US3105553A

US3105553A - Fluid flow control apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3105553A
Application number: US857038A
Authority: US
Inventors: Pat T W Chisholm
Original assignee: Halliburton Co
Current assignee: Halliburton Co
Priority date: 1959-12-03
Filing date: 1959-12-03
Publication date: 1963-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 1980-10-01

Description

Oct. 1, 1963 P. T. w. CHISHOLM FLUID FLOW CONTROL APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 3, 1959 INVENTOR. PAT 7: W. CH/SHOLM BY FIG.

O 1963 P. T. w. CHISHOLM 3,105,553

FLUID FLOW CONTROL APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D80- 5, 1959 INVENTOR. P47 7.' W. CH/SHOLM mm $51M United States Patent 3,105,553 Film FLOW CDNTRQL APPARATUS Pat T. W. hishoim, Duncan, Shim, assignor to Halliburton ilompany, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 3, E59, Ser. No. 857,038 7 Claims. (Cl. 16133) This invention relates to fluid flow control apparatus useful in oil and gas wells or the like, such as in connection with the performance of certain well formation testing or other operations wherein it is desired to control fluid flow at a remote location, which may be at a considerable depth below the surface of the ground.

The invention may advantageously be applied to a bypass valve arrangement for use in lowering a string of equipment into a well, the bypass valve permitting fluid present in the well to pass upwardly inside a portion of the string and thence through a by-pass port into the annular space between the string and surrounding well bore. Such an arrangement alleviates to some extent the tendency of the string to be floated into the well and, also, facilitates moving the string through any tight places which maybe encountered.

A number of by-pass valve arrangements have heretofore been employed for the above purpose, but the operation thereof has commonly involved either rotation or other undesirable movement of the parts. it is particularly desirable, when moving through a tight spot, that the by-pass valve not be of the type which is actuated either by rotation or by movement of lugs in J-slots, since it may be necessary to force the equipment by applying torque and/or raising and lowering the string, which may cause the by-pass to be inadvertently closed.

The present invention provides particular advantages when applied to fluid flow control apparatus including a by-pass valve arrangement for use in connection with the performance of a well formation testing operation involving the making of what is known as a dual closed-in pressure test. In making such a test it is common practice to lower or run into the well an assembly which includes a testing tool together with a Well packer assembly for isolating the formation to be tested. As commonly employed, the packer has an outside diameter which is very little smaller than the bore of the well, with the result that the passage of fluid around the packer is considerably restricted during the lowering thereof into the well. Accordingly, the string desirably also includes a by-pass valve which remains open during the lowering of the string and which allows fluid present in the Well to flow upwardly inside the lower portion of the string and thence out of the string through a by-pass port located above the packer but below the testing tool.

After the packer assembly has reached the desired location in the well and the formation to be tested has been isolated thereby, the tester valve is then opened and, at or prior to this time, the bypass valve should be closed.

While the tester valve is open, fluid from the isolated formation is conducted through the tester valve into a chamber provided therefor in the testing tool. After passage of a period of time, the tester valve is closed, whereupon the formation pressure builds up therebelow due to the produced fluid being confined. Then the tester valve is re-opened, again allowing fluid from the formation to pass into the chamber of the testing tool. After passage of another period of time, the tester valve is again closed, whereupon the packer is unseated and the string may then be withdrawn from the well.

In order to facilitate the withdrawal of the string from the Well, the by-pass valve should be open but, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the bypass valve should remain closed during the entire period retesting tool.

quired to make the dual closed-in pressure test, as aforesaid.

Thus, it is desirable for the bypass valve to be open at certain times and to be closed at other times and, also, it is desirable for the tester valve to "be alternately opened and closed more than once while the by-pass valve remains closed. And yet, as previously indicated, it is desirable for the operation of the hy-pass valve not to involve either rotation of parts or the movement of lugs in J-slots.

Accordingly, a specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved by-pass valve arrangement particularly suited for use in a well formation testing operation wherein a dual closed-in pressure test is made.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved by-pass valve arrangement for use with a well formation testing tool, including provision whereby the by-pass valve remains open until desirably closed by positive movement of the tester valve.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved by-pass valve arrangement of the type described, including provision whereby the bypass valve doe-s not require any movement to open or close other than such as is normal to the operation of the tester valve.

A further specific object or" the invention is to provide an improved by-pass valve arrangement of the type described, including provision whereby the by-pass valve upon closing may be kept closed while the tester valve is operated to obtain a dual closed-in pressure test.

in general, the invention involves the concept of fluid flow control apparatus including a housing having a lateral opening or port with respect to which a plunger member surrounded by the housing is at times movable to change or control the fluid flow capacity of the port. In one arrangement, the plunger member is mounted for movement in the housing from an initial or upward position in which the port is open to a second or downward position in which the port is at least partially closed. An upper surface of the plunger member is continuously exposed to the pressure of fluid in the space outside the housing, such as through another opening provided in the housing wall. On the other hand, a lower surface of the plunger member is exposed through the lateral port to the pressure of fluid outside the housing, but only when such port is open.

The housing is provided with a fluid passageway which extends from a location therein at or adjacent to the lower surface of the plunger member upwardly to a remote location, such as into a chamber provided in a testing tool connected above the housing. The arrangement is such that fluid flow in an upwardly direction through this passageway tends to reduce the pressure of fluid acting on the lower surface of the plunger member. Since, when the lateral port is closed, fluid cannot flow through such port from the outside of the housing, and since the upper surface of the plunger is nonetheless exposed to the pressure of the fluid outside the housing, as aforesaid, a pressure differential is established which tends to hold the plunger member in its second or downward position within the housing.

In an arrangement for use with a testing tool employed to obtain samples of fluid from a zone or formation in an oil or gas well or the like, an assembly including the bypass valve arrangement is connected in a string of Well p pe which also includes the testing tool and a well packer. A passageway extending generally lengthwise through the string of equipment permits fluid from a zone below the well packer to flow upwardly into the well pipe above the A tester valve member is mounted for movement in the testing tool from an initial or upward position wherein this passageway is closed-ofi to a downward posi- A the tester valve member moves to its downward position wherein the passageway through the string is open. The plunger member is then retained in its downward or closed position due to the pressure differential, as previously described. The tester valve member may then be moved from its downward or open position to its upward or closed position, such as in making a closed-in pressure test, and thereafter may 'be repeatedly moved between such posit-ions, as desired, while the bypass port remains closed.

In order that the by-pass port may, if desired, be subsequently re-opened, the housing preferably encircles a slidably mounted mandrel which is connected to the string of equipment therebelow and which cooperates with the plunger member in controlling the by-pass port. This tarrangemeut permits the plunger member and housing to be moved upwardly together with respect to the mandrel to a position wherein the bypass port is open, this being accomplished by raising the upper portion of the string at a time when the set or expanded packer is supporting or resisting upward movement of the lower portion of the string.

The foregoing and additional and further objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein similar reference characters denote similar parts in all views and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation view of a portion of a string of equipment disposed in a cased well bore, the string including a section of tubing, a testing tool, a bypass valve in accordance with the invention, and a packer which is shown after being set or expanded at a desired location in the well casing.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged half section view taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1, showing the bypass valve and lower portion of the testing tool, including the tester valve, the parts being shown in the respective positions occupied by them at one stage of operation, such as during the lowering of the string into the well.

FIGURES 3 to 6 inclusive are each views similar to that of FIGURE 2, but showing the parts in the respective positions occupied by them at certain selected later stages of operation. Referring first to FIGURE 1, a section of well tubing ll? is shown disposed in a casing 12 which is cemented in place in a bore hole 14. Attached to the lower end of the tubing ll is a testing tool 16 which in turn is attached at its lower end to by-pass valve assembly id in accordance with the invention. A packer assembly 2 is shown attached to the lower end of the by-pass valve assembly and is illustrated in the set position, isolating a formation 22 which is to be tested.

As shown best in FIGURES l and 2 together, the bypass valve assembly 18 generally includes a housing 26, a hollow inner mandrel 28 shown attached at its lower end to the packer assembly 29, a valve plunger 30 slida-bly mounted within the housing 26, and a valve plunger spring 32 which normally urges the plunger 30 toward its upper or open position in the housing 26, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. l

The lay-pass valve housing 26 includes an upper portion 34 and a lower portion 36 shown interconnected by threads 38; The upper portion 34- is shown connected by welded joint 39 to the lower end of an exterior wall 40 of the testing tool 16. A tube-like extension 42 of the upper portion 34- is disposed within the testing tool 16 in spaced relation to the wall 49. Thus, an inner annular space 44 is provided between the extension 42 and the exterior wall it? of the testing tool l6. Passageways 46 extend generally downwardly from the inner annular space 44 to the interior of the by-pass valve housing 26, permitting fluid flow therethrough. A flange 43 extends inwardly from the upper portion 34 and carrier QB-typev seals 59. The flange provides on the upper portion 34 an upper surface 52 and a lower surface 54. Ports 5s (shown by dash lines) permit fluid passage from the exterior of the bypass valve housing 26 to a chamber A located therein.

The lower portion 36 of the bypass valve housing 26 has in its interior, first, a shoulder 58 and, also, a second shoulder 61 which is located a suitable distance below the first or upper shoulder 58'.

The lower portion 36 of the bypass valve housing 25 has a lower extension 61 which is counterbored or otherwise provided with' an enlarged inside diameter. The lower extension 61 is provided near its lower end with interior splines 62. Ports 64 are located in the lower extension s1 at or near the upper end thereof. The ports 64- are adapted to permit fluid flow from the interior of the bypass valve housing 26 to the exterior thereof. The term housing member includes the housing 26 as well as the

parts

34, 42, 17 and 61 which are fixed relative thereto.

The hollow inner mandrel 28, which is connected at its lower end to the packer assembly 20, extends upwardly within the lower extension 61 of the lay-pass valve housing 26. Exterior splines 66 are provided on the inner mandrel 28 and are adapted to engage the interior splines 62 on the lower extension at. The exterior splines 66 terminate at their upper end at a downwardly facing shoulder 63 and at their lower end at an upwardly facing abutment 7%. The shoulder 68 on the inner mandrel 28 is adapted to engage a surface 72, formed by the upper end of the interior splines 62 on the lower extension 61, to limit the upward movement of the hy-pass valve housing 26 relative to the inner mandrel 28, as shown in FIG- RE 2. The abutment 70 is adapted to engage a surface 74- on the lower end of lower extension 611. to limit the downward movement of the bypass valve housing 26 relative to the inner mandrel 28, as shown in FIG- URES 36. 7

The valve plunger 3% includes a solid upper portion 76 and a hollow lower portion 78. The solid upper portion 76 has an exterior shoulder 8t} thereon. The solid upper portion '76, below the exterior shoulder 80, extends downwardly through the interior flange 43 provided on the upper portion 34 of the valve housing 26,

forming a slidable seal with O-type seals 56 located therein. An exterior flange 82 provided on the valve plunger 3% is positioned below the interior flange 48 of the valve housing 26. The arrangement is such that upward movement of the valve plunger 3% is limited by the upper surface of the exterior flange 82 contacting the lower surface 54 of the interior flange 48. The exterior flange 82 is adapted to limit the downward movement of the valve plunger 30 upon contacting the first shoulder 58 located in the lower portion 36 of the valve housing 26.

Sealing members

84 and 86 are located in exterior recesses provided in the lower portion 78 of the plunger 39. These

members

84 and 86 are adapted to provide a s'lidable seal with the interior surface of the bypass valve housing 26, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, for example. Also, the lower member 86 is adapted slidably to seal against the interior surface of the inner mandrel 28, as shown in FIGURES 4-6. Passageways 38 extend from the interior of the lower portion 78 of the plunger 39 through the upper surface of the exterior flange 82 permitting fluid flow from the interior of the valve plunger 30 into the passageways 46 in the upper extension 34 ofthe bypass valve housing 26.

The valve plunger spring 32 encircles the lower tubular portion 78 of the valve plunger 3% and is retained thereon between a lower surface of the exterior flange 82 and the second shoulder 6% in the lower portion 36 of the by-pass valve housing 26. v

The packer assembly 20, as shown in FIGURE 1,' is

of the hook-wall type, such as may be set or expanded by combined relative longitudinal and rotational movement of the parts thereof. It is understood, however, that any of various other packer arrangements may be employed, if desired.

The testing tool 16 may be similar to that disclosed in U.S. Letters Patent No. 2,740,479, for Drill Stem Testing Device, granted on April 3, 1956, to Harry E. Schwegman. As will presently appear more fully, the by-pass valve arrangement of the present invention provides particular advantages when employed with a tester valve of the type disclosed in the above Schwegman patent, wherein hydraulic fluid is metered to provide a desirable time-delay which prevents the tester valve from opening prematurely, such as during the course of moving or forcing the string through tight places or during the course of applying force to cause relative movement of the parts of the packer therebelow to set or expand the same prior to performing the actual testing operation. It is understood, however, that the by-pass valve arrangement of the present invention may also be used in conjunction with other tools than those shown herein.

It is believed unnecessary to describe the testing tool 16 in detail and, accordingly, reference will be made herein only to certain parts thereof which are particularly related to the operation of the by-pass valve 18.

It will be noted that the testing tool 16 includes the exterior wall 40 which has been previously described as being connected at welded joint 39 to the by-pass valve housing 26. Also, the testing tool 16 includes an interior sleeve 90 which extends downwardly a suitable distance from its main body and is disposed in generally parallel spaced relation to the wall 40. Ports 94 located in the sleeve 90 permit fluid flow from the space 44 into the interior of the sleeve 99. Near its lower end, the sleeve 90 carries O-type seals 96 which are adapted to form a fluid-tight seal with the upper extension 42 of the housing 26 into which the sleeve 90 is fitted.

The testing tool 16 also includes a slidable tester valve member 24 which is shown as a tube-like member mounted for upward and downward movement within the main body 17 of the tool 16. A partition 98 divides the interior of the tester valve member 24 into a lower chamber 91 and an upper chamber 93. The lower chamber 91 forms part of the previously described chamber A, while the upper chamber 93 forms part of a fluid passageway 11 shown (see FIGURE 1) extending upwardly through the tubing to a remote location which may be at the surface of the well. O-type seals 95 encircle the exterior of the tester valve member 24 at about the same location as the partition 98. Ports 97 are located just above the O-type seals 95 and extend through the wall of the tester valve member 24 into the upper chamber 93. That part of the tester valve member 24 which is below the partition 98 carries near its lower end 99 O-type seals 89 which form a slidable, yet fluid tight, seal with the interior surface of the upper extension 42 of the valve housing 26. Between the lower end 99 of the tester valve member 24- and the O-type seals 89, ports 92 extend through the sidewall and allow fluid passage therethrough.

In performing a testing operation using the equipment herein described, the testing tool 16 and by-pass valve 18 are attached in the conventional manner to the lower end of the tubing 10. The packer assembly 20 is attached to the inner mandrel 28 of the by-pass valve 18. The apparatus is then run into the well casing 12 until it is located in a suitable position to perform the test.

As the apparatus enters the well, the tester valve member 24, valve plunger 36', and inner mandrel 28 are in the respective positions illustrated in FIGURE 2. That is, the tester valve member 24 is in its upward or closed position and the by-pass valve plunger '30 is in its upward or open position.

During the lowering of the string, the mandrel 28 may move upwardly relative to the housing member to some extent and, particularly if a tight place is encountered, may reach its uppermost position, as shown in FIGURE 3, prior to the string reaching the desired loca tion in the casing 12.

The well casing 12 will ordinarily contain fluids which must be partially displaced by the string as it is lowered into the well. As previously stated, the packer assembly 20 has an outside diameter only slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the casing 12. The by-pass valve 18 remains open during the lowering to prevent fluids from being trapped below the string and severely restricting or stopping the downward movement due to the small flow area around the packer assembly 20. Thus, it will be noted in FIGURES 2 and 3 that fluid in the casing 12 below the packer assembly 24 is permitted to pass upwardly through the interior of the assembly 20 and the by-pass valve 18 and out through the by-pass ports 64 of the housing 26 into the portion of the casing 12 above the assembly 26.

Upon reaching the desired location, the tubing 10 is rotated and raised or lowered, as required, to set the packer assembly 26. It will be noted that rotation of the tubing 10 may be imparted to the upper portion of the packer assembly 20 through the

splines

62 and 66.

After the packer assembly 29 is set, isolating the formation 22, a portion of the weight of the tubing 10 is placed through the testing tool 16 onto the by-pass housing 26 and the packer assembly 26. If for some reason the mandrel 28 is not already in its uppermost position within the housing 26, the application of this weight will first move the other parts downward relative to the mandrel 28. Thereafter, the force applied due to the weight of the tubing 10 will cause the tester valve member 24 to begin its downward movement. Also, the valve plunger 3!) begins to move downwardly with the tester valve member 24 when the lower end 99 of the valve member 24 contacts the shoulder of the plunger 30.

As described more fully in the aforesaid Schwegman Patent 2,740,479, the testing tool 16 is preferably constructed so that the tester valve member 24 will initially move downwardly very slowly, such as from the position shown in FIGURE 3 to the position shown in FIGURE 4. However, due to the provision of a by-pass passageway for themetered fluid, the tester valve member 24 will thereafter move downwardly rapidly, such as from the position shown in FIGURE 4 to the position shown in FIGURE 5.

Since fluids in the space outside the by-pass valve 18 are at all times permitted to pass through the ports 56 provided in the upper portion 34 of the housing 26 and through the ports 92 provided in the lower end portion of the tester valve member 24, hydrostatic pressure is at all times present in the chamber A. Thus, a downward force due to the hydrostatic pressure in the chamber A is at all times exerted on the upper end of the valve plunger 39. However, when the by-pass ports 64 are open, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, .an upward force, which is also due to hydrostatic pressure and is preferably equal approximately to the aforesaid downward force, is exerted on the lower end of the valve plunger 30. As a result, the valve plunger 30 is in a balanced condition insofar as fluid pressures are concerned and it is only necessary for the tester valve member 24 to overcome the upward force of the spring 32 to move the plunger 30 downwardly.

It will be noted in FIGURE 4 that the tester valve member 24 and the by-pass valve plunger 35} are shown moved downwardly a sufficient distance so that the port 94 in the interior sleeve of the valve member 24 is sealed by the seals 95 and also the by-pass ports 64 in the housing 26 of the valve 18 are sealed by the

members

84 and 86 carried by the plunger 30. In this position, both of the valves are closed.

When the tester valve member 24 and the by-pass valve plunger 39 have moved to their extreme downward positions, as shown in FIGURE 5, the port 94 in the sleeve 9%? is then in alignment with the port 97 in the tester valve member 24-, which is thus in its open position. However, the by-pass ports 64 remain sealed by the

members

84 and 86. Thus, fluids trapped below the packer assembly 29 and in the interior of the assembly 29 are permitted or caused to fiowupwardly through the interior of the valve plunger 39, then through the transverse passageways 8% into the inner annular space 44, then through the aligned ports 94 and 7 into the chamber 93 and thence into the passageway 11 which is at reduced pressure.

As the formation 22 produces fluids, which pass upwardly through the apparatus, as aforesaid, the pressure below the packer assembly 2% and valve plunger 30 suddenly decreases to approximately atmospheric and then gradually increases toward the normal pressure of the formation 22. Since the formation pressure is considerably less than hydrostatic pressure, the upward force exerted on the valve plunger 3i? due to formation pressure and the spring 32, is less than the downward force exerted by the hydrostatic pressure in the chamber A and the valve plunger 30 remains in its lower or closed position, as shown in FIGURE 5.

While the valve plunger 34 is thus held in its closed position, a closed-in pressure test may be made. This is accomplished by lifting the tubing 16 a short distance upwardly, thus removing a portion of the weight exerted on the apparatus connected therebelow. The tester valve member 24 then returns to its upper or closed position,

preventing any further upward flow of formation fluid into passageway 11. However, as previously pointed out, the by-pass valve plunger 30 remains in its downward or closed position.

.After the closed-in test is made, the tubing weight is again set down and the tester valve member 24 again moves downwardly into its open position, as shown in FIGURE 5. Fluid may again flow upwardly into the passageway 11 through the ports and

passageways

83, 46, 9 and 97, as hereinbefore described.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a second closed-in pressure test may be made by repeating the foregoing steps. After the desired tests have been made, the by-pass valve 18 may be opened by lifting the tubing 1% until the surface 72 at the upper end of the interior splines 62 contacts the shoulder 68 of the inner mandrel 28. When this has been accomplished, the tester valve member 24 will have moved upwardly to its closed position and the inner surface of the inner mandrel 28 will be out of engagement with thesealing member 86 on the by-pass valve plunger 31 Fluid at hydrostatic pressure will then pass through the port 64 and will equalize the force exerted on the valve plunger 30 by the fluid in the chamber A. The valve plunger 30 will then be driven upwardly by the spring 32 into the upward or open position, as shown in FIGURE 2.

The apparatus may then be removed from the well bore 14- by conventional means after unseating the packer assembly 28.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a by-pass valve constructed in accordance with the invention provides a solution to many of the problems encountered in testing apparatus. The embodiment herein presented is by way of example only and many variations thereto may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the annexed claims.

