US6237683B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wellbore flow control device
Assignee: Camco International Inc
•
Filing: 1998-11-17
•
Granted: 2001-05-29
•
Expires: 2018-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A device for regulating fluid flow in a well is provided. The device may include: a body member having a central bore extending therethrough, at least one flow port, and a first valve seat; a sleeve member movably disposed within the central bore of the body member, and having a second valve seat adapted for cooperable sealing engagement with the first valve seat; means for selectively controlling movement of the sleeve member to regulate fluid flow through the at least one flow port; and conduit means for transmitting energy to the movement means. The conduit means may include a first and a second hydraulic control line, a single hydraulic control line, or a single electrical conductor. The movement means may include: a piston connected to the sleeve member and movable in response to a combination of hydraulic fluid, pressurized gas, spring force, and/or annulus pressure; or an electric motor connected to the sleeve member.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald E. Pringle
- 👤 Clay W. Milligan, Jr.
- 👤 Dwayne D. Leismer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:36
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/10; E21B23/00; E21B23/02; E21B23/08; E21B23/12; E21B34/00; E21B34/06; E21B34/08; E21B34/10; E21B34/102; E21B43/00; E21B43/14; E21B43/30; E21B43/305; E21B17/00; E21B17/02; E21B17/028; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/877; Y10T137/87708; Y10T137/87772
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A selectively operable flow control device for regulating fluid flow in a well, comprising: a body member having a central bore extending therethrough, at least one flow port, and a first valve seat, and being connected to a production tubing disposed within the well; a sleeve member movably disposed within the central bore of the body member, and having a second valve seat adapted for cooperable sealing engagement with the first valve seat, fluid flow being restricted between the production tubing and the at least one flow port when the first and second valve seats are in sealing engagement, and fluid flow being permitted between the production tubing and the at least one flow port when the first and second valve seats are not in sealing engagement; an electric motor connected to the body member and adapted to move the sleeve member longitudinally within the central bore of the body member upon electrical actuation thereof; and an electrical conductor connected between a source of electricity and the motor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A selectively operable flow control device for regulating fluid flow in a well, comprising: a body member having a central bore extending therethrough, at least one flow port, and a first valve seat, and being connected to a production tubing disposed within the well; a sleeve member movably disposed within the central bore of the body member, and having a second valve seat adapted for cooperable sealing engagement with the first valve seat, fluid flow being restricted between the production tubing and the at least one flow port when the first and second valve seats are in sealing engagement, and fluid flow being permitted between the production tubing and the at least one flow port when the first and second valve seats are not in sealing engagement; an electric motor connected to the body member and adapted to move the sleeve member longitudinally within the central bore of the body member upon electrical actuation thereof; and an electrical conductor connected between a source of electricity and the motor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The flow control device of claim 1 , further including an actuating member connected between the sleeve member and the motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The flow control device of claim 2 , wherein the actuating member includes a piston movably disposed within a cylinder in the body member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The flow control device of claim 3 , wherein the motor further includes a threaded rod, and the piston further includes a threaded cylinder, the threaded rod being threadably disposed for longitudinal movement within the threaded cylinder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The flow control device of claim 3 , wherein the piston includes a first recess in which a shoulder portion of an annular end cap is received, the end cap being secured to the sleeve member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The flow control device of claim 3 , wherein the piston is an annular piston.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The flow control device of claim 3 , wherein the piston is at least one rod piston.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
The flow control device of claim 1 , wherein the electric motor is disposed in a sealably enclosed space in the body member, and the device further includes a compensator piston movably disposed within a compensator cylinder in the body member, a first side of the compensator piston being in fluid communication with a well annulus, and a second side of the compensator piston being in fluid communication with the enclosed space.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The flow control device of claim 1 , further including means connected to the electric motor for providing a signal to a control panel indicating a distance between the first and second valve seats.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The flow control device of claim 1 , wherein the first valve seat is slidably disposed within the central bore and about the sleeve member, and movable between a first position and a second position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The flow control device of claim 10 , wherein the first valve seat is biased towards its first position by a spring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The flow control device of claim 11 , wherein the spring is compressed between a shoulder in the central bore and the first valve seat.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
The flow control device of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve member includes a first annular sealing surface for cooperable sealing engagement with a second annular sealing surface on the central bore, the second valve seat on the sleeve member being engageable with the first valve seat on the body before the first and second annular sealing surfaces are engageable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flow control device of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve member further includes at least one flow slot.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flow control device of claim 1 , further including means for causing pressure within a well annulus to force the first and second valve seats towards each other.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
157 words
A selectively operable flow control device for regulating fluid flow in a well, comprising: a body member having a central bore extending therethrough, at least one flow port, and a first valve seat, and being connected to a production tubing disposed within the well; a sleeve member movably disposed within the central bore of the body member, and having a second valve seat adapted for cooperable sealing engagement with the first valve seat, fluid flow being restricted between the production tubing and the at least one flow port when the first and second valve seats are in sealing engagement, and fluid flow being permitted between the production tubing and the at least one flow port when the first and second valve seats are not in sealing engagement; means for selectively controlling movement of the sleeve member to regulate fluid flow through the at least one flow port; and conduit means for transmitting energy to the movement means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
157 words
A selectively operable flow control device for regulating fluid flow in a well, comprising: a body member having a central bore extending therethrough, at least one flow port, and a first valve seat, and being connected to a production tubing disposed within the well; a sleeve member movably disposed within the central bore of the body member, and having a second valve seat adapted for cooperable sealing engagement with the first valve seat, fluid flow being restricted between the production tubing and the at least one flow port when the first and second valve seats are in sealing engagement, and fluid flow being permitted between the production tubing and the at least one flow port when the first and second valve seats are not in sealing engagement; means for selectively controlling movement of the sleeve member to regulate fluid flow through the at least one flow port; and conduit means for transmitting energy to the movement means.
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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) | 2004-05-28 | 2004-11-27 | 2005-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-28 | 2008-11-27 | 2009-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-28 | 2012-11-27 | 2013-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |