US2243308A - Flow valve - Google Patents

Description

y 1941- c. s. CRICKMER ETAL. v 2, 43,308

FLOW VALVE Filed Nov. 8, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l Charles S. Crickmer (f if, 1, I Hans C. Ghisch May 27, 1941- c. s. CRICKMER ETAL FLOW VALVE Filed Nov. 8, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Suva/144L014! Charles 5. Crickmer Hans C. Glitsch Patented May 27, 1941 UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE Charles -S. Crickmer and Hans O. Glitsch, Dallas,

Ten, assignors to Merla Tool Company, Dallas,

Tex a firm of Texas Application November 8, 1937, SerialNo. 173,305

3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvemehts in flow valves.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved valve-for controlling the admission of sion of lifting fluid to the well tubing, said means having one side exposed to the lifting fluid pressure and its opposite side exposed to the pressure of the well liquid, whereby said means is operated by the differential in said pressures.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved flow device having a pressure responsive means connected to an inlet valve, the pressure responsive means having a larger crosssectional area than the inlet valve and being exposed to the well liquid, while the inlet valve is exposed to the lifting fluidpwhereby the valve is opened when the pressure of the well liquid reaches a predetermined proportion of the pressure of the lifting fluid; the greater pressure of the lifting fluid tending to keep the valve closed to prevent leakage, whereby said valve cannot be opened until the well liquid exceeds a predetermined pressure.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved pressure responsive means for controlling the admission of a lifting fluid into a well tubing to lift the liquid, the pressure resp'onsive means consisting of a diaphragm or a sealed bellows which is substantially frictionless in operation, whereby the use of a piston, together with its inherent disadvantages, is elimlnated.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved flow device having a movable 'control valve which is connected to a pressure responsive means, the connection being such that a movement of the pressure responsive means in one direction moves the valve in the opposite direction, and vice versa.

A construction designed to carry out the in Figure 1 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing a plurality of flow valves, constructed in accordance with the invention connected in a well tubing,

Figure 2 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, taken through the flow valve and showing the same in its closed position,

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the valve in its open position,

Figure 4 is a horizontal, cross-sectionalview taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-8 of Figure-2,

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing another form of the inventionin its closed position,

Figure 8 is a similar view showing the valve in its open position,

Figure 9 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 8-9 of Figure 7,

Figure 10 is a similar view taken on the line Ill-l 0 of Figure 7.

Figure 11 is a similar view taken on the line |Ill of Figure 'l, and

Figure 12 is a similar view taken on the line i2-l2 of Figure I.

Referenceis made to our co-pending application filed April 26, 1937, Serial No. 138,920; which application, while relating to the same subject matter, discloses a different and separate invention.

In the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a well casing which is provided with the conventional casing head II at its upper end. The well tubing I 2 extends axially through the well casing in the usual manner and a plurality of flow valves A are connected therein at predetermined points. A lifting fluid such as gas or air is admitted to the well casing through an inlet pipe I! which connects into the casing head II and obviously, said lifting fluid fills the annular space between the casing and the tubing. Each flow valve assembly is arranged to admit the lifting fluid from the annular space into the tubing in order to lift the well liquid which rises in said tubing. The position of the valves. in the tubing is, of course, dependent upon the particular conditions of the well. I

Each valve assembly A includes an elongate tubular body I 4 which has its upper end internally threaded at l5, whereby it may be connected into the tubing string. The lower end of the body It is provided with external screw threads l6 to receive the upper end of a section of the tubing l2. A radially extending boss I1 is .formed within the boss above the bore' l3 and this recess communicates through a radial port 26 with the interior of the body l4 and, therefore, with the interior of the well tubing l2. A similar boss 2| is provided near the lower end of the body l4, said boss being located in vertical alinement with the boss 11 and having a vertical opening 22 which is substantially the same diameter as the bore 13.

An elongate sleeve 23 is confined between the bosses l1 and 2| and may be made in two sections B and C. The section B of the sleeve 23 has its upper end screw-threaded into the bore l3 of the boss l1 and when so connected, terminates in horizontal alinement with the bottom of the port 23. The lower end of the section Bis formed with a reduced externally screw-threaded nipple 24, on which the section C is threaded. The section C of the sleeve 23 is inserted into the opening 22 in the lower boss l1 and preferably has a snug fit therein. It is noted that the sleeve 23 could be made in one section, but for the purposes of assembly, it is desirable to make the two sections separate.

The sleeve 23 is formed with an axial bore 25 which extends therethrough. The upper end of the bore 25 is reduced and a transverse partition 21 extends across the bore near the lower end thereof. That portion of the bore above the partition forms a chamber 26. The bore is reduced at 25 below the partition 21, as is clearly shown in Figure 2. The partition has an axial opening 2.6 which is of a less diameter than the reduced lower end 25' of the bore 25, and an internal shoulder or valve seat 23 is thereby formed by the bottom of the partition.

A metallic cage 33 is disposed within the chamber 26 and is provided with a plurality of radial arms 3| which are bent downwardly and have their lower ends secured to, or made integral with, a transverse spider 32. The arms 3| of the cage 30 extend through slots or recesses 33' provided in the peripheral edge portion of a, stationary disk 33 which is transversely disposed and secured within the vertical, central portion of the chamber 26, whereby the cage 33 may move vertically within said chamber arid be guided by the engagement of its arms 3| within said slots 33'. It is noted that the periphery of the disk is clamped between the end of the nipple 24 of the section B and an internal shoulder provided within the upper portion of the section 0. A flexible bellows 34 is mounted within and confined by the cage 36 and has its lower end secured to the transverse disk 33, so that a seal between these parts is formed.

The spider 32 is provided with a depending, axially-disposed collar 35, 'which is adapted to receive the upper end of a valve stem 36. The lower end of the valve stem 36 extends through the opening 28 in the partition 21 and is secured to a valve head 31 which is slidable vertically within the reduced lower end 25 of the bore 25. The valve head 31 is provided with a conical face 38 at its upper end, which face is arranged to engage the shoulder or seat surrounding the opening 28. A plurality of vertical grooves or channels 39 are formed on the periphery of the valve head 31 so that when said head is in its lowered position, as shown in Figure 3, the lifting fluid within the well casing may enter the lower reduced end 25' of the bore, from where it may n w upwardly through the opening 26 and intothe chamber 26 of the sleeve 23. Of course, when t the valve head 31 is engaging the shoulder 23, a

flow ot the lifting fluid into the chamber is prevented. A split ring 40 is inserted in an annular recess or groove 4| below the valve head, whereby said valve head 31 is retained within said bore when there is no pressure, or insufiicient pressure, within the well casing to hold said valve head in its raised or closed position.

Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figure 2, with the annular space between the well casing l0 and the tubing l2 filled with the lifting fluid, such as gas or air, and with no well liquid within the tubing l2, it is obvious that the lifting fluid will act upon the cross-sectional area of the valve head 31, to hold the valve stem 36 and the cage 30 in their raised positions and the bellows 34 in its natural or expanded position. The parts will remain in this position until such time as the well liquid builds up in the tubing to a, point above the port 23. The pressure of this liquid within the tubing is, of course, exerted upon the upper end of the bellows 34 through the port 23 and recess l9. Since the cross-sectional area of the bellows 34 is greater than the cross-sectional area of the valve head 31, it is manifest that when the liquid within the tubing builds up to a predetermined proportion of the pressure of the lifting fluid, said liquid will tend to move the bellows 34, case 36, valve stem 36 and valve head 31 downwardly. Therefore, if the pressure of the lifting fluid within the well casing is 200 pounds, the cross-sectional areas of the bellows 34 and valve head 31 may be of such size that a 75-pound pressure of the well liquid within the tubing l2 will start the valve head 31 downwardly. It is not necessary for the well liquid to build up a pressure in excess of the pressure of j the lifting fluid but by properly arranging the areas, any desired pressure of the liquid may open the valve.

When the pressure of the liquid within the tubing reaches a predetermined proportion of the pressure of the lifting fluid, the conical face 33 of the valve head 31 is moved away from the shoulder 23, as has been explained. When this occurs the lifting fluid from within the casing will flow upwardly through the vertical grooves 39 in the periphery of the head 31', into the chamber 26, upwardly through the openings in the spider 32 and the openings 33' in the disk 33,

after which it will flow through the upper end 1 of the bore 25 and recess l9, and finally into the well tubing through the port 20. This admitted lifting fluid will, of course, lift the well liquid within the tubing.

Since the lifting fluid is flowing through the sleeve 23, it will be obvious that the velocity of the fiow of this fluid will act on the valve head 31 and will tend to raise it upwardly. As soon as the load of the liquid column is lightened due to the admission of the lifting fluid, the pressure above the bellows 34 is reduced which changes the differential across the bellows and the valve head. Since the pressure of the lifting fluid is constant in the well casing, said lifting fluid acting against the cross-sectional area of the spider 32 and the head 31 will move the bellows and head to their raisedpositions. This movement will, of course, be assisted by the velocity of the fiuid flowing through the bore of .a,a4s,sos the sleeve is for, naturally, as the load islightened the velocity or flow through said bore will be increased. As the bellows It and cage 3| move to their upper position, the face OI oi the head 31 again engages the shoulder to cut oil the flow oi the lifting fluid.- The parts remain in this position until such time as the liquid again builds up a suflicient pressure to move the parts downwardly.

In Figures 7 to 12, another form of the inven- 7 tion is shown. In thisiorm the tubular body It is connectedin the tubing string l2, asinFigure reduced lower end of the bore below the shoul- 1, and is providedwith an upper bossi'l' and a l1 and 2| by screws 44 and 45, which are threaded through the bosses.

A radially extending, externally screwthreaded nipple 49, having an axial bore 50, is formed on one side of the sleeve and said nipple is threaded into the screw-threaded port 43 of the projection 42 to secure the sleeve to the tubular body H. the nipple 49 communicates with the interior of the sleeve 48, whereby when said nipple is threaded into the projection 42 communication is established between the interiors of the tubular body I 4 and the sleeve 40.

The sleeve is formed of four sections, although it may be made in one section if desired. An elongated cylinder 5| comprises the major portion of the sleeve, and said cylinder is provided with an axial bore 52 which extends throughout its vertical length. The cylinder forms the central section of the sleeve and has its bore 52 communicating through the bore of the nipple H with the body ll. The upper end of the cylinder 5| is screw-threaded into the lower end of a collar 53, which in turn has its upper end closed by a recessed cap member 54 threaded into said upper end.

A bevelled recess or chamber is provided in the lower end of the cap member 54, and said recess communicates with the interior of the collar 53 which is merely a continuation of the bore 52 of the cylinder 5|, whereby said bore extends throughout the collar 53 and said cylinder. A flexible diaphragm 58 which is provided with an axial depending stem 51 is confined between the lower end of the cap and an internal shoulder within the collar 53 and is adapted to move within the chamber 55. A transverse spider 58 is mounted within the bore 52 at the upper end of the cylinder 5i, and said spider has a central opening 58" through which the stem 51 extends. The spider 58 is formed with an axial, depending collar 59 which has its lower end closed and this.

closed end is formed with a small axial aperture 59'. The stem 51 passes through the collar 59 and aperture 59', and the lower end of said stem is secured to or made integral with an operating head which is provided with a conical face 5| at its upper end.

A short sleeve 62, having an axial bore 83 which surrounds the lower end of the collar 5!, is mounted within the bore 52 of the cylinder 5|. The sleeve 62 is slidable vertically upon the collar 5!, and has the lower portion 01 its bore a reduced to form an internal, annular, bevelled It is noted that the bore 50 of der. fined withinthe raceway iormed by the conical iace ti o! the head-t0, the bevelled shoulder 04 of the sleeve 02, and the underside of the collar 5!. The lower end of the sleeve 62 is confined between the spider and an axially disposed disk I which engages the underside oi'the sleeve. The disk is screw-threadedto the upper end of an elongated valve stem 61 which stem extends downwardly within the bore 52 of the cylinder II and passes througha transverse spider 68 which is mounted within the lower portion of said bore.

The lower end of the stem extends into the bore 59. of a cap member 89 which is screwthreaded into the lower end of the cylinder 5| to complete thesleeve 46. This member has a transverse partition 28 having an axialreduced opening 29' through which the stem passes. The extreme lower end 0! the stem carries the valve head 31 with its conical face 38 and vertical grooves 39, and said head is movable in thebore.

below the partition, as in the first form. The

- spider I which is spaced above the partition, is

provided for the purpose of guiding the stem 81 in its vertical movement. 1

Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figure 7, the fluid pressure in the well casing is acting against the cross-sectional area oi the head llto hold said head in seating engagement with the partition 28', whereby admission of the lifting fluid to the well tubing is prevented. As the well liquid column builds up in the tubing, the pressure of said liquid acts through the bore 5. oi: the nipple 49, upwardly through the bore 52 of the cylinder 5|, through the openings in the spider It into the interior of the collar 53, and finally against the cross-sectional area of the diaphragm 58. The area of the diaphragm is much greater than the cross-sectional area of the valve head 31 and therefore the pressure of the liquid is acting against a greater area than the area against which the lifting fluid is acting. Therefore as soon as the pressure of the liquid builds up to a predetermined proportion oi. the lifting fluid pressure, the diaphragm 56, stem 51 and head 80 will be moved upwardly within the sleeve 46. As this occurs the sleeve 52 will be moved'downwardly, since the collar 59 and spider 58 are stationary and the head 80 is being moved upwardly because of its connection with the diaphragm through the stem 51.

Obviously, the upward movement of the head 60 will cause the ball bearings to move outwardly or radially and act against the conical face 6|, the underside of the collar 59, and

against the bevelled shoulder 64 of the sleeve 52. Due to the inclined face Si and shoulder 64 on the movable head and sleeve and also due to the stationary collar 59, the radial movement of the balls 65 will move the sleeve downwardly. This downward movement of the sleeve will force the disk 86, valve stem 61 and valve head 51 downwardly. As the head is unseated, the lifting fluid will flow upwardly through the bore 52, after which it will flow through the bore 50 01' the nipple 49 into the well tubing, whereby the liquid within said tubing is lifted. The head 31 will remain in this position until tuch time as the load is lightened and the pressure upon the diaphragm 56 is decreased. When said pressure decreases to a predetermined point, the lifting fluid pressure in the casing acting against the underside of the head 31, will immediately move manner as. mm to is movable withinthe A plurality of ball bearings l5 areconthe head to its seated position to cut of! further flow of the lifting fluid. The stem .1, disk I and sleeve 2 being moved upwardly, and the head in, stem 81 and diaphragm being moved downwardly. The ball bearings 85 will, of course,

' sary for the liquid to build upon excessive pressure within the tubing before the lifting fluid is admitted and, therefore, assurance is had at all times that the lifting fluid will be suflicient to raise the column of liquid which has built up in the tubing.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A flow device including, a tubular body adapted to be connected in a tubing string and having a passage for establishing communication between the interior and exterior of the tubing, means for controlling the admittance of a lifting fluid to the tubing and exposed to the lifting fluid pressure, and a pressure responsive means having connection with said control means and exposed to the pressure in the interior tubing, the connection between the pressure responsive means and the control means being such that a movement of the first means moves the second means in the opposite direction to admit the lifting fluid into the tubing.

2. A flow device including, a tubular body adapted to be connected in a well tubing having a well influent inlet and extending axially of a assasos well casing, means forintroducing a lifting fluid into said casing, the body having a port establishing communication between the interior of the well tubing and casing, a sleeve on the body having a bore which communicates with the port, a diaphragm operable within the upper end of the bore and exposed to the pressure of the well influent, a valve head closing the lower end of said bore and exposed to the pressure of the liftingfluid, and means for connecting the di aphragm with the head, the diaphragm having a greater cross-sectional area than the. valve head, whereby when the pressure of the influent reaches a predetermined proportion of the lifting fluid pressure, the diaphragm is moved upwardly which forces the head downwardly to permit azflow of lifting fluid through the bore of the sleeve and into the tubing to lift the influent therein.

3. A flow device including, a tubular body adapted to be connected in a tubing which extends axially within a well casing, a sleeve removably mounted on the exterior of the body and having the upper end of its bore communicating with the interior of the tubing with the lower end of its bore communicating with the well casing, a valve mounted within the lower end of the sleeve for controlling the admission of a lifting of the fluid to the tubing and exposed to the lifting fluid pressure,,an upwardly extending stem on the valve, a yoke slidably mounted within the bore and engaging the stem, and a single bellows within the bore and secured to the yoke, said bellows being of a larger cross-sectional area than the valve and being exposed to the tubing pressure, whereby the valve is actuated by the diflerential in pressures acting on the valve and bellows,

CHARLES S. CRICKMER. HANS C. GLIISCH.

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