US3907046A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reclosable downhole bypass valve
Assignee: Gulf Research and Development Co
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Filing: 1974-12-16
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1994-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A reclosable bypass valve for installation in the lower end of a drill string for the drilling of wells. A mandrel slidable in the lower end of the drill string can be moved upwardly by application of weight to the drill bit whereby the mandrel engages the lower end of a valve head and moves it upwardly against a sleeve to move the sleeve upwardly to uncover ports allowing liquid pumped down the well to bypass the drill bit. The valve head includes a deformable valve plug that can be forced upwardly through a valve seat to move the sleeve to uncover the ports and then moved downwardly to engage the valve seat and prevent flow to the drill bit during circulation through the bypass valve.
Inventors
- 👤 Eber W Gaylord
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:47
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B34/00; E21B34/06; E21B34/14; E21B34/142; E21B21/00; E21B21/10; E21B21/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A downhole bypass valve for conneCtion into the lower end of a drill string above a drill bit comprising a tubular body adapted to be connected into the drill string for rotation therewith, said tubular body having an inner wall surrounding a bore extending longitudinally therethrough, a port extending laterally through the tubular body, a tubular mandrel slidable in the tubular body below the port and extending from the lower end of the tubular body for suspension of the drill bit, spline means adapted to prevent rotation of the mandrel relative to the tubular body, a sleeve slidable in the tubular body above the mandrel from an upper position exposing the port to the bore of the tubular body to a lower position covering the port, a valve seat around the inner wall of the tubular body between the upper end of the mandrel and the port, and a valve head in the bore, said valve head being constructed and arranged to engage the valve seat to prevent flow through the bore and being deformable to pass through the valve seat on application of a predetermined force urging the valve head against the valve seat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A downhole bypass valve for conneCtion into the lower end of a drill string above a drill bit comprising a tubular body adapted to be connected into the drill string for rotation therewith, said tubular body having an inner wall surrounding a bore extending longitudinally therethrough, a port extending laterally through the tubular body, a tubular mandrel slidable in the tubular body below the port and extending from the lower end of the tubular body for suspension of the drill bit, spline means adapted to prevent rotation of the mandrel relative to the tubular body, a sleeve slidable in the tubular body above the mandrel from an upper position exposing the port to the bore of the tubular body to a lower position covering the port, a valve seat around the inner wall of the tubular body between the upper end of the mandrel and the port, and a valve head in the bore, said valve head being constructed and arranged to engage the valve seat to prevent flow through the bore and being deformable to pass through the valve seat on application of a predetermined force urging the valve head against the valve seat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A bypass valve as set forth in claim 1 in which the valve head comprises a spider adapted to engage the upper end of the mandrel and a valve plug extending upwardly from the spider for engagement with the valve seat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A bypass valve as set forth in claim 1 in which the valve seat is deformable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A bypass valve as set forth in claim 1 in which shear bolts secure the valve seat to the tubular body, said shear bolts having a strength allowing the valve head to pass through the valve seat without shearing of the shear bolts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A bypass valve as set forth in claim 1 in which shear segments engage the spline means to prevent longitudinal movement of the mandrel relative to the body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A downhole bypass valve as set forth in claim 1 in which the spline means comprise spaced-apart, longitudinally extending torque bars on the inner wall of the tubular body and lugs extending outwardly from the mandrel into the spaces between the torque bars.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A downhole bypass valve as set forth in claim 6 in which shear segments engage the lugs and torque bars to prevent longitudinal movement of the mandrel relative to the body as the bypass valve is run into the hole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
A downhole bypass valve as set forth in claim 1 in which the bore is enlarged at the lower end of the valve body, a retaining bushing is threadably connected into the lower end of the body for rotation therewith, said retaining bushing extending into the body for a portion of the length of the enlarged bore, spaced-apart shoulders on the inner end of the retaining bushing, shear bars fitting between the shoulders and extending longitudinally to the upper end of the enlarged bore, and lugs extending outwardly from the tubular mandrel into the spaces between the shear bars.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A downhole bypass valve as set forth in claim 8 in which shear segments engage the lugs and bars to prevent rotation of the mandrel relative to the body.
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) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |