Abstract: A ram for a blowout preventer has a pressure chamber having a piston movably disposed therein, and a charge disposed at one end of the pressure chamber. A gate is coupled to the piston on a side opposed to the charge. The gate is arranged to move across a through bore in a housing disposed at an opposed end of the pressure chamber. A coupling between the piston and the gate has sufficient strength to transfer kinetic energy of the gate to the piston.

Abstract: A blowout preventer includes a main body having a through bore. A pressure chamber is located adjacent to and transverse to the through bore. A gate is disposed in the pressure chamber. An insert is disposed in the main body and defines an opening therethrough parallel to the through bore. The insert also defines a passage therethrough transverse to the through bore for passage of the gate.

Abstract: An initiator monitoring and actuating system includes a first power supply selectively electrically connectable to a charge initiator. The first power supply provides a current lower than an activation current of the initiator. A second power supply is selectively electrically connectable to the charge initiator. The second power supply provides a current of at least the activation current. Switches are selectively operable to connect the second power supply to a test circuit operable to measure a current generated by the second power supply. The switches are selectively operable to connect the second power supply to the charge initiator. A current sensor is operable to measure current through the test circuit and operable to measure current from the first power supply when the first power supply is connected to the charge initiator.

Abstract: A blowout preventer includes a main body having a through bore. A pressure chamber is located adjacent to and transverse to the through bore. A gate is disposed in the pressure chamber. An insert is disposed in the main body and defines an opening therethrough parallel to the through bore. The insert also defines a passage therethrough transverse to the through bore for passage of the gate.

Abstract: A ram for a blowout preventer has a pressure chamber having a piston movably disposed therein, and a charge disposed at one end of the pressure chamber. A gate is coupled to the piston on a side opposed to the charge. The gate is arranged to move across a through bore in a housing disposed at an opposed end of the pressure chamber. A coupling between the piston and the gate has sufficient strength to transfer kinetic energy of the gate to the piston.

Abstract: A rotary drive actuator for an annular well pressure control device includes a piston having a tapered inner surface, a through bore and a threaded outer surface. A threaded sleeve having a threaded inner surface is in threaded engagement with the threaded outer surface of the piston. A rotary motor is arranged to rotate the threaded sleeve, whereby rotation of the rotary motor causes corresponding axial motion of the piston.

Abstract: A rotary drive actuator for an annular well pressure control device includes a piston having a tapered inner surface, a through bore and a threaded outer surface. A threaded sleeve having a threaded inner surface is in threaded engagement with the threaded outer surface of the piston. A rotary motor is arranged to rotate the threaded sleeve, whereby rotation of the rotary motor causes corresponding axial motion of the piston.