Flow regulator assembly for drilling operations

1 . A flow regulator assembly for regulating a fluid contained within a shell, the shell having an exterior surface and a cavity storing the fluid, the flow regulator assembly comprising:

a body including a first end and an opposing second end, the body further including a first inner surface defining a main passage, a second inner surface defining a second passage, and a recess surface, including an angled wall portion, defining a recess wherein the main passage is sized to receive a tool at the first end, the tool configured to form an opening such that when the tool extends through the main passage, the tool engages the exterior surface of the shell;

a connector assembly disposed at the second end of the body and configured to connect the body to the shell, wherein the second passage is positioned at a distance from the connector assembly;

a plunger including a lower angled surface, wherein the plunger is selectively translatable relative to the second passage between an open position and a closed position, wherein when the plunger is arranged in the open position the fluid may move through the main passage, and wherein when the plunger is arranged in the closed position the plunger extends across the main passage and fluid is blocked from moving through the main passage by the plunger and at least a portion of the lower angled surface is positioned within the recess and spaced a distance from the angled wall portion, and at least a portion of the lower angled surface is accessible through the main passage to engage with the tool when the tool is received in the main passage; and

a biasing element engaged by the plunger and configured to move the plunger from the open position to the closed position.

2 . The flow regulator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flow regulator assembly further comprises:

an interface assembly including a contact surface that contacts the exterior surface of the shell, wherein the contact surface is shaped complementary to the exterior surface of the shell.

3 . The flow regulator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flow regulator assembly further comprises:

an interface assembly including a gasket and a saddle, wherein the gasket includes a contact surface that contacts the exterior surface of the shell, wherein the contact surface is shaped complementary to the exterior surface of the shell.

4 . The flow regulator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector assembly further comprises:

a body having a first end connected to the shell and a second free end;

a first fastener connected to the second free end; and

a mating fastener connected to at least one of the shell or the first end of the body of the connector assembly, wherein the mating fastener is selectively connectable to the first fastener, and wherein the body of the connector assembly may surround at least a portion of the exterior surface of the shell and connecting the first fastener with the mating fastener connects the flow regulator assembly to the shell.

5 . The flow regulator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the shell is a pipe having the exterior surface that is cylindrical in shape and having a radius of curvature, wherein a contact surface of the body has a radius of curvature substantially similar to the radius of curvature of the pipe.

6 . The flow regulator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector assembly further comprises:

an adjustment mechanism, wherein the adjustment mechanism selectively tightens or loosens the connector assembly around the shell.

7 . The flow regulator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plunger further comprises a groove defining a drill bit passage, wherein the tool is disposed within the drill bit passage during a drilling operation.

8 . A flow regulator system comprising:

a tool for forming an opening in a shell configured to contain a fluid, the shell includes an exterior surface; and

a flow regulator assembly comprising:

a body including a first inner surface defining a main passage extending along an axial direction and a recess surface, including an angled wall portion, defining a recess, wherein the main passage is sized to receive the tool configured to form the opening, wherein the body is arranged such that the tool extends through the main passage along the axial direction and engages the exterior surface of the shell, and wherein a flow moves through the main passage along the axial direction; and

a plunger including a lower angled surface, wherein the plunger is selectively translatable between an open position and a closed position, wherein when the plunger is arranged in the open position the fluid may move through the main passage, and wherein when the plunger is arranged in the closed position the plunger extends across the main passage and fluid is blocked from moving through the main passage by the plunger and at least a portion of the lower angled is positioned within the recess and spaced a distance from the angled wall portion and at least a portion of the lower angled surface is accessible through the main passage to be engaged by the tool when the tool is received in the main passage.

9 . The flow regulator system of claim 8 , wherein the flow regulator assembly further comprises:

a connector assembly for connecting the body to the shell.

10 . The flow regulator system of claim 9 , wherein the connector assembly further comprises:

an adjustment mechanism, wherein the adjustment mechanism selectively tightens or loosens the connector assembly around the shell.

11 . The flow regulator system of claim 8 , wherein the flow regulator assembly further comprises:

an interface assembly including a contact surface that contacts the exterior surface of the shell, wherein the contact surface is shaped complementary to the exterior surface of the shell.

12 . The flow regulator system of claim 8 , wherein the flow regulator assembly further comprises:

an interface assembly including a gasket and a saddle, wherein the gasket includes a contact surface that contacts the exterior surface of the shell, wherein the contact surface is shaped complementary to the exterior surface of the shell.

13 . A method of regulating fluid contained within a shell, wherein the method comprises:

connecting a flow regulator assembly to the shell, the flow regulator assembly including a body having a first inner surface defining a main passage and a second inner surface defining a second passage, the flow regulator assembly further including a plunger including a lower angled surface, wherein the plunger is translatable relative to the second passage, wherein the plunger is positionable between a closed position and an open position, wherein when the plunger is arranged in the closed position the plunger extends across the main passage and at least a portion of the lower angled surface is positioned within a recess and spaced a distance from a surface defining the recess and at least a portion of the lower angled surface is accessible through the main passage to be engaged by a tool when the tool is received in the main passage;

inserting the tool through the main passage, wherein a contact between the tool and the lower angled surface translates the plunger to position the plunger in the open position;

forming an opening in the shell using the tool positioned at least partially within the main passage; and

translating the plunger to position the plunger in the closed position.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises:

connecting a device to the flow regulator assembly; and

translating the plunger to position the plunger in the open position.