The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 27, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 27, 1996
James D Brugman, Spring, TX (US);
Bryce A Levett, Katy, TX (US);
Varco Shaffer, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A blowout preventer 10 is provided for use in a hydrocarbon recovery operation to prevent a well blowout. The BOP body 20 has a central passageway 22 therein for receiving an oilfield tubular T. First and second radially opposing doors 16 and 18 are provided for sealing engagement with the corresponding side face 15 on the BOP body. First and second ram assemblies 12, 14 are each supported on a respective door and may be pressure energized for driving first and second ram blocks 24 into engagement with the oilfield tubular. A door connector 60, 90, 110, 140, 160 and 180 is provided for securing each door to the BOP body. Each door connector includes an upper connector bar and a lower connector bar 62, 64, 92, 94, 112, 114, 142, 144, 146, 148, 160 and 180 each having a bar axis generally perpendicular to the BOP body central axis. Each upper and lower connector bar is movable with respect to the BOP body from a locked position for locking the door into sealing engagement with the BOP body to an unlocked position for structurally releasing the door from the BOP body, such that the door may be disengaged from the BOP body for servicing the ram blocks. A significant feature of the present invention is the reduced time required to service the BOP ram blocks. The axial height of the BOP is desirably reduced by providing the upper and lower connector bars.