Wells – Valves – closures or changeable restrictors – Longitudinally movable operator
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-17
2001-05-01
Neuder, William (Department: 3672)
Wells
Valves, closures or changeable restrictors
Longitudinally movable operator
C166S319000, C166S332400, C251S063400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223824
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to downhole apparatus and in particular, but not exclusively, to downhole valves and tools for operating downhole valves.
According to the present invention there is provided a downhole ball-valve comprising:
a body defining a bore;
A valve ball defining a through passage such that the ball may be positioned to permit flow through the body bore or to close the bore; and
a sealing assembly located to one side of the ball and defining a valve seat for forming a sealing contact with the ball and a seal between the body and the assembly,
the arrangement being such that a fluid pressure force applied to said one side of the ball tends to urge the valve seat towards the ball and a fluid pressure force applied at the other side of the ball tends to urge the ball towards the valve seat.
Preferably, the sealing assembly forms part of a ball carriage which is axially movable in the bore, axial movement of the carriage inducing rotation of the ball between the open and closed positions. More preferably, the valve seat remains in sealing contact with the ball over at least a portion of the axial travel of the carriage from the ball-closed position. Further, it is preferred that the seal between the sealing assembly and the body is maintained over said travel.
Preferably also, the ball carriage is biassed towards the ball-open position.
Preferably also, a latch assembly is provided between the body and the ball carriage for releasably retaining the ball carriage in the ball-closed position. The latch assembly may include a latch member connected to the ball carriage and provided with radially extendable portions and a support member for supporting said portions in an extended position in engagement with a profile defined by the body, whereby movement of the support member from a support position permits said portions to retract and the latch member to move relative to the body and the ball to open. Most preferably, the retracted portions of the latch member engage the support member such that axial movement of the support member results in corresponding movement of the latch member. In one embodiment lifting the support member causes the latch member and ball carriage to move to the ball-closed position and on reaching this position the latch engages to retain the ball carriage in the ball-closed position. Most preferably, means are provided for retaining the support member in the support position. Said means may be in the form of a ratchet between the support member and a portion of the body.
Preferably also, the ball carriage includes means for engaging a downhole tool located in the bore to permit the tool to move the ball carriage from the ball-open position to the ball-closed position. In the preferred embodiment said means is in the form of the support member of the latch assembly.
The ball carriage may be moveable from the ball-closed position to the ball-open position by application of one or both of fluid pressure or physical force. In a fluid pressure actuated embodiment, application of pressure to a selected portion of the valve results in movement of the support member from the support position. In the preferred embodiment a ratchet and spring arrangement translates movement of a piston in one direction into movement of the support member in the opposite direction. The piston may be moveable in response to bore pressure.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a downhole tool comprising:
a body defining a chamber;
a piston axially movable in the chamber in a first direction from a first position in response to an applied fluid pressure force;
a member movable in an opposite second direction;
a ratchet assembly between the piston and the member and permitting movement of the piston in said first direction without corresponding movement of the member, and coupling the piston to the member when the piston is moved in said second direction; and
means for biasing the piston in said second direction towards said first position,
whereby movement of the piston in the first direction may be translated to corresponding movement of the member in the second direction.
A further ratchet assembly may be provided for conserving movement of the member in the second direction.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a downhole tool comprising:
a body;
a first member axially movable relative to the body in a first direction from a first position in response to an applied force;
a second member moveable in an opposite second direction;
a ratchet assembly between the members and permitting movement of the first member in said first direction without corresponding movement of the second member, and coupling the first member to the second member when the first member is moved in said second direction; and
means for biassing the first member in said second direction towards said first position,
whereby movement of the piston in the first direction may be translated to corresponding movement of the member in the second direction.
These aspects of the present invention permit a fluid pressure force or physical force applied in a first direction to be translated into movement in an opposite second direction. Thus, for example, a tensile upward force applied from the surface via wireline may be translated to a downward force.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a downhole tool comprising a latch assembly for retaining a first member relative to a second member, the first member including a keying portion for engagement with a locking profile of the second member, the profile defining a stop shoulder, the tool including biassing means for normally lifting the keying portion off the shoulder and whereby application of a predetermined force to the first member brings the keying portion into locking contact with the shoulder.
This aspect of the present invention is useful in preventing jamming or seizing of downhole tools; if there is no force being applied to the first member the keying portion is held off the shoulder, making it less likely that the keyboard portion will jam or lock when it is desired to release the keying portion from the profile.
According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a downhole tool including a radially movable first portion linked to an axially movable second portion, whereby movement of the tool between sections or bore of different diameters moves or permits movement of the first portion to produce axial movement of the second portion.
In use, this aspect of the present invention allows, for example, tools to be set downhole simply by passing the tool through a bore restriction, such as the transition between the bore casing and liner.
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Neuder William
Thomason, Moser & Patterson L.L.P.
Weatherford / Lamb, Inc.
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