Claims
- 1. An equalizing subsurface valve for controlling fluid flow in a well conduit, comprising:a body member having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough; a valve closure member mounted within the body member to control fluid flow through the longitudinal bore, and having a first surface and a second surface; a valve actuator disposed within the body member and remotely shiftable to move the valve closure member between open and closed positions; a pilot activator movably disposed within a pilot bore in the valve in response to movement of the valve actuator; a pilot piston movably disposed within a cylinder in the valve, a first surface of the pilot piston being in fluid communication with the pilot bore through a pilot passageway in the valve, the pilot activator alternately permitting and preventing fluid communication between the longitudinal bore adjacent the second surface of the valve closure member and the first surface of the pilot piston through the pilot passageway; and, an equalizing plug movably disposed within a plug bore in the valve in response to movement of the pilot piston, the equalizing plug alternately permitting and preventing fluid communication between the longitudinal bore adjacent the second surface of the valve closure member and the longitudinal bore adjacent the first surface of the valve closure member through at least one equalizing passageway in the valve.
- 2. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 1, wherein the first surface of the pilot piston includes a first active surface area intermittently in fluid communication with fluid pressure in the longitudinal bore adjacent the second surface of the valve closure member through the pilot passageway, and the equalizing plug includes a head portion having a second active surface area in fluid communication with fluid pressure in the longitudinal bore adjacent the second surface of the valve closure member, the first active surface area being greater than the second active surface area.
- 3. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 1, wherein the valve actuator includes a sleeve member disposed for movement within the longitudinal bore and an operating piston disposed within the body member and remotely shiftable to move the sleeve member within the longitudinal bore.
- 4. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 3, wherein the operating piston is a rod piston movably disposed within a cylinder in the body member with one side of the operating piston adapted to be in communication with a source of hydraulic fluid for moving the sleeve member within the longitudinal bore.
- 5. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 3, wherein:the operating piston is a hydraulic operating piston that is moveable in response to application of hydraulic fluid and includes an operating piston surface area in communication with the hydraulic fluid; the pilot activator includes a pilot valve seat defined by a first annular sealing surface on the pilot activator and a second annular sealing surface about the pilot bore, the pilot valve seat defining a pilot surface area; the equalizing plug includes a plug valve seat defined by a third annular sealing surface on the equalizing plug and a fourth annular sealing surface within the valve, the plug valve seat defining a plug surface area; the pilot surface area is smaller than the operating piston surface area; and the plug surface area is greater than the operating piston surface area.
- 6. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 1, wherein the pilot activator includes a distal end extending from the pilot bore into the longitudinal bore above the first surface of the valve closure member when the pilot activator is in a closed position.
- 7. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 1, wherein the pilot bore, the pilot passageway, the cylinder, and the plug bore are disposed within the valve closure member.
- 8. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 1, wherein the pilot bore, the pilot passageway, the cylinder, and the plug bore are disposed within an annular housing connected to the valve body.
- 9. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 8, wherein the valve actuator includes a sleeve member having a first recessed profile and a second recessed profile, a distal end of the pilot activator being disposed within the first recessed profile when the valve closure member is in a fully-open position, against an intermediate portion of the an outer surface of the sleeve member when the pilot activator and equalizing plug are in equalizing positions, and within the second recessed profile when the valve closure member is in a fully-closed position.
- 10. The equalizing subsurface value of claim 1, wherein the at least one equalizing passageway is disposed within an annular housing disposed within the body member.
- 11. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 1, wherein the at least one equalizing passageway is disposed within the valve closure member.
- 12. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 11, wherein the valve closure member further includes an annular tapered surface joining the second surface of the valve closure member and the plug bore, and the at least one equalizing passageway establishes fluid communication between the first surface of the valve closure member and the tapered surface.
- 13. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 1, wherein the at least one equalizing passageway is an internal fluid passageway through the equalizing plug.
- 14. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 13, wherein the internal fluid flow passageway includes a generally longitudinal passageway extending from a second end of the equalizing plug and is in fluid communication with at least one generally radially-disposed opening exiting the plug at a location between the second end of the plug and the annular sealing surface of the plug.
