Patent ID: 6164619
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: E21B,Y10T

Abstract:
A ram-type blowout preventer comprising:a BOP body having an axial bore and opposing chambers extending radially outward from the bore;opposing ram assemblies in the opposing chambers, each of the ram assemblies defining a forward end toward to axial bore, and an after end;a hydraulic manifold for coupling hydraulic pressure to the after end of the each ram assembly, the manifold having a pressure inlet port, anda shuttle valve assembly comprising:a. a valve body defining a longitudinal bore, a with a first end of the longitudinal bore in fluid communication with the BOP axial bore above the opposing chambers and a second end of the longitudinal bore in fluid communication with the BOP axial bore below the opposing chambers;b. a shuttle within the bore of the valve body, the shuttle having a first channel for porting pressure from the first end of the longitudinal bore to the pressure inlet port when the shuttle is in a first position and a second channel for porting pressure from the second end of the longitudinal bore to the pressure inlet port when the shuttle is in a second position, to automatically port the higher of the pressure above and below the ram assemblies to the after ends of the ram assemblies; andc. an insert within the bore to alternately align the first and second channels with the inlet port.