Hanger flange for hanging a tubular body in a well

Abstract

A hanger flange includes an annular body having a circumferential inner surface defining a central passage and a circumferential outer surface. Ram alignment apertures are provided within the body spaced radially about the passage. Each of the apertures has a first portion with a non-circular first cross-sectional dimension extending radially outwardly from the inner surface and a second portion with a second cross-sectional dimension extending radially inwardly from the outer surface. A ram is positioned in each of the apertures. Each ram has a first portion having a first cross-sectional dimension corresponding with the first cross-sectional dimension of the apertures, and a second portion having a second cross-section dimension corresponding with the second cross-sectional dimension of the apertures. The engagement between the non-circular first cross-sectional dimension of each aperture and the corresponding non-circular first cross-sectional dimension of each ram prevents relative axial rotation and maintains each ram in alignment.

1 . A hanger flange for hanging a tubular body in a well, comprising:
 an annular body having a circumferential inner surface defining a central passage and a circumferential outer surface;   means for mounting the body on a well;   ram alignment apertures within the body, spaced radially about the central passage and extending from the inner surface to the outer surface, each of the ram alignment apertures having a first portion with a non-circular first cross-sectional dimension extending radially outwardly from the inner surface and a second portion with a second cross-sectional dimension extending radially inwardly from the outer surface;   a ram positioned in each of the ram alignment apertures, each ram having a first end, a second end, an engagement face at the first end of the ram adapted to engage a tubular body positioned in the central passage, each ram having a first portion extending from the first end toward the second end having a non-circular first cross-sectional dimension corresponding with the non-circular first cross-sectional dimension of the ram alignment apertures and a second portion extending from the second end toward the first end having a second cross-section dimension corresponding with the second cross-sectional dimension of the ram alignment apertures, whereby the engagement between the non-circular first cross-sectional dimension of each ram alignment aperture and the corresponding non-circular first cross-sectional dimension of each ram prevents relative axial rotation and maintains each ram in alignment; and   means for extending and retracting each ram.   
   
   
       2 . The hanger flange of  claim 1 , wherein the means for extending and retracting each ram is a screw actuator. 
   
   
       3 . The hanger flange of  claim 1 , wherein the means for extending and retracting each ram is a hydraulic actuator. 
   
   
       4 . The hanger flange of  claim 1 , wherein the first cross-sectional dimension of the ram alignment apertures has at least one flat portion rendering such cross-sectional dimension non-circular and the first cross-sectional dimension of each ram has at least one corresponding flat portion adapted to accommodate the at least one flat portion to prevent relative rotation. 
   
   
       5 . The hanger flange of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first cross-sectional dimension of the ram alignment apertures or the first cross-sectional dimension of each ram having at least one key rendering such cross-sectional dimension non-circular and another of the first cross-sectional dimension of the ram alignment apertures or the first cross-sectional dimension of each ram having a corresponding keyway adapted to accommodate the key to prevent relative rotation.