Flow controller, particularly blowout preventer (BOP) and smart pipe plug (SPP)

Abstract

This flow controlling device is a self regulating, reusable blowout preventer or smart pipe plug by limiting the flow in a pipe to a predetermined volume. This flow controlling device or BOP consists mainly of a tapered compression spring in a pipe. The spring measures the dynamic pressure, get compressed by increasing dynamic pressure and closes simultaneously and gradually the cross section for the flow. It closes automatically the pipe completely at a high pressure spike and opens up again after the pressure is normal again. This BOP can be placed deep in the casing of an oil well. It accommodates the drill stem and it works without any human interference. A modified device can be used in any sort of pipe and any flow as a pressure spike preventer (PSP) and also as a smart pipe plug (SPP) manually operated or via remote control.

1 . Flow controller, particularly blowout preventer (BOP) and smart pipe plug (SPP) mainly consisting of a tapered compression spring, able to seal up the entire cross section of a pipe in a compressed state. 
     
     
         2 . Flow controller, particularly BOP and SPP according to  claim 1  with a specific strength of the spring allowing a predetermined normal amount of dynamic pressure against the spring and allowing a normal flow but gradually contracting at a higher flow and restricting the flow by partially closing the cross sections between the coils and sealing up the pipe totally at a catastrophic event with a very high pressure/flow spike and allowing flow again if the pressure goes down to the normal amount again. 
     
     
         3 . Flow controller, particularly BOP and SPP according to  claim 1  with a locking devise used by canons to install the removable BOP deep in the casing of an oil well. 
     
     
         4 . Flow controller, particularly BOP and SPP according to  claim 1  with a rectangular cross section of the tapered spring. 
     
     
         5 . Flow controller, particularly BOP and SPP according to  claim 1  with a number of radial outward spreading legs movable in a big joint of a massive body in the center line of the pipe and with hard pointed ends penetrating the wall of the pipe transmitting high forces to the wall of the pipe with an suitable angle. 
     
     
         6 . Flow controller, particularly BOP and SPP according to  claim 1  with a number of rigid radial fins the tapered spring is resting on in a compressed state. 
     
     
         7 . Flow controller, particularly BOP and SPP according to  claim 1  with an elongated screw to tighten the angled legs to the wall between two sets of legs in opposite direction or against a cross bar resting on the end of the pipe. 
     
     
         8 . Flow controller, particularly BOP and SPP according to  claim 1  with an elongated screw to tighten the tapered spring by hand or remote control sealing the pipe. 
     
     
         9 . Flow controller, particularly BOP and SPP according to  claim 1  with a release mechanism for the legs like a ring in a cutout of the legs and a strong spring with a strong outward directed radial force to push the hard pointed ends of the legs in the steel wall. 
     
     
         10 . Flow controller, particularly BOP and SPP according to  claim 1  with a massive snap ring to generate friction between the spring and the body in the center for damping a swinging spring. 
     
     
         11 . Flow controller, particularly BOP and SPP according to  claim 1  with a hollow body in the center to accommodate a rotating drill stem. 
     
     
         12 . Flow controller, particularly BOP and SPP according to  claim 1  with a pipe crawler attached having a propeller and a worm gear connected to 8 wheels with hard spikes penetrating a steel wall and propelling the entire device against the flow.