US2311212A

US2311212A - Bleeder construction

Info

Publication number: US2311212A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence J Coberly
Original assignee: ROKO CORP
Current assignee: ROKO Corp
Priority date: 1941-02-10
Filing date: 1941-02-10
Publication date: 1943-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 1960-02-16

Description

Feb. 16, 1943. c. J. COBERLY BLEEDER CONSTRUCTION I Filed Feb. 10, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 va/vroe/ CLARENCE 1/. COBERLY 3 Y HARRIS, EC

U m R H w & HE R E T v dm 0 F F @A H a "F 16, 1943- c. J. CQBERLY I 2,311,212

BLEEDER CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb: 10, 1 941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 {BY HARRASIK/ECH/ POST/5f? 2 HARR/J Fol? HE F/RM l I I stands high charge I ports of the Patented Feb. 16, 1943 UNITED STATE 2,311,212 BLEEDER CONSTRUCTION Clarence J. Coberly, Los Angeles, Calif.,' assignor to Roko Corporation, Reno,

of Nevada Application February 10, 1941, Serial No.

18 Claims.

My invention relates to a deep well pump mechanism of the fluid operated type, andis an improvement on the device disclosed in my earlier Patent No. 2,053,602, issued September 8, 1936, to which reference is hereby made.

It is an object of my invention to provide a pump structure adapted to be lowered to the bottom of a well, and to provide such pump structure with a means for'controlling the flow of fluids therethrough during the lowering of the same, for controlling the flow of fluids therethrough after the pumpstructure has been brought into operative position in the well, and for controllingthe flow of fluids preliminary to and during the lifting of the pump from the well.

Fluid operated pumps generally comprise a fluid operated motor unit, or engine, coupled to a pump unit,the whole assembly being installed in a well to pump well fluid therefrom. To operate such a Nev., a corporation of my invention to provide a fluid operated pump device having an operating fluid supply tubing with means for draining'or bleeding the operating fluid out of the supply tubing when desired. Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which may be controlled from the top of the well.

fluid operated motor unit, an flcation and the operating fluid under pressure, such as oil, for

example, is'conveyed from supply downwardly through the'well in a supply tubing to the motor unit. Such a fluid operated motor is disclosed in my earlier Patent No. 2,081,220, issued May 193'], for "Liquid operated pump, to which reference is hereby made for a detailed description of the operation thereof. I

During the lowering pump into a well, since a suitable source of of such a fluid operated dirty well fluid frequently in the well is a tendency for the fluid motor mechanism to reverse the normal flow of fluid therethrough, thus permitting abrasive substances carried by the well fluid to enter the fluid ,motor mechanism. vThis is frequently fatal to subsequent operation of the motor, as the abrasive substances damage the close tolerances required for proper operation of such a device. Consequently, it is an object of my invention to provide a device responsive to control from the top of the well for preventing such a reverse flow of well fluid through the pump during the operation of lower- D inrz it into the well.

when a fluid operated pump iswithdrawn from the well after operation, the supply tubing will normally be filled with operating fluid, and before such withdrawal of the pump it is very desirable to drain or bleed the operating fluid out of the supply tubing so as to prevent this operating fluid from spilling onto the derrick floor or causing 'what is known in the art as a "wet job. Accordingly, it is a further object prior to pumping, there well fluid to enter the dis- Still another object of my invention is to y rovide a devicein a well .at the lower end 0 the fluid tubing for closing the lower end therebf in response to control at the top of the well so as to permit the tubing to be tested for fluid ightness without removing it from the well.

It is a furtherobiect of my invention to; provide a, device of the character described above in which the apparatus and method .for control thereof are novel.

Further objects and advantages of the inven I tion will be apparent from the following speci-' drawings, which are for the pur- -p ose'of illustration only. and in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a well showing my invention installed therein in combination with a fluid operated pump.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of my invention, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. the device in pumping position.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken onthe line L4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the device in testing or running-in position.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the device in bleeding position.

Fig. '7 is a plan projection on a flat plane of one of the guide grooves of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a casing l2 extending down into a well from a casing head l3. From an intermediate fitting ll of the easing head 13 an oil production tubing i5 extends downwardly within the casing I2 into the oil producing zone of the well. The production tubing l5 has an inlet opening i6 at its lower end which extends through a conical seat l'l adapted to re- 'ceive the lower end l8 of a fluid operated pump 20 which may be of any type well known in the art, such as the device shown in my said Patent No. 2,081,220. Connected to the upper end of the fluid operated pump 20 is a fluid supply tubing 2| which extends through the production tubing '5 to the top of the well and is connected to a cap fitting 24 through which operating fluid, such as taken on the oil, under pressure is conducted from a suitable 1, and shows source of supply (not shown) to the fluid operated pump 20.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the control valve means 22 includes an upper tubular member 25 having a major bore 26 into which is threaded the lower end of the fluid supply tubing 2| and having a minor bore 21 into which I prefer to thread the lower end of a tubular strainer element 28, which may, however, be omitted if desired. The upper tubular member 25 is provided with squared faces 29 adapted to receive a suitable wrench for the purpose of assembly. Formed on and projecting downwardly from the upper tubular member 25 is a tubular projection 30 havingan axial bor'e 3| communicating at its upper end with the minor bore 21, the tubular projection extending downwardly into a central tubular member 32.

Connected to the lower end of the tubular proiection 30, as by threads or otherwise, is an upper valve member 33 provided at its upper end with a. conical upper valve face 34 and at its lower end with a, conical lower vaive face 340, and having a stem portion 35 extending downwardly therefrom. Suitably threaded to the lower endlof the stem portion 35 is an engaging element 31 provided atits lower end with a conical lower seating face 33 and at its upper end with a conical upper seating face 38a. An axial passage 39 is formed in the upper end of the stem portion 35 so as to communicate with the lower end of the axial bore 3| and is provided at its lower end with radial openings 40.

The central tubular member 32 is provided adjacent its upper end with a conical upper valve seat 4| adapted to receive the upper valve face 34 of the upper valve member 33 in seating relation thereon, as will be described hereinafter. The

lower'end of the central tubular member 32 is counterbored at 42 so as to provide an annular shoulder, 43 which engages an annular fluid sealing member 44 surrounding the stem portion 35- of the upper valve member 33. The fluid sealing member 44 is comprised of an outer annular ring 44a comprised of an upper part and a lower part and an inner annular ring 446 adapted to make a sliding fluid-tight fit with the outer annular ring and having an annular flange 45 which projects into an annular groove 45a formed in the inner wall of the outer annular ring. The flange 45 is free to move axially slightly in the groove 45a so as to permit a small degree of axial movement of the inner annular ring 44b relative to the outer annular ring 44a. is provided with upper and lower seats 0. and 5|b, respectively, the upper seat 5| :1 being adapted to receive the lower valve face 34a of the upper valve member 33, and the lower seat 5|b being adapted to receive the engagin element 31. The lower end of the central tubular member 32 is internally threaded to the upper end of a lower tubular member 46, the upper end of which engages the lower face of the outer annular ring 44a so as to clamp the same under the annular shoulder 43. The lower end of the lower tubular member 46 is provided with squared faces 41 adapted to receivea suitable wrench for the purpose of assembly, and the lower end of the tubular member is internally threaded so as to receive the upper end of a connecting pipe 48 the lower end of which is suitably secured to the upper end of the fluid operated pump, 20. Formed in the lower tubular member 46 is a chamber 49 communicating through a lower bore 50 and a radial passage 5| with the exterior of the the upper seating face 38a of lower tubular member 46. The upper end of the lower bore 50 is provided with a conical seat 52 adapted to receive the lower seating face 38 of the engaging element 31, as shown in Fig. 2. Communicating between the chamber 49 and the interior of the connecting pipe 48 is a flow passage 53 formed in the lower end of the lower tubular member 46. Although only one flow passage 53 has been shown, it will be understood that as many such flow passages may be provided as desired.

The upper tubular member 25 is movably connected to the intermediate tubular member 32 by the following described construction. Formed in the outer surface of the tubular projection 30 is a. pair of diametrically disposed

grooves

55 and 56 which are identically formed but opposit ly disposed, the groove 55 being projected onto a flat plane as shown in Fig. 7 for the purpose of illustration. As shown in Fig. 7, the groove 55 is formed so as to provide an upper vertical por tion 51 connected by a horizontal portion 58 with a lower vertical portion 59, the horizontal portion 53 being provided with upper and lower notches 60 and 6|, respectively. Threaded into a pair of diametrically disposed threaded

openings

62 and 63 formed in the upper end of the central tubular member 32v are

screw pins

64 and 65, respectively, having inward projections 66 and 61 thereon, respectively, projecting into the

grooves

55 and 56. The screw pins 64 and 65 are preferably made readily removable, as disclosed, so as to permit the device to be readily assembled or taken apart.

