Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A downhole bypass valve for positioning in a drill string above the drill bit comprising a tubular member adapted to be connected in and to form a part of the drill string, said tubular member having a longitudinal opening therethrough, a port extending laterally through the tubular member, a mandrel slidable in the tubular member between an upper position and a lower position, said mandrel having a longitudinal opening therethrough and extending below the lower end of the tubular member for suspension of the drill bit, a lateral opening through the mandrel positioned for uncovering the port when the mandrel is in the upper position and covering the port when the mandrel is in the lower position, a cut-off valve mounted in the mandrel below the lateral opening for movement from a closed position closing the longitudinal opening through the mandrel to an open position, cam means adapted to operate the cut-off valve to open the cut-off valve when the mandrel is at the lower position and close the cut-off valve when the mandrel is at the upper position, and means preventing rotation of the tubular mandrel relative to the tubular member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A downhole bypass valve for positioning in a drill string above the drill bit comprising a tubular member adapted to be connected in and to form a part of the drill string, said tubular member having a longitudinal opening therethrough, a port extending laterally through the tubular member, a mandrel slidable in the tubular member between an upper position and a lower position, said mandrel having a longitudinal opening therethrough and extending below the lower end of the tubular member for suspension of the drill bit, a lateral opening through the mandrel positioned for uncovering the port when the mandrel is in the upper position and covering the port when the mandrel is in the lower position, a cut-off valve mounted in the mandrel below the lateral opening for movement from a closed position closing the longitudinal opening through the mandrel to an open position, cam means adapted to operate the cut-off valve to open the cut-off valve when the mandrel is at the lower position and close the cut-off valve when the mandrel is at the upper position, and means preventing rotation of the tubular mandrel relative to the tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
A bypass valve as set forth in claim 1 in which the port in the tubular member is larger adjacent the outer surface of the tubular member than at the inner surface and a plug positioned in the port prevents flow from outside the tubular member into and through the port, said plug being removable from the port by a predetermined excess of the pressure inside of the tubular member over the pressure outside of the tubular member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A bypass valve as set forth in claim 1 in which the cut-off valve is rotatably mounted in the mandrel and the cam means rotate the cut-off valve on movement of the mandrel relative to the tubular member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
A bypass valve as set forth in claim 3 characterized by the cut-off valve comprises a shaft rotatably mounted in the mandrel and a disc secured to the shaft, a recess in the inner surface of the tubular member, and the cam means comprise a cam in the recess, and a cam follower on the end of the shaft extending into the recess and engaging the cam to close the cut-off valve when the mandrel is in the upper position and open the cut-off valve when the mandrel is at the lower position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A bypass valve as set forth in claim 1 including means resisting longitudinal movement of the mandrel relative to the tubular member, said means resisting movement permitting longitudinal movement of the mandrel relative to the tubular member on applicaTion of a predetermined minimum force.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
129 words
A bypass valve as set forth in claim 5 in which the means resisting movement comprise an annular recess in the inner wall of the tubular member forming a chamber between the tubular member and the mandrel, a ring extending from the outer surface of the mandrel into the chamber, means preventing leakage between the ring and the tubular member, passages extending longitudinally through the ring and check valves spring-biased to a closed position controlling flow through the passages, at least one of the check valves permitting flow downwardly through a passage to permit upward movement of the mandrel relative to the tubular member, and at least one check valve permitting flow upwardly through a passage to permit downward movement of the tubular mandrel relative to the tubular member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A bypass valve as set forth in claim 6 in which the check valves comprise a valve seat, a ball adapted to engage the valve seat to prevent flow through the passage and a compressed spring urging the ball against the valve seat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A bypass valve as set forth in claim 1 in which the means for preventing rotation of the mandrel relative to the tubular member comprise a spline means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
86 words
A bypass valve as set forth in claim 8 in which the spline means comprise a portion of the inner wall of the member having a nonround shape in horizontal section, a groove in the outer wall of the mandrel, said groove being of nonround shape in horizontal section, and a ring in said groove in the mandrel engaging the groove and extending outwardly therefrom to engage the nonround inner surface of the tubular member to prevent relative rotation of the tubular member and the mandrel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A valve as set forth in claim 9 in which the ring comprises two sections, each section extending over approximately 180*.