BOP Packer Assembly Key-Slot Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing blowout preventer (BOP) systems face challenges in sealing efficiency due to the use of fasteners that reduce the amount of resilient material in packer assemblies, leading to decreased compressibility and uneven force distribution, which shortens the lifespan of the packer assemblies and requires frequent maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a key and slot configuration for coupling packer assemblies to BOP rams, eliminating the need for fasteners and allowing for increased resilient material usage, which enhances the seal formed by the BOP and improves the packer assembly's compressibility and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fasteners are used to couple packer assemblies to BOP rams, then the coupling strength is improved, but the amount of resilient material in the packer assembly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes fasteners from the packer assembly design, extracting the problematic coupling method that was reducing resilient material. The packer assembly is coupled to the BOP ram without any fasteners, allowing the resilient material to extend fully across the entire packer assembly without holes or reductions for fastener installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into separate functional components: the packer assembly with full resilient material, the receptacle with retaining members, and the actuation system. This segmentation allows the resilient material to remain intact while still achieving secure coupling through the receptacle's retaining members that engage with the packer assembly's outer surface.
2Strength
If fasteners are used to couple packer assemblies to BOP rams, then the coupling strength is improved, but the compressibility of the packer assembly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Fasteners are completely removed from the packer assembly, eliminating the structural interruptions that prevented uniform compression. The resilient material can now compress evenly throughout the entire assembly when the BOP ram is actuated, improving both compressibility and sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling strength is achieved through localized retaining members in the receptacle that engage with the packer assembly's outer surface, rather than requiring fasteners distributed through the resilient material. This allows the resilient material to maintain its local compressibility while still achieving strong overall coupling.
3Strength
If fasteners are used to couple packer assemblies to BOP rams, then the coupling strength is improved, but the force distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
By removing fasteners that created stress concentration points and uneven force distribution, the patent allows the resilient material to distribute actuation forces uniformly across the entire packer assembly. The retaining members in the receptacle provide coupling strength without interfering with force distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The packer assembly is designed with homogeneous resilient material throughout, without the heterogeneity introduced by fasteners. This homogeneity ensures uniform force distribution during actuation, improving reliability and sealing performance while maintaining coupling strength through the receptacle's retaining members.
4Strength
If fasteners are used to couple packer assemblies to BOP rams, then the coupling strength is improved, but the lifespan of the packer assembly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Fasteners are removed from the design, eliminating the source of stress concentration, fatigue, and potential failure points. The packer assembly without fasteners experiences more uniform stress distribution during operation, significantly extending its service life and reducing maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent design accepts that the packer assembly may eventually wear and requires replacement, but by eliminating fasteners, the assembly itself lasts longer between replacements. The simpler design without fasteners reduces maintenance needs and extends the operational lifespan of each packer assembly unit.
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 solution enhances the sealing efficiency of BOP systems by maintaining a higher amount of resilient material in the packer assemblies, leading to improved compressibility and force distribution, thereby extending the lifespan of the packer assemblies and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining a higher amount of resilient material in the packer assemblies, leading to improved compressibility
Implementation Method 2
improved compressibility and force distribution, thereby extending the lifespan of the packer assemblies
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system that includes a ram configured to mount in a blowout preventer. The ram includes a packer assembly configured to form a seal between the ram and a bore formed through the blowout preventer and an insert of the packer assembly, where the insert is coupled to a surface of the ram via a key-slot interface.