US3750751A

US3750751A - Subsurface safety valve

Info

Publication number: US3750751A
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: 1973-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 1990-08-07

Abstract

A pressure operated safety valve adapted to be mounted in a well tubing, which may be moved to open or closed positions independently of pressure in the tubing and locked in and unlocked from the open position using control fluid pressure.

Description

Aug. 7, 1973 R25,47i ll/i963 Fredd [66/224 S 3,078,923 Tausch 166/224 S SUBSURFACE SAFETY VALVE [75] Inventor: James D. Mott, Houston, Tex.

Assignee: Hydrill Company, Los Angeles,

C nt Primary Examiner-James A. Leppink Attorney--Pravel, Wilson & Matthews [22] Filed: Apr. 6, 1971 211 App]. No.: 131,710

ABSTRACT e b m d e t D. a d a 6 .W. a v V. t k a s d e t a r e D. 0 e r u S s m p A %0 0 MN M3 lb n HE 4" 2n 2" m 0 u QML Um 1] 21 55 mounted in a well tubing, which may be moved to open or closed positions independently of pressure in the w 1 w 5 m H. mm 16 .7 "3 "l l "2 .1 ml mm a 8 mm M1 e i F 1 0O 5 tubing and locked in and unlocked from the open position using control fluid pressure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 35 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures a? a a {Z v n a M y T? Z M, A2; r1, 7 r? 7 v at s Q gs fi. w M/ F r l m r t PATENTEM 3.750.751

sum 3 or a INVEN TOR (fame: 5. M0 f! B) Rm! willow & Mafllewl JTTORNE YS SUBSURFACE SAFETY VALVE CROSSREFERENCE To RELATED APPLICATIONS The subject matter of the present application may be used in well tubing, as can the valves in my prior copending US. Pat. application Subsurface Safety Valve with Lock Means, Ser. No. 72 ,034, filed Sept. 14, 1970.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to pressure operated safety valves for disposition in well tubing.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the past, it has been the practice to use devices in producing wells, particularly offshore wells, which automatically close when the well pressure reaches a predetermined amount for the purpose of preventing well blowouts and the resultant fires and pollution of the sea with oil.

The most common type has been marketed under the name storm" choke, but it is not as widely used as it should be because .it is generally damaged by sand or other abrasives flowing therethrough with the oil dur' ing normal production, so that it is not operative for preventing blowouts when they occur.

Ball-type safety valves, examples of which are found in US. Pat. Nos. 2,894,7l; Re 25,471; 2,998,070; 3,035,808; 3,126,908 3,189,044 and 3,059,913 have also been used in an attempt to provide automatic closing of wells to prevent well blowouts. However, even the best of the safety valves are subject to malfunctioning, particularly after having been left in a well for a period of time. Since the government requires periodic testing of the safety valves, those that are defective can be located, but with the previously known valves, even if they were found to be defective, nothing could be done to immobilize or replace the defective valve, short of shutting down the welland attempting a removal of the defective valve with all of the attendant problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the present invention provides a new and improved safety valvefor controlling flow through a well tubing wherein fluid pressure is controlled in a plurality of expansible chambers formed between a housing in the well tubing and an operating sleeve which controls the position of a balltype valve. Differential fluid pressures are formed between the plural chambers to cause relative movement between the operating sleeve and the housing controlling the position of the valve toregulate and control flow through the well tubing independently of the pressure in the well tubing. Plural fluid conduits, each of which individually conveys fluid to one of the chambers, provide alternate fluid supply to the valves and thus prevent failure of fluid supply to one of said conduit means from rendering the valve inoperable. A locking piston mounted between the housing and the operating sleeve moves a locking detent into a locking recess formed in the housing in response to fluid pressure in one of the expansible fluid chambers in order to lock the operating sleeve in a position maintaining the valve in an open position when it is de sired to retain the valve in such position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved subsurface safety valve.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved safety valve for use in a well tubing which may be moved open or closed independently of the pressure in the well tubing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved fluid operated safety valve which is not rendered inoperable if a fluid supply conduit for such valve should fail.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved safety valve for well tubing which may be locked in and unlocked from an open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is an elevation, partly in :section, of an upper portion of the safety valve of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is an elevation, partly in section, of a lower portion of the safety valve of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the valve of FIGS. IA and 1B, but showing the parts thereof in different positions; FIG. 3 is an elevation of the valve of FIGS. 1A, 1B

and 2, but showing the parts in different positions;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line of 4-4 of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of the rotatable ball-type valve and valve pivot means of the safety valve of the present invention; and;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are elevations showing the ball-type valve of FIG. 5 in different operating positions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The safety valve of this invention has a housing H which includes .two

sections

12 and 13, coupled together at threads 15 and .16, and provided with an O- ring seal 15a. The upper housing section 12 terminates in an adapter 17 having a threaded box for attachment in a tubing string thereabove, not shown- At the lower end of lower housing section 13, female threads are provided for threaded engagement with male threads, 20 on an adapter 21 having external threads at its lower extremity for attachment to a section of the tubing string therebelow (not shown). An O-ring seal 20a is provided between the adapter 21 and the housing section 13. One or more set screws 20b may be provided to prevent an inadvertent release of the threaded

connection

19,20. e v

The wall of the top housing section 12 (FIG. 1A) has a plurality of conduits including a first conduit or operating conduit 22 including a longitudinally formed operating passage 25 terminating in a threaded fitting or inlet socket for attachment of av hose orpipe 220 Ieading to the ground level or surface. The passage 25 connects througha port 28, an annular groove 28a and a longitudinal passage 28b (FIG. 1A) with anexpansible operating chamber 29 between the section 12 and an operating sleeve 30 slidably received in the housing H. A locking detent'or resilient metal split or'snap ring 35 and a reduced nose or end portion 36a of locking piston 36 normally bearing against the snap-ring 35 along a beveled edge form one end of the chamber 29, while the other end of the chamber is formed by an in clined shoulder 33 on an annular collar 34 formed on the sleeve 30. The snap-ring 35 is resilient and engages an inner surface of the section 12. The snap ring 35 expands outwardly increasing the size of a slot 35a (FIG.

4) formed therein, to engage the walls of a locking recess 12a formed in the interior surface of the section 12. A lower surface of the locking detent 35 engages a shoulder surface 33b of the sleeve 30 adjacent the in clined wall 33 for causing downward movement of the sleeve 30, as will be more evident hereinbelow.

A slot or longitudinal groove 36b is formed in the locking piston 36 on a surface adjacent the portion of section 12 in which the control passage 25 is formed. The slot 36b permits fluid communication from the control passage 25 and the port 28 to the chamber 29 when the piston 36 is to be moved upwardly, as will be set forth hereinbelow. The locking piston 36 carries

rings

36c and 36d to provide a seal between the locking piston 36 and the upper section 12 and sleeve 30, respectively.

The collar 34 slidably engages the inner wall of hous ing section 12 and is provided with a sealing O-ring 340.

A second expansible locking chamber 38 between the sleeve 30 and the section 12 above the piston 36 communicates with a locking passage 26 of the housing H through a port 27 for the egress and ingress of fluid during longitudinal movement of the sleeve 30 relative to the housing H. Packings 31 and a packing nut 32 are provided in the chamber 38. The locking passage 26 is a part of a second conduit or locking conduit 23 including the passage 26 terminating in a threaded fitting or inlet socket for attachment of a hose or pipe 230 leading to the ground level or surface.

A stop ring 40 is provided which bears against an in ternal shoulder 41 of the section 12. The stop ring 40 forms one end of an expansible lower chamber 39 between the sleeve 30 and the section 12. The lower chamber 39 communicates through a port 37 with the locking passage 26. An inclined wall 33a on the annular collar 34 forms the other end of the chamber 39.

It should be noted, as is evident from the drawings, that the locking chamber 38 forms a larger annular cross-sectional area with the locking piston 36 and the packing nut 32 than the annular cross-sectional area formed in the lower chamber 39 by the inclined wall 33a andstop ring40. Accordingly, fluid pressure in the locking conduit 23 and passage 26 exerts a net downward force on the sleeve .30 by, operating across a greater annular cross-sectional area thereof in the locking chamber 38 than in the lower chamber 39.

A packing 42 is positioned between the ring 40 and the threaded end 16 of housing section 13. One or more securing set screws (not shown) may be provided to secure the housing section 13 to the housing section 12. I

The upper valve actuating sleeve 30 has a mounting collar 62 (FIG. 18) mounted to a lower end 30a thereof, with an O-ring 62a therebetween. A fourth annular chamber 63 is formed between the housing section 13, the mounting collar 62 and a ball-type valve B (FIG. 1B). The collar 62 has an upper surface 65 for engagement with a shoulder 67 on the housing section 13. An annular seat ring 68 formed of rubber, metal, plastic or other suitable material is internally threaded in the collar 62 for sealingly engaging the upstream face of ball valve B.

The collar 62 has four external splines or wings (not shown) in quatrature slidably positioned in corresponding longitudinal grooves in the inner surface of housing section 13, with sector-shaped ridges therebetween which prevent rotation of the sleeve section 30 relative to the housing H.

Slidably received in a slightly enlarged upper portion 74 of the adapter sub 21 is a lower valve actuator sleeve 75 which, at its upper end, bears against the ball valve B.

The lower sleeve 75 has an intermediate external collar 76 extending into a chamber 77 for engagement by a heavy coiled compression spring 770 which also engages the adapter 21.

