System and method utilizing ball seat with locking feature
US11988054B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 5, 2021 |
| Grant date | May 21, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B2200/06
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A technique facilitates pressure application downhole by locking a ball in place to prevent it from unseating even if the pressure is bled off. A ball seat is constructed with a locking feature for effectively capturing and retaining the ball once the ball is seated in the ball seat under sufficient pressure. According to an embodiment, the ball seat may be mounted at a desired position along an internal flow passage of a well string component. The ball seat comprises a throat section which is formed of a ductile material arranged in a suitable structure to enable a desired deformation upon receiving the ball under sufficient pressure. As the ball is pressed into the throat section, the material of the throat section deforms and partially springs back to resist movement of the ball in the uphole direction, thus capturing the ball in both the uphole direction and the downhole direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.