US 11,686,173 B2 · Rotary control device with self-contained hydraulic reservoir

Abstract

An improved rotating control device, having a spool and removable bearing assembly, provides a self-contained hydraulic reservoir that can be operated with standard air pressures from an air hose or other readily available source, eliminating traditional surface hydraulic power units (HPUs). Hydraulically operated pistons can be spring biased to close latching elements around the bearing assembly. Hydraulic fluid can be forced from the self-contained hydraulic reservoir through flow paths to hydraulic cylinders to force the pistons to retract radially outward to release the bearing assembly for removal. The bearing assembly can include a lubricant reservoir to supply gravity-fed or pressurized lubrication for internal roller bearings. The bearing assembly can further include a rotary seal in several embodiments that efficiently reduces risks of dropping bolts on personnel and in the wellbore.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A rotating control device for use in extraction of fluids from a wellbore, comprising:

a spool having a bore along a longitudinal axis, the spool comprising:
a reservoir for fluid, the reservoir having a pressure port configured to receive pressure for the reservoir;
a latching assembly cylinder bore formed in the spool at an angle to the longitudinal axis;
a flow path for the fluid between the reservoir and the latching assembly cylinder bore;
and
a latching assembly coupled in the latching assembly cylinder bore, the latching assembly comprising:
a piston assembly comprising:
a sealing ring;
a piston slidably coupled with the sealing ring;
a piston rod housing coupled with the sealing ring;
a piston rod slidably coupled in the piston rod housing;
and
a bias element coupled between the piston rod and the piston rod housing;
and
a latching element coupled to the piston rod;
and
a bearing assembly removably coupled with the spool bore and having a bearing assembly latch surface configured to engage with the latching element when the latching element is extended toward the bearing assembly by the piston rod.

14 more elements

A method of configuring a rotating control device in extraction of fluids from a wellbore, the rotating control device having a spool having a bore along a longitudinal axis, the spool having a reservoir for fluid, the reservoir having a pressure port, a latching assembly cylinder bore formed in the spool at an angle to the longitudinal axis, a flow path for the fluid between the reservoir and the latching assembly cylinder bore, a latching assembly coupled in the latching assembly cylinder bore, the latching assembly having a piston assembly with a piston slidably coupled in the latching assembly cylinder bore, a piston rod slidably coupled in the piston, and a bias element coupled between the piston rod, and the piston and the latching assembly further having a latching element coupled to the piston rod, and a bearing assembly removably coupled to the spool in the spool bore, the method comprising:

pressurizing the reservoir on the spool through the pressure port;
allowing pressurized fluid from the reservoir to flow along the flow path to the latching assembly cylinder bore;
retracting the piston in a radially outward direction from a center of the spool;
inserting the bearing assembly in the spool bore;
depressurizing the fluid in the latching assembly cylinder bore;
allowing the piston to extend radially inward;
and
allowing the latching element to engage the bearing assembly.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Rotary control device with self-contained hydraulic reservoir

Life of this patent

Rotary control device with self-contained hydraulic reservoir

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20