I claim:

1. In fluid flow control apparatus, the combination of I a housing member adapted to be connected between sections of a conduit, means forming a passageway extending longitudinally through said housing member whereby fluid may flow from a section of the conduit therebelow into a section of the conduit thereabove, said housing member having a by-pass port in the wall thereof, said by-pass port being adapted when open to provide fluid communication (a between said passageway and the outside of said housing member, a main valve member mounted for movement in said housing member from an initial position closing said passageway to a position wherein said passageway is open, and a movably mounted by-pass valve member for controlling fluid flow through said bypass port, the housing member having a chamber therein defined between said valve members, the housing member having a port connecting said chamber to the exterior of said housing memher, said by-pass valve member being engageable by said main valve member for movement from an initial open position to a position closing said by-pass port when said main valve member is moved from its initial closed position to a position wherein said passageway is open.

2. In a well sampling tool for use with a hollow expansible packer device and adapted to be lowered into a well below the fluid level therein, the combination of: a tubular housing member, means including a hollow mandrel for connecting the lower end of the housing member'to the hollow expansible packer device, the housing member having a by-pass port permitting well fluid to pass through the hollow packer device and through the interior of said hollow mandrel and through the bypass port as the tool and packer are lowered into the well, a by-pass valve member mounted for axial sliding movement within the housing member for controlling flow through said by-pass port, the housing member having a second port and having a passage communicating with said second port, said by-pass valve member having a passage communicating with said housing member passage and with the interior of said hollow mandrel, said housing member having a chamber and having a port communicating with the chamber and with the exterior of said housing member, the upper end of the by-pass valve member extending into said chamber and being thereby subjected to hydraulic pressure of fluid in the well, the lower end of the by-pass valve member being exposed to pressure of fluid within the hollow mandrel and below the packer device whereby upon expansion of the packer device and movement of the by-pass valve member to close the by-pass port, fluid under pressure of the well formation may pass upward through the hollow mandrel and passages in the by-pass valve member and housing member through the second port.

3. -In a well sampling tool for use with a hollow expansible packer device and adapted to be lowered into a well below the fluid level therein, the combination of: a tubular housingmember, means including a hollow mandrel for connecting the lower end of the housing member to the hollow expansible packer device, the housing member having a by-pass port permitting well fluid to pass through the hollow packer device and through the interior of said hollow mandrel and through the by-pass port as the tool and packer are lowered into the well, a bypass valve member mounted for axial sliding movement within the housing member for controlling flow through said by-pass port, the housing member having a second port and having a passage communicating with said second port, said by-pass valve member having a passage communicating with said housing member passage and with the interior of said hollow mandrel, said housing member having a chamber and having a port communicating with the chamber and with the exterior of said housing member, resilient means in the housing member acting to hold the by-pass valve member in open position, means in the housing member for moving the by-pass valve member to closed position against the action of said resilient means, the upper end of the bypass valve member extending into said chamber and being thereby subjected to hydraulic pressure of fluid in the well, the lower end of the by-pass valve member being ex posed to pressure of fluid within the hollow mandrel and below the packer device whereby upon expansion of the packer device and movement of the by-pass valve member to close the bypass port, fluid under pressure of the well formation may pass upward through the hollow mandrel and passages in the by-pass valve member and housing member through the second port.

4. In a well sampling tool for use with a hollow expansible packer device and adapted to be lowered into a well below the fluid level therein, the combination of: a tubular housing member, a hollow mandrel spline-connected to the lower end of the housing member and having means for connection to the hollow expansible packer device, the housing member having a by-pass port permitting well fluid to pass through the hollow packer device and through the interior of said hollow mandrel and through the by-pass port as the tool and packer are lowered into the well, a by-pass valve member mounted for axial sliding movement within the housing member for controlling flow through said by-pass port, the housing member having a second port and having a passage communicating with said second port, said by-pass valve member having a passage communicating with said housing member passage and with the interior of said hollow mandrel, said housing member having a chamber and having a port communicating with the chamber and with the exterior of said housing member, the upper end of the by-pass valve member extending into said chamber and being thereby subjected to hydraulic pressure of fluid in the well, the lower end of the by-pass valve member being exposed to pressure of fluid within the hollow mandrel and below the packer device.

5. A well tool comprising, in combination: a tubular housing member having an axial bore and having means forming a restricted opening at the upper end of said axial bore, the housing member having a first chamber therein above said restricted opening and having a second chamber therein below said restricted opening, a hollow mandrel having a spline connection to the lower end of the housing member and having means for connection to a packer assembly, a by-pass valve member slidably mounted in said axial bore and having a portion forming a sliding seal within said restricted opening, said by-pass valve member also having a passage communicating with the said second chamber and with the interior of said hollow mandrel, bias means in the housing member arranged to apply an upward force against said by-pass valve member, means forming a by-pass port in the lower portion of the housing member communicating with the interior of the hollow mandrel, a lower portion of said by-pass valve member being movable into sealing relationship with the interior of the hollow mandrel to prevent fiow through said by-pass port, an upper portion of said by-pass valve member extending into said first chamber, port means establishing communication between said first chamber and the exterior of said housing member, and means within said housing member to move said by-pass valve member against the force of said bias means into sealing relationship within said hollow mandrel.

6. A well tool comprising, in combination: a tubular housing member having an upper axial bore and having means forming a restricted opening at the lower end of said bore, the housing member having a first port communicating with said upper bore and having a passage connecting said first port with a first chamber within the interior of the housing member below said restricted opening, a tester valve member slidably mounted in said upper bore and having an inlet port for registry with said first port, a by-pass valve member slidably mounted in said lower bore and having a portion forming a sliding seal within said restricted opening, said by-pass valve member also having a passage communicating with the said first chamber and with the interior of the lower portion of said housing member, bias means in said housing member arranged to apply an upward force against said by-pass valve member, means forming by-pass port in the lower portion of the tubular housing member, said by-pass valve member being movable downward against the force of said bias means to prevent flow through said by-pass port, said valve members and said upper bore defining a second chamber within said housing member above said restricted opening, the upper portion of said by-pass valve member extending into said second chamber, port means establishing communication between said second chamber and the exterior of said housing member, and means whereby downward movement of said tester valve member to align said inlet port and said first port serves to move said by-pass valve member downward to prevent flow through said by-pass port.

7. A well tool comprising, in combination: a tubular housing member having upper and lower axial bores and having means forming a restricted opening between said bores, the housing member having a first port communicating with said upper bore and having a passage connecting said first port with a first chamber within the interior of the housing member below said restricted opening, a hollow mandrel having a spline connection to the lower end of the housing member and having means for connection to a packer assembly, a tester valve member slidably mounted in said upper bore and having an inlet port for registry with said first port, a by-pass valve member slidably mounted in said lower bore and having a portion forming a sliding seal within said restricted opening, said by-pass valve member also having a passage communicating with the said first chamber and with the interior of said hollow mandrel, a spring in the housing member arranged to apply an upward force against said by-pass valve member, means forming a by-pass port in the lower portion of the housing member communicating with the interior of the hollow mandrel, a portion of said by-pass valve member being movable into sealing relationship with the interior of the hollow mandrel to prevent flow through said by-pass port, said valve members and said upper bore defining a second chamber within said housing member above said restricted opening, the upper portion of said by-pass valve member extending into said second chamber, port means establishing communication between said second chamber and the exterior of said housing member, and means whereby downward movement of said tester valve member to align said inlet port and said first port serves to move said by-pass valve member against the force of said spring into sealing relationship within said hollow mandrel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,332,144 Hanes Oct. 19, 1943 2,740,479 Schwegman Apr. 3, 1956 2,901,001 Nutter Aug. 25, 1959

Claims

1. IN FLUID FLOW CONTROL APPARATUS, THE COMBINATION OF A HOUSING MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED BETWEEN SECTIONS OF A CONDUIT, MEANS FORMING A PASSAGEWAY EXTENDING LONGITAUDINALLY THROUGH SAID HOUSING MEMBER WHEREBY FLUID MAY FLOW FROM A SECTION OF THE CONDUIT THEREBELOW INTO A SECTION OF THE CONDUIT THEREABOVE, SAID HOUSING MEMBER HAVING A BY-PASS PORT IN THE WALL THEREOF, SAID BY-PASS PORT BEING ADAPTED WHEN OPEN TO PROVIDE FLUID COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID PASSAGEWAY AND THE OUTSIDE OF SAID HOUSING MEMBER, A MAIN VALVE MEMBER MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT IN SAID HOUSING MEMBER FROM AN INITIAL POSITION CLOSING SAID PASSAGEWAY TO A POSITION WHEREIN SAID PASSAGEWAY IS OPEN, AND A MOVABLY MOUNTED BY-PASS VALVE MEMBER FOR CON-