US3744564A

US3744564A - Subsurface well apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: US3744564A
Application number: US00131628A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Mott
Original assignee: Hydril LLC
Current assignee: Hydril LLC
Priority date: 1971-04-06
Filing date: 1971-04-06
Publication date: 1973-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-10

Abstract

A subsurface well apparatus for connection in a production tubing having a housing with a controlled ball type bore closure means therein for normally controlling flow of fluid through the bore of the tubing and adapted to receive, secure and operate a replaceable means for controlling flow in the bore of the housing when the closure means malfunctions. The means for controlling flow in the bore is installed and retrieved from the housing through the bore of the tubing by a method utilizing pressure in the bore of the tubing.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Alia Mott 1 July 10, 1973 [54] SUBSURFACE WELL APPARATUS AND 3,310,114 3/1967 Dollison 166/72 METHOD 3,356,145 12/1967 Fredd 166/224 3,411,584 11/1968 Sizer et al.... 166/224 Inventor: James Houston, 3,494,417 2/1970 Fredd 266 224 [73] Assignee: Hydril Company, Harris County,

Tex Primary Examiner-James A. Leppmk Attorney-Havel, Wilson & Matthews [22] Filed: Apr. 6, 1971 l [2]] Appl. No.: 131,628 [57] ABSTRACT A subsurface well apparatus for connection in a pro- 52 US. Cl. 166/224 s, 166/72, 137/498, duetien tubing having a housing with a Controlled 25 2 type bore closure means therein for normally control 51 1111. C1 E21b 33/00 ling flew of fluid through the bore of the tubing and [58] Field of Search 166/315, 72, 224, adapted to receive. Secure and Operate a replaceable 22 137 453 494 49g; 251 99 2 53 means for controlling flow in the bore of the housing when the closure means malfunctions. The means for 5 References Cited controlling flow in the bore is installed and retrieved N E STATESATENTS from the housing through the bore of the tubing by a method utilizing pressure in the bore of the tubing.

3,642,070 2/1972 Taylor et a1. 166/224 R25,471 11/1963 Fredd i. 166/224 18 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures VII Maw Pmmmw 3".744.5s4

ATTORNE YS Pmmanwu 3.744.564

ME! 3 Q 8 ATTORNEYS 4 PAIENIEU JUL-I 0:915

SHEEIRNB INVENTOR Mir/WI 17 M010 Mammal ATTORNEYS PATENTEU I (975 SKUSNS 0 R l 4 W E V W v 4 f. l J M M .u d k! A m a 2 9 WV h? k l nnafim ir u A l( 5 TL 4 V q a MM y m m 3 M fi y z a c/'mar J Ma/f PM! Willem & Malibu/l 11 TT ORNE YS SUBSURFACE WELL APPARATUS AND METHOD CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related to my co-pending U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 72,034, filed Sept. 14, 1970.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of this invention is a subsurface well apparatus and method.

My application tiled concurrently herewith disclosed a pump down flow control assembly for securing and operating in a subsurface housing connected in a pro duction tubing when a primary valve malfunctions. That assembly was secured with the housing by a detent member moving into a recess in the housing. The recess was larger than the detent providing a range of movement to the assembly which could inadvertently move the detent off of a latch member and release the assembly. Because the assembly only engaged and was not secured with a control member, a spring member had to be provided toopen the flow control assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A subsurface well apparatus for connection in a production tubing to control flow of fluid through the bore of the tubing including a housing having a bore therein communicating with the bore of the tubing, a bore closure means movable between open and closed positions for normally controlling flow through the bore, a means for moving the bore closure means to and from the open and closed position and a positioning means for a means for controlling flow in the bore. When the bore closure meansmalfun'ctions, the means for controlling flow in the bore is installed and retrieved from the housing through the bore of the tubing by a method utilizing pressure in the bore of the tubing. The means for controlling flow in the bore includes a flow control assembly having a frame means with a bore therein communicating with the bore of the tubing, plug means movable to and from open and closed positions, mover means for moving the plug to and from open and closed positions and securing means for releasably locking the flow control assembly in the housing against movement using a plurality of latch dogs. Means for securing the mover means with the means for moving the bore closureare provided to open and close the flow control assembly.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved subsurface well apparatus and method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved flow control assembly.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for securing a flow control assembly in a housing.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for controlling the operation of the flow control assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are elevations, partially in section, illustrating the upper, intermediate and lower portions of the housing of the present invention;

FIGS. 2Aand 2B are views similar to FIGS. 18 and 1C, respectively, illustrating the bore closure in the open position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2A, illustrating the bore closure locked open;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are views similar to FIGS. 1A and 18, respectively, illustrating a flow control assembly therewith;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4B illustrating the apparatus after a portion of the flow control assembly is removed;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating the ball valve of the flow control assembly in the open position;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are views similar to FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively, illustrating a retrieved tool disposed in and connected to the flow control assembly;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are elevations, in section, illustrating the flow control assembly;

FIG. 9 is a view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 88;

FIG. 10 is an exploded isometric view of the ball valve and one-half of the valve pivot unit which is operably connected therewith;

FIGS. 11-13 are schematic views illustrating consecutive positions of the housing ball valve relative to the pivot pins as the ball valve moves from the open posi tion to an intermediate position and then to the closed position;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic views illustrating the relationship between the flow control assembly pivot pins and ball valve in the open and closed positions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The subsurface safety valve apparatus or well tool generally designated is mounted in a production tubing of a well for controlling flow of fluid to the surface through the bore of the production tubing. A fluid conduit 122 may connect the well too] 120 with a control fluid means located at the surface. A conduit 123 may connect another portion of the tool 120 with a second control fluid means located at the surface.

As illustrated in particular in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, the apparatus 120 of the present invention includes a housing 130, preferably made of four portions a, 130b, 130a and 130d for purposes of assembly. To assist in understanding the present invention, the FIGS. are designated in alphabetical sequence commencing from the upper portion 130a of the housing 130 and proceeding downwardly. The upper section 130a of the housing 130 is connected to the section l30b by threads 130e, as illustrated in FIG. 1A. The section 13011 and the section 1300 are connected by threads l30f, as illustrated in FIG. 1B The section I30c is connected to the section 130d by threads 130g, as also illustrated in FIG. 1C. A threaded box connection (not shown) at the upper end of the section 30a of the housing 30 connects with the production tubing above the tool 120. A threaded pin connection (not shown) at the lower end of the section 130d connects with the production tubing below the tool.

