CA2100389A1 - Valve having releasable latch mechanism - Google Patents
Valve having releasable latch mechanismInfo
- Publication number
- CA2100389A1 CA2100389A1 CA 2100389 CA2100389A CA2100389A1 CA 2100389 A1 CA2100389 A1 CA 2100389A1 CA 2100389 CA2100389 CA 2100389 CA 2100389 A CA2100389 A CA 2100389A CA 2100389 A1 CA2100389 A1 CA 2100389A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- piston
- valve
- inner conduit
- ball
- valve according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 19
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 16
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 12
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- CEJLBZWIKQJOAT-UHFFFAOYSA-N dichloroisocyanuric acid Chemical compound ClN1C(=O)NC(=O)N(Cl)C1=O CEJLBZWIKQJOAT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 231100001261 hazardous Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002674 ointment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003381 stabilizer Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
- E21B21/10—Valve arrangements in drilling-fluid circulation systems
- E21B21/103—Down-hole by-pass valve arrangements, i.e. between the inside of the drill string and the annulus
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A VALVE HAVING RELEASABLE LATCH MECHANISM
A valve having a releasable latch mechanism and serving to control the flow of liquid within an outer conduit, and comprising: an inner conduit positionable substantially coaxially within the outer conduit and defining an annulus between the outer conduit and the inner conduit; a first port formed in the wall of the inner conduit for communicating annulus pressure into the inner conduit; a piston movable axially within the inner conduit between a closed position and an open position, the piston comprises a second port allowing passage of fluid from within the piston into the inner conduit, and further comprising a passage extending through the piston;
latching means for holding the piston in the closed position;
and biasing means for biasing the piston to the closed position, and a third port formed in the wall of the inner conduit; whereby when the piston is in the open position the second and third ports are aligned, allowing passage of fluid from within the piston to the outer conduit, thereby by-passing the inner conduit.
A VALVE HAVING RELEASABLE LATCH MECHANISM
A valve having a releasable latch mechanism and serving to control the flow of liquid within an outer conduit, and comprising: an inner conduit positionable substantially coaxially within the outer conduit and defining an annulus between the outer conduit and the inner conduit; a first port formed in the wall of the inner conduit for communicating annulus pressure into the inner conduit; a piston movable axially within the inner conduit between a closed position and an open position, the piston comprises a second port allowing passage of fluid from within the piston into the inner conduit, and further comprising a passage extending through the piston;
latching means for holding the piston in the closed position;
and biasing means for biasing the piston to the closed position, and a third port formed in the wall of the inner conduit; whereby when the piston is in the open position the second and third ports are aligned, allowing passage of fluid from within the piston to the outer conduit, thereby by-passing the inner conduit.
Description
A VALVE EAVING RELEASABLE L ~ ~ ~ ~ ISM
This invention relates to a valve having a releasable latch mechanism and of the type used to control the flow of fluid through a device. The inve~tion is particularly, thou~h not exclusively, suitdble for incorpor~tion into a drilling string positioned within a bore for the control of the flow of 1uids throu~h the drill strin~ during drillin~ operations.
When d~illing or extracting m~terials a number of op~rational probl~m~ can occur~ For example, ther~ may be a 109s of or reduction in the pressure o~ circulating ~lulds which are necessary durin~ drilling. Circulating ~luids are pumped down the drill string to remove debris and partic~es of rock which have been cut by the drill bit. Loss of circulating ~luids may arise due to underground rock formations. In these circumstances it is necessary to plug the formation, often known as the "Thief Zone" or "Lost Cir~ulation Zone", to prevent further loss of circulating fluid and possible drill failure. Plu~ging the IlLost Circulation zone~' is usually achieved by pumping thick~r more concqntrated fluids down the drill string and out into the formation. ~owever, this procedure tends to 4e hazardous 4ec~use the thicker fluid~ also have a tendency ~o plug the drill bit or ~rill s~ring bore.
one known sy8tom for prev~nting tho thick fluids blocking the drill string provides a ~ool whiah operates on a shear pin mechanism. The ~ool redirects the flow of thick fluids to prevent thc drill ~it from being plugged and is activated by pulling on the d~ill stri~. Hows~e~, the shear pin mechanism is not resettable and Gonsiderab~e disruptio~ a~d loss of production in the drilling operation is incurred durin~ the resetting of the mechanism.
According to the invention there is provided a valve having a releasable latch mechanism and Por controlling the ~low of liquid within an outer conduit, the valve comprising:
an inner conduit positionab~e substantially co-axlally within the o~te~ conduit and de~inlng an annulus between th~
outer conduit and the inner conduit;
a fi~st port formed in the wall of the inner conduit for communicating annulus pressure into the inner conduit;
'''' ''. .
: ::
This invention relates to a valve having a releasable latch mechanism and of the type used to control the flow of fluid through a device. The inve~tion is particularly, thou~h not exclusively, suitdble for incorpor~tion into a drilling string positioned within a bore for the control of the flow of 1uids throu~h the drill strin~ during drillin~ operations.
When d~illing or extracting m~terials a number of op~rational probl~m~ can occur~ For example, ther~ may be a 109s of or reduction in the pressure o~ circulating ~lulds which are necessary durin~ drilling. Circulating ~luids are pumped down the drill string to remove debris and partic~es of rock which have been cut by the drill bit. Loss of circulating ~luids may arise due to underground rock formations. In these circumstances it is necessary to plug the formation, often known as the "Thief Zone" or "Lost Cir~ulation Zone", to prevent further loss of circulating fluid and possible drill failure. Plu~ging the IlLost Circulation zone~' is usually achieved by pumping thick~r more concqntrated fluids down the drill string and out into the formation. ~owever, this procedure tends to 4e hazardous 4ec~use the thicker fluid~ also have a tendency ~o plug the drill bit or ~rill s~ring bore.
one known sy8tom for prev~nting tho thick fluids blocking the drill string provides a ~ool whiah operates on a shear pin mechanism. The ~ool redirects the flow of thick fluids to prevent thc drill ~it from being plugged and is activated by pulling on the d~ill stri~. Hows~e~, the shear pin mechanism is not resettable and Gonsiderab~e disruptio~ a~d loss of production in the drilling operation is incurred durin~ the resetting of the mechanism.
According to the invention there is provided a valve having a releasable latch mechanism and Por controlling the ~low of liquid within an outer conduit, the valve comprising:
an inner conduit positionab~e substantially co-axlally within the o~te~ conduit and de~inlng an annulus between th~
outer conduit and the inner conduit;
a fi~st port formed in the wall of the inner conduit for communicating annulus pressure into the inner conduit;
'''' ''. .
: ::
-2- t~oa3~
a piston moveable axially within the inner conduit between a closed position and an open position, the piston comprising a second port allowing passage o~ fluia from within the pisto~ into the inner conduit, and further comprising a passage extending ~hrough ~he piston;
latching means for holding the piston in the closed position; snd biassi~g means ~or biassing the piston to the clos~d posi~lon, and a thi~d po~t ~ormed in the wall of the inner conduit;
wherein when the piston is in the open position the second and third ports are aligned, allowing passage of fluid from within the piston to the outer conduit, thus by-passing ~he inner conduit.
~ he val~e latch mechanism accordin~ to the present invention is pa~ticula~ly appropriate for use in drilling applications, when ~ may be incorporated into a drilling strln~. The drilling string will be positioned within a ~ore.
When pressure builds up within the drilling string caused by thicker more concentrated fluids plugging the drill string, the piston wlll move to the o~en ~osit~on thus allowing the thicker fluids to escape f~om the drlll string into the bore. This reduces problems caused by the ~hicker fluids plugging the drill string.
Preferablyr the valve further comprises abutment means which abut with the piston in the closed posi~ion, thus defining the closed posi~ion.
The valve may further ~omprise ali~nment means ~or circum~erentia}ly aligning the piston relative to the inner conduit. This ensures ~hat the second and third parts ali~n when the valve is in the open position.
Advantageously, the align~ent means comp~ises a keyway formed in the inner conduit.
P~eferably, the latching mechanism comprises a finger sleeve comprising a plurality of fingers, which fingers are engageable with an upper sleeve, which upper sleeve is in turn engageable with ~ spline on a spline sleeve, the finger sleeve ~3~ 2~Q3 89 being attachable to the piston.
When the valve is in the closed po~ition, th~ piston ls attached to the finger sleeve, which in turn is engaged with an upper sleeve. The fingers are biassed to graqp the Upper sleeve and ~h~s hold the p~ston in the closed position.
When pressure drops in the annulus ~e~a~lve to that within the inner conduit, the first port communicates that pressure to a lower portion of the piston. ~his differential preSsu~e causes the plston to mov~ downwards away from th~
upper s~eeve. Movement of the piston in this direction causes the ~ingers o~ the finger sleevo to release from the upper s~eeve, allowing the piston to ~ontinue i~s downward movemen~
When the differential pressure reduces or dlsappears, the piston will move towards the closed position, and the fingers will again grasp the uppe~ sleeve locking the piston back into the closed position.
P~e~e~ably, the latching means is adjustable to release at any desirable diffe~ential ~ressure. The differential pressure at which the latching means releases is determined by the relative position of the spline sleeve within the inner conduit:
Advantageously the biassing means ~ompriSes ~ ~p~ing, positioned a~ound a mandrel and below the plston. The piston is slideab~y moveable along the mandrel which is substantially co-axial with the piston~ As the piston moves downward towards the open position, the movement of the piston compresses the spring~ When the pressure differential reduces or disappears the ~ompressed spring will urge ~he piston back to the closed position.
Preferably, the valve further comprises a de~ormable ob~ect, whic~ is posi~ionable within the piston to completely or partially ~lock the internal passage of the piston. Th~
presence of the deformable ob~ect results in fluid pressure above ~he piston building up, and a lower pressure within the inner conduit is required in order to cause the piston to move from the closed position to the open position.
Conveniently, the deform2ble o~ject is a ball made from ~: :
a plastics material, and the pisto~ ~r~her comprises a ball seat for positioning the ball appropriateLy.
Advantageously, the valve further comprises a non-de~orma4le object positionable on the deformable object, when it is re~uired to re-set the valve The non-deformable object is smaller than the deformable object and is positioned ~o partially or totally block the second port. ~his prevents passage of fluid from within the piston to the bore. This causes pressure to build up considerably to a point where the de~ormable ob~ect d dorms sufficlently ~o be forced through ~he piston channel. Because th0 non-de~ormabl~ obj~ct i9 smaller than the deformab~e ob~ect and the channel, it too will pass down the passage within the piston.
~ re~erably the non-deformable ob~e~t is a steel ball.
Advan~ageously, the valve further comprises a ball catcher system, positioned towards the bottom end of the valve ~or retaining the plastic and steel balls.
Once the balls have been pulled down in the ball catcher, the diffe~entia~ pressure will be reduced and the biassing mea~s will retu~n the piston to the closed position~
Th.e valve lat~h me~hanism of ~he present invention has the advantage that it i8 easily reset and may be used in con~unction with "downhole BOPS", "adjustable stabilizers", "pressure aativated c~rculstln~ tools, "casing circulators" and "d~i~lin~ ~ars". The tool may be suitable for use in other lndustrial applications for controlling fluid flow.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a c~oss-se~tional ~iew of an inacti~ated drilling tool incorporating a valve latch mechanism according to the present invention allowing flow of ~luid~ through the drill string;
Figure ~ shows a cross-sectional view of a drilling tool incorporat~ng to the valve latch mechanism o~ the present invention being set by use o~ a plastics ball;
Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view o~ an activated and -5~ 21~389 set drilllng tool being reset with the use of a steel ball; and Figùres 4 and 5 ill~st~ate a dr$111ng tool incorporating a valve la~ch mechanism according to the present invention and comprising a ball valve.
Referring to the drawings in detail, Figure 1 ~hows a drilling tool, generally ind~cated by ref~rence numeral 1, which is used to control the passage of circulating fluids through a drill string 2. The drilling tool comprises three sections: an uppe~ tool section 3 which houses ad~usting means or ~ont~ol~ing the settlng and resetting o~ the tool; a middle tool section 4 which houses an activation mechanism whlch controls the passago of fluids through the tool and; ~ lower tool section 5 which captures a plastic ball and a steel ball which may ~e used to set and reset the system. Each o~ the tool sections is connected by known standard male and female threaded portions 6 and 7. The drilling tool is fitted between drill string sections ~y similar and standard threaded portions.
The upper tool section 3 houses ad~usting means for controlling the setting and resett1ng of the tool (via a r~l~as~ble latohing mechanism), and which c~mprises a pre-loading spring 8, upper sleeve 9, spline sleeve 10 and finger sleeve l4 having ~inge~s ~eleasably engageable with upper 81~eve 9. A spline 11 on ~he spline sle~ve 10 engages the upper sleeve 9 and this posi~ons the spline s7eeve 10 in the uppe~ tool section 3. The vertlcal position of the spline sleeve 10 within the upper tool section 3 determines when the tool is set or reset. Once a desired position is achieved the spline sleeve l0 may be locked in position by screw 12 which is threaded in the upper tool section 3 and which may be tightened externally. The upper face 13 of the upper sleeve 9 is machined to allow a wrench or other tool to engage it through the aperture of the upper tool section. Therefo~e, the tool may be set up, locked and then reset to a different activation force by using a wrench to turn the upper s~ee~e 9 which in turn moves the spline sleeve 10 changing ~he release setting of the finger sleeve 14 by being threaded in or ou~ of the upper '.
tool ~ection 3. ~ 21 O ~ 3 8 9 The middle tool section 4 houses an acti~ation mechanism which cont~ols the passage o~ $1uids through the tool, and which comprises the finger sleeve 14 having a plurality of fingers which engage the upper sleeve 9 (as shown in Flgure 1).
A piston 16 is connected to the finger sleeve 14 and is slidable within the middle tool section ~. The middle tool section has a port 17 through which fluids within the tool ma~
~low when the port 17 is aligned with port 18 in the piston 16, th~reby providing a path ~or fluias out into the annulus or space between the drill strlng and the bore~ When th~ pressure withln the tool inc~eases relative to the p~essure in the annulus the pressure differential acts on the piston and causes it to move ~own. The bottom s~rface o~ the pis~on 16 is exposed to the annulus prossure and the top surface of $he plston 16 ~s exposed to the yressure within the drill strin~.
The do~nward displacement of the piston 16 is controlled and balanced by springs 19. As the piston 16 moves it pulls on the fingers of the ~inger sleeve 14 which in turn ca~ses the springs 1~ to compress. When the internal diameter of the finge~s i8 greater than the dimension of the upper sleeve 9 the fingers are ~elease~ from the upper sleeve g and slide downwards until the piston is stopped by shoulder 20 on the intern~l su~face of the middle tool sect~on 4. In this position the port 18 in the pi~on 1G ~nd t~e po~t 17 in the middle tool ~otion 4 are al$gned and fluid is allowed to flow ~rom the drill string into the annulus and by-pass the drill bit. Circumferential misalignment of the ports is prevented by the keyway ~1 in ~he internal surface of the middle tool section 4 and along which the piston 1~ slides. The pump pressure must be maintained to keep the ports 17 and 1~
ali~ned. As the pressure is red~ed the main spring 22 acts on the piston and ~auses upward sliding motion within the middle tool section 4. The ports 17 and 18 are no longer aligned and fluid f~ow into ~he annulus stops . The main spring 22 continues to act on the piston fo~cing the fingers of sleeve 14 i~to enga~ement with the upper slee~e 9 thereby resetti~g the . .
~7~ ~ 389 tool. The~efore, the tool is set by a sufficient increase in internal pressure and is reset by a reduction in internal pre~sure.
Referring to fig~res 2 and 3 the tool may be set by dropping a plastic ball 30 down the drill string. The plastic 4all 30 is pushed through the drill string and becomes seated on a ball seat 3t in the upper surface of the piston 1~. This immediately seals the internal passage through the tool causing an inarease in pressure above the ball which depresses the piston 16 in a similar m~nner to that described abo~e. Once the ports 17 an~ 18 are a11gnR~ flu~ds may flow from w~thin tho tool to the annulus. Use of the plastic ball has the advantage that lower pressures may be used to set the tool. To reset the tool the ~lastic ball 30 must be unseated and this is achieved by increasing the internal pressure to force the plastic ba~l 30 through the piston flow passage in the p~ston 1~. The plastic ball 30 is de~ormed during this process. ~owever, as the port 17 is relatively large (about 4 cms) it is dif~icult to achieve an internal pressure which is capable of forcing the plastic ball 30 through the piston 16. There~ore, a steel bsll 31 is dropped into the drill string and this rests on top of the plastic ball 30 and blocks the port 18. An increase in internal pressure immediAtely results an~ the plastic ball is ~orced through the piston ~low passage. onc~ the plastic ball 30 has passed through the piston the pressur~ falls and the steel ball 31 drops and also passes through the piston flow passage. The steel ball 31 has a diameter smaller than the ~low passage in the piston 16 and does not dis~upt ~low nor does it need to deform~ With both balls released the tool ~esets by the action of main spring 22.
The lower tool section 5 houses a ball retaining sleeve 40 which prevents either of the rele~sed balls 30 or 31 from blocking the d~ it but allows free flow of fluids through the ~ool and throllgh the drill bit. The num~er of times that the tool may be set and reset using this method is llmited to the ball ~pacity of the ~all retaining sleeve 40 ie. to the numbe~ of steel and plastic balls that may be retained in the -8- 2 1~389 ball retaining sleeve 40.
Referring to Figures 4 and 5, an a}ternative embodiment has a ball valve 50 which may be ~sed in place o~ the two balls 30, 31 ~o set and re-se~ the latch mechanism. This does not require the use of s~eel or plastlc balls to block th~
appropriate flow ports in the tool. At a sufficiently high internal pressu~e a piston 5~ of the valve 50 (replacing piston 1~ of ~igu~es 1 to 3) slides downward~ and the fingers of the ~ing~r sl~ve 14 are released. A pin 51 ~djoining the ball valve 50 to the piston 52 acts to roll the ball val~e closed.
~his stops the flow of f~uid below the t~ol and all fluld moves out o~ the port 17. When the internal pressure is reduced the tool resets in a similar manner to that described above. With thls arranyement there is no need for the ball retaining sleeve.
. . .
a piston moveable axially within the inner conduit between a closed position and an open position, the piston comprising a second port allowing passage o~ fluia from within the pisto~ into the inner conduit, and further comprising a passage extending ~hrough ~he piston;
latching means for holding the piston in the closed position; snd biassi~g means ~or biassing the piston to the clos~d posi~lon, and a thi~d po~t ~ormed in the wall of the inner conduit;
wherein when the piston is in the open position the second and third ports are aligned, allowing passage of fluid from within the piston to the outer conduit, thus by-passing ~he inner conduit.
~ he val~e latch mechanism accordin~ to the present invention is pa~ticula~ly appropriate for use in drilling applications, when ~ may be incorporated into a drilling strln~. The drilling string will be positioned within a ~ore.
When pressure builds up within the drilling string caused by thicker more concentrated fluids plugging the drill string, the piston wlll move to the o~en ~osit~on thus allowing the thicker fluids to escape f~om the drlll string into the bore. This reduces problems caused by the ~hicker fluids plugging the drill string.
Preferablyr the valve further comprises abutment means which abut with the piston in the closed posi~ion, thus defining the closed posi~ion.
The valve may further ~omprise ali~nment means ~or circum~erentia}ly aligning the piston relative to the inner conduit. This ensures ~hat the second and third parts ali~n when the valve is in the open position.
Advantageously, the align~ent means comp~ises a keyway formed in the inner conduit.
P~eferably, the latching mechanism comprises a finger sleeve comprising a plurality of fingers, which fingers are engageable with an upper sleeve, which upper sleeve is in turn engageable with ~ spline on a spline sleeve, the finger sleeve ~3~ 2~Q3 89 being attachable to the piston.
When the valve is in the closed po~ition, th~ piston ls attached to the finger sleeve, which in turn is engaged with an upper sleeve. The fingers are biassed to graqp the Upper sleeve and ~h~s hold the p~ston in the closed position.
When pressure drops in the annulus ~e~a~lve to that within the inner conduit, the first port communicates that pressure to a lower portion of the piston. ~his differential preSsu~e causes the plston to mov~ downwards away from th~
upper s~eeve. Movement of the piston in this direction causes the ~ingers o~ the finger sleevo to release from the upper s~eeve, allowing the piston to ~ontinue i~s downward movemen~
When the differential pressure reduces or dlsappears, the piston will move towards the closed position, and the fingers will again grasp the uppe~ sleeve locking the piston back into the closed position.
P~e~e~ably, the latching means is adjustable to release at any desirable diffe~ential ~ressure. The differential pressure at which the latching means releases is determined by the relative position of the spline sleeve within the inner conduit:
Advantageously the biassing means ~ompriSes ~ ~p~ing, positioned a~ound a mandrel and below the plston. The piston is slideab~y moveable along the mandrel which is substantially co-axial with the piston~ As the piston moves downward towards the open position, the movement of the piston compresses the spring~ When the pressure differential reduces or disappears the ~ompressed spring will urge ~he piston back to the closed position.
Preferably, the valve further comprises a de~ormable ob~ect, whic~ is posi~ionable within the piston to completely or partially ~lock the internal passage of the piston. Th~
presence of the deformable ob~ect results in fluid pressure above ~he piston building up, and a lower pressure within the inner conduit is required in order to cause the piston to move from the closed position to the open position.
Conveniently, the deform2ble o~ject is a ball made from ~: :
a plastics material, and the pisto~ ~r~her comprises a ball seat for positioning the ball appropriateLy.
Advantageously, the valve further comprises a non-de~orma4le object positionable on the deformable object, when it is re~uired to re-set the valve The non-deformable object is smaller than the deformable object and is positioned ~o partially or totally block the second port. ~his prevents passage of fluid from within the piston to the bore. This causes pressure to build up considerably to a point where the de~ormable ob~ect d dorms sufficlently ~o be forced through ~he piston channel. Because th0 non-de~ormabl~ obj~ct i9 smaller than the deformab~e ob~ect and the channel, it too will pass down the passage within the piston.
~ re~erably the non-deformable ob~e~t is a steel ball.
Advan~ageously, the valve further comprises a ball catcher system, positioned towards the bottom end of the valve ~or retaining the plastic and steel balls.
Once the balls have been pulled down in the ball catcher, the diffe~entia~ pressure will be reduced and the biassing mea~s will retu~n the piston to the closed position~
Th.e valve lat~h me~hanism of ~he present invention has the advantage that it i8 easily reset and may be used in con~unction with "downhole BOPS", "adjustable stabilizers", "pressure aativated c~rculstln~ tools, "casing circulators" and "d~i~lin~ ~ars". The tool may be suitable for use in other lndustrial applications for controlling fluid flow.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a c~oss-se~tional ~iew of an inacti~ated drilling tool incorporating a valve latch mechanism according to the present invention allowing flow of ~luid~ through the drill string;
Figure ~ shows a cross-sectional view of a drilling tool incorporat~ng to the valve latch mechanism o~ the present invention being set by use o~ a plastics ball;
Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view o~ an activated and -5~ 21~389 set drilllng tool being reset with the use of a steel ball; and Figùres 4 and 5 ill~st~ate a dr$111ng tool incorporating a valve la~ch mechanism according to the present invention and comprising a ball valve.
Referring to the drawings in detail, Figure 1 ~hows a drilling tool, generally ind~cated by ref~rence numeral 1, which is used to control the passage of circulating fluids through a drill string 2. The drilling tool comprises three sections: an uppe~ tool section 3 which houses ad~usting means or ~ont~ol~ing the settlng and resetting o~ the tool; a middle tool section 4 which houses an activation mechanism whlch controls the passago of fluids through the tool and; ~ lower tool section 5 which captures a plastic ball and a steel ball which may ~e used to set and reset the system. Each o~ the tool sections is connected by known standard male and female threaded portions 6 and 7. The drilling tool is fitted between drill string sections ~y similar and standard threaded portions.
The upper tool section 3 houses ad~usting means for controlling the setting and resett1ng of the tool (via a r~l~as~ble latohing mechanism), and which c~mprises a pre-loading spring 8, upper sleeve 9, spline sleeve 10 and finger sleeve l4 having ~inge~s ~eleasably engageable with upper 81~eve 9. A spline 11 on ~he spline sle~ve 10 engages the upper sleeve 9 and this posi~ons the spline s7eeve 10 in the uppe~ tool section 3. The vertlcal position of the spline sleeve 10 within the upper tool section 3 determines when the tool is set or reset. Once a desired position is achieved the spline sleeve l0 may be locked in position by screw 12 which is threaded in the upper tool section 3 and which may be tightened externally. The upper face 13 of the upper sleeve 9 is machined to allow a wrench or other tool to engage it through the aperture of the upper tool section. Therefo~e, the tool may be set up, locked and then reset to a different activation force by using a wrench to turn the upper s~ee~e 9 which in turn moves the spline sleeve 10 changing ~he release setting of the finger sleeve 14 by being threaded in or ou~ of the upper '.
tool ~ection 3. ~ 21 O ~ 3 8 9 The middle tool section 4 houses an acti~ation mechanism which cont~ols the passage o~ $1uids through the tool, and which comprises the finger sleeve 14 having a plurality of fingers which engage the upper sleeve 9 (as shown in Flgure 1).
A piston 16 is connected to the finger sleeve 14 and is slidable within the middle tool section ~. The middle tool section has a port 17 through which fluids within the tool ma~
~low when the port 17 is aligned with port 18 in the piston 16, th~reby providing a path ~or fluias out into the annulus or space between the drill strlng and the bore~ When th~ pressure withln the tool inc~eases relative to the p~essure in the annulus the pressure differential acts on the piston and causes it to move ~own. The bottom s~rface o~ the pis~on 16 is exposed to the annulus prossure and the top surface of $he plston 16 ~s exposed to the yressure within the drill strin~.
The do~nward displacement of the piston 16 is controlled and balanced by springs 19. As the piston 16 moves it pulls on the fingers of the ~inger sleeve 14 which in turn ca~ses the springs 1~ to compress. When the internal diameter of the finge~s i8 greater than the dimension of the upper sleeve 9 the fingers are ~elease~ from the upper sleeve g and slide downwards until the piston is stopped by shoulder 20 on the intern~l su~face of the middle tool sect~on 4. In this position the port 18 in the pi~on 1G ~nd t~e po~t 17 in the middle tool ~otion 4 are al$gned and fluid is allowed to flow ~rom the drill string into the annulus and by-pass the drill bit. Circumferential misalignment of the ports is prevented by the keyway ~1 in ~he internal surface of the middle tool section 4 and along which the piston 1~ slides. The pump pressure must be maintained to keep the ports 17 and 1~
ali~ned. As the pressure is red~ed the main spring 22 acts on the piston and ~auses upward sliding motion within the middle tool section 4. The ports 17 and 18 are no longer aligned and fluid f~ow into ~he annulus stops . The main spring 22 continues to act on the piston fo~cing the fingers of sleeve 14 i~to enga~ement with the upper slee~e 9 thereby resetti~g the . .
~7~ ~ 389 tool. The~efore, the tool is set by a sufficient increase in internal pressure and is reset by a reduction in internal pre~sure.
Referring to fig~res 2 and 3 the tool may be set by dropping a plastic ball 30 down the drill string. The plastic 4all 30 is pushed through the drill string and becomes seated on a ball seat 3t in the upper surface of the piston 1~. This immediately seals the internal passage through the tool causing an inarease in pressure above the ball which depresses the piston 16 in a similar m~nner to that described abo~e. Once the ports 17 an~ 18 are a11gnR~ flu~ds may flow from w~thin tho tool to the annulus. Use of the plastic ball has the advantage that lower pressures may be used to set the tool. To reset the tool the ~lastic ball 30 must be unseated and this is achieved by increasing the internal pressure to force the plastic ba~l 30 through the piston flow passage in the p~ston 1~. The plastic ball 30 is de~ormed during this process. ~owever, as the port 17 is relatively large (about 4 cms) it is dif~icult to achieve an internal pressure which is capable of forcing the plastic ball 30 through the piston 16. There~ore, a steel bsll 31 is dropped into the drill string and this rests on top of the plastic ball 30 and blocks the port 18. An increase in internal pressure immediAtely results an~ the plastic ball is ~orced through the piston ~low passage. onc~ the plastic ball 30 has passed through the piston the pressur~ falls and the steel ball 31 drops and also passes through the piston flow passage. The steel ball 31 has a diameter smaller than the ~low passage in the piston 16 and does not dis~upt ~low nor does it need to deform~ With both balls released the tool ~esets by the action of main spring 22.
The lower tool section 5 houses a ball retaining sleeve 40 which prevents either of the rele~sed balls 30 or 31 from blocking the d~ it but allows free flow of fluids through the ~ool and throllgh the drill bit. The num~er of times that the tool may be set and reset using this method is llmited to the ball ~pacity of the ~all retaining sleeve 40 ie. to the numbe~ of steel and plastic balls that may be retained in the -8- 2 1~389 ball retaining sleeve 40.
Referring to Figures 4 and 5, an a}ternative embodiment has a ball valve 50 which may be ~sed in place o~ the two balls 30, 31 ~o set and re-se~ the latch mechanism. This does not require the use of s~eel or plastlc balls to block th~
appropriate flow ports in the tool. At a sufficiently high internal pressu~e a piston 5~ of the valve 50 (replacing piston 1~ of ~igu~es 1 to 3) slides downward~ and the fingers of the ~ing~r sl~ve 14 are released. A pin 51 ~djoining the ball valve 50 to the piston 52 acts to roll the ball val~e closed.
~his stops the flow of f~uid below the t~ol and all fluld moves out o~ the port 17. When the internal pressure is reduced the tool resets in a similar manner to that described above. With thls arranyement there is no need for the ball retaining sleeve.
. . .
Claims (12)
1. A valve having a releasable latch mechanism and for controlling the flow of liquid within an outer conduit, the valve comprising;
an inner conduit positionable substantially co-axially within the outer conduit and defining an annulus between the outer conduit and the inner conduit;
a first port formed in the wall of the inner conduit for communicating annulus pressure into the inner conduit;
a piston moveable axially within the inner conduit between a closed position and an open position, the piston comprising a second port allowing passage of fluid from within the piston into the inner conduit, and further comprising a passage extending through the piston;
latching means for holding the piston in the closed position; and biassing means for biassing the piston to the closed position, and a third port formed in the wall of the inner conduit;
wherein when the piston is in the open position the second and third ports are aligned, allowing passage of fluid from within the piston to the outer conduit, thus by-passing the inner conduit.
an inner conduit positionable substantially co-axially within the outer conduit and defining an annulus between the outer conduit and the inner conduit;
a first port formed in the wall of the inner conduit for communicating annulus pressure into the inner conduit;
a piston moveable axially within the inner conduit between a closed position and an open position, the piston comprising a second port allowing passage of fluid from within the piston into the inner conduit, and further comprising a passage extending through the piston;
latching means for holding the piston in the closed position; and biassing means for biassing the piston to the closed position, and a third port formed in the wall of the inner conduit;
wherein when the piston is in the open position the second and third ports are aligned, allowing passage of fluid from within the piston to the outer conduit, thus by-passing the inner conduit.
2. A valve according to Claim 1, including abutment means arranged to abut with the piston in the closed position, thus defining the closed position.
3. A valve according to Claim 1, comprising alignment means for circumferentially aligning the piston relative to the inner conduit.
4. A valve according to Claim 1, in which the latching mechanism comprises a finger sleeve attached to said piston, an upper sleeve, and a plurality of fingers provided on the finger sleeve and engageable with said upper sleeve to hold the piston in the closed position.
5. A valve according to Claim 4, in which the upper sleeve is adjustable whereby the latching means can be set to release at any desired differential pressure.
6. A valve according to claim 1, in which the biasing means comprises a mandrel arranged below the piston, and a spring surrounding said mandrel.
7. A valve according to Claim 1, including a deformable object which can be introduced into the valve in order to at least partially block the internal passage of the piston in order to initiate release of the piston from the closed position.
8. A valve according to Claim 7, in which the deformable object comprises a ball made from plastics material, and said piston is formed with a seat to receive said ball.
9. A valve according to Claim 7, including a non-deformable object positionable on said deformable object, when it is required to re-set the valve.
10. A valve according to Claim 9, in which the non-deformable object comprises a steel ball.
11. A valve according to Claim 10, including a ball catcher system, positioned towards the bottom end of the valve for retaining the plastic ball and the steel ball
12. A valve according to Claim 1, in which said piston forms part of a ball valve arrangement having a pin responsive to downward movement of said piston in order to close the ball valve and thereby prevent passage of fluid through the ball valve and which is thereby diverted to the outer conduit.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB929215218A GB9215218D0 (en) | 1992-07-17 | 1992-07-17 | A valve |
| GB9215218.0 | 1992-07-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2100389A1 true CA2100389A1 (en) | 1994-01-18 |
Family
ID=10718873
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2100389 Abandoned CA2100389A1 (en) | 1992-07-17 | 1993-07-13 | Valve having releasable latch mechanism |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2100389A1 (en) |
| GB (2) | GB9215218D0 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9187978B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2015-11-17 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Expandable ball seat for hydraulically actuating tools |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5443129A (en) * | 1994-07-22 | 1995-08-22 | Smith International, Inc. | Apparatus and method for orienting and setting a hydraulically-actuatable tool in a borehole |
| GB0012124D0 (en) * | 2000-05-20 | 2000-07-12 | Lee Paul B | By-pass tool for use in a drill string |
| GB0102485D0 (en) | 2001-01-31 | 2001-03-14 | Sps Afos Group Ltd | Downhole Tool |
| CA2445870C (en) | 2001-04-30 | 2009-04-07 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Automatic tubing filler |
| US6698514B2 (en) | 2002-05-02 | 2004-03-02 | Varco I/P, Inc. | Remote operated coil connector apparatus |
| GB0513140D0 (en) * | 2005-06-15 | 2005-08-03 | Lee Paul B | Novel method of controlling the operation of a downhole tool |
| US7793683B2 (en) * | 2006-10-11 | 2010-09-14 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Active intake pressure control of downhole pump assemblies |
| WO2010128287A2 (en) * | 2009-05-07 | 2010-11-11 | Churchill Drilling Tools Limited | Downhole tool |
| WO2012100259A2 (en) * | 2011-01-21 | 2012-07-26 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Telemetry operated circulation sub |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4889199A (en) * | 1987-05-27 | 1989-12-26 | Lee Paul B | Downhole valve for use when drilling an oil or gas well |
-
1992
- 1992-07-17 GB GB929215218A patent/GB9215218D0/en active Pending
-
1993
- 1993-07-13 CA CA 2100389 patent/CA2100389A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-07-16 GB GB9314767A patent/GB2268770B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9187978B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2015-11-17 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Expandable ball seat for hydraulically actuating tools |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9314767D0 (en) | 1993-08-25 |
| GB2268770A (en) | 1994-01-19 |
| GB2268770B (en) | 1995-11-15 |
| GB9215218D0 (en) | 1992-09-02 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |