Wells – Valves – closures or changeable restrictors – Fluid operated
Patent
1994-07-18
1996-01-02
Britts, Ramon S.
Wells
Valves, closures or changeable restrictors
Fluid operated
1663326, 137496, E21B 3406, E21B 2110, E21B 302, F16K 17196
Patent
active
054799880
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a check valve for connection with the top end of a drillstring as a mud-saver.
Mud-saver valves are installed at the lower end of a kelly for the purpose of checking outflow of drilling fluid from the kelly on disconnection of the kelly joint. Such mud-saver valves are also installed in a top drive system for the same purpose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a check valve for connection with the top end of a drillstring as a mud saver, comprising a tubular valve member axially shiftable within a tubular body through a sleeve seal mounted in the body and which cooperates with ports in the wall of the tubular valve member which ports are disposed adjacent a downstream end of the tubular valve member, spring means urging the tubular valve member in the upstream direction and into abutment with a first stop means, and a closure closing the downstream end of the tubular valve member; characterized in that the sleeve seal is axially shiftable in the body in an upstream direction away from a second stop means, and in that the said spring means urges the sleeve seal in the downstream direction.
Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a check valve for connection with the top end of a drillstring as a mud saver, comprising a tubular valve member axially shiftable within a tubular body through a sleeve seal mounted in the body and which cooperates with ports in the wall of the tubular valve member which ports are disposed adjacent a downstream end of the tubular valve member, spring means urging the tubular valve member in the upstream direction and into abutment with a first stop means, and a closure closing the downstream end of the tubular valve member; characterized in that the body is a saver sub having an upper externally screw-threaded hollow pin for connection with a drive member, and in that the said tubular valve member is housed within said hollow pin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation of a first embodiment of a check valve in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation similar to FIG. 1, but showing a second embodiment of a check valve in accordance with the present invention and connected with parts of a top drive and a drillstring.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In FIG. 1 of the drawings, the check valve consists of a body 10 which is adapted for connecting in line coaxially with a kelly (not shown) and a drillstring (not shown). Thus, the check valve is inserted at the kelly joint which is the usual point of connection between the kelly and the drillstring. The top or input end of the check valve has a standard tapered screw-threaded box or socket 11; and the other end of the check valve has a standard tapered screw-threaded hollow pin 12. Alternative configurations of screw-threaded connectors may be chosen according to specific requirements, for example for use in a top drive system or in any arrangement of tubulars to check fluid loss.
An intermediate portion of the valve body 10 defines a cylindrical bore 13 at the upper end of which there is provided a screw-threaded portion 14 and a first or upstream stop means in the form of an annular retaining collar 15 which incorporates a fluid-tight seal 16. The lower end of the bore 13 defines a seconds or downstream stop means in the form of a step 17 which, in conjunction with the retaining collar 15 locates a fluid flow control means consisting of a tubular valve member 18, a sleeve seal 19, a compression spring 20, and a frangible closure in the form of a toughened soda-lime glass disc 21.
More particularly, the upper end of the tubular valve member 18 is flanged to define an annular piston 22 which slidably engages the bore 13 and provides an upper land for the compression spring 20. The lower end or downstream portion of the tubular valve member 18 is provided with streamlined openings or ports 23, and the same vicinity of the tubular valve member
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Appleton Robert Patrick
Britts Ramon S.
Tsay Frank S.
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