Independent ram activation for a blowout preventer
View Patent ↗The present invention is an apparatus, system and method that may provide a power supply for engaging blowout preventer rams to secure a subsea well bore of a subsea drilling system supply which is independent of the conventional control systems, shuttle valves, seals and plumbing of the conventional control system.
1. A subsea blow out preventer comprising:
a piston assembly having:
a blind shear ram having a first end adapted to shear well pipe and a second end;
a connecting rod having a first end attached to second end of said blind shear ram, a length, and a second end;
a piston head having a first end attached to said second end of said connecting rod and a second end;
a floating piston having a first side adapted to selectively contact with said second end of said blind shear ram, a second side having a surface area, an aperture from said first side to said second side and wherein said aperture is adapted to slidably position said length of said connecting rod there through;
a blowout preventer housing having:
a first end adapted to communicate with said well pipe;
a length having an interior adapted to house said piston assembly wherein said length has a first cavity adapted to slidably position said blind shear ram and said floating piston and a second cavity adapted to slidably position said piston head;
a plate dividing said first cavity and said second cavity, said plate having a first side, a second side, and an aperture from said first side to said second side and wherein said aperture is adapted to slidably position said length of said connecting rod there through;
a second end;
a first port in communication with said first section of said interior and located between said plate said first side and said floating piston said second side;
a second port in communication with said second section of said interior and located between said piston head said second end and said blowout preventer said second end;
a secondary power supply storage source in communication with said first port for selectively supplying fluid for slidably moving said piston assembly via said floating piston; and
a primary hydraulic accumulator power source in communication with said second port for selectively supplying fluid for slidably moving said piston assembly via said piston head.