In assembly, the production tubing I5 is first installed in the well in the position shown in Fig. l. The fluid operated pump 20 and the control valve means 22 are then connected to the lower end of the supply tubing 2| in the relation shown in Fig. 1, the control valve means being manually set to the position shown in Fig. 5. In the position shown in Fig. 5, the upper valve face 34 of the upper valve member 33 engages the upper valve seat 4|, the stern portion 35 being The inner annular ring 44b drawn upwardly through the annular fluid sealing member 44 so that the radial openings '40 are positioned above the sealing member. In this position, 'also, it will be noted that the upper seating face 38a of the engaging element 31 is seated in the lower seat 5|b of the fluid sealing member 44 forming a fluid-tight engagement therewith. It will thus be understood that ,in the position shown in Fig. 5, fluid communication v is shut off between the supply tubing 2| and the connecting pipe 48. In this position, also, the inward projections 66 and 61 of the screw pins 64 and ,65, respectively, are positioned in the lower vertical portion 59 of each of the

grooves

55 and 56, but it will be noted that in this position the inward projections are spaced upwardly from the lower ends of the lower vertical portions 59 of the grooves,'and that the weight of the central tubular member 32 and parts connected therebelow rests solely on the upper valve face 34 of the upper valve member 33, which is an important feature of my invention. The unit is then lowered into the well through the production e the upper seat |a to form through the is an important feature, as pointed out hereinabove, since it prevents dirty oil from causing a reverse fflow through the fluid operated'motor 20 as it is being 'lowered into the well, with the attendant disadvantages incident thereto. In this connection, however, it may with the control valve means 22 adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 5. the engaging element 31 is raised oiI its conical seat 52 so as to open fluid communication through the radial passage 5| between the connecting pipe 48 and the fluid in the well. If, under these circumstances, the lower end of the control valve means 22, the connecting pipe 48, and the upper end of the fluid operated pump 20 are initially filled with clean liquid, substantially nodirty liquid from the Well I will flow through the radial passage 5| into the control valve means, and, consequently, I have found it preferable in practice to initially fill the upper end of the fluid operated pump 20. the connecting pipe 48, and the lower portion of the control valve means 22 with clean operating fluid before the device is run into a well containing dirty well fluid. Even if this precaution is not taken, however, very little, if any, well fluid will enter the control valve means 22 through the radial passage 5|, as the area'of the radial passage is small and the gas within the control valve means will be quickly compressed to prevent any appreciable inflow of well fluid through the radial passage.

As soon as the lower end |8 of the fluid operated pump 20 seats in the conical seat H at the lower end of the production tubing l5. the fluid operated pump is in operating position 'Upon continued lowering of the supply tubing 2|, the upper tubular member 25 and the tubular projection 30 formed thereon move downwardly relative to the central'tubular member 32, the inward projections 66 and 61 riding upwardly in the lower vertical portions of the grooves 55 and until they engage the upper ends of the vertical partions. The supply tubing 2| is then rotated in a counterclockwise direction, asseen in Fig. 3, until the inward projections 65 and 61 are vertically aligned with the lower ends of the upper vertical portions 51 of the grooves, 55 and 55, and then the supply tubing is-further lowered until the inward projections approach the upper ends of the vertical portions 51 of the grooves, and the engaging face 38 seats on the conical seat 52, as shown in Fig. 2. In this position. also,.it will be noted that the lower valve face 34a seats on a fluid-tight seal between the upper valve member 33 and the central tubular member 32. I

In the operating position, shown in Fig. 2, the radial openings 40 in the stem portion 35 are positioned below the annular fluid sealing member 44, so as to open fluid communication between the supply tubing 2| and the fluid operated pump 20 through the connecting pipe 48. Operating fluld'may thenbe conveyed downwardly supply tubing 2| under pressure, through the tubular strainer element 28, the liner bore 21, the axial bore 3|, the axial passage 39, the radial openings 40, the interior of the lower tubular member 45, the lower valve chamber 49, the flow passages 53, and the connecting pipe 43 to the upper end of the fluid operated motor 23. As when the device is the weight of the supply tubing 2| and con nected parts rests on the lower valve seat 52,

and not on the inward projections 66 and 61 be noted that operating fluid is which, in the position shown in Fig. 2, are downwardly spaced from the upper ends of the up per vertical portions 51 of the

grooves

55 and 56, and this is another feature of the invention.

It is to be noted that when my control valve 22 is adjusted to the operating position shown in Fig. 2, the under side of the engaging element 31 is open through the radial passage 5| to the fluid pressure in the production tubing l5 around the control valve. As soon as operating fluid is admitted to the interior of the lower valve member 46. a fluid pressure differential is established on the engaging element 31, tendir'g to keep it tightly seated on the conical seat 52, due to the fact that the pressure of the always substantially higher than the pressure of the pumped fluid in the production tubing l5. This pressure differential may be, for example, 5000 lbs. per square inch in some installations, and its use in maintaining the parts in the operating position shown in Fig. 2 is a feature of the invention.

When it is desired to drain fluid from the interior of the supply tubing 2| into the production tubing |5, aswhen the fluid operated pump 20 is to be pulled from valve means 22 is adjusted to the bleeding position shown in Fig. 6. To accomplish this, the

supply tubing 2| is raised and rotated so as to align the inward projections 55 and 61 with the upper and lower notches 60 and 6| of the grooves, and an upward pull is then taken on the supply tubing 2| so that the inward projections enter the lower notches 6| of the grooves and 56, in which position the device may be raised from the well. In the position shown in Fig. 6, the upper valve face 34 of the upper valve member 33 has been moved downwardly away from the upper valve seat 4|, and fluid in the supply tubing 2| may then drain therefrom through the radial openings 40 above the annular fluid sealing member 44 and flow upwardly through the interior of the central tubular member 32, between the upper valve member 33 and the interior of the upper tubular member, around the tubular projection 30, and into the production tubing |5. Thus, as the supply tubing 2| is raised from may drain back into the production tubing so as to prevent what is known in the oil industry as a wet job.

As previously indicated, the inner annular ring 44b of the sealing member 44 is permitted a small amountof axial movement relative to ftween the seating the outer annular ring 44a, and due to this the inner annular ring forms a floating sealing means in. my invention. For example, with the parts adjusted to the operating position shown in Fig. 2, the pressure of the operating fluid bears on the lower end of the inner annula ring 441) to cause it to move upwardly slightly to effect a fluid-tight engagement between the upper seat 5|a and the valve face 34a. Similarly,- with the parts adjusted to the runningin position shown in Fig. 5, the pressure of the operating fluid bears on the top of the inner annular ring 441) to cause it to move downwardly slightly to effect a fluid-tight engagement beface 38a and the seat 5|b. Such a floating sealing means is desirable in view of the fact that sufficient clearance must be provided between the external surface of the stem 35 and the internal bore of the inner annular ring 44b to permit relative axial movement between the stem and the annular ring,

the well, the control the well, fluid therein and if such clearance is provided it is desirable to provide a sealing means for preventing leakage through the clearance in the running-in and operating positions, shown in Figs. 5 and 2, respectively. This is another feature of my invention.

It will thus be appreciated that my control valve means 22 may be adjusted from the top of the well by rotation of the supply tubing 2| so as to be in any one of the three positions described, 1. e., the running-in or testing position, shown in Fig. 5, the operating position shown in Fig. 2, or the bleeding position shown in Fig. 6. It is also to be noted that in the running-in or testing pos1tion, shown in Fig. 5, the entire weight of the fluid operated pump 20 is carried on the relatively wide upper valve seat H and that in the operating position shown in Fig. 2 the entire weight of the supply tubing 2! is carried on the relatively wide lower valve seat 52.

Although I have described my invention as applied and used in connection with a fluid operated pump,- with which it may be used to particular advantage, it is to be understood that my device may be used in other capacities without departing from the spirit of my invention. It will also be appreciated that although I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not intend to be limited to the particular construction shown but desire to beatforded the full scope of the following claims.