The housing 130 is a tubular member having alongitudinal bore aligned and communicating with the bore of the production tubing for enabling flow of fluid through the bore 140 of the housing 130 to the surface. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, the bore 140 is defined in greater detail by a surface including a constant diameter portion 140b, a greater diameter recess 1400 having a tapered annular shoulder 140g, a larger constant diameter portion 140k, a tapered annular shoulder 140i, a constant diameter portion l40j, a

spring shoulder 140k, a

constant diameter portion

140m, 3. flat annular shoulder l40n, a constant diameter portion 1400, a spring shoulder 140:, a constant diameter portion 140a, an annular shoulder 140v, and a constant diameter portion 140w.

Disposed in the bore 140 adjacent the surface 1400 is a stopper or closure means including a ball 150 and a seat ring 155. The ball 150 is rotatably movable to and from open (FIG. 2B) and closed (FIG. 1C) positions. As illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13, the ball 150 includes an opening 151 therethrough for aligning with the bore 140 to enable flow of fluid through the bore 140 in the lower open position (FIG. 11) and with the ball 150 rotating (FIG. 12) to the closed upper position (FIG. 13) to block flow of fluid through the bore 140. The ball 150 includes a spherical outer surface 152 having a pair of parallel flat portions 152a with an eccentric slot recess 153 therein for a purpose to be described more fully hereinafter. The annular seat ring 155 has an arcuate mating surface 155a to seal with the spherical surface 152 for preventing flow of fluid around the ball 150.

A means for imparting movement to the closure means or ball 150 includes an actuator means generally designated 160, disposed in the bore 140 of the housing 130. The actuator means 160 includes a sleeve means 161 and a pivot means 167 mounted with the housing 130. The sleeve means 161 includes a piston portion 163, an upper sleeve portion 164, the seal ring 155, and a lower sleeve portion 166 asillustrated in FIGS. 18 and 1C. The actuator means 150 also includes spring means 163a, 164a, and 166a to be described more fully hereinafter.

The piston portion or control member 163 is movable relative to both the housing 130 and the sleeve 164. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the piston 163 is a sleeve having a larger outer diameter portion 163b adjacent the constant diameter portion 140j of the bore 140, a smaller diameter outer portion 163: located above the larger diameter portion 163!) adjacent the constant diameter portion 140]: of the bore 140. An annular recess 163e is located on an annular shoulder 163d connecting the outer surfaces 63d and 63c for a purpose to be more fully explained hereinafter. A smaller inner diameter surface 163] is connected to a larger diameter lower inner surface 164g by a tapered annular surface 163k. A lower shoulder surface 163i and an upper shoulder surface 163] complete the surfaces of the sleeve 163. An -ring 163k seals between'the surface l40h of the housing and the smaller diameter outer surface 1630. An O-ring 163m seals between the surface 140j and the larger outer diameter surface l63b of the sleeve 163. A ring-shaped spring keeper member 135 is disposed in the bore 140 between the sleeve means 161 and the housing 130. The keeper 135 is threadedly secured with the surface 140] of the housing 130. The spring 163a is positioned between the lower shoulder 163i of the piston 163 and the keeper 135 for urging the piston 163 upwardly to the location illustrated in FIG. 1B. The piston 163 is longitudinally movable in the housing 130 between the position illustrated in FIG. 1B and the position illustrated in FIG. 4A collapsing the spring 1630 in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the upper sleeve portion 64 includes a constant diameter inner surface 164b, an upper shoulder 164e, a smaller diameter outer surface 164d, an annular locking shoulder 264, a larger constant diameter outer surface 164f having an outwardly extending annular collar 64h having a flat upper surface 641' and a flat lower surface 164j. The spring 164a is concentrically positioned in the bore 140 with the sleeve 164 between theshoulder 164k and the spring shoulder 140k of the housing for urging the longitudinally movable sleeve 164 from the location illustrated in FIG. 2A upwardly to the location illustrated in FIG. 18. An O-ring l63n seals between the outer surface 164d of the sleeve 164 and the surface 163g of the piston 163. As illustrated in FIG. 1C, the sleeve 164 also includes a lower shoulder 164n spaced from the seat ring 155.

The movable sleeve 164 is guided by and sealed with a sealing ring 265. As illustrated in FIG. 1C, the ring 265 fills the annular opening between the surface 1400 of the housing 130 and the outer surface 164d of the sleeve 164. A pair of O-rings 265a and 265b seal the member 265 to the sliding sleeve 164 and seat ring 155, respectively. An O-ring 2650 seals the ring 265 to the surface 1400 of the housing 130 for preventing any flow between the ring 265 and the housing 130. The lower shoulder 164n of the sleeve 164 is guided by the ring 265 to engage the upper shoulder l55b of the seating ring 155.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1C and 2B, the movable seal ring 155 includes a lower seating shoulder 155a, an upper shoulder 155b, a pair of annular

outer shoulders

1550 and 155d on the outer constant diameter surface l55e and an inner diameter surface 155f. The

shoulders

155a and 155d provided balancing shoulders for the pressure of the fluid in the bore below the ball urging on the seat ring 155. These shoulders enable the surface a to remain in sealing contact with the ball 150 by the force of gravity no matter how great the pressure in the bore 140 below the ball 150 may be. The

shoulders

155a and 155d serve also as limit stops for the ring 155 as the seat ring 155 moves with'the ball 150 from the closed upper position (FIG. 1C) to the lower open position (FIG. 2B).

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the movable lower sleeve 166 includes a uniform diameter inner portion 166b, an annular lower shoulder 1660, a uniform diameter outer portion 166d, an outer annular collar 166e having a flat lower surface 166f, a constant diameter outer upper portion 166g and an upper shoulder 166h. The shoulder 166k engages the spherical outer surface 152 of the ball 150. The spring 166a is positioned between the shoulder 140t of the housing 130 and the shoulder 166f of the sleeve 166 for'urging the lower sleeve 66 to move upwardly from the position illustrated in FIG. 2B to the position illustrated in FIG. 1C.

The pivot means 167 is secured within the housing 130 against upwardly movement by the sealing ring 265 engaging the shoulder 140;: of the housing 130 and a sleeve extension 167a engaging the shoulder 140! to prevent downwardly movement of the pivot means 167. As partially illustrated in FIG. 13, the pivot means 167 includes a split sleeve formed by a constant diame-' ter inner surface 167b, upper and lower shoulder 67c and 67d, respectively and a constant outer diameter surface 67s. A circular pin 67f extends inwardly from the pivot means 67 within each of the eccentric slots 53 of the ball 50. The inner surface 167b is recessed at 167g adjacent the top to receive the outer annular collar of the seat ring 155 having

shoulders

1550 and 155d for providing clearance for relative movement between the pivot means 167 and the seat ring 155. The pivot means 167 serves as a lower stop and the sealing ring 265 for the upper stop for the seat ring 155.

A releasable locking means is disposed in the bore 140 of the housing 130 for mechanically locking the ball 150 in the open position as illustrated in FIG. 3. The locking means includes the annular shoulder 264 of the sleeve 164, an annular piston or latch means 170 and a ring detent member 171. The piston 170 is a longitudinally movable ring or sleeve member concentrically disposed between the sleeve 164 and the housing 130 having a flat lower surface 170a, a constant diameter inner surface 170b, a stepped upper surface 1700 with a locking shoulder 170d and a constant diameter outer portion l70e. An O-ring 170f slidably seals the inner surface l70b of the piston 170 to the outer surface 164f of the sleeve 164. An O-ring 170g seals the piston 170 to the housing 130. The detent 171 is a split ring located above the latch 170 having a sufficient gap opening therein to enable the ring to constrict and move into the smaller diameter portion 164d of the sleeve 164 when aligned therewith. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the detent ring includes a constant diameter inner portion 171a, an upper portion 171b and a lower portion 17 10. A means for releasing or unlocking the ball 150 is also provided which is to be described more fully hereinafter.

A positioning means 175 (FIG. 4B) is disposed in the bore 140 of the tubular housing 130 for positioning a flow control means 185 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) for controlling the flow in the bore 140, as will be explained. The positioning means 175 includes a split ring 175 having a gap opening therein to enable the ring 175 to constrict and move into the bore 140. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the ring 175 includes an inner diameter surface 175a, a lower shoulder 175b, a constant diameter outer portion 175a and a tapered annular outer portion 175d. In the expanded position illustrated in FIG. 2A, the bore of the ring 175 has the same diameter as the bore of the sleeve 164 enabling full bore access through the tool. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the positioning ring 175 is moved into the bore 140 by piston 163 which is to be described more fully hereinafter.

The control fluid pressure means conduit 122 communicates with the control fluid opening 180 in the housing 130. The fluid controlpressure is communicated through the opening 180 into a channel 180a having a port 18Gb into an annular expansible chamber 1800 within the inner bore 140 of the housing 130. As illustrated in FIG. 1B,.th'e expansible chamber 1800 is defined by the lower surface 63i of the, piston 163, by a portion of the

outer surfaces

164d, 264 and 164f of the sleeve 164, by the stepped surface 170:: and the shoulder 170d of the piston 170 and the surface l40j of the housing 130. The pressure of the fluid introduced into the chamber 1800 preferably through the conduit 122, acts on shoulder 163i to move the piston 163 upwardly. Such pressure also acts downwardly on the stepped shoulder 1700 to move the piston 170 downwardly. The inner surface of the keeper 135 is spaced from the sleeve 164 for communicating the pressure to the piston 170.

The second control fluid pressure means conduit 123 communicates with the opening 181 in the housing 130 and which is then communicated through a channel 181a to a port 18lb and a port 181a. The port 181b communicates with an expansible or annular variable capacity chamber 181d formed by a portion of the outer surfaces 163b and 163C and the shoulder 163d of the piston 163 and the annular tapered shoulder 140i and the surface 140j of the housing as illustrated in FIG. 4B. Pressure introduced into the chamber 181d, preferably through conduit 123, exerts a force on the shoulder 163d to move the piston 163 downwardly for a purpose to be described more fully hereinafter. The pressure in the channel 1810 is also communicated through the port 181c into a variable capacity or expansible chamber l8le defined by a portion of the inner surface l40j and the shoulder k of the housing 130, the outer surface 164d of the sleeve 164 and the lower surface a of the piston 170 as illustrated in FIG. 1B.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 88, a means for controlling the flow in the bore of the housing includes a flow control assembly, generally designated 185, comprising a frame means 286, a plug means 187, a mover means 288, and a securing means, generally designated 289 for securing the frame means 286 with the housing 130. A means for securing the mover means 288 with the piston 163 is also included.

The frame means 286 comprises a tubular member having a longitudinal bore a aligned and communicating with the bore 140 of the housing 130 and includes a lower sleeve 286a and an upper sleeve portion 286b connected by threads 286c. A Chevron packing 286b seals the outer diameter surface of the frame 286 to the surface l40f of the housing 130 for directing flow of fluid through the bore 140 through the bore 185a of the frame means 286.

The ball or plug means 187 is disposed in the bore 185a of the frame means 286. The plug means 187 is a ball type member rotating to and from open and closed positions. As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the ball 187 includes a spherical outer surface 187a having a pair of flat parallel portions 187b with eccentric recesses 187a therein. Preferably the diameter of the ball 187 is the same as the outer diameter of the frame 286. The ball 187 also includes a bore 187d therethrough for permitting communication through the bore 185a of the frame 286 when the ball 187 is in the aligned or open position illustrated in FIGS; 6 and 14. When the ball 187 rotates to the closed or transverse condition illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 15, the ball 187 seals with the frame lower sleeve 286b to block flow through the bore 185a of the frame means 286 and the bore 140 of the housing 130.

The mover means .288 for moving the ball 187 to and i from the open and closed positions includes a movable sleeve 288a having a longitudinal opening 288b therein. Corresponding exteriorly extending member 286e secured with the frame 286 extends into the opening 288b to movably connect the sleeve 288a with the frame 286. The mover means 288 also includes a pivot means for rotating the ball 187. The eccentric slots 187s in the flat surfaces 187)) of the ball 187 receive corresponding inwardly extending members 186] threadably secured in the sleeve 288a. By threadedly securing the fingers l86j in the sleeve 288a, the large diameter ball 187 may be placed in the sleeve 288a and the fingers 186j secured in the recesses l87c for ease of assembly. A downwardly movement of the sleeve 288a will cause the ball 187 to rotate about the members l86j to the open or aligned position illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 14. An upwardly movement of the sleeve 288b rotates the ball 187 around the eccentric extensions 186j to move the ball 187 to the transverse or closed position as illustrated in FIGS. and 15. To provide a smooth flow passage through the sleeve 288a

telescoping members

2880 and 288d are located below the ball 187. A spring means 288e urges the member 288d upwardly to engage the ball 187 and maintain the spherical surface 187a in sealing contact with the frame lower sleeve 286b. A shearable pin 295a maintains the ball 187 in the transverse position during installation of the flow control assembly 185 as will be explained.

As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the securing means 289 includes a plurality of movable latch dogs 294 fitting within corresponding window opening 286g in the frame sleeve 286a and a latch member 291 for securing the flow control assembly 185 in the bore 140 of the housing 130. The movable sleeve latch member 291 has a longitudinal opening 291a therein for receiving an inwardly extending threaded member 286ffor movably connecting the frame 286 and the latch 291. The latch 291 includes an annular shoulder 291d and a constant diameter inner surface 291e having a recess 291f therein. The latch 291 includes a pair of tapered surfaces 291g and 291k for forcing the latch dogs 294 outwardly when the latch 291 moves downwardly relative to the frame 286 and a pair of seating surfaces 291i and 2911' for securing the latch dogs in the outwardly extending position. The latch 291 is movable between an extended position (FIG. 4A) and a locked position (FIGS. 5 and 6).

The flow control assembly 185 includes a means for securing the mover means 288 with the actuator means 161 for moving the ball 187 to and from the open and closed positions using pressure in the chamber 180d. The mover securing means includes a latch 290, a plurality of movable latching dogs 293 located in a corresponding plurality of window openings 288g in the sleeve 288a. The latch sleeve 290 is movably connected with the sleeve 288a by inwardly extending threaded member 288f secured to the sleeve 288a extending with a longitudinal opening 290k in the latch 290. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, the latch member 290 includes a snap ring 290a adapted to move into a recess 288k in the sleeve 288 when aligned therewith to releasably lock the latch member 290 against inadvertent movement. The latch 290-includes a plurality of inwardly projecting flukes 2900 having openings 290d therebetween. The flukes 2900 are used for a purpose to be described more fully hereinafter. The diameter of the sleeve 290 is increased adjacent the flukes 2900 enabling the openings 290d between the flukes 2900 to have a flow area equal to the area of the bore 187d of the ball 187. The latch member 290 includes a pair of tapered surfaces 290a and 290f for forcing the latch dogs 293 outwardly when the latch 290 moves upwardly relative to the sleeve 288 and a pair of seating surfaces 290g and 290k for securing the latch dogs 293 in the outwardly extending position. The latch 290 is movable between an extended position (FIG. 4B) and a locked position (FIGS. 5 and 6). The plurality of latch dogs 293 are illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 9.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 48, a bore plug installation or running tool 195 for installing the flow control assembly 185 is included in the means for controlling flow in the bore 140. The installation tool 195 includes a lower sleeve portion 195a having a longitudinal opening 195b therein, a port 1950, a cylindrical portion 195d having an outer collar le with a tapered annular lower surface l95f and an upper surface 195;; and a threaded upper portion 195h. A plug swab cup or bore plug means 197 is secured with the tool 195 between the shoulder l95g and a standard internal fishing neck 198. Both the rubber swab cup 197 and the fishing neck 198 are well known in the art. The opening 195b and the port 1950 enable communication of the area above the flow control assembly 185 and below the plug 197 with the area below the assembly 185 for a purpose to be described more fully hereinafter. A shear pin 295 secures the tool 195 with the tubular assembly 185 with the surface 195f spaced from the surface l9ld of the latch 191 for a purpose to be described more fully hereinafter. Preferably, the running tool 195 is moved through the bore of the tubing by flow of fluid in the bore, but a wire line may be attached to the tool 195.

The means for controlling the flow in the bore also includes a bore plug pulling or retrieval tool 196. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the retrieval tool 196 includes a lower extension 196a having an annular tapered outer shoulder 196b, an upper portion 1960 threadedly engaged with lower portion by threads 196d. A swab or plug 197 is mounted with the exterior of the upper portion 1960 and is secured thereto by the fishing neck 198 threadedly engaging the portion 1960 at threads 196e. A movable collet member 211 is movably mounted on the exterior surface of the lower portion 196a of the retrieval tool 196 above the shoulder 196b. The collet 211 includes a slidable base 211a, a plurality of flexible arms 211b extending downwardly having enlarged heads 2110. The collect 211 is movably retained between shoulders 196f and 196g. The base shoulder 196g is spaced sufficiently from the shoulder 196f wherein the base 211a adjacent the shoulder l96f will permit the head 2110 to be positioned above the shoulder 196g enabling the head 21 10 to move inwardly by flexing of the member 21 lb to provide clearance to the head 2110 as the head 2110 moves downwardly past the surface 291d and into the recess 219f of the latch member 291.

In the use and operation of the present invention, the housing 130 is connected in the production tubing to position the apparatus at the desired subsurface location in the well. The

conduits

122 and 123 are connected with

openings

180 and 181, respectively, and the tool 120 is lowered into the well.

When the housing is lowered in the well with the ball in the transverse position, drilling fluid must be injected into the bore of the production tubing above the ball 150 to prevent the collapse of the production tubing T above the ball 150. Filling of the bore above the ball 150 is not required if the housing 130 is lowered with the ball 150 locked open which is to be described more fully hereinafter.

When the pressure in the channel 180a and the chan nel 180b is equal, the piston 163 has equal pressures acting upwardly on the surface 163i and downwardly on the shoulder 163d. Because the effective areas on which the pressure acts are equal, the urging on the sleeve 163 is offsetting and the spring 163a will urge the sleeve 163 to move upwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 18. Since the effective areas of the surfaces a and 1700 of the piston 170 are also equal,

the urging of the pressure acting on the lower surface 170a is the same as the urging of the pressure acting on the upper surface 170a. The spring 164a will urge the sleeve 164 to move upwardly and engage the shoulder 164i of the collar 164k with the lower shoulder 170a of the latch 170. With the offsetting urging on the piston 170 the spring 164a will move the latch 170 upwardly until the surface l70c engages the detent ring 171 which is prevented from moving upwardly by the keeper 135. The sleeve 164 in the upper position is spaced from the seating 155 (FIG. 1C) which is held in engagement with the ball 150 by gravity. The lower sleeve 166 is urged upwardly by the spring 166a for rotating the ball to the closed or transverse position blocking flow through the inner bore 140 of the housing 130 (FIG. 1C).

As can be seen by this arrangement, the valve is failsafe in that a loss of pressure in the

conduits

122 and 123 would enable the spring 166a to move the ball 150 to the closed position for blocking flow up the bore 140 of the housing 130.

In normal operation, the tool 120 is controlled by introducing fluid under pressure through the conduit 122 and venting fluid through the conduit 123. The control fluid pressure is communicated from the conduit 122 through the channel 180a and the port 180b into the expansible chamber 1800. The pressure in the chamber 1800 urges upwardly on the shoulder 163i of the piston 163. This urging assists spring 163a in urging the sleeve 163' upwardly against the shoulder 140i of the housing 130. The pressure in the chamber 1800 also acts on step surface 170a for urging the piston 170 to move downwardly. The upper shoulder 164g of collar 164f of the sleeve 164 engages the lower surface 170a of the downwardly moving piston 170 wherein the pressure in the chamber 1800 must overcome the urging of the spring 164a before the piston 170 and engaged sleeve 164 move downwardly. As the piston 170 and engaged sleeve 164 move downwardly the lower surface 164 of the sleeve 164 engages the shoulder 15512 to move the seal ring 155, the ball 150 and the sleeve 166 down wardly. As the ball 150 moves downwardly,.the ball 150 rotates from the closed position (FIG. 1C) to the aligned position (FIG. 2B) around the inward extending eccentric members l67fextending within the slots 153 of the ball 150. The downwardly movement of the sleeve 166 requires the overcoming of the upwardly urging of the spring 166a. The chamber 181s and vented conduit 123 serve as a means for receiving the fluid in the chamber 18le as the piston 170 moves downwardly wherein the operation of the ball 150 is independent of the pressure in the bore 1400f the housing 130.

The downward momentum of the sleeve 164 impacting on the engaged seat ring 155, ball 150 and sleeve 166 assists in overcoming their inertia and reducing the fluid pressure in the chamber l80c required to initiate rotation of the ball 150 to the aligned position.

To return the ball 150 to the transverse or closed position (FIG. 1C), the effective pressure of the fluid in the chamber 1800 is vented or otherwise reduced enabling the fluid to flow out of the expansible chamber 1800. The strongest spring 166a urging on the lower sleeve 166 will then move the ball 150 and the

sleeves

164 and 166 upwardly. The upwardly movement of the ball 150 rotates the ball 150 about the members l67f of the pivot means 167 from the aligned position (FIGS. 28 and 11) to the transverse position (FIGS. 1C and 13). As the pressure of the fluid in the chamber 1806 continues to decrease, the spring 1640 will urge the sleeve 164 to move to the upper position spaced from the seat ring 155 (FIG. 1C).. The force of gravity maintains the seal between the seat ring 155 and the ball 150.

A means for locking the ball 150 in the open position is included should it be necessary to run a tool through the bore of the tubing below the tool 120. Also, the ball 150 may be locked open when the tubing is lowered into the well enabling the drilling fluid within the well to flow through the bore of the housing 130 to fill the tubing bore above the tool 120 and prevent a collapse of the tubing. To lock the ball open, the conduit 122 and the chamber 180e are vented and the pressure in the conduit 123 is increased. This increased pressure is communicated into the tool 120 at opening 181 and communicated through channel 181a to the ports l8lb and 181a. The pressure is communicated through the port l81b into the expansible chamber 181d partially defined by the shoulder 163d of the piston 163. The recess 1630 serves as a manifold to communicate the fluid pressure over the entire surface of the shoulder 163d when the piston 163 is in the upper position, illustrated in FIG. 1B. The pressure urging on the shoulder 163d urges the sleeve 163 to move downwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 4B. The downwardly movement of the piston 163 engages the positioning ring with the shoulder 164c of the sleeve 164 to move the sleeve 164 downwardly. The fluid pressure communicated through port 181a into the expansible chamber 181e partially defined by lower shoulder 170a of the latch member 170 urges the latch member 170 to move upwardly.

The downwardly movement imparted to the sleeve 164 by the engagement'with the positioning ring 17 5 on the sleeve 163 operates in the same manner as when the sleeve 164 was moved downwardly by engagement with thepiston 170 to rotate the ball 150 to the open position. When the ball 150 moves: to the open position the smaller diameter portion 1640! of the sleeve 164 is aligned with the detent 171 enabling the detent 171 to move inwardly next to the surface 164d. Theflmovement of the detent 171 enables the control fluid pressure urging on the shoulder 170a to move the latch member 170 upwardly to lock the detent 171 adjacent the surface 164d above the shoulder 264, as illustrated in FIG. 3. With the detent 171 locked above the shoulder 264 and in engagement with the keeper 135, the spring 166a is unable to move the ball 150 upwardly for rotation to the closed position. A subsequent reduction of the pressure in the chamber 181d after locking leaves the ball 150 locked in the open position by de tent 171 and latch 170, but the spring 163d urges the piston 163 to move upwardly as illustrated in FIG. 3.

To unlock the ball 150 from the locked open position, the conduit 123 is vented and the pressure in the conduit 122 is increased. The increased pressure is communicated into the expansible chamber C where it urges on the shoulder 170a to move the latch member 170 downwardly. The movement of latch member 170 unlocks the detent 171 and enables the detent 171 to move out of engagement with the shoulder 264 for unlocking the ball 150. A subsequent reduction of the pressure in the chamber 180s enables the spring 166a to urge the sleeve 166 upwardly to rotate the ball 150 to the closed position.

Should sand or other abrasives flowing with the hydrocarbon through the bore 140 render ineffective, the seal between the ball 150 and the seat ring 155, a means to control the flow in the bore may be located in the bore 140 by moving into the bore 140 through the bore of the tubing.

To position the flow control assembly 185 in the bore 140 of the housing 130, the ball 150 is locked in the open position by detent 171 and latch member 170 using pressure in the

chambers

181d and 181e. The pressure in the chamber 181d is then substantially increased to urge the piston 163 downwardly to wedge or force the positioning ring 175 to move inwardly into the bore 140 to constrict the bore 140, as illustrated in FIG. 4B. The assembly 185 is then connected to the installation tool 195 by shear pin 295. The connected members are inserted into the bore of the tubing at the surface with the tool 195 positioned above the assembly 185. The pressure in the bore of the tubing above the tool 195 is then increased by use of a pump or other pressure generating means to urge the assembly 185 and tool 195 to move down the bore, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. A wire line may be attached to the tool 195 as the tool 195 and connected assembly 185 move down the bore. The ball 187 is maintained in the closed position by shear pin 295a.

When the flukes 2900 of the latching sleeve 290 engage the constricting ring 175, the pressure in the bore of the tubing forces the frame 286 and mover sleeve 288 downwardly relative to the sleeve 290 to operate the mover securing means. Since the latching dogs 293 are aligned with the recess 263 in the control member or piston 163, the dogs 293 are wedged or forced to move into the recess 263 by the tapered surfaces 290s and 290f as the sleeve 288 moves downwardly relative to the latch 290. The recess 263 in the member 163 is larger than the dogs 293 to enable the dogs 293 to move outwardly and then move downwardly by the movement of the sleeve 288 to seat the dogs on the

surfaces

290g and 290h to secure the dogs 293 in the recess 263 of the control member 163, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

After the dogs 293 are secured in the recess 263, pressure in the bore of the tubing above the tool 195 urging on the plug 197 shears the pin 295 between the tool 195 and the upper latch member 291. Shearing of the pin 295 here enables downward movement of the tool 195 relative to the assembly 185. The shoulder l95fof the tool 195 moves to engage the spaced shoulder 291d for urging the upper latch member 291 to move downwardly relative to the frame 186. Sufficient downward movement is then imparted to the latch member 291 by the shoulder 195fto shear the pin 295 between the latch member 291 and the frame 286 to enable relative subsequent movement. The latch member 291 is prevented from continuing downwardly by the engagement with the dogs 294 not in alignment with the recess 1400 and thus prevented from moving outwardly to enable downward movement of the latch member 291.

To align the dogs 294 with the recess 140s in the housing 130, the pressure in the chamber 181d is vented or reduced to enable the urging of the spring 163a to move the sleeve 163 and recess 263 upwardly. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the upwardly movement of the sleeve 163 moves the flow control assembly 185 upwardly aligning the dogs 294 with the recess 140a. Pressure in the bore of the tubing above the tool 195 urging movement of the tool 195 then moves the latch 291 downwardly forcing and moving the latching dogs 294 outwardly into the recess 1400 by the wedging of tapered surfaces 291g and 291k and moving the seating surfaces 291g and 291i under the dogs 294 to secure the latch dogs 294 in the recess 140C. The upwardly movement of the assembly 185 to align the dogs enables the dogs 294 to move outwardly and then tomove the latch 291 relative thereto to lock the dogs 294 against any subsequent relative movement. The shear pin 295 previously prevented movement of the latch member 191 relative to the latch dog 294 when the latch dog 294 was initially aligned with the recess 140c when moving downwardly in securing the assembly 185 in the housing 130.

The operation of the assembly 185 is controlled by movement of the sleeve 163. The control fluid pressure urging on the shoulder 163d in the chamber 181d moves the sleeve 163 having the recess 263 downwardly to move the sleeve 288 secured by latch dogs 293 in the recess 263 downwardly rotating the ball 187 around the eccentric members l86j to the open position as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 14. Initial operation of the piston 163 after securing of the assembly 185 in the housing shears the pin 295a. A reduction of the pressure in the chamber 181d and conduit 123 enables the spring 163a to urge the member 163 to move upwardly for moving the sleeve 288 upwardly for rotating the ball 187 to the closed position illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 15. With this arrangement the flow control assembly 185 will block flow of fluid through the bore of the housing 130 if control fluid pressure is lost to provide fail-safe operation. The relationship of the ball 187 and the finger 186j is illustrated in greater detail in the lower sleeve 288 or open position in FIG. 14 and in the upper sleeve 288 closed position in FIG. 15. By venting the conduit 122 a means for receiving the fluid displaced by movement of the piston 163 is provided wherein the operation of the ball 187 is independent of the pressure in the bore 140 of the housing 130. The ball remains in the locked open position during operation of the assembly by the conduit 123.

Should the assembly 185 malfunction or otherwise be rendered unable to block the flow of fluid through the bore 140 of the housing 130, the assembly 185 may be retrieved by pumping a retrieval tool 196 down the bore of the tubing. Before pumping the retrieval tool 196 down the bore of the tubing to retrieve the tubular assembly 185, the ball 187 is rotated to the opened position, as illustrated in FIG. 6 by increasing the pressure of the control fluid in the conduit 123 and the chamber 181d. As the retrieval tool 196 moves downwardly into the tool 120 the collet head 211c engages the shoulders 291d to move the collet 21 1c upwardly adjacent shoulder 196f wherein the collet head 2110 will move inwardly to permit the retrieval tool 196 to continue to move downwardly when the collet head 2110 is adja cent the surface l9le. When aligned with the recess 29lf of the member 291, the collet head 2110 will move outwardly for connecting the retrieval tool 196 to the tubular assembly 185. As the collet 211 is moving downwardly in the recess 29 1f, the lower end of the probe 196a engages the flukes 290C to unlock the dogs 293 by moving the latch 290 downwardly relative to the sleeve 288 to move the seating surfaces 290g and 290 from under the dogs 293 enabling inward movement of the dogs 293. With lower dogs 293 unlocked, the pressure of the fluid in the bore of the tubing above the tool 196 is reduced and formation pressure is allowed to move the tool 196 upwardly to the surface. A connected wire line may be used if the formation pressure is inadequate to flow the tools back to the surface. As the tool 196 starts to move upwardly, the collet head 211a engages the upper edge of recess 29lf and is secured thereto by the annular shoulder l96b of the retrieval tool 196. This locks the collet head 21 1c in the recess 291 f and connects the tool 196 and the tubular assembly 185. The upward pressure of the formation acting on the tool 196 initially moves the latch member 291 upwardly relative to the frame 286 unseating the dogs 294 and enabling the dogs 294 to move inwardly. The upper tapered surface of the recess 263 forces the dogs 293 to move inwardly within the assembly 185. The latch 29] continues to move upwardly relative to the frame 286 until the lower edge of the slot 291a engages the inwardly projecting member 286f of the frame 186 to move the frame upwardly. The upwardly movement of the frame 186 enables the upper annular surface of the recess 140C to force or wedge the dogs 294 inwardly to release the tubular assembly 185. The upwardly movement of the frame engages member 286s with the upper edges of the opening 288b to move the sleeve 288 upwardly to force or wedge the dogs 293 inwardly by the upper tapered surface of recess 263 to release the flow control assembly as illustrated in FIG. 7B. The formation pressure continues to urge moment of the tool 196 and assembly 185 to the surface. Fishing neck 198 is used if the tool 196 should become lodged in the bore 21 of the tubing.

The method of pumping down a tubular assembly 185 and retrieving a malfunctioning tubular assembly 185 can be repeated as often asnecessary to replace the tubular assembly without the needto pull the tubmg.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for mounting in a well tubing for receiving and operatinga means movable through the well tubing to the apparatus forcontrolling flow of fluid in the bore of the tubing, including:

a. a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough connected with a well tubing with said bore communicating with the bore of the well tubing;

b. said housing having a movable control member mounted therewith for imparting movement disposed in said bore of said housing;

0. means for controlling the flow in said bore releasably securable in said bore at an operating position adjacentsaid control member; and

d. means for operably securing said control member 1 with said means for controlling flow in the bore wherein movement of said control member con trols flow of fluid through the bore of said housing.

2. The structure as set forth in Claim 7 wherein said means for operably securing said control member with said means for controlling flow in the bore includes:

a. a latch member movably connected with said means for controlling flow in the bore; b. a latch dog mounted with said means for controlling flow in the bore, and adapted to move into a v recess when aligned therewith; and

c. said control member having a surface with a recess therein, said latch dog moving into said recess when aligned therewith wherein said latch member locks said latch dog with said control member to effect operation of said means for controlling flow in the bore.

3. The structure as set forth in claim 2, wherein a plurality of latch dogs are mounted with said means for controlling flow in the bore for moving into said aligned recess wherein said latch member locks said plurality of latch dogs with said control member.

4. The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for controlling flow in the bore includes:

a. a frame means;

b. a plug means mounted with said frame means for movement to and from the open and closed position;

0. a mover means for imparting movement to said plug means to move said plug means to and from open and closed positions; and

d. means for releasably securing said frame means with said housing.

5. The structure as set forth in claim 4, wherein said I means for releasably securing said frame means with said housing includes:

a. a latch member movably connected with said frame means; 7

b. a latch dog mounted with said frame and adapted to move into a recess when aligned therewith; and

c. the bore of the housing having a surface with a recess therein into which said latch dog moves when aligned therewith wherein said latch member locks said latch dog in said recess.

6. The structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein a plurality of latch dogs are mounted with said frame means for moving into said aligned recess wherein said latch member locks said plurality of latch dogs in said recess.

7. The structure as set forth in claim 6, wherein said means for operably securing said control member with said means for controlling flow in the bore includes:

a. a latch member movably connected with said mover means; i

b. a latch dog mounted with said mover means, and

adapted to move into a recess when aligned therewith; and

c. said control member having a surface with a recess therein, said latch dog moving into said recess when aligned therewith wherein said latch member locks said latch dog with said recess.

8. The structure as set forth in claim 7, wherein a plurality of latch dogs are mounted with said mover means for moving into said aligned recess wherein said latch 0 member locks said plurality of latch dogs with said control member.

9. Apparatus for mounting a closure means in a well tubing to control the flow of fluid in the bore of the tubing and adapted to receive and operate a means for controlling the flow in the bore of the tubing movable through the well tubing to the apparatus when the closure means malfunctions, including:

a. a housing having a bore therethrough connected with a well tubing with said bore communicating with the bore of the well tubing;

b. a bore closure means disposed in said bore of said housing for movement to and from open and closed positions;

0. means disposed in said bore of said housing for im parting movement to said bore closure means to and from open and closed positions; and

d. means mounted with said housing for moving a member into said bore with said bore closure means in the open position for operably positioning in said bore the means for controlling the flow in said bore.

10. A flow control assembly adapted to be positioned in the bore of a tubing having a movable control member disposed therein for effecting control of the flow of fluid in the bore of the tubing including:

a. a frame means having a bore therethrough communicating with the bore of the tubing;

b. a plug means mounted with said frame means for movement to and from open position for enabling flow in said bore and closed position for blocking flow through said bore;

c. mover means for imparting movement to said plug means to move said plug means to and from open and closed positions;

d. means for releasably securing said mover means with the control member comprising:

1. a latch 'me'mber movably connected with said frame means;

2. a latch dog mounted with said mover means and adapted to move into a recess when aligned therewith; and v 3. the control member having a surface with a recess formed therein into which said latch dog moves when aligned therewith wherein said latch member locks said latch dog in the recess to effect movement of said plug means to control the flow of fluid in the bore of the tubing by movement of the control member.

11. The structure as set forth in claim 10, wherein:

a plurality of latch dogs are mounted with said mover means for moving into the aligned recess of the control member wherein said latch member locks said plurality of latch dogs in the recess for controlling the flow of fluid.

12. The structure set forth in claim 11, wherein:

said plurality of latch dogs are disposed within a corresponding plurality of windows formed in said mover means for moving into the aligned recess of the control member.

13. The structure as set forth in claim 10, wherein:

said mover means includes a member movable relative to and connected with said frame means for mounting said latch dog for securing the member with the control member to move said plug means.

14. The structure as set forth in claim 12, including:

means for releasably securing said frame means with the tubing at a desired location adjacent the control member.

15. The structure as set forth in claim 14, wherein said means for releasably securing said frame means with the tubing comprises:

a. a latch member movably connected with said frame means;

b. a latch dog mounted with said frame means and adapted to move into a recess when aligned therewith; and

c. the tubing having a surface with a recess therein, said latch dog moving into said recess when aligned therewith wherein said latch member locks said latch dog with said tubing wherein said frame means is secured in the bore of the tubing.

16. The structure as set forth in claim 13, wherein:

a plurality of latch dogs are mounted with said frame means for moving into said aligned recess wherein said latch member locks said plurality of latch dogs with the tubing.

17. The structure as set forth in claim 16, wherein:

said plug means includes a ball having a bore therethrough with said ball rotating to and from open and closed positions to control the flow.

18. The structure as set forth in claim 17, wherein:

said ball includes a spherical outer surface of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the bore of the tubing.

Claims

1. Apparatus for mounting in a well tubing for receiving and operating a means movable through the well tubing to the apparatus for controlling flow of fluid in the bore of the tubing, including: a. a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough connected with a well tubing with said bore communicating with the bore of the well tubing; b. said housing having a movable control member mounted therewith for imparting movement disposed in said bore of said housing; c. means for controlling the flow in said bore releasably securable in said bore at an operating position adjacent said control member; and d. means for operably securing said control member with said means for controlling flow in the bore wherein movement of said control member controls flow of fluid through the bore of said housing.

2. The structure as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said means for operably securing said control member with said means for controlling flow in the bore includes: a. a latch member movably connected with said means for controlling flow in the bore; b. a latch dog mounted with said means for controlling flow in the bore, and adapted to move into a recess when aligned therewith; and c. said control member having a surface with a recess therein, said latch dog moving into said recess when aligned therewith wherein said latch member locks said latch dog with said control member to effect operation of said means for controlling flow in the bore.

2. a latch dog mounted with said mover means and adapted to move into a recess when aligned therewith; and

3. the control member having a surface with a recess formed therein into which said latch dog moves when aligned therewith wherein said latch member locks said latch dog in the recess to effect movement of said plug means to control the flow of fluid in the bore of the tubing by movement of the control member.

4. The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for controlling flow in the bore includes: a. a frame means; b. a plug means mounted with said frame means for movement to and from the open and closed position; c. a mover means for imparting movement to said plug means to move said plug means to and from open and closed positions; and d. means for releasably securing said frame means with said housing.

5. The structure as set forth in claim 4, wherein said means for releasably securing said frame means with said housing includes: a. a latch member movably connected with said frame means; b. a latch dog mounted with said frame and adapted to move into a recess when aligned therewith; and c. the bore of the housing having a surface with a recess therein into which said latch dog moves when aligned therewith wherein said latch member locks said latch dog in said recess.

7. The structure as set forth in claim 6, wherein said means for operably securing said control member with said means for controlling flow in the bore includes: a. a latch member movably connected with said mover means; b. a latch dog mounted with said mover means, and adapted to move into a recess when aligned therewith; and c. said control member having a surface with a recess therein, said latch dog moving into said recess when aligned therewith wherein said latch member locks said latch dog with said recess.

8. The structure as set forth in claim 7, wherein a plurality of latch dogs are mounted with said mover means for moving into said aligned recess wherein said latch member locks said plurality of latch dogs with said control member.

9. Apparatus for mounting a closure means in a well tubing to control the flow of fluid in the bore of the tubing and adapted to receive and operate a means for controlling the flow in the bore of the tubing movable through the well tubing to the apparatus when the closure means malfunctions, including: a. a housing having a bore therethrough connected with a well tubing with said bore communicating with the bore of the well tubing; b. a bore closure means disposed in said bore of said housing for movement to and from open and closed positions; c. means disposed in said bore of said housing for imparting movement to said bore closure means to and from open and closed positions; and d. means mounted with said housing for moving a member into said bore with said bore closure means in the open position for operably positioning in said bore the means for controlling the flow in said bore.

10. A flow control assembly adapted to be positioned in the bore of a tubing having a movable control member disposed therein for effecting control of the flow of fluid in the bore of the tubing including: a. a frame means having a bore therethrough communicating with the bore of the tubing; b. a plug means mounted with said frame means for movement to and from open position for enabling flow in said bore and closed position for blocking flow through said bore; c. mover means for imparting movement to said plUg means to move said plug means to and from open and closed positions; d. means for releasably securing said mover means with the control member comprising:

11. The structure as set forth in claim 10, wherein: a plurality of latch dogs are mounted with said mover means for moving into the aligned recess of the control member wherein said latch member locks said plurality of latch dogs in the recess for controlling the flow of fluid.

12. The structure set forth in claim 11, wherein: said plurality of latch dogs are disposed within a corresponding plurality of windows formed in said mover means for moving into the aligned recess of the control member.

13. The structure as set forth in claim 10, wherein: said mover means includes a member movable relative to and connected with said frame means for mounting said latch dog for securing the member with the control member to move said plug means.

14. The structure as set forth in claim 12, including: means for releasably securing said frame means with the tubing at a desired location adjacent the control member.

15. The structure as set forth in claim 14, wherein said means for releasably securing said frame means with the tubing comprises: a. a latch member movably connected with said frame means; b. a latch dog mounted with said frame means and adapted to move into a recess when aligned therewith; and c. the tubing having a surface with a recess therein, said latch dog moving into said recess when aligned therewith wherein said latch member locks said latch dog with said tubing wherein said frame means is secured in the bore of the tubing.

16. The structure as set forth in claim 13, wherein: a plurality of latch dogs are mounted with said frame means for moving into said aligned recess wherein said latch member locks said plurality of latch dogs with the tubing.

17. The structure as set forth in claim 16, wherein: said plug means includes a ball having a bore therethrough with said ball rotating to and from open and closed positions to control the flow.

18. The structure as set forth in claim 17, wherein: said ball includes a spherical outer surface of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the bore of the tubing.