초록 ▼

A shear ram-type blowout preventer for severing and sealing a drill pipe string comprises a housing having a throughway for receipt of the drill pipe. Opposed first and second ram assemblies are mounted in the housing on opposite sides of the throughway for reciprocation laterally inwardly and outwa

A shear ram-type blowout preventer for severing and sealing a drill pipe string comprises a housing having a throughway for receipt of the drill pipe. Opposed first and second ram assemblies are mounted in the housing on opposite sides of the throughway for reciprocation laterally inwardly and outwardly. Each of the ram assemblies comprises a carrier connected to a drive member for effecting such reciprocation, and a ram block carried on the laterally inward side of the carrier. The maximum thickness of the block is generally equal to the maximum thickness of the carrier measured longitudinally of the throughway. The first ram assembly comprises a blade member carried on the ram block and including a cutting portion extending generally laterally inwardly and a mounting shank extending generally upwardly from the cutting portion. The shank is attached to the ram block by generally horizontally disposed pins. The ram block of the second ram assembly defines a recess opening laterally inwardly for receipt of the blade, and the seal of the second ram assembly comprises a blade sealing element facing longitudinally into said recess. The second ram assembly further comprises a seal actuator for actuating the blade sealing element. The blade sealing element and actuator have opposed, longitudinally facing support surfaces, the support surface of the blade sealing element being defined by a laterally outermost rigid support portion thereof, bonded to a laterally innermost deformable sealing portion. The carrier of the second ram assembly may alternatively mount a pipe ram assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Shear ram apparatus for severing and sealing a string of drill pipe comprising: a housing body having a throughway for receipt of said drill pipe; and opposed first and second ram assemblies mounted in said housing body on opposite sides of said throughway for reciprocation laterally inwardly

1. Shear ram apparatus for severing and sealing a string of drill pipe comprising: a housing body having a throughway for receipt of said drill pipe; and opposed first and second ram assemblies mounted in said housing body on opposite sides of said throughway for reciprocation laterally inwardly and outwardly, each of said ram assemblies comprising a carrier connected to a drive means for effecting such reciprocation, and a ram block carried on the laterally inward side of said carrier, the maximum thickness of said block being generally equal to the maximum thickness of said carrier measured generally longitudinally of said throughway; said first ram assembly further comprising a blade member carried on its ram block; said second ram assembly having, on its ram block, an anvil formation positioned for cooperation with said blade member to apply a shearing force to said drill pipe when said ram assemblies are moved laterally inwardly; in said second ram assembly, said ram block being connected to said carrier for limited relative lateral movement such that, upon movement of said second ram assembly laterally inwardly, and further upon arresting of such laterally inward movement of said ram block, said carrier may continue such laterally inward movement for a limited distance; said second ram assembly further comprising second seal means cooperative between said ram block and said carrier for compressive actuation by such continued laterally inward movement of said carrier with respect to said ram block; said ram block of said second ram assembly defining a recess opening laterally inwardly toward said throughway for receipt of said blade member when said ram assemblies are moved laterally inwardly; said second seal means comprising a blade sealing element facing longitudinally into said recess for sealing against a longitudinally facing surface of said blade member; and said second ram assembly further comprising a seal actuator element disposed in laterally outward backing relation to said blade sealing element and in lateral alignment with said ram block generally within the longitudinal extremities of said maximum thickness, said actuator element being mounted on said ram block for limited lateral movement with respect to said ram block, and said carrier of said second ram assembly being in laterally outward backing relation to said actuator element, whereby, upon such continued laterally inward movement of said carrier with respect to said ram block, said actuator element is moved laterally inwardly with respect to said blade sealing element. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said blade member comprises a cutting portion extending generally laterally inwardly and a mounting shank extending generally upwardly from said cutting portion and attached to said ram block. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said blade member is generally L-shaped in cross section, having one leg forming said cutting portion and the other leg forming said mounting shank; and wherein said mounting shank is attached to said ram block by generally horizontally disposed pin-type connector means. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein, in said first ram assembly, said ram block is connected to said carrier for limited relative lateral movement such that, upon movement of said first ram assembly laterally inwardly, and further upon arresting of such laterally inward movement of said ram block, said carrier may continue such laterally inward movement for a limited distance. 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first ram assembly further comprises first seal means cooperative between said ram block and said carrier for compressive actuation by such continued laterally inward movement of said carrier with respect to said ram block. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said anvil formation is in laterally inward backing relation to said blade sealing element, whereby, upon such inward movement of said actuator element with respect to said blade sealing element, said blade sealing element is laterally compressed between said actuator element and said anvil formation and urged longitudinally toward said blade member. 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said actuator element is disposed generally within said recess. 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said actuator element has a support surface underlying a portion of said blade sealing element. 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said blade sealing element has a deformable sealing portion adjacent said anvil formation and a rigid support portion cooperative with said support surface of said actuator element. 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said support surface is defined by a lip extending laterally inwardly from said actuator element; and said support portion of said blade sealing element is undercut to receive said lip. 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said sealing and support portions of said blade sealing element are bonded together; and said support portion has an extension underlying a part of said sealing portion. 12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said sealing and support portions of said blade sealing element are bonded together; and said support portion has an extension underlying a part of said sealing portion. 13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said recess is defined by downwardly and laterally inwardly facing surfaces of said ram block of said second ram assembly; said anvil formation and said blade sealing element are disposed adjacent the downwardly facing surface of said recess, and said actuator element is attached to said ram block adjacent said inwardly facing surface of said recess. 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said actuator element is so attached to said ram block by generally horizontally disposed pin-type connector means. 15. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said carrier of said second ram assembly comprises a pair of arms partially peripherally surrounding said ram block generally on the laterally outer side thereof; said blade sealing element and said actuator element extend transversely across said carrier generally between the free ends of said arms; and the free ends of said arms have notches removably receiving the ends of said actuator element and defining abutment surfaces for said laterally outward backing thereof. 16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein, in said first ram assembly, said ram block is connected to said carrier for limited relative lateral movement such that, upon movement of said first ram assembly laterally inwardly, and further upon arresting of such laterally inward movement of said ram block, said carrier may continue such laterally inward movement for a limited distance; and said first ram assembly further comprises first seal means cooperative between said ram block and said carrier for compressive actuation by such continued laterally inward movement of said carrier with respect to said ram block. 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said blade member comprises a cutting portion extending generally laterally inwardly and a mounting shank extending generally upwardly from said cutting portion and attached to said ram block of said first ram assembly by generally horizontally disposed pin-type connector means. 18. Shear ram apparatus for severing and sealing a string of drill pipe comprising: a housing body having a throughway for receipt of said drill pipe; and opposed first and second ram assemblies mounted in said housing body on opposite sides of said throughway for reciprocation laterally inwardly and outwardly, each of said ram assemblies comprising a carrier connected to a drive means for effecting such reciprocation and a ram block carried on the laterally inward side of said carrier; said first ram assembly further comprising a blade member carried on said ram block, said blade member including a cutting portion extending generally laterally inwardly and a mounting shank extending generally upwardly from said cutting portion and attached to said ram block by generally horizontally disposed pin-type connector means. 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said blade member is generally L-shaped in cross section, having one leg forming said cutting portion and the other leg forming said mounting shank. 20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein, in said first ram assembly, said ram block is connected to said carrier for limited relative lateral movement such that, upon movement of said first ram assembly laterally inwardly, and further upon arresting of such laterally inward movement of said ram block, said carrier may continue such laterally inward movement for a limited distance; and said first ram assembly further comprises first seal means cooperative between said ram block and said carrier for compressive actuation by such continued laterally inward movement of said carrier with respect to said ram block. 21. Shear ram apparatus for severing and sealing a string of drill pipe comprising: a housing body having a throughway for receipt of said drill pipe; and opposed first and second ram assemblies mounted in said housing body on opposite sides of said throughway for reciprocation laterally inwardly and outwardly, each of said ram assemblies comprising a carrier connected to a drive means for effecting such reciprocation, and a ram block carried on the laterally inward side of said carrier; said first ram assembly further comprising a blade member carried on its ram block; said second ram assembly having, on its ram block, an anvil formation positioned for cooperation with said blade member to apply a shearing force to said drill pipe when said ram assemblies are moved laterally inwardly; in said second ram assembly, said ram block being connected to said carrier for limited relative lateral movement such that, upon movement of said second ram assembly laterally inwardly, and further upon arresting of such laterally inward movement of said ram block, said carrier may continue such laterally inward movement for a limited distance; said second ram assembly further comprising second seal means cooperative between said ram block and said carrier for compressive actuation by such continued laterally inward movement of said carrier with respect to said ram block; said ram block of said second ram assembly defining a recess opening laterally inwardly toward said throughway for receipt of said blade member when said ram assemblies are moved laterally inwardly; said second seal means comprising a blade sealing element facing longitudinally into said recess for sealing against a longitudinally facing surface of said blade member; and said second ram assembly further comprising a seal actuator element disposed generally in said recess in laterally outward backing relation to said blade sealing element and mounted on said ram block for limited lateral movement with respect to said ram block, said carrier of said second ram assembly being in laterally outward backing relation to said actuator element, whereby, upon such continued laterally inward movement of said carrier with respect to said ram block, said actuator element is moved laterally inwardly with respect to said blade sealing element. 22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said anvil formation is in laterally inward backing relation to said blade sealing element, whereby, upon such inward movement of said actuator element with respect to said blade sealing element, said blade sealing element is laterally compressed between said actuator element and said anvil formation and urged longitudinally toward said blade member. 23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said actuator element has a support surface underlying a portion of said blade sealing element. 24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said blade sealing element has a deformable sealing portion adjacent said anvil formation and a rigid support portion cooperative with said support surface of said actuator element. 25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said support surface is defined by a lip extending laterally inwardly from said actuator element; and said support portion of said blade sealing element is undercut to receive said lip. 26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said sealing and support portions of said blade sealing elements are bonded together; and said support portion has an extension underlying a part of said sealing portion. 27. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said sealing and support portions of said blade sealing elements are bonded together; and said support portion has an extension underlying a part of said sealing portion. 28. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said recess is defined by downwardly and laterally inwardly facing surfaces of said ram block of said second ram assembly; said anvil formation and said blade sealing element are disposed adjacent the downwardly facing surfaces of said recess; and said actuator element is attached to said ram block adjacent said inwardly facing surface of said recess. 29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said actuator element is so attached to said ram block by generally horizontally disposed pin-type connector means. 30. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said carrier of said second ram assembly comprises a pair of arms partially peripherally surrounding said ram block generally on the laterally outer side thereof; said blade sealing element and said actuator element extend transversely across said carrier generally between the free ends of said arms; and the free ends of said arms have notches removably receiving the ends of said actuator element and defining abutment surfaces for said laterally outward backing thereof. 31. A seal for a ram assembly of a reciprocating ram-type blowout preventer comprising: an arcuate run having opposite end portions and opening in a laterally inward direction; a pair of connector runs integrally adjoining the respective end portions of said arcuate run and extending generally longitudinally therefrom; a transverse run integrally adjoining said connector runs and extending therebetween in a position spaced generally longitudinally from said end portions of said arcuate run, said transverse run having a recess opening in a laterally outward direction opposite said laterally inward direction and defining a free support surface facing longitudinally away from said arcuate run. 32. The seal of claim 31 wherein said arcuate run and said transverse run are disposed at longitudinally opposite ends of said connector runs. 33. The seal of claim 32 wherein said recess is defined by an undercut formation extending along substantially the entire length of said transverse run on the laterally outer side thereof. 34. The seal of claim 33 wherein said transverse run comprises a laterally innermost deformable sealing portion and a laterally outermost rigid support portion defining said recess. 35. The seal of claim 34 wherein said support portion is bonded to said sealing portion of said transverse run. 36. The seal of claim 35 wherein said support portion has an extension longitudinally underlying a part of said sealing portion of said transverse run. 37. The seal of claim 32 wherein said transverse run comprises a laterally innermost deformable sealing portion and a laterally outermost rigid support portion defining said recess. 38. The seal of claim 37 wherein said arcuate run, said connector runs and said sealing portion of said transverse run form a monolithic elastomeric body. 39. A seal for a ram assembly of a reciprocating shear ram-type blowout preventer comprising: an arcuate run having opposite end portions and opening in a laterally inward direction; a pair of connector runs integrally adjoining respective end portions of said arcuate run and extending generally longitudinally therefrom; and a transverse run extending between said connector runs generally at the longitudinally opposite ends of said connector runs from said arcuate run, and comprising a laterally innermost deformable sealing portion integrally adjoining said connector runs, and a laterally outermost rigid support portion bonded to said sealing portion and extending, at least in part, laterally outwardly beyond said sealing portion. 40. The seal of claim 39 wherein said support portion at least partially longitudinally underlies said sealing portion of said transverse run. 41. The seal of claim 39 wherein said support portion of said transverse run comprises a metallic material. 42. Shear ram apparatus for severing and sealing a string of drill pipe comprising: a housing body having a throughway for receipt of said drill pipe; and opposed first and second ram assemblies mounted in said housing body on opposite sides of said throughway for reciprocation laterally inwardly and outwardly, each of said ram assemblies comprising a carrier connected to a drive means for effecting such reciprocation, and a ram block carried on the laterally inward side of said carrier; said first ram assembly further comprising a blade member carried on its ram block; said second ram assembly having, on its ram block, an anvil formation positioned for cooperation with said blade member to apply a shearing force to said drill pipe when said ram assemblies are moved laterally inwardly; said carrier of said second ram assembly comprising a pair of arms partially peripherally surrounding said ram block generally on the outer side thereof, and the free ends of said arms having notches defining laterally inwardly facing backing surfaces; in said second ram assembly, said ram block being connected to said carrier for limited relative lateral movement such that, upon movement of said second ram assembly laterally inwardly, and further upon arresting of such laterally inward movement of said ram block, said carrier may continue such laterally inward movement for a limited distance; said second ram assembly further comprising second seal means cooperative between said ram block and said carrier for compressive actuation by such continued laterally inward movement of said carrier with respect to said ram block; said ram block of said second ram assembly defining a recess opening laterally inwardly toward said throughway for receipt of said blade member when said ram assemblies are moved laterally inwardly; said second seal means comprising a blade sealing element extending transversely across said carrier generally between the free ends of said arms and facing longitudinally into said recess for sealing against a longitudinally facing surface of said blade member; and said second ram assembly further comprising a seal actuator element extending transversely across said carrier generally between the free ends of said arms, disposed in laterally outward backing relation to said blade sealing element, and mounted on said ram block for limited lateral movement with respect to said ram block, said actuator element having ends removably disposed in said notches with said backing surfaces in laterally outward backing relation to said actuator element, whereby, upon such continued laterally inward movement of said carrier with respect to said ram block, said actuator element is moved laterally inwardly with respect to said blade sealing element.