I claim as my invention: f"

1. In a control valve for use in a well, the combination of: a lower valve member adapted to be connected to a lower well tubing; an upper valve member cooperating with said lower valve member and adapted to be connected to an upper well tubing, said valve members beingso constructed and arranged that said upper valve member is adapted for vertical movement relative to said lower valve member to selectively occupy either an upper positionin which fluid communication is closed through said valve members between said upper and lower well tubings and through said valve members between said upper well tubing and the exterior of the control valve, or an intermediate position in which fluid communication is opened through said valve members betweensaid upper well tubing and the exterior of the control valve, or a lower position in which fluid communication is opened through said valve members between said upper and lower well tubings but closed through said valve members between said upper well tubing and the exterior of the control valve; and means operable from the surface of the ground for moving said ment relative to said lower valve member to selectively occupy either 'an upper position in which fluid communication is closed through said valve members between said passages, or an intermediate position in which fluid communication is opened through said valve members between said second and third passages, or a lower position in which fluid communication is opened I through said valve members between said first l0.

and second passages but closed through said valve members between said second passage and said third passage; and means for causing relative movement between said upper valve member and said lower valve member so as to cause said upper valve member to occupy any desired one of said positions.

3. In a control valve for use in a well, the combination of a lower valve member adapted to be connected to a lower well tubing; an upper valve member cooperating with said lower valve member and adapted to be connected to an upper well tubing, said valve members being so constructed and arranged that said upper valve member is adapted for vertical movement relative to said lower valve member to selectively occupy either a first position in which fluid communication is closed through said valve members between said upper and lower well tubings and through said valve members between said upper well tubing and the exterior of the control valve, and the weight ofsaid lower valve member is supported on said upper valve member, or a second position in which fluid communication is opened through said valve members between said upper well tubing and the exterior of the control valve, or a third position in which fluid communication is opened through said valve members between said upper and lower well tubings but closed through said valve members between said upper well tubing and the exterior of the control valve, and the weight of said upper valve member is supported on said lower valve member; and means operable from the surface of the ground for moving said upper valve member relative to said lower valve member so as to cause said upper valve member to occupy any desired onepf said positions.

4. In a control valve for use in a well, the

' combination 01': a lower valve member adapted upper valve member relative to said lower valve member so as to cause said upper valve member to occupy any desired one oi! said positions.

2. In a control valve for use in a well, the combination of: a lower valve member adapted to be connected to a lower well tubing and having a first fluid passage adapted to communicate with the lower well tubing; an upper valve member cooperating with said lower valvemember and adapted to be connected to an upper well tubing, said upper valve member having a second fluid passage adapted to communicate with said upper well tubing, one of said valve members having a third fluid pasage communicating with the exterior of the control valve, said valve members being so constructed and arranged that said upper valve member is adapted for vertical moveto be connected to a lower well tubing; an upper valve member adapted to be connected to an upper well tubing; an upper valve seat formed on one of said valve members and an upper valve element formed on the other of said valve members, said upper valve element being adapted to seat on said upper valve seat so as to support said lower valve member on said upper valve member when said members are in a first position relative to each other; means for closing fluid communication between said upper and lower well tubings when said members are in said first position; a lower seat element formed on one of said valve members and a lower engaging element formed on the other of said valve members and adapted to seat on said lower seat element so as to support said upper valve member on said lower valve member when said members are in a second position relative to each other; means for opening fluid communication between said upper and lower well tubings when said members are in said second positions; and means for selectively relatively moving said members to either of said positions.

5. In a control valve for use in a well, the combination of: a lower valve member adapted to be connected to a lower well tubing; an upper valve member adapted to be connected to an upper well tubing; an upper valve seat formed on one of said valve members and an upper valve element formed on the other or said valve members, said upper valve element being adapted to seat on said upper valve seat so as to support said lower valve member on said upper valve member when said membersare in a'first positiongrelative to each other; means for closing fluidcommunication between said upper and lower well tubings when said members are in said first position; one of said valve members and a lower engaging element formed on the other of said valve members and adapted to seat on said lower seat element so as to support'said upper valve member on said lower valve member when saidmembers are in a second position relative to each other; means for opening fiuid' communication between said upper and lower well tubings when said members are in said second position; means for selectively relatively moving said members to either of said positions; and fluid pressure difierential means for holding said lower engaging element on said lower seat element when said valve members are in said second position.

