Interlocking Ram Assembly for Blowout Preventer Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blowout preventers (BOPs) face challenges in effectively sealing and preventing fluid leakage in wellbores due to harsh conditions and significant forces, despite advancements in technology.
Innovation Solution
A blowout preventer with an interlocking ram assembly that includes a ram wedge, blade, and ram seat, featuring a tongue and groove interface, which reduces the gap between the blade and seat, and is actuated by actuators to form a metal-to-metal seal, even under high pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ram assemblies are used in blowout preventers, then the sealing function is provided, but the gap between blade and seat cannot be sufficiently reduced under harsh conditions and significant forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic interlocking mechanism where the ram wedge moves relative to the ram seat during operation. The rails on the ram wedge engage with grooves in the ram seat, creating a moving interlock that actively reduces the gap between blade and seat as the ram assembly actuates, rather than relying on static precision alone
Solution Approach 2:
The ram assembly is segmented into separate components (ram wedge, blade, rails, grooves) that can move independently yet interlock. This segmentation allows the gap reduction function to be achieved through controlled relative motion between parts rather than requiring the entire assembly to be manufactured with extreme precision
2Manufacturing precision
If tighter design tolerances are specified for ram assembly components, then sealing precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rails and grooves act as intermediary elements that mediate between the ram wedge and ram seat. These intermediaries provide a mechanical guide and constraint system that reduces the need for tight tolerances on the mating surfaces of the main components, as the rails-grooves interface controls the relative positioning
Solution Approach 2:
By using dynamic relative motion between the ram wedge and ram seat through the interlocking rails and grooves, the system achieves precise gap control during operation rather than relying on tight manufacturing tolerances. The movement allows the components to self-align and maintain optimal sealing geometry
3Reliability
If the ram assembly is designed to resist significant forces and harsh conditions, then operational reliability is improved, but wear on components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking rails and grooves are designed to engage beforehand and guide the relative motion between ram components. This preliminary engagement establishes controlled movement paths that prevent uncontrolled sliding and reduce wear during high-force operations, as the components are already positioned and constrained before the sealing action begins
Data Source
AI summary
A ram assembly is disclosed. The ram assembly includes a ram wedge, a blade, and a ram seat. The ram wedge has a tubular cavity therethrough for receiving the tubular. The ram wedge is slidably positionable in the ram channel between a retracted and an extended position, and has rails extending therefrom. The blade is positionable about the tubular cavity, the blade carried by the ram wedge to cuttingly engage the tubular. The ram seat is positionable in the housing about the passage, and has a hole for receiving the tubular therethrough. The ram seat also has an outer surface interlockingly engageable with the rails as the ram wedge moves relative thereto whereby a gap is reduced therebetween.