Abstract: A substantially planar screen for a solid particle separator is formed from one or more layers of mesh. The one or more layers of mesh are formed into a series of ridges separated by channels within the plane of the screen. The wire mesh is bonded to a rigid or semi-rigid panel having a plurality of relatively large openings as compared to those of the mesh to create a plurality of repairable screen cells. The support panel is formed with or bent into a series of alternating ridges and channels to create the ridges and channels in the wire mesh when it is bonded to the panel. The cross-sectional shape of the ridges are generally triangular to maximize exposure of surface area of the screen to a flow of material to be separated. Flat surfaces on the ridges and in the channels facilitate repair of screen cells with solid plugs.

Abstract: An annular packer (P) with an axial bore (21) includes an elastomer body (23) with inserts (22) partially embedded therein and spaced circumferentially about the axial bore (21). The inserts (22) each support an element (24') embedded in the elastomer body (23) which move into the axial packer bore (21) beyond the inserts when an external compressive force is applied to the elastomer body to reduce the diameter of the axial bore (21) and to provide support for and inhibit extrusion of the elastomer body (23) that is moved into the axial bore by the compressive force.

Abstract: A blowout preventer having a housing with a bore therethrough and chambers which intersect with rams reciprocable within the chambers between a first position for opening the bore and a second position for closing the bore to divide the bore into zones above and below the rams includes a rod connected to each of the rams and extending longitudinally within each of the chambers and offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the chambers to guide as well as move each of the rams inwardly toward the bore to close the bore and to withdraw each ram from the bore by moving the rams outwardly from the bore in the chamber. A valve is mounted in the end of the rod that is connected with at least one ram to control communication through a passage in the ram wherein the passage has a first passage end that communicates with the zone above the ram and a second passage end that communicates with the chamber adjacent the end of the rod connected to the ram.