Effluent Capture and Shutoff Pipe Friction Mounting Apparatus

Abstract

An improved Effluent Capture and Shutoff Pipe Friction Mounting Apparatus providing means for the prevention, collection, or stopping of effluent from a wellhead pipe ( 25 ) as a result of a blow out. Numerous configurations, offering both internal and external friction connections with the wellhead pipe ( 25 ) and for stopping or collecting flowing hydrocarbons ( 63 ) from a wellhead pipe ( 25 ) are presented. Through rigid attachment of the apparatus to the interior or exterior of a functioning or blown out wellhead pipe ( 25 ) the external force applied on the apparatus by the flowing hydrocarbons ( 63 ) or the resulting pressure differential between static hydrocarbons ( 64 ) and seawater ( 65 ) is overcome in the deployed state for all, and during deployment for some, of the configurations. Additional means are considered for ensuring fixity of the apparatus to the wellhead pipe ( 25 ) during deployment of the other configurations. The Effluent Capture and Shutoff Pipe Friction Mounting Apparatus contributes to drilling operations by adding redundant means for collecting flowing hydrocarbons ( 63 ) from a blown out wellhead pipe ( 25 ), and shutting off a blown out wellhead pipe ( 25 ). In the event of a faulty blowout preventer, auxiliary installments may be made to an operable wellhead pipe ( 25 ).

1 . An improved insertion tube friction connection apparatus including rigid means for diverting at least hydrocarbons leaking from a wellhead pipe comprising:
 an auxiliary pipe of lesser diameter than the wellhead pipe for insertion into said wellhead pipe; and   a plurality of auxiliary pipe mounting couplings contiguous to said auxiliary pipe; and   a multitude of articulating devices comprised of contiguous pinned connecting rods, disposed to a slidable, friction connection, and pinned to said auxiliary pipe mounting couplings; and   a plurality of structural weirs disposed and contiguous to said articulating pinned connecting rods and the imbricate, structural weir collar; and   a plurality of means for a remotely activated release and securing device contiguous to said latch collar and auxiliary pipe mounting coupling; and   a plurality of flexible annular weirs such that lesser diameter surface is fayed between said auxiliary pipe mounting coupling and said auxiliary pipe, and upon deployment the greater diameter surface is disposed to the outer surface of said structural weir collar providing means for seating said flexible annular weir with said wellhead pipe; and   a plurality of means for a deployment system contiguous to said latch collar and said auxiliary pipe mounting coupling providing means for opening the weir upon disengagement of a release latch, seating said impervious annular weir between said structural weir collar and said wellhead pipe, disposing a slidable, friction connection device to said wellhead pipe, and a securing pin,   whereby, deployment of the weir and the friction device forces the effluent exiting said wellhead pipe into said auxiliary pipe, thereby resisting the wellhead pressure by means of mechanically coupling said auxiliary pipe to the wellhead pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further providing a plurality of means for a spring system contiguous to said latch collar and said auxiliary pipe mounting coupling providing means for opening the weir upon disengagement of said release latch, seating said flexible annular weir between said structural weir collar and said wellhead pipe, disposing said slidable, friction connection device to said wellhead pipe, and a securing pin. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further providing a plurality of means for a hydraulic or pneumatic system contiguous to said latch collar and said auxiliary pipe mounting coupling providing means for opening the weir upon disengagement of said release latch, seating said flexible annular weir between said structural weir collar and said wellhead pipe, disposing said slidable, friction connection device to said wellhead pipe. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including means for a power screw scissor jack device contiguous to said auxiliary pipe mounting coupling providing means for opening the weir upon engagement of said power screw, seating said impervious annular weir between said structural weir collar and said wellhead pipe, disposing said slidable, friction connection to said wellhead pipe. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including means for setting the flow rate into the auxiliary pipe to that of the effluent from the wellhead pipe providing means for aiding the coupling of said auxiliary pipe to the wellhead pipe. 
     
     
         6 . An improved externally mounted ruptured wellhead flow friction connection apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of wellhead pipe mounting couplings contiguous to a wellhead pipe; and   a circumferential, impervious material of greater diameter than said wellhead pipe fayed between the mounting couplings and said wellhead pipe.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further including an auxiliary pipe and a plurality of pipe flanges fayed to said auxiliary pipe and said circumferential, impervious material, wherein pipe flanges are sandwiching a gasket material, mating said wellhead pipe and auxiliary pipe for the collection of effluent from said wellhead pipe. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said mounting flange and the auxiliary pipe flange are such that a multitude of serrated, angled flange lips provide means for the compression of the gasket material by twisting one said serrated, angled flange lip overlapping the apposition thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further including a plurality of guide stanchions fayed to the secondary mounting flange and affixed to a latch collar affixed at the opposite end of said guide stanchions. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further including a plurality of slidable guide cars fayed to an alignment device and sliding on said guide stanchions providing means for the closure of an effluent gap. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further providing means for aligning the auxiliary pipe flange with said secondary mounting flange by an auxiliary pipe flange alignment device fayed to the mounting flange. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further providing means for closing said effluent gap by releasing the stored energy of a plurality of springs, disposed between said secondary mounting flange and said latch collar, by disengaging a latch fayed to said secondary mounting flange secured to said latch collar. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further providing means for closing said effluent gap by the activation of a plurality of hydraulic rams, disposed between said secondary mounting flange and said latch collar. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further including a plurality of means for faying the said mounting flange and the auxiliary pipe flange. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said auxiliary pipe flange is blind providing means for stopping the flow of effluent from the wellhead pipe. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further including means for setting the flow rate into the auxiliary pipe to that of the effluent from the wellhead pipe providing means for aiding the coupling of said auxiliary pipe to the wellhead pipe. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further including an auxiliary, remotely operated shutoff ram, wherein said shutoff ram provides means for shearing off said wellhead pipe. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said shutoff ram provides means for shutting off effluent from said wellhead pipe. 
     
     
         19 . An improved insertion tube friction connection apparatus including means for delivering at least a fluid to a flexible annular, cylindrical membrane providing means for the blocking of effluent from a wellhead pipe and adhering to the inner surface of said wellhead pipe comprising:
 a delivery pipe of lesser diameter than the wellhead pipe for insertion into said wellhead pipe, providing means for the delivery of fluids, wherein said delivery pipe encases and is greater in diameter than an auxiliary pipe; and   a plurality of said auxiliary pipe mounting couplings contiguous to said delivery pipe; and   a plurality of wellhead pipe mounting couplings contiguous to a plurality of structural members, wherein said structural members are further connected to said delivery pipe; and   a release latch contiguous to said latch collar and said auxiliary pipe mounting couplings; and   a roughened surface disposed on the mating surface of said flexible annular, cylindrical membrane providing means for increasing the frictional force between the membrane and said wellhead pipe; and   an impervious flexible annular, cylindrical membrane such that lesser diameter surface is fayed between said auxiliary pipe mounting couplings and said delivery pipe, and upon deployment the greater diameter surface is disposed to the inner surface of said wellhead pipe, wherein the delivery of said fluid to said delivery pipe provides means for seating said flexible annular, cylindrical membrane with said wellhead pipe.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further providing means for the deployment of a multitude of solidifying fluids or aggregate material to said impervious flexible annular, cylindrical membrane,
 whereby, fluid solidifies blocking the effluent from exiting the wellhead pipe.