US3897822A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Well valve apparatus
Assignee: Hydril LLC
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Filing: 1974-03-18
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1994-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A remote controlled full opening ball-type valve for mounting at a subsurface location in a well with a well packer in a well annulus between the production tubing and well casing for providing a flow path through an opening of the packer and the well annulus for the well produced gases separate from the flow path through the production tubing for the well produced liquids. The valve is preferably arranged to fail-safe and shut-in gas flow through the annulus when control fluid pressure communicated to the valve from the surface is reduced for any reason.
Inventors
- 👤 James D Mott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:55
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B34/00; E21B34/06; E21B34/10; E21B33/00; E21B33/10; E21B33/12; E21B33/122; E21B2200/00; E21B2200/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
342 words
Flow control apparatus for use at a subsurface location in a well producing gases in sufficient quantities to hinder pumping of the well liquids to the surface by providing a separate valve controlled flow path to the surface for the well gases, including: a packer adapted for securing with a well tubing for effecting an annular fluid tight sEal between a well casing and the well tubing and having a central flow passage formed through the packer communicating with the well tubing for enabling flow of the well liquids through said packer, said packer having a second opening formed therethrough spaced from and parallel to said central flow passage for enabling flow from below the packer to the surface through said well casing, said second opening being of smaller flow area than said central flow opening and disposed outwardly of said central flow passage; valve means including a substantially tubular valve body having a longitudinal bore formed therethrough and connected with said packer to be positioned parallel to the well tubing between the well tubing and the well casing with said bore in flow communication with said second opening of said packer and having a movable valve closure member disposed in said bore for movement to and from an open position for enabling flow through said second opening of said packer and a closed position for blocking flow through said second opening of said packer, said valve means including means for urging said valve closure member to the closed position with said valve closure member movable to the open position to enable flow responsive to a control signal communicated to the valve from the surface exteriorly of the well tubing; and said tubular valve body having an enlarged eccentric outer portion shaped for positioning in close fitting relationship between the well casing and the well tubing for forming an upwardly facing connection for receiving the control signal from the surface and enabling use of a more compact tubular valve body for positioning in the well between the well casing and well tubing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
342 words
Flow control apparatus for use at a subsurface location in a well producing gases in sufficient quantities to hinder pumping of the well liquids to the surface by providing a separate valve controlled flow path to the surface for the well gases, including: a packer adapted for securing with a well tubing for effecting an annular fluid tight sEal between a well casing and the well tubing and having a central flow passage formed through the packer communicating with the well tubing for enabling flow of the well liquids through said packer, said packer having a second opening formed therethrough spaced from and parallel to said central flow passage for enabling flow from below the packer to the surface through said well casing, said second opening being of smaller flow area than said central flow opening and disposed outwardly of said central flow passage; valve means including a substantially tubular valve body having a longitudinal bore formed therethrough and connected with said packer to be positioned parallel to the well tubing between the well tubing and the well casing with said bore in flow communication with said second opening of said packer and having a movable valve closure member disposed in said bore for movement to and from an open position for enabling flow through said second opening of said packer and a closed position for blocking flow through said second opening of said packer, said valve means including means for urging said valve closure member to the closed position with said valve closure member movable to the open position to enable flow responsive to a control signal communicated to the valve from the surface exteriorly of the well tubing; and said tubular valve body having an enlarged eccentric outer portion shaped for positioning in close fitting relationship between the well casing and the well tubing for forming an upwardly facing connection for receiving the control signal from the surface and enabling use of a more compact tubular valve body for positioning in the well between the well casing and well tubing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including: means for urging said valve closure member to the closed position, said control signal overcoming said means for urging to move said valve closure member to the open position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said means for urging including well fluid pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said means for urging incuding spring means mounted with said valve body for urging said valve closure member to the closed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, including: a control fluid conduit connected at one end with said enlarged portion valve body and connected at the other end to a means for providing a controlled source of fluid pressure at the surface, the fluid pressure in said control fluid conduit communicated to said valve for overcoming said means for urging to move said valve closure member to the open position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein: said means for providing a controlled source of fluid pressure is manually operable to enable closing of said valve closure member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, including: said means for providing a controlled source of fluid pressure pressure is automatically operable to enable closing of said valve closure member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
284 words
A valve apparatus for use with a packer mounted with a well tubing at a subsurface location in a well to control flow of well fluids through a vent opening formed through the packer including: a tubular valve body adapted for mounting with the packer in the well annulus above the packer between the well tubing and a well casing, said valve body having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough in flow communication with the vent opening of the packer; a valve closure member mounted with said valve body for movement to and from an open position for enabling flow of well fluids through said bore and the vent opening of the packer and a closed position for blocking flow of fluids through said bore and the vent opening of the packer; means operably connected with said valve closure member for effecting movement of said valve closure member to and from the open and closed position, said means for effecting movEment of said closure member including means for urging said valve closure member to the closed position, and means for moving said closure member to the open position in response to a control signal communicated to the valve from the surface exteriorly of the well tubing; and said tubular valve body having an enlarged outer portion formed of a cylindrical section disposed intermediate the ends of said tubular valve body and in eccentric relationship with said tubular valve body for forming an upwardly facing connection for receiving the control signal from the surface to enable use of a smaller tubular valve body, said cylinder section having portions of opposite sides removed for positioning in close fitting relationship between the well casing and the production tubing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
284 words
A valve apparatus for use with a packer mounted with a well tubing at a subsurface location in a well to control flow of well fluids through a vent opening formed through the packer including: a tubular valve body adapted for mounting with the packer in the well annulus above the packer between the well tubing and a well casing, said valve body having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough in flow communication with the vent opening of the packer; a valve closure member mounted with said valve body for movement to and from an open position for enabling flow of well fluids through said bore and the vent opening of the packer and a closed position for blocking flow of fluids through said bore and the vent opening of the packer; means operably connected with said valve closure member for effecting movement of said valve closure member to and from the open and closed position, said means for effecting movEment of said closure member including means for urging said valve closure member to the closed position, and means for moving said closure member to the open position in response to a control signal communicated to the valve from the surface exteriorly of the well tubing; and said tubular valve body having an enlarged outer portion formed of a cylindrical section disposed intermediate the ends of said tubular valve body and in eccentric relationship with said tubular valve body for forming an upwardly facing connection for receiving the control signal from the surface to enable use of a smaller tubular valve body, said cylinder section having portions of opposite sides removed for positioning in close fitting relationship between the well casing and the production tubing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
162 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, including: said means for effecting movement of said valve closure member including an operator member disposed in said flow passage and movable to and from a first position for enabling closing movement of said valve closure member and a second position for moving said valve closure member to the open position; said operator member and said valve body forming an expansible chamber therebetween, said operator member having a pressure responsive surface for moving said operator member from the first position to the second position in response to the fluid pressure in said expansible chamber overcoming said means for urging; a control fluid conduit having a lower end connected with said valve body and in communication with said expansible chamber, said control fluid conduit having an upper end connected with a source of control fluid; and means for controlling the pressure of the control fluid communicated into said expansible chamber wherein said valve is controlled,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein: said valve body is a substantially tubular unit having an enlarged outer portion formed thereon, said enlarged outer portion shaped for positioning in close fitting relationship between the production tubing and the well casing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein: said enlarged portion having means for connecting with the lower end of a control fluid conduit from the surface for controlling operation of the valve apparatus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein: said means for effecting movement including a pair of spaced operator sleeves disposed in said flow passage on opposite sides of said valve closure member with each of said operator sleeve mounting a seat for sealing engagement with said valve closure member to block passage of fluid between said seats and the valve closure member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein: said valve closure member is substantially in the shape of a ball having a flow port formed therethrough, said ball member rotating to place said flow port in flow communication with the flow passage to enable flow therethrough and to place said flow port out of flow communication with the flow passage to cooperate with said seats for blocking flow of fluid through said flow passage.
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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) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |