wellbore components. Furthermore, as the pipe diameter increases, a greater force can be used to shear pipe 222. As described above, embodiments of this disclosure reduce shearing force while also controlling pipe extension.

[0038] exist Figure 5A In, for example, when the blade 400 is driven into the BOP via one or more pistons, the conduit 222 begins to contact the blade 400. In the illustrated embodiment, a flat portion 408 is included to position the conduit 222 before engaging the edges 418 and 420. As mentioned above, such an arrangement may be desirable because the conduit 222 can be pierced before standard shearing with the blade, thereby reducing shearing forces and controlling conduit extension.

[0039] Figure 5B The diagram shows a conduit 222 joined to pierce the vertical portion 434 and corner 436 of the conduit. In the illustrated embodiment, the conduit 222 is further joined to edges 418 and 420. However, because the conduit 222 has been pierced, the reduced force may be sufficient to shear the conduit 222. Figure 5C The shearing operation is also shown, and the embodiment of this disclosure is shown to control an end diameter 310 larger than the pipe diameter 306. Therefore, it is possible to retrieve and remove the joint plate from the wellbore.

[0040] Figure 6 A shearing operation 600 is illustrated, comprising both an upper blade 208 (shown as blade 400) and a lower blade 220 (also shown as blade 400) A. As described above, various features have been removed for clarity. In the illustrated embodiment, corresponding flat portions 408 are arranged at opposite ends of the upper blade 208 and the lower blade 220, thereby piercing the conduit 222 at opposite ends, as described above. It should be understood that embodiments may have corresponding flat portions 408 positioned at the same ends, such that the flat portions 408 are aligned.

[0041] Embodiments of this disclosure can be used to reduce the extension of pipes being sheared using a BOP. For example, blade 400 may include a flat portion 408 and a vertical portion 434 to limit extension by at least partially piercing the pipe 222 before shearing. In some embodiments, the shearing force can be reduced by promoting both horizontal and vertical rupture of the pipe 222. Therefore, smaller actuators or pipes with larger diameters can be sheared.

[0042] The implementation plan can also be described according to the following terms:

[0043] 1. A blowout preventer (BOP) assembly, the BOP assembly comprising:

[0044] Main body;

[0045] A hole that extends through the main body;

[0046] Gate panel assembly, the gate panel assembly comprising:

[0047] The upper gate plate can be moved into the hole;

[0048] The lower gate plate is movable into the hole; and the blade is disposed on each of the upper and lower gate plates, the blade including a corresponding blade profile, each blade profile having a flat portion, a first inclined portion and a second inclined portion, the first inclined portion being disposed between the flat portion and the second inclined portion.

[0049] 2. The component according to Clause 1, wherein the flat portion extends a flat length less than the blade length.

[0050] 3. The component according to Clause 2, wherein the flat length is between one-eighth and one-half of the blade length.

[0051] 4. The component according to Clause 1, wherein the flat portion includes a vertical section connected to the first inclined portion, the first section extending to a flat depth less than the blade depth.

[0052] 5. The component according to Clause 1, wherein the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion are arranged at an inclined angle relative to each other, and the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion have relative slopes.

[0053] 6. The component according to Clause 1, wherein the flat portion is arranged to contact a conduit extending through a hole preceding the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion, the flat portion piercing the conduit.

[0054] 7. The component as described in Clause 1, wherein the flat portion does not include the cut edge.

[0055] 8. A blade comprising:

[0056] The blade body extends the blade length and has a blade depth;

[0057] A flat portion, which is arranged forward and extends a flat length less than the blade length; and

[0058] At least one inclined portion is arranged in a forward-facing position, the at least one inclined portion is connected to a flat portion and positioned at an inclined angle, wherein the at least one inclined portion includes a cut edge.

[0059] 9. The blade as described in Clause 8, further comprising:

[0060] A second inclined portion, which is connected to at least one inclined portion, includes a second cut edge.

[0061] 10. The blade as described in Clause 8, wherein the tilt angle is greater than or equal to 90 degrees.

[0062] 11. The blade according to Clause 8, wherein the flat portion includes a vertical portion extending between the flat portion and at least one inclined portion, the vertical portion having a flat depth less than the blade depth.

[0063] 12. The blade according to Clause 8, wherein the flat portion is arranged to contact the pipe cut by the blade prior to at least one inclined portion, the flat portion piercing the pipe.

[0064] 13. The blade as described in Clause 8, wherein the flat length is between one-eighth and one-half of the blade length.

[0065] 14. The blade as described in Clause 8, further comprising:

[0066] The orifice is used to secure the blade to the gate plate.

[0067] 15. The blade as described in Clause 8, wherein the blade is integrally formed into the gate plate.

[0068] 16. A gate plate assembly, the gate plate assembly comprising:

[0069] Upper gate plate;

[0070] Lower gate plate;

[0071] Upper blade, which is connected to the upper gate plate, includes:

[0072] The upper flat portion is arranged in front of the upper blade;

[0073] The upper vertical part of the flat upper section; and

[0074] At least one upper inclined portion, the at least one upper inclined portion being connected to an upper vertical portion, the at least one upper inclined portion being arranged at an upper angle relative to the upper vertical portion;

[0075] The lower blade, connected to the lower gate plate, includes:

[0076] The lower flat portion is arranged in front of the lower blade;

[0077] The lower vertical part of the flat lower section; and

[0078] At least one lower inclined portion is connected to a lower vertical portion, and the at least one lower inclined portion is arranged at a lower angle relative to the lower vertical portion.

[0079] 17. The gate plate assembly according to Clause 16, further comprising:

[0080] A second upper inclined portion, the second upper inclined portion being connected to at least one upper inclined portion; and

[0081] A second lower inclined portion, which is connected to at least one lower inclined portion.

[0082] 18. The gate plate assembly as described in Clause 16, wherein each of the upper tilt angle and the lower tilt angle is greater than or equal to 90 degrees.

[0083] 19. The gate plate assembly according to Clause 16, wherein the upper flat length is between one-eighth and one-half of the length of the upper blade, and the lower flat length is between one-eighth and one-half of the length of the lower blade.

[0084] 20. The gate plate assembly according to Clause 16, wherein the upper flat length and the lower flat length are positioned at opposite ends of the respective upper and lower blades.

[0085] Although the technology described herein has been illustrated with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the technology. Therefore, it should be understood that various modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments and other arrangements can be designed without departing from the spirit and scope of the technology as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A blowout preventer (BOP) assembly, the BOP assembly comprising: Main body; Hole (302), the hole extending through the body portion; A gate plate assembly (200), the gate plate assembly (200) comprising: Upper gate plate (202), which is movable into the hole (302); The lower gate plate (204) is movable into the hole (302); and Blades (400) are disposed on each of the upper gate plate (202) and the lower gate plate (204). Each blade (400) includes a blade profile that is asymmetrical about its respective longitudinal axis, the respective longitudinal axis extending through the respective midpoint of the blade (400). The respective blade profile extends from a respective first end of the blade to a respective second end of the blade. Each blade profile has a flat portion (408), a first inclined portion (414), and a second inclined portion (416). The flat portion (408) is positioned to extend from the respective first end, and the second inclined portion (416) is positioned to extend to the respective second end. The first inclined portion (414) is disposed between the flat portion (408) and the second inclined portion (416), and the respective longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the respective flat portion (408). The flat portion (408) extends to a flat length (410) less than the blade length (404), and the flat length (410) is between one-eighth and one-half of the blade length (404). The flat portion (408) pierces the conduit (222), which extends through the hole (302) before the first inclined portion (414) and the second inclined portion (416).

2. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The flat portion (408) includes a vertical segment (434) connected to the first inclined portion (414), the vertical segment (434) extending to a flat depth (412) less than the blade depth (406).

3. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The first inclined portion (414) and the second inclined portion (416) are arranged at an angle (422) relative to each other, and the first inclined portion (414) and the second inclined portion (416) have relative slopes.

4. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The flat portion (408) is arranged to contact the pipe (222).

5. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The flat portion (408) does not include the cut edge.

6. A blade (400), said blade comprising: The blade body (402) extends the blade length (404) and has a blade depth (406), the blade (400) is asymmetrical about the blade length (404) about a longitudinal axis that extends parallel to the blade depth (406) through the midpoint of the blade (400); A flat portion (408) is arranged forward and extends a flat length (410) less than the blade length (404). The flat portion (408) is positioned to extend from a first end of the blade body (402). The flat length (410) is between one-eighth and one-half of the blade length (404). At least one inclined portion (414) is disposed at the frontal position, the at least one inclined portion (414) is coupled to the flat portion (408) and positioned at an inclined angle (422), wherein the at least one inclined portion (414) includes a cut edge (418); and A second inclined portion (416) is connected to the at least one inclined portion (414) at the inclined angle (422), the second inclined portion (416) includes a second cutting edge (420) and is positioned to extend to a second end of the blade body (402) opposite to the first end; The flat portion (408) includes a vertical portion (434) extending between the flat portion (408) and the at least one inclined portion (414), the vertical portion (434) having a flat depth (412) less than the blade depth (406), the flat portion (408) piercing the pipe (222), the pipe (222) being sheared by the blade (400) preceding the at least one inclined portion (414).

7. The blade (400) according to claim 6, wherein, The tilt angle (422) is greater than or equal to 90 degrees.

8. The blade (400) according to claim 6, wherein, The flat portion (408) is arranged to contact the pipe (222).

9. The blade (400) according to claim 6, further comprising: An orifice for securing the blade (400) to the gate plate (202, 204).

10. The blade (400) according to claim 6, wherein, The blade (400) is integrally formed into the gate plate (202, 204).

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