Inflatable variable bore ram

Abstract

A variable ram packer includes a body with a bore contact region, at least one fluidic flexible matrix component (FFMC) tube, an inflation mechanism, and a fluid port. The FFMC tube is positioned inside the body next to the bore contact region. The fluid port is fluidly coupled with a connecting line, which is fluidly coupled with the inflation mechanism. The FFMC tube inflates in response to an increase in pressure from the inflation mechanism, which translates the bore contact region inward.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A variable ram packer comprising a body comprising:
 a bore contact region thereon;   at least one fluidic flexible matrix component (FFMC) tube disposed within said body and positioned radially adjacent said bore contact region;   an inflation mechanism; and   a fluid port disposed within said body, said fluid port fluidly coupled with said FFMC tube and with at least one connecting line fluidly coupled with said inflation mechanism, wherein said FFMC tube inflates in response to a pressure increase from said inflation mechanism, thereby translating said bore contact region radially inward.   
     
     
         2 . The variable ram packer in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said inflation mechanism is a hydraulic inflation mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The variable ram packer in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said inflation mechanism is a pneumatic inflation mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The variable ram packer in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said variable ram packer is coupled to a ram block. 
     
     
         5 . The variable ram packer in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of packer inserts axially juxtaposed above and below said bore contact region. 
     
     
         6 . The variable ram packer in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said plurality of packer inserts are configured to rotate radially inward. 
     
     
         7 . The variable ram packer in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one FFMC tube comprises an outer tube and an inner liner disposed within said outer tube. 
     
     
         8 . The variable ram packer in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said outer tube comprises a plurality of interwoven fibers. 
     
     
         9 . The variable ram packer in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said plurality of interwoven fibers comprises a weave angle within a range from and including about 40 degrees to and including about 60 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The variable ram packer in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said plurality of interwoven fibers comprises a weave angle within a range from and including about 45 degrees to and including about 54 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The variable ram packer in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said FFMC tube is semi-circular and defines a channel positioned radially adjacent said bore contact region. 
     
     
         12 . The variable ram packer in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said fluid port extends radially outward from at least a portion of said FFMC tube. 
     
     
         13 . The variable ram packer in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said fluid port extends axially away from at least a portion of said FFMC tube. 
     
     
         14 . A variable bore ram assembly comprising:
 at least one ram block; and   at least one variable ram packer disposed in said at least one ram block, said at least one variable ram packer comprising a body comprising:
 a bore contact region thereon; 
 at least one fluidic flexible matrix component (FFMC) tube disposed within said body and positioned radially adjacent said bore contact region; 
 an inflation mechanism; and 
 a fluid port disposed within said body, said fluid port fluidly coupled with said FFMC tube and with at least one connecting line fluidly coupled with an inflation mechanism, wherein said FFMC tube inflates in response to a pressure increase from said inflation mechanism, thereby translating said bore contact region radially inward. 
   
     
     
         15 . The variable bore ram assembly in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein said inflation mechanism is a hydraulic inflation mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The variable bore ram assembly in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein said inflation mechanism is a pneumatic inflation mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . The variable bore ram assembly in accordance with  claim 14  further comprising a plurality of packer inserts axially juxtaposed above and below said bore contact region. 
     
     
         18 . The variable bore ram assembly in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein said plurality of packer inserts are configured to rotate radially inward. 
     
     
         19 . The variable bore ram assembly in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein said at least one FFMC tube comprises an outer tube and an inner liner disposed within said outer tube. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using a variable ram packer for use with a blowout preventer, the variable ram packer including a body including at least one bore contact region thereon, a plurality of packer inserts, configured to rotate radially inward, at least one fluidic flexible matrix component (FFMC) tube disposed within the body and positioned radially adjacent to the bore contact region, and a fluid port disposed within the body, the fluid port fluidly coupled with the FFMC tube and a connecting line, the connecting line fluidly coupled with an inflation mechanism, said method comprising:
 translating the variable ram packer into a first closed position around a drill pipe;   rotating the plurality of packer inserts radially inward into a second closed position around the drill pipe;   translating the at least one bore contact region into a sealing arrangement with the drill pipe by inflating the at least one FFMC tube through activating the inflation mechanism to increase the pressure of a fluid disposed within the at least one FFMC tube.