CA1234752A - Bonded, mechanically interconnected seal arrangement for a blowout preventer - Google Patents

Bonded, mechanically interconnected seal arrangement for a blowout preventer

Info

Publication number
CA1234752A
CA1234752A CA000499688A CA499688A CA1234752A CA 1234752 A CA1234752 A CA 1234752A CA 000499688 A CA000499688 A CA 000499688A CA 499688 A CA499688 A CA 499688A CA 1234752 A CA1234752 A CA 1234752A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
groove
seal arrangement
slot
plate
plate member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000499688A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Denzal W. Van Winkle
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1234752A publication Critical patent/CA1234752A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/02Surface sealing or packing
    • E21B33/03Well heads; Setting-up thereof
    • E21B33/06Blow-out preventers, i.e. apparatus closing around a drill pipe, e.g. annular blow-out preventers
    • E21B33/061Ram-type blow-out preventers, e.g. with pivoting rams
    • E21B33/062Ram-type blow-out preventers, e.g. with pivoting rams with sliding rams

Abstract

BONDED, MECHANICALLY INTERCONNECTED SEAL
ARRANGEMENT FOR A BLOWOUT PREVENTER
Abstract of the Disclosure An expansible and contractable replaceable seal arrangement includes an elastomer body bonded to at least a pair of spaced, rigid plate members with a mechanical arrangement interconnecting the plate members and elastomer body to accomodate relative movement there-between in response to expansion and contraction of the elastomer body bonded therewith and to inhibit separation of the plates and elastomer body.

Description

-~Z3~7~

Various seal arrangements have been provided for the groove which extends diametrically across the front of a blowout preventer ram body. One of such arrangements is de nitrated in US. Patent No.
4,416,441 issued on November 22, 1983 to Dental Van Winkle. As illustrated in such patent, the sealing arrangement includes no elastomers body which is metal reinforced the metal being in the form of at least a pair of spaced plates which are intended to assist in positioning and retaining the seal arrangement in position in the groove that extends diametrically across the front of the blowout preventer ram body. Blowout preventer rams, and other seal arrangements in various type oil tools are employed in environments which tend to cause deterioration of the elastomers body. Also, the elastomers may become hard due to exposure to elements in the well fluid which come in contact with the seal arrangement.
Due to deterioration of the elastomers over a period of time, it is not uncommon for the elastomers body to lose its kind with the metal reinforcing plates and to either fall out or Detroit -to such an extent that it falls out in response to pressure drop or other conditions that may occur in the well bore.
When this occurs, the rigid reinforcing plates may become lost in the well. Loss of the plates in the well may foul other devices in the well such as chokes, and cause other problems.
Also, during the molding of the elastomers with the metal plates, it first expands and then the rubber may shrink as it cures so that it tends to pull knack away from the rigid reinforcing leaving less than a desirable product.
me present invention provides a sealing arrangement wherein an elast~ner Cody is bonded to at least a pair of spaced rigid plate members and is mechanically locked in position between the plate members, which seal arrangement is constructed and arranged to allow I I., ~23~75~

expansion and contraction of the elastomers body and the metal reinforcing en plate members as a unit to inhibit separation of the plate menders from the elastomers body bonded therewith. Also, the mechanical locking arrangement functions to assist in retaining the elastomers body in position should it become disconnected grow the metal plates to avoid its loss in the well, and further the interconnecting arrangement assists in retaining the plates interlocked should the elastomers body become completely deteriorated, or for other reasons lose its position between the plates.
The foregoing arrangement enables the seal arrangement to expand and contract during the molding process J and also accommodates expansion and contraction of the seal arrangement as a unit to accommodate changes in temperature or pressure in the environment in winch it is employed, while retaining the elastomers body and reinforcing plates mechanically locked or connected, as well as assisting in maintaining the bond during the expansion and contract lion of the seal arrangement and during use in varying pressures and temperatures.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent prom a consideration of the following drawings and description.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation Al view partly in section illustrating the position of the rams in a blowout preventer when moved in the 6~5 ; pharaoh bores of the blowout preventer to close off communication in the longitudinal bore through the blowout preventer and seal within an elongate member extending through the longitudinal bore;
Fig. 2 is an exploded view illustrating one of the preventer rams and details of the seal arrangement of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a top plan view illustrating the seal arrangement of the present invention in its embodiment for use in a blowout ~Z34~7~2 preventer ram body;
Fig. 4 is a sectional vie on the line 4-4 ox Fig. 3 and thus-trades one form owe the mechanical interlocking arrangement owe the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 to thus-irate further details ox the Norm shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. pa is an alternate form Or -the mechanical locking arrange-Kent; and Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view on the line I of Fig. 5 to thus-irate a portion o-f the releasable retaining means or securing the seal arrangement owe the present invention in position when used in a blowout preventer ram;
The present invention Jill be described in detail as it relates to its use in connection with a blowout preventer ram. Louvre, such explanation is by way owe example only and the seal arrangement Owe -the present invention may be employed in any environment or situation where it has application.
In the drawings the blowout preventer is represented generally by the letter B in Fig. l and is shown as including a transverse bore 10 with a longitudinal bore 11. jams 12 and 13 are mounted in the transverse bore 10 and are moved back and worth therein by any suitable means as illustrated generally at 14 for sealable engaging with the member 15 extending through the longitudinal bore 11. The ram is provided with a seal which, with the seal arrangement of the present invention seals the ram in bore 10. m e general structure and function of a blowout preventer is well known to those skilled in the art as is the general construction of the rams 12 and 13.
In Fig. 2, one of the rams, such as the ram 12 is shown, the other ram 13 being owe similar construction. It includes a generally cylindrical howdy hying a suitable arrangement aye to enable it to be ~23~52 operably connected with the movable means 14, which movable means 14 are construed in a manner well known to those skilled in the art for moving the ram to closed and open position.
A groove 12b extends diametrically across the front ox the blowout preventer ram and is adapted to receive the seal arrangement 20 owe the present invention. Further, the front end ox each ram is provided with a recess that is contoured as illustrated at 12c to receive the member lo to be sealable engaged.
Similarly the seal arrangement 20 is provided with a conforming recess contoured as shown at 20c to sealable engage and close off around the member 15 when the rams are moved to -the position shown in Fig. 1.
The seal means 20 is releasable retained in position in the groove 12b Ox the ram by means of spaced recesses 21 and 22 which are adapted to engage with the projections 23 and 24 on the retainer member 25, whereupon the assembled ram and retainer bar 25 may be moved laterally into the slot 12d wormed in one of the opposing surfaces of the groove 12b to secure the seal arrangement 20 in position.
m e seal arrangement o-f the present invention is illustrated in greater detail in Figs. 3 if and is shown as including an elastomers body 25 bonded to and between the spaced metal or rigid plates 26 and 27.
In the form of the seal arrangement described the plates 26 and 27 are illustrated as extending from adjacent the front surface aye ox the elastoner body 25 and terminating at their rear edges in spiced relation to the rear surface 25b of the elastomers 'Cody 25.
Further, the plates 26 and 27 are illustrated as being bonded to the elastomers body 25 within conforming recesses eye -formed in the top surface 25g and 25h of the elicitor body 25. m e elastomers body 25 ~23475~

may be co-terminus with the termination of the sides ox the plate members 26 and 27 or it may project therefrom where desired or necessary. For example, as better demonstrated in Figs. 3, 5 and pa, -the edge surfaces of the elastomers body 25 between the plates 26 and 27 are arcuate and project therefrom to conform with the arcuate surface of the transverse bore 10 o-E the blowout preventer in which the -Norm ox the invention illustrated in the drawings is to be employed. the surfaces of body 25 may extend beyond metal plates 26 and 27 where desired to provide a better seal. It can be appreciated that this shape will change depending upon the use of the seal arrangement Ox the present invention.
A mechanical interlocking arrangement 30 is provided to inter-lock the elastomers body 25 with the rigid plate members 26 and 27, Chile still enabling the seal arrangement to expand and contract as a unit to assist in maintaining the bond between the elastomers body 25 and plates 26 and 27 and to assist Lo inhibiting dislodgement of the seal body as it deteriorates or err other reasons and to -further assist in retaining the plates 26, 27 interlocked or in position to connect i e the elicitor body should become totally displaced or dissipated. mix arrangement inhibits any of the components of the seal arrangement ox the present invention from dropping into the well bore and fouling other devices or tools therein.
The interlocking arrangement 30 includes receptacle means referred to generally at 35, which receptacle means is shown in one Norm as being spaced openings formed in one of the plate members such as the plate member 26. In Fig. pa the receptacle means 30 is shown as being in the form of a recess 37 which face the elastomers body 25, and in either Norm, the receptacle means 35 receives the elastomers body I therein as illustrated in the drawings. The receptacle means 35 may be or any suitable configuration and arrangement and is thus-~23~7~2 treated as being circular since it is relatively easy to drill an opening through -the plate 26, or provide a recess 37 therein.
Extending -from the plate 27 and connected therewith are project lion means in the -form of posts 40 and 41 which extend into the elastomers which is also in receptacle means 35 as demonstrated in the drawings atld which are surrounded by the elastomers body 25 as shown.
Roy posts 40 and 41 may be ox any suitable configuration and as illustrated in jig. 4 are columns which may be integrally formed with the plate 27.
As a practical matter, the plates 26 and 27 with the posts 40 and 41 extending there between may be molded or cast as a unit, and then one ox -the plates disconnected by cutting or the like from the posts 40 and 41 and the receptacle means 35 wormed therein in any suitable manner. The post ends may be also wormed in any kangaroo-lion to be received within receptacle means 35.
me recesses 37 are ox suitable extent as is the opening 36 to accommodate relative movement owe the elastomers body 25 due to engage-mint ox -the front of the seal with the member 15 or or any other reason, while retaining the units interconnected, but preferably enabling the plates 26 and 27 -to remain disengaged or disconnected so as to assure proper relative movement there between and relative to body 25 during use.
This arrangement provides a seal arrangement that accommodates the necessary expansion and contraction o-f the elastomers body during the molding, or during use as well as relative movement between the components during use. It also inhibits separation of the plates 26 and 27 prom the elastomers Cody during use, as such arrangement enables the plates 26 and 27 to move with the body 25 as a unit during any expansion or contraction and places them in a relationship to interconnect it the elastomers completely disappears.

~Z3~

It can also be appreciated that while the present invention has been described wherein only a pair of metal plates 26 and 27 are shown, a seal arrangement employing a plurality o-f interconnected plates throughout the elastomers body might be employed and mechanic gaily interlock with the elastomers Cody 25 and with each other in the manner illustrated in the drawings.
Should the elastomers body dissipate through use or disappear, the mechanical interlocking arrangement tends to maintain the rigid plates 26 and 27 interconnected to avoid their displacement into the well bore.
kite the plates 26 and 27 have been shown as being formed of metal, it can be appreciated that they may be wormed ox any suitable materials such as plastic or the like, so long as such substance is su~iciently rigid to accomplish the desired function ox the sealing arrangement.
The -foregoing disclosure and description are illustrative and explanatory of the invention, and various changes in the size, shape and materials as well as the details of the illustrated instructions may be made without departing from the spirit ox the invention.

Claims (6)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A replaceable seal arrangement for a groove extending diametrically across the front of a blowout preventer ram body comprising:
an elastomer body having upper and lower surfaces for fitting in the groove;
plate members embedded in the upper and lower surfaces of said elastomer body;
receptacle means in one of said plate members which includes said elastomer body therein;
projection means forming part of and extending from said other plate member, through said elastomer body and into the elastomer in said receptacle means for interlocking said plate members together without securing said projection means to said one plate member to accommodate relative movement of said interlocked plate members upon expansion and contraction of said seal means, said receptacle means and elastomer body therein being significantly larger than the portion of the projection means received therein about the entire periphery of said portion to accommodate said relative movement; and releasable means for releasably securing said seal arrangement in the groove of the ram body.

2. The seal arrangement of claim 1 wherein said receptacle means comprises longitudinally spaced recesses in said one plate means, and wherein said releasable means includes a slot extending transversely of the groove in the
Claim 2 continued....

ram body, spaced recesses in the plate member facing the slot in the groove, and a retainer for fitting in the slot and having spaced projections therein for receiving the recesses in the plate member whereby said seal arrangement and retainer may be interconnected and secured in position in the groove.
3. The seal arrangement of claim 1 wherein said receptacle means comprises longitudinally spaced openings in said one plate means, and. wherein said releasable means includes a slot extending laterally of the groove in the ram body, spaced recesses in the plate member facing the slot in the groove, and a retainer for fitting in the slot and having space projections therein for receiving the recesses in the plate member whereby said seal arrangement and retainer may be interconnected and secured in position in the groove.

