US3581819A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure equalizing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-03-26
•
Granted: 1971-06-01
•
Expires: 1990-03-26
Abstract
Abstract Pressure equalizing apparatus characterized by a pressure equalizing device for being left in the well and removable and insertable shifting prong assembly for operating the pressure equalizing device without removing it from the well; the apparatus being adapted to allow any damage done by high differential pressures to be done to seals on the removable shifting prong assembly and prevent any damage to seals on the pressure equalizing device. Specific individual structures are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack W Tamplen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:23
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B34/00; E21B34/06; E21B34/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
356 words
A combination of a pressure equalizing device and shifting prong assembly comprising: a. a tubular body having a first internal longitudinally extending seal surface and a first aperture from the exterior to the interior of said tubular body intermediate the ends of said seal surface; b. a tubular valve having a central bore and having an exterior surface conformably positioned adjacent said seal surface; said valve being movable longitudinally of sad tubular body between an open position and a closed position, and having a second aperture located so as to be in fluid communication with said first aperture when said valve is in the open position and out of fluid communication with said first aperture when said valve is in the closed position; said valve further having a second internal seal surface defining a portion of said central bore and extending along the longitudinal axis of said bore on both sides of said second aperture for receiving a seal means on a mandrel inserted in said bore for sealing off said second aperture until said valve is fully opened; c. first seal means disposed on both sides of said first aperture and intermediate said tubular body and said valve for isolating said first aperture from regions above and below said first seal means; d. second seal means disposed intermediate said first and second aperture and intermediate said tubular body and said valve for preventing fluid communication between said first and second apertures when said valve is in the closed position; e. first holding means releasably holding said valve in the closed position, movable with said valve to and from the closed position, and operable to impose an obstruction in said bore when moved from the closed position; f. second holding means releasably holding said valve in the open position, movable with said valve to and from the open position, and operable to impose an obstruction in said bore when moved from the open position; g. a shifting prong assembly comprising a mandrel having a shoulder portion adapted to move said second holding means to the open position; and h. means for operating said shifting prong assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
356 words
A combination of a pressure equalizing device and shifting prong assembly comprising: a. a tubular body having a first internal longitudinally extending seal surface and a first aperture from the exterior to the interior of said tubular body intermediate the ends of said seal surface; b. a tubular valve having a central bore and having an exterior surface conformably positioned adjacent said seal surface; said valve being movable longitudinally of sad tubular body between an open position and a closed position, and having a second aperture located so as to be in fluid communication with said first aperture when said valve is in the open position and out of fluid communication with said first aperture when said valve is in the closed position; said valve further having a second internal seal surface defining a portion of said central bore and extending along the longitudinal axis of said bore on both sides of said second aperture for receiving a seal means on a mandrel inserted in said bore for sealing off said second aperture until said valve is fully opened; c. first seal means disposed on both sides of said first aperture and intermediate said tubular body and said valve for isolating said first aperture from regions above and below said first seal means; d. second seal means disposed intermediate said first and second aperture and intermediate said tubular body and said valve for preventing fluid communication between said first and second apertures when said valve is in the closed position; e. first holding means releasably holding said valve in the closed position, movable with said valve to and from the closed position, and operable to impose an obstruction in said bore when moved from the closed position; f. second holding means releasably holding said valve in the open position, movable with said valve to and from the open position, and operable to impose an obstruction in said bore when moved from the open position; g. a shifting prong assembly comprising a mandrel having a shoulder portion adapted to move said second holding means to the open position; and h. means for operating said shifting prong assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said means for operating said shifting prong assembly includes a wireline operable tool and wireline connected with said shifting prong assembly and with surface equipment and adapted to effect operation of said shifting prong assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said tubular body has a passageway adjacent said first aperture for nonsealingly receiving said second seal means when said first and second apertures are moved into fluid communication.