US3827668A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking system for a blowout preventer
Assignee: Baroid Technology Inc
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Filing: 1972-10-05
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Granted: 1974-08-06
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Expires: 1992-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A locking system for a blowout preventer having a plurality of individually actuated hydraulic rams. A pilot operated locking valve for each ram for locking the ram in the closed position in which all of the locking valves are pilot operated to open and close simultaneously by two common pilot lines. The locking valves are of the positive shut-off shear-seal type. They include a hydraulic override so that if one ram is closed and locked, which puts all of the locking valves in the closed position, a second ram can still be closed by applying more pressure in the closing line of that ram than applied in the pilot closing line, all without interrupting the other locking valves.
Inventors
- 👤 Vries D De
- 👤 S Gilmore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:54
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/02; E21B33/03; E21B33/06; E21B33/061; E21B33/062; E21B33/063; F; F15; F15B; F15B21/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7781; Y10T137/7782
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A locking system for a blowout preventer having a plurality of hydraulically operated rams comprising, a pilot operated locking valve for each ram, each said valve having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet of each valve connected to one of the rams and the inlet of each valve connected to a separate source of hydraulic fluid for closing the connected ram, each valve having a pressure operated valve element for opening and closing communication between the valve inlet and the outlet, a single pilot control line connected to all of the valves on one side of the valve elements for closing all of the valves thereby locking any of the rams that have been closed in the closed position, a single pilot control line connected to all of the valves on a second side of the valve elements for opening all of the valves, and an area on each valve element on said second side exposed to the inlet, said area being sufficiently large to open the associated valve when an overriding pressure is provided at the inlet of any one valve greater than the pressure in the pilot control line closing said one valve thereby opening said one valve and closing the ram connected to said one valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A locking system for a blowout preventer having a plurality of hydraulically operated rams comprising, a pilot operated locking valve for each ram, each said valve having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet of each valve connected to one of the rams and the inlet of each valve connected to a separate source of hydraulic fluid for closing the connected ram, each valve having a pressure operated valve element for opening and closing communication between the valve inlet and the outlet, a single pilot control line connected to all of the valves on one side of the valve elements for closing all of the valves thereby locking any of the rams that have been closed in the closed position, a single pilot control line connected to all of the valves on a second side of the valve elements for opening all of the valves, and an area on each valve element on said second side exposed to the inlet, said area being sufficiently large to open the associated valve when an overriding pressure is provided at the inlet of any one valve greater than the pressure in the pilot control line closing said one valve thereby opening said one valve and closing the ram connected to said one valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
255 words
A locking system for an underwater blowout preventer having a plurality of hydraulically operated rams comprising, a pilot operated locking valve for each ram, each said valve having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet of each valve connected to one of the rams and the inlet of each valve connected to a separate source of hydraulic fluid for closing the connected ram, a valve element in each said valve for opening and closing communication between the valve inlet and the outlet, a first piston on one side of each valve element, a pilot closing port in each valve communicating with the first piston for supplying fluid against the first piston for moving the element to the closed position, a single pilot closing control line connected to all of the pilot closing ports for closing all of the valves thereby locking any of the rams that have been closed in the closed position, a second piston on a second side of each of the valve elements, a pilot opening port in each valve communicating with the second piston for supplying fluid against the second piston for moving the element to the open position, a single pilot opening control line connected to all of the pilot opening ports for opening all of the valves, each said second piston having an area exposed to the valve inlet in a direction to open said valve when a greater force is applied from the valve inlet against the second piston area than the closing force on the first piston.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
255 words
A locking system for an underwater blowout preventer having a plurality of hydraulically operated rams comprising, a pilot operated locking valve for each ram, each said valve having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet of each valve connected to one of the rams and the inlet of each valve connected to a separate source of hydraulic fluid for closing the connected ram, a valve element in each said valve for opening and closing communication between the valve inlet and the outlet, a first piston on one side of each valve element, a pilot closing port in each valve communicating with the first piston for supplying fluid against the first piston for moving the element to the closed position, a single pilot closing control line connected to all of the pilot closing ports for closing all of the valves thereby locking any of the rams that have been closed in the closed position, a second piston on a second side of each of the valve elements, a pilot opening port in each valve communicating with the second piston for supplying fluid against the second piston for moving the element to the open position, a single pilot opening control line connected to all of the pilot opening ports for opening all of the valves, each said second piston having an area exposed to the valve inlet in a direction to open said valve when a greater force is applied from the valve inlet against the second piston area than the closing force on the first piston.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The aparatus of claim 2 wherein the second piston includes first and second separate adjacent portions, the second portion including a piston ring, and the first portion including a passageway in communication between the valve inlet and the end of the first portion remote from the valve element, said second portion being positioned between the first portion and the pilot opening port.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1517504A
Cited
US3186486A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-05 | 1978-02-04 | 1978-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-05 | 1982-02-04 | 1982-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-05 | 1986-02-04 | 1986-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |