Claims
- 1. A downhole well tool securable to tubular members for forming a section of fluid flow conduit when said well for selective transmission of fluids therethrough between an interior and an exterior of said tool, said tool comprising:
- a housing;
- first and second threaded ends for securing said housing between companion ends of said tubular members;
- at least one fluid communication port disposed through said housing and between said threaded ends;
- a sleeve which is selectively movable for selectively obstructing said at least one fluid communication port to prevent said selective transmission of fluids therethrough;
- sealing means interiorly positioned around and sealingly engaging between said tubular members and said sleeve;
- said sleeve having at least one fluid flow port disposed through said sleeve which is selectively moveable between at least two positions, said at least two positions including:
- a closed position, wherein said at least one fluid flow port is positioned radially inward of a selected one of said tubular members and at least a portion of said sealing means is positioned between said at least one fluid flow port and said at least one fluid communication port; and
- an open position, wherein said at least one fluid flow port is positioned radially inward of said housing to allow said selective transmission of fluids between said at least one fluid flow port and said at least one fluid communication port.
- 2. A downhole well tool securable to tubular members for forming a section of fluid flow conduit within said well for selective transmission of fluids therethrough between an interior and an exterior of said tool, said tool comprising:
- a housing which has at least one fluid communication port disposed therethrough;
- first and second threaded ends for securing said housing between companion ends of said tubular members;
- a sleeve disposed within said housing;
- first and second seal members positioned about and sealingly engaging between said sleeve and said tubular members to prevent a fluid flow of gases and liquids therebetween across said sealing means;
- wherein said sleeve has at least one fluid flow port disposed therethrough and wherein said sleeve is selectively moveable between at least two positions, including:
- a closed position, wherein said first seal member is disposed between and sealingly between said at least one fluid flow port and said at least one fluid communication port;
- an open position, wherein said first and second seal members are disposed removed from a fluid flow path between said at least one fluid flow port and said at least one fluid communication port for said selective transmission of fluids between said at least one fluid flow port and said at least one fluid communication port;
- a fluid flow diffuser disposed between said at least one fluid communication port and said at least one fluid flow port when said first seal member is positioned between said at least one fluid flow port and said at least one fluid communication port; and
- wherein said fluid flow diffuser chokes a flow of fluids between said at least one fluid flow port and said at least one fluid communication port to substantially reduce said flow of fluids across said first seal means when said sleeve is selectively moved between said closed position and said open position.
- 3. A downhole well tool securable to tubular members for forming a section of cylindrical fluid flow conduit within a well for selective transmission of fluids therethrough between an interior and an exterior of said tool, said tool comprising:
- a housing which has at least one fluid communication port disposed through said housing;
- a sleeve disposed about said housing;
- a sealing means positioned about said housing and said sleeve, and sealingly engaging between said housing and said sleeve to prevent a fluid flow of gases and liquids therebetween across said sealing means;
- wherein said sleeve has at least one fluid flow port disposed therethrough which is selectively moveable between at least two positions, including:
- a closed position, wherein at least a portion of said sealing means is disposed between and sealing between said at least one fluid flow port and said at least one fluid communication port, and said at least one fluid flow port is isolated from fluid communication with said at least one fluid communication port to prevent fluid flow therethrough;
- an open position, wherein said sealing means is disposed removed from a fluid flow path between said at least one fluid flow port and said at least one fluid communication port, and said at least one fluid flow port is in fluid communication with said at least one fluid communication port so that fluid may flow between said at least one fluid flow port and said at least one fluid communication port for said selective transmission of fluids;
- a fluid flow diffuser disposed between said sleeve and said housing, and which, when said sleeve is in said closed position, is disposed between said at least one fluid communication port and said at least one fluid flow port for protecting said sealing means; and
- wherein said fluid flow diffuser chokes a flow of fluids between said at least one fluid flow port and said at least one fluid communication port to substantially reduce said flow of fluids across said fluid flow diffuser when said sleeve is selectively moved between said closed position and said open position.
- 4. The downhole well tool of claim 3:
- wherein said housing includes a separating distance between said sealing means and said fluid flow diffuser, said separating distance having a length which is longer than an overall length of said at least one fluid communication port; and
- wherein said separating distance is larger than said overall length to dispose said sealing means in a substantially enclosed region, which is formed in part by said sleeve, by said at least one fluid flow port not extending between both said fluid flow diffuser and said sealing means when said sleeve is in any of said at least two positions, and any intermediate position therebetween.
- 5. A downhole well tool for use as a valve in a section of fluid flow conduit in a wellbore for a selective transmission of fluids therethrough, said downhole well tool comprising:
- a stationary member, which has at least one fluid communication port disposed therethrough;
- a movable valve member, which is selectively movable relative to said stationary member between at least two positions for said selective transmission of fluids, said at least two positions, including:
- a closed position, wherein said selective transmission of fluids is prevented;
- an open position, wherein said selective transmission of fluids is permitted;
- a sealing means which, at least when said movable valve member is in said closed position, is at least in part disposed between said housing and said moveable valve member to prevent said transmission of fluid therethrough;
- a fluid flow diffuser having a diffuser body which is disposed between said sealing means and said fluid communication port when said movable valve member is in an intermediate position between said closed position and said open position;
- a mating surface disposed adjacent to said fluid flow diffuser when said moveable member is in said intermediate position, said mating surface being moveable relative to said fluid flow diffuser when said moveable member is selectively moved;
- wherein at least a portion of said selective transmission of fluids occurs between said fluid flow diffuser and said mating surface when said movable valve member is in said intermediate position; and
- wherein said at least a portion of said selective transmission of fluids is choked to a substantially reduced fluid flow rate, which is reduced substantially lower than a fluid flow rate which is not choked, by flowing between said fluid flow diffuser and said mating surface, and thus protecting said sealing means from damage by only passing said substantially reduced flow rate by said sealing means.
- 6. The downhole well tool of claim 5:
- wherein said selective transmission of fluids is between an interior and an exterior of said stationary member;
- wherein said stationary member is a housing, said moveable valve member is a sleeve disposed concentrically within said housing, and said sleeve is movable with respect to said housing in a continuum of positions between said open position and said closed position, said continuum of positions including at least one said intermediate position which is an equalization position; and
- wherein said fluid flow diffuser is a separate member disposed within a groove within said housing between said housing and said moveable valve member, and said mating surface is included as a surface of said moveable member.
- 7. The downhole well tool of claim 5, wherein said fluid flow diffuser includes a diffuser contact surface which presses against said mating surface to choke said at least a portion of said selective transmission of fluids to provide said substantially reduced fluid flow rate.
- 8. The downhole well tool of claim 5:
- wherein said fluid flow diffuser includes a diffuser contact surface which presses against said mating surface to choke said at least a portion of said selective transmission of fluids to provide said substantially reduced fluid flow rate;
- wherein said diffuser contact surface is a portion of at least one diffuser peripheral surface and contacts said mating surface, and said diffuser contact surface defines a contact surface area which is smaller than a peripheral surface area of said at least one diffuser peripheral surface; and
- wherein a reduced frictional engagement, which is reduced in comparison to a full frictional engagement, is provided between said mating surface and said fluid flow diffuser by said diffuser contact surface defining a contact surface area which is smaller than a peripheral surface area of said at least one diffuser peripheral surface.
- 9. The downhole well tool of claim 5:
- wherein said fluid flow diffuser includes a diffuser contact surface which presses against said mating surface to choke said at least a portion of said selective transmission of fluids to provide said substantially reduced fluid flow rate;
- wherein said diffuser contact surface is a portion of a pair of diffuser peripheral surfaces, which are sloped surfaces, each disposed at an angle to said mating surface, and which together form a junction which defines said diffuser contact surface;
- wherein said diffuser contact surface defines a contact surface are which is smaller than a peripheral surface area of said at least one diffuser peripheral surface; and
- wherein a reduced frictional engagement, which is reduced in comparison to a full frictional engagement, is provided between said mating surface and said fluid flow diffuser by said diffuser contact surface defining a contact surface area which is smaller than a peripheral surface area of said at least one diffuser peripheral surface.
- 10. The downhole well tool of claim 9:
- wherein said pair of diffuser peripheral surfaces have constant slopes which are oppositely inclined from said mating surface; and
- wherein said angles are constant at five degrees and defined between said mating surface and said mating pairs of peripheral surfaces which are oppositely inclined from said mating surface.
- 11. The downhole well tool of claim 5:
- wherein said downhole well tool includes an expansion area, which provides a space for said fluid flow diffuser to deform into when said fluid flow diffuser presses into said mating surface harder than is necessary to choke said at least a portion of said selective transmission of fluids to provide said substantially reduced fluid flow rate, which is reduced substantially lower than a fluid flow rate which is not choked, to protect said seal from damage;
- said downhole well tool further includes an interference fit between said fluid flow diffuser and said mating surface, wherein said interference fit, at least in part, energizes said fluid flow diffuser to press against said mating surface to choke said at least a portion of said selective transmission of fluid;
- said fluid flow diffuser includes a diffuser contact surface which presses against said mating surface to choke said at least a portion of said selective transmission of fluids to provide said substantially reduced fluid flow rate;
- wherein said diffuser contact surface is a portion of at least one diffuser peripheral surface and contacts said mating surface, and said diffuser contact surface defines a contact surface area which is smaller than a peripheral surface area of said at least one diffuser peripheral surface;
- wherein a reduced frictional engagement, which is reduced in comparison to a full frictional engagement, is provided between said mating surface and said fluid flow diffuser by said diffuser contact surface defining a contact surface area which is smaller than a peripheral surface area of said at least one diffuser peripheral surface; and
- wherein said reduced frictional engagement is maintained by deformation of said fluid flow diffuser into said expansion area when said fluid flow diffuser presses into said mating surface harder than is necessary to choke said at least a portion of said selective transmission of fluids to provide said substantially reduced fluid flow rate.
- 12. The downhole well tool of claim 11, wherein said expansion area is formed as a notch cut into a surface of said fluid flow diffuser, said notch having a notch angle between opposing sides which is equal to forty degrees.
- 13. The downhole well tool of claim 5:
- wherein said downhole well tool includes an expansion area, which provides a space for said fluid flow diffuser to deform into when said fluid flow diffuser presses into said mating surface harder than is necessary to choke said at least a portion of said selective transmission of fluids to provide said substantially reduced fluid flow rate, which is reduced substantially lower than a fluid flow rate which is not choked, to protect said sealing means from damage;
- said downhole well tool further includes an interference fit between said fluid flow diffuser and said mating surface, wherein said interference fit, at least in part, energizes said fluid flow diffuser to press against said mating surface to choke said at least a portion of said selective transmission of fluid;
- wherein said fluid flow diffuser includes a diffuser contact surface which presses against said mating surface to choke said at least a portion of said selective transmission of fluids to provide said substantially reduced fluid flow rate;
- wherein a reduced frictional engagement, which is reduced in comparison to a full frictional engagement, is provided between said mating surface and said fluid flow diffuser by said diffuser contact surface defining a contact surface area which is smaller than a peripheral surface area of said at least one diffuser peripheral surface; and
- wherein said reduced frictional engagement is maintained by deformation of said fluid flow diffuser into said expansion area when said fluid flow diffuser presses into said mating surface harder than is necessary to choke said at least a portion of said selective transmission of fluids to provide said substantially reduced fluid flow rate.
- 14. The downhole well tool of claim 5, wherein said fluid flow diffuser is formed from thermoplastic.
- 15. A method for selective transmission of fluids through a wellbore conduit, said method comprising the steps of:
- coupling a pair of ported members to be relatively movable, one with respect to the other, to selectively align a plurality of ports disposed through said ported members in a plurality of positions which include an open position and a closed position, and disposing said pair of ported members within said wellbore as a section of said wellbore conduit;
- selectively isolating from fluid communication a first portion of said plurality of ports, which are disposed through one of said pair of ported members, from a second portion of said plurality of ports, which are disposed through an other of said pair of ported members, by positioning said one of said pair of ported members relative to said other of said pair of ported members with a sealing means disposed in a fluid communication path between said first and second portion of said plurality of ports, and thus positioning said pair of ported members in said closed position;
- selectively communicating fluids between said first portion of said plurality of ports, which are disposed through said one of said pair of ported members, from said second portion said plurality of ports, which are disposed through said other of said pair of ported members, by positioning said one of said pair of ported members relative to said other of said pair of ported members to dispose said sealing means apart from a fluid flow path between said first and second portion of said plurality of ports, and thus positioning said pair of ported members in said open position; and
- protecting said sealing means from a damaging fluid flow impact of high pressure fluids by disposing a fluid flow diffuser between said pair of ported members, said fluid flow diffuser choking to a substantially reduced flow rate a fluid flow which passes through said fluid communication path when any of said ports are disposed adjacent to said sealing means.
- 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said sealing means is further protected by said fluid flow diffuser choking said fluid flow which passes through said fluid communication path when said fluid flow is flowing adjacent to said sealing means.
- 17. The method of claim 15, wherein said sealing means if further protected by said fluid flow diffuser choking said fluid flow which passes through said fluid communication path when said sealing means is between any of said plurality of ports.
- 18. The method of claim 15, wherein a reduced frictional engagement between said fluid flow diffuser and one of said two concentric ported members which moves relative to said fluid flow diffuser is provided by making said fluid flow diffuser with a shape having a raised diffuser contact point surface, which by contacting said one of said two ported members which moves relative to said fluid flow diffuser, chokes said fluid flow which passes through said fluid communication path.
- 19. The method of claim 15:
- wherein said sealing means is protected from said damaging fluid flow impact of high pressure fluids passing through said fluid communication path by said fluid flow diffuser being urged into choking said fluid flow by an energization means, which at least in part includes an interference fit between said fluid flow diffuser and at least one of said pair of ported members, said method further comprising:
- preventing a friction seizure that would prevent said pair of ported members from being relatively movable to selectively align said plurality of ports for said selective transmission of fluids by providing an expansion region for said fluid flow diffuser to expand into when said energization means increases beyond a maximum level at a temperature.
- 20. The method of claim 15, wherein said pair of ported members are longitudinally extending tubular members.
- 21. The method of claim 20, wherein said pair of ported members are relatively movable, with respect to the other, in a linear path along a longitudinal length of at least one of said pair of ported members for selectively aligning said plurality of ports.
- 22. A method for selective transmission of fluids through a wellbore conduit, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first member having at least one port extending therethrough for passing said selective transmission of fluids;
- disposing a second member about said first member for selectively moving with respect to said first member for selectively obstructing a fluid communication path which passes through said at least one port to prevent said selective transmission of fluids therethrough;
- sealing a fluid flow path between said first and second members with a sealing means when said first member is selectively obstructing said at least one port; and
- choking a fluid flow along said flow path and across said sealing means to a substantially reduced flow rate, over that of a non-choked flow rate, with a fluid flow diffuser disposed between said first and second members to protect said sealing means from being damaged by said fluid flow.
- 23. A method for selective transmission of fluids through a wellbore conduit, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first member having at least one port extending therethrough for passing said selective transmission of fluids;
- disposing a second member about said first member for selectively moving with respect to said first member for selectively obstructing said at least one port to prevent said selective transmission of fluids therethrough;
- sealing a fluid flow path between said first and second members with a sealing means when said first member is selectively obstructing said at least one port; and
- choking a fluid flow along said flow path and across said sealing means to a substantially reduced flow rate, over that of a non-choked flow rate, with a fluid flow diffuser disposed between said first and second members to protect said sealing means against damage from said fluid flow.
- 24. The method of claim 23, wherein said second member selectively obstructs said at least one port by being selectively moved to a position adjacent to said at least one port to block said fluid communication path which passes therethrough.
- 25. The method of claim 23, wherein said first and second members move relative to one another along a linear path by said second member reciprocating relative to said first member.
- 26. A downhole well tool securable to tubular members for forming a section of a fluid flow conduit within a well for a selective transmission of fluids between an interior and an exterior of said fluid flow conduit, said downhole well tool comprising:
- a tubular housing having at least one fluid communication port extending laterally therethrough for said selective transmission of fluid, said tubular housing including a first threaded end for securing to a first tubular member;
- a sleeve disposed about said tubular housing for selectively moving in a sliding engagement along said housing between an open and a closed positions to selectively obstruct said at least one fluid communication port for controlling said selective transmission of fluid;
- a first and second seal means, which when said sleeve is selectively positioned in said closed position, are each disposed along said tubular housing on opposite sides of said at least one fluid communication port from the other, and sealingly engage between said tubular housing and said sleeve to seal against said selective transmission of fluid;
- said first seal means sealingly engaging between said first tubular member and said sleeve; and
- a fluid flow diffuser for slidably engaging about a fluid flow path extending through said at least one fluid communication port and along said sleeve when said sleeve is selectively moved between said open and said closed positions, said fluid flow diffuser slidably engaging about said fluid flowpath to choke said selective transmission of fluid along said fluid flowpath to a substantially reduced flow rate across said first seal means.
- 27. The downhole well tool of claim 26, wherein said fluid flow diffuser is separated from said first seal means by a distance which is sufficiently large to assure that said fluid flow diffuser remains between said at least one fluid communication port and said first seal means during said selective transmission of fluid along said fluid flowpath.
- 28. The downhole well tool of claim 26, further comprising:
- said fluid flow diffuser having a shape of a ring which includes a circumferentially extending expansion area for thermal expansion and a circumferentially extending point contact surface for slidably engaging about said fluid flowpath with a reduced frictional engagement.
- 29. A downhole well tool securable to tubular members for forming a section of a fluid flow conduit within a well for a selective transmission of wellbore fluid between an interior and an exterior of said fluid flow conduit, said downhole well tool comprising:
- a tubular housing having at least one fluid communication port extending laterally therethrough for said selective transmission of wellbore fluid, said tubular housing including a first threaded end for securing to a first tubular member;
- a sleeve disposed about said tubular housing for selectively moving in a sliding engagement along said housing between an open and a closed positions to selectively obstruct said at least one fluid communication port for controlling said selective transmission of wellbore fluid;
- a first and second seal means, which when said sleeve is selectively positioned in said closed position, are each disposed between said tubular housing and said sleeve on opposite sides of said at least one fluid communication port from the other, and sealingly engage between said tubular housing and said sleeve to seal against said selective transmission of wellbore fluid; and
- a fluid flow diffuser for slidably engaging about a fluid flowpath extending through said at least one fluid communication port and between said tubular housing and said sleeve when said sleeve is selectively moved between said open and said closed positions, said fluid flow diffuser slidably engaging about said fluid flowpath to choke said selective transmission of fluid along said fluid flowpath to a substantially reduced flow rate across said first seal means when said first seal means is exposed to a fluid flow passing between said tubular housing and said sleeve.
- 30. The downhole well tool of claim 29, further comprising:
- said fluid flow diffused having a shape of a ring which includes a circumferentially extending expansion area for thermal expansion and a circumferentially extending point contact surface for slidably engaging about said fluid flowpath with a reduced frictional engagement.
- 31. The downhole well tool of claim 29, further comprising:
- said fluid flow diffuser disposed between said at least one fluid communication port and said first seal means to retain at said substantially reduced flow rate said fluid flow, which passes between said tubular housing and said sleeve, and which also passes about said first sealing means.
- 32. The downhole well tool of claim 3, wherein said sleeve is disposed within said housing.
- 33. The downhole well tool of claim 3, wherein said housing is a longitudinally extending tubular member having said at least one fluid communication port extending laterally therethrough.
- 34. The downhole well tool of claim 33, wherein said sleeve passes longitudinally along said housing in a linear path of travel when said sleeve is selectively moved between said open and said closed positions.
- 35. The downhole well tool of claim 33, wherein said housing is a tubular member having a cylindrical shape.
- 36. The downhole well tool of claim 35, wherein said sealing means includes a first and second seal means, said first and second seal means are disposed circumferentially about said housing, and said first seal means is disposed longitudinally across said at least one fluid communication port from said second seal means.
- 37. The downhole well tool of claim 3, wherein said fluid flow diffuser is separated from said at least a portion of said sealing means by a distance which is sufficiently large to assure that said fluid flow diffuser remains between said at least one fluid communication port and said at least one fluid flow port while said at least a portion of said sealing means is therebetween.
- 38. The downhole well tool of claim 3, wherein said fluid flow diffuser engages between said housing and said sleeve with a reduced frictional engagement, and said reduced frictional engagement is retained as said downhole tool is exposed to a plurality of temperatures within said well.
- 39. The downhole well tool of claim 5, wherein said moveable valve member is selectively movable between said open and closed positions by moving linearly with respect to said stationery member, so that said movable valve member reciprocates with respect to said stationery member.
- 40. The downhole well tool of claim 39, wherein said stationery member is a longitudinally extending tubular member having said at least one fluid communication port extending laterally therethrough; and
- wherein said movable valve member moves linearly with respect to said stationery member by moving longitudinally along said stationery member.
- 41. The downhole well tool of claim 5, wherein said fluid flow diffuser is separated from said sealing means by a distance which is sufficiently large to assure that said fluid flow diffuser remains between said at least one fluid communication port and said sealing means for as long as said sealing means is disposed between said housing and said sleeve along a fluid flow path which passes fluids therebetween.
- 42. The downhole well tool of claim 5, wherein said fluid flow diffuser engages between said housing and said sleeve with a reduced frictional engagement, and said reduced frictional engagement is retained as said downhole tool is exposed to a plurality of temperatures within said well.
- 43. A fluid flow diffuser for use in a downhole well tool to protect a sealing means from being damaged by a high pressure wellbore fluid flowing across said sealing means, said fluid flow diffuser comprising:
- a diffuser body, for inserting and securing within said downhole well tool along a fluid flow path within which said sealing means is at least partially disposed; and
- at least one diffuser contact surface which extends towards an adjacent surface of said downhole well tool for throttling said high pressure wellbore fluid which flows therebetween and across said sealing means.
- 44. The fluid flow diffuser of claim 43, wherein said diffuser contact surface is urged to press against said adjacent surface of said downhole well tool with a reduced frictional engagement.
- 45. A fluid flow diffuser for use in a downhole well tool to protect a sealing means from being damaged by a high pressure wellbore fluid flowing across said sealing means, said fluid flow diffuser comprising:
- a diffuser body, for inserting and securing within said downhole well tool along a fluid flow path within which said sealing means is at least partially disposed;
- a diffuser contact surface which presses against an adjacent surface of said downhole well tool to throttle said high pressure wellbore fluid flowing along said flow path and across said sealing means; and
- an energization means for urging said diffuser contact surface to press against said adjacent surface of said downhole well tool.
- 46. The fluid flow diffuser of claim 45, wherein said diffuser contact surface presses into said adjacent surface of said downhole well tool with a reduced frictional engagement provided by having at least one surface extending from said diffuser body and towards said adjacent surface of said downhole well tool at a slope with respect to said adjacent surface of said downhole well tool.
- 47. The fluid flow diffuser of claim 46, further comprising:
- a notched expansion area extending about said diffuser body to retain said reduced frictional engagement by providing said notched expression area for said diffuser to expand into when exposed to a plurality of wellbore temperatures.
- 48. The fluid flow diffuser of claim 47, wherein said diffuser is formed from a thermoplastic material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application is a continuation-in-part of the earlier application Ser. No. 07/573,581, filed Aug. 27, 1990, entitled "Well Tool With Sealing Means now U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,220.
US Referenced Citations (4)
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
573581 |
Aug 1990 |
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