Figure F7. Photographs of large-diameter ball-valve system developed for Expedition 327 CORKs to permit long-term free-flow experiment. A. Ball-valve system prepared on deck for deployment. Ball valve (Banjo V400, polypropylene) has 4 inch internal diameter and is open when handle is rotated 90° counterclockwise from position shown. Instrument clamp mounted above ball valve currently contains a dust cover, but this will be replaced with an autonomous flowmeter system using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). B. Side view showing cut-away section of CORK bulkhead, providing clearance for rotation of ball-valve handle. Lateral pipe that extends outward from the main 4½ inch CORK casing allows fluids from deep below the wellhead to flow up through the ball valve when it is opened, even though a sealed plug will remain in place at the top of the wellhead. C. View of the instrument clamp with the dust cover removed and the clamp open. Clamp is actuated by pulling the latch toward you to open (counterclockwise when viewed from above) and pushing the latch away to close (clockwise when viewed from above). Moving latch shifts dogs that engage the dust cover, flowmeter, or other instrument designed to fit into the clamp. D. Ball valve just before CORK deployment. Yellow rope loops will assist submersible or ROV manipulator to grasp ball-valve handle and clamp latch. Loops and dust cover are held in place for deployment with rubber bands.
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