Blowout Preventer Locking Head Rotation Reduces Size
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Prior blowout preventer systems require a long distance for locking the ram in place, which adds size, weight, and complexity, and often use separate hydraulic circuits for ram and bonnet movement, making them inefficient and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A blowout preventer design with a bonnet and ram apparatus where the locking head is rotated within a shorter distance along the bonnet opening, utilizing springs for alignment and a thread system to inhibit ram retraction, and sharing hydraulic fluid circuits for both ram and bonnet movement to reduce size and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional lock shaft is used to lock the ram in place, then the ram can be securely locked, but the locking distance becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into two independent stages: first the bonnet opens to clear the ram block, then the lock shaft rotates to lock the ram. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function over a shorter distance independently, rather than requiring one continuous long movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking action transitions from a primarily linear movement to a rotational movement. The lock shaft rotates within a confined space to achieve locking, converting the locking distance problem from a linear dimension to a rotational dimension where the effective locking distance is dramatically reduced.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate hydraulic circuits are used for ram and bonnet movement, then each component can be controlled independently, but the system complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic circuits for ram and bonnet control are merged into a single integrated circuit system. The same hydraulic fluid and pressure source control both the bonnet opening/closing and the ram movement, eliminating the need for separate circuits while maintaining independent control through sequential activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system is designed with multi-functionality where a single hydraulic circuit performs multiple functions: it controls both the bonnet movement and the ram movement. The hydraulic fluid serves universal purposes of actuating different components at different times within the same operational cycle.
3Ease of operation
If the bonnet opens a long distance to clear the ram, then the ram can be fully accessed, but the overall equipment size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bonnet performs a preliminary opening action to clear the ram block from the bonnet opening path. This preliminary action creates just enough space for the subsequent locking operation without requiring the bonnet to open fully, thereby minimizing the bonnet travel distance and reducing the required bonnet size and weight.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design reduces the distance needed to lock the ram in place, simplifies the system by sharing hydraulic circuits, and enhances operational efficiency by allowing the bonnet to open only the length required to clear the ram block, thereby improving overall performance and reducing the size and weight of the equipment.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring arranged between the locking head and the ram shaft, the at least one spring maintaining alignment of the thread on the locking head and the thread in the bonnet opening
Implementation Method 2
the head is locked in place to inhibit the ram shaft from retracting
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A blowout preventer comprising a main body (14), a bonnet (12) connected to the main body (14), a ram apparatus (20,30,36) comprising a ram shaft (30) movably disposed in the bonnet (12), the ram shaft having an inner end for a ram block and an outer end (32) movable in said bonnet (12), a locking assembly (62,18) for selectively locking the ram shaft (30), characterised in that said locking assembly (62,18) comprises a locking head (62) having a thread (64) for threadedly engaging an thread (18) about an opening (16) in said bonnet (12), said locking head (62) rotatable within the opening (16) so that the locking head (62) abuts the outer end (32) of the ram shaft (30) to releasably lock the ram shaft (30) in position.