Claims
- 1. A safety valve apparatus adapted for movement through the bore of a well tubing to a desired subsurface location in a well for controlling flow of well fluids through the bore of the well tubing at the subsurface location in response to control signals communicated to the safety valve from a remote location, including:
- tubular frame means for movement through the bore of the well tubing to and from the desired subsurface location;
- means with said frame means operable for releasably securing said tubular frame means with the well tubing against relative longitudinal movement thereto at the desired subsurface location;
- bore closure means mounted with said frame means for movement relative to said frame means to and from an open position enabling flow of well fluids through the bore of the well tubing and a closed position for blocking flow of well fluids through the bore of the well tubing;
- said tubular frame means forming a downwardly facing annular seat for sealing engagement with said bore closure means for blocking flow of well fluids through the bore of the well tubing;
- tubular operator means movable relative to said frame means for effecting movement of said bore closure means to and from the open and closed positions, said operator means moving relative to said frame means in response to control signals transmitted to said operator means independently of the well tubing from the remote location for moving said bore closure means; and
- said tubular frame means having first and second tubular portions and means for connecting said first and second portions for enabling limited angular movement of said first tubular portion relative to said second tubular portion wherein said frame means flexes in moving to and from the desired subsurface location.
- 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
- said first tubular portion and said second tubular portion forming a substantially concentric bore through said frame means within said downwardly facing annular seat for providing a flow passage for well fluids; and
- said means for connecting comprising a spherical head formed on one of said tubular portions with said spherical head received and secured in a socket formed by the other of said tubular portions.
- 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein:
- said first tubular frame portion carries said means for releasably securing said frame means with the well tubing against longitudinal relative movement therebetween.
- 4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein:
- said bore closure means includes a rotatable ball-type closure element having a ball opening formed therethrough and a spherical sealing surface engaging said annular seat; and
- said operator means includes means for rotating said ball-type closure element to and from the open position while sealingly engaging said annular seat by placing said ball opening in communication with said bore by said frame means through said annular seat for enabling flow of well fluids and closed position for placing said ball opening out of communication with said bore of said frame means for blocking flow of well fluids.
- 5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein:
- said rotatable ball-type closure element sealing surface having a spherical diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said tubular portions of said frame means.
- 6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 42, wherein:
- said first tubular portion carries said means for releasably securing said frame means with the well tubing against relative longitudinal movement therebetween; and
- said second tubular portion forming a cage means surrounding said ball-type closure element for operably connecting with said ball-type closure element to maintain said spherical surface of said ball-type closure element in sealing engagement with said annular seat formed by said tubular frame means when said ball-type closure element rotates to and from the open and closed position.
- 7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein:
- said rotatable ball-type closure element sealing surface having a spherical diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said cage means.
- 8. A safety valve apparatus adapted for movement through the bore of a well tubing to a desired subsurface location in a well for controlling flow of well fluids through the bore of the well tubing at the subsurface location in response to control signals communicated to the safety valve from a remote location, including:
- tubular frame means for movement through the bore of the well tubing to and from the desired subsurface location;
- means with said frame means operable for releasably securing said frame means with the well tubing at the desired location;
- bore closure means mounted with said frame means for movement relative to said frame means to and from an open position enabling flow of well fluids through the bore of the well tubing and a closed position for blocking flow of well fluids through the bore of the well tubing;
- said tubular frame means forming a downwardly facing annular seat for sealing engagement with said bore closure means for blocking flow of well fluids through the bore of the well tubing;
- operator means movable relative to said frame means for effecting movement of said bore closure means to and from the open and closed position, said operator means moving relative tos aid frame means in response to control signals transmitted to said operator means independently of the well tubing from the remote location for moving said bore closure means; and
- said tubular frame means having first and second tubular portions and universal joint means for connecting said first tubular portion and said second tubular portion for enabling limited angular movement therebetween while blocking longitudinal movement therebetween wherein said frame means flexes while maintaining said first and second portions in fixed longitudinal relationship.
- 9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein:
- said first tubular portion and said second tubular portion forming a substantially concentric bore through said frame means within said downwardly facing annular seat for providing a flow passage for well fluids; and
- said means for connecting comprising a spherical head formed on one of said tubular portions with said spherical head received and secured in a socket formed by the other of said tubular portions.
- 10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein:
- said first tubular frame portion carries said means for releasably securing said frame means with the well tubing against longitudinal relative movement therebetween.
- 11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein:
- said bore closure means includes a rotatable ball-type closure element having a ball opening formed therethrough and a spherical sealing surface engaging said annular seat; and
- said operator means includes means for rotating said ball-type closure element to and from the open position while sealingly engaging said annular seat by placing said ball opening in communication with said bore of said frame means through said annular seat for enabling flow of well fluids and the closed position for placing said ball opening out of communication with said bore of said frame means for blocking flow of well fluids.
- 12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein:
- said rotatable ball-type closure element sealing surface having a spherical diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said tubular portions of said frame means.
- 13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein:
- said first tubular portion carries said means for releasably securing said frame means with the well tubing against relative longitudinal movement therebetween; and
- said second tubular portion forming a cage means surrounding said ball-type closure element for operably connecting with said ball-type closure element to maintain said spherical surface of said ball-type closure element in sealing engagement with said annular seat formed by said tubular frame means when said ball-type closure element rotates to and from the open and closed position.
- 14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein:
- said rotatable ball-type closure element sealing surface having a spherical diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said cage means.
- 15. A safety valve apparatus adapted for movement through the bore of a well tubing to a desired subsurface location in a well for controlling flow of well fluids through the bore of the well tubing at the subsurface location in response to control signals communicated to the safety valve from a remote location, including:
- frame means for movement through the bore of the well tubing to and from the desired subsurface location;
- means with said frame means for releasably securing said frame means with the well tubing at the desired subsurface location;
- bore closure means mounted with said frame means for movement relative to said frame means to and from an open position enabling flow of well fluids through the bore of the well tubing and a closed position for blocking flow of well fluids through the bore of the well tubing;
- operator means movable relative to said frame means for effecting movement of said bore closure means to and from the open and closed positions responsive to control signals transmitted to said operator means from the remote location; and
- said operator means having first and second portions and means for connecting said first and second portions for enabling limited angular movement of said first portion relative to said second portion wherein said operator means flexes.
- 16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein:
- one of said first and second portions includes means actuatable upon initial closing of said bore closure means for modifying the operator means to assure positive bore closure operation by adjusting for dimensional changes of the safety valve apparatus.
- 17. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein:
- said first portion and said second portion comprise tubular portions forming a substantially concentric bore through said operator means for providing a flow passage for well fluids; and
- said means for connecting comprising a spherical head formed on one of said tubular portions with said spherical head received and secured in a socket formed by the other of said tubular portions.
- 18. The apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein:
- said first tubular portion carries means for releasably securing said operator means with a movable control member for moving said first tubular portion with the control member.
- 19. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein:
- said bore closure means includes a rotatable ball-type closure element having a ball opening formed therethrough and a spherical sealing surface sealingly engaging an annular seat ring means having a central opening; and
- said operator means includes means for rotating said ball-type closure element to and from the open position placing said ball opening in communication with said central opening of said seat ring means for enabling flow of well fluids and the closed position for placing said ball opening out of communication with said central opening of said seat ring means for blocking flow of well fluids.
- 20. The apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein: said rotatable ball-type closure element sealing surface having a spherical diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said tubular portion of said operator means rotating said bore closure means.
- 21. The apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein:
- said first tubular portion carries said means for releasably securing said operator means with a movable control member for moving said first tubular portion with the control member; and
- said second tubular portion forming means surrounding said ball-type closure element for operably connecting with said ball-type closure element to rotate said ball-type closure element to and from the open and closed positions upon movement of said first tubular portion and said second tubular portion by the control member.
- 22. The apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein:
- said rotatable ball-type closure element sealing surface having a spherical diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said second tubular portion means.
- 23. A safety valve apparatus adapted for movement through the bore of a well tubing to a desired subsurface location in a well for controlling flow of well fluids through the bore of the well tubing at the subsurface location in response to control signals communicated to the safety valve from a remote location, including:
- frame means for movement through the bore of the well tubing to and from the desired subsurface location;
- means with said frame means for releasably securing said frame means with the well tubing at the desired subsurface location;
- bore closure means mounted with said frame means for movement relative to said frame means to and from an open position enabling flow of well fluids through the bore of the well tubing and a closed position for blocking flow of well fluids through the bore of the well tubing;
- operator means movable relative to said frame means for effecting movement of said bore closure means to and from the open and closed positions responsive to control signals transmitted to said operator means from the remote location; and
- said operator means having first and second portions and universal joint means for connecting said first and second portions for enabling limited angular movement therebetween while blocking longitudinal movement therebetween wherein said frame means flexes while maintaining said first and second portions in fixed longitudinal relationship.
- 24. The apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein:
- one of said first and second portions includes means actuatable upon initial closing of said bore closure means for modifying the operator means to assure positive bore closure operation by adjusting for dimensional changes of the safety valve apparatus.
- 25. The apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein:
- said first portion and said second portion comprise tubular portions forming a substantially concentric bore through said operator means for providing a flow passage for well fluids; and
- said means for connecting comprising a spherical head formed on one of said tubular portions with said spherical head received and secured in a socket formed by the other of said tubular portions.
- 26. The apparatus as set forth in claim 25, wherein:
- said first tubular portion carries means for releasably securing said operator means with a movable control member for moving said first tubular portion with the control member.
- 27. The apparatus as set forth in claim 25, wherein:
- said bore closure means includes a rotatable ball-type closure element having ball opening formed therethrough and a spherical sealing surface sealingly engaging an annular seat ring means having a control opening; and
- said operator means includes means for rotating said ball-type closure element to and from the open position placing said ball opening in communication with said central opening of said seat ring means for enabling flow of well fluids and the closed position for placing said ball opening out of communication with said central opening of said seat ring means for blocking flow of well fluids.
- 28. The apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein:
- said rotatable ball-type closure element sealing surface having a spherical diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said tubular portion of said operator means rotating said bore closure means.
- 29. The apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein:
- said first tubular portion carries said means for releasably securing said operator means with a movable central member for moving said first tubular portion with the central member; and
- said second tubular portion forming means surrounding said ball-type closure element for operably connecting with said ball-type closure element to rotate said ball-type closure element to and from the open and closed positions upon movement of said first tubular portion and said second tubular portion by the control member.
- 30. The apparatus as set forth in claim 29, wherein: said rotatable ball-type closure element sealing surface having a spherical diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said second tubular portion means.
- 31. A safety valve apparatus adapted for movement through the bore of a well tubing to a desired subsurface location in a well for controlling flow of well fluids through the bore of the well tubing at the subsurface location in response to control signals communicated to the safety valve from a remote location, including:
- frame means for movement through the bore of the well tubing to and from the desired subsurface location, said frame means having a first frame portion and a second frame portion and means for connecting said first and second portions for enabling limited angular movement of said first frame portion relative to said frame portion wherein said frame means flexes;
- means with said frame means for releasably securing said frame means with the well tubing at the desired subsurface location;
- bore closure means mounted with said frame means for movement relative to said frame means to and from an open position enabling flow of well fluids through the bore of the well tubing and a closed position for blocking flow of well fluids through the bore of the well tubing; and
- operator means operably connected with said bore closure means for effecting movement of said bore closure means to and from the open and closed positions responsive to control signals transmitted to said operator means from the remote location, said operating means having a first operating portion and a second operating portion and means for connecting said first and second portions for enabling limited angular movement of said operating portion relative to said second operating portion wherein said safety valve apparatus may flex in moving to and from the desired subsurface location.
- 32. The apparatus as set forth in claim 31, wherein:
- said first frame portion and said second frame portion comprise tubular portions forming a substantially concentric bore through said frame means for providing a flow passage for well fluids; and
- said means for connecting comprising a spherical head formed on one of said tubular portions with said spherical head received and secured in a socket formed by the other of said tubular portions.
- 33. The apparatus as set forth in claim 32, wherein:
- said first tubular frame portion carries said means for releasably securing said frame means with the well tubing.
- 34. The apparatus as set forth in claim 32, wherein:
- said bore closure means includes a rotatable ball-type closure element having a ball opening formed therethrough and a spherical sealing surface; and
- said operator means includes means for rotating said ball-type closure element to and from the open position placing said ball opening in communication with said bore of said frame means for enabling flow of well fluids and the closed position for placing said ball opening out of communication with said bore of said frame means for blocking flow of well fluids.
- 35. The apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein:
- said rotatable ball-type closure element sealing surface having a spherical diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said tubular portion of said frame means mounting said bore closure means.
- 36. The apparatus as set forth in claim 35, wherein:
- said first tubular frame portion carries said means for releasably securing said frame means with the well tubing; and
- said second tubular frame portion forming a cage means surrounding said ball-type closure element for operably connecting with said ball-type closure element to maintain said spherical surface of said ball-type closure element in sealing engagement with said frame means.
- 37. The apparatus as set forth in claim 36, wherein:
- said rotatable ball-type closure element sealing surface having a spherical diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said cage means.
- 38. The apparatus as set forth in claim 31, wherein:
- said first operator portion and said second operator portion comprise tubular portions forming a substantially concentric bore through said operator means for providing a flow passage for well fluids; and
- said means for connecting comprising a spherical head formed on one of said tubular operator portions with said spherical head received and secured in a socket formed by the other of said tubular operator portions.
- 39. The apparatus as set forth in claim 38, wherein:
- said first tubular operator portions carries means for releasably securing said operator means with a movable control member for moving said first tubular portion with the control member.
- 40. The apparatus as set forth in claim 38, wherein:
- said bore closure means includes a rotatable ball-type closure element having a ball opening formed therethrough and a spherical sealing surface sealing engaging an annular seat ring means having a central opening; and
- said operator means includes means for rotating said ball-type closure element to and from the open position placing said ball opening in communication with said central opening of said seat ring means for enabling flow of well fluids and the closed position for placing said ball opening out of communication with said central opening of said seat ring means for blocking flow of well fluids.
- 41. The apparatus as set forth in claim 40, wherein:
- said rotatable ball-type closure element sealing surface having a spherical diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said tubular portion of said operator means rotating said bore closure means.
- 42. The apparatus as set forth in claim 40, wherein:
- said first tubular portion carries said means for releasably securing said operator means with a movable control member for moving said first tubular portion with the control member; and
- said second tubular portion forming means surrounding said ball-type closure element for operably connecting with said ball-type closure element to rotate said ball-type closure element to and from the open and closed position upon movement of said first tubular portion and said second tubular portion by the control member.
- 43. The apparatus as set forth in claim 42, wherein:
- said rotatable ball-type closure element sealing surface having a spherical diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said second tubular portion means.
- 44. The apparatus as set forth in claim 40, wherein:
- said first frame portion and said second frame portion comprise tubular portions forming a substantially concentric bore through said frame means for providing a flow passage for well fluids; and
- said means for connecting comprising a spherical head formed on one of said tubular frame portions with said spherical head received and secured in a socket formed by the other of said tubular frame portions.
- 45. The apparatus as set forth in claim 44, wherein:
- said first tubular frame portion carries said means for releasably securing said frame means with the well tubing.
- 46. The apparatus as set forth in claim 44, wherein:
- said rotatable ball-type closure element sealing surface having a spherical diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said tubular portion of said tubular frame portion mounting said bore closure means.
- 47. The apparatus as set forth in claim 44, wherein:
- said first tubular frame portion carries said means for releasably securing said frame means with the well tubing; and
- said second tubular frame portion forming a cage means surrounding said ball-type closure element for operably connecting with said ball-type closure element to maintain said spherical surface of said ball-type closure element in sealing engagement with said seat ring means.
- 48. The apparatus as set forth in claim 47, wherein:
- said rotatable ball-type closure element sealing surface having a spherical diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said cage means.
Parent Case Info
This is a division, of application Ser. No. 580,228, filed May 23, 1975.
US Referenced Citations (6)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
6 "Otis Safety Systems & Automatic Control Equipment"cited by applicant in parent application Ser. No. 580,228. |
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
580228 |
May 1975 |
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