Variable Bore Ram Inserts for Sealing Adaptability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional blowout preventer (BOP) rams face limitations in accommodating varying pipe diameters and operational conditions, leading to elastomer flow and reduced sealing effectiveness over time, necessitating frequent repairs or replacements.
Innovation Solution
The development of variable bore rams with movable inserts featuring lips and steps that adjust the sealing diameter, blocking extrusion paths for packers to prevent elastomer flow, thereby enhancing the operational life and adaptability of the ram block assemblies across different temperature and pressure ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional BOP rams use fixed sealing structures, then manufacturing and operation are simple, but they cannot accommodate varying pipe diameters and suffer from elastomer flow reducing sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements movable inserts within the ram blocks that can be positioned at different locations to adjust the sealing diameter dynamically. These inserts feature lips that contact the pipe and steps that control elastomer flow, allowing the sealing structure to adapt to various pipe diameters while maintaining reliable sealing through controlled elastomer extrusion paths.
2Reliability
If elastomer packing material is selected based on expected operating conditions, then sealing performance is optimized for specific conditions, but operational functionality is limited to those conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The movable inserts with adjustable positions allow the same packing material to maintain effective sealing across varying operating conditions by adapting the sealing geometry. The inserts can be repositioned to accommodate different pipe diameters and operating parameters, enabling the packing material to function reliably beyond its originally selected operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the sealing structure through movable inserts, allowing the same packing material to adapt to different operating conditions by modifying the sealing diameter and elastomer flow paths rather than requiring different materials for different conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If variable bore rams use movable inserts to adjust sealing diameter, then adaptability to different pipe diameters is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ram block assembly is segmented into movable inserts and fixed components. Each insert is an independent element with lips and steps that can be positioned separately, allowing the complex sealing function to be achieved through simple, modular components rather than a single complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable inserts are nested within the ram blocks, with each insert containing lips and steps that perform specific sealing functions. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional elements to be compactly integrated without significantly increasing the overall device footprint or complexity.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If lips extend into voids between adjacent inserts, then elastomer extrusion is blocked extending operational life, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lips are positioned locally within the voids between adjacent inserts at specific locations where elastomer extrusion occurs. This localized placement of flow-blocking features addresses the critical areas needing protection without requiring high precision across the entire insert assembly, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A blowout preventer (BOP) assembly includes a body portion, a bore extending through the body portion, and a ram block assembly. The ram block assembly includes a first ram block being movable into the bore and a second ram block being movable into the bore. The ram block assembly also includes inserts arranged within each of the first ram block and second ram block, the inserts being movable to change a sealing diameter of the ram block assembly, wherein each insert includes a plurality of lips extending into voids formed between adjacent inserts, respective lips being positioned along intersecting regions of adjacent inserts