Patent US4609290A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3750751A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Subsurface safety valve
Assignee: Hydril LLC
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Filing: 1971-04-06
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Granted: 1973-08-07
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Expires: 1991-04-06
Abstract
Abstract A pressure operated safety valve adapted to be mounted in a well tubing, which may be moved to open or closed positions independently of pressure in the tubing and locked in and unlocked from the open position using control fluid pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 J Mott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:54
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B34/00; E21B34/06; E21B34/10; E21B34/102; E21B2200/00; E21B2200/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7781; Y10T137/7782
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A safety valve for regulating flow through a well tubing comprising: a. a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough and adapted to be connected at its upper and lower ends to a well tubing; b. a ball-type valve disposed in the bore of said housing for rotational movement to and from open and closed positions; c. operating sleeve means disposed in said housing said operating sleeve means being operable to move with respect to said housing and engage said ball-type valve to cause rotational movement thereof; d. said operating sleeve means and said housing further forming an expansible operating chamber and an expansible locking chamber between said sleeve and said housing; e. operating conduit means for conveying fluid to said expansible operating chamber, wherein said operating chamber expands and said operating sleeve means moves relative to said housing to move said ball-type valve to an open position responsive to fluid in said operating conduit means; f. locking conduit means for conveying fluid to said expansible locking chamber, wherein said locking chamber expands and said operating sleeve moves relative to said housing to move said ball-type valve to an open position in response to fluid in said locking conduit means; and g. retaining means for locking said operating sleeve means in position engaging said ball-type valve in an open position, and maintaining said ball-type valve in an open position, wherein the position of said valve is controlled by fluid in said conduit means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
A safety valve for regulating flow through a well tubing comprising: a. a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough and adapted to be connected at its upper and lower ends to a well tubing; b. a ball-type valve disposed in the bore of said housing for rotational movement to and from open and closed positions; c. operating sleeve means disposed in said housing said operating sleeve means being operable to move with respect to said housing and engage said ball-type valve to cause rotational movement thereof; d. said operating sleeve means and said housing further forming an expansible operating chamber and an expansible locking chamber between said sleeve and said housing; e. operating conduit means for conveying fluid to said expansible operating chamber, wherein said operating chamber expands and said operating sleeve means moves relative to said housing to move said ball-type valve to an open position responsive to fluid in said operating conduit means; f. locking conduit means for conveying fluid to said expansible locking chamber, wherein said locking chamber expands and said operating sleeve moves relative to said housing to move said ball-type valve to an open position in response to fluid in said locking conduit means; and g. retaining means for locking said operating sleeve means in position engaging said ball-type valve in an open position, and maintaining said ball-type valve in an open position, wherein the position of said valve is controlled by fluid in said conduit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein said operating conduit means comprises: operating passage means formed in said housing and receiving fluid at an inlet socket and conveying such fluid to an outlet in said housing adjacent said expansible operating chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said locking conduit means comprises: locking passage means formed in said hOusing and receiving fluid at an inlet socket and conveying such fluid to an outlet in said housing adjacent said expansible locking chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein said operating sleeve means comprises: a. operating sleeve means for contacting said ball-type valve means and causing rotational movement thereof; and b. said operating sleeve moving with respect to said housing to form said expansible operating chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The structure of claim 4, further including: a. locking piston means disposed between said engaging sleeve means and said housing; and b. said locking piston means moving with respect to said engaging sleeve means and said housing to form said expansible locking chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
130 words
The structure of claim 1, further including: a. said operating sleeve means comprising operating sleeve means for contacting said ball-type valve means and causing rotational movement thereof said operating sleeve means maintaining said ball-type valve in an open position when contacting said ball-type valve means; b. locking piston means disposed between said engaging sleeve means and said housing locking said piston means moving responsive to fluid pressure in said locking conduit means; c. said retaining means comprising locking detent means moving in response to movement of said locking piston means; and d. locking recess means in said housing for receiving said locking detent means when said detent means has moved into alignment therewith, wherein the locking detent locks said operating sleeve contacting said ball-type valve locked in the open position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The structure of claim 6, further including: a. spring means to normally urge said operating sleeve means to a position maintaining said ball-type valve means in a closed position blocking the well-tubing and said bore in said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
The structure of claim 7, wherein: a. said spring means moves said operating sleeve means upwardly in response to absence of pressure in said operating conduit means and said locking conduit means; b. said operating sleeve means has an external collar formed therewith for engaging said detent means and removing said detent means from said locking means on upward movement of said operating sleeve, wherein said ball-type valve is released from the locked open position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure of claim 1, further including: means for unlocking said operating sleeve means from the position engaging said ball-type valve in the open position, wherein the ball-type valve is unlocked from the open position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
162 words
A subsurface safety valve for regulating flow through a well tubing independently of the pressure in the tubing, comprising: a. a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough and adapted to be mounted with a well tubing; b. a ball-type valve disposed in the bore of said housing for rotational movement to and from open and closed positions; c. operating sleeve means disposed in said housing and operable to move with respect to said housing to cause rotational movement of said ball-type valve; d. said operating sleeve means forming an expansible operating chamber and an expansible locking chamber between said sleeve and said housing; and e. said operating sleeve means and said housing moving with respect to each other in response to differential fluid pressure in said expansible fluid chambers, wherein said valve may be opened by said operating sleeve means independently of the pressure in the tubing by greater fluid pressure in either of said expansible chambers effecting the differential fluid pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
162 words
A subsurface safety valve for regulating flow through a well tubing independently of the pressure in the tubing, comprising: a. a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough and adapted to be mounted with a well tubing; b. a ball-type valve disposed in the bore of said housing for rotational movement to and from open and closed positions; c. operating sleeve means disposed in said housing and operable to move with respect to said housing to cause rotational movement of said ball-type valve; d. said operating sleeve means forming an expansible operating chamber and an expansible locking chamber between said sleeve and said housing; and e. said operating sleeve means and said housing moving with respect to each other in response to differential fluid pressure in said expansible fluid chambers, wherein said valve may be opened by said operating sleeve means independently of the pressure in the tubing by greater fluid pressure in either of said expansible chambers effecting the differential fluid pressure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
The structure of claim 10, further including: a. first conduit means for conveying fluid to and from a first of said plurality of chambers to selectively increase or decrease the pressure in said first chamber; and b. second conduit means for conveying fluid to and from a second of said plurality of chambers to selectively increase or decrease the fluid pressure in said second chamber, wherein the fluid pressure in said chambers may be regulated independently of the pressure in the tubing to operate said valve means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The structure of claim 10, wherein said operating sleeve means comprises: means for causing rotational movement of said ball-type means and maintaining said ball-type valve in an open position when the pressure in said expansible locking chamber is increased above the pressure in said expansible operating chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
203 words
A safety valve for regulating flow through a well tubing, comprising: a. a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough and adapted to be connected at its upper and lower ends to a well tubing; b. a ball-type valve disposed in the bore of said housing for rotational movement to and from open and closed positions; c. operating sleeve means disposed in said housing said operating sleeve means being operable to move with respect to said housing and engage said ball-type valve to cause rotational movement thereof; d. said operating sleeve means and said housing further forming a plurality of expansible fluid chambers therebetween; e. first conduit means for conveying fluid to a first of said plurality of chambers for moving said operating sleeve means to a position opening said ball-type valve means; and f. second conduit means for conveying fluid to a second of said plurality of chambers for moving said operating sleeve means to the position opening said ball-type valve means so said first and said second fluid conduits are alternatively available for conducting fluid to said chambers for opening said ball-type valve means and wherein failure of fluid supply to one of said chambers does not render the safety valve inoperable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
203 words
A safety valve for regulating flow through a well tubing, comprising: a. a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough and adapted to be connected at its upper and lower ends to a well tubing; b. a ball-type valve disposed in the bore of said housing for rotational movement to and from open and closed positions; c. operating sleeve means disposed in said housing said operating sleeve means being operable to move with respect to said housing and engage said ball-type valve to cause rotational movement thereof; d. said operating sleeve means and said housing further forming a plurality of expansible fluid chambers therebetween; e. first conduit means for conveying fluid to a first of said plurality of chambers for moving said operating sleeve means to a position opening said ball-type valve means; and f. second conduit means for conveying fluid to a second of said plurality of chambers for moving said operating sleeve means to the position opening said ball-type valve means so said first and said second fluid conduits are alternatively available for conducting fluid to said chambers for opening said ball-type valve means and wherein failure of fluid supply to one of said chambers does not render the safety valve inoperable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
113 words
A valve for regulating flow through a well tubing, comprising: a. a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough and adapted to be connected at its upper and lower ends to a well tubing; b. stopper valve means for opening and closing the bore; c. means for moving said stopper valve means to and from positions opening and closing the bore; d. first control means for controlling said means for moving said stopper valve means for opening the bore; and e. second control means for controlling said means for moving said stopper valve means for opening the bore wherein said first and said second control means alternately control operation of said stopper valve means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
113 words
A valve for regulating flow through a well tubing, comprising: a. a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough and adapted to be connected at its upper and lower ends to a well tubing; b. stopper valve means for opening and closing the bore; c. means for moving said stopper valve means to and from positions opening and closing the bore; d. first control means for controlling said means for moving said stopper valve means for opening the bore; and e. second control means for controlling said means for moving said stopper valve means for opening the bore wherein said first and said second control means alternately control operation of said stopper valve means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure of claim 14, wherein: said first control means comprises means operable independently of the bore pressure for controlling said means for moving.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure of claim 14, wherein: said second control means comprises means operable independently of the bore pressure for controlling said means for moving.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The structure of claim 14, wherein: a. said first control means comprises means operable independently of the bore pressure for controlling said means for moving; and b. said second control means comprises means operable independently of the bore pressure for controlling said means for moving.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure of claim 14, further including: retaining means for preventing said means for moving from operating said stopper means to close the bore.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure of claim 18 further including: means for releasing said retaining means to enable said means for securing to operate said stopper means to close the bore.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
106 words
A safety valve adapted to be mounted in a tubing, including: a. a housing having a bore therethrough; b. stopper means for opening and closing said bore to flow therethrough; c. means for moving said stopper means to and from positions opening and closing said bore; d. first control means for controlling said means for moving said stopper means to move said stopper means for opening said bore; e. second control means for controlling said means for moving said stopper means to move said stopper means for opening said bore wherein Said bore is open to flow by either said first or said second control means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
106 words
A safety valve adapted to be mounted in a tubing, including: a. a housing having a bore therethrough; b. stopper means for opening and closing said bore to flow therethrough; c. means for moving said stopper means to and from positions opening and closing said bore; d. first control means for controlling said means for moving said stopper means to move said stopper means for opening said bore; e. second control means for controlling said means for moving said stopper means to move said stopper means for opening said bore wherein Said bore is open to flow by either said first or said second control means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure as set forth in claim 20, including: means for locking said stopper means in position for opening said bore to flow therethrough when said second control means moves said stopper means for opening said bore.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure as set forth in claim 21, including: means for unlocking said stopper means from the position for opening said bore to flow therethrough when said first control means moves said stopper for opening said bore.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure as set forth in claim 20, wherein: said first control means and said second control means controlling said means for moving said stopper means for permitting movement thereof independent of fluid pressure in said bore.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure as set forth in claim 20, including: spring means for normally urging said means for moving said stopper means to the position for closing said bore.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure as set forth in claim 23, wherein: said means for moving said stopper means is responsive to the fluid pressure in said bore for moving said stopper means to the position for closing said bore.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
108 words
The structure as set forth in claim 23, wherein: said first control means including a first expansible chamber for controlling said means for moving said stopper means to move said stopper means for opening said bore in response to the fluid pressure in said first expansible chamber; and said second control means including a second expansible chamber located relative to said first expansible chamber that increased pressure in said first chamber effects a pressure differential therebetween to operate said means for moving said stopper to open said bore wherein the differential pressure between said first and said second chamber overcomes said spring means for opening said stopper means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
The structure as set forth in claim 26, wherein: said means for moving said stopper means is responsive to the fluid pressure in said bore wherein the differential pressure overcomes said spring means and the pressure in said bore for opening said bore.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
125 words
A safety valve adapted to be mounted in a well tubing at a subsurface location for controlling flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing including: a. a housing having a bore therethrough and adapted for mounting with the well tubing with said bore in communication with the bore of the well tubing; b. stopper means movable for opening and closing said bore to flow therethrough; c. first control means for moving said stopper means for opening said bore to flow therethrough; d. second control means for locking said stopper means from moving to close said bore to flow therethrough wherein said stopper means is controlled by said first or said second control means to control flow through the bore of the tubing.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
125 words
A safety valve adapted to be mounted in a well tubing at a subsurface location for controlling flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing including: a. a housing having a bore therethrough and adapted for mounting with the well tubing with said bore in communication with the bore of the well tubing; b. stopper means movable for opening and closing said bore to flow therethrough; c. first control means for moving said stopper means for opening said bore to flow therethrough; d. second control means for locking said stopper means from moving to close said bore to flow therethrough wherein said stopper means is controlled by said first or said second control means to control flow through the bore of the tubing.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
38 words
The structure as set forth in claim 28, wherein: said second control means moves said stopper means for opening said bore to flow therethrough before locking said stopper means from moving to close said bore to flow therethrough.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure as set forth in claim 28, including: said first control means releasing said stopper means from the locking position for permitting said stopper means to move to close said bore to flow therethrough.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
135 words
The structure as set forth in claim 28, including: operator means movably disposed in said housing for moving said stopper means for opening and closing said bore to flow therethrough; said first control means comprising a first expansible chamber formed by said housing for moving said operator means to move said stopper means for opening said bore with fluid pressure in said first expansible chamber; said second control means comprising a second expansible chamber formed by said housing for locking said stopper means from moving to close said bore to flow therethrough with fluid pressure in said first expansible chamber; said seCond control means comprising a second expansible chamber formed by said housing for locking said stopper means from moving to close said bore to flow therethrough with fluid pressure in said second expansible chamber.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure as set forth in claim 31, wherein: said second expansible chamber located for moving said operator means to move said stopper means for opening said bore with fluid pressure in said expansible chamber.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
45 words
The structure as set forth in claim 31, wherein: said first expansible chamber and said second expansible chamber located for moving said plug means in response to differential fluid pressure between said first and said second expansible fluid chamber wherein the safety valve is operated.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
45 words
The structure as set forth in claim 33, wherein: said first control means includes first conduit means for conveying fluid to and from said first expansible chamber to selectively increase or decrease the pressure in said first expansible chamber wherein the safety valve is operated.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
59 words
The structure as set forth in claim 34, wherein: said second control means includes second conduit means for conveying fluid to and from said second expansible chamber to selectively increase or decrease the pressure in said second expansible chamber wherein the safety valve is operated by the differential pressure selectively conveyed by said first and said second conduit means.
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) | 1976-08-06 | 1977-02-05 | 1977-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-06 | 1981-02-05 | 1981-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-06 | 1985-02-05 | 1985-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |