Hydraulic Surface Connector for Blowout Preventer Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current connectors for connecting a blowout preventer to a surface well casing head are inefficient, requiring excessive time and manual effort, and often fail to provide a reliable seal under high pressure conditions, especially when dealing with misalignment issues.
Innovation Solution
A connector system that includes a hydraulically operated locking segment and a mechanical locking segment, capable of transitioning from a fully retracted to a fully locked position within fifteen minutes, providing a metal-to-metal seal capable of withstanding ten thousand pounds per square inch of pressure, and accommodating up to ten degrees of misalignment, using a tubular piston and wedges for sealing engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual connectors are used to connect blowout preventer to surface well casing head, then the connection can be established, but the connection time is excessive and manual effort is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical connection operations with a hydraulic actuation system. A hydraulic cylinder is used to automatically drive the locking mechanism, transforming the connection process from manual mechanical operation to automated hydraulic operation, thereby reducing both connection time and manual effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed with pre-positioned locking segments and sealing elements that are ready to engage immediately upon hydraulic actuation. The hydraulic system pre-pressurizes the locking mechanism, enabling rapid connection without requiring gradual manual adjustment, thus reducing connection time and operational complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional connectors are used, then connection can be made, but reliable seal under high pressure conditions is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic actuation system to apply controlled pressure to the sealing elements. The hydraulic fluid transmits force uniformly to the sealing rings, ensuring they maintain consistent contact pressure with the mating surfaces even under high operating pressures, thereby achieving reliable sealing without excessive structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector incorporates specialized sealing rings with specific material properties and geometric profiles at the critical sealing interfaces. These locally optimized sealing elements are designed to deform and conform to the mating surfaces under hydraulic pressure, creating reliable seals at high pressure points while keeping the overall structure simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rigid connectors are used, then structural strength is maintained, but misalignment accommodation is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The locking segments are designed with controlled flexibility, allowing them to deflect and accommodate misalignment between mating components during the connection process. Once engaged, the hydraulic actuation system applies sufficient force to lock the segments in position, maintaining structural strength while adapting to alignment variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into multiple locking segments that can independently engage with the mating component. This segmentation allows each segment to accommodate local misalignment variations while collectively providing robust structural connection. The modular locking segments engage sequentially, tolerating angular and positional deviations.
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 connector system significantly reduces connection time, ensures a reliable seal under high pressure, and allows for efficient operation above sea level, with the mechanical locking segment retaining the hydraulically operated segment in the locked position even after hydraulic pressure is decreased.
Implementation Method 1
The locking segment may be hydraulically operated, and the entire locking segment may be transitioned from a fully retracted position to a fully locked position within fifteen minutes
Implementation Method 2
The seal may include two metal ring gaskets, at least one of which is configured to fit in an American Petroleum Institute R-54 ring groove in a top surface of the tubing
Implementation Method 3
The mechanical locking segment may manually, semi-, or fully-automatically retain the hydraulically operated locking segment in the fully locked position
Data Source
AI summary
A connector to secure a blow out preventer to a casing head of a well or wellhead or other tubing and a method of securing a blow out preventer to the well tubing utilizing the connector. The connector may be configured to secure the blow out preventer adapter to the well tubing and provide, within fifteen minutes, a seal operable to withstand ten thousand pounds per square inch of pressure. The connector may include both a hydraulically operated locking segment and a separate mechanical locking segment, and wherein both locking segments may be transitioned from a fully retracted position to a fully locked position within fifteen minutes. The connector may be configured to accommodate up to ten degrees of misalignment between the blow out preventer and the tubing.