6. In a control valve for use in a well, the com bination of: a lower valve member adapted to be connected to a lower well tubing; an upp r valve member adapted to be connected to an upper well tubing; an upper valve seat formed on one of said valve members and an upper valve element formed on the other of said valve members, said upper valve element being adapted to seat on said upper valve seat so as to support said lower valve member on said upper valve member when said members are in a first position relative to each other and so as to close fluid communication between said upper well tubing and the exterior of the control valve through said lower valv termediate position in which said upper valve element is unseated from said upper valve seat so as to open communication between said upper well tubing and the exterior of the control valve through said upper valve seat; means for closing fluid communication through said valve members between said upper and lower well tubings when said members are in said first position; a lower seat element formed on one of said 'valve members and a lower engaging element formed on the other of said valve members and adapted to seat on said lower seat element so as to support said upper valve member on said lower valve member when said members are in' a second position relative to eacho'ther; means for opening fluid communication through said valve members between said upper and lower well tubings when said members are in said'second position; and means for moving one of said valve members relative to the other selectively to any one of said positions.

7. In a control valve adapted to be connected a lower seat element formed on member, said valve members being relatively movable to an inmediate position so as in said first position;

tion so as to support the weight of said first tuadapted to seat on communicating with the bular member on said second tubular member and so as to close fluid communication between said second fluid passage and the exterior of the control valve through said valve seat, said tubular members being relatively movable to an interto open fluid communication between said second fluid passage and the exterior of the control valve; means for closing fluid communication between said first-and second passages when said tubular members are in said first position; a seat element formed in said first tubular member; an engaging element associated with said second tubular member and adapted to seat on said seat element so as to support said second tubular member on said first tubular member when said members are in a second position relative to each other; means for opening fluid communication between said first and second passages when said tubular members are in said second position; and means for selectively relatively moving said tubular members to any one of said positions.

8. In a control valve adapted to be connected in a line of well tubing in a well, the combination of: a first tubular member having a first fluid passage therein communicating with the well tubing on one side of the control valve; a second tubular member telescoped into said first tubular member and having a second fluid passage therein communicating with the well tubing on the other side of the control valve; a valve seat formed in said first tubular member; a valve element associated with said second tubular member and adapted to seat on said valve seat in a first position so as to support the weight of-said first tubular member on said second tubular member and so as to close fluid communication between said second fluid passage and the exterior of the control valve through said valve seat, said tubular members being relatively movable to an intermediate position so as to open fluid com- -munication between said second fluid passage and the exterior of the control valve; means for closing fluid communication between said first and second passages when said tubular members are a seat element formed in said first tubular member; an engaging element associated with said second tubular member and said seat element so as to support said second tubular member on said, first tubular member when said members are in a second position relative to each other; means for opening fluid communication between said first and second passages when said tubular members are in said second position; means for selectively relatively moving said tubular members to any one of said positions; and fluid pressure differential means for holding said engaging element on said seat element when said tubular members are in said second position.

9. In a control valve adapted to be connected in a line of well tubing in a well, the combination of: a first tubular. member having a first fluid passage therein communicating with the well tubing on one side of the control valve; a second tubular member telescoped into said first tubular member and having a second fluid passage therein well tubing on the other side of the control valve; a valve seat formed in said first tubular member; a valve element associted with said second tubular member and adapted to seat on said valve seat in a first position so as to support the weight of said first tubular member on said second tubular member and so as to close fluid communication between said 7 second fluid'passage and the exterior of the control valve through said valve seat, said tubular members being relatively movable to an intermediate position so as to open fluid communication between said secondfiuid passage and the exterior of the control valve; .means for closing fluid communication between said first and second passages when said tubular members are in said first position; means between said tubular members for holding them in said intermediate position; a seat element formed in said first tubular member; an engaging element associated with said second tubular member and adapted to seat on said seat element so as to support said second tubular member on saicf first tubular member when said members are in a second position relative to each other; means for opening fluid communication between said first and second passages when said tubular members are in said second position; and means for selectively relatively moving said tubular members to any one of said positions.

10. In a control valve for use in a well, the combination of: an upper valve member adapted to be connected to an upper well tubing; a lower valve member adapted to be connected to a lower well tubing, said valve members being relatively movable to selectively occupy a first position in which fluid communication is closed between said upper and lower well tubings, or a second position in which fluid communication is opened between said upper and lower tubings; and fluid pressure difierential means for retaining said valve members in said second position.

11. In a control valve for use in a well, the combination of: an upper valve member adapted to be connected to an upper well tubing; a lower valve member adapted to be connected to a lower well tubing, said valve members being relatively movable to selectively occupy a first position in which fluid communication is opened between said upper well tubing and the exterior of the control valve, or a second position in which fluid communication is opened between said upper and lower tubings; and fluid pressure differential means for retaining said valve members in said second position.

I 12. In a control valve, the combination of: an outer tubular member adapted to be connected to a first tubing; an inner tubular member telescoped into said outer member and having a longitudinal passage therein adapted to be connected to a second tubing, said tubular members being adapted for relative axial movement to occupy selectively either a first position in which fluid communication is closed between said passage and said first tubing, or a second position in which fluid communication is opened between said passage and said first tubing; and sealing means between said inner and outer tubular members for forming a fluid-tight seal therebetween, including an annular sealing ring concentric with said members and axially movable in response to fluid pressure supplied through one of said members to engage in sealing relation an annular seating element formed on one of said members.

13. In a control valve, the combination of an outer tubular member adapted to be connected sage and said first tubing, or a second position in which fluid communication is opened between said passage and said first tubing; and sealing means between said inner and outer tubular members for forming a, fluid-tight seal therebetween, including an annular sealing ring concentric with said members and axially movable in response to fluid pressure supplied through one of said members to engage in sealing relation an annular seating element formed on one of said members, and means on the other of said members for limiting axial movement of said sealing ring.

14. In a control valve, the combination of an outer tubular member adapted to be connected to a first tubing; an inner tubular member telescoped into said outer member and having a longitudinal passage therein adapted to be connected to a second tubing, said tubular members being adapted for relative axial movement to occu- Dy selectively either a first position in which fluid communication is closed between said passage and said first tubing, or a second position in which fluid communication is opened between said passage and said first tubing; and sealing means between said inner and outer tubular members for forming a fluid-tight seal therebetween, including an annular sealing ring concentric with said members and axially movable in response to fluid pressure supplied through one of said members to engage in sealing relation either a first annular seating element formed on one of said members on one side of said sealing means, or a second annular seating element formed on said one member on the other side of said sealing means.

15. In a device of the character described, the combination of: an outer tubular member; an inner tubular member telescoped into said outer member, one of said members being axially movable relative to the other, said inner member having a longitudinal passage therein adapted to communicate with the interior of said outer member and adapted to carry fluid under relatively high fluid pressure; sealing means between said inner and outer members, including an axially movable, annular sealing ring having a seating face on one end thereof; and an annular seating element on one of said members adapted to form a fluid-tight joint with said seating face,

' said sealing rin being axially moved into sealing relation with said seating element by the application of fluid pressure to th other endof said sealing ring.

' 16. In a device of the character described, the combination of: an outer tubular member; an inner tubular member telescoped into said outer member, one of said members being axially movable relative to the other, said inner member having a longitudinal passage therein adapted to communicate with the interior of said outer member and adapted to carry fluid under relatively high fluid pressure; sealing means between said inner and outer members, including an axially movable, annular sealing ring having a seating face on one end thereof; and an annular seating element on one 01 said members on each side 01' said sealing means, either of which is adapted to form a, fluid-tight joint with said seating face, said sealing ring being axially movedinto sealing relation with either 01' said seating elements by the application of fluid pressure to one end of said sealing ring.

17. In a device of the character described, the combination of: an outer tubular member; an

inner tubular member telescoped into said outer members between said members; a second annumember; an annular shoulder on one of said lar shoulder on one of said members between said members between said members; an annular members and, longitudinally spaced from said sealing ring on said inner member and axially first shoulder; an annular sealing ring on said movable to engage said shoulder to form a seal 5 inner memb r b w S id Shoulders and x a y between said members; and hydraulic means for movable in either direction to selectively engage moving said sealing ring axially into sealing en either 0! said shoulders to form a seal between gagement with said shoulder. v said members; and hydraulic means for selective- 18. In a devioeoi the character described, the ly moving said sealing ring axially into sealing combination 01: an'outer tubular member; an 1 engagement with either 0! said shoulders. inner tubular member telesooped into said outer member; a first annular shoulder on one of said CLARENCE J. COBERLY.