US-12624610-B2 - Integrated composite seals for ram body

US12624610B2US 12624610 B2US12624610 B2US 12624610B2US-12624610-B2

Abstract

A seal in a ram body includes an integrated structure of a first composite material having at least one channel and a second composite material within such at least one channel, which in turn allows movement therethrough of such a second composite material during energizing of a ram body and which allows return of such a second composite material to, at least in part, an integrated structure of such a seal so that such a seal remains reusable.

Inventors

Manuel Garibay
Michael Denk
Joseph Incavo
Justin Fenske

Assignees

Hydril USA Distribution LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20220517

Claims (20)

1 . A seal for a ram body, the seal comprising: an integrated structure of a first polymer composite material and a second polymer composite material, the first polymer composite material comprising: at least one channel extending internally through the first polymer composite material between at least two ports, wherein the second polymer composite material extends into the at least one channel, and wherein, when the ram body is deenergized, the second polymer composite material is in an initial position within the at least one channel, and when the ram body is energized, the second polymer composite material is flowed in a second position extending through the at least one channel.
2 . The seal of claim 1 , further comprising: a first stiffness for the first polymer composite material and a second stiffness for the second polymer composite material, the first stiffness being more than the second stiffness.
3 . The seal of claim 1 , further comprising: the at least one channel to extend through a side of the first polymer composite material to allow flow of the second polymer composite material from a side packer section to a top seal section of the seal and to allow return of the second polymer composite material to, at least in part, the integrated structure.
4 . The seal of claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel extends through a bottom of the first polymer composite material to allow flow of the second polymer composite material from a bottom side packer section to a top seal section of the seal and to allow return of the second polymer composite material to, at least in part, the integrated structure.
5 . The seal of claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel comprises a first channel extending through a bottom of the first polymer composite material and through a side of the first polymer composite material to allow flow of the second polymer composite material from a bottom side packer section to a top seal section of the seal and to allow return of the second polymer composite material to, at least in part, the integrated structure.
6 . The seal of claim 5 , further comprising: a bottom side packer section coupled to a top seal section of the seal via a channel section to allow the second polymer composite material from the bottom side packer section to flow and to return to, at least in part, the integrated structure.
7 . The seal of claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel comprises: a single elongated bottom section to extend along a width of the integrated structure; and a margin section of the first polymer composite material encompassing sides of a top side packer section therein.
8 . The seal of claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel of the first polymer composite material comprises: multiple bottom channels extending through the integrated structure; and margin sections circumventing the multiple bottom channels, the multiple bottom channels encompassing sides of at least one top side packer section therein.
9 . The seal of claim 1 , further comprising: a second integrated structure abutting the integrated structure during or after the energizing of the ram body, the second integrated structure supporting the movement of the second polymer composite material of the integrated structure through the first polymer composite material.
10 . The seal of claim 1 , further comprising: the integrated structure to enable reuse of the seal for at least a second energizing of the ram body based in part on the return of the second polymer composite material to, at least in part, the initial position.
11 . The seal of claim 1 , further comprising: a high modulus material as the first polymer composite material, the high modulus material comprising one or more of: a tensile stress, at 50% strain, of 2500 to 4500 pounds per square inch (psi); a hardness of 90 to 105 Shore A on a Shore Hardness Scale; and a first polymer comprising two or more of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR), fluoroelastomer (FKM), neoprene rubber (CR), natural rubber (NR), epichlorohydrin rubber, polyurethane rubber, hydrogenated butadiene rubber, or fluoroelastomer.
12 . The seal of claim 1 , further comprising: a low modulus material as the second polymer composite material, the low modulus material comprising one or more of: a tensile stress, at 50% strain, of 500 to 1800 psi; a hardness of 65 to 85 Shore A on the Shore Hardness Scale; a second polymer comprising two or more of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR), fluoroelastomer (FKM), neoprene rubber (CR), natural rubber (NR), epichlorohydrin rubber, polyurethane rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber, hydrogenated butadiene rubber, or a fluoroelastomer; and a nitrogen-substituted aromatic and carbon black adhesive system, with 20-30% solids by weight.
13 . A method for a seal to be applied to a ram body, the method comprising: forming an integrated structure of a first polymer composite material and a second polymer composite material so that the first polymer composite material comprises at least one channel extending internally through the first polymer composite material between at least two ports and comprises the second polymer composite material within the at least one channel in an initial position; and enabling movement, within the at least one channel, for the second polymer composite material to flow into the at least one channel extending internally through the first polymer composite material during energizing of the ram body, and for the second polymer composite material to return to, at least in part, the initial position during deenergizing of the ram body.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising: enabling a first stiffness for the first polymer composite material; and enabling a second stiffness for the second polymer composite material, the first stiffness being more than the second stiffness.
15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising: enabling the at least one channel to extend through a side of the first polymer composite material to allow flow of the second polymer composite material from a side packer section to a top seal section of the seal; and enabling, using the at least one channel, the return of the second polymer composite material to, at least in part, the integrated structure.
16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising: enabling the at least one channel to extend through a bottom of the first polymer composite material to allow flow of the second polymer composite material from a bottom side packer section to a top seal section of the seal; and enabling, using the at least one channel, the return of the second polymer composite material to, at least in part, the integrated structure.
17 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising: enabling the at least one channel to comprise a single elongated bottom section extending along a width of the integrated structure; and enabling the at least one channel to comprise a margin section of the first polymer composite material to encompass sides of a top side packer section therein.
18 . A method for sealing of a ram body, the method comprising: providing a seal comprising an integrated structure of a first polymer composite material and a second polymer composite material in the ram body, the first polymer composite material comprising at least one channel extending internally through the first polymer composite material between at least two ports and the second polymer composite material within the at least one channel in an initial position; energizing the ram body, wherein during energizing, the second polymer composite material flows into the at least one channel extending internally through the first polymer composite material.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising: providing a second integrated structure in the ram body, the second integrated structure to abut the integrated structure during or after the energizing of the ram body; and enabling the second integrated structure to support the movement of the second polymer composite material of the integrated structure through the first polymer composite material.
20 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising: deenergizing the ram body, wherein during deenergizing, the second polymer composite material returns, at least in part, to the initial position; and reusing the integrated structure of the seal for at least a second energizing of the ram body based in part on the return of the second polymer composite material to, at least in part, the integrated structure following the deenergizing of the ram body.

