Electric Annular BOP Radial Packer Compression Without Hydraulics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blowout preventer (BOP) systems rely on hydraulic control, which can fail in deep and challenging environments, leading to costly downtime and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An electrically operated annular BOP system using electric motors to drive pusher plates and a packer assembly, enabling reliable sealing and control through radial compression of the packer element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic control systems are used in BOP equipment, then operational capability is maintained, but system reliability deteriorates in deep and challenging environments due to potential hydraulic failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic control system with an electric motor-driven mechanical system. Electric motors directly drive the packer assembly through mechanical means (gears, shafts, and linkages), eliminating hydraulic fluid, pumps, and valves. This substitution improves reliability by removing hydraulic failure points while maintaining the BOP's operational capability in deep and challenging environments.
2Productivity
If electric motors are used to operate BOP, then operational availability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes hydraulic actuation with electric motor-driven mechanical actuation. The electric motors are directly coupled to the packer assembly through mechanical transmission elements, providing reliable and controllable operation. This approach improves operational availability by eliminating hydraulic system vulnerabilities while the mechanical direct-drive architecture keeps electrical complexity manageable.
3Reliability
If radial compression of packer is implemented, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but force requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a radially symmetric packer assembly design where the packer element is compressed uniformly in all radial directions. This spherical/symmetrical compression pattern distributes the sealing force evenly around the central bore, maximizing sealing effectiveness. The radial geometry ensures that compression force is applied optimally at multiple contact points simultaneously, achieving reliable sealing without requiring excessive total force.
Solution Approach 2:
The packer assembly is divided into multiple discrete components including the packer element, donut, and pusher plates arranged circumferentially. This segmentation allows the compression force to be distributed across multiple contact surfaces, with each component contributing to the overall sealing action. The modular design enables effective sealing through distributed radial compression rather than concentrated force.
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
The electric BOP system provides enhanced reliability, efficiency, and reduced operating costs by eliminating hydraulic failures, while maintaining effective sealing capabilities in demanding conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of electric motors disposed circumferentially around the annular body
Implementation Method 2
radially compressing the packer assembly via the plurality of pusher plates
Data Source
AI summary
An annular blowout preventer includes an annular body including a central bore extending therethrough, a plurality of electric motors disposed circumferentially around the annular body, a packer assembly disposed within the annular body about the central bore, and a plurality of pusher plates disposed in the annular body, each pusher plate configured to radially engage the packer assembly. The packer assembly includes a packer element and a donut that circumferentially surrounds the packer element. The plurality of pusher plates is correspondingly connected to the plurality of electric motors via a connecting rod.