Large diameter pipe plug

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9556997-B2
Application number	US-201514685146-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 13, 2015
Priority date	Apr 14, 2014
Publication date	Jan 31, 2017
Grant date	Jan 31, 2017

Abstract

In embodiments, a large diameter, low pressure plug can be used to seal a pipe subsea. The large diameter, low pressure plug comprises a nose, two or more counter-rotating rings, and one or more seals. Other embodiments disclosed have varying additional structure. The large diameter, low pressure plug is inserted into the inner annulus of a tubular and a sealing action created by rotating the counter-rotating rings to create axial compression, in turn causing radial expansion in the seal against the inner annulus of the tubular, sealing the tubular.

First claim

We claim:

1. A large diameter, low pressure plug, comprising:
a. a nose configured to fit within an inner annulus of a tubular;
b. a collar connected to the nose about an outer boundary of the nose, the collar configured to fit within the tubular;
c. a plate top connected to the collar opposite the nose;
d. a slip bowl disposed proximate the nose about an outer surface of the collar;
e. an O-ring disposed proximate the outer surface of the collar intermediate the nose and the slip bowl;
f. a slip disposed about an outer surface of the slip bowl in sliding communication with the slip bowl, the nose, slip, and slip bowl configured to selectively position the O-ring to a first position which does not form a seal between the large diameter, low pressure plug and the inner annulus of the tubular into which the large diameter, low pressure plug is positioned and to a second position which does form a seal between the large diameter, low pressure plug and the inner annulus of the tubular into which the large diameter, low pressure plug is positioned;
g. a bottom ramp disposed about the outer surface of the collar proximate the plate top;
h. a top ramp disposed about the outer surface of the collar intermediate the plate top and the bottom ramp, the top ramp in communication with the bottom ramp;
i. a slip pusher disposed at least partially intermediate the bottom ramp and the slip about the outer surface of the collar, the slip pusher in communication with the slip; and
j. a bolt setter in communication with the outer surface of the slip bowl, the bolt setter configured to provide axial movement to at least one of the bottom ramp and the top ramp.

2. The large diameter, low pressure plug of claim 1 , wherein the nose comprises a convex leading face.

3. The large diameter, low pressure plug of claim 1 , further comprising a first spring disposed about an outer surface of the slip bowl.

4. The large diameter, low pressure plug of claim 1 , further comprising an ROV handle connected to the plate top.

5. The large diameter, low pressure plug of claim 1 , wherein the slip comprises a serrated outer surface.

6. The large diameter, low pressure plug of claim 1 , wherein the O-ring comprises soft elastomeric material.

7. The large diameter, low pressure plug of claim 1 , wherein the O-ring comprises a large cross section, large diameter O-ring.

8. The large diameter, low pressure plug of claim 1 , wherein the bottom ramp and the top ramp are arranged in a counter-rotating relationship relative to each other and are further configured to produce an axial force to compress the O-ring.

9. The large diameter, low pressure plug of claim 1 , wherein the slip pusher is configured to engage an end portion of the tubular and at least partially impede insertion of the large diameter, low pressure plug into the annulus of the tubular.

10. The large diameter, low pressure plug of claim 1 , further comprising a selectively closable port configured to removably receive a fluid hose.

11. A large diameter, low pressure plug, comprising:
a. a leading nose configured to be insertable into an inner annulus of a tubular, the leading nose comprising a substantially circular descending collar and a substantially solid convex leading face;
b. a back plate connected to the descending collar and disposed opposite the solid leading face;
c. a conical ramp ring connected to the back plate and disposed about an outer surface of the descending collar;
d. a slip pusher disposed about an outer surface of the descending collar intermediate the conical ramp ring and the descending collar, the slip pusher in communication with the back plate;
e. a counter-rotating ramp ring disposed about an outer surface of the descending collar intermediate the conical ramp ring and the slip pusher, the counter-rotating ramp ring in communication with the slip pusher;
f. a first slip comprising a tapered edge, the first slip disposed about the outer surface of the descending collar intermediate the slip pusher and the leading nose, the first slip in communication with the slip pusher;
g. a sliding slip bowl comprising a tapered edge complimentarily tapered with respect to and engaged with the first slip tapered edge, the sliding slip bowl disposed about the outer surface of the descending collar intermediate the first slip and the leading nose;
h. a large cross section, large diameter O-ring disposed intermediate the sliding slip bowl and the substantially solid convex leading face, the counter-rotating ramp ring configured to produce an axial force to compress the O-ring; and
i. a setting screw operatively in communication with the conical ramp ring and the counter-rotating ramp ring and configured to selectively rotate or counter-rotate at least one of the conical ramp ring and the counter-rotating ramp ring with respect to each other.

12. The large diameter, low pressure plug of claim 11 , wherein the O-ring comprises a soft elastomeric material.

13. The large diameter, low pressure plug of claim 11 , wherein the first slip comprises a serrated outer surface.

14. The large diameter, low pressure plug of claim 11 , wherein the conical ring is configured to be stationary with respect to the counter-rotating ramp ring.

15. A method of sealing a pipe subsea, comprising:
a. maneuvering a large diameter, low pressure plug proximate an open end of a tubular, the large diameter, low pressure plug comprising:
i. a nose configured to fit within an inner annulus of a tubular;
ii. a ledge disposed opposite the nose and configured to impede progress of the large diameter, low pressure plug into an inner annulus of the tubular;
iii. a set of counter-rotating rings; and
iv. a seal;

b. inserting the large diameter, low pressure plug into the inner annulus of the tubular; and
c. creating a sealing action by:
i. rotating the set of counter-rotating rings to create axial compression by the rotation of the set of counter-rotating rings; and
ii. causing radial expansion in the seal against the inner annulus of the tubular by the rotation of one of the set of counter-rotating rings with respect to the other of the set of counter-rotating rings.

16. The method of sealing a pipe subsea of claim 15 , wherein one counter-rotating ring of the set of counter-rotating rings further comprises a conical ramp ring, the method further comprising:
a. providing the conical ramp ring with a protruding arm and a spring connected to the protruding arm; and
b. allowing the protruding arm to compress the spring by removing force applied to the spring, allowing the spring to provide a pre-load force to keep the large diameter, low pressure plug energized.

17. The method of sealing a pipe subsea of claim 15 , further comprising:
a. providing a first slip with a serrated outer edge; and
b. expanding the first slip by pushing the conical ramp ring underneath the first slip with the same axial force that compresses the seal.

18. The method of sealing a pipe subsea of claim 17 , further comprising:
a. providing the first slip with a serrated outer edge; and
b. locking the large diameter, low pressure plug into place using hydraulic pressure to create an axial biting of the serrated edge of the first slip into the inner annulus to prevent the large diameter, low pressure plug from being pushed out of the inner annulus of the tubular.

19. The method of sealing a pipe subsea of claim 15 , further comprising:
a. causing slight axial movement with the pressure the large diameter, low pressure plug is

Assignees

• Oceaneering Int Inc

Inventors

• Mynhier Charles Robert
• Salhi Mohamed
• Price William

Classifications

• F16L55/136

  the closure device being a plug fixed by radially expanding or deforming a split ring, hooks or the like · CPC title

• F16L55/132 Primary

  the closure device being a plug fixed by radially deforming the packing · CPC title