Rotating flow control diverter with riser pipe adapter
OwnerMichael Boydinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is directed a rotating flow control diverter having a riser adapter. The riser adapter allows the rotating flow control diverter to be positioned in a riser string below the drilling platform. The rotating flow control diverter has two flanged connections that connect to the flanged connections of riser pipe such that the rotating flow control diverter becomes an integral part of the riser string. The rotating flow control device has means to circulate lubricating fluid in the bearing assembly without the need for external feed lines.
Claims13
A rotating flow control diverter for use in a riser string comprising;
- a) a tubular stationary housing having a lower flanged connection;
- b) a removable bearing assembly, the bearing assembly comprising an outer housing, bearing elements, and an axially rotatable inner tubular shaft;
- c) an elastomeric stripper element attached to the inner tubular shaft;
- and
- d) a locking clamp mounted on the outer housing for releasably securing the outer housing of the bearing assembly to the stationary housing;
- and
- e) a riser pipe adapter comprising;
- i. a sleeved housing comprising an upper enclosure having a flanged connection for attachment to a flange of a riser pipe section and a lower enclosure, the lower enclosure being mounted on the stationary housing;
- and
- ii. a locking clamp for releasably attaching the upper enclosure to the lower enclosure.
A method of inserting a rotating flow control diverter having an upper end and a lower end into a riser string, the rotating flow control diverter having a flanged connection at its lower end, the method comprising the steps of
- (a) mounting a sleeved riser adapter on the upper end of the rotating flow control diverter, the adapter having a flanged connection;
- (b) securing the flanged connection at the lower end of the rotating flow control diverter to the flanged connection of a riser pipe;
- and
- (c) securing the flanged connection of the adapter at the upper end of the rotating flow control diverter to the flanged connection of a riser pipe.
A riser pipe adapter for a rotating flow control diverter, comprising;
- (a) a sleeved housing defining an interior pressure bearing cavity, the housing comprising;
- iii. an upper enclosure having a flanged connection for sealed attachment to the flange of a riser pipe;
- and
- iv. a lower enclosure, the lower enclosure being attached in a sealed manner to the rotating flow control diverter;
- (b) a clamp for releasably attaching the upper enclosure to the lower enclosure in a sealed manner.
An offshore drilling assembly comprising a riser string and a rotating flow control diverter, said riser string comprising a plurality of interconnected lengths of flanged riser pipe and the rotating flow control diverter inserted in the riser string between a first flanged riser pipe and a second flanged riser pipe, the rotating flow control diverter comprising;
- a. a tubular stationary housing having a lower flanged connection, the lower flanged connection being attached to the first flanged riser pipe;
- b. a removable bearing assembly, the bearing assembly comprising an outer housing, bearing elements, and an axially rotatable inner tubular shaft;
- c. an elastomeric stripper element attached to the inner tubular shaft;
- d. a locking clamp ring rotatably mounted on the outer housing for releasably securing the outer housing of the bearing assembly to the stationary housing;
- and
- e. a riser pipe adapter comprising;
- i. a sleeved housing comprising an upper enclosure having a flanged connection, said flanged connection being attached to the second flanged riser pipe, and a lower enclosure, the lower enclosure being mounted on the stationary housing;
- and
- ii. a locking clamp ring for releasably attaching the upper enclosure to the lower enclosure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.