A valve pivot means 80 has a lower collar 81 and an upwardly extending tongue portion 85 (FIG. 5). An outer surface 81a of the collar 81 bears against the housing I-I (FIG. 18). Two of the pivot means 80 are mounted within the housing section 13 on diametrically opposed sides thereof contacting each other at flat end surfaces 81b of the collars 81. A sleeve 78 mounted in the chamber 77 above the adapter sub 21 maintains each of the pivot means 80 in proper position in the housing section 13. The pivot means 80 may be integrally formed with or otherwise suitably mounted with the housing 13 if desired. A set screw may be used to lock and retain the pivot means 80 in position in the housing section 13, if desired. The tongues 85 include inwardly projecting pivot pins (FIGS. 18 and 5) which are received in slots or recesses 91 in a flat side surface 92 formed on diametrically opposed faces of the ball valve B. An end wall 9111 on the faceof the ball valve B retains the pin 90 in the slot 91 and prevents the pin 90 from becoming unseated during movement of the ball valve B. The pivot pins 90 of the valve pivot means 80 slide within the grooves 91 in the surfaces 92 of the valve B and permit rotational movement, as will be set forth below, of the valve B with respect to the housing H from a closed position (FIG. 8) blocking the well tubing to a partially open position (FIG. 7) to an open position (FIG. 6), permitting passage of well fluid through the well tubing. The tongues 85 have complementary flat surfaces 95 abutting the valve surfaces 92 upon which the valve surfaces 92 rotate.

The valve 8 (FIG. 5) is generally ball shaped with a cylindrical through passage 96 which, in diameter, substantially equals the internal diameter of the

valve actuator sections

30 and 75 and also the adapters l7 and 2 1 which, in turn, have substantially the same internal diameter as that of the conventional tubing string (not shown) connected thereto. In other words, the valve has a full opening when in the open position (FIGS. 2 and 6) for the passage of well tools and for performing well operations therethrough.

In use or operation, the safety valve of this invention is inserted in a production tubing string in a well where it is desired to provide for automatic closing of the well in the event the well pressure should become excessive, indicating possible imminence of a blowout. Normally, the spring 77 urges the lower actuator sleeve 75 upwardly to maintain the valve passage 96 transversely of the flow passage within the

sleeves

30 and 75 to thereby position the valve in the closed position (FIGS. 18). The full force of well pressure then is exerted against the lower face of the ball valve B urging it into sealing contact with the ring 68, the upward movement of which is limited by the engagement of the shoulder 65 with the shoulder 67, so that the flow passage is effectively sealed off.

In order to open the valve, control fluid under pressure is supplied selectively as indicated by an arrow 100 (FIG. 2) from the surface through the operating conduit 22 including operating passage 25 and port 28 and into the expansible operating chamber 29. A net downward fluid pressure is applied to the shoulder 33b the inclined shoulder 33 and the seal 34a on the operating sleeve 30 to move the operating sleeve 30 downwardly and causes rotation of the ball valve B about the pivot pins 90 from the closed position (FIG. 8) to a partially open position (FIG. 7) and finally to the open position (FIGS. 2 and 6) with the valve passage96 aligned with the flow passage through the

valve actuator sections

30 and 75.

It should be noted that when the control fluid is supplied through conduit 22 to open the valve B, the conduit 25 is not pressurized, creating a pressure differential between the presurized chambers 29 and the

unpressurized chambers

38 and 39, causing the sleeve 30 to move downwardly and engage the valve B, and may open such valve independently of pressure in the well tubing, while permitting use of the safety valve of the present invention at lower depths and with higher tubing pressures and at higher flow rates of fluid through the well tubing.

In the fully open position of the ball valve B, the spring 77 is substantially fully compressed (FIG. 2). Thus, in normal operation of the safety valve of this invention, the ball valve B is held in the open position by the control fluid which overcomes the returning force of the spring 77. To return the ball valve B to the closed position automatically when the well pressure reaches a predetermined point, such well pressure below the ball valve B must be sufficiently high to overcome the control fluid pressure in the chamber 29. When the control fluid pressure is overcome or offset by the 'downhole well pressure acting upwardly below the valve B, the compressed spring 77 then acts to move the lower valve actuator sleeve 75 upwardly so that the ball B is rotated about the eccentric pivot pins 90to rotate the ball valve B from the open position (FIG. 2) to the closed position (FIG. 1B). 7

When it becomes desirable to locktheball valveB in the fully open position illustrated in FIG. 2, the pressure inthe conduit 22 and chamber 29 is abated. Control fluid under pressure is introduced into the conduit 23 and locking passage 26 in the sleeve 30 from the surface as indicated by the

arrows

101 and 101a (FIG. 3).

' locking recess 12a and engages the surface 33b (FIG.

3) preventing upward movement of the sleeve 30 and a one of the conduits 22 or 23. Nlormally, failure of a conduit would cause the sub-surface 'valve to lock in the closed position, requiring removal of the well tubing to replace the inoperable safety valve. With the plural conduits 22 and 23, failure of one of the conduits 22 and 23 does not prevent the introduction of pressure through the other to move the sleeve 30 downwardly.

For example, in the event of failure of the conduit 22 orbase 22a through which control fluid is normally conveyed to the chamber 29 to open the valve B, the conduit 23 is used to convey fluid under pressure to the

chambers

38 and 39. The fluid in the

chambers

38 and 39 exerts a downward force on the piston 36 and locking detent 35, moving the sleeve 30 The sleeve 30 en gages the ball valve B and rotates such valve to the open position, preventing the necessity of shutting in the well to remove such valve to open the well tubing for passage of well fluids therethrough. Similarly, in the event of failure of the conduit 23, control fluid is introduced into the chamber 29 from the conduit 22, moving the sleeve 30 downwardly to engage the ball valve B and rotate the valve B to the open position, opening the well tubing for passage of well fluids therethrough.

The locking means illustrated and described is normally used when it isdesired to leave the valve B in the open position (FIGS. 2 and 3) for an extended period of time, and sometimes permanently. Occasionally it is required that the ball valve B be closed even after it has been locked open by the locking means.

Control fluid under pressure is introduced into conduit 22, the passage 25, and through the port 28and slot 36b into the chamber 29, expanding the size of the chamber 29 and moving the piston upwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 2. The fluid pressure in the chamber 29 retains the locking detent 35 in the locking recess 12a and exerts a downward force on the upper surface 33b and inclined wall 33 retaining the sleeve 30 and locking. the ball valve B open. 1

" Subsequently, the downward fluid pressure in the conduit 22 and passage25 is abated, permitting the spring 77 to urge the valve pivot means 80 upwardly rotating the ball valve B to the. closed position blocking the well tubing. The spring 77 further urges the mounting collar .62 and operating 1sleeve'30 upwardly, with the upper surface 33b of the collar 33 engaging the locking detent 35 and causing contraction and upward movement of such detent.

To facilitate such contraction, the detent ring 35 preferably has an upper tapered annular surface 35b which is in contact with a similar tapered surface 12b when the locking ring 35 is in the recess 12. Such surfaces permit an inward and upward sliding action of the ring 35, and since the ring is split and has sufficient space 35b to contract back to its original diameter so as to fit within the bore of the housing section 12, the upwardforce thus causes the upward movement of the locking ring detent 35 back to the position shown in FIG. 1A. After the ring detent 3 5 has thus been released to the unlocked position, normal usage of the valve may take place if it is desired.

It should be understood that an alternateball-type valve of essentially the same structure as the ball valve B, except that the pins and slots for the pivoting action have been reversed, may be used with the presentinvention. The movements of the alternate ball valve are the same as heretofore described. in connection with the ball valve B, as will be well understood by those skilled in the art.

It should be further understood that alternate. structure for mounting the ball valve B with the housing H, such as for example that set forth in my copending US. Pat. application, Ser. No. 72,034, may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

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.

I claim:

1. A safety valve for regulating flow through a well tubing comprising:

a. a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough and adapted to be connected at its upper and lower ends to a well tubing;

b. a ball-type valve disposed in the bore of said housing for rotational movement to and from open and closed positions;

0. operating sleeve means disposed in said housing said operating sleeve means being operable to move with respect to said housing and engage said ball-type valve to cause rotational movement thereof; I

d. said operating sleeve means and said housing further forming an expansible operating chamber and an expansible locking chamber between said sleeve and said housing;

e. operating conduit means for conveying fluid to said expansible operating chamber, wherein said operating chamber expands and said operating sleeve means moves relative to said housing to move said ball-type valve to an open position responsive to fluid in said operating conduit means;

f. locking conduitmeans for conveying fluid to said expansible locking chamber, wherein said locking chamber expands and said operating sleeve moves relative to said housing to move saidball-type valve to an open position in response to fluid in said locking conduit means; and

g. retaining means for locking said operating sleeve means in position engaging said ball-type valve in an open position, and maintaining said ball-type valve in an open position, wherein the position of said valve is controlled by fluid in said conduit means- 2. The structure of claim l,wherein said operating conduit means comprises:

operating passage means formed in said housing and receiving fluid at an inlet socket and conveying such fluid to an outlet in said housing adjacent said expansible operating chamber.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said locking conduit means comprises:

locking passage means formed in said housing and receiving fluid at an inlet socket and conveying such fluid to an outlet in said housing adjacent said expansible locking chamber.

4. The structure of claim 1, wherein said operating sleeve means comprises:

a. operating sleeve means for contacting said balltype valve means and causing rotational movement thereof; and

b. said operating sleeve moving with respect to said housing to form said expansible operating chamher.

5. The structure of claim 4, further including:

a. locking piston means disposed between said engaging sleeve means and said housing; and

b. said locking piston means moving with respect to said engaging sleeve means and said housing to form said expansible locking chamber.

6. The structure of claim I, further including:

a. said operating sleeve means comprising operating sleeve means for contacting said ball-type valve means and causing rotational movement thereof said operating sleeve means maintaining said .balltype valve in an open position when contacting said ball-type valve means;

b. locking piston means disposed between said engaging sleeve means and said housing locking said piston means moving responsive to fluid pressure in said locking conduit means;

c. said retaining means comprising locking detent means moving in response to movement of said locking piston means; and I d. locking recess means in said housing for receiving said locking detent means when said detent means has moved into alignment therewith, wherein the locking detent locks said operating sleeve contacting said ball-type valve locked in the open position.

7. The structure of claim 6, further including:

a. spring means to normally urge said operating sleeve means to a position maintaining said balltype valve means in a closed position blocking the well-tubing and said bore in said housing.

8. The structure of claim 7, wherein:

a. said spring means moves said operating sleeve means upwardly in response to absence of pressure in said operating conduit means and said locking conduit means; i

b. said operating sleeve means has an external collar formed therewith for engaging said detent means and removing said detent means from said locking means on upward movement of said operating sleeve, wherein said ball-type valve is released from the locked open position.

9. The structure of claim 1', further including:

means for unlocking said operating sleeve means from the position engaging said ball-type valve in the open position, wherein the ball-type valve is unlocked from the open position.

10. A subsurface safety valve for regulating flow through a well tubing independently of the pressure in the tubing, comprising:

a. a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough and adapted tobe mounted with a well tubing;

0. operating sleeve means disposed in said housing and operable to move with respect to said housing to cause rotational movement of said ball-type valve;

(i. said operating sleeve means forming an expansible operating chamber and an expansible locking chamber between said sleeve and said housing; and

e. said operating sleeve means and said housing moving with respect to each other in response to differential fluid pressure in said expansible fluid chambers, wherein said valve may beopened by said operating sleeve means independently of the pressure in the tubing by greater fluid pressure in either of said expansible chambers effecting the differential fluid pressure.

11. The structure of claim 10, further including:

a. first conduit means for conveying fluid to and from a first of said plurality of chambers to selectively increase or decrease the pressure in said first chamber; and

b. second conduit means for conveying fluid to and from a second of said plurality of chambers to selectively increase or decrease the fluid pressure in said second chamber, wherein the fluid pressure in said chambers may be regulated independently of the pressure in the tubing to operate said valve means.

12. The structure of claim 10, wherein said operating sleeve means comprises:

means for causing rotational movement of said balltype means and maintaining said ball-type valve in an open position when the pressure in said expansible locking chamber is increased above the pressure in said expansible operating chamber.

13. A safety valve for regulating flow through a well tubing, comprising i a. a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough and adapted to be connected at its upper and lower ends to a well tubing;

c. operating sleeve means disposed in said housing said operating sleeve means. being operable to move with respect to said housing and engage said ball-type valve to cause rotational movement thereof;

d. said operating sleeve means and said housing further forming a plurality of expansible fluid chambers therebetween;

e. first conduit means for conveying fluid to a first of said plurality of chambers for moving said operating sleeve means to a position opening said balltype valve means; and

f. second conduit means for conveying fluid to a secnd of said plurality of chambers for moving said operating sleeve means to the position opening said ball-type valve means sosaid first and said second fluid conduits are alternatively available for conductingfluid to said chambers for opening said ball-type valve means and wherein failure of fluid supply to one of said chambers does not render the safety valve inoperable. r

14. A valve for regulating flow through a well tubing,

comprising:

b. stopper valve means for opening and closingthe bore;

c. means for moving said stopper valve means to and from positions opening and closing the bore;

d. first control means for controlling said means for moving said stopper valve means for opening the bore; and

e. second control meansfor controlling said means for moving said stopper valve means for opening including:

the bore wherein said first and said second control means alternately control operation of said stopper valvemeans.

15. The structure of claim 14, wherein:

said first control means comprises means operable independently of the bore pressure for controlling said means for moving.

16. The structure of claim 14, wherein:

said second control means comprises means operable independently of the bore pressure for controlling said means for moving.

17. The structure of claim 14, wherein:

a. said first control means comprises means operable independently of the bore pressure for controlling said means for moving; and

b. said second control means comprises means operable independently of the bore pressure for controlling said means for moving.

18. The structure of claim 14, further including:

retaining means for preventing said means for moving from operating said stopper means to close the bore. I

19..The structure of claim 18 further including:

means for releasing said retaining means to enable said means for securing to operate said stopper means to close the bore.

20. A safety valve adapted to be mounted in a tubing,

a. a housing having a bore .therethrough;

b. stopper means for opening and closingsaid bore to flow therethrough; I i

0. means for moving said stopper means to and from positionsopening and closing said bore;

(1. first control means for controlling said means for moving said stopper-means to move said stopper means for opening said here;

e. second control means for controlling said means for movingsaid stopper means to movesaid stopper means for opening said bore wherein said bore is open to flow by either said first or said second control means.

21. The structure as set forth in claim 20, including:

means for locking said stopper means in position for opening said bore to flow therethrough when said second control means moves said stopper means for opening said bore.

22. The structure as set forth in claim 21, including:

means for unlocking said stopper means from the position for opening said bore to flow therethrough when said firstcontrol means moves said stopper for opening said bore. r i

23. The structure as set forth in. claim 20, wherein:

said first control means and said second control means controlling said means for moving said stopper means for permitting movement thereof independent of fluid pressure in said'bore.

24. The structure as set forth in claim 20, including:

spring means for normally urging said means for moving said stopper means to the position for closing said bore.

25. The structure asset forth in claim 23, wherein:

said means for moving said stopper means is responsive to the fluid pressure in said bore for moving said stopper means to the position for closing said bore. r

26. The structure as set forth in claim 23, wherein:

said first control means including a first expansible chamber for controlling said means for moving said stopper means to move said stopper means for opening said bore in response to the fluid pressure in said first expansible chamber; and

said second'control means including a second expansible chamber located relative to said first expansible chamber that increased pressure in said first chamber effects a pressure differential therebetween to operate said means for moving said stopper to open said bore wherein the differential pressure between said first and said second chamber overcomes said spring means for opening said stopper means.

27. The structure as set forth in claim 26, wherein:

said means for moving said stopper means is responsive to the fluid pressure in said bore wherein the differential pressure overcomes said spring means and the pressure in said bore for opening said bore.

28. A safety valve adapted to be mounted in a well tubing at a subsurface location for controlling flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing including:

a. a housing having a bore therethrough and adapted for mounting with the well tubing with said bore in communication with the bore of the well tubing;

b. stopper means movable for opening and closing said bore to flow therethrough;

c. first control means for moving said stopper means for opening said bore to flow therethrough;

d. second control means for locking said stopper means from moving to close said bore to flow therethrough wherein said stopper means is controlled by said first or said second control means to control flow through the bore of the tubing.

29. The structure as set forth in claim 28, wherein:

said second control means moves said stopper means for opening said bore to flow therethrough before locking said stopper means from moving to close said bore to flow therethrough.

30. The structure as set forth in claim 28, including:

said first control means releasing said stopper means from the locking position for permitting said stopper means to move to close said bore to flow therethrough.

31. The structure as set forth in claim 28, including:

operator means movably disposed in said housing for moving said stopper means for opening and closing said bore to flow therethrough;

said first control means comprising a first expansible chamber formed by said housing for moving said operator means to move said stopper means for opening said bore with fluid pressure in said first expansible chamber;

said second control means comprising a second expansible chamber formed by said housing for locking said stopper means from moving to close said bore to flow therethrough with fluid pressure in said first expansible chamber;

said second control means comprising a second expansible chamber formed by said housing for locking said stopper means from moving to close said bore to flow therethrough with fluid pressure in said second expansible chamber.

32. The structure as set forth in claim 31, wherein:

said second expansible chamber located for moving said operator means to move said stopper means for opening said bore with fluid pressure in said expansible chamber.

33. The structure as set forth in claim 31, wherein:

said first expansible chamber and said second expansible chamber located for moving said plug means in response to difi'erential fluid pressure between said first and said second expansible fluid chamber wherein the safety valve is operated.

34. The structure as set forth in claim 33, wherein:

said first control means includes first conduit means for conveying fluid to and from said first expansible chamber to selectively increase or decrease the pressure in said first expansible chamber wherein the safety valve is operated.

35. The structure as set forth in claim 34, wherein:

said second control means includes second conduit means for conveying fluid to and from said second expansible chamber to selectively increase or decrease the pressure in said second expansible chamber wherein the safety valve is operated by the differential pressure selectively conveyed by said first and said second conduit means.

Claims

1. A safety valve for regulating flow through a well tubing comprising: a. a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough and adapted to be connected at its upper and lower ends to a well tubing; b. a ball-type valve disposed in the bore of said housing for rotational movement to and from open and closed positions; c. operating sleeve means disposed in said housing said operating sleeve means being operable to move with respect to said housing and engage said ball-type valve to cause rotational movement thereof; d. said operating sleeve means and said housing further forming an expansible operating chamber and an expansible locking chamber between said sleeve and said housing; e. operating conduit means for conveying fluid to said expansible operating chamber, wherein said operating chamber expands and said operating sleeve means moves relative to said housing to move said ball-type valve to an open position responsive to fluid in said operating conduit means; f. locking conduit means for conveying fluid to said expansible locking chamber, wherein said locking chamber expands and said operating sleeve moves relative to said housing to move said ball-type valve to an open position in response to fluid in said locking conduit means; and g. retaining means for locking said operating sleeve means in position engaging said ball-type valve in an open position, and maintaining said ball-type valve in an open position, wherein the position of said valve is controlled by fluid in said conduit means.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said operating conduit means comprises: operating passage means formed in said housing and receiving fluid at an inlet socket and conveying such fluid to an outlet in said housing adjacent said expansible operating chamber.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said locking conduit means comprises: locking passage means formed in said hOusing and receiving fluid at an inlet socket and conveying such fluid to an outlet in said housing adjacent said expansible locking chamber.

4. The structure of claim 1, wherein said operating sleeve means comprises: a. operating sleeve means for contacting said ball-type valve means and causing rotational movement thereof; and b. said operating sleeve moving with respect to said housing to form said expansible operating chamber.

5. The structure of claim 4, further including: a. locking piston means disposed between said engaging sleeve means and said housing; and b. said locking piston means moving with respect to said engaging sleeve means and said housing to form said expansible locking chamber.

6. The structure of claim 1, further including: a. said operating sleeve means comprising operating sleeve means for contacting said ball-type valve means and causing rotational movement thereof said operating sleeve means maintaining said ball-type valve in an open position when contacting said ball-type valve means; b. locking piston means disposed between said engaging sleeve means and said housing locking said piston means moving responsive to fluid pressure in said locking conduit means; c. said retaining means comprising locking detent means moving in response to movement of said locking piston means; and d. locking recess means in said housing for receiving said locking detent means when said detent means has moved into alignment therewith, wherein the locking detent locks said operating sleeve contacting said ball-type valve locked in the open position.

7. The structure of claim 6, further including: a. spring means to normally urge said operating sleeve means to a position maintaining said ball-type valve means in a closed position blocking the well-tubing and said bore in said housing.

8. The structure of claim 7, wherein: a. said spring means moves said operating sleeve means upwardly in response to absence of pressure in said operating conduit means and said locking conduit means; b. said operating sleeve means has an external collar formed therewith for engaging said detent means and removing said detent means from said locking means on upward movement of said operating sleeve, wherein said ball-type valve is released from the locked open position.

9. The structure of claim 1, further including: means for unlocking said operating sleeve means from the position engaging said ball-type valve in the open position, wherein the ball-type valve is unlocked from the open position.

10. A subsurface safety valve for regulating flow through a well tubing independently of the pressure in the tubing, comprising: a. a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough and adapted to be mounted with a well tubing; b. a ball-type valve disposed in the bore of said housing for rotational movement to and from open and closed positions; c. operating sleeve means disposed in said housing and operable to move with respect to said housing to cause rotational movement of said ball-type valve; d. said operating sleeve means forming an expansible operating chamber and an expansible locking chamber between said sleeve and said housing; and e. said operating sleeve means and said housing moving with respect to each other in response to differential fluid pressure in said expansible fluid chambers, wherein said valve may be opened by said operating sleeve means independently of the pressure in the tubing by greater fluid pressure in either of said expansible chambers effecting the differential fluid pressure.

11. The structure of claim 10, further including: a. first conduit means for conveying fluid to and from a first of said plurality of chambers to selectively increase or decrease the pressure in said first chamber; and b. second conduit means for conveying fluid to and from a second of said plurality of chambers to selectively increase or decrease the fluid pressure in said second chamber, wherein the fluid pressure in said chambers may be regulated independently of the pressure in the tubing to operate said valve means.

12. The structure of claim 10, wherein said operating sleeve means comprises: means for causing rotational movement of said ball-type means and maintaining said ball-type valve in an open position when the pressure in said expansible locking chamber is increased above the pressure in said expansible operating chamber.

13. A safety valve for regulating flow through a well tubing, comprising: a. a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough and adapted to be connected at its upper and lower ends to a well tubing; b. a ball-type valve disposed in the bore of said housing for rotational movement to and from open and closed positions; c. operating sleeve means disposed in said housing said operating sleeve means being operable to move with respect to said housing and engage said ball-type valve to cause rotational movement thereof; d. said operating sleeve means and said housing further forming a plurality of expansible fluid chambers therebetween; e. first conduit means for conveying fluid to a first of said plurality of chambers for moving said operating sleeve means to a position opening said ball-type valve means; and f. second conduit means for conveying fluid to a second of said plurality of chambers for moving said operating sleeve means to the position opening said ball-type valve means so said first and said second fluid conduits are alternatively available for conducting fluid to said chambers for opening said ball-type valve means and wherein failure of fluid supply to one of said chambers does not render the safety valve inoperable.

14. A valve for regulating flow through a well tubing, comprising: a. a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough and adapted to be connected at its upper and lower ends to a well tubing; b. stopper valve means for opening and closing the bore; c. means for moving said stopper valve means to and from positions opening and closing the bore; d. first control means for controlling said means for moving said stopper valve means for opening the bore; and e. second control means for controlling said means for moving said stopper valve means for opening the bore wherein said first and said second control means alternately control operation of said stopper valve means.

15. The structure of claim 14, wherein: said first control means comprises means operable independently of the bore pressure for controlling said means for moving.

16. The structure of claim 14, wherein: said second control means comprises means operable independently of the bore pressure for controlling said means for moving.

17. The structure of claim 14, wherein: a. said first control means comprises means operable independently of the bore pressure for controlling said means for moving; and b. said second control means comprises means operable independently of the bore pressure for controlling said means for moving.

18. The structure of claim 14, further including: retaining means for preventing said means for moving from operating said stopper means to close the bore.

19. The structure of claim 18 further including: means for releasing said retaining means to enable said means for securing to operate said stopper means to close the bore.

20. A safety valve adapted to be mounted in a tubing, including: a. a housing having a bore therethrough; b. stopper means for opening and closing said bore to flow therethrough; c. means for moving said stopper means to and from positions opening and closing said bore; d. first control means for controlling said means for moving said stopper means to move said stopper means for opening said bore; e. second control means for controlling said means for moving said stopper means to move said stopper means for opening said bore wherein Said bore is open to flow by either said first or said second control means.

21. The structure as set forth in claim 20, including: means for locking said stopper means in position for opening said bore to flow therethrough when said second control means moves said stopper means for opening said bore.

22. The structure as set forth in claim 21, including: means for unlocking said stopper means from the position for opening said bore to flow therethrough when said first control means moves said stopper for opening said bore.

23. The structure as set forth in claim 20, wherein: said first control means and said second control means controlling said means for moving said stopper means for permitting movement thereof independent of fluid pressure in said bore.

24. The structure as set forth in claim 20, including: spring means for normally urging said means for moving said stopper means to the position for closing said bore.

25. The structure as set forth in claim 23, wherein: said means for moving said stopper means is responsive to the fluid pressure in said bore for moving said stopper means to the position for closing said bore.

26. The structure as set forth in claim 23, wherein: said first control means including a first expansible chamber for controlling said means for moving said stopper means to move said stopper means for opening said bore in response to the fluid pressure in said first expansible chamber; and said second control means including a second expansible chamber located relative to said first expansible chamber that increased pressure in said first chamber effects a pressure differential therebetween to operate said means for moving said stopper to open said bore wherein the differential pressure between said first and said second chamber overcomes said spring means for opening said stopper means.

27. The structure as set forth in claim 26, wherein: said means for moving said stopper means is responsive to the fluid pressure in said bore wherein the differential pressure overcomes said spring means and the pressure in said bore for opening said bore.

28. A safety valve adapted to be mounted in a well tubing at a subsurface location for controlling flow of fluid through the bore of the well tubing including: a. a housing having a bore therethrough and adapted for mounting with the well tubing with said bore in communication with the bore of the well tubing; b. stopper means movable for opening and closing said bore to flow therethrough; c. first control means for moving said stopper means for opening said bore to flow therethrough; d. second control means for locking said stopper means from moving to close said bore to flow therethrough wherein said stopper means is controlled by said first or said second control means to control flow through the bore of the tubing.

29. The structure as set forth in claim 28, wherein: said second control means moves said stopper means for opening said bore to flow therethrough before locking said stopper means from moving to close said bore to flow therethrough.

30. The structure as set forth in claim 28, including: said first control means releasing said stopper means from the locking position for permitting said stopper means to move to close said bore to flow therethrough.

31. The structure as set forth in claim 28, including: operator means movably disposed in said housing for moving said stopper means for opening and closing said bore to flow therethrough; said first control means comprising a first expansible chamber formed by said housing for moving said operator means to move said stopper means for opening said bore with fluid pressure in said first expansible chamber; said second control means comprising a second expansible chamber formed by said housing for locking said stopper means from moving to close said bore to flow therethrough with fluid pressure in said first expansible chamber; said seCond control means comprising a second expansible chamber formed by said housing for locking said stopper means from moving to close said bore to flow therethrough with fluid pressure in said second expansible chamber.

32. The structure as set forth in claim 31, wherein: said second expansible chamber located for moving said operator means to move said stopper means for opening said bore with fluid pressure in said expansible chamber.

33. The structure as set forth in claim 31, wherein: said first expansible chamber and said second expansible chamber located for moving said plug means in response to differential fluid pressure between said first and said second expansible fluid chamber wherein the safety valve is operated.

34. The structure as set forth in claim 33, wherein: said first control means includes first conduit means for conveying fluid to and from said first expansible chamber to selectively increase or decrease the pressure in said first expansible chamber wherein the safety valve is operated.

35. The structure as set forth in claim 34, wherein: said second control means includes second conduit means for conveying fluid to and from said second expansible chamber to selectively increase or decrease the pressure in said second expansible chamber wherein the safety valve is operated by the differential pressure selectively conveyed by said first and said second conduit means.