Patent ID: 9644443
Date: 2017-05-09
CPC Classifications: E21B

Claim:
1. A wellhead pressure control fitting, comprising: a generally tubular Pressure Control Equipment (PCE) adapter having first and second adapter ends, the first adapter end configured to mate with pressure control equipment, the second adapter end providing a shaped end including an adapter end curvature; a generally tubular pressure control assembly having first and second assembly ends, the first assembly end providing a first assembly end interior and a first assembly end exterior, the second assembly end configured to mate with a wellhead; the first assembly end exterior having an exterior periphery, the exterior periphery providing a plurality of cam locks, each cam lock disposed to rotate about a corresponding cam lock pin, each cam lock pin anchored to the first assembly end exterior, each cam lock further providing a cam perimeter curvature; the first assembly end exterior further providing a plurality of cam lock pistons, one cam lock piston for each cam lock, wherein extension and retraction of the cam lock pistons causes rotation of the cam locks in opposing directions about their corresponding cam lock pins; the first assembly end exterior further providing a plurality of locking ring pistons, a locking ring connected to the locking ring pistons at a distal end thereof, the locking ring encircling the first assembly end proximate the cam locks, wherein extension of the locking ring pistons causes the locking ring to move to a position free of contact with the cam locks as the cam locks rotate about the cam lock pins, and wherein retraction of the locking ring pistons causes the locking ring to move so as to restrain the cam locks from rotation about the cam lock pins; the first assembly end interior providing a receptacle for receiving the second adapter end, the second adapter end and the receptacle further each providing cooperating abutment surfaces, the cooperating abutment surfaces forming a high pressure seal between the second adapter end and the receptacle when the second adapter end is compressively received into the receptacle; wherein, as the second adapter end enters the receptacle and engages the cooperating abutment surfaces, extension of the cam lock pistons causes the cam locks to rotate about the cam lock pins, which in turn causes the cam perimeter curvatures on the cam locks to cooperatively bear down on the adapter end curvature, which in turn compresses the second adapter end into the receptacle to form the high pressure seal; and wherein, once the high pressure seal is formed, retraction of the locking ring pistons causes the locking ring to move so as to restrain the cam locks from rotation about the cam lock pins.