Contoured Ram Bore for Type U Blowout Preventer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Type U blowout preventers (BOPs) face challenges with sealing characteristics due to aging elastomers and require hydraulic pressure for disassembly, which can lead to difficulties in manual disassembly and high manufacturing costs for the hydraulic ram change feature.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a contoured ram bore with differential engagement regions and an extraction system allowing the bonnet to be removed without hydraulic external force, featuring a tube and extraction shaft with a retainer, enabling manual disassembly and reducing the need for hydraulic systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional Type U BOP uses constant compression sealing with elastomeric ram seals, then sealing is maintained along the entire length of the ram bore, but the elastomer loses elasticity over time reducing sealing characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The ram bore is divided into different zones: a relief zone with larger cross-sectional dimensions that reduces compression, and a sealing zone with smaller dimensions that maintains sealing. This local differentiation allows the seal to be compressed only where needed while relieved elsewhere, preventing overall elastomer fatigue and extending service life while maintaining sealing reliability.
2Ease of operation
If hydraulic pressure is used to disassemble the BOP for ram replacement, then the sealed bore pressure assists in bonnet removal, but hydraulic systems are required increasing manufacturing costs and operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The BOP design allows the sealed bore pressure itself to be used for disassembly operations. By opening appropriate valves, the internal pressure automatically assists in removing the bonnet and replacing rams, eliminating the need for external hydraulic systems. The system uses its own operational pressure to facilitate maintenance, reducing complexity and cost.
3Ease of operation
If hydraulic pressure is applied to remove the bonnet, then manual disassembly becomes difficult, but this requires additional hydraulic infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to use its own sealed bore pressure to assist in bonnet removal and ram replacement operations. By utilizing the existing operational pressure within the BOP, the design eliminates the need for external hydraulic equipment, making manual disassembly easier while reducing manufacturing costs associated with hydraulic infrastructure.
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 sealing performance by minimizing constant compression of ram seals and allows for manual disassembly without hydraulic pressure, reducing manufacturing costs and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a first ram slidably disposed in the first ram bore, the first ram having elastomeric seals to seal against the ram bore
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a Type U blowout preventer (BOP) that includes a body generally coupled with a set of bonnets. The bore of the body differs from conventional Type U BOPs. The bore of the body is formed with a contour that allows differential engagement with a ram having ram seals at different places along the bore. Further, the coupling between the bonnet and body can optionally be different from conventional Type U BOPs. In at least one embodiment, the bonnet is coupled to the body in conjunction with a tube holding an extraction shaft with a head held to the bonnet with a retainer. The tube and extraction shaft allows the bonnet to be removed from the body without hydraulic external force.