Pulsing gravel pack tool

Claim 2

In apparatus for gravel packing a well in which casing is set, a liner adapted to be disposed in the well, casing engaging means for supporting the liner in the well, cross-over means for directing fluid containing gravel into the well outside the liner and returning fluid from within the liner, and pulse producing means responsive to the flow of returning fluid to cause pulsing of said fluid and agitation of the gravel.

Claim 3

In apparatus as defined in claim 1, said pulse producing means comprising means defining separate flow paths for said returning fluid and valve means for intermittently and alternately closing the respective flow paths.

Claim 4

In apparatus as defined in claim 1, said pulse producing means comprising means defining separate flow paths for said returning fluid and valve means for intermittently and alternately closing the respective flow paths and allowing flow through both of said flow paths.

Claim 5

In apparatus as defined in claim 1, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body defining a first flow path for said returning fluid, said inner tubular body being disposed within said outer body and defining with said outer body another flow path for said returning fluid, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including means providing flow passages leading from said liner to the respective flow paths, and a valve member responsive to fluid flow moveable between positions alternately closing the passages leading to the respective flow paths.

Claim 6

In apparatus as defined in claim 1, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body defining a first flow path for said returning fluid, said inner tubular body being disposed within said outer body and defining, with said outer body another flow path for said returning fluid, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including means providing flow passages leading from said liner to the respective flow paths, and a valve member responsive to fluid flow movable between positions alternately closing the passages leading to the respective flow paths, said passages communicating with both of said flow paths during movement of said valve member between said positions.

Claim 7

In apparatus as defined in claim 1, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body disposed within said outer body and defining an annular flow path with said outer body, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including means providing a return fluid passage leading to said inner tubular body and a return fluid passage leading to said annular space, and a valve member movable between positions alternately opening and closing said return fluid passages, said valve member having a flow passage therethrough providing a restriction to cause movement of said valve member to one of said positions responsive to the flow of return fluid therethrough.

Claim 8

In apparatus as defined in claim 1, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body disposed within said outer boDy and defining an annular flow path with said outer body, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including means providing a return fluid passage leading to said inner tubular body and a return fluid passage leading to said annular space, and a valve member movable between positions alternately opening and closing said return fluid passages, said valve member having a flow passage therethrough providing a restriction to cause movement of said valve member to one of said positions responsive to the flow of return fluid therethrough, and surfaces on said valve member responsive to the rarefaction wave in the fluid in said return fluid passages when closed to shift said valve member to the alternate position.

Claim 9

In apparatus as defined in claim 1, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body disposed within said outer body and defining an annular flow path with said outer body, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including a tubular valve body having a return fluid passage communicating with said annular space, means connecting said valve body with said inner tubular body and providing a return fluid passage leading between said inner tubular body and said valve body, longitudinally spaced opposed stops mounted within said tubular valve body, a valve member between said opposed stops, said valve member having means for moving it between said stops responsive to fluid pressure, said valve member also having means for alternately closing said return fluid passages upon engagement with the respective stops.

Claim 10

In apparatus as defined in claim 1, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body disposed within said outer body and defining an annular flow path with said outer body, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including a tubular valve body having a return fluid passage communicating with said annular space, means connecting said valve body with said inner tubular body and providing a return fluid passage leading between said inner tubular body and said valve body, longitudinally spaced opposed stops mounted within said tubular valve body, a valve member between said opposed stops, said valve member having means for moving it between said stops responsive to fluid pressure, said valve member also having means for alternately closing said return fluid passages upon engagement with the respective stops, one of said stops having a return fluid passage communicating with said return fluid passage communicating with said annular space and circumscribed by a seating surface, and said valve member having a flow passage aligned with said passage through one of said stops, and said other stop and said valve body having an annular space therebetween leading to said return fluid passage in said inner body, said other stop having a seating surface engageable by said valve member to close said latter annular space.

Claim 11

In apparatus as defined in claim 1, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body disposed within said outer body and defining an annular flow path with said outer body, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including a tubular valve body having a return fluid passage communicating with said annular space, means connecting said valve body with said inner tubular body and providing a return fluid passage leading between said inner tubular body and said valve body, longitudinally spaced opposed stops mounted within said tubular valve body, a valve member between said opposed stops, said valve member having means for moving it between said stops responsive to fluid pressure, said valve member also having means for alternately closing said return fluid passages upon engagement with the respective stops, one of said stops having a return fluid passage communicating with said return fluid passage communicating with said annular space and circumscribed by a seating surface, and said valve member having a flow passage aligned with said passage through one of said stops, and said other stop and said valve body having an annular space therebetween leading to said return fluid passage in said inner body, said other stop having a seating surface engageable by said valve member to close said latter annular space, and said valve member having a restriction in its flow passage whereby fluid flowing therethrough will shift said valve member into engagement with said other stop.

Claim 12

In pulse producing apparatus for use in the return fluid paths from a well screen to the cross-over of gravel packing apparatus for wells: pulse producing means responsive to the flow of returning fluid to cause pulsing of said fluid and agitation of the gravel, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body defining a first flow path for said returning fluid, said inner tubular body being disposed within said outer body and defining with said outer body another flow path for said returning fluid, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including means providing flow passages leading from said liner to the respective flow paths, and a valve member responsive to fluid flow moveable between positions alternately closing the passages leading to the respective flow paths.

Claim 13

In pulse producing apparatus for use in the return fluid paths from a well screen to the cross-over of gravel packing apparatus for wells: pulse producing means responsive to the flow of returning fluid to cause pulsing of said fluid and agitation of the gravel, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body defining a first flow path for said returning fluid, said inner tubular body being disposed within said outer body and defining with said outer body another flow path for said returning fluid, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including means providing flow passages leading from said liner to the respective flow paths, and a valve member responsive to fluid flow moveable between positions alternately closing the passages leading to the respective flow paths.

Claim 14

In apparatus as defined in claim 11, said passages communicating with both of said flow paths during movement of said valve member between said positions.

Claim 15

In pulse producing apparatus for use in the return fluid paths from a well screen to the cross-over of gravel packing apparatus for wells: pulse producing means responsive to the flow of returning fluid to cause pulsing of said fluid and agitation of the gravel, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body disposed within said outer body and defining an annular flow path with said outer body, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including means providing a return fluid passage leading to said inner tubular body and a return fluid passage leading to said annular space, and a valve member moveable between positions alternately opening and closing said return fluid passages, said valve member having a flow passage therethrough providing a restriction to cause movement of said valve member to one of said positions responsive to the flow of return fluid therethrough.

Claim 16

In pulse producing apparatus for use in the return fluid paths from a well screen to the cross-over of gravel packing apparatus for wells: pulse producing means responsive to the flow of returning fluid to cause pulsing of said fluid and agitation of the gravel, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body disposed within said outer body and defining an annular flow path with said outer body, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including means providing a return fluid passage leading to said inner tubular body and a return fluid passage leading to said annular space, and a valve member moveable between positions alternately opening and closing said return fluid passages, said valve member having a flow passage therethrough providing a restriction to cause movement of said valve member to one of said positions responsive to the flow of return fluid therethrough.

Claim 17

In pulse producing apparatus for use in the return fluid paths from a well screen to the cross-over of gravel packing apparatus for wells: pulse producing means responsive to the flow of returning fluid to cause pulsing of said fluid and agitation of the gravel, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body disposed within said outer body and defining an annular flow path with said outer body, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including means providing a return fluid passage leading to said inner tubular body and a return fluid passage leading to said annular space, and a valve member moveable between positions alternately opening and closing said return fluid passages, said valve member having a flow passage therethrough providing a restriction to cause movement of said valve member to one of said positions responsive to the flow of return fluid therethrough, and surfaces on said valve member responsive to the rarefaction wave in the fluid in said return fluid passages when closed to shift said valve member to the alternate position.

Claim 18

In pulse producing apparatus for use in the return fluid paths from a well screen to the cross-over of gravel packing apparatus for wells: pulse producing means responsive to the flow of returning fluid to cause pulsing of said fluid and agitation of the gravel, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body disposed within said outer body and defining an annular flow path with said outer body, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including means providing a return fluid passage leading to said inner tubular body and a return fluid passage leading to said annular space, and a valve member moveable between positions alternately opening and closing said return fluid passages, said valve member having a flow passage therethrough providing a restriction to cause movement of said valve member to one of said positions responsive to the flow of return fluid therethrough, and surfaces on said valve member responsive to the rarefaction wave in the fluid in said return fluid passages when closed to shift said valve member to the alternate position.

Claim 19

In apparatus as defined in claim 11, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body disposed within said outer body and defining an annular flow path with said outer bOdy, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including a tubular valve body having a return fluid passage communicating with said annular space, means connecting said valve body with said inner tubular body and providing a return fluid passage leading between said inner tubular body and said valve body, longitudinally spaced opposed stops mounted within said tubular valve body, a valve member between said opposed stops, said valve member having means for moving it between said stops responsive to fluid pressure, said valve member also having means for alternately closing said return fluid passages upon engagement with the respective stops.

Claim 20

In pulse producing apparatus for use in the return fluid paths from a well screen to the cross-over of gravel packing apparatus for wells: pulse producing means responsive to the flow of returning fluid to cause pulsing of said fluid and agitation of the gravel, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body disposed within said outer body and defining an annular flow path with said outer body, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including a tubular valve body having a return fluid passage communicating with said annular space, means connecting said valve body with said inner tubular body and providing a return fluid passage leading between longitudinally spaced opposed stops mounted within said tubular valve body, a valve member between said opposed stops, said valve member having means for moving it between said stops responsive to fluid pressure, said valve member also having means for alternately closing said return fluid passages upon engagement with the respective stops, one of said stops having a return fluid passage communicating with said return fluid passage communicating with said annular space and circumscribed by a seating surface, and said valve member having a flow passage aligned with said passage through one of said stops, and said other stop and said valve body having an annular space therebetween leading to said return fluid passage in said inner body, said other stop having a seating surface engageable by said valve member to close said latter annular space.

Claim 21

In pulse producing apparatus for use in the return fluid paths from a well screen to the cross-over of gravel packing apparatus for wells: pulse producing means responsive to the flow of returning fluid to cause pulsing of said fluid and agitation of the gravel, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body disposed within said outer body and defining an annular flow path with said outer body, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including a tubular valve body having a return fluid passage communicating with said annular space, means connecting said valve body with said inner tubular body and providing a return fluid passage leading between longitudinally spaced opposed stops mounted within said tubular valve body, a valve member between said opposed stops, said valve member having means for moving it between said stops responsive to fluid pressure, said valve member also having means for alternately closing said return fluid passages upon engagement with the respective stops, one of said stops having a return fluid passage communicating with said return fluid passage communicating with said annular space and circumscribed by a seating surface, and said valve member having a flow passage aligned with said passage through one of said stops, and said other stop and said valve body having an annular space therebetween leading to said return fluid passage in said inner body, said other stop having a seating surface engageable by said valve member to close said latter annular space.

Claim 22

In pulse producing apparatus for use in the return fluid paths from a well screen to the cross-over of gravel packing apparatus for wells: pulse producing means responsive to the flow of returning fluid to cause pulsing of said fluid and agitation of the gravel, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body disposed within said outer body and defining an annular flow path with said outer body, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including a tubular valve body having a return fluid passage communicating with said annular space, means connecting said valve body with said inner tubular body and providing a return fluid passage leading between said inner tubular body and said valve body, longitudinally spaced opposed stops mounted within said tubular valve body, a valve member between said opposed stops, said valve member having means for moving it between said stops responsive to fluid pressure, said valve member also having means for alternately closing said return fluid passages upon engagement with the respective stops, one of said stops having a return fluid passage communicating with said return fluid passage communicating with said annular space and circumscribed by a seating surface, and said valve member having a flow passage aligned with said passage through one of said stops, and said other stop and said valve body having an annular space therebetween leading to said return fluid passage in said inner body, said other stop having a seating surface engageable by said valve member to close said latter annular space, and said valve member having a restriction in its flow passage whereby fluid flowing therethrough will shift Said valve member into engagement with said other stop.

Claim 23

In pulse producing apparatus for use in the return fluid paths from a well screen to the cross-over of gravel packing apparatus for wells: pulse producing means responsive to the flow of returning fluid to cause pulsing of said fluid and agitation of the gravel, said pulse producing means comprising an elongated outer tubular body, an elongated inner tubular body disposed within said outer body and defining an annular flow path with said outer body, said inner body terminating in a free end within said outer body, valve means including a tubular valve body having a return fluid passage communicating with said annular space, means connecting said valve body with said inner tubular body and providing a return fluid passage leading between said inner tubular body and said valve body, longitudinally spaced opposed stops mounted within said tubular valve body, a valve member between said opposed stops, said valve member having means for moving it between said stops responsive to fluid pressure, said valve member also having means for alternately closing said return fluid passages upon engagement with the respective stops, one of said stops having a return fluid passage communicating with said return fluid passage communicating with said annular space and circumscribed by a seating surface, and said valve member having a flow passage aligned with said passage through one of said stops, and said other stop and said valve body having an annular space therebetween leading to said return fluid passage in said inner body, said other stop having a seating surface engageable by said valve member to close said latter annular space, and said valve member having a restriction in its flow passage whereby fluid flowing therethrough will shift Said valve member into engagement with said other stop.