Patent ID: 8794308

Claim:
A blowout preventer and flow regulator, comprising: one or more blocks, with each of the blocks having a channel, with the channel having at least one end that is dimensioned and configured so that the block can be inserted over a portion of a pipe through which fluid can flow; one or more plates in each of the blocks, initially to one side of the channel; one or more pistons attached to each of the plates; an explosive charge for each of the pistons, able to be fired to propel the plate into the channel to reduce the flow of the fluid; gears having teeth that engage teeth on the pistons to move the plates out from the channel; a passage in the blocks for each of the pistons, the passage having a narrow portion adjacent to the channel and a wide portion away from the channel; and a flange on each piston on an end of the piston opposite the plate to which the piston is attached, that prevents said end of the piston from moving into the narrow portion of the passage, thus limiting the movement of the plate to which the piston is attached.