US 11,982,159 B2
Wellbore protector ram
Ahmed A. Al-Mousa, Doha (SA); and Bader M. Al-Ahmad, Dhahran (SA)
Assigned to SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on May 6, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/662,388.
Prior Publication US 2023/0358118 A1, Nov. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. E21B 33/08 (2006.01); E21B 41/00 (2006.01); E21B 33/03 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 41/0021 (2013.01) [E21B 33/08 (2013.01); E21B 33/03 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A wellbore protector ram device, comprising:
a plurality of blocks configured to move in a plane orthogonal to an extension direction of a drill string and block junk from passing through a body of the wellbore protector ram device;
a plurality of pistons configured to actuate, thereby locking and preventing movement of the plurality of blocks; and
a plurality of springs configured to press the plurality of blocks against the drill string when the plurality of blocks are unlocked, the drill string being configured to rotate and travel along the extension direction of the drill string within a wellbore when the plurality of blocks are unlocked and when the plurality of blocks are locked;
wherein the body is configured to encase the plurality of pistons and a plurality of springs, the body comprising an opening permitting passage of the drill string through the body; and
wherein the body is fixed between a bell nipple and a blowout preventer.