US5176164A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow control valve system
Assignee: Halliburton Co
•
Filing: 1989-12-27
•
Granted: 1993-01-05
•
Expires: 2009-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A flow control valve system for production of wells such as by gas lift including a downhole valve electrically or pressure pulse controlled from the surface including a valve having apparatus for controlling the flow rate through the valve by varying the valve orifice size over a continuous range and maintaining the orifice size constant when desired. Both rotary and poppet type valves are disclosed. Valve orifice size and well conditions are monitored downhole and transmitted to the surface for control of the valve.
Inventors
- 👤 William G. Boyle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:03
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B34/00; E21B34/06; E21B34/10; E21B34/066; E21B34/16; E21B43/00; E21B43/12; E21B43/121; E21B43/122; E21B43/123; E21B43/1235; E21B2200/00; E21B2200/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2931; Y10T137/2934; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7758; Y10T137/7761
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A flow control valve system, comprising: a flow control valve including, an outer housing; a valve chamber within said housing in flow communication with an inlet port in the wall of said housing and an outlet opening from said housing; a variable size orifice between said valve chamber and said outlet opening to control flow therebetween; means including a rotary shaft for changing the size of said orifice over a continuous range of sizes from fully closed to fully open; energizable means for imparting a liner motion in both axial directions connected to means for converting said linear motion into rotational motion in both rotational directions, respectively, for driving said orifice size changing means to selectively increase or decrease the size of said orifice, said orifice changing means being position stable to maintain the size of said orifice constant when said driving means is not energized; means remote from said valve for generating control signals for energizing said driving means; and a control line for connecting said control signal generating mean sand said driving means to permit selective changes in the orifice size of said flow control valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A flow control valve system, comprising: a flow control valve including, an outer housing; a valve chamber within said housing in flow communication with an inlet port in the wall of said housing and an outlet opening from said housing; a variable size orifice between said valve chamber and said outlet opening to control flow therebetween; means including a rotary shaft for changing the size of said orifice over a continuous range of sizes from fully closed to fully open; energizable means for imparting a liner motion in both axial directions connected to means for converting said linear motion into rotational motion in both rotational directions, respectively, for driving said orifice size changing means to selectively increase or decrease the size of said orifice, said orifice changing means being position stable to maintain the size of said orifice constant when said driving means is not energized; means remote from said valve for generating control signals for energizing said driving means; and a control line for connecting said control signal generating mean sand said driving means to permit selective changes in the orifice size of said flow control valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A flow control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for converting said linear motion comprises at least two undirectional rotary motion mechanisms selectively engageable with said rotary shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A flow control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for converting said linear motion into rotational motion is operable responsive to the polarity of said control signals for energizing said driving means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A flow control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for converting said linear motion into rotational motion is operable responsive to the relative intensity of said control signals for energizing said driving means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A flow control system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for converting said linear motion into rotational motion comprises cam and cam follower means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A flow control system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said cam means are in a sleeve and said sleeve engages orthogonally oriented cam follower means on rotational members of said rotary motion mechanisms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A flow control system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said unidirectional rotary motion mechanism includes pairs of wire clutches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A flow control system in accordance with claim 7 wherein said rotary motion mechanism includes ratchet means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A flow control system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said unidirectional rotary motion mechanisms include face clutches for selectively engaging said driven shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A flow control system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said clutch means comprises toothed face clutches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
A flow control system in accordance with claim 10 wherein the angle of the teeth forming said toothed face clutches approximate the operating angles on said cam and cam follower mechanisms to prevent camming apart of said teeth on said toothed face clutches.
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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) | 1996-01-05 | 1996-07-06 | 1997-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-01-05 | 2000-07-06 | 2001-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-01-05 | 2004-07-06 | 2005-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |