Blowout preventer ram lock and locking method
AssigneeHydril Company
InventorC. Mack Ellison
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A new and improved ram lock for blowout preventer rams which permits locking of the ram at multiple and adjustable positions to compensate for wear on sealing elements of blowout preventer rams and increase sealing action of the ram without requiring separate special control lines. Automatic locking of the ram at a desired position, such as in sealing position, is obtained.
Claims32
In a blowout preventer having at least one blowout preventer ram, a ram lock for locking the ram at an adjustable closed position for sealing contact with a well pipe or the like in a bore of the blowout preventer, comprising:
- a. a ram carrier means comprising a ram piston having a piston rod with a threaded surface formed thereon for moving the ram to an initial closed position in the blowout preventer in response to closing fluid pressure;
- b. lock means continuously engaged with said ram carrier means during movement thereof and permitting movement of said ram carrier means to the initial closed position and the adjustable closed position of the ram to increase the sealing contact thereof to a desired level, said lock means comprising:
- 1. a lock nut having a threaded surface formed thereon and engaged by said threaded surface on said ram piston rod for rotational movement with respect thereto during movement of the ram to the closed position;
- 2. a lock nut ratchet ring fixedly mounted with said lock nut for movement therewith, said lock nut ratchet ring having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
- 3. a restraining ratchet ring having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
- and
- 4. said teeth of said lock nut ratchet ring and said restraining ratchet ring permitting unrestrained movement of the ram to the closed position, and further being energizable to lock the ram against reverse movement;
- and
- c. means for energizing said lock means to lock the ram in place at the adjusted closed position comprising means responsive to the closing fluid pressure to energize said lock means, wherein the ram is locked at adjustable sealing positions by said lock means.
In a blowout preventer having at least one blowout preventer ram, a ram lock for automatically locking the ram against reverse or outward movement during initial movement to a closed position for contact of the ram with a well pipe or the like in a bore of the blowout preventer, comprising:
- a. ram carrier means comprising a ram piston having a piston rod with a threaded surface formed thereon for moving the ram to an initial closed position in the blowout preventer in response to closing fluid pressure;
- b. means for permitting inward advance of said ram carrier means and the ram through the blowout preventer to the closed position of the ram, comprising:
- 1. a nut having a threaded surface formed thereon and engaged by said threaded surface on said ram piston rod for rotational movement with respect thereto during movement of the ram to the closed position;
- 2. a lock ratchet ring fixedly mounted with said nut for movement therewith, said lock ratchet ring having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
- 3. a restraining ratchet ring having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
- and
- 4. said teeth of said lock ratchet ring and said restraining ratchet ring automatically engaging to lock the ram against outward movement;
- and
- c. lock means for automatically restraining outward movement of said piston means in a direction opposite the inward advance, wherein said piston is automatically locked against such outward movement.
A method of automatically locking a blowout preventer ram during inward movement of the ram to a closed position for contact of the ram with a well pipe or the like in a bore of a blowout preventer, comprising the steps of:
- a. moving the ram inwardly with closing fluid pressure towards the closed position in a blowout preventer;
- and
- b. with the closing fluid pressure automatically locking the ram and thereby restraining040534356 restaining movement of the ram in a direction opposite the movement of said step of moving at multiple and adjustable positions to thereby automatically lock the ram against such outward movement.
A ram lock for a blowout preventer ram for locking the ram at an adjustable closed position for sealing contact with a well pipe or the like in the blowout preventer, comprising:
- a. ram carrier means comprising a ram piston having a piston rod with a threaded surface formed thereon for moving the ram to an initial closed position in the blowout preventer in response to closing fluid pressure;
- b. lock means continuously engaged with said ram carrier means during movement thereof and permitting movement of said ram carrier means to the initial closed position and the adjustable closed position of the ram to increase the sealing contact thereof to a desired level, said lock means comprising:
- 1. a lock nut having a threaded surface formed thereon and engaged by said threaded surface on said ram piston rod for rotational movement with respect thereto during movement of the ram to the closed position;
- 2. a lock nut ratchet ring fixedly mounted with said lock nut for movement therewith, said lock nut ratchet ring having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
- 3. a restraining ratchet ring having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
- and
- 4. said teeth of said lock nut ratchet ring and said restraining ratchet ring permitting unrestrained movement of the ram to the closed position, and further being energizable to lock the ram against reverse movement;
- and
- c. means for energizing said lock means to lock the ram in place at the adjusted closed position, wherein the ram is locked at adjustable sealing positions by said lock means.
The structure of clam 24, wherein said means for energizing comprises:
- a lock ring adapted for movement in response to opening fluid pressure to a position permitting rotational movement of said ratchet rings and said lock nut with respect to said ram piston rod during outward movement of the ram from the closed position to unlock the ram.
A ram lock for a blowout preventer ram for automatically locking the ram against reverse or outward movement, during inward movement to a closed position for contact of the ram with a well pipe or the like in a bore of a blowout preventer, comprising:
- a. ram carrier means comprising a ram piston having a piston rod with a threaded surface formed thereon for moving the ram to an initial closed position in the blowout preventer in response to fluid pressure;
- means for permitting inward advance of said ram carrier means and the ram through the blowout preventer to the closed position of the ram, comprising:
- 1. a nut having a threaded surface formed thereon and engaged by said threaded surface on said ram piston rod for rotational movement with respect thereto during movement of the ram to the closed position;
- 2. a lock ratchet ring fixedly mounted with said nut for movement therewith, said lock ratchet ring having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
- 3. a restraining ratchet ring having ratchet teeth formed thereon;
- and
- 4. said teeth of said lock ratchet ring and said restraining ratchet teeth automatically engaging to lock the ram against outward movement;
- and
- c. lock means for automatically restraining outward movement of said piston means in a direction opposite the inward advance, wherein said piston is automatically locked against such outward movement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.