Flow controlling apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for controlling flow within the annulus about a tubing string suspended within a well bore, comprising body means having a bore therethrough adapted to be connected as port of the tubing string and a pocket to one side of the bore having an end opening to said bore, a packer for sealing between the body means and the well bore, means which by-passes the packer for connecting the annulus above and below the packer, valve means for opening and closing a flow path through said connecting means, fluid responsive means for moving said valve means from normally closed to open position, said moving means being carried within a tool which is adapted to be moved vertically through the tubing string into and out of landed position within the pocket, and means through which control fluid may be supplied through a line leading from a remote source to said fluid responsive means, when said tool is so landed, in order to open said valve means.

Claim 3

Apparatus of the character definded in claim 1, wherein said valve moving means includes means for maintaining said valve means closed, whether fluid pressure in the annulus above or below the packer is predominant, until it is moved to open position by said control fluid.

Claim 4

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 1, wherein said body means includes a tubing hanger about which the packer is disposed, and a mandrel in which the pocket is formed, said mandrel being releasably connected to the tubing hanger, and said mandrel and tubing hanger have openings therein which connect to form portions of said bore and connecting means when the mandrel and tubing hanger are releasably connected.

Claim 5

Apparatus of the character definded in claim 1, including a check valve which closes a second flow path through said connecting means when the pressure fluid in the annulus below the packer exceeds that in the annulus above the packer, but which opens said second flow path when the pressure above exceeds that below by a predetermined amount, so as to increase the flow through said connecting means when said valve means is open.

Claim 6

Apparatus for controlling flow within the annulus about a tubing string suspended within a well bore, comprising body means having a bore therethrough adapted to be connected as part of the tubing string and a pocket to one side of the bore having an end opening to said bore, a packer for sealing between the body means and the well bore, means which by-passes the packer for connecting the annulus above and below the packer, a tool adapted to be moved vertically through the tubing string into and out of landed positions within the pocket, said tool carrying valve means for opening and closing a flow path through said connecting means, and fluid responsive means for moving said valve means from normally closed to open position, and means through which control fluid may be supplied through a line leading from a remote source to said valve fluid responsive means, when said tool is so landed in order to open said valve means.

Claim 7

Apparatus for controlling flow within the annulus about a tubing string suspended within a well bore, comprising body means having a bore therethrough adapted to be connected as part of the tubing string and a pocket to one side of the bore having an end opening to said bore, a packer for sealing between the body means and the well bore, means which by-passes the packer for connecting the annulus above and below the packer, a tool adapted to be moved vertically through the tubing string into and out of landed positions within the pocket, said tool carrying valve means for opening and closing a flow path through said connecting means, and fluid responsive means for moving said valve means from normally closed to open position, and means through which control fluid may be supplied through a line leading from a remote source to said valve fluid responsive means, when said tool is so landed in order to open said valve means.

Claim 8

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 4, wherein said valve moving means includes means for maintaining said valve means closed, whether fluid pressure in the annulus above or below the packer is predominant, until it is moved to open position by said control fluid.

Claim 9

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 4, wherein said body means includes a tubing hanger about which the packer is disposed, and a mandrel in which the pocket is formed, said mandrel being releasably connected to the tubing hanger, and said mandrel and tubing hanger have openings therein which connect to form portions of said bore and connecting means when the mandrel and tubing hanger are releasably connected.

Claim 10

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 4, including a check valve which closes a second flow path through said connecting means when the pressure of fluid in the annulus below the packer exceeds that in the annulus above the packer, but which opens said second passageway when the pressure above exceeds that below by a predetermined amount, so as to increase the flow through said connecting means when said valve means is open.

Claim 11

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 8, wherein said check valve is also carried by said tool.

Claim 12

Apparatus for controlling flow within the annulus about a tubing string suspended within a well bore, comprising body means having a bore therethrough adapted to be connected as part of a tubing string, a packer for sealing between the body means and the well bore, said body means having a portion above the packer whose outer cylindrical diameter is eccentric to the axis of its bore to provide a radially thickened well to one side of its bore, means which by-passes the packer for connecting the annulus above and below the packer, valve means for opening and closing a flow path through said connecting means, means for moving said valve means from normally closed to open position, including a pressure chamber within the radially thickened wall of the body means, and piston means connected to the valve means and movable within the chamber for opening said valve means in response to the supply of fluid pressure to the chamber, and means through which control fluid may be supplied through a line leading from a remote source to said chamber in order to open said valve means.

Claim 13

Apparatus for controlling flow within the annulus about a tubing string suspended within a well bore, comprising body means having a bore therethrough adapted to be connected as part of a tubing string, a packer for sealing between the body means and the well bore, said body means having a portion above the packer whose outer cylindrical diameter is eccentric to the axis of its bore to provide a radially thickened well to one side of its bore, means which by-passes the packer for connecting the annulus above and below the packer, valve means for opening and closing a flow path through said connecting means, means for moving said valve means from normally closed to open position, including a pressure chamber within the radially thickened wall of the body means, and piston means connected to the valve means and movable within the chamber for opening said valve means in response to the supply of fluid pressure to the chamber, and means through which control fluid may be supplied through a line leading from a remote source to said chamber in order to open said valve means.

Claim 14

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 10, wherein said valve moving means includes means within the thickened wall portion of said body means for maintaining said valve means closed, whether fluid pressure in the annulus above or below the packer is predominant, until it is moved to open position by said control fluid.

Claim 15

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 10, wherein said body means includes a tubing hanger about which the packer is disposed, and a mandrel having the thickened wall in which the pressure chamber is disposed, said mandrel being releasably connect to the tubing hanger, and said mandrel and tubing hanger have openings therein which connect to form portions of said bore and connectings means when the mandrel and tubing hanger are releasably connected.

Claim 16

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 10, including a check valve which closes a second flow path through said connecting means when the pressure of fluid in the annulus below the packer exceeds that in the annulus above the packer, but which opens said second passage path when the pressure above exceeds that below by a predetermined amount, so as to increase the flow through said connected means when said valve means is open.

Claim 17

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 10, wherein said valve means is also within said thickened wall portion of the body means.

Claim 18

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 14, wherein said valve moving means includes means within the thickened wall portion of said body means for maintaining said valve means closed, whether fluid pressure in the annulus above or below the packer is predominant, until it is moved to open position by said control fluid.

Claim 19

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 14, wherein said body means includes a tubing hanger about which the packer is disposed, and a mandrel having the thickened wall in which the pressure chamber is disposed, said mandrel being releasably connected to the tubing hanger, and said mandrel and tubing hanger have openings therein which connect to form portions of said bore and connecting means when the mandrel and tubing hanger are releasably connected.

Claim 20

Apparatus of the character definded in claim 14, including a check valve within said thickened wall portion which closes the second flow path when the pressure of fluid in the annulus below the packer exceeds that in the annulus above the packer, but which opens said second passage path when the pressure above exceeds that below by a predetermined amount, so as to increase the flow through said connecting means when said valve is open.

Claim 21

Apparatus for controlling flow within the annulus about a tubing string within a well bore, wherein a lower portion of the tubing string is suspended from a tubing hanger having a bore therethrough and an opening which by-passes a packer sealing between the hanger and the well bore, said apparatus comprising a mandrel adapted to be suspended from an upper portion of tubing string and having means on its lower end for releasably connecting it to the hanger, said mandrel having a bore therethrough which is aligned with the hanger bore and an opening therein which is aligned with the opening in the tubing hanger to provide means which by-passes the packer for connecting the annulus above and below said packer when said mandrel is releasably connected to said hanger, said mandrel also having a pocket therein on one side of its bore and an end opening to the bore, valve means for opening and closing a flow path of the connecting means, fluid responsive means for moving said valve means from normally closed to open position, said moving means being carried within a tool which is adapted to be moved vertically through the tubing string into and out of landed position within the pocket, and means through which control fluid may be supplied through a line leading from a remote source to said valve moving means, when said tool is so landed in order to open said valve means.

Claim 22

Apparatus for controlling flow within the annulus about a tubing string within a well bore, wherein a lower portion of the tubing string is suspended from a tubing hanger having a bore therethrough and an opening which by-passes a packer sealing between the hanger and the well bore, said apparatus comprising a mandrel adapted to be suspended from an upper portion of tubing string and having means on its lower end for releasably connecting it to the hanger, said mandrel having a bore therethrough which is aligned with the hanger bore and an opening therein which is aligned with the opening in the tubing hanger to provide means which by-passes the packer for connecting the annulus above and below said packer when said mandrel is releasably connected to said hanger, said mandrel also having a pocket therein on one side of its bore and an end opening to the bore, valve means for opening and closing a flow path of the connecting means, fluid responsive means for moving said valve means from normally closed to open position, said moving means being carried within a tool which is adapted to be moved vertically through the tubing string into and out of landed position within the pocket, and means through which control fluid may be supplied through a line leading from a remote source to said valve moving means, when said tool is so landed in order to open said valve means.

Claim 23

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 18, wherein said valve moving means includes means for maintaining said valve means closed, whether fluid pressure in the annulus above or below the packer is predominant, until it is moved to open position by said control fluid.

Claim 24

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 18, including a check valve which closes a second flow path of said connecting means when the pressure of fluid in the annulus below the packer exceeds that in the annulus above the packer, but which opens said second passage path when the pressure exceeds that below by a predetermined amount, so as to increase the flow through said connecting means when said valve means is open.

Claim 25

Apparatus for controlling flow within the annulus about a tubing string within a well bore, wherein a lower portion of the tubing string is suspended from a tubing hanger having a bore therethrough and an opening which by-passes a packer sealing between the hanger and the well bore, said apparatus comprising a mandrel adapted to be suspended from an upper portion of tubing string and having means on its lower end for releasably connecting it to the hanger, said mandrel having a bore therethrough which is is aligned with the hanger bore and an opening therein which is aligned with the opening in the tubing hanger to provide means which by-passes the packer to connect the annulus above and below said packer when said mandrel is releasably connected to said hanger, said mandrel also having a pocket therein on one side of its bore and an end opening to the bore, a tool adapted to be moved vertically through the tubing string into and out of landed position within the pocket, said tool carrying valve means for opening and closing a flow path of said connecting means, and fluid responsive means for moving said valve means from normally closed to open position, and means through which control fluid may be supplied through a line leading from a remote source to said valve fluid responsive means, when said tool is so landed, in order to open said valve means.

Claim 26

Apparatus for controlling flow within the annulus about a tubing string within a well bore, wherein a lower portion of the tubing string is suspended from a tubing hanger having a bore therethrough and an opening which by-passes a packer sealing between the hanger and the well bore, said apparatus comprising a mandrel adapted to be suspended from an upper portion of tubing string and having means on its lower end for releasably connecting it to the hanger, said mandrel having a bore therethrough which is is aligned with the hanger bore and an opening therein which is aligned with the opening in the tubing hanger to provide means which by-passes the packer to connect the annulus above and below said packer when said mandrel is releasably connected to said hanger, said mandrel also having a pocket therein on one side of its bore and an end opening to the bore, a tool adapted to be moved vertically through the tubing string into and out of landed position within the pocket, said tool carrying valve means for opening and closing a flow path of said connecting means, and fluid responsive means for moving said valve means from normally closed to open position, and means through which control fluid may be supplied through a line leading from a remote source to said valve fluid responsive means, when said tool is so landed, in order to open said valve means.

Claim 27

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 21, wherein said valve moving means includes means for maintaining said valve means closed, whether fluid pressure in the annulus above or below the packer is predominant, until it is moved to open position by said control fluid.

Claim 28

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 21, including a check valve which closes a second flow path of said connecting means when the pressure of fluid in the annulus below the packer exceeds that in the annulus above the packer, but which opens said second passage path when the pressure above exceeds that below by a predetermined amount, so as to increase the flow through said connecting means when said valve means is open.

Claim 29

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 23, wherein said check valve is also carried by said tool.

Claim 30

Apparatus for controlling flow within the annulus about a tubing string within a well bore, wherein a lower portion of the tubing string is suspended from a tubing hanger having a bore therethrough and an opening which by-passes a packer sealing between the hanger and the well bore, said apparatus comprising a mandrel adapted to be suspended from an upper portion of tubing string and having means on its lower end for releasably connecting it to the hanger, said mandrel having a bore therethrough which is aligned with the hanger bore and an opening therein which is aligned with the opening in the tubing hanger to provide means which by-passes the packer to connect the annulus above and below said packer when said mandrel is releasably connected to said hanger, said mandrel also having a portion whose outer cylindrical diameter is eccentric to the axis of its bore to provide a radially thickened wall to one side of its bore, valve means for opening and closing the connecting means, means for moving said valve means from normally closed to open position, including a pressure chamber within the radially thickened wall of the body means, and piston means connected to the valve means and movable within the chamber for opening said valve means in response to the supply of fluid pressure to the chamber, and means through which control fluid many be supplied through a line leading from a remote source to said chamber in order to open said valve means.

Claim 31

Apparatus for controlling flow within the annulus about a tubing string within a well bore, wherein a lower portion of the tubing string is suspended from a tubing hanger having a bore therethrough and an opening which by-passes a packer sealing between the hanger and the well bore, said apparatus comprising a mandrel adapted to be suspended from an upper portion of tubing string and having means on its lower end for releasably connecting it to the hanger, said mandrel having a bore therethrough which is aligned with the hanger bore and an opening therein which is aligned with the opening in the tubing hanger to provide means which by-passes the packer to connect the annulus above and below said packer when said mandrel is releasably connected to said hanger, said mandrel also having a portion whose outer cylindrical diameter is eccentric to the axis of its bore to provide a radially thickened wall to one side of its bore, valve means for opening and closing the connecting means, means for moving said valve means from normally closed to open position, including a pressure chamber within the radially thickened wall of the body means, and piston means connected to the valve means and movable within the chamber for opening said valve means in response to the supply of fluid pressure to the chamber, and means through which control fluid many be supplied through a line leading from a remote source to said chamber in order to open said valve means.

Claim 32

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 25, wherein said valve moving means includes means within the thickened wall portion of said body means for maintaining said valve means closed, whether fluid pressure in the annulus above or below the packer is predominant, until it is moved to open position by said control fluid.

Claim 33

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 25, including a check valve which closes a second flow path of said connecting means when the pressure of fluid in the annulus below the packer exceeds that in the annulus above the packer, but which opens said second passage when the pressure above exceeds that below by a predetermined amount, so as to increase the flow through said connecting means when said valve means is open.

Claim 34

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 25, wherein said valve means is also within said thickened wall portion of the body means, and said connecting means includes passageways in said thickened wall portion leading to and from said valve means.

Claim 35

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 28, wherein said valve moving means includes means within the thickened wall portion of said body means for maintaining said valve means closed, whether fluid pressure in the annulus above or below the packer is predominant, until it is moved to opening position by said control fluid.

Claim 36

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 28, including a check valve within said thickened wall portion which closes a second flow path of said connecting means when the pressure of fluid in annulus below the packer exceeds that in the annulus above the packer, but which opens said second passage path when the pressure above exceeds that below by a predetermined amount, so as to increase the flow through said connecting means when said valve means is open.

Claim 37

Apparatus for controlling fluid within the annulus about a tubing string suspended within a well bore, comprising body means having a bore therethrough adapted to be connected as part of the tubing string, a packer for sealing between the body means and the well bore, and means in the body means which by-passes the packer for connecting the annulus above and below the packer, valve means normally closing a first flow path of said connecting means, fluid responsive means for moving said valve means to opening position, means through which control fluid may be supplied through a line leading from a remote source to said moving means for opening said valve means, and a check valve which closes a second flow path of said connecting means when the pressure of fluid in the annulus below the packer exceeds that in the annulus above the packer, but which opens said second flow path when the pressure exceeds that below by a predetermined amount, so as to increase the flow through said connecting means when said valve means is open.

Claim 38

Apparatus for controlling fluid within the annulus about a tubing string suspended within a well bore, comprising body means having a bore therethrough adapted to be connected as part of the tubing string, a packer for sealing between the body means and the well bore, and means in the body means which by-passes the packer for connecting the annulus above and below the packer, valve means normally closing a first flow path of said connecting means, fluid responsive means for moving said valve means to opening position, means through which control fluid may be supplied through a line leading from a remote source to said moving means for opening said valve means, and a check valve which closes a second flow path of said connecting means when the pressure of fluid in the annulus below the packer exceeds that in the annulus above the packer, but which opens said second flow path when the pressure exceeds that below by a predetermined amount, so as to increase the flow through said connecting means when said valve means is open.

Claim 39

For use in apparatus which comprises body means having a bore therethrough connected as part of a tubing string suspended within a well bore, a packer for sealing between the body means and the well bore, means in the a body means which by-passes the packer to connect the annulus above and below the packer, and a pocket in the body means to one side of the bore having an end which opens to the bore; a tool adapted to be moved vertically through the tubing string into and out of landed position within the pocket, said tool carrying normally closed valve means for controlling flow through a flow path of said connecting means, and means which is responsive to control fluid supplied thereto through a line leading from a remote source when said tool is so landed, in order to move said valve means to open position.

Claim 40

For use in apparatus which comprises body means having a bore therethrough connected as part of a tubing string suspended within a well bore, a packer for sealing between the body means and the well bore, means in the a body means which by-passes the packer to connect the annulus above and below the packer, and a pocket in the body means to one side of the bore having an end which opens to the bore; a tool adapted to be moved vertically through the tubing string into and out of landed position within the pocket, said tool carrying normally closed valve means for controlling flow through a flow path of said connecting means, and means which is responsive to control fluid supplied thereto through a line leading from a remote source when said tool is so landed, in order to move said valve means to open position.

Claim 41

A tool of the character defined in claim 32, wherein said tool has a passageway therein adapted to form a continuation of the flow path in the body means, and said valve means includes a closure member which is movable within the tool between positions opening and closing the tool flow path.

Claim 42

A tool of the character defined in claim 33, wherein said valve moving means includes means for maintaining said valve means closed, whether fluid pressure in the annulus above or below the packer is predominant, until it is moved to open position by said control fluid.

Claim 43

A tool of the character defined in claim 34, including a check valve which closes a second flow path of said connecting means when the pressure of fluid in the annulus below the packer exceeds that in the annulus above the packer, but which opens when the pressure above exceeds that below by a predetermined amount, so as to increase the flow through said connecting means when said valve means is open.

Claim 44

Apparatus for controlling flow within the annulus about a tubing string within a well bore, comprising body means having a bore therethrough adapted to be connected as part of the tubing string, a packing element about the body means, said body means including means operable in response to tubing pressure for expanding the packing element into engagement with the well bore, a passageway which by-passes the packing element to connect with the annulus beneath the packer, means for releasably locking the packing element expanding means against operations to expand the packing element, means for holding the locking means in locking position, said holding means including a piston which is disposable within the passageway to close it, so that the fluid pressure supplied to the closed passageway will urge the holding means to a position for releasing the locking means, whereby the packing element may be expanded, and the piston moved out of the passageway to open it, means through which control fluid may be supplied to the body means through a line leading from a remote source, and means for alternatively connecting said control line with the closed passageway, in order that the holding means may be released, and disconnecting the control line with either the annulus or said passageway in order that said control fluid may be supplied to one or more other pressure responsive mechanisms within the well bore.

Claim 45

Apparatus for controlling flow within the annulus about a tubing string within a well bore, comprising body means having a bore therethrough adapted to be connected as part of the tubing string, a packing element about the body means, said body means including means operable in response to tubing pressure for expanding the packing element into engagement with the well bore, a passageway which by-passes the packing element to connect with the annulus beneath the packer, means for releasably locking the packing element expanding means against operations to expand the packing element, means for holding the locking means in locking position, said holding means including a piston which is disposable within the passageway to close it, so that the fluid pressure supplied to the closed passageway will urge the holding means to a position for releasing the locking means, whereby the packing element may be expanded, and the piston moved out of the passageway to open it, means through which control fluid may be supplied to the body means through a line leading from a remote source, and means for alternatively connecting said control line with the closed passageway, in order that the holding means may be released, and disconnecting the control line with either the annulus or said passageway in order that said control fluid may be supplied to one or more other pressure responsive mechanisms within the well bore.

Claim 46

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 36, wherein the means for disconnecting the control line with said passageway includes means for connecting the annulus above the packing element with the passageway.

Claim 47

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 37, wherein valve means is disposed within said connecting means for controlling circulation through said passageway.

Claim 48

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 38, wherein said valve means is normally closed and includes means for opening it in response to the supply of said control fluid thereto.

Claim 49

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 36, wherein said connecting and disconnecting means includes a pocket in the body means to one side of its bore, ports in the body means connecting said pocket with each of the passageway, control line and the annulus above the packer, and a pair of tools each adapted to be moved vertically through the tubing string into and out of the pocket, when the other is removed therefrom, one such tool connecting the control line port with the passageway port, and the other such tool disconnecting the control line port with either the annulus port or the passageway port.

Claim 50

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 40, wherein said other tool connects the annulus port with the passageway port.

Claim 51

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 41, wherein valve means is carried with said other tool for controlling circulation through said passageway.

Claim 52

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 42, wherein said valve means is normally closed and includes means for opening it in response to the supply of said control fluid thereto.

Claim 53

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 36, wherein the body means includes a lower hanger portion about which the packing element is carried, an upper mandrel portion in which the connecting and disconnecting means is carried, and means for connecting said portions in end-to-end relation, said portions having bores therethrough and opening which are aligned so as to form the bore and passageway when said portions are so connected.

Claim 54

For use in closing off an annular space about a pipe string suspended within a well bore, a packer comprising body means including a tubular member adapted to be connected as part of the pipe string, and a sleeve surrounding the tubular member, a normally contracted packing element carried about the body means, means for expanding the packing element into engagement with the well bore in response to axial movement of said sleeve with respect to the tubular member, means forming a pressure chamber within the body means including a piston on the sleeve, said tubular member having a port therein connecting its bore with the chamber so that tubing pressure acts over the piston to urge said sleeve to move with respect to said tubular member, means forming a passageway within the body means having an upper end adapted to be connected with a line for supplying control fluid from a remote source, and a lower end connecting with the exterior of the body means beneath the packing element so as to by-pass same, locking means on the sleeve engageable with locking means on the tubular member so as to prevent the sleeve from moving, means for holding said locking means in locking engagement, and means for moving said holding means to a position in which it releases said locking means for disengagement from locking position, including a piston on the holding means which is disposable within said passageway to close it so that control fluid may be supplied thereto to move the holding means to locking means releasing position, whereby the packing element may be expanded and the piston on the holding means moved out of the passageway to open it.

Claim 55

For use in closing off an annular space about a pipe string suspended within a well bore, a packer comprising body means including a tubular member adapted to be connected as part of the pipe string, and a sleeve surrounding the tubular member, a normally contracted packing element carried about the body means, means for expanding the packing element into engagement with the well bore in response to axial movement of said sleeve with respect to the tubular member, means forming a pressure chamber within the body means including a piston on the sleeve, said tubular member having a port therein connecting its bore with the chamber so that tubing pressure acts over the piston to urge said sleeve to move with respect to said tubular member, means forming a passageway within the body means having an upper end adapted to be connected with a line for supplying control fluid from a remote source, and a lower end connecting with the exterior of the body means beneath the packing element so as to by-pass same, locking means on the sleeve engageable with locking means on the tubular member so as to prevent the sleeve from moving, means for holding said locking means in locking engagement, and means for moving said holding means to a position in which it releases said locking means for disengagement from locking position, including a piston on the holding means which is disposable within said passageway to close it so that control fluid may be supplied thereto to move the holding means to locking means releasing position, whereby the packing element may be expanded and the piston on the holding means moved out of the passageway to open it.

Claim 56

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 45, wherein said holding means comprises a sleeve depending from the piston thereof to surround the locking parts, when in holding position, an intermediate portion of the sleeve of the hold means being relieved to release the locking parts as said sleeve is lowered.

Claim 57

Apparatus for controlling flow within the annulus about a tubing string within a well bore, comprising body means having a bore therethrough adapted to be connected as part of the tubing string, a packing element about the body means, means for expanding the packing element into engagement with the well bore, means including conduit means for connecting the annulus above and below the packer element when the packing element is so expanded, means for releasably locking the packing element expanding means against operation to expand the packing element, first pressure responsive means for releasing the locking means in response to the supply of control fluid thereto, whereby the packing element may be expanded, valve means for opening and closing the connecting means, second pressure responsive means for controlling the valve means in response to the supply or exhaust of control fluid thereto, and means by which control fluid may be alternatively supplied through a control line leading from a remote source to the first pressure responsive means in order to release the locking means, and, upon expansion of the packing element, to said second pressure responsive means to open or close the valve means.

Claim 58

Apparatus for controlling flow within the annulus about a tubing string within a well bore, comprising body means having a bore therethrough adapted to be connected as part of the tubing string, a packing element about the body means, means for expanding the packing element into engagement with the well bore, means including conduit means for connecting the annulus above and below the packer element when the packing element is so expanded, means for releasably locking the packing element expanding means against operation to expand the packing element, first pressure responsive means for releasing the locking means in response to the supply of control fluid thereto, whereby the packing element may be expanded, valve means for opening and closing the connecting means, second pressure responsive means for controlling the valve means in response to the supply or exhaust of control fluid thereto, and means by which control fluid may be alternatively supplied through a control line leading from a remote source to the first pressure responsive means in order to release the locking means, and, upon expansion of the packing element, to said second pressure responsive means to open or close the valve means.

Claim 59

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 47, wherein said valve means is normally urged closed and is opened by the second pressure responsive means in response to the supply of said control fluid thereto.

Claim 60

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 47, wherein said body means includes a pocket to one side of the bore therethrough, and the means by which control fluid may be supplied includes a pair of tools each adapted to be moved through the tubing string into and out of the pocket when the other is removed therefrom, said body means and a first of the tools cooperating to supply control fluid to said first pressure responsive means, and said body means and the second of the tools cooperating to supply control fluid to said second pressure responsive means.

Claim 61

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 49, wherein the connecting means includes conduit means in the second tool, and the valve means is mounted in the second tool for controlling flow through the conduit means therein.

Claim 62

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 49, wherein the means by which control fluid may be supplied to the first and second pressure responsive means includes a port in the body means to which a single control line leading from the remote source of pressure may be connected.

Claim 63

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 49, wherein the packing expanding means includes a means responsive to the supply of fluid pressure thereto through the tubing string.

Claim 64

Apparatus for controlling flow within the annulus about a tubing string within a well bore, comprising body means having a bore therethrough adapted to be connected as part of the tubing string, a packing element about the body means, means for expanding the packing element into engagement with the well bore, means for releasably locking the packing element expanding means against operation to expand the packing element, first pressure responsive means for releasing the locking means in response to the supply of control fluid thereto, whereby the packing element may be expanded, said body means having a pocket therein to one side of the bore therethrough, and a first tool adapted to be moved through the tubing string into and out of the pocket, said body means and first tool having conduit means through which control fluid from a remote source may be supplied to the first pressure responsive means, when said first tool is in the pocket, means including conduit means for connecting the annulus above and below the packer element when the packing element is so expanded, valve means for controlling flow through the connecting means, a second tool adapted to be moved through the tubing and into the pocket upon removal of the first tool therefrom, and having second pressure responsive means for opening and closing the valve means in response to the supply of control fluid thereto from a remote source.

Claim 65

Apparatus for controlling flow within the annulus about a tubing string within a well bore, comprising body means having a bore therethrough adapted to be connected as part of the tubing string, a packing element about the body means, means for expanding the packing element into engagement with the well bore, means for releasably locking the packing element expanding means against operation to expand the packing element, first pressure responsive means for releasing the locking means in response to the supply of control fluid thereto, whereby the packing element may be expanded, said body means having a pocket therein to one side of the bore therethrough, and a first tool adapted to be moved through the tubing string into and out of the pocket, said body means and first tool having conduit means through which control fluid from a remote source may be supplied to the first pressure responsive means, when said first tool is in the pocket, means including conduit means for connecting the annulus above and below the packer element when the packing element is so expanded, valve means for controlling flow through the connecting means, a second tool adapted to be moved through the tubing and into the pocket upon removal of the first tool therefrom, and having second pressure responsive means for opening and closing the valve means in response to the supply of control fluid thereto from a remote source.

Claim 66

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 53, wherein the connecting means includes conduit means in the second tool, and the valve means is mounted in the second tool for controlling flow through the conduit means therein.

Claim 67

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 53, wherein the packing expanding means includes means responsive to the supply of fluid pressure thereto through the tubing string.

Claim 68

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 53, wherein the conduit means in the body means through control fluid may be supplied to the first and second pressure responsive means comprises a port to which a single control line leading from the remote source may be connected.