Systems and methods for retraction of a packer assembly of an annular blowout preventer

Abstract

A system for an annular blowout preventer (BOP) includes a piston, a packer assembly, and a connector assembly. The connector assembly includes a linkage, wherein a first end portion of the linkage is configured to contact and couple to the piston and a second end portion of the linkage is configured to contact and couple to the packer assembly.

1 . A system for an annular blowout preventer (BOP), comprising:
 an annular piston;   a packer assembly; and   a connector assembly comprising a linkage, wherein a first end portion of the linkage is configured to contact and couple to the annular piston and a second end portion of the linkage is configured to contact and couple to the packer assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the linkage comprises a cable. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the second end portion is embedded in a packer of the packer assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the second end portion is coupled to an insert of the packer assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the linkage comprises a rigid rod. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the second end portion is coupled to an insert of the packer assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the second end portion is configured to rotatably couple to an insert of the packer assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion is coupled to a center portion of the packer assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector assembly comprises a plurality of additional linkages spaced circumferentially about the packer assembly, wherein a respective first end portion of each of the plurality of additional linkages is configured to contact and couple to the annular piston and a respective second end portion of each of the plurality of additional linkages is configured to contact and couple to the packer assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector assembly is configured to exert a force on the packer assembly to withdraw the packer assembly from a central bore of the annular BOP as the annular piston moves in a first direction along an axial axis of the annular BOP. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the packer assembly comprises a normally-closed packer assembly that comprises a molded shape that causes the normally-closed packer assembly to seal a central bore of the annular BOP in absence of an external downward force from the connector assembly. 
     
     
         12 . An annular blowout preventer (BOP), comprising:
 a housing;   an annular piston positioned within the housing;   a packer assembly positioned within the housing, wherein the packer assembly comprises a packer and a plurality of inserts; and   a connector assembly positioned within the housing, wherein the connector assembly is configured to couple the annular piston and the packer assembly to one another and to exert a force on the packer assembly to withdraw the packer assembly from a central bore of the annular BOP as the annular piston moves in a first direction along an axial axis of the annular BOP.   
     
     
         13 . The annular BOP of  claim 12 , wherein the connector assembly comprises a linkage, a first end portion of the linkage is configured to contact and couple to the annular piston, and a second end portion of the linkage is configured to contact and couple to the packer assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The annular BOP of  claim 12 , wherein a portion of the connector assembly is embedded in the packer. 
     
     
         15 . The annular BOP of  claim 12 , wherein a portion of the connector assembly contacts and is coupled to at least one insert of the plurality of inserts. 
     
     
         16 . The annular BOP of  claim 12 , wherein the connector assembly comprises a rigid rod that is coupled to the annular piston and to at least one insert of the plurality of inserts. 
     
     
         17 . The annular BOP of  claim 16 , wherein the rigid rod is rotatably coupled to the at least one insert of the plurality of inserts. 
     
     
         18 . The annular BOP of  claim 12 , wherein the packer assembly comprises a normally-closed packer assembly that comprises a molded shape that causes the normally-closed packer assembly to seal the central bore of the annular BOP in absence of the force. 
     
     
         19 . A method of operating an annular blowout preventer (BOP), the method comprising:
 adjusting an annular piston of the annular BOP in a first axial direction; and   withdrawing a packer assembly of the annular BOP from a central bore of the annular BOP via a force exerted on the packer assembly by a connector assembly that is coupled to the annular piston and the packer assembly.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the packer assembly is a normally-closed packer assembly, and the method comprises transitioning the annular BOP from a closed position to an open position by adjusting the annular piston of the annular BOP in the first axial direction.