Patent ID: 7338027
Filing Date: 2008-03-04
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A hydraulic blowout preventer operator comprising: a closure member; a first piston rod comprising a first end coupled to the closure member; a first operator housing comprising a first end coupled to a bonnet and a second end coupled to a head, wherein the first piston rod extends through the bonnet, wherein a second end of the first piston rod is at least partially disposed within the operator housing; a first piston at least partially disposed within the first operator housing, wherein the first piston comprises a body and a flange, wherein the second end of the first piston rod is coupled to the body of the first piston; a first flange seal disposed on the flange and sealingly engaged with the operator housing; a first body seal disposed on the body and sealingly engaged with the operator housing, wherein the first flange seal comprises a sealing diameter greater than a sealing diameter of the first body seal; wherein the engagement of the first flange seal with the first operator housing creates a first extend chamber between the first flange seal and the head; wherein the engagement of the first body seal with the first operator housing creates a first retract chamber between the first body seal and the bonnet; and wherein the first extend chamber and first retract chamber provide volumes for fluid to hydraulically actuate the first piston and wherein the first extend chamber volume is larger than the first retract chamber volume.