- 15. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 1, wherein the pilot activator includes a first annular sealing surface for cooperable sealing engagement with a second annular sealing surface disposed about the pilot bore.
- 16. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 15, wherein at least one of the first and second annular sealing surfaces further includes a pliable annular sealing surface.
- 17. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 1, wherein the equalizing plug includes a first annular sealing surface adjacent a first end thereof for cooperable sealing engagement with a second annula sealing surface formed within the valve closure member.
- 18. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 17, wherein at least one of the first and second annular sealing surfaces further includes a pliable annular sealing surface.
- 19. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 1, wherein the equalizing plug further includes an internal fluid passageway for establishing fluid communication between the longitudinal bore adjacent the first surface of the valve closure member and an annular space formed between a second surface of the pilot piston and the cylinder.
- 20. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 1, wherein the equalizing plug is biased within the plug bore in a normally-closed position by a spring.
- 21. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 1, wherein the pilot activator is biased within the pilot bore in a normally-closed position by a spring.
- 22. An equalizing subsurface valve for controlling fluid flow in a well conduit, comprising:a body member having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough; a sleeve member disposed for movement within the longitudinal bore; an operating piston disposed within the body member and remotely shiftable to move the sleeve member within the longitudinal bore; a valve closure member mounted within the body member to control fluid flow through the longitudinal bore, and having a first surface and a second surface; a pilot activator movably disposed within a pilot bore in the valve closure member in response to movement of the sleeve member; a pilot piston movably disposed within a cylinder in the valve closure member, a first surface of the pilot piston being in fluid communication with the pilot bore through a pilot passageway in the valve closure member, the pilot activator alternately permitting and preventing fluid communication between the longitudinal bore adjacent the second surface of the valve closure member and the first surface of the pilot piston through the pilot passageway; and, an equalizing plug movably disposed within a plug bore in the valve closure member in response to movement of the pilot piston, the equalizing plug alternately permitting and preventing fluid communication between the longitudinal bore adjacent the second surface of the valve closure member and the longitudinal bore adjacent the first surface of the valve closure member through at least one equalizing passageway in the valve closure member.
- 23. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 22, wherein the first surface of the pilot piston includes a first active surface area intermittently in fluid communication with fluid pressure in the longitudinal bore adjacent the second surface of the valve closure member through the pilot passageway, and the equalizing plug includes a head portion having a second active surface area in fluid communication with fluid pressure in the longitudinal bore adjacent the second surface of the valve closure member, the first active surface area being greater than the second active surface area.
- 24. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 22, wherein:the operating piston is a hydraulic operating piston that is moveable in response to application of hydraulic fluid and includes an operating piston surface area in communication with the hydraulic fluid; the pilot activator includes a pilot valve seat defined by a first annular sealing surface on the pilot activator and a second annular sealing surface about the pilot bore, the pilot valve seat defining a pilot surface area; the equalizing plug includes a plug valve seat defined by a third annular sealing surface on the equalizing plug and a fourth annular sealing surface within the valve, the plug valve seat defining a plug surface area; the pilot surface area is smaller than the operating piston surface area; and the plug surface area is greater than the operating piston surface area.
- 25. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 22, wherein the pilot activator includes a distal end extending from the pilot bore into the longitudinal bore above the first surface of the valve closure member when the pilot activator is in a closed position.
- 26. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 22, wherein the at least one equalizing passageway is disposed within the valve closure member.
- 27. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 26, wherein the valve closure member further includes an annular tapered surface joining the second surface of the valve closure member and the plug bore, and the at least one equalizing passageway establishes fluid communication between the first surface of the valve closure member and the tapered surface.
- 28. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 22, wherein the at least one equalizing passageway is an internal fluid passageway through the equalizing plug.
- 29. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 28, wherein the internal fluid flow passageway includes a generally longitudinal passageway extending from a second end of the equalizing plug and is in fluid communication with at least one generally radially-disposed opening exiting the plug at a location between the second end of the plug and the annular sealing surface of the plug.
- 30. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 22, wherein the pilot activator includes a first annular sealing surface for cooperable sealing engagement with a second annular sealing surface disposed about the pilot bore.
- 31. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 30, wherein at least one of the first and second annular sealing surfaces further includes a pliable annular sealing surface.
- 32. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 22, wherein the equalizing plug includes a first annular sealing surface adjacent a first end thereof for cooperable sealing engagement with a second annular sealing surface formed within the valve closure member.
- 33. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 32, wherein at least one of the first and second annular sealing surfaces further includes a pliable annular sealing surface.
- 34. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 22, wherein the equalizing plug further includes an internal fluid passageway for establishing fluid communication between the longitudinal bore adjacent the first surface of the valve closure member and an annular space formed between a second surface of the pilot piston and the cylinder.
- 35. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 22, wherein the equalizing plug is biased within the plug bore in a normally-closed position by a spring.
- 36. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 22, wherein the pilot activator is biased within the pilot bore in a normally-closed position by a spring.
- 37. A valve closure member mounted within a body member of an equalizing subsurface safety valve to control fluid flow through a longitudinal bore through the valve, comprising:a pilot activator movably disposed within a pilot bore in the valve closure member in response to movement of a sleeve member movably disposed in the longitudinal bore; a pilot piston movably disposed within a cylinder in the valve closure member, a first surface of the pilot piston being in fluid communication with the pilot bore through a pilot passageway in the valve closure member; and an equalizing plug movably disposed within a plug bore in the valve closure member in response to movement of the pilot piston, the equalizing plug alternately permitting and preventing fluid communication between the longitudinal bore adjacent a second surface of the valve closure member and the longitudinal bore adjacent a first surface of the valve closure member through at least one equalizing passageway in the valve.
- 38. The valve closure member of claim 37, wherein the first surface of the pilot piston includes a first active surface area intermittently in fluid communication with fluid pressure in the longitudinal bore adjacent the second surface of the valve closure member through the pilot passageway, and the equalizing plug includes a head portion having a second active surface area in fluid communication with fluid pressure in the longitudinal bore adjacent the second surface of the valve closure member, the first active surface area being greater than the second active surface area.
- 39. The valve closure member of claim 37, wherein:an operating piston is disposed within the body member and moveable in response to application of hydraulic fluid and includes an operating piston surface area in communication with hydraulic fluid; the pilot activator includes a pilot valve seat defined by a first annular sealing surface on the pilot activator and a second annular sealing surface about the pilot bore, the pilot valve seat defining a pilot surface area; the equalizing plug includes a plug valve seat defined by a third annular sealing surface on the equalizing plug and a fourth annular sealing surface within the valve, the plug valve seat defining a plug surface area; the pilot surface area is smaller than the operating piston surface area; and the plug surface area is greater than the operating piston surface area.
- 40. The valve closure member of claim 37, wherein the pilot activator includes a distal end extending from the pilot bore into the longitudinal bore above the first surface of the valve closure member when the pilot activator is in a closed position.
- 41. The valve closure member of claim 37, wherein the at least one equalizing passageway is disposed within the valve closure member.
- 42. The valve closure member of claim 41, wherein the valve closure member further includes an annular tapered surface joining the second surface of the valve closure member and the plug bore, and the at least one equalizing passageway establishes fluid communication between the first surface of the valve closure member and the tapered surface.
- 43. The valve closure member of claim 37, wherein the at least one equalizing passageway is an internal fluid passageway through the equalizing plug.
- 44. The valve closure member of claim 43, wherein the internal fluid flow passageway includes a generally longitudinal passageway extending from a second end of the equalizing plug and is in fluid communication with at least one generally radially-disposed opening exiting the plug at a location between the second end of the plug and the annular sealing surface of the plug.
- 45. The valve closure member of claim 37, wherein the pilot activator includes a first annular sealing surface for cooperable sealing engagement with a second annular sealing surface disposed about the pilot bore.
- 46. The valve closure member of claim 45, wherein at least one of the first and second annular sealing surfaces further includes a pliable annular sealing surface.
- 47. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 37, wherein the equalizing plug includes a first annular sealing surface adjacent a first end thereof for cooperable sealing engagement with a second annular sealing surface formed within the valve closure member.
- 48. The valve closure member of claim 47, wherein at least one of the first and second annular sealing surfaces further includes a pliable annular sealing surface.
- 49. The valve closure member of claim 37, wherein the equalizing plug further includes an internal fluid passageway for establishing fluid communication between the longitudinal bore adjacent the second surface of the valve closure member and an annular space formed between a second surface of the pilot piston and the cylinder.
- 50. The valve closure member of claim 37, wherein the equalizing plug is biased within the plug bore in a normally-closed position by a spring.
- 51. The valve closure member of claim 37, wherein the pilot activator is biased within the pilot bore in a normally-closed position by a spring.
- 52. A pressure-equalizing mechanism installed within an annular housing of a subsurface safety valve, the subsurface safety valve including a body member having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough, a valve closure member movably mounted within the body member, and a sleeve member remotely shiftable within the longitudinal bore to move the valve closure member between open and closed positions to control fluid flow through the longitudinal bore, the valve closure member having a first surface and a second surface, the pressure-equalizing mechanism including:a pilot activator movably disposed within a pilot bore in the annular housing in response to movement of the sleeve member; a pilot piston movably disposed within a cylinder in the annular housing, a first surface of the pilot piston being in fluid communication with the pilot bore through a pilot passageway in the annular housing, the pilot activator alternately permitting and preventing fluid communication between the longitudinal bore adjacent the second surface of the valve closure member and the first surface of the pilot piston through the pilot passageway; and, an equalizing plug movably disposed within a plug bore in the annular housing in response to movement of the pilot piston, the equalizing plug alternately permitting and preventing fluid communication between the longitudinal bore adjacent the second surface of the valve closure member and the longitudinal bore adjacent the first surface of the valve closure member through at least one equalizing passageway.
- 53. The pressure-equalizing mechanism of claim 52, wherein:the sleeve member includes a first recessed profile and a second recessed profile; the pilot activator includes a distal end; the pilot activator is in a closed position and the distal end is disposed within the first recessed profile when the valve closure member is in a fully-open position; the pilot activator is in an open position and the distal end is disposed against an intermediate portion of the an outer surface of the sleeve member when the equalizing plug is in an equalizing position; and the pilot activator is in its closed position and the distal end is disposed within the second recessed profile when the valve closure member is in a fully-closed position.
- 54. The pressure-equalizing mechanism of claim 53, wherein the first recessed profile includes a first inclined surface, a first flat surface, and a second inclined surface, and the second recessed profile includes a third inclined surface, a second flat surface, and a fourth inclined surface.
- 55. The pressure-equalizing mechanism of claim 54, wherein:the first inclined surface extends upwardly from the first flat surface to an outer surface of the sleeve member at an angle of approximately 45 degrees; the second inclined surface extends downwardly from the first flat surface to the outer surface of the sleeve member at an angle of approximately 10 degrees; the third inclined surface extends upwardly from the second flat surface to the outer surface of the sleeve member at an angle of approximately 10 degrees; and, the fourth inclined surface extends downwardly from the second flat surface to the outer surface of the sleeve member an angle of approximately 45 degrees.
- 56. The pressure-equalizing mechanism of claim 54, wherein the intermediate portion of the outer surface of the sleeve member intersects and is disposed between the second inclined surface of the first recessed profile and the third inclined surface of the second recessed profile.
- 57. The pressure-equalizing mechanism of claim 52, further including a series of baffles on an exterior surface of the annular housing and adjacent the longitudinal bore.
- 58. The pressure-equalizing mechanism of claim 52, wherein the first surface of the pilot piston includes a first active surface area intermittently in fluid communication with fluid pressure in the longitudinal bore adjacent the second surface of the valve closure member through the pilot passageway, and the equalizing plug includes a head portion having a second active surface area in fluid communication with fluid pressure in the longitudinal bore adjacent the second surface of the valve closure member, the first active surface area being greater than the second active surface area.
- 59. The pressure-equalizing mechanism of claim 52, wherein:the subsurface safety valve further includes an operating piston disposed within the body member and remotely shiftable to move the sleeve member within the longitudinal bore; the operating piston is a hydraulic operating piston that is moveable in response to application of hydraulic fluid and includes an operating piston surface area in communication with the hydraulic fluid; the pilot activator includes a pilot valve seat defined by a first annular sealing surface on the pilot activator and a second annular sealing surface about the pilot bore, the pilot valve seat defining a pilot surface area; the equalizing plug includes a plug valve seat defined by a third annular sealing surface on the equalizing plug and a fourth annular sealing surface within the valve, the plug valve seat defining a plug surface area; the pilot surface area is smaller than the operating piston surface area; and the plug surface area is greater than the operating piston surface area.
- 60. The pressure-equalizing mechanism of claim 52, wherein the at least one equalizing passageway is disposed within the annular housing.
- 61. The pressure-equalizing mechanism of claim 52, wherein the at least one equalizing passageway is an internal fluid passageway through the equalizing plug.
- 62. The pressure-equalizing mechanism of claim 61, wherein the internal fluid flow passageway includes a generally longitudinal passageway extending from a second end of the equalizing plug and is in fluid communication with at least one generally radially-disposed opening exiting the plug at a location between the second end of the plug and the annular sealing surface of the plug.
- 63. The pressure-equalizing mechanism of claim 52, wherein the pilot activator includes a first annular sealing surface for cooperable sealing engagement with a second annular sealing surface disposed about the pilot bore.
- 64. The pressure-equalizing mechanism of claim 63, wherein at least one of the first and second annular sealing surfaces further includes a pliable annular sealing surface.
- 65. The equalizing subsurface valve of claim 52, wherein the equalizing plug includes a first annular sealing surface adjacent a first end thereof for cooperable sealing engagement with a second annular sealing surface formed within the annular housing.
- 66. The pressure-equalizing mechanism of claim 65, wherein at least one of the first and second annular sealing surfaces further includes a pliable annular sealing surface.
- 67. The pressure-equalizing mechanism of claim 52, wherein the equalizing plug is biased within the plug bore in a normally-closed position by a spring.
- 68. The pressure-equalizing mechanism of claim 52, wherein the pilot activator is biased within the pilot bore in a normally-closed position by a spring.
- 69. An equalizing subsurface valve for controlling fluid flow in a well conduit, comprising:a body member having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough; a valve actuator disposed for movement within the longitudinal bore; means for controllably moving the valve actuator within the longitudinal bore; a valve closure member mounted within the body member to control fluid flow through the longitudinal bore; means for biasing the valve closure member to a normally-closed position to prevent fluid flow through the longitudinal bore; means for biasing the valve actuator away from the valve closure member; and pressure equalizing means responsive to movement of the valve actuator for permitting fluid pressure above and below the valve disclosure member to equalize before the valve closure member is opened to allow fluid flow through the longitudinal bore, the pressure equalizing means including a pilot activator disposed for engagement with the valve actuator and for reciprocal movement within a pilot bore in the valve in response to movement of the valve actuator.
- 70. A method of equalizing pressure above and below a valve closure member in a subsurface safety valve prior to remotely shifting the valve closure member from a closed to an open position, comprising:shifting a valve actuator within a longitudinal bore of the subsurface safety valve into contact with a pilot activator disposed for reciprocal movement within a pilot bore in the valve; shifting the pilot activator within the pilot bore to establish fluid communication through a pilot passageway between the longitudinal bore adjacent a second surface of the valve closure member and a first surface of a pilot piston movably disposed within a cylinder in the valve; and establishing fluid communication between the second surface of the valve closure member and a first surface of the valve closure member.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/113,327 filed Dec. 22, 1998.
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Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60/113327 |
Dec 1998 |
US |