Apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to apparatus this is particularly, but not exclusively, suited for use as a mud bucket in the oil and gas industry. The apparatus includes a seal that seals the mud bucket to a tubular (e.g. a stand of drill pipe). The seal is attached to the mud bucket via a quick release mechanism so that worn-out or damaged seals can be replaced quickly.

1 . Apparatus for containing fluid adapted to engage a tubular, the apparatus comprising a container and at least one seal that seals the container to the tubular in a closed configuration, the seal being attached to the container by at least one bolt that engages with at least one socket wherein the apparatus is adapted to allow quick release and attachment of the seal.  
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the quick release is effected by providing a minimal number of bolts.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein two to ten bolts are provided per seal.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the bolts and/or the sockets have a low pitch screw thread.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the threads in the socket and the threads of the bolt have between one and tour turns per inch.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 4  or  claim 5 , wherein the threads of the socket and the threads of the bolt have around 2 turns per inch.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the threads of the bolt are interrupted so that they do not extend around the whole circumference of a shaft of the bolt.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sockets are provided on the container or in the seal.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the socket is provided on a flange of the container adjacent an end thereof.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the socket is provided adjacent to an end aperture of the container.  
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the socket is captive on the seal and embedded therein.  
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the sockets are embedded in the seal adjacent to apertures in the container.  
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the sockets are pre-formed in the container.  
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the container is provided at each end with a seal cradle.  
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the seal cradle includes two semicircular portions and the seal includes two semicircular portions that are engaged in respective portions of the cradle.  
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein each portion of the cradle includes an annular flange that extends inwardly, and the portions of the seal are located under the flange.  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the seal is attached to an annular flange provided on the container.  
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 16  or  claim 17 , wherein the annular flange is provided with apertures therethrough to receive the bolt.  
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the seal is fixed against the flange.  
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to any one of  claims 16  to  19 , wherein the flange has a rib or lip circumscribing an inner periphery of the flange and the rib or lip bears against the seal when the seal is attached to the flange.  
     
     
         21 . Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the seal includes two plates.  
     
     
         22 . Apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the sockets are provided between the two plates.  
     
     
         23 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  or  claim 22 , wherein the seal is held between the two plates.  
     
     
         24 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  or  claim 22 , wherein the plates are embedded within the seal.  
     
     
         25 . A seal for a container comprising two spaced-apart plates embedded in a resilient material, the seal including at least, one socket located between the two plates.  
     
     
         26 . A seal for a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         27 . Apparatus for containing fluid adapted to engage a tubular substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.