Patent ID: 8833461
Filing Date: 2014-09-16
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A subsea wellhead assembly, comprising: a housing having a bore, a longitudinal axis, and containing at least one housing upward facing conical load shoulder; a hanger that is lowered into the housing, the hanger having at least one hanger downward facing conical load shoulder; and a load ring having a load ring downward facing conical shoulder, wherein the load ring is carried by the hanger for movement between a retracted position, wherein the load ring extends a full 360 degrees around an axis of the hanger and the load ring downward facing load conical shoulder is spaced radially overlapping and in contact with a portion of the housing upward facing load conical shoulder, and a radially expanded position wherein the load ring extends a full 360 degrees around the axis of the hanger, and the load ring downward facing lead conical shoulder has a greater surface area in engagement with the housing upward facing conical load shoulder than while in the retracted position that expands within elastic limits of the load ring.