Blowout Preventer Ram Socketing for Seal Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blowout preventers face damage from pressure-induced movement of rams and face seals, leading to seal damage during high-pressure applications in drilling operations.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates extrusion plates with projecting portions that are 'socketed' into corresponding recesses in opposing rams, inhibiting unwanted movement and enhancing sealing contact between the rams, thereby reducing seal damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If face seals are used to seal between opposing rams, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but pressure-induced movement causes seal damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidseal damage from pressure-induced movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seal structure is divided into multiple components: a seal body with sealing surfaces, and separate extrusion plates projecting from each seal body. These extrusion plates engage with corresponding recesses in opposing rams to prevent movement, while the seal body maintains sealing contact. This segmentation allows the sealing function and the movement prevention function to be independently optimized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The extrusion plates act as intermediary elements between the seal structure and the rams. They transmit the force from the ram pressure to prevent movement of the seal bodies, while the seal bodies themselves maintain contact for sealing. This intermediary structure protects the seals from direct damage while maintaining both sealing and stability functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If rams are allowed to move freely under pressure, then ease of operation is improved, but unwanted movement causes seal damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveram movement freedomVSAvoidwobble-induced seal damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ram and seal structures are designed with specific local features: recesses in the rams and extrusion plates on the seals. These localized structural modifications create selective constraints that prevent unwanted wobble and movement while allowing the necessary closing and sealing motion. The quality of movement is controlled locally at the contact points between extrusion plates and recesses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8844898B2Blowout preventer with ram socketing

Publication Date: 2014.09.30 NAT OILWELL VARCO LP

AI summary

A blowout preventer and seal structure for a blowout preventer, the seal structure having a the body with two front faces including a first face and a second face, a projection projecting out from the body, the first face on the projection, the second face in a plane, and the projection with the first face projecting out beyond the plane. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).