CA1156929A - Valve - Google Patents
ValveInfo
- Publication number
- CA1156929A CA1156929A CA000415140A CA415140A CA1156929A CA 1156929 A CA1156929 A CA 1156929A CA 000415140 A CA000415140 A CA 000415140A CA 415140 A CA415140 A CA 415140A CA 1156929 A CA1156929 A CA 1156929A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- valve
- actuator
- housing
- open
- reciprocation
- Prior art date
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Abstract
VALVE
This application is a division of my copending Canadian application Serial No. 369,588, filed April 1, 1981.
Abstract of the Disclosure A valve and particularly a safety valve for use in controlling flow from a well in which an external motor is utilized to shift the actuator of a valve such as a ball valve. The reciprocating rod of the motor is protected by resilient means between the crosshead attached to the motor and the reciprocating actuator. The actuator is latched when the valve is in the open position so that it cannot be moved to closed position except by movement of the reciprocating motor. The valve and seat assembly are designed to be re-placed as a unit and can be fabricated as a subassembly with the valve in exact open alignment when the reciprocating actuator is in full valve open position as determined by a stop against which the valve member bottoms.
The valve may have its actuator moved beyond the normal reciprocating range for opening and closing of the valve member to permanently lock the valve member in full open position without hindering further reciprocation of the actuator so that it can be used as a control for a secondary valve. The housing and actuator are provided with latch means and a secondary valve with a secondary actuator are landed in the housing and in the actuator so that reciprocation of the actuator then moves the secondary valve between open and closed positions.
This application is a division of my copending Canadian application Serial No. 369,588, filed April 1, 1981.
Abstract of the Disclosure A valve and particularly a safety valve for use in controlling flow from a well in which an external motor is utilized to shift the actuator of a valve such as a ball valve. The reciprocating rod of the motor is protected by resilient means between the crosshead attached to the motor and the reciprocating actuator. The actuator is latched when the valve is in the open position so that it cannot be moved to closed position except by movement of the reciprocating motor. The valve and seat assembly are designed to be re-placed as a unit and can be fabricated as a subassembly with the valve in exact open alignment when the reciprocating actuator is in full valve open position as determined by a stop against which the valve member bottoms.
The valve may have its actuator moved beyond the normal reciprocating range for opening and closing of the valve member to permanently lock the valve member in full open position without hindering further reciprocation of the actuator so that it can be used as a control for a secondary valve. The housing and actuator are provided with latch means and a secondary valve with a secondary actuator are landed in the housing and in the actuator so that reciprocation of the actuator then moves the secondary valve between open and closed positions.
Description
-~ This invention relates to safety valves and more particu~
30larly to subsurface safety valves utilized to protect a well from some catastrophic occurrence at the surface. As is well known, these valves are utilized to automatically shut-in the ~t~
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well upon the occurrence of any undesired condition at the wellhead, such as loss of pressure resulting from a ship colliding with the wellhead. Upon some undesirable occurrence happeniny at the wellhead, the subsurface safety valve is automatically closed to shut-in the well and prevent flow therefrom until the causative occurrence can be corrected. It is customary to position -these valves at a level a few hundred feet below the wellhead or mudline. Desirably, these valves may also be placed at varying depths in the well, but many problems are encountered when the safety valve is placed at greater than the conventional depthO
To provide a safety valve which may be placed at any desired depth in ~he well, this invention provides an external reciprocating motor to control the safety valve. The recipro-cating motor is operated by fluid on opposite sides of an operating piston to provide for safe dependable operation by controlling the differential pressure in the two lines which lead from the valve to the surface. The pressure in these lines may be controlled in any desired way to shut-in the well at will and to automatically shut-in the well in the event of some catastrophic occurrence at the wellhead.
The provision of an external reciprocating motor for operating the safety valve presents many unique problems which may not be present in conventional safety valves ancl these problems are solved by the instant invention.
An object of th~s invention is to provide a subsurface safet~l valve which may be combined with an externally mounted reciprocating motor in which the connecting ro~ from the reciprocating motor is protected against an excessive bendiny force.
Another object is to provide a subsurface safety valve which may be used with an external reciprocating motor in which the connectiny rod of the motor is attached to the actuator of the safety valve by a crosshead and force is applied from the crosshead to the actuator through resilient means in both directions to prevent the application of force in excess of a selected value to protect the connecting rod against any excessive forces and particularly to prevent it from being bent by excess force applied between the connecting rod and the valve actuator.
Another object is to provide a subsurface safety valve which is operated by a crosshead in which the valve when in open position is positively latched in open position and cannot be moved to closed position except by movement of the crossheadl thus protecting against closing the safety valve on any TFL tools moving through the valve.
;~ Another object is to provide a subsurface safe-ty valve for use with an external reciprocating motor in which the safety valve may be positively locked in its open position and thereafter a secondary valve run in and landed in the valve housing and ~he actuator for the secondary valve attached to the actuator of the subsurface safety valve and the valve operated by reciprocation of the actuator of the safety valve.
Another object is to provide a subsurface safety valve in which by moving the valve actuator beyond its normal travel in moving the valve member between open and closed position auto-rnatically results in locking of the safety valve in open position while leaving the actuator free to reciprocate, together with suitable landing means in the actuator and in the valve body thus providing ~or landing of a secondary valve in the valve body and landing of the actuator of the secondary valve in the actuator of the safety valve to perrnit control of the secondary valve by reciprocation of the safety valve actuator.
Another object is to provide a sa:Eety valve in which the actuator when moved beyond the normal range of reciprocation for operating the valve is automaticall~ latched to a sleeve in which the safety val~e member is carried and further reciprocation of the actuator reciproca-tes both the actuator and the sleeve which carries the valve while maintainin~ the valve member in full open position.
Another ob~ect is to provide a safet~ valve in the preceding object with an automatic release of the sleeve from the valve body when the actuator is moved the extra distance to latch the actuator and sleeve together.
~nother ob~ect is to provide for a subsurface safety valve, a valve sleeve and stop and valve member assembly in which the relationship of the valve member and its pivot structure to the actuator and sleeve is dimensioned relative to a stop in the valve carrying sleeve such that when the actuator is in its full down position the ball of the valve member has the bore therethrough in exact alignment with the bore through the valve carrying sleeve to protect against hanging up of tools passing through the open valve.
Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the drawing, the specification and the claims.
Statement o~ Invention -In accordance with this invention there is provided a valve comprl~ing, a tubular housing, a tubular valve actuator in said housing~ means for reciprocating said valve actuator, a valve member and cooperative seat moving between open and closed positions with reciprocation of said valve actuator, means for latching said valve member in open position while leaving said actuator free to reciprocate in response to :, ~i movement of said actuator beyond its normal travel range in moving the valve member between open and closed positions.
In accordance with this invention there is further provided a valve compr.ising, a tubular housing, a tubular valve actuator in said housing, means for reciprocating said valve actuator, a valve member and cooperative seat moviny between open and closed positions with reciprocation of said valve actuator, means for latching said valve member in open position while leaving said actuator free to reciprocate in response to movement of said actuator beyond its normal travel range in moving the valve member between open and closed positions, means in said housing for securing a secondary valve in said housing, and means in said actuator for securing a secondary actuator of a secondary valve to said actuator whereby flow through said housing may be . controlled by said secondary valve with reciprocation of said actuator.
In accordance with this invention there is further provided a valve comprising, a tubular housing, a -tubular valve actuator in said housing, means for reciprocating said valve actuator, a sleeve releasably secured in said howsing, a valve member carried by said sleeve and movable between open and closed positions relative to a seat with reciproca-tion of said actuator, means for latching said actuator to said sleeve with the valve in open posi.tion in re.sponse to movement of saicl actuator be~ond its usual range of recipro-cation.
~n accordance with this invention the:re is further provided a valve comprising, a housing, a valve member and valve seat controlling 10w through said housing, an actuator movin~ said valve member between open and closed positions with reciprocation of said actuator, a crosshead slidably . - ~a -" ~ .,.
mounted on said actuator and adapted for attachment to the reciprocating rod of a reciprocating motor, spaced stops on said actuator, resilient means on said actuator on opposite sides of said crosshead confined by said stops and transmit-ting movement of said crosshead in opposite directions to said actuator, latch means between said housing and said actuator which is moved to latched position by movement of said actuator to valve open position to positively latch the valve in open position and prevent inadvertent closing of the valve by an upward force applied to the actuator other than by the crosshead, means on said crosshead -for unlatching said latch means upon initial movement of said crosshead in said other direction from valve open position, a second latch means for latching said valve member in open position while leaving said valve actuator free to reciprocate in response to movement of said actuator beyond its normal travel range in moving the valve member between open and closed positions, ; means in said housing for securing a secondary valve in said housing, and means in said actuator for securing a secondary actuator of a secondary valve to said actuator whereby flow through said housing may be controlled by said secondary valve with reciprocation of said actuator.
In the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like parts and wherein an illustrative embodiment of this :inven-tion Z.5 shown:
E'igure 1 is a schematic view of an offshore well e~uip-ped with the safety valve of this invention with the well stxi.ng and safet~ valve shown in elevation;
E'igures 2~, 2B and 2C are continuation views with the reciprocating motor shown in elevation and with the safety valve of this invention shown in section;
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30larly to subsurface safety valves utilized to protect a well from some catastrophic occurrence at the surface. As is well known, these valves are utilized to automatically shut-in the ~t~
. , ~ . ,, : .
'~
.
:' .
.
' ' ! I
, ' .
well upon the occurrence of any undesired condition at the wellhead, such as loss of pressure resulting from a ship colliding with the wellhead. Upon some undesirable occurrence happeniny at the wellhead, the subsurface safety valve is automatically closed to shut-in the well and prevent flow therefrom until the causative occurrence can be corrected. It is customary to position -these valves at a level a few hundred feet below the wellhead or mudline. Desirably, these valves may also be placed at varying depths in the well, but many problems are encountered when the safety valve is placed at greater than the conventional depthO
To provide a safety valve which may be placed at any desired depth in ~he well, this invention provides an external reciprocating motor to control the safety valve. The recipro-cating motor is operated by fluid on opposite sides of an operating piston to provide for safe dependable operation by controlling the differential pressure in the two lines which lead from the valve to the surface. The pressure in these lines may be controlled in any desired way to shut-in the well at will and to automatically shut-in the well in the event of some catastrophic occurrence at the wellhead.
The provision of an external reciprocating motor for operating the safety valve presents many unique problems which may not be present in conventional safety valves ancl these problems are solved by the instant invention.
An object of th~s invention is to provide a subsurface safet~l valve which may be combined with an externally mounted reciprocating motor in which the connecting ro~ from the reciprocating motor is protected against an excessive bendiny force.
Another object is to provide a subsurface safety valve which may be used with an external reciprocating motor in which the connectiny rod of the motor is attached to the actuator of the safety valve by a crosshead and force is applied from the crosshead to the actuator through resilient means in both directions to prevent the application of force in excess of a selected value to protect the connecting rod against any excessive forces and particularly to prevent it from being bent by excess force applied between the connecting rod and the valve actuator.
Another object is to provide a subsurface safety valve which is operated by a crosshead in which the valve when in open position is positively latched in open position and cannot be moved to closed position except by movement of the crossheadl thus protecting against closing the safety valve on any TFL tools moving through the valve.
;~ Another object is to provide a subsurface safe-ty valve for use with an external reciprocating motor in which the safety valve may be positively locked in its open position and thereafter a secondary valve run in and landed in the valve housing and ~he actuator for the secondary valve attached to the actuator of the subsurface safety valve and the valve operated by reciprocation of the actuator of the safety valve.
Another object is to provide a subsurface safety valve in which by moving the valve actuator beyond its normal travel in moving the valve member between open and closed position auto-rnatically results in locking of the safety valve in open position while leaving the actuator free to reciprocate, together with suitable landing means in the actuator and in the valve body thus providing ~or landing of a secondary valve in the valve body and landing of the actuator of the secondary valve in the actuator of the safety valve to perrnit control of the secondary valve by reciprocation of the safety valve actuator.
Another object is to provide a sa:Eety valve in which the actuator when moved beyond the normal range of reciprocation for operating the valve is automaticall~ latched to a sleeve in which the safety val~e member is carried and further reciprocation of the actuator reciproca-tes both the actuator and the sleeve which carries the valve while maintainin~ the valve member in full open position.
Another ob~ect is to provide a safet~ valve in the preceding object with an automatic release of the sleeve from the valve body when the actuator is moved the extra distance to latch the actuator and sleeve together.
~nother ob~ect is to provide for a subsurface safety valve, a valve sleeve and stop and valve member assembly in which the relationship of the valve member and its pivot structure to the actuator and sleeve is dimensioned relative to a stop in the valve carrying sleeve such that when the actuator is in its full down position the ball of the valve member has the bore therethrough in exact alignment with the bore through the valve carrying sleeve to protect against hanging up of tools passing through the open valve.
Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the drawing, the specification and the claims.
Statement o~ Invention -In accordance with this invention there is provided a valve comprl~ing, a tubular housing, a tubular valve actuator in said housing~ means for reciprocating said valve actuator, a valve member and cooperative seat moving between open and closed positions with reciprocation of said valve actuator, means for latching said valve member in open position while leaving said actuator free to reciprocate in response to :, ~i movement of said actuator beyond its normal travel range in moving the valve member between open and closed positions.
In accordance with this invention there is further provided a valve compr.ising, a tubular housing, a tubular valve actuator in said housing, means for reciprocating said valve actuator, a valve member and cooperative seat moviny between open and closed positions with reciprocation of said valve actuator, means for latching said valve member in open position while leaving said actuator free to reciprocate in response to movement of said actuator beyond its normal travel range in moving the valve member between open and closed positions, means in said housing for securing a secondary valve in said housing, and means in said actuator for securing a secondary actuator of a secondary valve to said actuator whereby flow through said housing may be . controlled by said secondary valve with reciprocation of said actuator.
In accordance with this invention there is further provided a valve comprising, a tubular housing, a -tubular valve actuator in said housing, means for reciprocating said valve actuator, a sleeve releasably secured in said howsing, a valve member carried by said sleeve and movable between open and closed positions relative to a seat with reciproca-tion of said actuator, means for latching said actuator to said sleeve with the valve in open posi.tion in re.sponse to movement of saicl actuator be~ond its usual range of recipro-cation.
~n accordance with this invention the:re is further provided a valve comprising, a housing, a valve member and valve seat controlling 10w through said housing, an actuator movin~ said valve member between open and closed positions with reciprocation of said actuator, a crosshead slidably . - ~a -" ~ .,.
mounted on said actuator and adapted for attachment to the reciprocating rod of a reciprocating motor, spaced stops on said actuator, resilient means on said actuator on opposite sides of said crosshead confined by said stops and transmit-ting movement of said crosshead in opposite directions to said actuator, latch means between said housing and said actuator which is moved to latched position by movement of said actuator to valve open position to positively latch the valve in open position and prevent inadvertent closing of the valve by an upward force applied to the actuator other than by the crosshead, means on said crosshead -for unlatching said latch means upon initial movement of said crosshead in said other direction from valve open position, a second latch means for latching said valve member in open position while leaving said valve actuator free to reciprocate in response to movement of said actuator beyond its normal travel range in moving the valve member between open and closed positions, ; means in said housing for securing a secondary valve in said housing, and means in said actuator for securing a secondary actuator of a secondary valve to said actuator whereby flow through said housing may be controlled by said secondary valve with reciprocation of said actuator.
In the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like parts and wherein an illustrative embodiment of this :inven-tion Z.5 shown:
E'igure 1 is a schematic view of an offshore well e~uip-ped with the safety valve of this invention with the well stxi.ng and safet~ valve shown in elevation;
E'igures 2~, 2B and 2C are continuation views with the reciprocating motor shown in elevation and with the safety valve of this invention shown in section;
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2~
E'iyure 3 is a sectional view alonq the lines 3-3 of Figure 2C;
Figure ~ is an elevational view of the sleeve forming a portion of -the valve seat and valve memher assembly;
Figure 5 is a fraymentary view on an enlarged scale of the valve actuator and the upper end o the sleeve of Figure 4 latched together to p~rmanently latch the valve in open position; and Figure 6 is a vi~w similar to Figure 2C shvwing the valve to have been permanently latched in open posi-tion and a secondary valve to have been placed in the safety valve and latched to the actuator so that the safety valve actuator operates the actuator of a secondary valve.
Referring first to Figure 1, an offshore well has a conventional casing lOo The details of the platform in which the casing terminates are not shown. Also, the controls, hydraulic pressure source and the like which will be incorpo-rated with the system employing this va~lve are not shown. It is conventionally known to protect a well against happenings at the surface by uti1izing a subsurEace safety valve, and this conventional knowledge may be applied at the surface to actuate the safety valve in the event of any occurrence which endangers the well, such as collision of a vessel with the ~ well.
; The installation includes the conventional tubing 11 -khrouyh whlch ~luid ~:rom the ~ormation is delivered to the ~urface. A suitable safet~ valve housiny, indicated generally at 12, is connected in tubing 11. The housing includes an enlargement to which the reciprocating motor indicated generally at 13 is attached. The motor may additionally be strapped to the valve body by suitable strap 1~. Hydraulic fluid for operating the motor is supplied through the two ~s~
concluits 15 and 16. The motor 13 will have a piston and connecting rod therein and b~ control of the differential applied to the reciprocating motor through lines 15 and 16, the piston with its attached connecting rod may be reciprocated vertically up and down to control opening and closing of the safety valve of this invention. While the safety valve is shown to be positioned at approximately the mud line of an offshore completion, it will be appreciated that it may be positioned above or below this point. Also, the use of the reciprocating motor with its substantially equal heads of hydrostatic pressure exerted by the hydraulic fluids in lines 15 and 16 permits the safety valve to be positioned at any desired depth in the well and it is contem-plated that the safety valve may be so positioned as well design dictates. It is also apparent that more than one safety valve could be utilized in a well design, if desired, and that the valve of this invention might be positioned at considerable depth in the well and a conventional safety valve employed adjacent the mud line. With the valve positioned adjacent the formation it is apparent that in addition to operating the safety valve upon the occurrence ~f some un-desired phenomena the operator may readily open or close the safety valve by manipulation of the pressure of fluids in lines 15 and 16 and shut-in the well adjacent the producing ~orma-tion. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that there is considerable advantage in heing able to shut-in the well adjacent the ~ormation at wlll.
The valve of this invention includes a housing which may be made up of several parts for convenience in manufacture and assembly. The housing includes the upper sub 17 threaded onto an upper tubular sectioII 18 which includes the boss 19. A
nipple 21 connects the intermediate tubular section 18 with a lower sub 22. At the upper end of the upper sub 17 and the lower end o~ the lower sub 22 threacls are provided for connec-ting the valve in a tubing string in the conventional manner.
A valve member and valve seat indicated generally at 23 (Figure 2C) controls flow through the tubular housing. The detail construction of this portion of the valve will be explained hereinbelow.
A valve actuator is provided ~or rnoving the valve member between open and closed position. This actuator in the illus-trated valve is provided b~ a reciprocating member made up of upper sub 24 secured to two intermediate tubular sections 25 and 25a which carries at the lower end of section 25a a lower sub 26. The lower sub 26 has an external groove 27 which cooperates with the valve member and seat in a manner to be hereinafter explained. Also on the lower end of the lower actuator sub 26 the valve seat 28 is provided.
As will appear more fully hereinafter, the valve is provided with a lock-open feature and for this purpose a suitable tool receiving groove section indicated generally at 29 is provided in the lower end of the upper actuator sub 24.
When the valve is in closed position a seal is preferably provided between the actuator and the body. This may be provided by the upper surface 26a of lower sub 26 engaging a downwardly facing seat 21a on sub 21 (Figure 2B). With these seat surfaces engaged flow between the housing and actuator ls no~ permi-tted and by closing the flow passacJeway throucJh the actuator the safety valve completely closes off flow from the well. Additionally, the resilient ~eal 31 between the nipple 21 and the actuator prevents such flow.
Suitable felt wipers 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d wipe the surfaces between the exterior of the actuator and the interior of the housing at appropriate locations.
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Centrali~ing bearing 30 is provided on the upper sub 24.
As indicated above, the motor 13 is of the reciprocating type and may take any desired form in which a fluid motor con-trolled by fluids in conduits 15 and 16, reciprocates the con-necting rod 33.
The housing is provided with the side boss 19 to which the motor has its lower housing 3~ connected by suitable studs 35. The connecting rod 33 extends into the boss 19 and packing 36 seals between the boss a~d the reciprocating rod 32.
Means are provided for connecting the reciprocating rod 33 of motor 13 to the tubular section 25 of the actuator.
This connection is a special connection which protects the system against the application of excessive forces. For instance, a substantially large differential may be applied across the piston in the motor 13 and such differential utilized in operating the motor. It is desirable, however, to insure that this large force not be applied to the actuator ; during normal operation. To insure that in the normal opera-tion of the system the force on the connecting rod 33 is limited to a desired level, the connection between the connec-ting rod and the actuator is a yielding connection. Prefer-ably a resilient connection is employed in which force is absorbed by the resilient connection and limits the force which is applied to the actuator. For instance, if a large differential is pres~nt across the valve membex resisting opening of the valve member the connecting rod 33 can be moved by motor 13 to its full valve opening position and the amount of force applied to the actuator limited so -that damage such as bending o the connecting rod 33 will not occur.
In the illustrated form of the invention the resilient connection between the actuator and the connecting rod ~3~5~3 3~
includes a crosshead indicated yenerally at 37. ~he crosshead 37 has a bore 38 therethrough which has a slidin~ enga~ement with the outer surface of the intermediate section 25 of the actuator.
Means are provlded ~etween the actuator and crosshead to give a resilient connection between these parts during upward movement of the connecting rod 33 to move the valve between open and closed position. Preferably, a stop 39 is provided by a shoulder on the upper end of the intermediate actuator section 25. A resilien-t means such as spring 41 is held between the stop 39 and the crosshead 37.
In the preferred form the crosshead indicated generally at 37 is made up of two parts, one being a sliding sleeve 37a slidable on the actuator and a block 37b which is fixed to the connecting rod 33 and extends into a window 37c in the tubular section 37a of the crosshead. This type of construction is desired in the illustrated embodiment to permit ease of assembly.
The resilient means such as spring ~1 which is held between the crosshead 37 and stop 39 permits upward movement of the connectiny rod 33 without accompanyiny movement of the actuator or opening of the valve member. As will be explained hereinbelow, such initial movement is utilized in another ; safety feature of th:Ls invention. The crosshead 37 may move up~ardly to its maximum normal operatiny position and in this position an opening force is stored in the resilient sprin~ ~1 if the valve has not moved to its closed position. This may occur in the event oE the valve or actuator stickinyO
If desired a means may be providecl to impose all of the ~orce available to move the valve member ~rom open to closed position in the event such movement is resisted. For instance if for some reason the actuator does not want to shift `L~ 3~
upwardly due to the ~ctuator or valve being stuck in position, it may be desirable to apply additional force from the recip-rocal motor and if the motor is designed to permit the appli-cation of additional force, a means can be provided for transmitting this force directly between the crosshead 37 and the actuator. For instance, the spring 41 could be designed to stack and after it has been collapsed by the ordinary range of movement of the crosshead 37 the collapsed spring would provide a solid metal-to-metal connection between the cross-head 37 and the actuator section 25. Thereafter any available amount of force could be applied through the connecting rod 33 to move the actuator upwardly and close the valve member.
In like manner, a resilient connection is provided between the crosshead and the actuator below the crosshead to provide for downward movement of the actuator. For this purpose the actuator ~5 has an external shoulder 42 and a resilient member such as spring 43 is positioned between the crosshead 37 and the shoulder 42. On downward movement of the actuator, the resilient spring 43 is compressed and the force stored in the spring 43 is utilized to move the actuator downwardly and move the valve member from closed to open position. This spring protects the connecting rod 33 against the application of excessive force during the normal travel of the connecting rod. ~t sometimes occurs that a di~ferential is present across the valve member which will prevent opening of -the valve member with normal operation of the reciprocating motor. When -this occurs the sprin~ 43 will collapse and will be exerting an opening force on the valve member. The valve, however, will not open due to the differential thereacross until pressure within the tubing above the safety valve is in-creased to reduce this differential. When reduced to a suitable value the spring 43 may then extend to move the valve between closed and open positions. The spring also permits opening of the valve member by fluid pressure above the safety valve with the crosshead in valve closed position to permit pumping of fluid into the well through the valve member which will operate as a check valve.
With the valve in the open position it is desirable that the valve be locked in open position so that it cannot close except upon movement of the crosshead 37. When TFL (through-the-flow line) tools are pumped through the tubing they can possibly engage the actuator such as at the grooves 29 and inadvertently exert an upward Eorce on the actuator. In accordanc~ with this invention such upward force cannot move the valve member between open and closed position where it might close upon the tool string and the actuator will be held in open position whlle TFL tools are being pumped upwardly through the valve.
To prevent upward movement of the actuator by any means other than the crosshead 37, a suitable latch system is provided. This latch system is one which automatically engages when the valve moves to full open position and remains engaged until upward movement of the crosshead 37 releases the latch.
In the preferred form a collet indicated generally at 44 is carried by the nipple 21. The upstanding collet fingers 44a have downwardly facing shoulders 44b which form a part of the latch system.
r~he lower end of the intermediate actuator section 25 is provided wi-th an lnternal recess 45 and upwardly Eacing shoulders 45a in the recess. rrhe upwardly facing shoulders 45a of the actuator engage the downwardly facing shoulders 44b of the collet when the valve is in fully open position. Thus, the actuator is latched to the housing and cannot move --11~
-upwardly under the influence of TE`L tools being pumped upward-ly through the valve and inadverten-t closing of the valve upon an upwardly moving tool string therein is prevente~.
The actuator latch is released by upward movement of the crosshead 37. F'or this purpose the crosshead carries a depending sleeve 46 which has an upwardly and outwardly inclined frusto- conical surface 46a thereon. The collet fingers carry a release flange 44c having an upwardly and outwardly inclined frusto-conical section 44d thereon which is engaged by the release cone 46a carried by the crosshead.
Thus initial upward movement of the crosshead to compress the upper spring 41 moves the conical section 46a behind the matching section 44d on the collet fingers and collapses the ~; collet fingers inwardly to release the shoulders 44b from the upwardly facing shoulders 45a to thus release the latch and permit the upper spring 41 to drive the actuator upwardly in - response to upward movement of the crosshead 37 and move the valve from open to closed position.
While any desired valve member and seat of any desired form could be utilized, there has been provided a special valve assembly which may be assembled and adjusted as a subassembly. This subassembly obviously could be used advan-tageously with other subsurface safety valves. Conventionally valves are returned to the factory for replacement of damaged seats or valve mem~ers. With the assembly of this invention the subas6embly which includes the valve member may be substi-tu-ted in the field for another subassembly with assurance that the valve member will be in exact open position, that is, alignment with the passageway through the actuator so that tools cannot hang up on the valve member.
The subassembly (Figure 2C) includes the lower actuator section 26, the cylindrical sleeve 47, the valve member 48 which is a ball valve in -the form shown, and control arm means such as -the pair of control arms 49a and 49b.
The upper ends of the con~rol arms have in-turned projec-tions 49c thereon which engage in groove 27 on the lower section 26 of the actuator and are reciprocated vertically by the actuator. A pivot means is provided between the ball valve 48 and these arms as by the pivot pins 51 and 52. rrhese pins are received in suitable holes 53 and-54 in the ball valve member.
The sleeve 47 is shown in Figure 4 to have a pair o:E
opposed grooves 55 and 56 in which the control arms 49a and 49b reciprocate. Large opposed windows 57 and 58 are provided and the ball valve 48 extends into these windows. ~s best ; shown in Figure 3 the sleeve 47 carries a pivot system which preferably is provided by the pivot pin 59 residlng in a slot 61 in the ball valve 48. Thus, reciprocation of the control arms 49a and 49b causes the ball valve to move vertically within the housing and to rotate about the pivot pins 51, 52 and 59, as well as a complementary pin 60 (Figure 4) on the other side of the ball which is identical to 59 positioned in a slot which is identical to 61. This vertical and rotational movement of the ball moves it between open and closed posi-tions.
In accordance with this invention the assembly provided by the lower actuator section 26, the sleeve 47, arms 49a and b and the pivok sys-tem may be built as an assembly and may be machined to exactly position the valve in open position when the valve memheL i8 in engagement with the stop surface 62 provided at the lower ends of the windows 57 and 5~. The preferred method of ~abricating the assembly is to machine the downwardly facing surfaces of bosses 49c to a position in which when in place they hold the valve member 48 relative to sea-t 28 with extremely small clearance so -that rotation of the valve member will wipe the ball against the seat and remove any undesirable materials thereon. This clearance may be on the order of less than one thousandth of an inch. With the ball valve in full open position and held against seat 2~ by control arms 49a and b the stop surface 62 of sleeve 47 may be formed or machined to firmly enyage the lower end of the ball 47 when the actuator firmly urges the ball downwardly. In other words as the ball is moved downwardly in the sleeve 47 the seat will urge the ball against the stop 62. I'he stop 62 will be cut away just enough to permit the ball to be moved downwardly about its pivot points to a point at ~hich the bore through the ball valve member 48 is exactly in alignment with the bore through the actuator and through the sleeve section ~7 to provide a smooth continuation thereof so that tools passing through the valve will not hang up on the valve.
With this construction it will be apparent that the sub-assembly can be fabricated separately from the remainder of the valve and can be replaced in the field with the ball always moving to exact open pOSitiOII with downward movement of the actuator. This avoids having to return the entire valve to the factory for replacement of the valve member or its seat.
Desirably, the safety valve is capable of being locked in th~ open position and of receiving a secondary valve which can be opera-ted by the reciprocal motor 13 so that i~ desired a secondary valve can be run in place and utili~ed as a substi-tute for the safety valve in the event of a damaged valve or seat. This feature is of advantage where it is desirabl~ not to have to pull the tubing string to replace the valve and seat of the safety valve.
In accordance with this invention the main valve member ~8 is locked in open position wi-thout interfering with the ability of the actuato~ to reciprocate in response to recipro-cation of the connecting rod 33 by the reciprocating motor 13.
Preferably, the secondary valve is placed below the interface between the safety valve and the reciprocating motor and where this preferred form of placement is utilized the actuator arm is preferably shifted a distance beyond the usual operating distance to actuate lockout. In the preferred embodiment, this additional shiftiny distance is utilized to latch the actuator arm to the valve carrying sleeve 47 and reciprocate the valve carrying sleeve and actuator as a unit. As the relative movement between the sleeve 47 and actuator 26 is then prevented the valve 48 will be maintained in its open position.
In the preferred form the sleeve is also released from the housing at the same time so that the latched sleeve and actuator may move as a unit.
In Figure 2C it will be noted that the sleeve is held in position by a ring 63 which is secured to the sleeve by pin 64. The ring bears against shoulder 65 in the housing and - holds the sleeve 47 against downward movement. When the actuator is foxced to move beyond the normal valve closing position shear pins 64 are sheared and the sleeve is there-after Eree to move with the actuator.
The means Eor latching the actuator and sleeve toc~ether is shown enlarged in Figure 5. The lower section 26 of the actuator is reciprocal in the upper end o~ the sleeve ~7. As shown best in Figure ~ the upper end oE sleeve 47 has an annular yroove 66 therein. Overlying the section of the sleeve which contains the annular groove is a split ring 67 which in its normal relaxed condition is contracted in the position shown in Figure 5. In the ~igure 2C position, the ring is shown to be held in its expanded position and is inoperative as a latch. It does function, however, to hold the sleeve 47 in its down position by bearing against the shoulder 68 on sleeve 47 and in turn being held a~ainst upward movement by a cylindrical stop 69 which extends upwardly and abuts the lower end of the nipple 21.
The lower section 26 of the actuator is provided with an upwardly facing shoulder 71 and this shoulder, together with the downwardly facing shoulder provided by the groove 66, is utili~ed in latching the actuator and sleeve together. It will be noted that the ring 67 is U~shaped in cross-section with the concave portion of the U facing inwardly. Thus, opposed shoulders 67a and b are provided on ring 67 and are dimensioned to cooperate with shoulder 71 on the lower section of the actuator and the shoulder provided by the groove 66 on the sleeve to latch these two parts together. Thus, when the actuator 26 is moved downwardly by shearing of pin 64, the snap ring 67 moves into a position in which its internally protruding flanges at its upper and lower position are spaced one within the groove 66 and one above the shoulder 77, thus permitting the snap ring to contract out ~rom under the sleeve 69 into the position shown in Figures 5 and 6 to latch the actuator and sleeve 47 to each other. Thereafter recipro-cation of the actuator by the crosshead 37 will reciprocate the actuator sleeve and ball as a unit with the ball valve in full open position. Any desirecl means can be provi.cled for shifting the actuator sleeve downwardly past its normal operatin~ position to shear the pins 64. For example, a tool may be run into the well and landed in the grooves in the upper section 24 of the actuator. This tool can then be forced down by fluid pressure to force the actuator downwardly ~ ~.3~
and shear plns 6~ to latch the actuator and valve carrying sleeve in a position in which the valve is locked in the open position.
In accordance with this invention provisions are made for a secondary valve to be run into the well and to be operated by reciprocation of the crosshead 37 and the actuator. For this purpose the lower sub 22 is provided with a suitable : locking groove configuration 72 and the lower section of the sleeve 47 is provided with a locking groove 73.
After the actuator and sleeve have been latched together and the operative tools removed from the well a secondary valve indicatecl generally at 74 is run into the well and is latched into the housing grooves 72. This secondary valve will include a ball valve indicated generally at 75 which is moved between open and closed position by reciprocation of the secondary valve actuator 76.
; The secondary valve actuator will be landed in the groove 73 by suitable dogs 77 and thus reciprocation of the crosshead 37 will. be transmitted through the actuator and the sleeve 47 to the actuator 76 of the secondary valve and reciprocation of the actuator 76 will thus move the secondary valve between open and closed position to control flow from the well.
Suitable seals, not shown, will be provided between the secondary valve and the housing 22 so that all flow must channel throuyh the secondary valve.
In operat,lon the safe~y valve will be made up on the tubiny striny in the usual manner and will normal].y be in the open position shown during normal production o~ the well.
: Upon the happen.ing of some occurrence at the sur~ace or at the will of the operator the reciprocatiny motor 13 will be shifted by control o~ the di~ferential in pressure :Ln lines 15 and 16 to raise connecting rod 33 and move the crosshead 37 i2'~
upwardly. Force will be transmitted through the spring 41 to the actuator which will in turn move the valve member from open to cl.osed position. The spring will prevent the occur-rence of excessive force on the connecting rod 33. When desired -the valve can be reopened by operating the motor 13 to move the crosshead 37 downwardly to open the valve.
If damage occurs to the valve and it is desired to land an auxiliary or secondary valve to control flow through the well, a tool i9 run in and landed in the actuator in the landing sec-tion 29 and a downward force applied to the actua-tor to shear pins 64 and to move the actuator down relative to the sleeve 47 to permit the sp].it ring 67 to collapse inwardly and secure the sleeve 47 and the actuator section 26 together as best. shown in Figures 5 and 6.
Thereafter a secondary valve is run in and the valve is landed in landing grooves 72 in the housing and the actuator is landed in grooves 73 in the valve actuator. Thereafter, reciprocatiorl of the crosshead and valve actuator will reciprocate the actuator of the secondary valve and move it between open and closed positions to control flow through the well.
The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and e~planatory thereof and various changes ; in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made within the scope o~
the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.
E'iyure 3 is a sectional view alonq the lines 3-3 of Figure 2C;
Figure ~ is an elevational view of the sleeve forming a portion of -the valve seat and valve memher assembly;
Figure 5 is a fraymentary view on an enlarged scale of the valve actuator and the upper end o the sleeve of Figure 4 latched together to p~rmanently latch the valve in open position; and Figure 6 is a vi~w similar to Figure 2C shvwing the valve to have been permanently latched in open posi-tion and a secondary valve to have been placed in the safety valve and latched to the actuator so that the safety valve actuator operates the actuator of a secondary valve.
Referring first to Figure 1, an offshore well has a conventional casing lOo The details of the platform in which the casing terminates are not shown. Also, the controls, hydraulic pressure source and the like which will be incorpo-rated with the system employing this va~lve are not shown. It is conventionally known to protect a well against happenings at the surface by uti1izing a subsurEace safety valve, and this conventional knowledge may be applied at the surface to actuate the safety valve in the event of any occurrence which endangers the well, such as collision of a vessel with the ~ well.
; The installation includes the conventional tubing 11 -khrouyh whlch ~luid ~:rom the ~ormation is delivered to the ~urface. A suitable safet~ valve housiny, indicated generally at 12, is connected in tubing 11. The housing includes an enlargement to which the reciprocating motor indicated generally at 13 is attached. The motor may additionally be strapped to the valve body by suitable strap 1~. Hydraulic fluid for operating the motor is supplied through the two ~s~
concluits 15 and 16. The motor 13 will have a piston and connecting rod therein and b~ control of the differential applied to the reciprocating motor through lines 15 and 16, the piston with its attached connecting rod may be reciprocated vertically up and down to control opening and closing of the safety valve of this invention. While the safety valve is shown to be positioned at approximately the mud line of an offshore completion, it will be appreciated that it may be positioned above or below this point. Also, the use of the reciprocating motor with its substantially equal heads of hydrostatic pressure exerted by the hydraulic fluids in lines 15 and 16 permits the safety valve to be positioned at any desired depth in the well and it is contem-plated that the safety valve may be so positioned as well design dictates. It is also apparent that more than one safety valve could be utilized in a well design, if desired, and that the valve of this invention might be positioned at considerable depth in the well and a conventional safety valve employed adjacent the mud line. With the valve positioned adjacent the formation it is apparent that in addition to operating the safety valve upon the occurrence ~f some un-desired phenomena the operator may readily open or close the safety valve by manipulation of the pressure of fluids in lines 15 and 16 and shut-in the well adjacent the producing ~orma-tion. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that there is considerable advantage in heing able to shut-in the well adjacent the ~ormation at wlll.
The valve of this invention includes a housing which may be made up of several parts for convenience in manufacture and assembly. The housing includes the upper sub 17 threaded onto an upper tubular sectioII 18 which includes the boss 19. A
nipple 21 connects the intermediate tubular section 18 with a lower sub 22. At the upper end of the upper sub 17 and the lower end o~ the lower sub 22 threacls are provided for connec-ting the valve in a tubing string in the conventional manner.
A valve member and valve seat indicated generally at 23 (Figure 2C) controls flow through the tubular housing. The detail construction of this portion of the valve will be explained hereinbelow.
A valve actuator is provided ~or rnoving the valve member between open and closed position. This actuator in the illus-trated valve is provided b~ a reciprocating member made up of upper sub 24 secured to two intermediate tubular sections 25 and 25a which carries at the lower end of section 25a a lower sub 26. The lower sub 26 has an external groove 27 which cooperates with the valve member and seat in a manner to be hereinafter explained. Also on the lower end of the lower actuator sub 26 the valve seat 28 is provided.
As will appear more fully hereinafter, the valve is provided with a lock-open feature and for this purpose a suitable tool receiving groove section indicated generally at 29 is provided in the lower end of the upper actuator sub 24.
When the valve is in closed position a seal is preferably provided between the actuator and the body. This may be provided by the upper surface 26a of lower sub 26 engaging a downwardly facing seat 21a on sub 21 (Figure 2B). With these seat surfaces engaged flow between the housing and actuator ls no~ permi-tted and by closing the flow passacJeway throucJh the actuator the safety valve completely closes off flow from the well. Additionally, the resilient ~eal 31 between the nipple 21 and the actuator prevents such flow.
Suitable felt wipers 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d wipe the surfaces between the exterior of the actuator and the interior of the housing at appropriate locations.
Cj~j~ 7~
Centrali~ing bearing 30 is provided on the upper sub 24.
As indicated above, the motor 13 is of the reciprocating type and may take any desired form in which a fluid motor con-trolled by fluids in conduits 15 and 16, reciprocates the con-necting rod 33.
The housing is provided with the side boss 19 to which the motor has its lower housing 3~ connected by suitable studs 35. The connecting rod 33 extends into the boss 19 and packing 36 seals between the boss a~d the reciprocating rod 32.
Means are provided for connecting the reciprocating rod 33 of motor 13 to the tubular section 25 of the actuator.
This connection is a special connection which protects the system against the application of excessive forces. For instance, a substantially large differential may be applied across the piston in the motor 13 and such differential utilized in operating the motor. It is desirable, however, to insure that this large force not be applied to the actuator ; during normal operation. To insure that in the normal opera-tion of the system the force on the connecting rod 33 is limited to a desired level, the connection between the connec-ting rod and the actuator is a yielding connection. Prefer-ably a resilient connection is employed in which force is absorbed by the resilient connection and limits the force which is applied to the actuator. For instance, if a large differential is pres~nt across the valve membex resisting opening of the valve member the connecting rod 33 can be moved by motor 13 to its full valve opening position and the amount of force applied to the actuator limited so -that damage such as bending o the connecting rod 33 will not occur.
In the illustrated form of the invention the resilient connection between the actuator and the connecting rod ~3~5~3 3~
includes a crosshead indicated yenerally at 37. ~he crosshead 37 has a bore 38 therethrough which has a slidin~ enga~ement with the outer surface of the intermediate section 25 of the actuator.
Means are provlded ~etween the actuator and crosshead to give a resilient connection between these parts during upward movement of the connecting rod 33 to move the valve between open and closed position. Preferably, a stop 39 is provided by a shoulder on the upper end of the intermediate actuator section 25. A resilien-t means such as spring 41 is held between the stop 39 and the crosshead 37.
In the preferred form the crosshead indicated generally at 37 is made up of two parts, one being a sliding sleeve 37a slidable on the actuator and a block 37b which is fixed to the connecting rod 33 and extends into a window 37c in the tubular section 37a of the crosshead. This type of construction is desired in the illustrated embodiment to permit ease of assembly.
The resilient means such as spring ~1 which is held between the crosshead 37 and stop 39 permits upward movement of the connectiny rod 33 without accompanyiny movement of the actuator or opening of the valve member. As will be explained hereinbelow, such initial movement is utilized in another ; safety feature of th:Ls invention. The crosshead 37 may move up~ardly to its maximum normal operatiny position and in this position an opening force is stored in the resilient sprin~ ~1 if the valve has not moved to its closed position. This may occur in the event oE the valve or actuator stickinyO
If desired a means may be providecl to impose all of the ~orce available to move the valve member ~rom open to closed position in the event such movement is resisted. For instance if for some reason the actuator does not want to shift `L~ 3~
upwardly due to the ~ctuator or valve being stuck in position, it may be desirable to apply additional force from the recip-rocal motor and if the motor is designed to permit the appli-cation of additional force, a means can be provided for transmitting this force directly between the crosshead 37 and the actuator. For instance, the spring 41 could be designed to stack and after it has been collapsed by the ordinary range of movement of the crosshead 37 the collapsed spring would provide a solid metal-to-metal connection between the cross-head 37 and the actuator section 25. Thereafter any available amount of force could be applied through the connecting rod 33 to move the actuator upwardly and close the valve member.
In like manner, a resilient connection is provided between the crosshead and the actuator below the crosshead to provide for downward movement of the actuator. For this purpose the actuator ~5 has an external shoulder 42 and a resilient member such as spring 43 is positioned between the crosshead 37 and the shoulder 42. On downward movement of the actuator, the resilient spring 43 is compressed and the force stored in the spring 43 is utilized to move the actuator downwardly and move the valve member from closed to open position. This spring protects the connecting rod 33 against the application of excessive force during the normal travel of the connecting rod. ~t sometimes occurs that a di~ferential is present across the valve member which will prevent opening of -the valve member with normal operation of the reciprocating motor. When -this occurs the sprin~ 43 will collapse and will be exerting an opening force on the valve member. The valve, however, will not open due to the differential thereacross until pressure within the tubing above the safety valve is in-creased to reduce this differential. When reduced to a suitable value the spring 43 may then extend to move the valve between closed and open positions. The spring also permits opening of the valve member by fluid pressure above the safety valve with the crosshead in valve closed position to permit pumping of fluid into the well through the valve member which will operate as a check valve.
With the valve in the open position it is desirable that the valve be locked in open position so that it cannot close except upon movement of the crosshead 37. When TFL (through-the-flow line) tools are pumped through the tubing they can possibly engage the actuator such as at the grooves 29 and inadvertently exert an upward Eorce on the actuator. In accordanc~ with this invention such upward force cannot move the valve member between open and closed position where it might close upon the tool string and the actuator will be held in open position whlle TFL tools are being pumped upwardly through the valve.
To prevent upward movement of the actuator by any means other than the crosshead 37, a suitable latch system is provided. This latch system is one which automatically engages when the valve moves to full open position and remains engaged until upward movement of the crosshead 37 releases the latch.
In the preferred form a collet indicated generally at 44 is carried by the nipple 21. The upstanding collet fingers 44a have downwardly facing shoulders 44b which form a part of the latch system.
r~he lower end of the intermediate actuator section 25 is provided wi-th an lnternal recess 45 and upwardly Eacing shoulders 45a in the recess. rrhe upwardly facing shoulders 45a of the actuator engage the downwardly facing shoulders 44b of the collet when the valve is in fully open position. Thus, the actuator is latched to the housing and cannot move --11~
-upwardly under the influence of TE`L tools being pumped upward-ly through the valve and inadverten-t closing of the valve upon an upwardly moving tool string therein is prevente~.
The actuator latch is released by upward movement of the crosshead 37. F'or this purpose the crosshead carries a depending sleeve 46 which has an upwardly and outwardly inclined frusto- conical surface 46a thereon. The collet fingers carry a release flange 44c having an upwardly and outwardly inclined frusto-conical section 44d thereon which is engaged by the release cone 46a carried by the crosshead.
Thus initial upward movement of the crosshead to compress the upper spring 41 moves the conical section 46a behind the matching section 44d on the collet fingers and collapses the ~; collet fingers inwardly to release the shoulders 44b from the upwardly facing shoulders 45a to thus release the latch and permit the upper spring 41 to drive the actuator upwardly in - response to upward movement of the crosshead 37 and move the valve from open to closed position.
While any desired valve member and seat of any desired form could be utilized, there has been provided a special valve assembly which may be assembled and adjusted as a subassembly. This subassembly obviously could be used advan-tageously with other subsurface safety valves. Conventionally valves are returned to the factory for replacement of damaged seats or valve mem~ers. With the assembly of this invention the subas6embly which includes the valve member may be substi-tu-ted in the field for another subassembly with assurance that the valve member will be in exact open position, that is, alignment with the passageway through the actuator so that tools cannot hang up on the valve member.
The subassembly (Figure 2C) includes the lower actuator section 26, the cylindrical sleeve 47, the valve member 48 which is a ball valve in -the form shown, and control arm means such as -the pair of control arms 49a and 49b.
The upper ends of the con~rol arms have in-turned projec-tions 49c thereon which engage in groove 27 on the lower section 26 of the actuator and are reciprocated vertically by the actuator. A pivot means is provided between the ball valve 48 and these arms as by the pivot pins 51 and 52. rrhese pins are received in suitable holes 53 and-54 in the ball valve member.
The sleeve 47 is shown in Figure 4 to have a pair o:E
opposed grooves 55 and 56 in which the control arms 49a and 49b reciprocate. Large opposed windows 57 and 58 are provided and the ball valve 48 extends into these windows. ~s best ; shown in Figure 3 the sleeve 47 carries a pivot system which preferably is provided by the pivot pin 59 residlng in a slot 61 in the ball valve 48. Thus, reciprocation of the control arms 49a and 49b causes the ball valve to move vertically within the housing and to rotate about the pivot pins 51, 52 and 59, as well as a complementary pin 60 (Figure 4) on the other side of the ball which is identical to 59 positioned in a slot which is identical to 61. This vertical and rotational movement of the ball moves it between open and closed posi-tions.
In accordance with this invention the assembly provided by the lower actuator section 26, the sleeve 47, arms 49a and b and the pivok sys-tem may be built as an assembly and may be machined to exactly position the valve in open position when the valve memheL i8 in engagement with the stop surface 62 provided at the lower ends of the windows 57 and 5~. The preferred method of ~abricating the assembly is to machine the downwardly facing surfaces of bosses 49c to a position in which when in place they hold the valve member 48 relative to sea-t 28 with extremely small clearance so -that rotation of the valve member will wipe the ball against the seat and remove any undesirable materials thereon. This clearance may be on the order of less than one thousandth of an inch. With the ball valve in full open position and held against seat 2~ by control arms 49a and b the stop surface 62 of sleeve 47 may be formed or machined to firmly enyage the lower end of the ball 47 when the actuator firmly urges the ball downwardly. In other words as the ball is moved downwardly in the sleeve 47 the seat will urge the ball against the stop 62. I'he stop 62 will be cut away just enough to permit the ball to be moved downwardly about its pivot points to a point at ~hich the bore through the ball valve member 48 is exactly in alignment with the bore through the actuator and through the sleeve section ~7 to provide a smooth continuation thereof so that tools passing through the valve will not hang up on the valve.
With this construction it will be apparent that the sub-assembly can be fabricated separately from the remainder of the valve and can be replaced in the field with the ball always moving to exact open pOSitiOII with downward movement of the actuator. This avoids having to return the entire valve to the factory for replacement of the valve member or its seat.
Desirably, the safety valve is capable of being locked in th~ open position and of receiving a secondary valve which can be opera-ted by the reciprocal motor 13 so that i~ desired a secondary valve can be run in place and utili~ed as a substi-tute for the safety valve in the event of a damaged valve or seat. This feature is of advantage where it is desirabl~ not to have to pull the tubing string to replace the valve and seat of the safety valve.
In accordance with this invention the main valve member ~8 is locked in open position wi-thout interfering with the ability of the actuato~ to reciprocate in response to recipro-cation of the connecting rod 33 by the reciprocating motor 13.
Preferably, the secondary valve is placed below the interface between the safety valve and the reciprocating motor and where this preferred form of placement is utilized the actuator arm is preferably shifted a distance beyond the usual operating distance to actuate lockout. In the preferred embodiment, this additional shiftiny distance is utilized to latch the actuator arm to the valve carrying sleeve 47 and reciprocate the valve carrying sleeve and actuator as a unit. As the relative movement between the sleeve 47 and actuator 26 is then prevented the valve 48 will be maintained in its open position.
In the preferred form the sleeve is also released from the housing at the same time so that the latched sleeve and actuator may move as a unit.
In Figure 2C it will be noted that the sleeve is held in position by a ring 63 which is secured to the sleeve by pin 64. The ring bears against shoulder 65 in the housing and - holds the sleeve 47 against downward movement. When the actuator is foxced to move beyond the normal valve closing position shear pins 64 are sheared and the sleeve is there-after Eree to move with the actuator.
The means Eor latching the actuator and sleeve toc~ether is shown enlarged in Figure 5. The lower section 26 of the actuator is reciprocal in the upper end o~ the sleeve ~7. As shown best in Figure ~ the upper end oE sleeve 47 has an annular yroove 66 therein. Overlying the section of the sleeve which contains the annular groove is a split ring 67 which in its normal relaxed condition is contracted in the position shown in Figure 5. In the ~igure 2C position, the ring is shown to be held in its expanded position and is inoperative as a latch. It does function, however, to hold the sleeve 47 in its down position by bearing against the shoulder 68 on sleeve 47 and in turn being held a~ainst upward movement by a cylindrical stop 69 which extends upwardly and abuts the lower end of the nipple 21.
The lower section 26 of the actuator is provided with an upwardly facing shoulder 71 and this shoulder, together with the downwardly facing shoulder provided by the groove 66, is utili~ed in latching the actuator and sleeve together. It will be noted that the ring 67 is U~shaped in cross-section with the concave portion of the U facing inwardly. Thus, opposed shoulders 67a and b are provided on ring 67 and are dimensioned to cooperate with shoulder 71 on the lower section of the actuator and the shoulder provided by the groove 66 on the sleeve to latch these two parts together. Thus, when the actuator 26 is moved downwardly by shearing of pin 64, the snap ring 67 moves into a position in which its internally protruding flanges at its upper and lower position are spaced one within the groove 66 and one above the shoulder 77, thus permitting the snap ring to contract out ~rom under the sleeve 69 into the position shown in Figures 5 and 6 to latch the actuator and sleeve 47 to each other. Thereafter recipro-cation of the actuator by the crosshead 37 will reciprocate the actuator sleeve and ball as a unit with the ball valve in full open position. Any desirecl means can be provi.cled for shifting the actuator sleeve downwardly past its normal operatin~ position to shear the pins 64. For example, a tool may be run into the well and landed in the grooves in the upper section 24 of the actuator. This tool can then be forced down by fluid pressure to force the actuator downwardly ~ ~.3~
and shear plns 6~ to latch the actuator and valve carrying sleeve in a position in which the valve is locked in the open position.
In accordance with this invention provisions are made for a secondary valve to be run into the well and to be operated by reciprocation of the crosshead 37 and the actuator. For this purpose the lower sub 22 is provided with a suitable : locking groove configuration 72 and the lower section of the sleeve 47 is provided with a locking groove 73.
After the actuator and sleeve have been latched together and the operative tools removed from the well a secondary valve indicatecl generally at 74 is run into the well and is latched into the housing grooves 72. This secondary valve will include a ball valve indicated generally at 75 which is moved between open and closed position by reciprocation of the secondary valve actuator 76.
; The secondary valve actuator will be landed in the groove 73 by suitable dogs 77 and thus reciprocation of the crosshead 37 will. be transmitted through the actuator and the sleeve 47 to the actuator 76 of the secondary valve and reciprocation of the actuator 76 will thus move the secondary valve between open and closed position to control flow from the well.
Suitable seals, not shown, will be provided between the secondary valve and the housing 22 so that all flow must channel throuyh the secondary valve.
In operat,lon the safe~y valve will be made up on the tubiny striny in the usual manner and will normal].y be in the open position shown during normal production o~ the well.
: Upon the happen.ing of some occurrence at the sur~ace or at the will of the operator the reciprocatiny motor 13 will be shifted by control o~ the di~ferential in pressure :Ln lines 15 and 16 to raise connecting rod 33 and move the crosshead 37 i2'~
upwardly. Force will be transmitted through the spring 41 to the actuator which will in turn move the valve member from open to cl.osed position. The spring will prevent the occur-rence of excessive force on the connecting rod 33. When desired -the valve can be reopened by operating the motor 13 to move the crosshead 37 downwardly to open the valve.
If damage occurs to the valve and it is desired to land an auxiliary or secondary valve to control flow through the well, a tool i9 run in and landed in the actuator in the landing sec-tion 29 and a downward force applied to the actua-tor to shear pins 64 and to move the actuator down relative to the sleeve 47 to permit the sp].it ring 67 to collapse inwardly and secure the sleeve 47 and the actuator section 26 together as best. shown in Figures 5 and 6.
Thereafter a secondary valve is run in and the valve is landed in landing grooves 72 in the housing and the actuator is landed in grooves 73 in the valve actuator. Thereafter, reciprocatiorl of the crosshead and valve actuator will reciprocate the actuator of the secondary valve and move it between open and closed positions to control flow through the well.
The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and e~planatory thereof and various changes ; in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made within the scope o~
the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Claims (6)
1. A valve comprising, a tubular housing, a tubular valve actuator in said housing, means for reciprocating said valve actuator, a valve member and cooperative seat moving between open and closed positions with reciprocation of said valve actuator, means for latching said valve member in open position while leaving said actuator free to reciprocate in response to movement of said actuator beyond its normal travel range in moving the valve member between open and closed positions.
2. A valve comprising, a tubular housing, a tubular valve actuator in said housing, means for reciprocating said valve actuator, a valve member and cooperative seat moving between open and closed positions with reciprocation of said valve actuator, means for latching said valve member in open position while leaving said actuator free to reciprocate in response to movement of said actuator beyond its normal travel range in moving the valve member between open and closed positions, means in said housing for securing a secondary valve in said housing, and means in said actuator for securing a secondary actuator of a secondary valve to said actuator whereby flow through said housing may be controlled by said secondary valve with reciprocation of said actuator.
3. A valve comprising, a tubular housing, a tubular valve actuator in said housing, means for reciprocating said valve actuator, a sleeve releasably secured in said housing, a valve member carried by said sleeve and movable between open and closed positions relative to a seat with reciprocation of said actuator, means for latching said actuator to said sleeve with the valve in open position in response to movement of said actuator beyond its usual range of reciprocation.
4. The valve of Claim 3 wherein means are provided in said housing for securing a secondary valve in said housing, and means are provided in said actuator for securing a secon-dary actuator of a secondary valve to said actuator whereby flow through said housing may be controlled by said secondary valve with reciprocation of said actuator.
5. The valve of Claim 3 wherein means are provided in said housing for securing a secondary valve in said housing, means are provided in said actuator for securing a secondary actuator of a secondary valve to said actuator whereby flow through said housing may be controlled by said secondary valve with reciprocation of said actuator, and a secondary valve having a secondary actuator with said valve secured in said securing means of said housing and said secondary actuator secured in said securing means of said actuator.
6. A valve comprising, a housing, a valve member and valve seat controlling flow through said housing, an actuator moving said valve member between open and closed positions with reciprocation of said actuator, a crosshead slidably mounted on said actuator and adapted for attachment to the reciprocating rod of a reciprocating motor, spaced stops on said actuator, resilient means on said actuator on opposite sides of said crosshead confined by said stops and transmit-ting movement of said crosshead in opposite directions to said actuator, latch means between said housing and said actuator which is moved to latched position by movement of said actuator to valve open position to positively latch the valve in open position and prevent inadvertent closing of the valve by an upward force applied to the actuator other than by the crosshead, means on said crosshead for unlatching said latch means upon initial movement of said crosshead in said other direction from valve open position, a second latch means for latching said valve member in open position while leaving said valve actuator free to reciprocate in response to movement of said actuator beyond its normal travel range in moving the valve member between open and closed positions, means in said housing for securing a secondary valve in said housing, and means in said actuator for securing a secondary actuator of a secondary valve to said actuator whereby flow through said housing may be controlled by said secondary valve with reciprocation of said actuator.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000415140A CA1156929A (en) | 1980-06-03 | 1982-11-08 | Valve |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/156,200 US4378931A (en) | 1980-06-03 | 1980-06-03 | Valve and actuator therefor |
| US06/156,200 | 1980-06-03 | ||
| CA000369588A CA1155761A (en) | 1980-06-03 | 1981-01-29 | Valve |
| CA000415140A CA1156929A (en) | 1980-06-03 | 1982-11-08 | Valve |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1156929A true CA1156929A (en) | 1983-11-15 |
Family
ID=27166955
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000415140A Expired CA1156929A (en) | 1980-06-03 | 1982-11-08 | Valve |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1156929A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN117386316A (en) * | 2023-12-08 | 2024-01-12 | 黑龙江港岛科技有限公司 | Digital intelligent gas well wellhead control device |
-
1982
- 1982-11-08 CA CA000415140A patent/CA1156929A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN117386316A (en) * | 2023-12-08 | 2024-01-12 | 黑龙江港岛科技有限公司 | Digital intelligent gas well wellhead control device |
| CN117386316B (en) * | 2023-12-08 | 2024-02-27 | 黑龙江港岛科技有限公司 | Digital intelligent gas well wellhead control device |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |