OPPS (Oil Pressure Powered Shutoff)

This shutoff system is a proof of concept to stop the Deepwater Horizon oil leak; it is an expandable/modifiable open source design. The outer sections are modular, so it can be built upon and then reopened when new equipment is put in place to salvage the pipeline, instead of having to drill another adjacent pipeline. The key feature uses a supported piston on a threaded shaft that moves perpendicular to the oil flow to negate the high pressure oil flowing from the BOP riser.

Update 11/29/10: Deleted that 225mb STL file, so Thingiverse can have some more room!

In case my better half thinks that the cupcake/3D design is only for fun/evil, as well as an inherent desire to change the world, here is a design suggestion I submitted to BP for evaluation in sealing the fractured pipe.

deepwaterhorizonresponse.com

I know that some/many of the most creative minds in the world are on Thingiverse, and I am hoping/urging the other operators to spend some time looking at how to seal the pipe and save a lot of carbon-based lifeforms.

BP is taking recommendations at: horizonedocs.com/artform.php