Closure for an equipment sub

In combination, an equipment sub having a generally cylindrical aperture leading to a bore and a bore stop and an improved closure therefor, the combination comprising:

• a circular body for engaging and disengaging the cylindrical aperture of the equipment sub, the circular body carrying a peripheral seal for sealing within the aperture when in an engaged position;
• a plurality of arcuate segments mounted on the cylindrical body;
• a common actuating means connecting the plurality of arcuate segments for simultaneously moving the arcuate segments radially outward to engage the stop in the bore of the sub and thereby prevent axial movement in at least one direction between the circular body and the bore of the sub;
• and
• wherein the stop in the bore of the equipment sub comprises a shoulder formed as a part of a wedge shaped annular recess in a wall of the equipment sub, the shoulder being engaged by the arcuate segments when the circular body is in the engaged position and wherein the annular recess leads to a seal region of the equipment sub, the seal region comprising a sloping surface relative to a line drawn parallel to a central axis of the cylindrical aperture, the seal region being engaged by the peripheral seal of the circular body when the body is in the engaged position within the aperture.

In combination, an equipment sub having a generally cylindrical aperture leading to a bore and a bore stop and an improved closure therefor, the combination comprising:

• a circular body for engaging and disengaging the cylindrical aperture of the equipment sub, the circular body carrying a peripheral seal for sealing within the aperture when in an engaged position;
• a plurality of arcuate segments mounted on the cylindrical body;
• a common actuating means connecting the plurality of arcuate segments for simultaneously moving the arcuate segments radially outward to engage the stop in the bore of the sub and thereby prevent axial movement in at least one direction between the circular body and the bore of the sub;
• wherein the stop in the bore of the equipment sub comprises a shoulder formed as a part of a wedge shaped annular recess in a wall of the equipment sub, the shoulder being engaged by the arcuate segments when the circular body is in the engaged position and wherein the annular recess leads to a seal region of the equipment sub, the seal region comprising a sloping surface relative to a line drawn parallel to a central axis of the cylindrical aperture, the seal region being engaged by the peripheral seal of the circular body when the body is in the engaged position within the aperture;
• wherein the common actuating means comprises a plurality of cross bars extending generally radially of the circular body, each cross bar being coupled at an outer extent thereof to a respective one of the segments and being coupled at an opposite inner extent thereof to a central hub assembly which can be rotated to cause radial movement of the cross bars to move the segments outwardly or inwardly;
• and
• wherein each arcuate segment has a pair of spaced guide rods attached thereto, each guide rod being received within a lateral opening provided in an associated guide block which is anchored to the circular body, and wherein the guide rods are, in turn, attached to a cross bar connector which is used to connect the guide rods to a selected cross bar.

In combination, an equipment sub having a generally cylindrical aperture leading to a bore and a bore stop and an improved closure therefor, the combination comprising:

• a circular body for engaging and disengaging the cylindrical aperture, the circular body carrying a peripheral seal for sealing within the aperture when in an engaged position;
• a plurality of arcuate segments mounted on the cylindrical body;
• a common actuating means connecting the plurality of arcuate segments for simultaneously moving the arcuate segments radially outward to engage the stop in the bore of the sub and thereby prevent axial movement in at least one direction between the circular body and the bore of the sub;
• wherein the stop in the bore of the equipment sub comprises a shoulder formed as a part of a wedge shaped annular recess in a wall of the equipment sub, the shoulder being engaged by the arcuate segments when the circular body is in the engaged position and wherein the annular recess leads to a seal region of the equipment sub, the seal region comprising a sloping surface relative to a central axis of the cylindrical aperture, the seal region being engaged by the peripheral seal of the circular body when the body is in the engaged position within the aperture;
• wherein a hinge assembly is used to mount the closure upon the equipment sub, the hinge assembly having upper and lower mounting blocks which are affixed to the sub, upper and lower flanges and an intermediate body, the flanges supporting cross members which are attached by means of upper and lower plates, respectively, to the circular body of the closure;
• and
• wherein the upper and lower mounting blocks are joined to the upper and lower flanges, respectively, by a bearing assembly, each bearing assembly including an independent door alignment adjustment mechanism.