Wellhead Connector Segmented Piston Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellhead sealing technologies face challenges in effectively sealing wellheads to prevent leakage of subsurface fluids, which poses an environmental threat, and require improved solutions for efficient and reliable sealing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A wellhead connector system featuring a pressure-balanced piston connected to pivotally movable segments via linkages, allowing for selective engagement and disengagement to seal the wellhead, with self-locking capabilities and modular design to handle high pressures and various diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wellhead connector with segments and piston is used to seal the wellhead, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple segments that can be independently positioned around the mandrel. These segments are pivotally movable and can be engaged or disengaged independently, allowing for flexible sealing configurations while maintaining structural integrity. The segmentation enables the system to adapt to different wellhead sizes and shapes, improving sealing reliability without requiring a completely different design for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector employs a piston mechanism that can dynamically adjust the position of the segments. The piston is movable between engaged and disengaged positions, allowing the segments to transition between sealing and non-sealing states. This dynamic capability enables the system to respond to varying pressure conditions and wellhead configurations, maintaining reliable sealing while avoiding the complexity of multiple static sealing mechanisms.
2Stress or pressure
If the piston is pressure balanced in the housing, then the sealing performance under high pressure is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is designed with pressure-balancing features that counteract the high wellhead pressures. By positioning the piston such that pressure acts equally on both sides, the system neutralizes the net force that would otherwise require extremely precise manufacturing tolerances to maintain sealing. This pressure-balancing approach allows the connector to withstand high pressures while using more achievable manufacturing precision standards.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the segments are self-lockable by moving linkages to an over-centered position, then the sealing stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanism is designed to automatically lock the segments in place through an over-centered positioning system. Once the piston moves the segments into the engaged position, the linkages self-lock without requiring additional actuators or locking mechanisms. This self-service feature maintains sealing stability under varying pressure conditions while avoiding the complexity of externally controlled locking systems.
4Reliability
If the segments converge in the engaged position, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the force required to actuate the piston increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segments are designed with curved surfaces that converge smoothly when engaged. This curvature allows the segments to gradually close around the mandrel rather than requiring abrupt, high-force movement. The curved geometry distributes the actuation force more evenly throughout the closing process, maintaining effective sealing while reducing the peak force requirements on the piston and linkage mechanism.
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 system provides reliable and efficient sealing of wellheads, reducing leakage risks and environmental threats by ensuring pressure balance and self-locking mechanisms, while being modular and adaptable to different wellhead configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a piston actuatable for moving the plurality of segments between a disengaged and an engaged position about the mandrel whereby the wellhead is selectively sealed
Implementation Method 2
the piston is pressure balanced in the housing
Implementation Method 3
the plurality of segments are self-lockable by moving the plurality of linkages to an over-centered position normal to the plurality of rods
Implementation Method 4
in the engaged position the plurality of segments converge, and in the disengaged position the plurality of segments diverge about the mandrel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The techniques herein relate to a blowout preventer a wellhead of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The blowout preventer includes a housing having a bore therethrough, a segment carrier positionable in the housing, and a piston. The segment carrier includes a carrier ring for receiving the mandrel and a plurality of segments pivotally movable radially thereabout. The piston is operatively connectable to the plurality of segments and actuatable for moving the plurality of segments between a disengaged and an engaged position about the mandrel.