Sub-surface safety valve

Claim 2

In a subsurface shutoff valve for wells adapted to be supported in a well fluid production pipe: a body having a flow passage therethrough; shutoff valve means including a member shiftable between a first position closing said passage and a second position at which said passage is open; actuator means for shifting said member between said positions, including means defining a control fluid pressure chamber for moving said member to said second position and means responsive to the pressure of well fluid in the production pipe for biasing said member to said first position upon reduction in the pressure of control fluid in said chamber; said member including by-pass valve means for equalizing the well fluid across said shutoff valve means before said member is moved from said first position to said second position.

Claim 3

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 1; said valve member being a ball having said flow passage therethrough and a spherical sealing surface, said actuator means comprising actuator piston means movable longitudinally in said body responsive to control fluid pressure in said chamber and to the pressure of well fluid, an actuator sleeve having a sealing surface engageable with said spherical sealing surface of said ball, said piston means and said sleeve being relatively longitudinally movable to open and close said by-pass valve means, and including means for rotating said ball between said first and second positions responsive to longitudinal movement of said piston means.

Claim 4

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 1; said valve member being a ball having said flow passage therethrough and a spherical sealing surface, said actuator means comprising actuator piston means movable longitudinally in said body responsive to control fluid pressure in said chamber and to the pressure of well fluid, an actuator sleeve having a sealing surface engageable with said spherical sealing surface of said ball, said piston means and said sleeve being relatively longitudinally movable to open and close said by-pass valve means, and including means for rotating said ball between said first and second positions responsive to longitudinal movement of said piston means, and spring means acting on said piston means for opposing said control fluid pressure.

Claim 5

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 1; said valve member being a ball having said flow passage therethrough and a spherical sealing surface, said actuator means comprising actuator piston means movable longitudinally in said body responsive to control fluid pressure in said chamber and to the pressure of well fluid, an actuator sleeve having a sealing surface engageable with said spherical sealing surface of said ball, said piston means and said sleeve being relatively longitudinally movable to open and close said by-pass valve means, and including means for rotating said ball between said first and second positions responsive to longitudinal movement of said piston means, said means for rotating said ball including means for enabling bodily longitudinal movement of said ball with respect to said body during the final increment of movement of said ball to said first and second positions.

Claim 6

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 1; said valve member being a baLl having said flow passage therethrough and a spherical sealing surface, said actuator means comprising actuator piston means movable longitudinally in said body responsive to control fluid pressure in said chamber and to the pressure of well fluid, an actuator sleeve having a sealing surface engageable with said spherical sealing surface of said ball, said piston means and said sleeve being relatively longitudinally movable to open and close said by-pass valve means, and including means for rotating said ball between said first and second positions responsive to longitudinal movement of said piston means, said means for rotating said ball including a support for said ball carried by said piston means, said support and said ball having cooperative means mounting said ball for rotation, a ball cage, said cage and said ball having pin and pin engaging surfaces for rotating said ball between said first and second positions responsive to longitudinal movement of said piston means.

Claim 7

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 1; said valve member being a ball having said flow passage therethrough and a spherical sealing surface, said actuator means comprising actuator piston means movable longitudinally in said body responsive to control fluid pressure in said chamber and to the pressure of well fluid, an actuator sleeve having a sealing surface engageable with said spherical sealing surface of said ball, said piston means and said sleeve being relatively longitudinally movable to open and close said by-pass valve means, and including means for rotating said ball between said first and second positions responsive to longitudinal movement of said piston means, said means for rotating said ball including a support for said ball carried by said piston means, said support and said ball having cooperative means mounting said ball for rotation, a ball cage, said cage and said ball having pin and pin engaging surfaces for rotating said ball between said first and second positions responsive to longitudinal movement of said piston means and for enabling bodily longitudinal movement of said ball with respect to said body during the final increment of movement of said ball to said first and second positions.

Claim 8

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 1; said valve member being a ball having said flow passage therethrough and a spherical sealing surface, said actuator means comprising actuator piston means movable longitudinally in said body responsive to control fluid pressure in said chamber and to the pressure of well fluid, an actuator sleeve having a sealing surface engageable with said spherical sealing surface of said ball, said piston means and said sleeve being relatively longitudinally movable to open and close said by-pass valve means, and including means for rotating said ball between said first and second positions responsive to longitudinal movement of said piston means, said means for rotating said ball between said first and second positions including a ball cage for said ball and ball supporting arms on said piston means supporting said ball for rotary movement and for longitudinal movement with respect to said cage, said cage having opposed pins, and walls on said ball engageable with said pins for rotating said ball between said first and second positions responsive to longitudinal movement of said ball.

Claim 9

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 1; said valve member being a ball having said flow passage therethrough and a spherical sealing surface, said actuator means comprising actuator piston means movable longitudinally in said body responsive to control fluid pressure in said chamber and to the pressure of well fluid, an actuator sleeve having a sealing surface engageable with said spherical sealing surface of said ball, said piston means and said sleeve being relatively longitudinally movable to open and close said by-pass valve means, and including means for rotating said ball between said first and second positions responsive To longitudinal movement of said piston means, said means for rotating said ball between said first and second positions including a ball cage for said ball and ball supporting arms on said piston means supporting said ball for rotary movement and for longitudinal movement with respect to said cage, said cage having opposed pins, walls on said ball engageable with said pins for rotating said ball between said first and second positions responsive to longitudinal movement of said ball, and stop means on said ball and said arms for limiting rotation of said ball to said first and second positions.

Claim 10

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 1; said means defining a control fluid pressure chamber comprising an actuator sleeve reciprocable in said body and supporting said member to shift the same to said positions, said sleeve having thereon piston means responsive to the pressure of fluid in said chamber to shift said sleeve in one direction.

Claim 11

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 1; said means defining a control fluid pressure chamber comprising an actuator sleeve reciprocable in said body and supporting said member to shift the same to said positions, said sleeve having thereon piston means responsive to the pressure of fluid in said chamber to shift said sleeve in one direction, and spring means engaged between said body and said sleeve for biasing said sleeve in the other direction.

Claim 12

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 1; said means defining a control fluid pressure chamber comprising an actuator sleeve reciprocable in said body and supporting said member to shift the same to said positions, said sleeve having thereon piston means responsive to the pressure of fluid in said chamber to shift said sleeve in one direction, said by-pass valve means including a by-pass valve member shiftable on said shutoff valve member, said valve members cooperating with one another when said shutoff valve member is in an upper position to close said by-pass valve means, said piston means and sleeve acting on said shutoff valve member for moving the latter to a lower position responsive to control fluid pressure in said chamber to open said by-pass valve means.

Claim 13

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 1; said means defining a control fluid pressure chamber comprising an actuator sleeve reciprocable in said body and supporting said member to shift the same to said positions, said sleeve having thereon piston means responsive to the pressure of fluid in said chamber to shift said sleeve in one direction, said shut-off valve member being in the form of a ball base, said by-pass valve means including a cap on said base, said base and said cap having means providing a by-pass port, and means normally closing said by-pass port.

Claim 14

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 1; said means defining a control fluid pressure chamber comprising an actuator sleeve reciprocable in said body and supporting said member to shift the same to said positions, said sleeve having thereon piston means responsive to the pressure of fluid in said chamber to shift said sleeve in one direction, said shutoff valve member being in the form of a ball base, said by-pass valve means including a cap on said base, said cap having a port and said base having a pin extending into said port, sealing means between said base and said cap for sealing said port when said pin is in said port, and means responsive to differential pressure across said cap normally holding said cap against movement with said base until said port is open.

Claim 15

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 1, said means defining a control fluid pressure chamber comprising an actuator sleeve reciprocable in said body and supporting said member to shift the same to said positions, said sleeve having thereon piston means responsive to the pressure of fluid in said chamber to shift said sleeve in one direction, said shutoff valve member being in the form of a ball base, said by-Pass valve means including a cap on said base, said base and said cap having means providing a by-pass port, and means normally closing said by-pass port, said base and said cap having coengaged means for allowing said cap and said base to be relatively shifted to open said by-pass port while connecting said cap with said base.

Claim 16

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 1, said means defining a control fluid pressure chamber comprising an actuator sleeve reciprocable in said body and supporting said member to shift the same to said positions, said sleeve having thereon piston means responsive to the pressure of fluid in said chamber to shift said sleeve in one direction, said shutoff valve member being in the form of a ball base, said by-pass valve means including a cap on said base, said base and said cap having means providing a by-pass port, and means normally closing said by-pass port, said base and said cap having coengaged means for allowing said cap and said base to be relatively shifted to open said by-pass port while connecting said cap with said base, said coengaged means comprising companion ribs on said base and on said cap.

Claim 17

In a subsurface shutoff valve for wells adapted to be supported in a well fluid production pipe: an elongated outer tubular body; an elongated inner tubular assembly including upper inner sleeve means, upper outer sleeve means surrounding said inner sleeve means, and lower sleeve means; a ball between said inner sleeve means and lower sleeve means and having a flow passage therethrough, said ball valve and said inner sleeve means having complemental spherical sealing surfaces; support means for said ball valve carried by said upper outer sleeve means; cooperable means on said ball valve and in said body for rotating said ball valve between first and second positions at which said flow passage is open and closed, respectively, in response to longitudinal movement of said upper inner sleeve means and said ball valve in opposite directions in said outer body, said upper inner sleeve means, said upper outer sleeve means and said outer body defining a chamber for control fluid pressure; said upper outer sleeve means having means responsive to the pressure of control fluid in said chamber for moving said upper inner and outer sleeve means and said ball valve downwardly; and means for moving said upper inner and outer sleeve means and said ball valve upwardly.

Claim 18

In a subsurface shutoff valve for wells adapted to be supported in a well fluid production pipe: an elongated outer tubular body; an elongated inner tubular assembly including upper inner sleeve means, upper outer sleeve means surrounding said inner sleeve means, and lower sleeve means; a ball between said inner sleeve means and lower sleeve means and having a flow passage therethrough, said ball valve and said inner sleeve means having complemental spherical sealing surfaces; support means for said ball valve carried by said upper outer sleeve means; cooperable means on said ball valve and in said body for rotating said ball valve between first and second positions at which said flow passage is open and closed, respectively, in response to longitudinal movement of said upper inner sleeve means and said ball valve in opposite directions in said outer body, said upper inner sleeve means, said upper outer sleeve means and said outer body defining a chamber for control fluid pressure; said upper outer sleeve means having means responsive to the pressure of control fluid in said chamber for moving said upper inner and outer sleeve means and said ball valve downwardly; and means for moving said upper inner and outer sleeve means and said ball valve upwardly.

Claim 19

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 16; said cooperable means for rotating said ball comprising rotary drive means which are released to enable free further longitudinal movement of said sleeve and said ball when said ball is in said positions.

Claim 20

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 16; a spring acting on said upper outer sleeve means to bias the latter and said ball upwardly.

Claim 21

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 16; said lower sleeve means and said outer body having means for limiting downward movement of said lower sleeve means, whereby said ball is engaged between said spherical surfaces of said lower sleeve means and inner sleeve means.

Claim 22

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 16; said upper outer sleeve means having longitudinally extended arms, said arms and said ball valve having pivot means supporting said ball valve between said arms.

Claim 23

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 16; said upper outer sleeve means having longitudinally extended arms, said arms and said ball valve having pivot means supporting said ball valve between said arms, said lower sleeve means extending between said arms into sealing engagement with said ball valve.

Claim 24

In a subsurface shutoff valve as defined in claim 16; said upper outer sleeve means having longitudinally extended arms, said arms and said ball valve having pivot means supporting said ball valve between said arms, said lower sleeve means extending between said arms into sealing engagement with said ball valve, and said means for moving said upper inner and outer sleeve means and said ball upwardly including a coiled spring between said outer sleeve and said tubular body and acting upwardly on said upper sleeve means.

Claim 25

In a subsurface shutoff valve for wells adapted to be supported in a well fluid production pipe: a body having a flow passage therethrough; shutoff valve means including a member shiftable between a first position closing said passage and a second position in which said passage is open; actuator means for shifting said member between said positions, including means defining a control fluid pressure chamber for moving said member to said second position and piston means responsive to the pressure of well fluid in the production pipe for biasing said member to said first position upon reduction in the pressure of control fluid in said chamber; said shutoff valve means including a by-pass valve means for equalizing the well fluid across said shutoff valve means before said member is moved from said first position to said second position; said piston means being movable longitudinally in said body to move said member longitudinally in said body to effect shifting of said member to said second position; means operatively associated with said piston means for opening said by-pass valve means in response to longitudinal movement of said member; and means for shifting said member between said first and second positions in response to longitudinal movement of said member by said piston means.

Claim 26

In a subsurface shutoff valve for wells adapted to be supported in a well fluid production pipe: a body having a flow passage therethrough; shutoff valve means including a member shiftable between a first position closing said passage and a second position in which said passage is open; actuator means for shifting said member between said positions, including means defining a control fluid pressure chamber for moving said member to said second position and piston means responsive to the pressure of well fluid in the production pipe for biasing said member to said first position upon reduction in the pressure of control fluid in said chamber; said shutoff valve means including a by-pass valve means for equalizing the well fluid across said shutoff valve means before said member is moved from said first position to said second position; said piston means being movable longitudinally in said body to move said member longitudinally in said body to effect shifting of said member to said second position; means operatively associated with said piston means for opening said by-pass valve means in response to longitudinal movement of said member; and means for shifting said member between said first and second positions in response to longitudinal movement of said member by said piston means.