Flow control apparatus for wells

Claim 2

A well device for controlling flow between the interior and the exterior of a well flow conductor, comprising: a. a mandrel having a main bore therethrough, a belly offset from said main bore and having a receptacle bore therein for receiving a flow control device, said receptacle bore having lateral port means through the wall thereof communicating the receptacle bore with the exterior of the mandrel, said mandrel being connectable in said well flow conductor with its main bore in axial alignment therewith; b. seal surface means in said receptacle bore providing spaced annular seal surfaces, one on either side of said lateral port means engageable with said flow control device; c. sleeve valve means in said receptacle bore slidably movable therein between port-closing and port-opening positions for controlling flow through said lateral port means, said sleeve valve means having spaced seal means thereon engaging said spaced annular seal surfaces in said receptacle bore to block flow through said port means when said sleeve valve means is in port-closing position, said sleeve valve means being movable to port-opening position automatically upon installation of said flow control device in said receptacle bore, said flow control device having spaced seal means thereon engageable with said spaced seal surfaces when said flow control device is in position in said receptacle bore; and d. means on said sleeve valve means coengageable with means on said flow control device to couple said flow control device to said sleeve valve means upon installation thereof and for moving said sleeve valve means to port-closing position responsive to removal of said flow control device from said receptacle bore.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1, including coengageable means on said sleeve valve means and means in said receptacle bore for latching said sleeve valve means in said port-closing position.

Claim 4

The device of claim 2, wherein said coengageable means for latching said sleeve valve means in said port-closing position comprises: a. internal recess means formed in the inner wall of said receptacle bore; and b. latch members carried on said sleeve valve means and having external bosses thereon engageable in said internal recess.

Claim 5

The device of claim 3, wherein said means for moving said sleeve valve means between port-closing and port-opening position includes: a. upwardly facing shoulder means on said sleeve valve means engageable by downwardly facing shoulder means on said flow control device to move said sleeve valve means from said port-closing to said port-opening position responsive to installation of said flow control device in said receptacle bore; and b. inner bosses on said latch members engageable in external recess means on said flow control device to couple said sleeve valve means to said flow control device as said sleeve valve means is displaced from said port-closing position, said latch members being releasable from engagement in said recess to uncouple said flow control device when said sleeve valve means is returned to said port-closing position responsive to removal of said flow control device from said receptacle bore.

Claim 6

A well device for controlling flow between the interior and the exterior of a well flow conductor, comprising: a. a mandrel having a main bore therethrough, a belly offset from said main bore and having a receptacle bore therein for receiving a flow control device, said receptacle bore having lateral port means through the wall thereof communicating the receptacle bore with the exterior of the mandrel, said mandrel being connectable in said well flow conductor with its main bore in axial alignment therewith; b. seal surface means in said receptacle bore providing spaced annular seal surfaces, one on either side of said lateral port means engageable with said flow control device; c. sleeve valve means in said receptacle bore slidably movable therein between port-closing and port-opening positions for controlling flow through said lateral port means, said sleeve valve means having spaced seal means thereon engaging said spaced annular seal surfaces in said receptacle bore to block flow through said port means when said sleeve valve means is in port-closing position, said sleeve valve means being movable to port-opening position automatically upon installation of a flow control device in said receptacle bore, said flow control device having spaced seal means thereon engageable with said spaced seal surfaces when said flow control device is in position in said receptacle bore; d. internal latching recess means in said receptacle bore; and e. collet fingers on said sleeve valve means, including: i. external bosses on said collet fingers engageable in said internal latching recess means to latch said sleeve valve means in port-closing position, and ii. internal bosses on said collet fingers engageable in corresponding external recess means on said flow control device to couple said sleeve valve means to said flow control device when said sleeve valve means is moved from said port-closing position and said external collet finger bosses disengage said internal latching recess means in said receptacle bore, said internal collet finger bosses disengaging said external recess to release said flow control device responsive to movement of said sleeve valve means back to said port-closing position and said external collet finger bosses re-engage said internal latching recess means in said receptacle bore.

Claim 7

A well device for controlling flow between the interior and the exterior of a well flow conductor, comprising: a. a mandrel having a main bore therethrough, a belly offset from said main bore and having a receptacle bore therein for receiving a flow control device, said receptacle bore having lateral port means through the wall thereof communicating the receptacle bore with the exterior of the mandrel, said mandrel being connectable in said well flow conductor with its main bore in axial alignment therewith; b. seal surface means in said receptacle bore providing spaced annular seal surfaces, one on either side of said lateral port means engageable with said flow control device; c. sleeve valve means in said receptacle bore slidably movable therein between port-closing and port-opening positions for controlling flow through said lateral port means, said sleeve valve means having spaced seal means thereon engaging said spaced annular seal surfaces in said receptacle bore to block flow through said port means when said sleeve valve means is in port-closing position, said sleeve valve means being movable to port-opening position automatically upon installation of a flow control device in said receptacle bore, said flow control device having spaced seal means thereon engageable with said spaced seal surfaces when said flow control device is in position in said receptacle bore; d. internal latching recess means in said receptacle bore; and e. collet fingers on said sleeve valve means, including: i. external bosses on said collet fingers engageable in said internal latching recess means to latch said sleeve valve means in port-closing position, and ii. internal bosses on said collet fingers engageable in corresponding external recess means on said flow control device to couple said sleeve valve means to said flow control device when said sleeve valve means is moved from said port-closing position and said external collet finger bosses disengage said internal latching recess means in said receptacle bore, said internal collet finger bosses disengaging said external recess to release said flow control device responsive to movement of said sleeve valve means back to said port-closing position and said external collet finger bosses re-engage said internal latching recess means in said receptacle bore.

Claim 8

The device of claim 5, further including: a. upwardly facing shoulder means on said sleeve valve means engageable by downwardly facing shoulder means on said flow control device to move said sleeve valve means from said port-closing to port-opening position upon installation of said flow control device in said receptacle bore.

Claim 9

The device of claim 5 or 6, including: a. a lock recess in said receptacle bore; and b. a flow control device disposed in said receptacle bore for controlling flow through said lateral port means, said flow control device including: i. a housing; ii. lock means on said housing engaged in said lock recess in said receptacle bore; iii. flow control means in said housing; iv. spaced seal means sealingly engaging said spaced seal surfaces of said receptacle bore on either side of said lateral port means to direct all fluids flowing through said lateral port means through said flow control means; v. downwardly facing shoulder means on said housing engageable with said sleeve valve means to move said sleeve valve means from port-closing to port-opening position upon installation of said flow control device in said receptacle bore; and vi. external recess means on said housing engaged with said means on said sleeve valve means latching said sleeve valve means to said flow control device.

Claim 10

The device of claim 7, wherein said flow control device is a gas lift valve.

Claim 11

A well device for controlling flow between the interior and the exterior of a well flow conductor, comprising: a. a mandrel having a main bore therethrough, a belly offset from said main bore and having a receptacle bore therein for receiving a flow control device, said receptacle bore having lateral port means through the wall thereof communicating the receptacle bore with the exterior of the mandrel, said mandrel being connectable in said well flow conductor with its main bore in axial alignment therewith; b. spaced annular seal surface means in said receptacle bore on either side of said lateral port means engageable with said flow control device; c. sleeve valve means in said receptacle bore slidably movable therein between port-closing and port-opening positions for controlling flow through said lateral port means, said sleeve valve means having spaced seal means thereon engaging said spaced annular seal surfaces in said receptacle bore to block flow through said port means when said sleeve valve means is in port-closing position, said sleeve valve means being movable to port-opening position automatically upon installation of a flow control device in said receptacle bore, said flow control device having spaced seal means thereon engageable with said spaced seal surfaces when said device is in position in said receptacle bore; d. internal latching recess means in said receptacle bore; e. latching lugs mounted in windows in said sleeve valve means for expansible and retractable movement therein, said latching lugs including: i. external latching surfaces on said lugs engageable in said internal latching recess means of said receptacle bore to latch said sleeve valve means in said port-closing position, and ii. internal coupling surfaces on said lugs engageable in corresponding external recess means on said flow control device to couple said sleeve valve means to said flow control device when said sleeve valve means is moved from said port-closing position and said external latching surfaces on said lugs disengage said internal latching recess means in said receptacle bore, said internal coupling surfaces of said lugs disengaging said external recess means to release said flow control device responsive to movement of said sleeve valve means back to said port-closing position and said external latching surfaces on said lugs re-engage said internal latching recess in said receptacle bore; and f. upwardly facing shoulder means on said sleeve valve means engageable by downwardly facing shoulder means on said flow control device to move said sleeve valve means from said port-closing to port-opening position upon installation of said flow control device in said receptacle bore.

Claim 12

A well device for controlling flow between the interior and the exterior of a well flow conductor, comprising: a. a mandrel having a main bore therethrough, a belly offset from said main bore and having a receptacle bore therein for receiving a flow control device, said receptacle bore having lateral port means through the wall thereof communicating the receptacle bore with the exterior of the mandrel, said mandrel being connectable in said well flow conductor with its main bore in axial alignment therewith; b. spaced annular seal surface means in said receptacle bore on either side of said lateral port means engageable with said flow control device; c. sleeve valve means in said receptacle bore slidably movable therein between port-closing and port-opening positions for controlling flow through said lateral port means, said sleeve valve means having spaced seal means thereon engaging said spaced annular seal surfaces in said receptacle bore to block flow through said port means when said sleeve valve means is in port-closing position, said sleeve valve means being movable to port-opening position automatically upon installation of a flow control device in said receptacle bore, said flow control device having spaced seal means thereon engageable with said spaced seal surfaces when said device is in position in said receptacle bore; d. internal latching recess means in said receptacle bore; e. latching lugs mounted in windows in said sleeve valve means for expansible and retractable movement therein, said latching lugs including: i. external latching surfaces on said lugs engageable in said internal latching recess means of said receptacle bore to latch said sleeve valve means in said port-closing position, and ii. internal coupling surfaces on said lugs engageable in corresponding external recess means on said flow control device to couple said sleeve valve means to said flow control device when said sleeve valve means is moved from said port-closing position and said external latching surfaces on said lugs disengage said internal latching recess means in said receptacle bore, said internal coupling surfaces of said lugs disengaging said external recess means to release said flow control device responsive to movement of said sleeve valve means back to said port-closing position and said external latching surfaces on said lugs re-engage said internal latching recess in said receptacle bore; and f. upwardly facing shoulder means on said sleeve valve means engageable by downwardly facing shoulder means on said flow control device to move said sleeve valve means from said port-closing to port-opening position upon installation of said flow control device in said receptacle bore.

Claim 13

The device of claim 9, further including: expander means in said sleeve valve means locking said lugs in expanded position and being slidable to lug unlocking position upon installation of said flow control device in said receptacle bore.

Claim 14

The device of claim 10, further including: biasing means carried by said sleeve valve means for biasing said expander means toward lug-expanding position.

Claim 15

The device of claim 11, wherein said biasing means is a coil spring.

Claim 16

The device of claim 9, 10, 11, or 12, including: a. a lock recess in said receptacle bore; and b. a flow control device disposed in said receptacle bore for controlling flow through said lateral port means, said flow control device including: i. a housing; ii. lock means on said housing engaged in said lock recess in said receptacle bore; iii. flow control means in said housing; iv. spaced seal means sealingly engaging said spaced seal surfaces of said receptacle bore on either side of said lateral port means to direct all fluids flowing through said lateral port means through said flow control means; v. downwardly facing shoulder means on said housing engageable with said sleeve valve means to move said sleeve valve means from port-closing to port-opening position upon installation of said flow control device in said receptacle bore; and vi. external recess means on said housing engaged with said means on said sleeve valve means latching said sleeve valve means to said flow control device.

Claim 17

The device of claim 13, wherein said flow control device is a gas lift valve.

Claim 18

A well device for controlling flow between the interior and the exterior of a well flow conductor, comprising: a. a mandrel having a main bore therethrough, a belly offset from said main bore and having a receptacle bore therein for receiving a flow control device, said receptacle bore having lateral port means through the wall thereof communicating the receptacle bore with the exterior of the mandrel, said mandrel being connectable in said well flow conductor with its main bore in axial alignment therewith; b. spaced annular seal surface means in said receptacle bore on either side of said lateral port means engageable with said flow control device; c. sleeve valve means in said receptacle bore slidably movable therein between port-closing and port-opening positions for controlling flow through said lateral port means, said sleeve valve means having first, second, and third seal means thereon, and having aperture means through the wall thereof between said second and third seal means, said first and second seal means engaging said spaced seal surfaces of said receptacle bore to seal above and below said lateral port means when said sleeve valve means is in port-closing position and said second and third seal means engaging said seal surfaces above and below said lateral port means with said lateral aperture aligned with said lateral port means when said sleeve valve means is in port-opening position, said sleeve valve being movable to port-opening position automatically upon installation of a flow control device in said receptacle bore; d. internal latching recess means in said receptacle bore; and e. collet fingers on said sleeve valve means having external bosses thereon engageable in said internal latching recess means to latch said sleeve valve means in port-closing position.

Claim 19

A well device for controlling flow between the interior and the exterior of a well flow conductor, comprising: a. a mandrel having a main bore therethrough, a belly offset from said main bore and having a receptacle bore therein for receiving a flow control device, said receptacle bore having lateral port means through the wall thereof communicating the receptacle bore with the exterior of the mandrel, said mandrel being connectable in said well flow conductor with its main bore in axial alignment therewith; b. spaced annular seal surface means in said receptacle bore on either side of said lateral port means engageable with said flow control device; c. sleeve valve means in said receptacle bore slidably movable therein between port-closing and port-opening positions for controlling flow through said lateral port means, said sleeve valve means having first, second, and third seal means thereon, and having aperture means through the wall thereof between said second and third seal means, said first and second seal means engaging said spaced seal surfaces of said receptacle bore to seal above and below said lateral port means when said sleeve valve means is in port-closing position and said second and third seal means engaging said seal surfaces above and below said lateral port means with said lateral aperture aligned with said lateral port means when said sleeve valve means is in port-opening position, said sleeve valve being movable to port-opening position automatically upon installation of a flow control device in said receptacle bore; d. internal latching recess means in said receptacle bore; and e. collet fingers on said sleeve valve means having external bosses thereon engageable in said internal latching recess means to latch said sleeve valve means in port-closing position.

Claim 20

The device of claim 15, further including: a. upwardly facing shoulder means on said sleeve valve means engageable by downwardly facing shoulder means on said flow control device to move said sleeve valve means from said port-closing position upon installation of said flow control device in said receptacle bore; and b. inwardly projecting bosses on said collet fingers engageable in external recess means on said flow control device when said sleeve valve means is moved from said port-closing position and said external collet finger bosses disengage said internal recess in said receptacle bore, said inwardly projecting bosses disengaging said external recess to release said flow control device responsive to movement of said sleeve valve means back to said port-closing position and said external collet finger bosses move outwardly into engagement with said internal recess in said receptacle bore.

Claim 21

The device of claim 15 or 16, including: a. a lock recess in said receptacle bore; and b. a flow control device disposed in said receptacle bore for controlling flow through said lateral port means, said flow control device including: i. a housing; ii. lock means on said housing engaged in said lock recess in said receptacle bore; iii. flow control means in said housing; iv. spaced seal means sealingly engaging the wall of said receptacle bore on either side of said lateral port means to direct all flow from said lateral port means through said flow control means; v. downwardly facing shoulder means on said housing engageable with said sleeve valve means to move said sleeve valve means from port-closing to port-opening position upon installation of said flow control device in said receptacle bore; and vi. external recess means on said housing engaged with said means on said sleeve valve means latching said sleeve valve means to said flow control device.

Claim 22

The device of claim 17, wherein said flow control device is a gas lift valve.