Wells – Processes – Operating valve – closure – or changeable restrictor in a well
Reexamination Certificate
2010-09-09
2011-10-25
Neuder, William P (Department: 3672)
Wells
Processes
Operating valve, closure, or changeable restrictor in a well
C166S085400, C166S075150
Reexamination Certificate
active
08042615
ABSTRACT:
A Ball Baffle Blowout Preventer (BBBOP) (102) or shut-off valve generally comprises a housing (106) and a baffle (108) secured within the housing and containing a plurality of holes. The housing is mounted in the path of the well pipe but the holes in the baffle allow normal production fluid to pass. One or more ball dispensing mechanisms (BDM) (110, 112) are connected to the housing. Each BDM contains a plurality of balls (114) and one or more valves (196). When a blowout condition occurs, a plurality of balls (114) are released beneath baffle (108) and are carried upward by the upwardly gushing fluid to plug the holes. The balls (114) are held in place by the pressure differential below and above the baffle. The balls can be removed from the baffle by the forcing fluid down the well. All operations can be controlled undersea by remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). A plurality of BBBOPs can be stacked and each can be set to operate at a different pressure and flow rates. The BBBOP may also include a Threshold Pressure Detection Unit for actuating the BDM that requires no electro-mechanical components; it uses only the energy of pressurized fluids in a well bore. The manual and self-actuating BDMs are not disabled by slow leaks of ambient well pressures past the hydraulic seals used therein. In another embodiment an additional baffle (250) can be provided below the first baffle (108) to contain the balls after they are released from the first baffle.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1569247 (1926-01-01), Abercrombie et al.
patent: 3926256 (1975-12-01), McCall
patent: 4369845 (1983-01-01), Henson et al.
patent: 4420040 (1983-12-01), Arbasak et al.
patent: 7357181 (2008-04-01), Webb et al.
patent: 7571773 (2009-08-01), West et al.
Neuder William P
Pressman David
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