US4553589A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fire-safe surface-controlled subsurface safety valve control line/wellhead connector and blowout preventer
Assignee: Vetco Gray LLC
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Filing: 1984-07-12
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Granted: 1985-11-19
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Expires: 2004-07-12
Abstract
Abstract The existance of fire at or near an oil field wellhead is sensed by a eutectic body which holds a valve system in a cocked position. When the eutectic is melted, the valves are positioned to terminate communication of a hydraulic fluid pressure source with a downhole safety valve and open a bleed conduit connected with the conduit to the downhole valve. A second eutectic body will melt at a different temperature than the first, providing a second position for the valve system which closes the conduit to the downhole valve and atmosphere to give positive isolation from the oil well fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Jennings
- 👤 Charles D. Bridges
- 👤 Warren D. King
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:00
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B34/00; E21B34/16; E21B35/00; F; F16; F16K; F16K17/00; F16K17/36; F16K17/38; F16K17/383; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1624; Y10T137/1797
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A system mounted on or near an oil well to respond to temperatures of a fire to prevent oil well production from reaching the fire at the wellhead, including, a source of hydraulic fluid pressure connected by a control conduit to a downhole safety valve to maintain the valve open against its spring force, a first valve of the system connected to control the conduit between the source and the downhole valve, a second valve of the system connected to control the bleed of the conduit between the source and the downhole valve, a control piston contacting the first and second valves of the system, and at least one eutectic body against which the control piston abuts from the force of a spring of the second valve, whereby removal of the eutectic body by a predetermined temperature of a fire releases the piston and allows the system pressure to move the piston and thereby close the first valve to isolate the source of fluid pressure to the downhole safety valve and establishes a bleed of the control conduit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
A system mounted on or near an oil well to respond to temperatures of a fire to prevent oil well production from reaching the fire at the wellhead, including, a source of hydraulic fluid pressure connected by a control conduit to a downhole safety valve to maintain the valve open against its spring force, a first valve of the system connected to control the conduit between the source and the downhole valve, a second valve of the system connected to control the bleed of the conduit between the source and the downhole valve, a control piston contacting the first and second valves of the system, and at least one eutectic body against which the control piston abuts from the force of a spring of the second valve, whereby removal of the eutectic body by a predetermined temperature of a fire releases the piston and allows the system pressure to move the piston and thereby close the first valve to isolate the source of fluid pressure to the downhole safety valve and establishes a bleed of the control conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 1, wherein, a second eutectic is provided as an abutment for the control piston which eutectic melts at a predetermined temperature higher than that of the first eutectic. whereby the control piston is moved by the force of a spring of the second valve to close the bleed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-11-18 | 1989-05-20 | 1989-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-18 | 1993-05-20 | 1993-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-18 | 1997-05-20 | 1997-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |