Patent · US Expired

Method and removable auxiliary apparatus for permanently locking open a well flow control device

US4542792A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
5References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 21, 1984
Grant dateSep 24, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 21, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B2200/04
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method and removable auxiliary lock open apparatus are provided for permanently locking open a flow control device, mounted in a conduit in a subterranean well, having a valve head reciprocally movable between open and closed positions relative to a valve seat, and a driving means mechanism which includes a locking sleeve for manipulating the flow control device into the open and closed positions. The removable apparatus includes a locking wedge, carried by and disengageable from a locking wedge carrier, and piston member which are extendable relative to the locking wedge carrier for forcing the locking wedge from the locking wedge carrier into a lock urging position on the sleeve of the flow control device. When the locking wedge has been forced by the piston members into its locking position in the flow control device and is disengaged from the locking wedge carrier, the auxiliary apparatus is removed from the safety valve, leaving the locking wedge in the flow control valve to retain the latter permanently in its open position, with the flow of fluids therethrough unhindered by the apparatus employed to place the flow control device in its locked open position.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.