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said first and second holding means comprise respective snap rings adjacent the ends of said valve and respective annular recesses in said tubular body positioned and formed to conformingly receive respective said snap rings when said valve is in the respective closed and open positions, said snap rings being movable from respective said annular recesses and longitudinally of said tubular body when sufficient force is applied thereto parallel with the longitudinal axis of said tubular body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said force to move respective said snap rings from respective said annular recesses is applied via said valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein the force serving to move said snap ring toward and into said respective annular recess is applied via said shoulder portion of said shifting prong assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said second holding means comprises a snap ring adjacent the upper end of said valve and an annular recess in said tubular body positioned and formed to conformingly receive said snap ring when said valve is in the open position, said snap ring being movable longitudinally of said tubular body and to and from said annuLar recess when sufficient force is applied thereto parallel with the longitudinal axis of said tubular body and said shoulder portion of said shifting prong assembly is adapted to engage and move said snap ring and hence said valve downwardly into said open position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said shifting prong assembly also has on said mandrel a seal portion conforming to and movable longitudinally of said bore adjacent said internal seal surface of said valve, and has a seal means disposed about said seal portion and spaced from said shoulder portion so as to be disposed on both sides of said second aperture when said shoulder portion operationally engages said second holding means, and a fluid flow passageway through said mandrel communicating above and below said seal means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said valve bore has an annular recess for receiving said shoulder portion of said mandrel; said annular recess being deep enough to position said seal means below said second aperture when said shoulder portion of said mandrel is fully received in said annular recess.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said shifting prong assembly also has on said mandrel a second shoulder portion that is adapted to pass through said bore and past said first holding means when said first holding means and said valve are in closed position and not to be moved past said first holding means when said first holding means is in any other position, said second shoulder portion being spaced on said mandrel so as to be on the side of said first holding means opposite said second holding means when said shoulder portion operationally engages said second holding means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
The combination of claim 10 wherein fluid flow through said second aperture is blocked by said seal means and said first and second holding means are disposed intermediate said shoulder and said second shoulder in any position other than the closed or open position; and said holding means impose respective obstructions in said bore, thereby requiring movement of said valve with said mandrel into either the closed or open position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
214 words
The combination of claim 10 wherein said first holding means comprises a first snap ring of a first thickness adjacent the lower end of said valve and an annular recess in said tubular body positioned and formed to conformingly receive said first snap ring when said valve is in the closed position and said second holding means comprises a second snap ring of a second thickness thinner than said first thickness adjacent the upper end of said valve and an annular recess in said tubular body positioned and formed to conformingly receive said second snap ring when said valve is in the open position, said snap rings being movable longitudinally of said tubular body and to and from respective said annular recesses when sufficient force is applied thereto parallel with the longitudinal axis of said tubular body; and said second shoulder portion is adapted to pass through said bore and past said second holding means in any position; said bore has an annular recess for receiving said shoulder portion of said mandrel; said annular recess, said shoulder portion, and said seal means being relatively spaced such that said seal means are below said second aperture when said valve is in the open position and said shoulder portion is fully received in said annular recess.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
The combination of claim 10 wherein said seal means on said seal portion and said second shoulder portion are spaced on said mandrel with respect to each other such that said seal means are disposed on both sides of said second aperture when said second shoulder portion operationally engages said first holding means for moving said valve to the closed position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
318 words
A pressure equalizing device comprising: a. a tubular body having a first internal longitudinally extending seal surface and a first aperture from the exterior to the interior of said tubular body intermediate the ends of said seaL surface; b. a tubular valve having a central bore and having an exterior surface conformably positioned adjacent said seal surface; said valve being movable longitudinally of said tubular body between an open position and a closed position, and having a second aperture located so as to be in fluid communication with said first aperture when said valve is in the open position and out of fluid communication with said first aperture when said valve is in the closed position; said valve further having a second internal seal surface defining a portion of said central bore and extending along the longitudinal axis of said bore on both sides of said second aperture for receiving a seal means on a mandrel inserted in said bore for sealing off said second aperture until said valve is fully opened; c. first seal means disposed on both sides of said first aperture and intermediate said tubular body and said valve for isolating said first aperture from regions above and below said first seal means; d. second seal means disposed intermediate said first and second aperture and intermediate said tubular body and said valve for preventing fluid communication between said first and second apertures when said valve is in the closed position; e. first holding means releasably holding said valve in the closed position, movable with said valve to and from the closed position, and operable to impose an obstruction in said bore when moved from the closed position; and f. second holding means releasably holding said valve in the open position, movable with said valve to and from the open position, and operable to impose an obstruction in said bore when moved from the open position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
318 words
A pressure equalizing device comprising: a. a tubular body having a first internal longitudinally extending seal surface and a first aperture from the exterior to the interior of said tubular body intermediate the ends of said seaL surface; b. a tubular valve having a central bore and having an exterior surface conformably positioned adjacent said seal surface; said valve being movable longitudinally of said tubular body between an open position and a closed position, and having a second aperture located so as to be in fluid communication with said first aperture when said valve is in the open position and out of fluid communication with said first aperture when said valve is in the closed position; said valve further having a second internal seal surface defining a portion of said central bore and extending along the longitudinal axis of said bore on both sides of said second aperture for receiving a seal means on a mandrel inserted in said bore for sealing off said second aperture until said valve is fully opened; c. first seal means disposed on both sides of said first aperture and intermediate said tubular body and said valve for isolating said first aperture from regions above and below said first seal means; d. second seal means disposed intermediate said first and second aperture and intermediate said tubular body and said valve for preventing fluid communication between said first and second apertures when said valve is in the closed position; e. first holding means releasably holding said valve in the closed position, movable with said valve to and from the closed position, and operable to impose an obstruction in said bore when moved from the closed position; and f. second holding means releasably holding said valve in the open position, movable with said valve to and from the open position, and operable to impose an obstruction in said bore when moved from the open position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The pressure equalizing device of claim 14 wherein said tubular body has a passageway adjacent said first aperture for nonsealingly receiving said second seal means when said first and second apertures are moved into fluid communication.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
84 words
The pressure equalizing device of claim 14 wherein said first and second holding means comprise respective snap rings adjacent the ends of said valve and respective annular recesses in said tubular body positioned and formed to conformingly receive respective said snap rings when said valve in is the respective closed and open positions, said snap rings being movable from respective said annular recesses and longitudinally of said tubular body when sufficient force is applied thereto parallel with the longitudinal axis of said tubular body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The pressure equalizing device of claim 16 wherein said force to move respective said snap rings from respective said annular recesses is applied via said valve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
The pressure equalizing device of claim 14 wherein said bore has an annular recess for receiving a shoulder portion of a mandrel being inserted in said valve; said annular recess being deep enough to position any seal means on the mandrel below said second aperture when the shoulder portion of the mandrel is fully received therein.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
The pressure equalizing device of claim 14 wherein said tubular body has a plurality of first apertures therein and wherein sealing plugs are provided to fit said first apertures whereby the number of first apertures may be decreased in high pressure wells at the option of the field user.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The pressure equalizing device of claim 19 wherein at least one of said plurality of first apertures has a structure that is not adapted to receive said sealing plugs thereby preventing inadvertently plugging all of said first apertures.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
69 words
The pressure equalizing device of claim 14 wherein said first holding means comprises a snap ring adjacent the lower end of said valve and an annular recess in said tubular body portion and formed to conformingly receive said snap ring being movable longitudinally of said tubular body and to and from said annular recess when sufficient force is applied thereto parallel with the longitudinal axis of said tubular body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
80 words
The pressure equalizing device of claim 14 whereiN said second holding means comprises a snap ring adjacent the upper end of said valve and an annular recess in said tubular body portion and formed to conformingly receive said snap ring when said valve is in the open position, said snap ring being movable longitudinally of said tubular body and to and from said annular recess when sufficient force is applied thereto parallel with the longitudinal axis of said tubular body.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
304 words
A combination of a pressure equalizing device and shifting prong assembly comprising: a. a tubular body having a first internal longitudinally extending seal surface and a first aperture from the exterior to the interior of said tubular body intermediate the ends of said seal surface; b. a tubular valve having a central bore and having an exterior surface conformably positioned adjacent said seal surface; said valve being movable longitudinally of said tubular body between an open position and a closed position, and having a second aperture located so as to be in fluid communication with said first aperture when said valve is in the open position and out of fluid communication with said first aperture when said valve is in the closed position; said valve further having a second internal seal surface defining a portion of said central bore and extending along the longitudinal axis of said bore on both sides of said second aperture for receiving a seal means on a mandrel inserted in said bore for sealing off said second aperture until said valve is fully opened; c. a shifting prong assembly including a mandrel having a means of engagement for moving said valve longitudinally of said tubular body between a closed position and an open position; said mandrel having a seal means adapted to sealingly engage said second internal seal surface and positionable to effect a seal on both sides of said second aperture in said valve and prevent flow through said second aperture; said shifting prong assembly, after engagement with said valve in said pressure equalizing device, being adapted to travel a greater longitudinal distance in said tubular body than the longitudinal distance traveled by said valve for moving said seal means so as to permit flow through said second aperture after said tubular valve is in the open position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
304 words
A combination of a pressure equalizing device and shifting prong assembly comprising: a. a tubular body having a first internal longitudinally extending seal surface and a first aperture from the exterior to the interior of said tubular body intermediate the ends of said seal surface; b. a tubular valve having a central bore and having an exterior surface conformably positioned adjacent said seal surface; said valve being movable longitudinally of said tubular body between an open position and a closed position, and having a second aperture located so as to be in fluid communication with said first aperture when said valve is in the open position and out of fluid communication with said first aperture when said valve is in the closed position; said valve further having a second internal seal surface defining a portion of said central bore and extending along the longitudinal axis of said bore on both sides of said second aperture for receiving a seal means on a mandrel inserted in said bore for sealing off said second aperture until said valve is fully opened; c. a shifting prong assembly including a mandrel having a means of engagement for moving said valve longitudinally of said tubular body between a closed position and an open position; said mandrel having a seal means adapted to sealingly engage said second internal seal surface and positionable to effect a seal on both sides of said second aperture in said valve and prevent flow through said second aperture; said shifting prong assembly, after engagement with said valve in said pressure equalizing device, being adapted to travel a greater longitudinal distance in said tubular body than the longitudinal distance traveled by said valve for moving said seal means so as to permit flow through said second aperture after said tubular valve is in the open position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
83 words
The combination of claim 23 wherein said pressure equalizing device includes: a. first seal means disposed on both sides of said first aperture and intermediate said tubular body and said valve for isolating said first aperture from regions above and below said first seal means; and b. second seal means disposed intermediate said first and second aperture and intermediate said tubular body and said valve for preventing fluid communication between said first and second apertures when said valve is in the closed position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination of claim 24 wherein said pressure equalizing device also includes first holding means releasably holding said valve in the closed position, movable to and from the closed position, and operable to impose an obstruction in said bore when moved from the closed position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
88 words
The combination of claim 25 wherein a second holding means is provided for releasably holding said valve in the open position, movable to and from the open position, and having an internal diameter small enough to engage said shifting prong assembly so as to effect downward movement of said valve with downward movement of said shifting prong assembly for travel longitudinally within said tubular body and operable to increase its internal diameter to allow said shifting prong assembly to pass downwardly therethrough when moved into the open position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 24 wherein said tubular body has a passageway adjacent said first aperture for nonsealingly receiving said second seal means when said first and second apertures are moved into fluid communication.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination of claim 23 wherein said tubular body has a plurality of first apertures therein and wherein sealing Plugs are provided to fit said first apertures whereby the number of first apertures may be decreased in high pressure wells at the option of the field user.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 28 wherein at least one of said plurality of first apertures has structure that is not adapted to receive said sealing plugs thereby preventing inadvertently plugging all of said first apertures.
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) | 1974-05-31 | 1974-11-30 | 1975-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-31 | 1978-11-30 | 1979-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-31 | 1982-11-30 | 1983-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |