Patent US3780809A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3780809A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for controlling wells
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1972-04-12
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1992-04-12
Abstract
Abstract An improved method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling flow of fluid through a conduit disposed within a well extending beneath the surface of the earth. The apparatus includes a subsurface valve situated on the conduit and provided with means for actuating the valve between an open and closed position to control the flow of fluid through the conduit. The valve automatically closes at the end of a preset flow period unless reset in response to an external signal to reinitiate the predetermined period to closure. Normally a surface generated signal, as for example a pressure pulse, is periodically directed to the actuating means to reinitiate the flow period. The frequency of the pulses is adjusted as required to assure that the actuating means will receive a pulse prior to the end of the flow period so flow will not be interrupted. If the pulses are interrupted, as for example by a rupture in the well conduit, the valve will close automatically at the end of the flow period.
Inventors
- 👤 R Ayers
- 👤 J Lloyd
- 👤 W Loth
- 👤 J Bayless
- 👤 J Graham
- 👤 R Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:33
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B34/00; E21B34/16; E21B34/06; E21B34/10; E21B34/108; E21B2200/00; E21B2200/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86389
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
In a subsurface valve for controlling the flow of fluid through a well conduit, the improvement comprising means for actuating the valve between open and closed positions at the end of a preset flow period and means responsive to an external signal received prior to the end of said flow period for resetting said actuating means to reinitiate said preset flow period prior to actuation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
In a subsurface valve for controlling the flow of fluid through a well conduit, the improvement comprising means for actuating the valve between open and closed positions at the end of a preset flow period and means responsive to an external signal received prior to the end of said flow period for resetting said actuating means to reinitiate said preset flow period prior to actuation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes a timer for determining the span of said flow period.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes a differential pressure actuated means for determining the span of said flow period prior to actuation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the span of said flow period is determined from the cumulative volume of fluid flowing through said conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes a means responsive to pressure within said well conduit for resetting same.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
88 words
A safety device for controlling flow of a well fluid through a vertical conduit within a well extending beneath the surface of the earth which comprises a subsurface valve adapted to be disposed within said conduit and provided with means for urging the valve towards a closed position, means for holding said valve open until the end of a preselected flow period, and means responsive to an external signal received prior to the end of said flow period for reinitiating said preset flow period prior to valve closure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
A safety device for controlling flow of a well fluid through a vertical conduit within a well extending beneath the surface of the earth which comprises a subsurface valve adapted to be disposed within said conduit and provided with means for urging the valve towards a closed position, means for holding said valve open until the end of a preselected flow period, and means responsive to an external signal received prior to the end of said flow period for reinitiating said preset flow period prior to valve closure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means urging said valve towards said closed position includes a spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 6 including a timer for determining the span of said flow period.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 6 including a differential pressure-actuated means for determining the span of said flow period.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means is responsive to pressure within said well conduit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
127 words
A safety device for controlling flow of a well fluid being produced through a conduit within a well extending beneath the surface of the earth which comprises: a. a subsurface valve configured to be disposed within said conduit and adapted in a closed position to stop said flow of well fluid; b. means for urging said valve towards the closed position; and c. meaNs for holding said valve in the open position against the urging of said means throughout the duration of a preselected flow period, said means permitting said valve to close at the end of said flow period; and d. means responsive to an external signal received prior to the end of said flow period for reinitiating said preset flow period prior to valve closure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
127 words
A safety device for controlling flow of a well fluid being produced through a conduit within a well extending beneath the surface of the earth which comprises: a. a subsurface valve configured to be disposed within said conduit and adapted in a closed position to stop said flow of well fluid; b. means for urging said valve towards the closed position; and c. meaNs for holding said valve in the open position against the urging of said means throughout the duration of a preselected flow period, said means permitting said valve to close at the end of said flow period; and d. means responsive to an external signal received prior to the end of said flow period for reinitiating said preset flow period prior to valve closure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said actuator means includes a timer for determining the span of said flow period prior to actuation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said actuator means includes a differential pressure actuated means for determining the span of said flow period prior to actuation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said actuator means inlcudes a means responsive to pressure within said well conduit for resetting same.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
145 words
A safety device for controlling flow of a well fluid being produced through a conduit within a well extending beneath the surface of the earth which comprises: a. a subsurface valve adapted to be disposed within said conduit and provided with biasing means for urging said valve towards the closed position; b. means for holding said valve in the open position against said biasing means; c. means associated with said valve for indicating the termination of a predetermined flow period; d. means associated with said holding means and responsive to said indicating means for releasing said holding means to close said valve upon termination of said flow period; and e. means associated with said indicating means and responsive to a signal generated at the earth''s surface for resetting said indicating means and reinitiating said flow period to permit deferral of termination of said flow period.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
145 words
A safety device for controlling flow of a well fluid being produced through a conduit within a well extending beneath the surface of the earth which comprises: a. a subsurface valve adapted to be disposed within said conduit and provided with biasing means for urging said valve towards the closed position; b. means for holding said valve in the open position against said biasing means; c. means associated with said valve for indicating the termination of a predetermined flow period; d. means associated with said holding means and responsive to said indicating means for releasing said holding means to close said valve upon termination of said flow period; and e. means associated with said indicating means and responsive to a signal generated at the earth''s surface for resetting said indicating means and reinitiating said flow period to permit deferral of termination of said flow period.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for regulating the flow of fluid within a well conduit extending beneath the earth''s surface comprising: a. controlling the flow of fluid within said conduit at a subsurface control point so as to terminate flow of fluid thereby at the end of a predetermined flow period in the absence of a control signal during said flow period, and b. transmitting a signal from the earth''s surface at a frequency such that said signal arrives at said control point prior to the end of each said flow period whereby flow continues uninterrupted.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for regulating the flow of fluid within a well conduit extending beneath the earth''s surface comprising: a. controlling the flow of fluid within said conduit at a subsurface control point so as to terminate flow of fluid thereby at the end of a predetermined flow period in the absence of a control signal during said flow period, and b. transmitting a signal from the earth''s surface at a frequency such that said signal arrives at said control point prior to the end of each said flow period whereby flow continues uninterrupted.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said signal is a pressure pulse and is transmitted through fluid in said conduit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |