U.S. patent number 3,762,471 [Application Number 05/131,629] was granted by the patent office on 1973-10-02 for subsurface well apparatus and method.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hydril Company. Invention is credited to James D. Mott.
United States Patent |
3,762,471 |
Mott |
October 2, 1973 |
SUBSURFACE WELL APPARATUS AND METHOD
Abstract
Subsurface well apparatus and method of operating same, wherein
a controlled ball valve or closure means is provided, with means
for mounting same in a well tubing for normally opening and closing
flow through the well tubing, and wherein a fluid flow control
assembly having a replacement ball valve therewith is adapted to be
dropped in or otherwise lowered through the well tubing so as to
position same above said controlled ball valve for subsequent
operation of said replacement valve to thereafter serve as a
replacement for said controlled valve.
Inventors: |
Mott; James D. (Houston,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Hydril Company (Houston,
TX)
|
Family
ID: |
22450305 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/131,629 |
Filed: |
April 6, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/322;
251/58 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B
34/106 (20130101); E21B 2200/04 (20200501) |
Current International
Class: |
E21B
34/00 (20060101); E21B 34/10 (20060101); E21b
043/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;166/72,154,224,315
;137/458,494 ;251/58,62,79 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Leppink; James A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for mounting a closure means in a well tubing to
control the flow of fluid in the bore of the tubing and adapted to
receive a means for controlling the flow in the bore of the tubing
when the closure means malfunctions, including:
a. a housing connected at its upper and lower ends to the well
tubing and having a bore therethrough communicating with the bore
of the well tubing;
b. a closure means disposed in said bore of said housing for
movement to and from open and closed positions for controlling flow
of fluid through said bore;
c. means disposed in said housing for imparting movement to said
closure means to move said closure means to and from open and
closed positions; and
d. means mounted with said housing for positioning in said bore of
said housing the means for controlling the flow in said bore.
2. The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said positioning
means includes means for constricting a portion of said bore of
said housing wherein the means for controlling the flow in said
bore is located above said means for constricting.
3. The structure as set forth in claim 1, including means for
locking said closure means in the open position.
4. The structure as set forth in claim 3, including means for
unlocking said closure means from the open position.
5. The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
a. said closure means is a ball means having a bore therethrough
for rotational movement to and from open and closed positions;
and
b. said means for imparting movement to said closure means includes
an actuator sleeve means movable in said housing relative thereto
and a pivot means for causing said ball to rotate upon movement of
said actuator means.
6. The structure as set forth in claim 5, including:
a. said actuator sleeve means having urging means for urging said
actuator sleeve means in a direction to close said ball means to
thereby block fluid flow upwardly through said bore of said
housing; and
b. a first control means for urging said actuator sleeve means to
overcome the force of said urging means to rotate said ball means
to enable fluid flow through said bore of said housing.
7. The structure as set forth in claim 6, wherein said first
control means includes a control pressure means urging on said
actuator means to rotate said ball means to enable fluid flow
through said bore of said housing.
8. The structure as set forth in claim 7, including:
a. a first movable piston means defining a first variable capacity
chamber; and
b. said first control pressure means communicating with said
chamber for urging on said piston means wherein said piston means
urges said actuator means to rotate said ball means to enable fluid
flow through said bore of said housing.
9. The structure as set forth in claim 8, including:
a. said first piston means defining a second variable capacity
chamber; and
means for receiving the fluid in said second chamber when said
first control pressure rotates said ball means to the open position
wherein said ball means moves to and from open and closed positions
independent of the pressure in the bore of the housing.
10. The structure as set forth in claim 8, including means for
locking said ball means in the open position.
11. The structure as set forth in claim 10, including a second
control pressure means for urging said actuator sleeve means to
rotate said ball means to enable flow of fluid through said bore of
said housing and for locking said ball means in the open
position.
12. The structure as set forth in claim 11, wherein said means for
locking means includes:
a. a detent; and
b. said actuator sleeve means having a recess therein into which
said detent is adapted to move when aligned therewith, said recess
aligned with said detent when said actuator sleeve means is moved
by said second control pressure means to rotate said ball means to
permit flow of fluid through said bore of said housing.
13. The structure as set forth in claim 12, including:
a. said first piston means defining a second variable capacity
chamber; and
b. said second control pressure means communicating with said
second chamber for urging on said first piston wherein said second
control pressure urging rotation of said ball means to enable flow
of fluid through said bore of said housing aligns said recess with
said detent and urges said first piston means to move to lock said
detent in said recess wherein said ball means is locked in the open
position.
14. The structure as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for
constricting includes a split ring member disposed in said bore of
said housing.
15. The structure as set forth in claim 13, wherein said second
control pressure urging on said second piston means moves a split
ring member into said bore of said housing for constricting the
bore to provide means for positioning the means for controlling the
flow in said bore.
16. The structure as set forth in claim 2, wherein:
said means for constricting a portion of said bore of said housing
expanding in said bore for enabling full bore flow through said
housing.
17. The structure as set forth in claim 13, wherein:
said first control pressure means urges on said first piston means
to release said detent from said recess.
18. The structure as set forth in claim 6, including:
a. said actuator sleeve means having a portion thereof movable
relative to said actuator sleeve means when said actuator sleeve
means is urged for rotating said ball means to enable fluid flow
through said bore of said housing by said first control means;
and
b. a second control means for urging on said portion of said
actuator sleeve means to overcome the force of said urging means to
rotate said ball means to enable fluid flow through said bore of
said housing wherein said first and said second control means are
operable to rotate said ball means open.
19. The structure as set forth in claim 18, wherein:
said second control means in rotating said ball means to the open
position locks said ball means in the open position to block
closing of said ball means.
20. The structure as set forth in claim 19, wherein:
said first control means unlocks said ball means from the locked
open position to enable closing of said ball means.
21. The structure as set forth in claim 18, wherein:
a. said means for positioning in said bore the means for
controlling the flow in said bore includes a member located
adjacent said portion of said actuator sleeve means; and
b. said second control means urging on said portion of said
actuator sleeve means constricts a portion of said bore of said
housing with said member for positioning the means for controlling
the flow.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is related to my co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 72,034, filed Sept. 14, 1970.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of this invention is a subsurface well apparatus and
method.
The practice of using controlled subsurface devices in production
tubing of producing wells to close the bore of the production
tubing to flow for preventing a well blowout is well known in the
art. Sand and other abrasives flowing through the devices with the
produced hydrocarbons eroded or damaged the device and frequently
made the device inoperative. Previously it has been necessary to
utilize a wire line tool or pull a portion of the production string
to replace a controlled subsurface device. The lost production as
well as the cost of the special crews and equipment made
replacement an expensive operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a new and improved pressure operated
subsurface well apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a
housing having a bore therein connected in a production tubing, a
closure means movable to an open position by a first control fluid
pressure and which is moved by a means for imparting movement to a
closed position when the control fluid pressure is reduced, and a
positioning means for positioning a means for controlling flow in
the bore when the closure member malfunctions. A ball type closure
means for rotating to and from the open and closed position is
provided. The means for imparting movement to the closure means
includes an equalizing flow means for equalizing the pressure in
the bore before commencing to open the closure means and a compound
motion means for reducing the pressure of the control fluid needed
to move the closure means. The positioning means is movable into
the bore of the housing to constrict the bore by a second control
fluid pressure. The second control fluid pressure also moves the
closure means to the open position and operates a releasable
locking means to lock the closure means in the open position. The
means for controlling flow in the bore comprises a flow control
assembly, a plug means, a plug mover means, a releasable securing
means operated by pressure in the bore of the tubing for securing
the assembly in the bore of the housing and a means for operably
engaging the plug mover means with the means for imparting movement
to the closure means. The plug means is moved to the open position
by control fluid pressure moving the means for imparting movement
and enabling the plug mover means to move the plug means to the
open position and which is moved to the closed position when the
pressure is reduced by the engaged means for imparting movement
moving the plug mover means. The plug means includes a ball type
member rotatable to and from open and closed positions and having a
diameter equal to the diameter of the bore of the housing. The
securing means includes a releasable detent moving into a recess in
the surface of the bore of the housing. The means for operably
engaging the plug mover means includes a releasable detent moving
into a recess in the surface of the bore of the housing adjacent
the means for imparting movement. A running and retrieval tool
moving and operated by pressure in the bore is used for securing
and releasing the means for controlling the flow in the bore.
The method of installing the means for controlling the flow in the
bore includes releasably connecting the means for controlling the
flow with the running tool, inserting the connected assembly in the
bore and increasing the pressure in the bore above the tool.
Formation pressure is used to recover the tool.
The method of recovering the means for controlling the flow in the
bore includes inserting a retrieval tool in the bore and increasing
the pressure in the bore above the tool. After the tool connects
with the means for controlling flow in the bore, formation pressure
is used to flow the connected assembly back to the surface.
An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved
subsurface well apparatus.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved subsurface well method.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved subsurface well apparatus having a bore closure means
controlled from the surface.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved subsurface apparatus having a positioning means for
locating a flow control assembly in the bore of the well tool for
controlling the flow in the bore.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved means for controlling the operation of the flow control
assembly within the subsurface well apparatus.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a
new and improved method for securing a flow control assembly in the
subsurface well apparatus.
Another object is to provide a new and improved method for
retrieving the flow control assembly from the subsurface well
apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of the apparatus of the
present invention connected in a production tubing in a well;
FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are elevations, partly in section, from the
upper to the lower end, respectively, of the apparatus of the
present invention, with the stopper member or ball valve in the
closed position;
FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are views similar to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C,
respectively, but showing the ball valve in the open position;
FIG. 4 is an elevation, partly in section, illustrating an
intermediate portion of the apparatus for locking the ball valve in
the open position of FIG. 3C;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating the means for
locking the ball valve open in another position;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are elevations, partly in section, showing the
upper and an intermediate portion of the apparatus of this
invention, with a flow control assembly being pumped or otherwise
moved downwardly into the apparatus.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are views similar to FIGS. 6A and 6B, but showing
the valve with the flow control assembly in the closed
position;
FIGS. 8A and 8B are views similar to FIGS. 7A and 7B, respectively,
but with a portion of the flow control assembly removed;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIGS. 6A and 7B, but showing the
retrieval tool connected to the flow control assembly;
FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are elevations, partially in section, showing
the open, intermediate and closed relationship, respectively, of
the ball valve and pivot members;
FIG. 13 is an exploded view, partially in section, showing assembly
of the ball and pivot means; and
FIGS. 14 and 15 are elevations, partially in section, showing the
open and closed relationship, respectively, of the flow control
assembly ball valve and pivot members.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the subsurface safety valve apparatus or
well tool generally designated 20 is mounted in a production tubing
T of a well W for controlling the flow of fluid to the surface S
through the bore of the production tubing T. A packer P seals the
annular space between the outer surface of the production tubing T
and the inner surface of the well casing C for forcing the
hydrocarbon production through the bore of the production tubing T
as is well known in the art. Production flow is from a well
formation F through the perforated openings O into the casing C and
upward through the bore of the production tubing T to the surface S
as is well known in the art. A block valve B connected with a
Christmas tree X at the surface S is normally used to control the
flow of fluid through the bore of the production tubing T as is
well known in the art. A fluid conduit 22 connects the well tool 20
with a control fluid means reservoir F located at the surface S. A
conduit 23 connects another portion of the tool 20 with a second
control fluid means reservoir V located at the surface S.
As illustrated in particular in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the tool 20 of
the present invention includes a housing 30, preferably made of
four portions 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d for purposes of assembly. To
assist in understanding the present invention, the Figures are
designated in alphabetical sequence commencing from the upper
portion 30a of the housing 30 and proceeding downwardly. The upper
section 30a of the housing 30 is connected to the section 30b by
threads 30e, as illustrated in FIG. 2A. The section 30b and the
section 30c are connected by threads 30f, as illustrated in FIG.
2B. The section 30c is connected to the section 30d by threads 30g,
as illustrated in FIG. 2C. A threaded box connection 31 at the
upper end of the section 30a of the housing 30 connects with the
production tubing T above the tool 20 (FIG. 1). A threaded pin
connection 32 at the lower end of the section 30d connects with the
production tubing T below the tool 20 (FIG. 1).
The housing 30 is a tubular member having a longitudinal bore 40
aligned and communicating with the inner bore of the production
tubing T for enabling flow of fluid through the bore 40 of the
housing 30 to the surface S. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C,
the inner bore is defined in greater detail by a surface including
a tapered annular shoulder 40a, a constant diameter portion 40b, a
greater diameter recess 40c having tapered annular shoulders 40d
and 40e, a constant diameter portion 40f, an annular shoulder 40g,
a larger constant diameter portion 40h, a tapered annular shoulder
40i, a constant diameter portion 40j, a keeper shoulder 40ja, a
keeper slide surface 40jb, a spring shoulder 40k, a constant
diameter portion 40m, a tapered annular sealing shoulder 40n, a
constant diameter portion 40o, a smaller constant diameter lug or
spline portion 40p having tapered annular shoulders 40q and 40r, a
constant diameter portion 40s, a spring shoulder 40t, a constant
diameter portion 40u, a tapered annular portion 40v, and a constant
diameter portion 40w.
Disposed in the bore 40 adjacent the surface 40s is a stopper or
closure means including a ball 50 and a seat ring 55. The ball 50
is rotatably movable to and from open (FIG. 3C) and closed (FIG.
2C) positions. As illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13, the ball
50 includes an opening 51 therethrough for aligning with the inner
bore 40 to enable flow of fluid through bore 40 in the open
position and with the ball 50 rotating to the closed position to
block flow of fluid through the inner bore 40. The ball 50 includes
a spherical outer surface 52 having a pair of parallel flat
portions 52a having eccentric recess 53 therein for a purpose to be
described more fully hereinafter. The annular seat ring 55 has an
arcuate mating surface 55a to seal with the spherical surface 52
for preventing flow of fluid around the ball 50.
A means for imparting movement to the stopper means or ball 50
includes an actuator means 60 disposed in the bore 40 of the
housing 30. The actuator means includes a sleeve means 61 and a
pivot means 62 mounted with the housing 30. The sleeve means 61
includes a piston portion 63, an upper portion 64, a middle portion
65, and a lower portion 66 as illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 2C. The
actuator means 60 also includes spring means 63a, 64a, 65a and 66a
to be described more fully hereinafter.
As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the upper piston portion 63 of the
actuator sleeve means 61 is movable relative to both the housing 30
and the upper sleeve portion 64. The upper piston portion 63 is a
sleeve having a larger outer diameter portion 63b adjacent the
constant diameter portion 40j of the bore 40, a smaller diameter
outer portion 63c located above the larger diameter portion 63b
adjacent the constant diameter portion 40h of the bore 40. An
annular recess 63e positioned on outer annular shoulder 63d
connects the outer surfaces 63d and 63c. A smaller inner constant
diameter surface 63f is connected to a larger constant diameter
lower inner surface 64g by a tapered annular surface 63h. A lower
beveled surface 63i and an upper surface 63j complete the surfaces
of the sleeve 63. An O-ring 63k seals between the surface 40h of
the housing and the smaller diameter outer surface 63c. An O-ring
63m seals between the surface 40j and the larger outer diameter
surface 63b of the sleeve 63. A sliding ring spring keeper member
35 is disposed in the bore 40 between the sleeve means 61 and the
housing 30. The keeper 35 is longitudinally movable along the
surface 40jb of the bore 40 between the shoulders 40jb and 40k of
the housing 30. The spring 63a is positioned between the lower
shoulder 63i of the piston portion 63 and the keeper 35 for urging
the piston portion 63 upwardly to the location illustrated in FIG.
2B. The piston 63 is longitudinally movable in the housing 30
between the position illustrated in FIG. 2 and the position
illustrated in FIG. 4 collapsing the spring 63a, in a manner to be
described more fully hereinafter.
As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the upper sleeve portion 64 includes a
constant diameter inner surface 64b, an upper end 64c having
beveled edges, a smaller diameter outer surface 64d, an outer
annular shoulder 64e, a larger constant diameter outer surface 64f
having a recess 64g therein, an outwardly extending annular collar
64h having a flat upper surface 64i and a lower flat surface 64j.
The spring 64a is positioned in the bore 40 between the shoulder
64h and the spring shoulder 40k of the housing 40 for urging the
longitudinally movable sleeve 64 from the location illustrated in
FIG. 3B upwardly to a location illustrated in FIG. 2B. An O-ring
63n seals between the outer surface 64d of the member 64 and the
surface 63g of the piston portion 63.
As illustrated in FIG. 3C, the upper portion 64 also includes an
outer collar 64k with an upper annular tapered surface 64m having
an O-ring 64n therein, a lower flat surface 64o, a larger diameter
lower outer portion 64p, having a recess 64q therein, a lower
smaller constant diameter outer portion 64r, and a stepped bottom
surface 64s connecting with the inner surface 64b. A channel 64t
extends through the sleeve 64 above the collar 64k for a purpose to
be described more fully hereinafter.
As illustrated in FIG. 2C, the middle portion sleeve 65 is movable
in the housing and includes a constant diameter outer surface 65b,
an upper shoulder 65c, a larger constant diameter inner portion
65d, a spring shoulder 65e, an intermediate diameter inner portion
65f, a flat annular shoulder 65g, a constant diameter inner portion
65h, a flat lower surface 65i, an inner surface 65j and a bottom
shoulder 65k. Threaded member 65m is secured to the sleeve 65 and
extends inwardly into the recess 64g to connect the sleeve 64 and
the sleeve 65 while permitting limited relative longitudinal
movement. The seat ring 55 is mounted with the shoulders 65e and
65g of the sleeve 65. The spring 65a located between the surface
64s of the sleeve 64 and the shoulder 65a urges the sleeve 65 to
move away from the sleeve 64 to maintain the ring 55 in sealing
contact with the ball 50. An O-ring 65n seals the surface 65i to
the sleeve 64. An O-ring 55a seals between the seat ring 55 and the
sleeve 65. Sealing the sleeve 65 at 65n and 55a, enables the
pressure in the bore 40 below the ball 50 to act in both directions
on the sleeve 65 to balance and offset such fluid pressure and
enable the small spring 65a to hold the seat ring 55 against the
ball 50 even with great pressure in the bore 40. An outer larger
diameter portion 65o serves as a guide and an upper stop for the
sleeve 65 engaging the shoulder 40r of the housing 40 in the upper
position.
As illustrated in FIG. 2C, the movable lower sleeve 66 includes a
uniform diameter inner portion 66b, an annular tapered lower
shoulder 66c, a uniform diameter outer portion 66d, an outer
annular shoulder 66e having a flat lower surface 66f, a constant
diameter upper outer portion 66g and an upper arcuate surface 66h.
The shoulder 66h engages the spherical outer surface 52 of the ball
50. The spring 66a is positioned between the shoulder 40t of the
housing 40 and the shoulder 66f of the lower sleeve 66 for urging
the lower sleeve 66 to move upwardly.
The pivot means 67 is secured within the housing 40 against
upwardly movement by an inwardly projecting member (not shown)
threaded in the housing and extending into the pivot means 67 and a
sleeve extension 67a engaging the housing shoulder 405 to prevent
downward movement of the pivot means 67. As partially illustrated
in FIG. 13, the pivot means 67 includes a split sleeve formed by a
constant diameter inner surface 67b, upper and lower surfaces 67c
and 67d, respectively, and a constant outer diameter surface 67e
having the recess 67g therein. A circular pin 67f extends inwardly
from the pivot means 67 within each of the eccentric slots 53 of
the ball 50.
A releasable locking means is disposed in the bore 40 of the
housing 30 for mechanically locking the ball 50 in the open
position as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The locking means
includes the recess 64g of the sleeve 64, an annular piston latch
means 70 and a ring detent member 71. The piston 70 is a
longitudinally movable ring or sleeve member concentrically
disposed between the sleeve 64 and the housing 40 having a flat
lower surface 70a, a constant diameter inner surface 70b, a stepped
upper surface 70c having an inner locking shoulder 70d and a
constant diameter outer portion 70e. An O-ring 70f slidably seals
the inner surface 70b of the piston 70 to the outer surface 64g of
the sleeve 64. An O-ring 70g seals the piston 70 to the housing 30.
The detent 71 is a snap split ring located above the latch 70
having a sufficient gap opening therein to enable the ring to
constrict and move into the recess 64g of the sleeve 64 when
aligned therewith. The detent ring includes a flat portion 71a, an
upper tapered portion 71b and lower tapered portions 71c and 71d
for purposes to be described more fully hereinafter. A means for
releasing or unlocking the ball 50 is also provided which is to be
described more fully hereinafter.
A positioning means 75 (FIG. 2B) is disposed in the inner bore of
the tubular housing member 30 for positioning a flow control means
85 (FIG. 6A) for controlling the flow in the bore 40, as will be
explained. The positioning means 75 includes a spring split ring 75
having a gap opening therein to enable the ring 75 to constrict and
move into the bore 40. The ring 75 includes an inner diameter
surface 75a, a flat lower edge 75b, a constant diameter outer
portion 75c, a tapered annular outer portion 75d and an inwardly
tapered inner portion 75e. In the expanded position illustrated in
FIG. 2B, the bore of the ring 75 has the same diameter as the bore
of the sleeve 64 enabling full bore flow through the tool. As
illustrated in FIG. 4, the positioning ring 75 is moved into the
bore 40 by piston portion 63 which is to be described more fully
hereinafter.
The control fluid pressure means conduit 22 communicates with the
control fluid opening 80 in the housing 30. The fluid control
pressure is communicated through the opening 80 into a channel 80a
to a port 80b and into an annular expansible chamber 80c within the
inner bore 40 of the housing 30. The expansible chamber 80c is
defined by the lower surface 63i of the piston portion 63, by a
portion of the outer surfaces 64c, 64d and 64e of the upper sleeve
portion 64, by the stepped surface 70c and the shoulder 70d of the
piston member 70 and the surfaces 40j, 40ja and 40jb of the housing
30. The pressure of the fluid introduced into the chamber 80c
through the control fluid conduit means 22 acts on shoulder 63i to
move the piston portion 63 upwardly. Such pressure also acts
downwardly on the stepped shoulder 70c of the latch member 70 to
move the movable latch member 70 downwardly. The inner surface of
the sliding keeper member 35 is spaced from the sleeve 64 for
communicating the control fluid pressure to the latch member
70.
The second control fluid pressure means conduit 23 communicates
with the opening 81 in the tubular member 30 and is communicated
through a channel 81a to a port 81b and a port 81c. The port 81b
communicates with an annular variable capacity chamber 81d formed
by a portion of the outer surfaces 63b and 63c and the annular
tapered shoulder 63c of the piston and the annular tapered shoulder
40i and the inner surface 40j of the housing 30. Control fluid
introduced into the chamber 81d exerts a force on the shoulder 63d
to move the piston sleeve 63 downwardly for a purpose to be
described more fully hereinafter. The control fluid is communicated
through port 81c into a variable capacity chamber 81e defined by a
portion of the inner surface 40j and the shoulder 40k of the
housing 30, the outer surface 64d of the sleeve 64 and the surface
70a of the piston 70.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a means for controlling the flow
in the bore of the housing includes a flow control assembly
generally designated 85 comprising a frame means 86, a plug means
87, a mover means 88 and a securing means generally designated
89.
The frame means 86 comprises a tubular member having a longitudinal
bore 85a aligned and communicating with the bore 40 of the housing
30 and includes an upper sleeve portion 86a, a center sleeve
portion 86b and a lower sleeve portion 86c. The center portion 86b
is secured to the upper portion 86a by threads 86d while threads
86e secure the center portion 86b and the lower portion 86c. An
O-ring 86f also seals between portions 86b and 86c. A packing 86q
seals the middle portion 86b to the inner surface 40f of the
housing 30 for directing all flow through the bore 40 through the
bore 85a of the frame means 86.
The plug means 87 is disposed in the bore 85a of the frame means
86. The plug means 87 is a ball type member rotating to and from
open and closed positions. The ball 87 includes a spherical outer
surface 87a having a pair of flat opposite portions 87b with
eccentric recesses 87c for a purpose to be described more fully
hereinafter. The diameter of the ball 87 is the same as the outer
diameter of the frame 86 or the inner diameter of the sleeve 61.
The ball 87 also includes an inner bore 87d therethrough for
permitting communication through the bore 85a of the frame 86 when
the ball 87 in the aligned or open position illustrated in FIG. 6A.
When the ball 87 rotates to the closed or transverse condition
illustrated in FIG. 7A, the ball 87 blocks flow through the bore
85a of the frame means 85 and the bore 40 of the housing 30.
The mover means 88 for moving the plug means 87 to and from the
open and closed positions includes a movable sleeve portion 88a
above the ball 87 and a movable sleeve portion 88b below the ball
87. The lower sleeve portion 88b includes a constant diameter inner
surface 88c, an upper surface 88d engaging the ball 87, an outside
surface 88e having an outwardly extending collar 88f with upper and
lower flat shoulders 88g and 88h, respectively, and an annular
recess 88i. A plurality of longitudinally extending openings 88j
extend through the sleeve 88b. Corresponding inwardly projecting
fingers 86h secured to the frame 86 extend into the grooves 88j
connecting the sleeve 88b and the frame 86, permitting relative
longitudinal movement therebetween after shearing a shear pin
195.
The upper portion 88a of the actuator sleeve 88 includes a lower
surface 88n, a stepped inner surface 88o, an upper shoulder 88p,
and an outer surface 88q having a recess 88r therein. An inwardly
projecting shoulder 86i of the frame 86 extends into the recess 88r
for limiting the longitudinal movement of the upper sleeve portion
88a relative to the frame 86. An O-ring 88s seals between the outer
surface 88q of the sleeve 88a and the inner surface of the frame
86. A spring 88t mounted between a shoulder 86i of the frame 86 and
the shoulder 88p of the actuator sleeve 88 urges the sleeve 88a to
move downwardly for a purpose to be described more fully
hereinafter. The seating surface 88n engages the ball 87 for
sealing between the upper actuator sleeve 88a and the ball 87.
The actuator means 88 also includes a pivot means for rotating the
ball 87. The eccentric slots 87c within the flat surfaces 87b of
the ball 87 receive corresponding inwardly extending members 86j
threadably secured in the frame 86c. By threadedly securing the
fingers 86j in the frame 86 the larger diameter ball 87 may be
placed in the frame 86c and the fingers 86j secured for ease of
assembly. A downward movement of the sleeve 88a will cause the ball
87 to rotate about the members 86j to the open or aligned position
illustrated in FIG. 6 A. An upward movement of the sleeve 88b
rotates the ball 86 around the eccentric extensions 86j to move the
ball 87 to the transverse or closed position as illustrated in FIG.
7 A.
As illustrated in FIG. 6 B, the securing means 89 comprises an
expansible detent ring 90 and a latch sleeve 91 for securing the
frame 86 in the bore 40 of the housing 30. The movable latch member
91 includes a outer tapered lower surface 91a, a shoulder surface
91b, a stop 91c, a annular upper shoulder 91d, and a constrant
diameter inner surface 91e having a recess 91f therein. A plurality
of inwardly extending projections 91g secured in the member 91
project within a corresponding plurality of longitudinal openings
86j in the frame member 86a for slidably securing the latch 91 to
the frame 86 while permitting limited relative movement
therebetween. The detent 91 is an expansible split ring
concentrically mounted with the frame means 86 below the latch 91
and adapted for moving outwardly from the position illustrated in
FIG. 6 B to the position illustrated in FIG. 7 B when aligned with
the recess 40c. The split ring 91 includes a constant diameter
inner surface 90a, a upper inner tapered shoulder 90b, an outer
upper tapered portion 90c, a constant diameter portion 90d, a lower
tapered outer portion 90e, and a lower flat portion 90f.
The tubular assembly 85 also includes a means for engaging the
mover means 88 with the actuator means 61 for moving the ball 87 to
and from the open and closed positions using pressure of the
control fluid. The engaging means includes a lower sleeve 92, a
detent ring 93, and a latching shoulder 94. The latching shoulder
94 is concentrically mounted with the sleeve 88b. The latching
shoulder 94 includes a uniform diameter outer surface 95a and a
tapered lower surface 94b, and a flat upper surface 94c. A slidable
keeper 94d is mounted on the sleeve 88 and is urged downwardly by
spring means 94e. The expansible detent ring 93 includes a uniform
diameter inner surface 93a, an inward tapered upper surface 93b,
and outer upper tapered surface 93c, a uniform diameter outer
surface 93d, a lower outer tapered surface 93e, and a lower flat
surface 93f. The sleeve 92 includes a constant diameter outer
portion 92a, a tapered lower portion 92b, a small diameter inner
surface 92c, an annular shoulder 92d, a larger diameter inner
portion 92e and a flat upper shoulder 92f. The outer sleeve 92 is
slidably secured to the actuator sleeve 88 by a snap ring 88k
engaging the spring keeper 92e. A spring 92f is located between the
keeper 92 and the shoulder 92d for urging the sleeve 92 upwardly. A
shear pin 92g initially positions the sleeve 92 with respect to the
sleeve 88, for a purpose to be described more fully hereinafter.
The spring 92f urges the sleeve 92 upwardly when the shear pin 92g
has been sheared.
As illustrated in FIG. 6A a running tool 95 is secured to the frame
86 by a shear pin 95a for installing the valve 85. The running tool
95 includes a lower tubular portion 95b into which shear pin 95a
extends, a collar portion 95c having a lower annular tapered
shoulder 95d above the latch 91, an upper flat shoulder 95e and
upper tubular portion 95f having a threaded portion 95g adjacent
the top. A rubber cup swab tool or plug 96 is mounted with the
upper portion 95f between the shoulder 95e and a standard fishing
neck 97. Both the rubber swab cup 96 and the fishing neck 97 are
well known in the art.
The means for controlling the flow in the bore also includes a bore
plug pulling or retrieval tool 196. As illustrated in FIG. 9 the
retrieval tool 196 includes a lower extension 196a having an
annular tapered outer shoulder 196b, a upper portion 196c
threadedly engaged with lower portion by threads 196d. A swab or
plug 197 is mounted on the exterior of the upper portion 196c and
is secured thereto by the fishing neck 198 threadedly engaging the
portion 196c with threads at 196e. A collet member 211 is movably
mounted on the exterior surface of the lower portion 196a of the
retrieval tool 196. The collet 211 includes a slidable base 211a, a
plurality of flexible arms 211b extending downwardly having
enlarged heads 211c. The collect 211 is movably retained between
shoulders 196f and 196g. The base shoulder 196g is spaced
sufficiently from the shoulder 196f wherein the base 211a adjacent
the shoulder 196f will permit the head 211c to be positioned above
the shoulder 196g enabling the head 211c to move inwardly by
flexing of the member 211b to provide clearance to the head 211c as
the head 211c moves downwardly past the surface 91e and into the
recess 91f of the latch member 91.
In the use and operation of the present invention, the tool 20 is
connected in the tubing string T to position the tool 20 at the
desired location in the well W below the surface S as illustrated
in FIG. 1. The conduit 22 and the conduit 23 are connected and the
tool 20 is lowered into the casing C as is well known in the
art.
When the valve 20 is lowered in the well with the ball 50 in the
transverse position, drilling fluid must be injected into the
production tubing T above the ball 50 at the surfaces to prevent
the collapse of the production tubing T above the ball 50. Filling
of the tubing T above the ball 50 is not required if the tool 20 is
lowered into the well W with the ball 50 in the locked open
condition which is to be described more fully hereinafter.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2b and 2c, when the pressures in the
conduit 23 and the conduit 22 are equal, the piston sleeve 63 has
equal pressures acting upwardly on the lower surface 63i and
downwardly on the shoulder 63d. Since the effective areas on which
the pressures act are equal, the urging on the sleeve 63 is
offsetting and the spring 63a will urge the sleeve 63 to move
upwardly to the position illustrated. Since the effective areas of
the surfaces 70a and 70c of the piston are also equal, the urging
of the pressure acting on the lower surface 70a is the same as the
urging of the pressure acting on the upper step surface 70c of the
latch member 70. With this offsetting pressure urging on the latch
member 70, the spring 64a will urge the sleeve 64 to move upwardly
and move the shoulder 64i of the outwardly extending collar 64h
into engagement with the lower shoulder 70a of the latch 70. The
latch 70 will move upward until the upper portion of the surface
70c engages the detent ring 71 which is prevented from moving
upward by the keeper 35 engaging the shoulder 40ja. The sleeve 64
in the upper position engages the tapered annular shoulder 40n of
the housing 40 with annular tapered surface 64m and is sealed
thereto by O-ring 64n. The spring 65a urges the sleeve 65
downwardly for maintaining the seat ring 55 seating surface 55a
against the ball 50. The lower portion of the actuator sleeve is
urged upward by the spring 66a for rotating the ball to the
transverse position blocking flow through the inner bore 40 of the
housing 30.
As can be seen by this arrangement, the valve is "fail-safe" in
that a loss of pressure in the fluid control lines 22 and 23 would
enable the spring 66a to move the ball 50 to the closed position
blocking flow up the bore 40 of the housing 30.
In normal operation, the tool 20 is controlled by introducing fluid
under pressure through the conduit 22 and venting through the
conduit 23. The control fluid pressure is communicated from the
conduit 22 through the channel 80a and the port 80b into the
expansible chamber 80c. The pressure of the control fluid in the
chamber 80c urges upwardly on the shoulder 63i of the upper portion
63 of the valve actuator sleeve 61. This urging assists spring 63a
in urging the sleeve 63 upwardly. The pressure in the chamber 80c
also acts on step surface 70c for urging the latch member 70 to
move downwardly. The upper shoulder 64g of collar 64f engages the
lower surface 70a of the downwardly moving latch 70 wherein the
pressure in the chamber 80c must overcome the urging of the spring
64a before the latch 70 and engaged valve actuator sleeve 64
continue to move downwardly.
The initial downward movement of the sleeve 64 collapses the spring
65a and moves the shoulder 64k away from the shoulder 40n of the
housing 40 enabling communication of fluid in the bore 40 from
below the ball 50 through the port 64t into the bore 40 above the
ball 50 while the ball 50 remains in the closed position. The
equalizing port 64t permits the pressure above and below the ball
50 to equalize before commencing to rotate open the ball 50.
Equalizing the pressure differential across the ball 50 will reduce
the velocity of the initial flow across the seating surface 52a of
the ball 52 and seat ring 55a as the ball 52 commences to rotate
open. As the latch 70 and engaged sleeve 64 continue to move
downwardly the lower surface 64o of the collar 64k engages the
shoulder 65c to move the sleeve 65 downwardly. The ball 50 is urged
downwardly by the engaged seat 55a mounted with the sleeve portion
65 wherein the ball 50 rotates around the inward extending
eccentric members 67f extending within the slots 53 of the ball 50
to rotate the ball 50, as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. As
the ball 50 rotates to the aligned position, illustrated in FIG. 3C
it moves downwardly moving the engaged lower portion of the sleeve
66 downwardly and overcoming the upward urging of the spring 66a.
The vented conduit 23 serves as a means for receiving the fluid in
the chamber 81e as the piston 70 moves downwardly wherein the
operation of the ball 50 is independent of the pressure in the bore
40 of the housing 30.
The downward momentum of the sleeve 64 impacting on the engaged
sleeve 65 and ball 50 assists in overcoming the inertia of the
sleeve 65 and ball 50 and reduces the fluid pressure required to
initiate rotation of the ball 50.
To return the ball 50 to the transverse or closed position the
pressure of the fluid in the conduit 22 is vented at the surface
enabling the fluid to flow out of the expansible chamber 80c. The
strongest spring 66a urging on the lower portion 66 of the valve
actuator sleeve 61 first moves the ball 50 and the sleeves 64, 65
and 66 upwardly. The movement of the ball 50 rotates the ball 50
about the members 67f of the pivot means 67 to rotate the ball 50
to the transverse position as illustrated in FIG. 2-C. The ball 50
is rotated to the transverse position before the equalizing port
64t is sealed. This reduces the velocity of flow through the
opening 51 as the ball rotates closed. As the pressure of the fluid
in the chamber 80c continues to decrease, the spring 64a will urge
the sleeve 64 to move to the upper position and seat shoulder 64m
against the shoulder 40n of the housing 30 for sealing with O-ring
64n to block flow through the equalizing port 64t. The spring 65a
urges the sleeve 65 downwardly as the spring 64a moves the sleeve
64 upwardly to maintain the seal between the valve seat 55a and the
surface 52 of the ball 50.
A means for locking the ball 50 in the open position is provided
should it be necessary to run a tool down the bore 21 of the
production tubing T below the valve 20. Also, the ball 50 may be
locked open when the tubing T is lowered into the well W in order
that the drilling fluid within the well W may flow through the bore
40 of the housing 30 to fill the bore 21 above the valve 20 and
prevent a collapse of the production tubing T. To lock the ball 50
open, the conduit 22 is vented and the control fluid pressure in
the conduit 23 is increased. This pressure is communicated into the
valve 20 at opening 81 and communicated through channel 81a to the
ports 81b and 81c. The pressure is communicated through port 81b
and into the expansible chamber 81d partially defined by the
shoulder 63d. The recess 63c serves as a manifold to communicate
the fluid pressure over the entire surface of the shoulder 63d when
the upper portion 63 of the valve actuator sleeve 61 is in the
upper position, illustrated in FIG. 2B. The pressure urging on the
shoulder 63d urges the sleeve 63 to move downwardly to the position
illustrated in FIG. 4. The downwardly movement of the sleeve 63
engages the surface 63i with the annular shoulder 64e of the sleeve
64 to move the sleeve 64 downwardly. The fluid pressure
communicated through port 81c into the expansible chamber 81e
partially defined by lower shoulder 70a of the latch member 70
urges the latch member 70 to move upwardly.
The downwardly movement imparted to the sleeve 64 by the sleeve 63
operates in the same manner as when the sleeve 64 was moved
downward by the latch 70 to rotate the ball 50 to the open
position. When the ball 50 moves to the open position the recess
64e is aligned with the detent 71 enabling the detent 71 to move
into the recess 64e. This movement enables the control fluid
pressure urging on the shoulder 70a to move the latch member 70
upwardly to lock the detent 71 in the recess 64e, as illustrated in
FIG. 4. With the detent 71 locked in the recess 64e the spring 66a
is unable to move the ball 50 upwardly for rotation to the closed
position, when the fluid pressure in the conduit 23 is reduced.
As illustrated in FIG. 4 the downwardly movement of the sleeve 63
by the urging of the pressure of the control fluid means in the
conduit 23 engages the lower surface 75b of the positioning means
75 with the upper shoulder 64b of the sleeve 64 to force the ring
75 to move inwardly to constrict the bore 40 of the housing 30.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, a reduction of the control fluid pressure
after locking leaves the ball 50 locked in the open position by
detent 71 and latch 70, but the spring 63a urges the upper sleeve
63 to move upwardly, enabling the ring 75 to expand along the
tapered shoulder 63g to a position where it no longer constricts
the bore 40 of the housing 30.
To unlock the ball 50 the control fluid pressure in conduit 23 is
vented and the control fluid pressure in the conduit 22 is
increased. The increased pressure is communicated into the
expansible chamber 80c where it urges on the shoulder 70c to move
the latch member 70 downwardly. The movement of latch member 70
unlocks the detent 71 and enables the detent 71 to move out of the
recess 64e for unlocking the ball 50. A subsequent reduction of the
control fluid pressure in the conduit 22 enables the spring 66a to
urge the sleeve 66 upwardly to rotate the ball 50 to the closed
position.
Should sand or other abrasives flowing with the hydrocarbon through
the bore 40 of the tool 20 damage the seat 55a or the spherical
surface 52 of the ball 50 wherein the seal between the ball 50 and
the seat 55 is unable to block the flow of fluid through the bore
40, a means to control the flow in the bore 40 may be located in
the bore 40 by moving into the bore through the bore 21 of the
production tubing T.
To position the flow control assembly 85 in the bore 40 of the
housing 30, the ball 50 is locked in the open position by detent 71
and latch member 70 using control fluid pressure in the conduit 23.
The pressure in the conduit 23 also urges the positioning ring 75
to move inwardly to constrict the bore 40 of the housing 30. The
assembly 85 is connected to the installation tool 95 by shear pin
95a. The connected members are inserted into the bore 21 of
production tubing T at the surface with the tool 95 above the
assembly 85. The pressure in the bore 21 above the tool 95 is then
increased by use of a pump or other pressure generating means to
urge the assembly 85 and tool 95 to move down the bore 21, as
illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. A wire line may be attached to the
tool 95 as the tool 95 and connected assembly move down the bore.
The ball 87 is maintained in the open position by shear pin
195.
When the latching sleeve 92 engages the constricting ring 75, the
pressure in the bore 21 shears the shear pin 95a between the
installation tool 95 and the tubular assembly 85, enabling the
shoulder 95d of the installation tool 95 engaged with the shoulder
91d of the latch 91 to move the latch 91 downwardly relative to the
frame 86. The tapered lower shoulder 91a of the latch member 91
engages the correspondingly tapered shoulder 90b of the detent 90
for expanding the detent outwardly into the recess 40c of the
housing 30. The latch sleeve 91 continues to move downwardly until
the detent 90 is seated on the shoulder 91b of the latch member as
illustrated in FIG. 7A. When the detent 90 is seated on the latch
91, the tapered shoulder 90b engages the corresponding tapered
shoulder 91c of the latch member 91. The flat surface 90f of the
detent 90 engages the frame 86a for transmitting the downward force
of pressure above the tool 95 to the frame 86.
The downward urging force on the frame 86 is opposed by positioning
means 75 engaging the sleeve 92 secured to the valve actuator 88 by
the shear pin 92g. The downward force shears the pin 92g between
the sleeve 88 and the latch 92. The engaging detent 93 is then
wedged outwardly into a recess in the housing 30 formed by the
surface 40h between the annular shoulder 40g and the upper end 63j
of the sleeve 63 by the tapered shoulder 94b as the keeper 94 moves
downwardly relative to the detent 93. The detent 93 moves to seat
on the surface 94a of the keeper 94 for securing the detent 93
within the recess, as illustrated in FIG. 7B. The pressure in the
bore 21 above the tool 95 is then reduced and formation pressure
flowing upwardly through the bore 21 urging on the tool 95 moves
the tool 95 upwardly to the surface S. The fishing neck 97 is used
to recover the tool 95 if the tool 95 should become lodged in the
bore 21 of the production tubing T. After the tool 95 is retrieved
the control fluid pressure in conduit 23 is reduced. moving the
tubular assembly to the position illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B and
shearing the shear pin 195.
The operation of the assembly 85 is controlled by movement of the
sleeve 63. The control fluid pressure urgining on the shoulder 63d
moves the sleeve 63 downwardly enabling the spring 88t to urge the
sleeve 88 to move downwardly rotating the ball 87 around the
eccentric members 86j to the open position as illustrated in FIG.
6B. Reduction of the pressure in the conduit 23 enables the spring
63a to urge the upper sleeve 63 to move upwardly engaging the
detent 93 and moving the sleeve 88 upwardly for overcoming the
downwardly urging of the spring 88t and rotating the ball 87 to the
closed position illustrated in FIG. 7B. With this arrangement the
means for controlling the flow in the bore 40 of the housing 30
will still block flow through the bore 40 if control fluid pressure
is lost. The relationship of the ball 87 and the finger 86j is
illustrated in greater detail in the lower or open position in FIG.
14 and in the upper or closed position in FIG. 15. By venting the
conduit 22 a means for receiving the fluid displaced by movement of
the sleeve 63 is provided wherein the operation of the ball 87 is
independent of the pressure in the bore 40 of the housing 30. The
ball 50 remains in the locked open position during operation of the
assembly 85.
Should the assembly 85 malfunction or otherwise be rendered unable
to block the flow through the bore 40 of the housing 30, the
assembly 85 may be retrieved by pumping a retrieval tool 196 down
the bore 21. Before pumping the retrieval tool 196 down the bore 21
of the production tubing T to retrieve the tubular assembly 185,
the ball 87 is rotated to the opened position, as illustrated in
FIG. 9 by increasing the pressure of the control fluid in the
conduit 23. As the retrieval tool 196 moves downwardly into the
well tool 20 the collet head 211c engages the upper latch member
shoulder 91d for moving the collet 211c upwardly adjacent to
shoulder 196f wherein the collet head 211c will move inwardly to
permit the retrieval tool 196 to continue to move downwardly. When
aligned with the recess 91f of the member 91 the head 211c will
move outwardly for connecting the retrieval tool 196 to the tubular
assembly 85. The pressure in the bore 21 above the tool 96 is then
reduced to enable the formation pressure to urge the tool 196 and
connected assembly 85 to move upwardly, but a wire line may be used
to recover the assembly 85 if the formation pressure is not
sufficient. As the tool 196 moves up it pulls the latch member 91
upwardly from under the detent 90 enabling the detent 90 to move
out of the recess 40c as illustrated in FIG. 6A. The member 91g
then engages the upper edge of the slot 86k to move the frame 86
upwardly. The upward movement of the frame 86 enables the member
86h to engage the upper edge of the slot 88j and move the connected
sleeve 88 upwardly. The spring 88g is free to maintain the ball 87
in the open position enabling formation pressure to communicate
through the base 87d to urge upwardly on the tool 196 to move the
tool 196 and connected assembly 85 upwardly. As the sleeve 88 moves
upwardly, the shoulder 93c of the detent 93 engages the shoulder
40g of the housing 30 which forces the detent 93 off of the
shoulder 94a. As the detent moves off of the member 94 it moves
inwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 6A enabling the tool
96 and tubular assembly 85 to move upwardly in the bore 21 to the
surface S. A replacement tubular assembly 85 may then be pumped
down the bore of the tubing 21 in the manner set out above.
The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are
illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the
size, shape, and materials as well as in the details of the
illustrated construction may be made without departing from the
spirit of the invention.
* * * * *