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US 5,667,014 AGranted
Self-removing choke insert system
AssigneeABB Vetco Gray Inc.
InventorsMark D. Slider, Gary L. Galle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A subsea choke assembly for a well has a resilient closure seal within it which is used for retrieval purposes as well. The closure member is a metal resilient ring having tapered seal surfaces. The tapered seal surfaces locate between the choke body housing and the choke body bonnet. When securing the bonnet to the housing, the resiliency of the closure seal must be overcome, as well as the force required to insert an inner seal into its sealing surface within the bore. When the bonnet is released, the closure seal has sufficient spring force to push itself upward from the housing. In addition, it pushes the bonnet upward from closure seal. The choke body moves upward in unison with the bonnet, freeing the inner seal from its sealing surface.
Claims16
A well subassembly, comprising in combination:
- a housing containing a bore having an axis which terminates at an outer face;
- an annular inner seal surface in the bore;
- a counterbore of larger diameter than the inner seal surface, joining and located outward of the inner seal surface along the axis;
- a first annular closure seal surface at an intersection of the bore and the face;
- an insert member which inserts into the bore;
- an inner seal carried by the insert member which engages the inner seal surface;
- a closure member which carries the insert member such that outward movement of the closure member causes simultaneous outward movement of the insert member;
- a second annular closure seal surface formed on the closure member;
- a resilient metal closure seal having mating surfaces which engage the closure seal surfaces of the housing and closure member, respectively;
- at least one of the closure seal surfaces being tapered;
- fastening means for securing the closure member to the housing and preloading one of the mating surfaces of the closure seal against the closure seal surface which is tapered;
- and
- the closure seal being capable of self-releasing from being preloaded when the fastening means is released and having a sufficient spring force to cause the bonnet and insert member to move outward relative to the housing, thereby moving the inner seal from the inner seal surface into the counterbore, freeing the insert member for retrieval from the housing.
10 more elements
A well subassembly, comprising in combination:
- a housing containing a bore having an axis which terminates at an outer face;
- an annular inner seal surface in the bore;
- a counterbore of larger diameter than the inner seal surface joining and located outward of the inner seal surface along the axis;
- a tapered annular closure seal surface at an intersection of the bore and the face;
- an insert member which inserts into the bore;
- an inner seal carried by the insert member which engages the inner seal surface;
- a closure member which has a bore terminating at a face, the insert member extending into the bore of the closure member and being connected to the closure member such that outward movement of the closure member causes simultaneous outward movement of the insert member;
- a tapered annular closure seal surface located at the intersection of the bore and the face of the closure member;
- a resilient metal closure seal having inner and outer tapered surfaces which engage the closure seal surfaces of the housing and closure member, respectively;
- fastening means for securing the closure member to the housing and preloading the tapered surfaces of the closure seal against the closure seal surfaces of the housing and closure member;
- and
- the closure seal being capable of self-releasing from being preloaded against the tapered surfaces when the fastening means is released, and having a sufficient spring force to move the closure member and insert member outward relative to the housing, thereby moving the inner seal from the inner seal surface into the counterbore, freeing the insert member for retrieval from the housing.
9 more elements
A well choke, comprising in combination:
- a housing containing a bore having an axis, the bore terminating at first face;
- an annular inner seal surface in the bore;
- a counterbore of larger diameter than the inner seal surface joining and located outward of the inner seal surface;
- a tapered annular closure seal surface at an intersection of the bore and the first face;
- a choke body which inserts into the bore;
- an inner seal carried by the choke body which engages the inner seal surface;
- a bonnet which has a bore terminating at a second face, the choke body extending into the bore of the bonnet;
- connection means for rigidly connecting the choke body to the bonnet;
- a tapered annular closure seal surface located at the intersection of the bore and the second face;
- a resilient metal closure seal having mating tapered surfaces which engage the closure seal surfaces of the housing and bonnet, respectively;
- fastening means for securing the bonnet to the housing and preloading the tapered surfaces of the closure seal against the closure seal surfaces of the housing and bonnet;
- and
- the closure seal being capable of self-releasing from being preloaded against the tapered surfaces when the fastening means is released, and having a sufficient spring force to move the bonnet and choke body outward relative to the housing, thereby moving the inner seal from the inner seal surface into the counterbore, freeing the choke body for retrieval from the housing.
10 more elements
A method for installing and removing an insert member from a housing having a bore which terminates at an outer face, an annular inner seal surface in the bore, a counterbore of larger diameter than the inner seal surface, joining and located outward of the inner seal surface, an inner seal carried by the insert member which engages the inner seal surface, and a closure member, the method comprising:
- providing a first annular closure seal surface at an intersection of the bore and the face of the housing and a second annular closure seal surface on the closure member, and tapering at least one of the closure seal surfaces;
- providing a resilient metal closure seal having mating surfaces and a selected spring force;
- securing the insert member to the closure member for axial movement therewith;
- placing the insert member in the bore of the housing with the inner seal located in the counterbore and the mating surfaces of the closure seal in contact with the closure seal surfaces of the housing and the closure member, and securing the closure member to the housing, causing the insert member to advance into the bore, the inner seal to engage the inner seal surface, and one of the mating surfaces of the closure seal to preload against the closure seal surface which is tapered;
- then, to remove the insert member,
- releasing the closure member from the housing, the selected spring force of the closure seal causing the closure member and insert member to move outward relative to the housing, moving the inner seal from the inner seal surface into the counterbore;
- then
- retrieving the insert member from the bore of the housing.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.