Curved flapper and seat for a subsurface saftey valve
US6666271B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 1, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B2200/05
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The invention is generally directed to a curved flapper and seat for use in a subsurface safety valve. The flapper is biased to a normally closed position to prevent fluid flow through the wellbore. The curved flapper has a sealing surface for engaging a corresponding sealing surface on a seat when the flapper is in its closed position. The sealing surface of the flapper is configured to contact the sealing surface of the seat along a sinusoidal sealing line, or seam, such that the reactive force from the seat is normal to the sinusoidal seating line. In one aspect, the sealing surface of the flapper has a convex spherical configuration relative to the seat. The sealing surface of the seat, in turn, has a concave conical shape relative to the flapper. When well conditions dictate, a resilient soft seat may optionally be used, and is disposed on the seat proximate the sinusoidal seating line.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.