4. An expansible and contractable seal arrangement comprising;
an elastomer body bonded to at least a pair of spaced plate members; and mechanical means interlocking said plate members and elastomer body to accommodate relative movement therebetween in response to expansion and contraction of said elastomer body bonded therewith while maintaining said plate members interlocked;
said mechanical means including receptacle means in one of said plate members in which said elastomer body
Claim 4 continued....

extends; and projection means forming part of and extending from said other plate member through said elastomer body and into said receptacle means for interlocking said plate members together without securing said projection means to said one plate member to accommodate relative movement of said plate members upon expansion and contraction of said seal means, said receptacle means and elastomer body therein being significantly larger than the portion of the projection means received therein about the entire periphery of said portion to accommodate said relative movement.
5. The seal arrangement of claim 4 wherein said receptacle means comprises longitudinally spaced recesses in said one plate means, and wherein said releasable means includes a slot extending transversely of the groove in the ram body, spaced recesses in the plate member facing the slot in the groove, and a retainer for fitting in the slot and having spaced projections therein for receiving the recesses in the plate member whereby said seal arrangement and retainer may be interconnected and secured in position in the groove.

6. The seal arrangement of claim 4 wherein said receptacle means comprises longitudinally spaced openings in said one plate means, and wherein said releasable means includes a slot extending transversely of the groove in the ram body, spaced recesses in the plate member facing the slot in the groove, and a retainer for fitting in the slot
Claim 6 continued...
and having spaced projections therein for receiving the recesses in the plate member whereby said seal arrangement and retainer may be interconnected and secured in position in the grooved.
CA000499688A 1985-12-23 1986-01-16 Bonded, mechanically interconnected seal arrangement for a blowout preventer Expired CA1234752A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US810,310 1985-12-23
US06/810,310 US4690411A (en) 1985-12-23 1985-12-23 Bonded mechanically inner connected seal arrangement for a blowout preventer

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1234752A true CA1234752A (en) 1988-04-05

Family

ID=25203555

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000499688A Expired CA1234752A (en) 1985-12-23 1986-01-16 Bonded, mechanically interconnected seal arrangement for a blowout preventer

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US4690411A (en)
CA (1) CA1234752A (en)
GB (1) GB2184495B (en)

Families Citing this family (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4927112A (en) * 1988-02-09 1990-05-22 Doulbe-E Inc. Blowout preventer
EP0602519B1 (en) * 1992-12-12 1997-01-15 Klinger AG Stop valve and sealing ring
US5405467A (en) * 1993-08-09 1995-04-11 Hydril Company Rubber riveting of molded parts
US6394460B1 (en) * 1999-12-17 2002-05-28 Tuboscope I/P One-piece ram element block for wireline blowout preventers
GB0423016D0 (en) * 2004-10-16 2004-11-17 Enovate Systems Ltd Blow out preventers
US7243713B2 (en) * 2004-11-29 2007-07-17 National-Oilwell Dht, L.P. Shear/seal ram assembly for a ram-type blowout prevention system
US7464765B2 (en) * 2005-08-24 2008-12-16 National-Oilwell Dht, L.P. Inner guide seal assembly and method for a ram type BOP system
US7363985B2 (en) * 2005-11-23 2008-04-29 Double-E Inc. Hydraulic latch for capillary tubing string
US8424607B2 (en) 2006-04-25 2013-04-23 National Oilwell Varco, L.P. System and method for severing a tubular
US8720565B2 (en) 2006-04-25 2014-05-13 National Oilwell Varco, L.P. Tubular severing system and method of using same
US7367396B2 (en) 2006-04-25 2008-05-06 Varco I/P, Inc. Blowout preventers and methods of use
US8720564B2 (en) 2006-04-25 2014-05-13 National Oilwell Varco, L.P. Tubular severing system and method of using same
US8858528B2 (en) * 2008-04-23 2014-10-14 Ncontact Surgical, Inc. Articulating cannula access device
US8267951B2 (en) 2008-06-12 2012-09-18 Ncontact Surgical, Inc. Dissecting cannula and methods of use thereof
US8844898B2 (en) 2009-03-31 2014-09-30 National Oilwell Varco, L.P. Blowout preventer with ram socketing
US8875798B2 (en) * 2009-04-27 2014-11-04 National Oilwell Varco, L.P. Wellsite replacement system and method for using same
WO2011002602A2 (en) 2009-07-01 2011-01-06 National Oilwell Varco, L.P. Wellsite equipment replacement system and method for using same
US8544538B2 (en) 2010-07-19 2013-10-01 National Oilwell Varco, L.P. System and method for sealing a wellbore
US8540017B2 (en) 2010-07-19 2013-09-24 National Oilwell Varco, L.P. Method and system for sealing a wellbore
US8807219B2 (en) 2010-09-29 2014-08-19 National Oilwell Varco, L.P. Blowout preventer blade assembly and method of using same
EP2683912B1 (en) 2011-03-09 2017-08-23 National Oilwell Varco, L.P. Method and apparatus for sealing a wellbore
US10000987B2 (en) 2013-02-21 2018-06-19 National Oilwell Varco, L.P. Blowout preventer monitoring system and method of using same
US9441444B2 (en) 2013-09-13 2016-09-13 National Oilwell Varco, L.P. Modular subsea stripper packer and method of using same
US10655420B2 (en) * 2017-03-21 2020-05-19 Baker Hughes, A Ge Company, Llc Blowout prevention system including blind shear ram
US20220307339A1 (en) * 2021-03-29 2022-09-29 Bellofram Acquisition II, LLC High velocity and pressure bop ram seal, ram body, and ram seal assembly

Family Cites Families (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1908221A (en) * 1930-07-01 1933-05-09 Walter L Church Blow-out preventer
US1788041A (en) * 1930-09-26 1931-01-06 Detroit Gasket & Mfg Co Gasket
GB398771A (en) * 1932-07-15 1933-09-21 Christian Kaiser Improvements in the manufacture of flexible packing or jointing materials
US2194255A (en) * 1938-11-23 1940-03-19 Cameron Iron Works Inc Blowout preventer
GB680065A (en) * 1949-01-24 1952-10-01 Albert Klein Improvements in and relating to elastic or resilient pressure sealing plates or gaskets
GB681312A (en) * 1950-05-23 1952-10-22 Cameron Iron Works Inc Improvements in or relating to packing assemblies for blow-out preventors
US3102709A (en) * 1959-08-26 1963-09-03 Cameron Iron Works Inc Ram type valve apparatus
GB1324369A (en) * 1969-12-18 1973-07-25 Dowty Seals Ltd Fluid flow control valves and sealing devices therefor
AU2520671A (en) * 1970-02-09 1972-08-10 Dover Roller Shutters Limited Improvements in laths for roller shutters
US3692316A (en) * 1970-12-21 1972-09-19 Bowen Tools Inc Wireline blowout preventer
US3897038A (en) * 1973-01-22 1975-07-29 Hydril Co Blowout preventer with variable inside diameter
US4416441A (en) * 1979-10-29 1983-11-22 Winkle Denzal W Van Blowout preventer
US4332367A (en) * 1980-05-02 1982-06-01 Nl Industries, Inc. Blowout preventer having a variable ram seal
US4447038A (en) * 1982-02-19 1984-05-08 The Mead Corporation Blow-out protector packer element
US4467996A (en) * 1982-07-06 1984-08-28 Baugh Benton F Valve apparatus
US4398729A (en) * 1982-12-20 1983-08-16 Bowen Tools, Inc. Blowout preventer inner ram seal assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2184495B (en) 1989-10-11
GB2184495A (en) 1987-06-24
GB8601319D0 (en) 1986-02-26
US4690411A (en) 1987-09-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA1234752A (en) Bonded, mechanically interconnected seal arrangement for a blowout preventer
EP0145456B1 (en) Shearing type blowout preventer
US5515916A (en) Blowout preventer
US3561526A (en) Pipe shearing ram assembly for blowout preventer
US4647002A (en) Ram blowout preventer apparatus
CA1275460C (en) Cable joint with peripheral sealing bodies
US3736982A (en) Combination shearing and shut-off ram for blowout preventer
US5064164A (en) Bop seal with improved metal inserts
CA1300004C (en) Blowout preventer
WO1996008612A1 (en) Hydraulic fastening device and method
US5617655A (en) Securement pin for earth excavation teeth
JP2796437B2 (en) Seal structure of tunnel pipe segment
CA2331195A1 (en) Improved variable bore ram packer for tapered tubular members in a ram type blowout preventer
CA2472792C (en) Variable bore ram
US4541639A (en) Ram-type blowout preventer with improved ram front packer
US4467996A (en) Valve apparatus
EP0140490A2 (en) Ram-type blowout preventer and packer therefor
US5127623A (en) Inner seal for ram-type blowout preventer
US4324422A (en) Low torque pack-off seal assembly with retrievable lower section
CA2459188C (en) Wellhead production blowout preventer
US4703938A (en) Seal for ram type blowout preventor
EP0647763B1 (en) Blowout preventer with removable packer
US4962716A (en) Floating dock having shock-absorbing coupling
US5011110A (en) BOP seal with improved metal inserts
US4508312A (en) Ram-type blowout preventer

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
MKEX Expiry