Rotating flow control diverter with riser pipe adapter

Abstract

The present invention is directed a rotating flow control diverter having a riser adapter. The riser adapter allows the rotating flow control diverter to be positioned in a riser string below the drilling platform. The rotating flow control diverter has two flanged connections that connect to the flanged connections of riser pipe such that the rotating flow control diverter becomes an integral part of the riser string. The rotating flow control device has means to circulate lubricating fluid in the bearing assembly without the need for external feed lines.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotating flow control diverter for use in a riser string comprising;
 a) a tubular stationary housing having a lower flanged connection;   b) a removable bearing assembly, the bearing assembly comprising an outer housing, bearing elements, and an axially rotatable inner tubular shaft;   c) an elastomeric stripper element attached to the inner tubular shaft; and   d) a locking clamp mounted on the outer housing for releasably securing the outer housing of the bearing assembly to the stationary housing; and   e) a riser pipe adapter comprising;
 i. a sleeved housing comprising an upper enclosure having a flanged connection for attachment to a flange of a riser pipe section and a lower enclosure, the lower enclosure being mounted on the stationary housing; and 
 ii. a locking clamp for releasably attaching the upper enclosure to the lower enclosure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The rotating flow control diverter of  claim 1  wherein the locking clamp for releasably securing the outer housing of the bearing assembly to the stationary housing comprises a locking clamp ring rotatably mounted on the outer housing. 
     
     
         3 . The rotating flow control diverter of  claim 2  wherein the locking clamp ring for releasably securing the outer housing of the bearing assembly to the stationary housing further comprises locking tabs that align with complementary locking tabs on the stationary housing. 
     
     
         4 . The rotating flow control diverter of  claim 1  wherein the locking clamp for releasably attaching the upper enclosure to the lower enclosure comprises a locking clamp ring mounted on the lower enclosure. 
     
     
         5 . The rotating flow control diverter of  claim 4  further comprising a hydraulic cylinder to actuate the locking clamp ring for releasably attaching the upper enclosure to the lower enclosure into a locked position. 
     
     
         6 . The rotating flow control diverter of  claim 1  further comprising an interchangeable flange on the stationary housing. 
     
     
         7 . The rotating flow control diverter of  claim 6  wherein the interchangeable flange comprises an upper flange defined by the stationary housing and a second flange that is releasably secured to the upper flange. 
     
     
         8 . The rotating flow control diverter of  claim 1  wherein the lower enclosure is defined by the stationary housing. 
     
     
         9 . The rotating flow control diverter apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bearing assembly comprises;
 (a) an outer housing and an axially rotatable inner tubular shaft, the outer housing and the axially rotatable inner tubular shaft defining an annular space between them; 
 (b) a sealed fluid chamber disposed in the annular space, the fluid chamber containing lubricating fluid; 
 (c) bearing elements disposed within the fluid chamber, the bearing elements radially and axially supporting the inner tubular shaft; and 
 (d) at least one fan ring mounted on and rotating with the inner tubular shaft in a position such that fan ring is disposed within the fluid chamber whereby rotation of the fan ring causes circulation of the lubricating fluid within the fluid chamber. 
 
     
     
         10 . A method of inserting a rotating flow control diverter having an upper end and a lower end into a riser string, the rotating flow control diverter having a flanged connection at its lower end, the method comprising the steps of
 (a) mounting a sleeved riser adapter on the upper end of the rotating flow control diverter, the adapter having a flanged connection;   (b) securing the flanged connection at the lower end of the rotating flow control diverter to the flanged connection of a riser pipe; and   (c) securing the flanged connection of the adapter at the upper end of the rotating flow control diverter to the flanged connection of a riser pipe.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the flanged connection located at the lower end of the rotating flow control diverter is connected to the stack of a blow out preventer. 
     
     
         12 . A riser pipe adapter for a rotating flow control diverter, comprising;
 (a) a sleeved housing defining an interior pressure bearing cavity, the housing comprising;
 iii. an upper enclosure having a flanged connection for sealed attachment to the flange of a riser pipe; and 
 iv. a lower enclosure, the lower enclosure being attached in a sealed manner to the rotating flow control diverter; 
   (b) a clamp for releasably attaching the upper enclosure to the lower enclosure in a sealed manner.   
     
     
         13 . An offshore drilling assembly comprising a riser string and a rotating flow control diverter, said riser string comprising a plurality of interconnected lengths of flanged riser pipe and the rotating flow control diverter inserted in the riser string between a first flanged riser pipe and a second flanged riser pipe, the rotating flow control diverter comprising;
 a. a tubular stationary housing having a lower flanged connection, the lower flanged connection being attached to the first flanged riser pipe;   b. a removable bearing assembly, the bearing assembly comprising an outer housing, bearing elements, and an axially rotatable inner tubular shaft;   c. an elastomeric stripper element attached to the inner tubular shaft;   d. a locking clamp ring rotatably mounted on the outer housing for releasably securing the outer housing of the bearing assembly to the stationary housing; and   e. a riser pipe adapter comprising;
 i. a sleeved housing comprising an upper enclosure having a flanged connection, said flanged connection being attached to the second flanged riser pipe, and a lower enclosure, the lower enclosure being mounted on the stationary housing; and 
 ii. a locking clamp ring for releasably attaching the upper enclosure to the lower enclosure.