Annular blowout container (ABOC)

• US 8,844,617 B1
• Filed: 02/18/2014
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Baker, Dwight
• Original Assignee: Baker, Dwight
• Inventors: Baker, Dwight
• Primary Examiner(s): WRIGHT, GIOVANNA COLLINS
• Application Number:
  US14/183,385
• Publication Number:
  US 20140262205A1
• Time in Patent Office: 224 Days
• Field of Search: 166/84.3, 166/85.4, 166/78.1, 251 11- 12, 277/324, 277/326
• US Class Current: 166/84.3
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/06 Blow-out preventers , i.e. apparatus closing around a drill pipe, e.g. annular blow-out preventers rotating blow-out preventers E21B33/085
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/085 Rotatable packing means, e.g. rotating blow-out preventers

Abstract

An annular blowout container (ABOC) that may be used in multiples in a stack in conjunction with additional gate and shear valves to protect a wellhead. The ABOC incorporates a cylindrical formed bladder that provides a tight constrictive seal around whatever pipe or tubing may be in the well bore. The bladder is made of top and bottom rotator plates with springs extending between the plates. The springs are encased in Teflon® and held in place by Kevlar® then covered over completely with cured Viton® that is injected to complete the overall bladder in a molded form. Rotation of the top and bottom rotator plates effects a twisting constriction around the drill pipe or tubing. Electrical and hydraulic operational components are housed inside chambers within the ABOC for predominantly self-contained operation. The cylindrical bladder assembly may be removed and replaced after extended use.

Claims

1. An annular blowout container (ABOC) for facilitating the stoppage or restriction of the flow of fluids, solids, and gases around a pipe or tubular structure within a borehole, the ABOC comprising:

a top section body having a central bore;

a bottom section body having a central bore and at least one component chamber, the bottom section body removably attached to the top section body;

a flexible cylindrical bladder assembly, the bladder assembly comprising;

a flexible cylindrical bladder wall;

a top rotator plate fixed to the top of the flexible cylindrical bladder wall; and

a bottom rotator plate fixed to the bottom of the flexible cylindrical bladder wall;

a top rotator assembly for directing a rotation of the top rotator plate of the bladder assembly; and

a bottom rotator assembly for direction a counter-rotation of the bottom rotator plate of the bladder assembly;

wherein the counter-rotation of the top and bottom rotator plates effects a twisting of the flexible bladder wall and the constriction of the bladder wall around the pipe or tubular structure within the central bore.