US3743015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mud saver valve
Assignee: Hydril LLC
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Filing: 1971-09-07
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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Expires: 1991-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A mud saver valve adapted to be disposed below a kelly for controlling the discharge of mud through the kelly into the drill string and for preventing loss of mud at the derrick floor from the kelly when it is disconnected with the mud saver valve from the drill string, wherein means are provided for preventing a closure of the mud saver valve, even though the mud supply pressure to the kelly is cut off, if there is well pressure in the drill string which might blow out upon a disconnection of the kelly, whereby the danger of having a well blowout upon a disconnection of the kelly may be avoided.
Inventors
- 👤 J Mott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:00
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/10; E21B21/106; E21B2200/00; E21B2200/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
A mud saver valve adapted to be connected between a kelly and a drill string, comprising: a valve body having a longitudinal bore therethrough; a valve closure element disposed in said valve body having a valve bore opening formed therethrough for rotational movement to and from an open position in which fluid may flow therethrough and a closed position in which fluid flow through said bore is closed off to confine the drilling fluid above said valve closure element; a valve operator means in said bore for moving said valve closure element to and from said closed position and said open position; means acting on said valve operator means to urge said valve closure element from said open position to a closed position; said valve operator means having piston means therewith, with one side thereof exposed to fluid pressure in said bore and the other side thereof exposed to a second fluid pressure, for moving the valve operator means to hold said valve closure element in the open position in response to fluid pressure in said bore sufficient to overcome the closing urging of said means and the second fluid preSsure on said operator means; and an opening formed in said valve body for communicating said second fluid pressure from adjacent said valve body with said piston means for providing a differential pressure urging on said piston means the same as the pressure differential between the pressure in said bore and the second pressure adjacent said valve body wherein said valve closure element is operated closed when said valve body may be safely disconnected from the drill string.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
A mud saver valve adapted to be connected between a kelly and a drill string, comprising: a valve body having a longitudinal bore therethrough; a valve closure element disposed in said valve body having a valve bore opening formed therethrough for rotational movement to and from an open position in which fluid may flow therethrough and a closed position in which fluid flow through said bore is closed off to confine the drilling fluid above said valve closure element; a valve operator means in said bore for moving said valve closure element to and from said closed position and said open position; means acting on said valve operator means to urge said valve closure element from said open position to a closed position; said valve operator means having piston means therewith, with one side thereof exposed to fluid pressure in said bore and the other side thereof exposed to a second fluid pressure, for moving the valve operator means to hold said valve closure element in the open position in response to fluid pressure in said bore sufficient to overcome the closing urging of said means and the second fluid preSsure on said operator means; and an opening formed in said valve body for communicating said second fluid pressure from adjacent said valve body with said piston means for providing a differential pressure urging on said piston means the same as the pressure differential between the pressure in said bore and the second pressure adjacent said valve body wherein said valve closure element is operated closed when said valve body may be safely disconnected from the drill string.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said second fluid pressure is atmospheric pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The structure set forth in claim 1, including: indicator means in said valve body for indicating to an operator that said valve closure element is in the open position for thereby indicating the presence of well pressure in said bore after the fluid supply pressure to said bore is cut off.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The structure set forth in claim 3, wherein said indicator means includes: an indicator element; said valve body having an opening in its wall for slidably receiving said indicator element; and means on said valve operator co-acting with said button for moving it to an indicator position when said closure element is in the open position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure set forth in claim 4, including: means for moving said indicator button to a retracted position when said closure element is in the closed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The structure set forth in claim 1, including: lock means for locking said closure element in said open position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure set forth in claim 6, wherein said lock means includes: means operable from externally of said body for actuating said lock means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure set forth in claim 6, wherein said lock means includes: means for moving said lock means to an inactive position wherein it has no operational effect on said closure element as it is moved to and from said open and closed positions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |