Rotatable ball valve apparatus and method
US4703807A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 18, 1986 |
| Grant date | Nov 3, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 18, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/86879
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A safety valve and method is disclosed having a housing in which a rotatable valve is disposed between upper and lower passages and lateral outlets. The ball has a removable insert such that in one position of the ball, the insert can be removed to provide full bore access in line with the well. The housing may be incorporated with the tubing head or may be attached to the top of the tubing head. During insertion of or workover of tubing, a blowout preventer may be attached to the top of the valve housing. The ball may be rotated for closing off the flow path from the well below. A Christmas tree may be installed after the blowout preventer is removed. Diverter valves may be connected to the lateral outlets. Passages in the ball insert may be aligned with the lateral outlets and the tubing to divert well fluid when desired via the diverter valves. The valve may be used as a master valve of a Christmas tree with a control valve attached to the lateral outlet. This abstract of the disclosure is neither intended to define the scope of the invention, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to limit the invention in any way.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.