Bidirectional sealing mechanically shifted ball valve for downhole use
US8225871B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 26, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 12, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B2200/04
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A downhole ball valve is mounted n a string and features a rotating ball that turns on its axis as it is held against an upstream and a downstream seal by a cage. The cage accepts a slide that engages the ball off-center to rotate it between the open and closed positions. The slide is operated by a sleeve attached to a piston assembly. The sleeve is mechanically operated in opposed directions such as by a wireline shifting tool. Differential pressure on a closed ball does not affect the actuation piston because pressure across the actuating piston is balanced while holding pressure differential across the closed ball. A check valve allows the actuation piston to be in pressure balance as the ball stays closed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.