Description

BACKGROUND 1. Field of Invention This invention relates in general to equipment used in the hydrocarbon industry, and in particular, to a seal for a ram body that has an integrated structure. 2. Description of the Prior Art A drilling well is a structure formed in subterranean or underwater geologic structures, or layers. Such subterranean or underwater geologic structures or layers incorporate pressure that may be further enhanced by supplementing formation fluids (such as liquids, gasses or a combination) into a drill site or a well site (such as a wellbore). Such pressure may extend to an entry point of a drill site from a subterranean or underwater geologic structures, represents a blowout in a well site and, and presents an issue that is to be addressed to keep terranean drill equipment and a well site safe. A blowout may otherwise cause catastrophic damage. A blow out preventer or BOP may be installed above a wellhead at a surface or sea floor to seal or control a subterranean or underwater geologic structures. Annular or ram-type blowout preventers may include a ram body as part of such a feature provided for a wellhead. SUMMARY In at least one embodiment, a seal for a ram body and a methods associated with such a seal address shortcomings previously identified. Such a seal may include an integrated structure of a first composite material and a second composite material. The first composite material may include at least one channel and may include the second composite material within the at least one channel. The at least one channel is adapted to allow movement therethrough of such second composite material during energizing of a ram body and to allow return of the second composite material to, at least in part, an integrated structure so formed. In at least one embodiment, a method for a seal of a ram body includes aspects for manufacture or for sealing. An aspect of the method includes forming an integrated structure of a first composite material and a second composite material. The integrated structure formed is so that the first composite material includes at least one channel and includes the second composite material within the at least one channel. One aspect of the method includes enabling movement, within the at least one channel of the first composite material, for the second composite material during energizing of a ram body. The at least one channel is also to enable the second composite material to return to, at least in part, the integrated structure formed by such the method. In at least one embodiment, a method for sealing of a ram body includes providing a seal that has an integrated structure of a first composite material and a second composite material in a ram body. The integrated structure is so that the first composite material has at least one channel and has the second composite material within the at least one channel. The method includes energizing the ram body having the seal. Movement is enabled for the second composite material within the at least one channel of the first composite material during energizing of a ram body. This is so that the at least one channel can enable the second composite material to return to, at least in part, the integrated structure of the seal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates an example blowout preventer (BOP) stack subject to improvements of at least one embodiment herein; FIG. 2 illustrates an example ram body having ram blocks, ram blades, and a seal subject to improvements of at least one embodiment herein; FIG. 3 illustrates an example a ram body having a seal with an integrated structure of at least one embodiment herein; FIG. 4 illustrates an example seal having an integrated structure for a ram body according to at least one embodiment herein; FIGS. 5A-C illustrate various views of a first composite material to be used in an integrated structure of a seal for a ram body according to at least one embodiment herein; FIG. 6 illustrates a process flow of a method for a seal having an integrated structure and to be applied to a ram body according to at least one embodiment herein; and FIG. 7 illustrates a process flow of a method for an example application of a seal having an integrated structure for a ram body according to at least one embodiment herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description, various embodiments will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described. Various other functions can be implemented within the various embodiments a