Patent US3552491A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3552491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Communicating valve assembly for multiple well formations
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-02-17
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Granted: 1971-01-05
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Expires: 1989-02-17
Abstract
Abstract A communicating valve assembly for multiple well formation production and for controlled circulation of fluid between pipe strings connected thereto wherein two control valves are disposed between the two pipe strings in conjunction with a check valve for each pipe string, and wherein the control valves are constructed so that upon increasing the pressure in either of the strings above the well formation pressure in communication with such string, one of the control valves opens to direct fluid from one pipe string to the other, whereby tools may be pumped upwardly and out of either pipe string or the well be ''''killed'''' by increasing the pressure in only one of the strings.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy E Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:34
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
340 words
A communicating valve assembly for use with multiple pipe strings in a well having multiple well formations separated from each other by a well packer comprising: a. a valve body; b. said body having first longitudinal bore adapted to be connected to a first pipe string for establishing fluid flow between a first well formation in a well and the surface; c. said body having a second longitudinal bore adapted to be connected to a second pipe string for establishing fluid flow between a second well formation disposed longitudinally below the first well formation; said body having first and second passage means each interconnecting said first and second longitudinal bores; d. a first control valve in said first passage means and a second control valve in said second passage means disposed for controlling fluid flow between said first longitudinal bore and said second longitudinal bore; e. a first check valve operably connected to said first longitudinal bore for permitting the flow of fluid from the first well formation into the first longitudinal bore and adapted to be closed by fluid pressure in the first longitudinal bore in excess of the pressure of the fluid from the first well formation; f. a second check valve operably connected to the second longitudinal bore for permitting the flow of fluid from the second well formation into the second longitudinal bore and adapted to be closed by fluid pressure in the second longitudinal bore in excess of the pressure of the fluid from the second well formation; g. said first control valve having valve means therewith for movement to an open position when said fluid pressure in said first longitudinal bore is in excess of the fluid pressure in said first well formation and has closed said first check valve; and h. said second control valve having valve means therewith for movement to an open position when said fluid pressure in said second longitudinal bore is in excess of the fluid pressure in said second well formation and has closed said second check valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
340 words
A communicating valve assembly for use with multiple pipe strings in a well having multiple well formations separated from each other by a well packer comprising: a. a valve body; b. said body having first longitudinal bore adapted to be connected to a first pipe string for establishing fluid flow between a first well formation in a well and the surface; c. said body having a second longitudinal bore adapted to be connected to a second pipe string for establishing fluid flow between a second well formation disposed longitudinally below the first well formation; said body having first and second passage means each interconnecting said first and second longitudinal bores; d. a first control valve in said first passage means and a second control valve in said second passage means disposed for controlling fluid flow between said first longitudinal bore and said second longitudinal bore; e. a first check valve operably connected to said first longitudinal bore for permitting the flow of fluid from the first well formation into the first longitudinal bore and adapted to be closed by fluid pressure in the first longitudinal bore in excess of the pressure of the fluid from the first well formation; f. a second check valve operably connected to the second longitudinal bore for permitting the flow of fluid from the second well formation into the second longitudinal bore and adapted to be closed by fluid pressure in the second longitudinal bore in excess of the pressure of the fluid from the second well formation; g. said first control valve having valve means therewith for movement to an open position when said fluid pressure in said first longitudinal bore is in excess of the fluid pressure in said first well formation and has closed said first check valve; and h. said second control valve having valve means therewith for movement to an open position when said fluid pressure in said second longitudinal bore is in excess of the fluid pressure in said second well formation and has closed said second check valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said first check valve is disposed in the lower end of the first longitudinal bore; and b. means are provided for releasably mounting said check valve in said first bore to permit retrieval of the check valve from the bore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
182 words
The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said valve means for each of said control valves includes a pair of valve elements adapted to move relative to each other; b. means are provided for introducing fluid pressure from the first longitudinal bore to the area between the valve elements of the first control valve; c. means are provided for introducing fluid pressure from said second longitudinal bore to the area below the valve elements of the first control valve; d. means are provided for introducing fluid pressure from a first well formation to the area above the valve elements of the first control valve; e. means are provided for introducing fluid pressure from the second longitudinal bore to the area between the valve elements of the second control valve; f. means are provided for introducing fluid pressure from said first longitudinal bore to the area below the valve elements of the second control valve; and g. means are provided for introducing fluid pressure from a second well formation to the area above the valve elements of the second control valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
172 words
The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said control valves includes: a. a valve chamber; b. an upper valve element disposed in said valve chamber for longitudinal reciprocation; c. a lower valve element disposed in said valve chamber for longitudinal reciprocation relative to and with said upper valve element; d. the valve chamber for said first control valve having upper and lower passages connecting to said first longitudinal bore above and below said upper valve element and said lower valve element of said first control valve, respectively, and an intermediate passage connecting to said second longitudinal bore between said upper and lower valve elements of said first control valve; and e. the valve chamber for said second control valve having upper and lower passages connecting to said second longitudinal bore above and below said upper valve element and said lower valve element of said second control valve, respectively, and an intermediate passage connecting to said first longitudinal bore between said upper and lower elements of said second control valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
The structure set forth in claim 4, wherein: in each of said control valves, said upper valve element has a larger surface area exposed to fluid pressure then said lower valve element whereby the upper valve element moves downwardly with the lower valve element to close flow through said chamber when the pressure above said upper valve element and below said lower valve element is the same and is greater than the pressure between said valve elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
229 words
A communicating valve assembly for use with multiple pipe strings in a well having multiple well formations separated from each other by a well packer comprising: a. a valve body; b. said body having first longitudinal bore adapted to be connected to a first pipe string for establishing fluid flow between a first well formation in a well and the surface; c. said body having a second longitudinal bore adapted to be connected to a second pipe string for establishing fluid flow between a second well formation disposed longitudinally below the first well formation; d. a first control valve and a second control valve disposed for controlling fluid flow between said first longitudinal bore and said second longitudinal bore; e. each of said control valves having a pair of valve elements adapted to move relative to each other; f. means for introducing fluid pressure from thE first longitudinal bore to the area between the valve elements of the first longitudinal bore to the area between the valve elements of the first control valve while exposing the area thereabove and therebelow to the fluid pressure in the second longitudinal bore; and g. means for introducing fluid pressure from the second longitudinal bore to the area between the valve elements of the second control valve while exposing the area thereabove and therebelow to the fluid pressure in the first longitudinal bore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
229 words
A communicating valve assembly for use with multiple pipe strings in a well having multiple well formations separated from each other by a well packer comprising: a. a valve body; b. said body having first longitudinal bore adapted to be connected to a first pipe string for establishing fluid flow between a first well formation in a well and the surface; c. said body having a second longitudinal bore adapted to be connected to a second pipe string for establishing fluid flow between a second well formation disposed longitudinally below the first well formation; d. a first control valve and a second control valve disposed for controlling fluid flow between said first longitudinal bore and said second longitudinal bore; e. each of said control valves having a pair of valve elements adapted to move relative to each other; f. means for introducing fluid pressure from thE first longitudinal bore to the area between the valve elements of the first longitudinal bore to the area between the valve elements of the first control valve while exposing the area thereabove and therebelow to the fluid pressure in the second longitudinal bore; and g. means for introducing fluid pressure from the second longitudinal bore to the area between the valve elements of the second control valve while exposing the area thereabove and therebelow to the fluid pressure in the first longitudinal bore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The structure set forth in claim 6, wherein: one of the valve elements in each pair has a larger area than the other of the valve elements whereby an equal fluid pressure thereabove and therebelow forces them to a closed position to close off flow between the first and second bores when the pressure between the elements is less than that above or below same.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
243 words
A communicating valve assembly for use with multiple pipe strings in a well having multiple well formations separated from each other by a well packer comprising: a. a valve body; b. said body having first longitudinal bore adapted to be connected to a first pipe string for establishing fluid flow between a first well formation in a well and the surface; c. said body having a second longitudinal bore adapted to be connected to a second pipe string for establishing fluid flow between a second well formation disposed longitudinally below the first well formation; d. a first control valve and a second control valve disposed for controlling fluid flow between said first longitudinal bore and said second longitudinal bore; e. each of said control valves having a pair of valve elements adapted to move relative to each other; f. means for introducing fluid pressure from the first longitudinal bore to the area between the valve elements of the first control valve; g. means for introducing fluid pressure from a source other than the first longitudinal bore to the areas above and below the valve elements of the first control valve; h. means for introducing fluid pressure from the second longitudinal bore to the area between the valve elements of the second control valve; and i. means for introducing fluid pressure from a source other than the second longitudinal bore to the areas above and below the valve elements of the second control valve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
243 words
A communicating valve assembly for use with multiple pipe strings in a well having multiple well formations separated from each other by a well packer comprising: a. a valve body; b. said body having first longitudinal bore adapted to be connected to a first pipe string for establishing fluid flow between a first well formation in a well and the surface; c. said body having a second longitudinal bore adapted to be connected to a second pipe string for establishing fluid flow between a second well formation disposed longitudinally below the first well formation; d. a first control valve and a second control valve disposed for controlling fluid flow between said first longitudinal bore and said second longitudinal bore; e. each of said control valves having a pair of valve elements adapted to move relative to each other; f. means for introducing fluid pressure from the first longitudinal bore to the area between the valve elements of the first control valve; g. means for introducing fluid pressure from a source other than the first longitudinal bore to the areas above and below the valve elements of the first control valve; h. means for introducing fluid pressure from the second longitudinal bore to the area between the valve elements of the second control valve; and i. means for introducing fluid pressure from a source other than the second longitudinal bore to the areas above and below the valve elements of the second control valve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |