EP0321609B1 - Oil well safety valve and tool for installing such a valve - Google Patents

Oil well safety valve and tool for installing such a valve Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0321609B1
EP0321609B1 EP87202599A EP87202599A EP0321609B1 EP 0321609 B1 EP0321609 B1 EP 0321609B1 EP 87202599 A EP87202599 A EP 87202599A EP 87202599 A EP87202599 A EP 87202599A EP 0321609 B1 EP0321609 B1 EP 0321609B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
slide
sleeve
valve body
spring
safety valve
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP87202599A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0321609A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Luc Jacob
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MERIP OIL TOOLS INTERNATIONAL SA
Original Assignee
MERIP OIL TOOLS INTERNATIONAL SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to FR8611417A priority Critical patent/FR2602819B1/en
Application filed by MERIP OIL TOOLS INTERNATIONAL SA filed Critical MERIP OIL TOOLS INTERNATIONAL SA
Priority to EP87202599A priority patent/EP0321609B1/en
Priority to DE8787202599T priority patent/DE3778707D1/en
Publication of EP0321609A1 publication Critical patent/EP0321609A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0321609B1 publication Critical patent/EP0321609B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B34/00—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells
    • E21B34/06—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells
    • E21B34/10—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole
    • E21B34/105—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole retrievable, e.g. wire line retrievable, i.e. with an element which can be landed into a landing-nipple provided with a passage for control fluid
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B2200/00—Special features related to earth drilling for obtaining oil, gas or water
    • E21B2200/05—Flapper valves

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a safety valve intended to be inserted into an oil well production tube in order to ensure its opening or closing.
  • the invention extends to a tool facilitating the mounting of said valve.
  • the safety valves for oil wells have the function of automatically stopping the production of effluent if an incident occurs at the head of the well or downstream from it. They are hydraulically controlled upon opening from the surface and are closed automatically by means of a powerful return spring as soon as a hydraulic pressure drop, commanded or accidental, occurs. These valves have been the subject of numerous development and improvement studies and their use has become generalized in particular in offshore eruptive wells.
  • the existing valves have faults.
  • the return springs are subject to corrosion or deposit effects, due to the effluent with which they are in contact.
  • certain valves such as for example those described in patent application FR 2 536 783 and request for certificate of addition FR 2 555 246, provision is made for placing the return spring in the circuit of the control fluid; however the configuration of this circuit does not allow it to be completely purged and the arrangement of the spring is such that the latter is at least partly surrounded by gases: the corrosive nature of these gases causes aging and deterioration rapid of said spring. This defect is very serious in practice, because a deterioration of the spring results in risks of non-closing of the valve if necessary.
  • the present invention proposes to provide an improved safety valve, free from the abovementioned faults.
  • An object of the invention is in particular to provide a valve in which the return spring and the moving parts are subjected to permanent lubrication of high efficiency, considerably reducing their corrosion.
  • Another objective is to eliminate any dangerous character of the valve during its disassembly, by eliminating the risks linked to the relaxation of the return spring.
  • Another objective is to provide a valve of simplified structure, having a reduced number of moving parts.
  • Another objective is to provide a valve in which the seals are reduced in number and which allows easy access and change of the most exposed seals.
  • an objective of the invention is to provide a simple mounting tool for the establishment of the return spring.
  • valve according to the invention is described by assuming it to be in place in an oil well, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower” referring to this position.
  • the seals located on either side of the control fluid inlet, are positioned immediately below and above said fluid inlet, the anchoring being located above the upper lining, while the return spring is positioned below the lower lining in an annular housing constituted by a part of the sealed volume intended to receive the control fluid.
  • the structure of the valve according to the invention allows complete drainage of the sealed volume containing the control fluid during pressurization, while the arrangement of the return spring guarantees total immersion of the latter in the control fluid.
  • This spring is sheltered from the attacks of effluent or corrosive gases and can be made of a steel with high modulus of elasticity favorable to obtaining a high restoring force, stable over time.
  • the return spring disposed in the annular housing located around the slide extends between, on the one hand, an upper support integral with the slide and, on the other hand, a lower sleeve mounted to slide around said slider, with a lower stop limiting its downward stroke relative to said slider, said bushing being applied in the lower part against a shoulder provided inside the valve body.
  • This arrangement facilitates maintenance of the valve, since the return spring remains partially compressed around the slide when the valve body is disassembled, without any risk of accidental expansion.
  • an auxiliary mounting ring is preferably interposed around the slide between the upper support thereof and the corresponding end of the spring.
  • Said auxiliary ring slidably mounted around the slider has on its periphery an imprint making it possible to immobilize it by means of a mounting tool.
  • the lower sliding sleeve mentioned above also has a similar imprint on its periphery making it possible to immobilize it by means of the mounting tool.
  • the return spring can thus, easily and without danger, be assembled and disassembled if necessary by means of an appropriate tool, of very simple structure.
  • the invention extends to such a mounting tool essentially comprising a frame extending along an axis, two members with retractable lugs, mounted on said frame at different levels and adapted to be able to maintain the socket and the auxiliary ring of the valve, and a clamping rod provided with support members on said sleeve and said ring for the compression of the valve spring.
  • the safety valve shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 to 6 is intended to equip an oil well production tube provided with a receptacle sleeve 1.
  • this receptacle sleeve is provided with a line d arrival of control fluid 1a, an anchoring groove 1b and stop means of the valve (shoulder 1bi).
  • the valve comprises a valve body of generally tubular shape, consisting of several tubular parts secured to each other: upper latch body 2, upper seal holder 3, tubular spacer 4, locking nut ring 5, spring jacket 6 , lower sleeve 7, shutter body 8.
  • a tubular slide 9 able to move longitudinally in the valve body, between a low position (corresponding to the opening) shown in Figure 1 and a high position (corresponding to the closure) shown in Figure 5.
  • This slide is returned to its upper position by a return spring 10 and is hydraulically controlled downwards by the control fluid arriving via line 1a, when the latter is pressurized.
  • the shutter body 8 comprises a movable shutter member, constituted in the example by a valve 11 which is articulated on said body so as to be able to pivot between an open position retracted on the side (FIG. 1) and a closed position where said valve closes the valve body by pressing against a seal carried by it (Figure 5).
  • the valve 11 is returned to the closed position by a spring 12 disposed around its axis of articulation.
  • this shutter member known in itself, can be of another type and in particular a ball member in which the shutter is provided by a spherical part able to move longitudinally with a rotation associated, between an open position and a closed position (a spring recalling the ball to this last position).
  • the slider 9 Under the effect of the hydraulic control, the slider 9 is moved to its low position until it comes into abutment with the valve nose 8a: said slider then pushes the shutter member 11 and maintains it in the position of opening.
  • the return spring 10 causes the slide to move upwards, to its high position where it is set back in the lower sleeve 7 (FIG. 5). The shutter member 11 is then released and closes under the action of its own spring 12.
  • the lower sleeve 7 is equipped with a balancing valve 13 which is actuated, during opening, at the start of the descent of the slide, by a cam 9a of the latter, in order to allow a balancing of pressures below and beyond the shutter member 11.
  • the lock body 2 contains a dog anchoring system 14 which can be of any known type or of the type described in the FR patent application filed simultaneously by the applicant. This system, which is not the subject of the present request, will not be described in detail; when the valve is placed in the production tube, it is intended to anchor it in the receptacle sleeve 1.
  • the upper seal holder 3 is screwed to the base of the lock body 2. It is provided on the outside with a notch which opens downwards and whose shape is adapted to allow the insertion of a seal. upper 15. This lining, in particular of the herringbone type, is located immediately above a light 3a for the arrival of the control fluid, from which the upper seal carrier is pierced.
  • the gasket 15 is locked in its notch by the tubular spacer 4 which extends around the upper seal holder 3 and is itself pierced with a light 4a for the arrival of the control fluid.
  • Lights 3a and 4a are correspond and come into correspondence with the finish line 1a of the receptacle sleeve when the valve is in place in the latter.
  • the spring jacket 6 which extends around the return spring 10 is screwed onto the upper seal carrier 3 by an upper heel 6a.
  • This heel is provided externally with a notch which opens upwards and whose shape is adapted to allow the insertion of a lower sealing gasket 16.
  • This gasket in particular of the herringbone type, is thus positioned immediately below the fluid inlet lights; it is locked in its indentation by the nut ring 5 which is screwed around the upper seal holder 3.
  • This nut ring 5 also blocks the tubular spacer 4 (the lower part of which bears against the upper edge of said ring-nut); moreover, it constitutes an end of screwing stop for the heel 6a of the shirt 6.
  • This heel 6a forms at its base an internal shoulder which limits the upward movement of the slide 9 by forming a stop for its ring-nut 19 mentioned below.
  • the spring jacket 6 is screwed around the lower sleeve 7 which forms a shoulder 7a inside said shirt.
  • a seal 17 is interposed to seal the valve body at this level.
  • This spring 10 bears against an auxiliary mounting ring 19 which is mounted around the slide 9 so that it can slide along the latter.
  • This auxiliary ring has on its periphery an imprint 18a, in particular a circular groove, allowing, as will be seen below, to immobilize it during assembly.
  • the auxiliary ring 18 comes into position high in abutment against a nut-ring 19 screwed around the slider 9 which is provided for this purpose with a thread on an area of its external surface.
  • the nut ring 19 abuts against a small shoulder 9b formed on the external surface of the slide between two sections of different diameter.
  • the lower end of the spring 10 bears against a lower bush 20 mounted to slide around the slide 9.
  • a lower stop 9c limits the downward stroke of said bush 20 relative to the slide.
  • This stop 9c is formed by a shoulder formed on the external surface of the slide 9 between two sections of different diameters; the sleeve 20 has a two-section bore comprising an abutment face against said shoulder.
  • this sleeve 20 is applied against the internal shoulder 7a formed by the upper edge of the sleeve 7.
  • the sleeve 20 has on its periphery an imprint 20b, in particular a circular groove, allowing it to be immobilized during assembly, in the same way as the auxiliary ring 18.
  • control fluid consisting of a lubricating liquid
  • the control fluid arrives in the valve body by the line 1a and the ports 4a and 3a, is stopped at the valve body / sleeve-receptacle interface by the seals. 15 and 16 located immediately on either side of said inlet lights and fills a sealed volume located between the slide and the valve body, which volume is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 6.
  • This sealed volume is limited, at the slide / valve body interface, on the one hand, by an upper seal 21 disposed above the arrival of the fluid in abutment against an upper section of the slide of predetermined diameter. , on the other hand, by a lower seal 22 arranged in a groove below and in the vicinity of the lower end of the return spring 10, in abutment against a lower section of the slide of more diameter larger than that of the above-mentioned upper section.
  • the lower seal 22 is arranged in a groove in the sleeve 7 so as to be positioned below and near the sleeve 20.
  • the seals 21 and 22 are in particular O-rings.
  • the upper seal 21 is arranged in a groove of a sliding piston 58 which is part of the anchoring system of the type described in the patent application filed simultaneously by the applicant; a complementary seal 24 is then provided on the external surface of said sliding piston to ensure sealing at the interface of the latter and of the valve body. (At the start of the pressurization of the control fluid, this sliding piston 58 undergoes an upward movement to a stop position, in order to achieve anchoring).
  • the sliding piston 58 does not exist, and the upper seal 21 is directly disposed in a groove in the upper seal holder 3.
  • the new valve structure described above has many advantages over traditional valves.
  • the return spring 10 and the moving parts are completely immersed in the lubricating liquid and isolated from the effluent; the configuration of the sealed volume containing the control fluid allows a purge of this volume which preserves this spring and these parts from any corrosive contact with gases.
  • the return spring and these parts are thus protected against any attack or deposit; under these conditions, the spring can be made of a steel with a high modulus of elasticity which increases its performance and allows use of the valve at greater depths.
  • the risks of breakdown at closure are considerably reduced compared to known valves.
  • valve can be dismantled without danger of relaxation of the return spring 10.
  • the spring remains trapped around it between the upper nut-ring 19 and the lower bush 20 which abuts against the shoulder 9c as shown schematically in Figure 7c.
  • the spring can itself be easily assembled or disassembled with respect to the slide by means of a mounting tool as shown in section in FIG. 7a.
  • This tool comprises a frame 25 extending along an axis, a frame constituted in the example by a tube.
  • This tubular frame is provided with organs with retractable pins such as 26 and 27 which are arranged at two different levels thereof.
  • the organs of the two levels which may consist of simple screws screwed into tapped holes in the frame, are separated by a distance slightly less than that which separates the auxiliary ring 18 and the bush 20 from the slide / spring assembly (figure 7c).
  • These screws 26 and 27 are adapted to be able to penetrate through their end into the indentations 18a and 20b of said ring and of said socket.
  • the tool comprises a clamping rod 28 provided with support washers 29 and 30 respectively on the auxiliary ring 18 and on the sleeve 20. Nuts 31, 32 are associated with these washers in order to keep them along. of the rod 28.
  • the mounting of the return spring 10 around the slide 9 is carried out as follows.
  • the sleeve 20 is introduced around the clamping rod 28 against the support member 30, 32.
  • the expanded spring is then placed above the sleeve 20.
  • the auxiliary ring 18 and the support washer 29 are then caused to cap said spring; the associated nut 31 makes it possible to compress the spring until the imprints of the sockets 20 and the ring 18 come into correspondence with the retaining screws 26 and 27.
  • valve according to the invention has a reduced number of moving parts and seals compared to known valves, which reduces manufacturing costs and simplifies maintenance.
  • seals 15 and 16 of this valve are easy to change on site without operating a complete disassembly thereof.
  • This advantage is essential in practice, because these linings are subject to friction when the valve is lowered and run a risk of deterioration during these operations.
  • the change of said linings is carried out by unscrewing the jacket 6 and the upper seal holder 13 by unscrewing, by unscrewing the nut-ring 5 and by releasing the tubular spacer 4.
  • the old linings can then be removed and new linings put in place.
  • the assembly is carried out by reverse operations.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Safety Valves (AREA)
  • Check Valves (AREA)

Description

L'invention concerne une vanne de sécurité destinée à être insérée dans un tube de production de puits pétrolier en vue d'en assurer l'ouverture ou la fermeture. L'invention s'étend à un outil facilitant le montage de ladite vanne.The invention relates to a safety valve intended to be inserted into an oil well production tube in order to ensure its opening or closing. The invention extends to a tool facilitating the mounting of said valve.

Les vannes de sécurité pour puits pétroliers ont pour fonction de stopper automatiquement la production d'effluent si un incident survient en tête de puits ou en aval de celles-ci. Elles sont commandées hydrauliquement à l'ouverture depuis la surface et se ferment automatiquement au moyen d'un puissant ressort de rappel dès l'apparition d'une chute de pression hydraulique, commandée ou accidentelle. Ces vannes ont fait l'objet de nombreuses études de mise au point et perfectionnement et leur emploi s'est généralisé en particulier dans les puits éruptifs offshore.The safety valves for oil wells have the function of automatically stopping the production of effluent if an incident occurs at the head of the well or downstream from it. They are hydraulically controlled upon opening from the surface and are closed automatically by means of a powerful return spring as soon as a hydraulic pressure drop, commanded or accidental, occurs. These valves have been the subject of numerous development and improvement studies and their use has become generalized in particular in offshore eruptive wells.

Toutefois, les vannes existantes présentent des défauts. En premier lieu, dans la plupart des vannes existantes, les ressorts de rappel sont soumis à des effets de corrosion ou de dépôt, dus à l'effluent avec lequel ils sont en contact. Dans certaines vannes, telles par exemple que celles décrites dans la demande de brevet FR 2 536 783 et demande de certificat d'addition FR 2 555 246, il est prévu de disposer le ressort de rappel dans le circuit du fluide de commande ; toutefois la configuration de ce circuit ne lui permet pas d'être purgée de façon complète et l'agencement du ressort est tel que ce dernier se trouve au moins en partie environné de gaz : le caractère corrosif de ces gaz engendre un vieillissement et une détérioration rapide dudit ressort. Ce défaut est très grave en pratique, car une détérioration du ressort se traduit par des risques de non-fermeture de la vanne en cas de besoin.However, the existing valves have faults. First, in most existing valves, the return springs are subject to corrosion or deposit effects, due to the effluent with which they are in contact. In certain valves, such as for example those described in patent application FR 2 536 783 and request for certificate of addition FR 2 555 246, provision is made for placing the return spring in the circuit of the control fluid; however the configuration of this circuit does not allow it to be completely purged and the arrangement of the spring is such that the latter is at least partly surrounded by gases: the corrosive nature of these gases causes aging and deterioration rapid of said spring. This defect is very serious in practice, because a deterioration of the spring results in risks of non-closing of the valve if necessary.

Par ailleurs, le montage et le démontage des vannes existantes sont des opérations complexes et même dangereuses en raison de la présence des ressorts à grande force de rappel qui actuellement sont nécessairement détendus pour assurer la révision du matériel. Leur maintenance rendue délicate par le grand nombre de pièces et d'étanchéités en présence doit être assurée par un personnel qualifié, qui n'est pas toujours disponible sur site. De plus, ces vannes qui comportent de nombreuses pièces en mouvement sont de fabrication onéreuse en raison des temps d'usinage et de contrôle qu'elles exigent. En outre, le nombre d'étanchéités nécessaires multiplie les risques de pannes.In addition, the assembly and disassembly of existing valves are complex and even dangerous operations due to the presence of springs with large return force which currently are necessarily relaxed to ensure the revision of the equipment. Their maintenance returned delicate by the large number of parts and seals present must be provided by qualified personnel, who is not always available on site. In addition, these valves which have many moving parts are expensive to manufacture because of the machining and control times that they require. In addition, the number of seals required increases the risk of breakdowns.

La présente invention se propose de fournir une vanne de sécurité perfectionnée, exempte des défauts susévoqués.The present invention proposes to provide an improved safety valve, free from the abovementioned faults.

Un objectif de l'invention est en particulier de fournir une vanne dans laquelle le ressort de rappel et les pièces en mouvement sont soumis à une lubrification permanente de grande efficacité, réduisant considérablement leur corrosion.An object of the invention is in particular to provide a valve in which the return spring and the moving parts are subjected to permanent lubrication of high efficiency, considerably reducing their corrosion.

Un autre objectif est d'écarter tout caractère dangereux de la vanne lors de son démontage, en supprimant les risques liés à la détente du ressort de rappel.Another objective is to eliminate any dangerous character of the valve during its disassembly, by eliminating the risks linked to the relaxation of the return spring.

Un autre objectif est de fournir une vanne de structure simplifiée, ayant un nombre réduit de pièces en mouvement.Another objective is to provide a valve of simplified structure, having a reduced number of moving parts.

Un autre objectif est de fournir une vanne dans laquelle les étanchéités sont en nombre réduit et qui permet un accès et un changement faciles des joints les plus exposés.Another objective is to provide a valve in which the seals are reduced in number and which allows easy access and change of the most exposed seals.

Un autre objectif est de faciliter la maintenance et la révision des vannes. A cet effet, un objectif de l'invention est de fournir un outil de montage simple pour la mise en place du ressort de rappel.Another objective is to facilitate the maintenance and overhaul of the valves. To this end, an objective of the invention is to provide a simple mounting tool for the establishment of the return spring.

Afin de faciliter la compréhension, la vanne conforme à l'invention est décrite en la supposant en place dans un puits pétrolier, les termes "haut", "bas", "supérieur", "inférieur" se référant à cette position.In order to facilitate understanding, the valve according to the invention is described by assuming it to be in place in an oil well, the terms "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower" referring to this position.

La vanne de sécurité visée par l'invention est du type comprenant :

  • . un corps de vanne de forme générale tubulaire,
  • . un organe mobile d'obturation situé en partie basse dudit corps et sollicité vers sa position de fermeture,
  • . un coulisseau tubulaire agencé pour pouvoir coulisser longitudinalement à l'intérieur du corps de vanne en vue d'engendrer dans son mouvement descendant l'ouverture de l'organe d'obturation,
  • . un ressort de rappel disposé dans un logement annulaire situé entre le coulisseau et le corps de vanne, de façon à solliciter ledit coulisseau vers une position haute correspondant à la fermeture de l'organe d'obturation,
  • . des moyens de déplacement hydraulique du coulisseau vers le bas, comportant une arrivée de fluide de commande à travers le corps de vanne et un volume étanche entre coulisseau et corps destiné à recevoir le fluide de commande, le coulisseau présentant une différence de section soumise à la pression du fluide contenu dans ledit volume étanche de façon à subir un effort vers le bas lorsque ledit volume est en pression,
  • . un système d'ancrage situé en partie haute du corps de vanne et adapté pour assujettir celui-ci dans un manchon-réceptacle logé dans le tube de production,
  • . des garnitures d'étanchéité, inférieure et supérieure, disposées autour du corps de vanne en vue d'assurer une étanchéité à l'interface entre ledit corps de vanne et le manchon-réceptacle à des niveaux situés au-dessous et au-dessus de l'arrivée du fluide de commande.
The safety valve targeted by the invention is of the type comprising:
  • . a valve body of generally tubular shape,
  • . a movable shutter member located in the lower part of said body and urged towards its position closing,
  • . a tubular slide arranged to be able to slide longitudinally inside the valve body in order to generate in its downward movement the opening of the shutter member,
  • . a return spring disposed in an annular housing located between the slide and the valve body, so as to urge said slide towards a high position corresponding to the closing of the shutter member,
  • . means for hydraulic displacement of the slide downwards, comprising an inlet for control fluid through the valve body and a sealed volume between slide and body intended to receive the control fluid, the slide having a difference in section subjected to the pressure of the fluid contained in said sealed volume so as to undergo a downward force when said volume is under pressure,
  • . an anchoring system located in the upper part of the valve body and adapted to secure it in a receptacle sleeve housed in the production tube,
  • . sealings, lower and upper, arranged around the valve body in order to ensure a seal at the interface between said valve body and the receptacle sleeve at levels located below and above the arrival of the control fluid.

Selon une caractéristique de la présente invention, les garnitures d'étanchéité, situées de part et d'autre de l'arrivée du fluide de commande, sont positionnées immédiatement au-dessous et au-dessus de ladite arrivée de fluide, le système d'ancrage étant situé au-dessus de la garniture supérieure, cependant que le ressort de rappel est positionné au-dessous de la garniture inférieure dans un logement annulaire constitué par une partie du volume étanche destiné à recevoir le fluide de commande.According to a characteristic of the present invention, the seals, located on either side of the control fluid inlet, are positioned immediately below and above said fluid inlet, the anchoring being located above the upper lining, while the return spring is positioned below the lower lining in an annular housing constituted by a part of the sealed volume intended to receive the control fluid.

Ainsi, comme on le comprendra mieux plus loin, la structure de la vanne conforme à l'invention permet une purge complète du volume étanche contenant le fluide de commande lors de la mise en pression, cependant que l'agencement du ressort de rappel garantit une totale immersion de celui-ci dans le fluide de commande. Ce ressort se trouve à l'abri des agressions de l'effluent ou des gaz corrosifs et peut être réalisé en un acier à haut module d'élasticité favorable à l'obtention d'une force de rappel élevée, stable dans le temps.Thus, as will be better understood below, the structure of the valve according to the invention allows complete drainage of the sealed volume containing the control fluid during pressurization, while the arrangement of the return spring guarantees total immersion of the latter in the control fluid. This spring is sheltered from the attacks of effluent or corrosive gases and can be made of a steel with high modulus of elasticity favorable to obtaining a high restoring force, stable over time.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, le ressort de rappel disposé dans le logement annulaire situé autour du coulisseau s'étend entre, d'une part, un appui supérieur solidaire du coulisseau et, d'autre part, une douille inférieure montée coulissante autour dudit coulisseau, avec une butée inférieure limitant sa course vers le bas par rapport audit coulisseau, ladite douille venant s'appliquer en partie basse contre un épaulement prévu à l'intérieur du corps de vanne.According to another characteristic of the invention, the return spring disposed in the annular housing located around the slide extends between, on the one hand, an upper support integral with the slide and, on the other hand, a lower sleeve mounted to slide around said slider, with a lower stop limiting its downward stroke relative to said slider, said bushing being applied in the lower part against a shoulder provided inside the valve body.

Cet agencement facilite la maintenance de la vanne, car le ressort de rappel demeure partiellement comprimé autour du coulisseau lorsque le corps de vanne est démonté, sans aucun risque de détente accidentelle.This arrangement facilitates maintenance of the valve, since the return spring remains partially compressed around the slide when the valve body is disassembled, without any risk of accidental expansion.

De plus, une bague auxiliaire de montage est de préférence interposée autour du coulisseau entre l'appui supérieur de celui-ci et l'extrémité correspondante du ressort. Ladite bague auxiliaire montée coulissante autour du coulisseau possède sur son pourtour une empreinte permettant de l'immobiliser au moyen d'un outil de montage. La douille coulissante inférieure ci-dessus évoquée possède également sur son pourtour une empreinte similaire permettant de l'immobiliser au moyen de l'outil de montage. Le ressort de rappel peut ainsi, facilement et sans danger, être monté et démonté en cas de besoin au moyen d'un outil approprié, de structure très simple.In addition, an auxiliary mounting ring is preferably interposed around the slide between the upper support thereof and the corresponding end of the spring. Said auxiliary ring slidably mounted around the slider has on its periphery an imprint making it possible to immobilize it by means of a mounting tool. The lower sliding sleeve mentioned above also has a similar imprint on its periphery making it possible to immobilize it by means of the mounting tool. The return spring can thus, easily and without danger, be assembled and disassembled if necessary by means of an appropriate tool, of very simple structure.

L'invention s'étend à un tel outil de montage comprenant essentiellement un bâti s'étendant le long d'un axe, deux organes à ergots rétractables, montés sur ledit bâti à des niveaux différents et adaptés pour pouvoir maintenir respectivement la douille et la bague auxiliaire de la vanne, et une tige de serrage dotée d'organes d'appui sur ladite douille et ladite bague en vue de la compression du ressort de vanne.The invention extends to such a mounting tool essentially comprising a frame extending along an axis, two members with retractable lugs, mounted on said frame at different levels and adapted to be able to maintain the socket and the auxiliary ring of the valve, and a clamping rod provided with support members on said sleeve and said ring for the compression of the valve spring.

Par ailleurs, selon un mode de réalisation préféré, facilitant le changement des garnitures d'étanchéité et, d'une façon plus générale, la maintenance de la vanne, le corps de vanne est constitué de plusieurs pièces tubulaires, assujetties les unes aux autres, comprenant :

  • . un porte-joint supérieur, doté extérieurement d'une échancrure d'insertion de la garniture d'étanchéité supérieure et percé, à un niveau inférieur, d'une lumière d'arrivée du fluide de commande,
  • . une chemise de ressort, s'étendant autour du ressort et vissée par un talon supérieur sur le porte-joint supérieur, ledit talon supérieur étant extérieurement doté d'une échancrure d'insertion de la garniture d'étanchéité inférieure,
  • . une entretoise tubulaire, s'étendant autour du porte-joint supérieur entre les garnitures d'étanchéité, inférieure et supérieure, ladite entretoise étant percée d'une lumière en correspondance avec la lumière d'arrivée du fluide de commande,
  • . un manchon inférieur vissé à la base de la chemise de ressort et formant à l'intérieur de celle-ci l'épaulement précité contre lequel est destinée à s'appliquer la douille inférieure coulissante, ledit manchon portant en partie basse l'organe d'obturation.
Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, facilitating the changing of the seals and, more generally, the maintenance of the valve, the valve body consists of several tubular parts, secured to each other, including:
  • . an upper seal carrier, externally provided with a notch for inserting the upper seal and pierced, at a lower level, with an inlet light for the control fluid,
  • . a spring jacket, extending around the spring and screwed by an upper heel to the upper seal carrier, said upper heel being externally provided with a notch for insertion of the lower seal,
  • . a tubular spacer, extending around the upper seal carrier between the seals, lower and upper, said spacer being pierced with a lumen corresponding to the inlet lumen of the control fluid,
  • . a lower sleeve screwed to the base of the spring jacket and forming inside the aforementioned shoulder against which is intended to apply the sliding lower sleeve, said sleeve carrying the lower part of the shutter.

D'autres caractéristiques, buts et avantages de l'invention ressortiront de la description qui suit en référence aux dessins annexés, lesquels en présentent à titre d'exemple non limitatif un mode de réalisation préférentiel ; sur ces dessins qui font partie intégrante de la présente description :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en coupe axiale par un plan vertical d'une vanne conforme à l'invention, supposée en position ouverte,
  • les figures 2, 3 et 4 sont des demi-coupes de détail de ladite vanne,
  • la figure 5 est une vue en coupe axiale de la vanne en position fermée,
  • la figure 6 est une demi-coupe schématique montrant le volume étanche contenant le fluide de commande,
  • enfin, les figures 7a, 7b et 7c sont des schémas illustrant un outil de montage conforme à l'invention et son utilisation.
Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, which present by way of nonlimiting example a preferred embodiment; on these drawings which form an integral part of this description:
  • FIG. 1 is a view in axial section through a vertical plane of a valve according to the invention, assumed to be in the open position,
  • FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are detailed half-sections of said valve,
  • FIG. 5 is a view in axial section of the valve in the closed position,
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic half-section showing the sealed volume containing the control fluid,
  • finally, FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c are diagrams illustrating a mounting tool according to the invention and its use.

La vanne de sécurité représentée à titre d'exemple aux figures 1 à 6 est destinée à équiper un tube de production de puits pétrolier doté d'un manchon-réceptacle 1. De façon traditionnelle, ce manchon-réceptacle est pourvu d'une ligne d'arrivée de fluide de commande 1a, d'une gorge d'ancrage 1b et de moyens d'arrêt de la vanne (épaulement 1bi).The safety valve shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 to 6 is intended to equip an oil well production tube provided with a receptacle sleeve 1. Traditionally, this receptacle sleeve is provided with a line d arrival of control fluid 1a, an anchoring groove 1b and stop means of the valve (shoulder 1bi).

La vanne comprend un corps de vanne de forme générale tubulaire, constitué de plusieurs pièces tubulaires assujetties les unes aux autres : corps de verrou supérieur 2, porte-joint supérieur 3, entretoise tubulaire 4, bague-écrou de blocage 5, chemise de ressort 6, manchon inférieur 7, corps d'obturateur 8.The valve comprises a valve body of generally tubular shape, consisting of several tubular parts secured to each other: upper latch body 2, upper seal holder 3, tubular spacer 4, locking nut ring 5, spring jacket 6 , lower sleeve 7, shutter body 8.

A l'intérieur du corps de vanne, est monté un coulisseau tubulaire 9 apte à se déplacer longitudinalement dans le corps de vanne, entre une position basse (correspondant à l'ouverture) représentée à la figure 1 et une position haute (correspondant à la fermeture) représentée à la figure 5. Ce coulisseau est rappelé vers sa position haute par un ressort de rappel 10 et est commandé hydrauliquement vers le bas par le fluide de commande arrivant par la ligne 1a, lorsque cette dernière est mise sous pression.Inside the valve body, is mounted a tubular slide 9 able to move longitudinally in the valve body, between a low position (corresponding to the opening) shown in Figure 1 and a high position (corresponding to the closure) shown in Figure 5. This slide is returned to its upper position by a return spring 10 and is hydraulically controlled downwards by the control fluid arriving via line 1a, when the latter is pressurized.

En partie basse, le corps d'obturateur 8 comporte un organe mobile d'obturation, constitué en l'exemple par un clapet 11 qui est articulé sur ledit corps de façon à pouvoir pivoter entre une position d'ouverture escamotée sur le côté (figure 1) et une position de fermeture où ledit clapet obture le corps de vanne en s'appliquant contre un joint d'étanchéité porté par celui-ci (figure 5). Le clapet 11 est rappelé vers la position de fermeture par un ressort 12 disposé autour de son axe d'articulation. Il est à noter que cet organe d'obturation, connu en lui-même, peut être d'un autre type et en particulier un organe à balle dans lequel l'obturation est assurée par une partie sphérique apte à se déplacer longitudinalement avec une rotation associée, entre une position d'ouverture et une position de fermeture (un ressort rapelant la balle vers cette dernière position).In the lower part, the shutter body 8 comprises a movable shutter member, constituted in the example by a valve 11 which is articulated on said body so as to be able to pivot between an open position retracted on the side (FIG. 1) and a closed position where said valve closes the valve body by pressing against a seal carried by it (Figure 5). The valve 11 is returned to the closed position by a spring 12 disposed around its axis of articulation. It should be noted that this shutter member, known in itself, can be of another type and in particular a ball member in which the shutter is provided by a spherical part able to move longitudinally with a rotation associated, between an open position and a closed position (a spring recalling the ball to this last position).

Sous l'effet de la commande hydraulique, le coulisseau 9 est déplacé vers sa position basse jusqu'à venir en butée avec le nez de vanne 8a : ledit coulisseau repousse alors l'organe d'obturation 11 et le maintient dans la position d'ouverture. Lorsque la pression du fluide de commande baisse accidentellement ou volontairement, le ressort de rappel 10 engendre un déplacement du coulisseau vers le haut, jusqu'à sa position haute où celui-ci se trouve en retrait dans le manchon inférieur 7 (figure 5). L'organe d'obturation 11 est alors libéré et se referme sous l'action de son propre ressort 12.Under the effect of the hydraulic control, the slider 9 is moved to its low position until it comes into abutment with the valve nose 8a: said slider then pushes the shutter member 11 and maintains it in the position of opening. When the pressure of the control fluid accidentally or voluntarily drops, the return spring 10 causes the slide to move upwards, to its high position where it is set back in the lower sleeve 7 (FIG. 5). The shutter member 11 is then released and closes under the action of its own spring 12.

De façon classique, le manchon inférieur 7 est équipé d'une soupape d'équilibrage 13 qui est actionnée, lors de l'ouverture, au début de la descente du coulisseau, par une came 9a de ce dernier, en vue d'autoriser un équilibrage des pressions en-deçà et au-delà de l'organe d'obturation 11.Conventionally, the lower sleeve 7 is equipped with a balancing valve 13 which is actuated, during opening, at the start of the descent of the slide, by a cam 9a of the latter, in order to allow a balancing of pressures below and beyond the shutter member 11.

A l'opposé de cet organe d'obturation, le corps de verrou 2 contient un système d'ancrage à chiens 14 qui peut être de tout type connu ou du type décrit dans la demande de brevet FR déposée simultanément par la demanderesse. Ce système qui ne fait pas l'objet de la présente demande, ne sera pas décrit en détail ; il est destiné lors de la mise en place de la vanne dans le tube de production à assurer l'ancrage de celle-ci dans le manchon-réceptacle 1.Opposite this shutter member, the lock body 2 contains a dog anchoring system 14 which can be of any known type or of the type described in the FR patent application filed simultaneously by the applicant. This system, which is not the subject of the present request, will not be described in detail; when the valve is placed in the production tube, it is intended to anchor it in the receptacle sleeve 1.

Le porte-joint supérieur 3 est vissé à la base du corps de verrou 2. Il est doté extérieurement d'une échancrure qui s'ouvre vers le bas et dont la forme est adaptée pour permettre l'insertion d'une garniture d'étanchéité supérieure 15. Cette garniture, en particulier du type à chevrons, est située immédiatement au-dessus d'une lumière 3a d'arrivée du fluide de commande, dont est percé le porte-joint supérieur.The upper seal holder 3 is screwed to the base of the lock body 2. It is provided on the outside with a notch which opens downwards and whose shape is adapted to allow the insertion of a seal. upper 15. This lining, in particular of the herringbone type, is located immediately above a light 3a for the arrival of the control fluid, from which the upper seal carrier is pierced.

La garniture 15 est bloquée dans son échancrure par l'entretoise tubulaire 4 qui s'étend autour du porte-joint supérieur 3 et est elle-même percée d'une lumière 4a d'arrivée du fluide de commande. Les lumières 3a et 4a se correspondent et viennent en correspondance avec la ligne d'arrivée 1a du manchon-réceptacle lorsque la vanne est en place dans ce dernier.The gasket 15 is locked in its notch by the tubular spacer 4 which extends around the upper seal holder 3 and is itself pierced with a light 4a for the arrival of the control fluid. Lights 3a and 4a are correspond and come into correspondence with the finish line 1a of the receptacle sleeve when the valve is in place in the latter.

Par ailleurs, la chemise de ressort 6 qui s'étend autour du ressort de rappel 10 est vissée sur le porte-joint supérieur 3 par un talon supérieur 6a. Ce talon est doté extérieurement d'une échancrure qui s'ouvre vers le haut et dont la forme est adaptée pour permettre l'insertion d'une garniture d'étanchéité inférieure 16. Cette garniture, en particulier du type à chevrons, est ainsi positionnée immédiatement au-dessous des lumières d'arrivée de fluide ; elle est bloquée dans son échancrure par la bague-écrou 5 laquelle est vissée autour du porte-joint supérieur 3. Cette bague-écrou 5 assure également un blocage de l'entretoise tubulaire 4 (dont la partie basse vient en appui contre le chant supérieur de ladite bague-écrou) ; de plus, elle constitue une butée de fin de vissage pour le talon 6a de la chemise 6.Furthermore, the spring jacket 6 which extends around the return spring 10 is screwed onto the upper seal carrier 3 by an upper heel 6a. This heel is provided externally with a notch which opens upwards and whose shape is adapted to allow the insertion of a lower sealing gasket 16. This gasket, in particular of the herringbone type, is thus positioned immediately below the fluid inlet lights; it is locked in its indentation by the nut ring 5 which is screwed around the upper seal holder 3. This nut ring 5 also blocks the tubular spacer 4 (the lower part of which bears against the upper edge of said ring-nut); moreover, it constitutes an end of screwing stop for the heel 6a of the shirt 6.

Ce talon 6a forme à sa base un épaulement interne qui limite le mouvement vers le haut du coulisseau 9 en formant une butée pour sa bague-écrou 19 évoquée plus loin.This heel 6a forms at its base an internal shoulder which limits the upward movement of the slide 9 by forming a stop for its ring-nut 19 mentioned below.

En partie basse, la chemise de ressort 6 est vissée autour du manchon inférieur 7 qui forme à l'intérieur de ladite chemise un épaulement 7a. Un joint d'étanchéité 17 est interposé pour assurer l'étanchéité du corps de vanne à ce niveau.In the lower part, the spring jacket 6 is screwed around the lower sleeve 7 which forms a shoulder 7a inside said shirt. A seal 17 is interposed to seal the valve body at this level.

Alors que le système d'ancrage 14 de la vanne est positionnée au-dessus des deux garnitures d'étanchéité 15 et 16, le ressort de rappel 10 est positionné à l'opposé au-dessous de ces garnitures dans un logement annulaire délimité par la face externe du coulisseau 9 et la face interne de la chemise 6.While the anchoring system 14 of the valve is positioned above the two seals 15 and 16, the return spring 10 is positioned opposite below these seals in an annular housing delimited by the external face of the slide 9 and the internal face of the jacket 6.

L'extrémité haute de ce ressort 10 vient en appui contre une bague auxiliaire de montage 19 qui est montée autour du coulisseau 9 de façon à pouvoir coulisser le long de celui-ci. Cette bague auxiliaire possède sur son pourtour une empreinte 18a, notamment une gorge circulaire, permettant comme on le verra plus loin de l'immobiliser lors du montage.The upper end of this spring 10 bears against an auxiliary mounting ring 19 which is mounted around the slide 9 so that it can slide along the latter. This auxiliary ring has on its periphery an imprint 18a, in particular a circular groove, allowing, as will be seen below, to immobilize it during assembly.

La bague auxiliaire 18 vient en position haute en appui contre une bague-écrou 19 vissée autour du coulisseau 9 lequel est pourvu à cet effet d'un filetage sur une zone de sa surface externe. En fin de vissage, la bague-écrou 19 vient en butée contre un petit épaulement 9b ménagé sur la surface externe du coulisseau entre deux tronçons de diamètre différent.The auxiliary ring 18 comes into position high in abutment against a nut-ring 19 screwed around the slider 9 which is provided for this purpose with a thread on an area of its external surface. At the end of screwing, the nut ring 19 abuts against a small shoulder 9b formed on the external surface of the slide between two sections of different diameter.

L'extrémité basse du ressort 10 vient en appui contre une douille inférieure 20 montée coulissante autour du coulisseau 9. Une butée inférieure 9c limite la course vers le bas de ladite douille 20 par rapport au coulisseau. Cette butée 9c est formée par un épaulement ménagé sur la surface externe du coulisseau 9 entre deux tronçons de diamètres différents ; la douille 20 présente un alésage à deux sections comportant une face de butée contre ledit épaulement.The lower end of the spring 10 bears against a lower bush 20 mounted to slide around the slide 9. A lower stop 9c limits the downward stroke of said bush 20 relative to the slide. This stop 9c is formed by a shoulder formed on the external surface of the slide 9 between two sections of different diameters; the sleeve 20 has a two-section bore comprising an abutment face against said shoulder.

En outre, dans sa position basse par rapport au corps de vanne, cette douille 20 vient s'appliquer contre l'épaulement interne 7a que forme le chant supérieur du manchon 7.In addition, in its low position relative to the valve body, this sleeve 20 is applied against the internal shoulder 7a formed by the upper edge of the sleeve 7.

De plus, la douille 20 possède sur son pourtour une empreinte 20b, en particulier une gorge circulaire, permettant son immobilisation lors du montage, de la même façon que la bague auxiliaire 18.In addition, the sleeve 20 has on its periphery an imprint 20b, in particular a circular groove, allowing it to be immobilized during assembly, in the same way as the auxiliary ring 18.

Par ailleurs, le fluide de commande, constitué par un liquide lubrifiant, arrive dans le corps de vanne par la ligne 1a et les lumières 4a et 3a, est arrêté à l'interface corps de vanne/manchon-réceptacle par les garnitures d'étanchéité 15 et 16 situées immédiatement de part et d'autre desdites lumières d'arrivée et vient remplir un volume étanche situé entre le coulisseau et le corps de vanne, volume qui est schématisé à la figure 6.Furthermore, the control fluid, consisting of a lubricating liquid, arrives in the valve body by the line 1a and the ports 4a and 3a, is stopped at the valve body / sleeve-receptacle interface by the seals. 15 and 16 located immediately on either side of said inlet lights and fills a sealed volume located between the slide and the valve body, which volume is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 6.

Ce volume étanche est limité, à l'interface coulisseau/corps de vanne, d'une part, par un joint d'étanchéité supérieur 21 disposé au-dessus de l'arrivée du fluide en appui contre un tronçon supérieur du coulisseau de diamètre prédéterminé, d'autre part, par un joint d'étanchéité inférieur 22 disposé dans une gorge au-dessous et au voisinage de l'extrémité inférieure du ressort de rappel 10, en appui contre un tronçon inférieur du coulisseau de diamètre plus grand que celui du tronçon supérieur précité.This sealed volume is limited, at the slide / valve body interface, on the one hand, by an upper seal 21 disposed above the arrival of the fluid in abutment against an upper section of the slide of predetermined diameter. , on the other hand, by a lower seal 22 arranged in a groove below and in the vicinity of the lower end of the return spring 10, in abutment against a lower section of the slide of more diameter larger than that of the above-mentioned upper section.

La différence de diamètre entre ces deux tronçons de coulisseau est définie par les épaulements 9b et 9c déjà évoqués : le fluide de commande agit ainsi vers le bas sur le coulisseau par le biais de ces différences de section.The difference in diameter between these two sections of slide is defined by the shoulders 9b and 9c already mentioned: the control fluid thus acts downward on the slide through these differences in section.

Le joint inférieur 22 est disposé dans une gorge du manchon 7 de façon à être positionné au-dessous et à proximité de la douille 20. Les joints 21 et 22 sont en particulier des joints toriques.The lower seal 22 is arranged in a groove in the sleeve 7 so as to be positioned below and near the sleeve 20. The seals 21 and 22 are in particular O-rings.

Il est à noter qu'en l'exemple représenté, le joint supérieur 21 est disposé dans une gorge d'un piston-baladeur 58 qui fait partie du système d'ancrage du type décrit dans la demande de brevet déposée simultanément par la demanderesse ; un joint complémentaire 24 est alors prévu sur la surface externe dudit piston-baladeur pour assurer l'étanchéité à l'interface de celui-ci et du corps de vanne. (Au début de la mise sous pression du fluide de commande, ce piston-baladeur 58 subit un déplacement vers le haut jusqu'à une position de butée, en vue de réaliser l'ancrage).It should be noted that in the example shown, the upper seal 21 is arranged in a groove of a sliding piston 58 which is part of the anchoring system of the type described in the patent application filed simultaneously by the applicant; a complementary seal 24 is then provided on the external surface of said sliding piston to ensure sealing at the interface of the latter and of the valve body. (At the start of the pressurization of the control fluid, this sliding piston 58 undergoes an upward movement to a stop position, in order to achieve anchoring).

Dans le cas d'un système d'ancrage traditionnel, le piston-baladeur 58 n'existe pas, et le joint supérieur 21 est directement disposé dans une gorge du porte-joint supérieur 3.In the case of a traditional anchoring system, the sliding piston 58 does not exist, and the upper seal 21 is directly disposed in a groove in the upper seal holder 3.

La nouvelle structure de vanne ci-dessus décrite présente de nombreux avantages par rapport aux vannes traditionnelles.The new valve structure described above has many advantages over traditional valves.

En premier lieu, lors de la pressurisation de la ligne de fluide de commande, le ressort de rappel 10 et les pièces en mouvement (en particulier douille 20) sont totalement immergés dans le liquide lubrifiant et isolés de l'effluent ; la configuration du volume étanche contenant le fluide de commande permet une purge de ce volume qui préserve ce ressort et ces pièces de tout contact corrosif avec des gaz. Le ressort de rappel et ces pièces sont ainsi protégés contre toute agression ou dépôt ; dans ces conditions, le ressort peut être réalisé en un acier à haut module d'élasticité qui augmente ses performances et autorise une utilisation de la vanne à des profondeurs plus importantes. De plus, les risques de panne à la fermeture sont considérablement réduits par rapport aux vannes connues.Firstly, during the pressurization of the control fluid line, the return spring 10 and the moving parts (in particular bush 20) are completely immersed in the lubricating liquid and isolated from the effluent; the configuration of the sealed volume containing the control fluid allows a purge of this volume which preserves this spring and these parts from any corrosive contact with gases. The return spring and these parts are thus protected against any attack or deposit; under these conditions, the spring can be made of a steel with a high modulus of elasticity which increases its performance and allows use of the valve at greater depths. In addition, the risks of breakdown at closure are considerably reduced compared to known valves.

En outre, la vanne peut être démontée sans danger de détente du ressort de rappel 10. En effet, lorsque le coulisseau 9 est retiré, le ressort demeure prisonnier autour de celui-ci entre la bague-écrou supérieure 19 et la douille inférieure 20 qui vient buter contre l'épaulement 9c comme le schématise la figure 7c.In addition, the valve can be dismantled without danger of relaxation of the return spring 10. In fact, when the slide 9 is removed, the spring remains trapped around it between the upper nut-ring 19 and the lower bush 20 which abuts against the shoulder 9c as shown schematically in Figure 7c.

Le ressort peut lui-même être aisément monté ou démonté par rapport au coulisseau au moyen d'un outil de montage tel que représenté en coupe à la figure 7a.The spring can itself be easily assembled or disassembled with respect to the slide by means of a mounting tool as shown in section in FIG. 7a.

Cet outil comprend un bâti 25 s'étendant le long d'un axe, bâti constitué en l'exemple par un tube. Ce bâti tubulaire est doté d'organes à ergots rétractables tels que 26 et 27 qui sont disposés à deux niveaux différents de celui-ci. Les organes des deux niveaux qui peuvent être constitués par de simples vis vissées dans des trous taraudés du bâti, sont séparés d'une distance légèrement inférieure à celle qui sépare la bague auxiliaire 18 et la douille 20 de l'ensemble coulisseau/ressort (figure 7c). Ces vis 26 et 27 sont adaptées pour pouvoir pénétrer par leur extrémité dans les empreintes 18a et 20b de ladite bague et de ladite douille.This tool comprises a frame 25 extending along an axis, a frame constituted in the example by a tube. This tubular frame is provided with organs with retractable pins such as 26 and 27 which are arranged at two different levels thereof. The organs of the two levels, which may consist of simple screws screwed into tapped holes in the frame, are separated by a distance slightly less than that which separates the auxiliary ring 18 and the bush 20 from the slide / spring assembly (figure 7c). These screws 26 and 27 are adapted to be able to penetrate through their end into the indentations 18a and 20b of said ring and of said socket.

En outre, l'outil comprend une tige de serrage 28 dotée de rondelles d'appui 29 et 30 respectivement sur la bague auxiliaire 18 et sur la douille 20. Des écrous 31, 32 sont associés à ces rondelles en vue de les maintenir le long de la tige 28.In addition, the tool comprises a clamping rod 28 provided with support washers 29 and 30 respectively on the auxiliary ring 18 and on the sleeve 20. Nuts 31, 32 are associated with these washers in order to keep them along. of the rod 28.

Le montage du ressort de rappel 10 autour du coulisseau 9 s'effectue de la façon suivante. La douille 20 est introduite autour de la tige de serrage 28 contre l'organe d'appui 30, 32. Le ressort détendu est ensuite disposé au-dessus de la douille 20. La bague auxiliaire 18 et la rondelle d'appui 29 sont alors amenées à coiffer ledit ressort ; l'écrou associé 31 permet de comprimer le ressort jusqu'à ce que les empreintes des douilles 20 et la bague 18 viennent en correspondance avec les vis de maintien 26 et 27.The mounting of the return spring 10 around the slide 9 is carried out as follows. The sleeve 20 is introduced around the clamping rod 28 against the support member 30, 32. The expanded spring is then placed above the sleeve 20. The auxiliary ring 18 and the support washer 29 are then caused to cap said spring; the associated nut 31 makes it possible to compress the spring until the imprints of the sockets 20 and the ring 18 come into correspondence with the retaining screws 26 and 27.

Ces vis sont alors vissées et la tige de serrage 28 est démontée en dévissant un ou ses écrous 31, 32. On obtient ainsi un ensemble tel que représenté à la figure 7b.These screws are then screwed in and the clamping rod 28 is dismantled by unscrewing one or more nuts 31, 32. This produces an assembly as shown in FIG. Figure 7b.

Il suffit ensuite d'enfiler par le bas le coulisseau 9 dans cet ensemble et de visser la bague-écrou 19 autour dudit coulisseau : le ressort 10 se trouve immobilisé autour de ce dernier à l'état de début de compression. Le bâti 25 peut alors être retiré en dévissant les vis 26 et 27.It then suffices to thread the slide 9 from below into this assembly and to screw the nut-ring 19 around said slide: the spring 10 is immobilized around the latter in the state of start of compression. The frame 25 can then be removed by unscrewing the screws 26 and 27.

Par ailleurs, la vanne conforme à l'invention possède un nombre réduit de pièces en mouvement et de joints d'étanchéité par rapport aux vannes connues, ce qui en diminue les coûts de fabrication et en simplifie la maintenance.Furthermore, the valve according to the invention has a reduced number of moving parts and seals compared to known valves, which reduces manufacturing costs and simplifies maintenance.

En particulier, les garnitures d'étanchéité 15 et 16 de cette vanne sont faciles à changer sur site sans opérer un démontage complet de celle-ci. Cet avantage est essentiel en pratique, car ces garnitures subissent des frictions lors de la descente de la vanne et courent un risque de détérioration au cours de ces manoeuvres.In particular, the seals 15 and 16 of this valve are easy to change on site without operating a complete disassembly thereof. This advantage is essential in practice, because these linings are subject to friction when the valve is lowered and run a risk of deterioration during these operations.

Le changement desdites garnitures s'effectue en désolidarisant par dévissage la chemise 6 et le porte-joint supérieur 13, en dévissant la bague-écrou 5 et en dégageant l'entretoise tubulaire 4. Les garnitures anciennes peuvent alors être enlevées et de nouvelles garnitures mise en place. Le montage s'effectue par les opérations inverses.The change of said linings is carried out by unscrewing the jacket 6 and the upper seal holder 13 by unscrewing, by unscrewing the nut-ring 5 and by releasing the tubular spacer 4. The old linings can then be removed and new linings put in place. The assembly is carried out by reverse operations.

Claims (11)

  1. Safety valve for insertion into an oil-well production pipe with a view to ensuring opening or closure, whereby said valve comprises :
    . a valve body of generally tubular shape,
    . a mobile closure device (11) situated at the lower part of said body and acted upon towards its position of closure,
    . a tubular slide (9), so designed as to be capable of sliding longitudinally within the valve body with a view to bringing about, in the course of its descending movement, opening of the closure device,
    . a return spring (10) arranged within an annular recess situated between the slide and the valve body so as to act upon said slide, moving it towards an upper position corresponding to the closed state of the closure device,
    . means for hydraulic downward replacement of the slide, comprising an actuating-fluid inlet (3a, 4a) transversely to the valve body and a sealed space between the slide and the body, said space being intended to receive the actuating fluid, whereby the slide exhibits a difference in cross-section subject to the pressure of the fluid contained within said sealed space, so as to undergo a downward force when said space is pressurised,
    . an anchoring system (14) situated at the upper part of the valve body and so designed as to secure the latter within a sleeve socket (1) located within the production pipe,
    . packings - a lower packing (16) and an upper packing (15) - arranged about the valve body with a view to ensuring sealing action at the interface between said valve body and the sleeve socket at levels below and above the actuating-fluid inlet,
    said value being characterised in that packings (15, 16) situated on either side of actuating-fluid inlet (3a,4a) are positioned directly below and above said fluid inlet, with anchoring system (14) being situated above upper packing (15) whereas return spring (10) is located below packing (16), within an annular recess constituted by part of the sealed space intended for receiving the actuating fluid.
  2. Safety valve according to claim 1, characterised in that the sealed space intended for receiving the actuating fluid is limited, at the interface between the slide and the valve body :
    . on the one hand, by an upper sealing ring (21) arranged within a groove above the actuating-fluid inlet, so as to rest against an upper section of predetermined diameter of the slide,
    . and on the other hand, by a lower sealing ring (22), arranged within a groove below and in the proximity of the lower end of return spring (10), so as to rest against a lower section of the slide having a larger diameter than that of said upper section.
  3. Safety valve according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that return spring (10) arranged within the annular recess situated about slide (9) extends between, on the one hand, an upper support (19) firmly connected with the slide and, on the other hand, a lower sleeve (20) fitted so as to slide about said slide, with a lower stop (9c) limiting its downward stroke in relation to said slide, whereby said sleeve abuts, at its lower part, a shoulder (7a) provided within the valve body.
  4. Safety valve according to claims 2 and 3 jointly, characterised in that lower sealing ring (22) is arranged below and in the proximity of lower sleeve (20).
  5. Safety valve according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the lower stop limiting the stroke of sleeve (20) in relation to slide (9) is constituted by a shoulder (9c) provided on the outer surface of said slide between two sections with different diameters of said slide, said shoulder (9c) defining a difference of cross-section on which acts the actuating fluid, whereby sleeve (20), which has a bore with two cross-sections, comprises a stop face (20a) abutting said shoulder.
  6. Safety valve according to one of claims 3, 4 or 5, characterised in that the upper support, which is firmly connected with slide (9), comprises a ring nut (19) screwed about said slide, which is, to this end, provided with a thread along a zone of its outer surface.
  7. Safety valve according to claim 6, characterised in that ring nut (19) rests, at the end of the screwing operation, against a shoulder (9b) provided on the outer surface of the slide between two sections of said slide, the diameters of which differ thus defining a difference of cross-section on which acts the actuating fluid.
  8. Safety valve according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterised in that :
    . about slide (9), an auxiliary assembly ring (18) is interposed between ring nut (19) and the corresponding end of spring (10), said auxiliary ring being so assembled as to be capable of sliding along the slide and having on its periphery a recess (18a), permitting it to be immobilised with the aid of an installing tool,
    . lower sleeve (20) has, on its periphery, a recess (20b) permitting it to be immobilised by means of the installing tool.
  9. Safety valve according to one of claims 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, characterised in that the valve body is constituted by several tubular sections, joined to one another and comprising :
    . an upper seal support (3) endowed on the outside with an insertion groove for upper packing (15) and provided, at a lower level, with an inlet aperture (3a) for actuating fluid,
    . a spring case (6) extending about spring (10) and screwed by means of an upper heel (6a) on to upper seal support (3), said upper heel being, on the outside, endowed with an insertion groove for lower packing (16),
    . a tubular spacer (4), extending about upper seal support (3) between lower and upper packings (15, 16), said spacer (4) being provided with an aperture (4a) communicating with aperture (3a) of the actuating-fluid inlet,
    . a lower sleeve (7) screwed to the base of spring case (6) and forming on the inside of the latter said shoulder (7a) to which lower sleeve (20) is to be applied, said sleeve (7) bearing at its lower part closure device (11).
  10. Safety valve according to claim 9, characterised in that tubular spacer (4) is blocked at its lower part by a ring nut (5), screwed about upper seal support (3), said ring nut (5) blocking lower packing (16) and constituting a stop for heel (6a) of the spring case.
  11. Installing tool with a view to installing a valve according to claim 8, characterised in that it comprises a frame (25) extending along an axis, retractable stud members (26, 27) mounted on said frame at different levels and so designed as to be capable of maintaining in position, respectively, sleeve (20) and auxiliary ring (18) of the valve and a locking rod (28) endowed with devices (29, 32) resting on said sleeve and said auxiliary ring with a view to compressing valve spring (10).
EP87202599A 1986-07-29 1987-12-22 Oil well safety valve and tool for installing such a valve Expired - Lifetime EP0321609B1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8611417A FR2602819B1 (en) 1986-07-29 1986-07-29 SAFETY VALVE CONTROLLED BY A SURFACE FLUID FOR OIL WELLS AND A VALVE MOUNTING TOOL
EP87202599A EP0321609B1 (en) 1987-12-22 1987-12-22 Oil well safety valve and tool for installing such a valve
DE8787202599T DE3778707D1 (en) 1987-12-22 1987-12-22 PETROLEUM SAFETY VALVE AND TOOL FOR INSTALLING SUCH A VALVE.

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP87202599A EP0321609B1 (en) 1987-12-22 1987-12-22 Oil well safety valve and tool for installing such a valve

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0321609A1 EP0321609A1 (en) 1989-06-28
EP0321609B1 true EP0321609B1 (en) 1992-04-29

Family

ID=8197727

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87202599A Expired - Lifetime EP0321609B1 (en) 1986-07-29 1987-12-22 Oil well safety valve and tool for installing such a valve

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0321609B1 (en)
DE (1) DE3778707D1 (en)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4252197A (en) * 1979-04-05 1981-02-24 Camco, Incorporated Piston actuated well safety valve
FR2536783B1 (en) * 1982-11-29 1986-07-04 Petroles Cie Francaise SAFETY VALVE FOR OIL WELLS
FR2555246B2 (en) * 1982-11-29 1986-09-05 Petroles Cie Francaise SAFETY VALVE FOR OIL WELLS
US4691776A (en) * 1986-05-29 1987-09-08 Camco, Incorporated Retrievable well safety valve with expandable external seals

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0321609A1 (en) 1989-06-28
DE3778707D1 (en) 1992-06-04

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