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.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for reciprocating a piston in a cylinder of a fluid actuated actuator between one and another alternate positions, and using the piston fluid actuator fluid to move a lock member from a first position to a second position to lock the cylinder when it is moved from one position to its other alternate position. Actuator fluid is communicated to unlock the lock member and to move the piston back to its one position. In another form, the lock member is moved to its first position by the actuator pressure fluid which actuates a valve to communicate actuator fluid pressure from the lock member to the cylinder to move the piston back to its said other position.

Abstract: An expansible and contractable replaceable seal arrangement includes an elastomer body bonded to at least a pair of spaced, rigid plate members with a mechanical arrangement interconnecting the plate members and elastomer body to accommodate relative movement therebetween in response to expansion and contraction of the elastomer body bonded therewith and to inhibit separation of the plates and elastomer body.

Abstract: Opposed rams are sealably and reciprocally mounted in a body with opposed shear blades projecting from one end of each ram for movement toward each other to sever an elongated object extending between the rams and blades. A seal is provided on each blade and configured to sealingly receive therein the exposed portion of the opposed blade after the object has been severed, and each ram is provided with a cut out portion to receive the adjacent severed end of the elongated object to inhibit crushing thereof.

Abstract: Ram bodies mounted in transverse bores of a blowout preventer body with a longitudinal bore therethrough are operable by operating means extending through closures on one end of the transverse bores to move the rams to close off fluid communication through the longitudinal bore in the body and to retract the rams from the longitudinal bore. Removable seal means are provided on each ram body to seal with the transverse bore in which each ram body is mounted. Removable seal means extend diametrically across the front of each ram for sealingly engaging an elongate member in the longitudinal bore when the rams are closed. The removable seal means is retained in position by non-torquing means during use but may be readily replaced when necessary. Self energizing seal means on the ram body sealingly engage the transverse bores.

Abstract: Ram bodies mounted in transverse bores of a blowout preventer body with a longitudinal bore therethrough are operable by operating means extending through closures on one end of the transverse bores to move the rams to close off fluid communication through the longitudinal bore in the body and to retract the rams from the longitudinal bore. Removable seal means are provided on each ram body to seal with the transverse bore in which each ram body is mounted. Removable seal means extend diametrically across the front of each ram for sealingly engaging an elongate member in the longitudinal bore when the rams are closed. The removable seal means is retained in position by non-torquing means during use but may be readily replaced when necessary. Self energizing seal means on the ram body sealingly engage the transverse bores.

Abstract: A quick opening closure arrangement for controlling flow from a well formation into a tubular member which may be opened by dropping a rod or the like into the tubular member adjacent the earth's surface wherein closure means are provided for closing off the tubular member from the well formation as the tubular member is positioned in the well. Sleeve means support the closure means to close off flow into the tubular member from the well formation and releasable means releasably secure the sleeve means within the tubular member which releasable means is constructed and arranged to enable the sleeve means to shift longitudinally within the tubular member when a rod dropped into the tubular member from the earth's surface impacts thereagainst whereupon the closure means moves to open the tubular member for receiving flow from the formation.