US3870102A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Subsurface well apparatus and method
Assignee: Hydril LLC
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Filing: 1973-06-08
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1993-06-08
Abstract
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
- 👤 James D Mott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:22
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B34/00; E21B34/06; E21B34/10; E21B34/105; E21B34/106; E21B2200/00; E21B2200/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
A flow control assembly adapted for movement through a bore of a well tubing to a subsurface location for securing in the bore of the well tubing for controlling flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing in response to controlled movement of a control member mounted with the well tubing and engaged by the flow control assembly when releasably secured at the subsurface location including: a frame means movable through the bore of the tubing to and from the subsurface location; flow plug means mounted with said frame means for movement to and from an open position for enabling flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing and a closed position for blocking flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing; means mounted with said frame means for imparting movement to said plug means by engagement at the subsurface location with a movable control member mounted with the well tubing at the subsurface location to move said flow plug means to and from open and closed positions in response to controlled movement of the control member at the subsurface location; and means for releasably securing said frame means with the well tubing at the subsurface locaTion and in engagement with the movable control member wherein said flow plug means controls the flow of fluid through the bore of the tubing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
A flow control assembly adapted for movement through a bore of a well tubing to a subsurface location for securing in the bore of the well tubing for controlling flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing in response to controlled movement of a control member mounted with the well tubing and engaged by the flow control assembly when releasably secured at the subsurface location including: a frame means movable through the bore of the tubing to and from the subsurface location; flow plug means mounted with said frame means for movement to and from an open position for enabling flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing and a closed position for blocking flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing; means mounted with said frame means for imparting movement to said plug means by engagement at the subsurface location with a movable control member mounted with the well tubing at the subsurface location to move said flow plug means to and from open and closed positions in response to controlled movement of the control member at the subsurface location; and means for releasably securing said frame means with the well tubing at the subsurface locaTion and in engagement with the movable control member wherein said flow plug means controls the flow of fluid through the bore of the tubing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
227 words
A flow control assembly adapted for movement through a bore of a well tubing to a subsurface location for securing in the bore of the well tubing for controlling flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing in response to controlled movement of a control member mounted with the well tubing and engaged by the flow control assembly when releasably secured at the subsurface location including: a frame means movable through the bore of the tubing to and from the subsurface location; flow plug means mounted with said frame means for movement to and from an open position for enabling flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing and a closed position for blocking flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing; means mounted with said frame means for imparting movement to said plug means by engagement at the subsurface location with a movable control member mounted with the well tubing at the subsurface location to move said flow plug means to and from open and closed positions in response to controlled movement of the control member at the subsurface location; and means for releasably securing said frame means with the well tubing at the subsurface locaTion and in engagement with the movable control member wherein said flow plug means controls the flow of fluid through the bore of the tubing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
227 words
A flow control assembly adapted for movement through a bore of a well tubing to a subsurface location for securing in the bore of the well tubing for controlling flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing in response to controlled movement of a control member mounted with the well tubing and engaged by the flow control assembly when releasably secured at the subsurface location including: a frame means movable through the bore of the tubing to and from the subsurface location; flow plug means mounted with said frame means for movement to and from an open position for enabling flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing and a closed position for blocking flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing; means mounted with said frame means for imparting movement to said plug means by engagement at the subsurface location with a movable control member mounted with the well tubing at the subsurface location to move said flow plug means to and from open and closed positions in response to controlled movement of the control member at the subsurface location; and means for releasably securing said frame means with the well tubing at the subsurface locaTion and in engagement with the movable control member wherein said flow plug means controls the flow of fluid through the bore of the tubing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for releasably securing said frame means with said tubing includes: a latch member movably connected with said frame means; and a detent mounted with said frame means and adapted to move into a securing recess formed in the bore of the well tubing when said detent is aligned with the recess, said latch member moving to lock said detent in the recess wherein said frame means is secured in the bore of the tubing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said plug means includes a ball means having an opening formed therethrough for rotational movement to and from open and closed positions for controlling flow of fluid through the well tubing at the subsurface location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The structure as set forth in claim 3, wherein: said ball means forms an outer surface having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of bore of the tubing through which said frame means moves to and from the subsurface location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for imparting movement includes: means connected with said frame means and movable relative thereto for operating said flow plug means; and pivot means co-acting with said flow plug means for rotating said flow plug means upon the relative movement of said means for operating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The structure as set forth in claim 5, including: means with said means for operating said flow plug means for engaging said means for operating with the movable control member wherein movement of the control member moves said flow plug means to and from open and closed positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
The structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for engaging said means for operating with the control member includes: a latch member; and a detent mounted with said means for operating and adapted to move into a position for engagement with the movable control member, said latch member movable relative to said detent to lock said detent in the position for engagement with the control member wherein said flow plug means is moved by the movable control member to control flow of fluid through the bore of the tubing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The structure as set forth in claim 7, wherein said means for operating includes a spring means for urging said means for operating in a direction toward the movable control member for engaging the control member with said detent wherein movement of the control member controls said flow plug means to control the flow of fluid in the bore of the tubing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1, including a running-in tool comprising: a running tool member having a swab cup means secured thereto; and said running tool member releasably connected with said flow control assembly wherein flow of fluid in the bore of the tubing moves the flow control assembly through the bore of the tubing to the subsurface location for securing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The structure as set forth in claim 9 wherein the running-in tool includes: means for operating said means for securing said frame means within the bore of the tubing in response to pressure in the bore of the tubing urging on said swab cup means when said frame means is at the subsurface location for securing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
The structure as set forth in claim 1 including a retrieval tool comprising: retrieving tool body means; a swab means mounted with said retrieving tool body means; and means for connecting said flow control assembly with said retrieving tool body means wherein flow of fluid in the bore of the tubing moves said retrieving tool body means to connect with said flow control assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The structure as set forth in claim 11, wherein: flow of fluid in the bore of the tubing moving said retrieving tool body means away from the connected flow control assemably releases said securing meAns enabling retrieval of the flow control assembly with the retrieval tool from the subsurface location.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
228 words
A flow control assembly adapted for movement through a bore of a well tubing to a desired subsurface location in the well for operably securing in the bore of the well tubing for controlling the flow of fluid in the bore of the well tubing at the subsurface location including: a frame means movable through the bore of the well tubing to and from the desired location for securing; a plug means mounted with said frame means for movement to and from an open position for placing an opening formed through said plug means in flow communication with the bore of the well tubing for enabling flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing and a closed position for blocking flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing, said plug means having an outer surface partially defined by a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the bore of the well tubing; means for imparting movement to said plug means to move said plug means to and from open and closed positions for controlling the flow of fluid in the bore of the well tubing; and means for releasably securing said frame means within the bore of the tubing at the desired location for securing wherein said plug means controls the flow of fluid through the bore of the tubing at the subsurface location.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
228 words
A flow control assembly adapted for movement through a bore of a well tubing to a desired subsurface location in the well for operably securing in the bore of the well tubing for controlling the flow of fluid in the bore of the well tubing at the subsurface location including: a frame means movable through the bore of the well tubing to and from the desired location for securing; a plug means mounted with said frame means for movement to and from an open position for placing an opening formed through said plug means in flow communication with the bore of the well tubing for enabling flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing and a closed position for blocking flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing, said plug means having an outer surface partially defined by a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the bore of the well tubing; means for imparting movement to said plug means to move said plug means to and from open and closed positions for controlling the flow of fluid in the bore of the well tubing; and means for releasably securing said frame means within the bore of the tubing at the desired location for securing wherein said plug means controls the flow of fluid through the bore of the tubing at the subsurface location.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The structure as set forth in claim 13, wherein: said plug means includes a ball means having a spherical outer surface portion defined by the diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the bore of the well tubing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure as set forth in claim 14, wherein: said ball means is rotated for moving to and from the open and closed positions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure as set forth in claim 15, wherein: said ball means moves upwardly and downwardly relative to said frame means when rotating to and from the open and closed positions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
The structure as set forth in claim 13, wherein: said means for releasably securing responsive to a downward force thereon when said frame means is positioned at the desired securing location to releasably secure said frame means within the bore of the tubing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure as set forth in claim 17, wherein: said means for releasably securing is released responsive to an upward force thereon to enable retrieval of the flow control assembly through the bore of the well tubing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The structure as set forth in claim 17, wherein: said means for releasably securing including a detent mounted with said frame means and movable radially outwardly relative to said frame means for securing said frame means within the bore of the well tubing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
52 words
The structure as set forth in claim 13, wherein said means for imparting movement includes: means connected with said frame means and movable relative thereto for operating said plug means; and pivot means co-acting with said plug means for rotating said plug means upon the relative movement of said means for operating.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
The structure as set forth in claim 20, including: means with said means for operating said plug means for engaging said means for operating with a movable control member mounted with the well tubing to move said means for operating relative to said frame means by movement of the control member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
195 words
A flow control assembly adapted for movement through a bore of the well tubing to a subsurface location in the well adjacent a control member for operably securing in the bore of the well tubing adjacent the control member for controlling the flow of fluid in the bore of the tubing at the subsurface location in response to movement of a control member including: a frame means for movement through the bore of the well tubing to the subsurface location for operably securing; a plug means mounted with said frame means for movement to and from an open position for enabling flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing and a closed position for blocking flow of fluid through said bore; means operably connected with said plug means for imparting movement to said plug means responsive to movement of a control member mounted with the well tubing at the subsurface location to move said plug means to and from the open and closed positions; and means for releasably securing said frame means within the bore of the tubing wherein said plug means controls the flow of fluid through the bore of the tubing.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
195 words
A flow control assembly adapted for movement through a bore of the well tubing to a subsurface location in the well adjacent a control member for operably securing in the bore of the well tubing adjacent the control member for controlling the flow of fluid in the bore of the tubing at the subsurface location in response to movement of a control member including: a frame means for movement through the bore of the well tubing to the subsurface location for operably securing; a plug means mounted with said frame means for movement to and from an open position for enabling flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing and a closed position for blocking flow of fluid through said bore; means operably connected with said plug means for imparting movement to said plug means responsive to movement of a control member mounted with the well tubing at the subsurface location to move said plug means to and from the open and closed positions; and means for releasably securing said frame means within the bore of the tubing wherein said plug means controls the flow of fluid through the bore of the tubing.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The structure as set forth in claim 22 wherein: said plug means includes a ball means having a flow opening formed therethrough for rotating movement to and from open and closed positions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The structure as set forth in claim 23 wherein: said ball means forms an outer surface having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the bore of the tubing.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
The structure as set forth in claim 23, wherein: said frame means comprising a tubular member having a bore therethrough, said tubular member having an outer surface defining diameter substantially equal to an outer surface defining diameter of said ball means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure as set forth in claim 23, wherein: said ball means moves downwardly and upwardly relative to said frame means while rotating to and from the open and closed positions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
82 words
The structure as set forth in claim 22, wherein said means for imparting movement includes: an actuator sleeve connected with said frame means and longitudinally movable relative to said frame means for moving said plug means to and from the open and closed positions; and means with said actuator sleeve for moving said actuator sleeve in response to the movement of the control member mounted with the well tubing for moving said plug means to and from the open and closed positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |