US3826462A

US3826462A - Large bore rotary safety valves for wells

Info

Publication number: US3826462A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Taylor
Original assignee: Otis Engineering Corp
Current assignee: Halliburton Co
Priority date: 1972-11-01
Filing date: 1972-11-01
Publication date: 1974-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 1991-07-30

Abstract

Rotary ball type safety valves for wells having a large bore therethrough for large flow capacity. Actuating means for the valves includes spring loading means disposed in a section of the valve spaced from the locking mechanism and adapted to permit the valves to be redressed without disturbing the spring assembly, which also permits higher strength springs to be used in the valves. Multiple springs or modular springs and multiple or modular fluid pressure actuating mechanisms are provided for the valves, and equalizing structures provide for equalization of pressures across the valve closure before the same is moved between open and closed positions. Stronger and more accurate actuating means structure for rotation of the rotary valve between open and closed positions is provided, and an open structure permits for escape of sand and foreign matter which might otherwise affect operation of the valves.

Description

United States Patent [191 Taylor [11] 3,826,462 [451 July 30, 1974 1 1 LARGE BORE ROTARY SAFETY VALVES FOR WELLS [75] Inventor: Frank H. Taylor, Carrollton, Tex.

[73] Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation, Dallas, Tex.

[22] Filed: Nov. 1, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 302,661

1521 US. Cl. 251/58 [51] int. Cl. F16k 31/12 [58] Field of Search 137/315, 629, 630, 630.19, l37/630.22, 496, 498; 251/315, 58, 62, 63.4; 175/234, 235; 166/224, 226

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,007,669 11/1961 Frcdd 251/58 X 3,233,860 2/1966 Dollison ct a1 251/58 3,703,193 11/1972 Ruulins 251/634 X 1724,475 4/1973 Ruppel 251/62 x Primary Examiner-Henry T. Klinksiek [5 7 ABSTRACT Rotary ball type safety valves for wells having a large bore therethrough for large flow capacity. Actuating means for the valves includes spring loading means disposed in a section of the valve spaced from the locking mechanism and adapted to permit the valves to be redressed without disturbing the spring assembly, which also permits higher strength springs to be used in the valves. Multiple springs or modular springs and multiple or modular fluid pressure actuating mechanisms are provided for the valves, and equalizing structures provide for equalization of pressures across the valve closure before the same is moved between open and closed positions. Stronger and more accurate actuating means structure for rotation of the rotary-valve between open and closed positions is provided, and an open structure permits for escape of sand and foreign matter which might otherwise affect operation of the valves.

11 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures LARGE BORE ROTARY SAFETY VALVES FOR WELLS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to new and useful improvements in large bore rotary safety valves for wells.

An important object of the invention is to provide a rotary valve of the ball type having a large flow passage through the valve and the ball closure member, and means for equalizing fluid pressures on opposite sides of the closure member to permit movement thereof be tween open and closed positions without application of full well pressure thereto.

A further important object of the invention is to pro vide in a valve of the character described spring biasing means for normally biasing the valve toward closed position wherein the spring mechanism is disposed as a separate sub-assembly with respect to the valve in a position to permit servicing of the valve to replace seals, seats and other elements which wear without requiring removal and replacement of the springs, thus permitting the valve to be serviced with a minimum of equipment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a valve actuating mechanism including modular fluid pressure actuating means for moving the valve to the open position and controlling the operation of the valve from the surface, together with modular spring actuating means for biasing the valve toward closed position, which provide for use of the valve at greater depths and under higher pressure and using lower control fluid pressure for controlling the actuation thereof from the surface.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an actuating means for rotating the valve closure member between open and closed positions wherein the connection between actuating means and the valve includes improved coengageable means for causing rotation of the valve, wherein the actuating means includes no welds or threads or the like, but utilizes unitary high strength structure.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the reading of the following description of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are elongate views, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing a valve constructed in accordance with the invention installed in a well flow conductor and disposed in an open position for permitting flow;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4-A is an isometric view of portions of the valve closure actuator mechanism;

FIG. 4-B is a side elevation of the ball closure member showing the pivot hole and actuating slot on one side of the ball showing the ball in the closed position;

FIG. 4-C is a view similar to 4-B showing the ball closure member rotated to open position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the valve closure member in closed position;

FIG. 6 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section taken at right angles to FIG. 5 showing the valve structure turned degrees from the view of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views similar to FIGS. 1 through 3 of a modified form of the valve, showing the same in open position;

FIG. 9 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the lines 99 of FIG. 8; and,

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of the valve closure portion of the valve showing the same in closed position.

In the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 3, the numeral 10 designates generally a rotary ball type closure safety valve showing the same disposed in a flow conductor in a well.

The well tubing T has a landing nipple L connected therein by means of the usual couplings C. The landing nipple has suitable positioning and locking recesses R of the usual type formed in its bore, and has a sealing surface extending therethrough on either side of a lateral inlet opening or hole 0 in the wall of the landing nipple and communicating with an external boss B having an L-shaped passage P therein communicating with a control fluid line F by means of which control fluid may be conducted from the surface downwardly and inwardly through the inlet opening hole to the bore of the landing nipple.

The valve V of the invention is shown supported in the landing nipple L by a locking mechanism M which is insertable and removable from the well flow conductor and the landing nipple by flexible line lowering mechanisms, or pump-down equipment or the like, if desired, in the usual manner.

The locking mechanism includes an elongate tubular mandrel 15 adapted to be connected to suitable lowering and operating tools (not shown) of the usual type for inserting the same into locking sealing position in the landing nipple L. The mandrel has on its upper portion a carrier sleeve 24 spaced radially from the upper reduced neck portion 23 of the mandrel and confining a plurality of circumferentially spaced locating and locking dogs 17 having outwardly projecting bosses l8 and 19 extending through circumferentially spaced openings 24a in the carrier sleeve and arranged to engage in the locking recess R of the landing nipple. The dogs are biased toward the projecting position by an elongate leaf spring 20 which engages the inner face of the dogs and forces the same outwardly of the sleeve 24 into position to engage in the locking recess. An enlarged external annular locking surface 21 is formed on the lower end of a locking sleeve 22 which is slidable on the neck 23 of the elongate mandrel 15 within the sleeve 24, and a finishing neck member 16 is connected to the upper end of the locking sleeve. The locking surface 21 engages and releasably holds the dogs 17 in expanded position in the locking recess of the landing nipple. The mandrel 15 has a sealing section 25 below the carrier sleeve on which a plurality of upper sealing rings 26-are mounted for sealing between the mandrel and the sealing surface 27 in the bore of the landing nipple L. The lower end of the mandrel 15 below the sealing rings is provided with coarse threads 28 by means of which the upper end of the valve V is connected to the mandrel.

Thevalve V has an elongate tubular housing 30 having at its upper end a connector sub 31 by means of which the assembly is connected to the mandrel 15,

3. with the lower beveled frustoconical end 250' of the mandrel 15 of the locking mechanism M engaging an upwardly facing beveled seat 31a in the connector sub for sealing between the lower end of the mandrel 25 and the seat of the connector sub. The housing also includes a pair of elongate tubular upper and lower pressure cylinders 32a and 32b, respectively, connected in tandem and threaded to thelower end of the sub 31, and a lower packing mandrel section 33 below the pressure cylinders having a plurality of external annular seal rings 34 secured thereon for sealing between the valve V and the sealing surface in the bore of the landing nipple L. Within the upper pressure cylinder 32a is disposed an upper piston 35a which has an enlarged external annular piston portion 36a having an external annular groove with a sealing assembly 37a therein comprising a seal ring and a pair of anti-extrusion rings. The piston 35a has its upper end portion reduced in diameter and extending through a reduced bore 31b in the lower portion of the connecting sub 31. The reduced bore of the connecting sub has an internal annular recess therein in which a sealing assembly 40a is disposed for sealing between the piston and the connecting sub. The lower piston 35b is longer than the upper piston 35a, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, since the upper piston extends upwardly only into the connector sub 31 while the lower piston 35b extends upwardly through the lower cylinder 32b into the upper cylinder 32a, and into an enlarged bore 350 in the lower end of the upper piston 35a. Between the seal ring 37a on the exterior of the piston head 36a and the internal annular seal ring 40a in the connector sub is formed a pressure chamber 45a. Likewise, a pressure chamber 45b is formed in the cylinder 32b between the piston head enlargement 36b on the piston 35b and the internal sealing ring assembly 40b in the reduced bore 38 at the lower end of the cylinder 32a. I

Lateral control fluid pressure inlet openings or ports 49a and 49b are formed in the walls of the upper cylinder 32a and the lower cylinder 32b,respectively, between the seal rings 37a and 40a of the upper chamber 45a and the seal rings 37b and 40b of the lower chamber 45b. Thus, control fluid pressure introduced through the control fluid line F and the lateral inlet opening into the bore of the landingnipple L between the

seal ring assemblies

26 and 34 will pass into the bore of the landing nipple below the sealing assembly 26 and enter the lateral openings 49a and 49b to act on the pistons 35a and 35b disposed in the cylinders 32a and 32b, respectively, to move the pistons downwardly in the cylinders.

The lower end of the lower cylinder 32b is provided with internal coarse screw threads which receive the threads on the upper end of the packing mandrel 33 having the packing assembly 34 thereon and an O-ring seal 51a in an external groove in the. packing mandrel confines the control fluid pressure between the lower packing assembly 34' and the upper packing assembly 26 on the exterior of the valve assembly 10.

An elongate tubular spring housing 55, comprising an upper housing section 56, a central connector sub 57 and a lower spring housing section 58 having a guide shoe 59 at its lower end, is connected at its upper end to the lower end of the packing mandrel 33 by a pair of diametrically opposed longitudinally upwardly ex tending connector arms 60a and 60b. The connector arms have at their upper ends a pair of internally projecting bosses or

flanges

61 and 62 which engage over an external annular flange 63 having an external annular groove 63a formed therein on the lower end of the packing mandrel 33. The external upper portions 60c and 60d of the arms 60a and 60b are reduced and inwardly inclined to fit beneath a thimble cup or frustoconical bored depending flange 65 on the lower end of a locking sleeve 66 which is slidable on the packing mandrel 33 below the packing assembly 34. The cup of the locking sleeve 66 securely holds the upper ends of the arms 60 confined therein and the

flanges

61 and 62 of the arms engaged with the flange 63 and groove 63a at the lower end of the packing mandrel.

As shown in FIG. 2, 5 and 6, a rotary ball valve closure member 70 is disposed in the upper portion of the spring housing 55 between the arms 60a and 60b. The ball 70 has a flow passage 71 extending diametrically therethrough and is supported on a lower movable tubular seat 75 and engages the underside of an upper movable seat 76 which has an elongate operator tube 77 connected to its upper end and extending upwardly through the packing mandrel 33 and into the enlarged bore 39 at the lower end of the lower piston 35b, whereby fluid pressure acting on the pistons 35a and 35b will force the same downwardly to engage the upper end of the operator tube 77 to move the seat 76 downwardly with respect to the packing mandrel 33 and the spring housing 55.

Normally, the ball valve closure member 70 is biased upwardly in the valve assembly 10 by upper and lower 'helical coiled springs 80a and 80b, respectively, disposed within the spring housing 55 and engaging upper and lower spring actuating sleeves 81a and 81b, respectively, the upper spring 80a is confined in the upper spring housing section 56 between a support ring 82 supported on the upper end of the connector sub 57 of the housing and the lower end of the upper spring actuating sleeve 81a thereabove. Within the bore of the upper spring and telescoped into an enlarged bore 83a at the lower end of the upper actuator sleeve 81a is an elongate spacer tube 83 which has its lower end telescoped 'into an enlarged bore 84 in the upper end of the lower spring actuating sleeve 81b. The lower actuating sleeve 81b has an integral depending tube 85 extending downwardly in the bore of the lower helical coiled spring 80b and the lower end of the tube 85 is slidable in the enlarged bore 59a of the housing shoe 59. The lower spring 80b is confined in the lower spring housing section 58.between the upper end 59b of the housing shoe 59 and an adjusting spacer ring 86 which slides over the tubular sleeve 85 and engages the shoulder 810 at the lower end of the lower spring actuating sleeve 81b. The

rings

82 and 86 may serve a dual function; namely, that of supporting the ends of the springs and at the same time applying a predetermined amount of compression to the springs to control the amount of force exerted by the springs on the spring actuating sleeves of the valve assembly. Obviously, by varying the thickness of the rings the compression of the springs may be varied.

The lower valve seat member 75 has a depending reduced tubular sleeve 90 which extends downwardly into and slides in an enlarged bore 91 in the upper end of the bore of the upper actuating member 810, and a shoulder 92 is formed between the seat 75 and the sleeve 90.

The upper end of the spring actuating member 81a engages the lower ends 95a and 105a, respectively of a pair of diametrically opposed

elongate operator links

95 and 105. Each of the

operator links

95 and 105 has an inwardly extending flange 96 and 106, respectively, at its lower end engaged under the shoulder 92 on the lower seat member 75 and an inwardly extending flange or

lug

97 and 197, respectively, at its upper end which is engaged in an external annular groove 98 in the outer surface of the upper seat member 76, as clearly shown in FIG. 6. A central cylindrical pivot pin or boss 100 is formed in the middle portion of the actuating or operating link 95, and an identical pivot pin or boss 110 is formed in the middle portion of the operating link 105. The pivot pin 100 engages in a bore 101 formed in the central portion of a flattened surface 102 formed on one side of the ball closure member 70, and the pivot pin 110 engages in a similar opposite bore 111 formed in the central portion of a flattened surface 112 on the diametrically opposite side of the ball. Thus, the seats 75a and 76a of the

seat members

75 and 76, respectively, are held in close engagement with the spherical surface of the ball closure member 70 at all times by the operating

links

95 and 105, and the seats and ball move as a unit as a result of the connection provided by the links.

The upwardly extending arms 60a and 60b on opposite sides of the upper end of the upper housing section 56 extend upwardly on opposite sides of the ball 70 and confine a pair of ball actuating sleeve member sections 115a and ll5b which have semi-cylindrical arcuate upper flanges or wings 116a and 116b, respectively, at their upper ends and semi-cylindrical arcuate wings 117a and 1l7b at their lower ends. The actuating sleeve sections have central vertical rib portions 118a and 118b, respectively, which have flattened or planar central surfaces 1180 and 118d formed on the mid-portions of their inner sides disposed to engage the flat surfaces 102 and 112 of the ball closure member 70. The inner planar surfaces 1180 and 118d of the valve actuator members each have an integral cylindrical inwardly projecting operating pin member 120a and 12012, respectively, formed thereon. These operating pin members are disposed to engage in angularly extending grooves 121a and 12112 formed in the opposite flat side surfaces 102 and 112 of the ball closure member 70, which grooves 121a and 12Ib extend radially outwardly from the central openings 101 and 111 of such planar surfaces.

The actuating sleeve sections 115a and 115b have longitudinally extending slots 119a and 119b, respectively, which extend from substantially the midportion of the upper wings 116a and 116b, respectively, entirely through the central flattened surfaces 118a and 118d of the rib portions 118a and 1181; of such sections to substantially the mid-portion of the lower wings 117a and 11712, respectively, as clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 4-A, and the

actuating members

95 and 105 slide in such slots and are confined therein by the inner surfaces of the arms 60a and 60b at the upper of the spring housing 55.

The actuating sleeve sections 115a and 1l5b have cutaway portions 130a and 13% which provide the ribs 118a and 118k and form openings or windows between the wings at the opposite ends of the half sections of such actuating sleeve sections, as clearly shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. The windows at the cutaway portions 130a and 1311b open outwardly in the space between the upstanding arms 60a and 60b of the spring housing assembly 55 and permit the fluids present or flowing in the well to clear out sand, detritus or other foreign matter, which might otherwise accumulate in the area of the ball closure member and the seats of the valve assembly to interfere with or affect their operation. Likewise, the windows and the spaces between the arms permit the use of a larger diameter ball than would otherwise be the case or possible. The ball may thus be substantially full diameter, equal to the external diameter of the spring housing 55, as shown in FIG. 4, permitting a larger bore 71 through the closure member and through the valve assembly.

The upper seat member 76 is threaded onto the lower end of the operator tube 77 and the upper external end of the seat member has a beveled, frusto-conical or arcuate seating surface 140 disposed to engage a downwardly facing beveled seat 145 on the lower end of the lower packing mandrel. The seat 145 preferably has a flexible or resilient insert sealing member 141 secured thereto by bonding or the like. The seating surface 140 and the seat 145 may have hard surface coatings ap plied thereto, if desired. The flexible resilient sealing member 141 projects from the surface of the seat 145 and is engaged by the seating surface 140 of the upper valve seat member 76 to seal under low pressures. A by-pass opening or port 142 is formed in the wall of the operator tube 77 above the seat surface 140 on the upper valve seat member for permitting fluid flow from within the bore of the operator tube 77 to the exterior thereof when the valve seat member 76 is moved downwardly until the beveled seating surface 140 at its upper end is moved out of engagement with the downwardly facing beveled seat 145 of the packing mandrel 33. This lateral port permits well fluids to be conducted therethrough to opposite sides of the valve closure member when the same is still closed to facilitate opening of the valve assembly, substantially as is set forth in the patent to Dollison, U.S. Pat. No. 3,583,442, issued June 8, 1971.

For turning the ball valve closure member, the springs a and 80b bias the spring actuating sleeves 81a and 81b, respectively, upwardly until the upper end of the sleeve 81a engages the lower ends a and a of the operating

links

95 and 105, respectively, on opposite sides of the ball valve and moves the operating links upwardly in the elongate longitudinally extending slots 119a and 11% in the actuating sleeve sections 115a and 115b, respectively.

The springs 80a and 80b thus act through the operating

links

95 and 105 to bias the lower seat 75, the ball closure 70 and the upper seat 76 upwardly, by moving.

the actuating links 95 and 105 longitudinally upwardly to cause the flanges 96 and 106 and the flanges 97 and 107, and the pins 100 and on those links to move the

seats

75 and 76 and the ball closure member upwardly as a unit. The pins 100 and 110 provide diametrically opposed pivot points for rotation of the ball by the engagement of integral fixed position pins 120a and 12% on the actuating members a and 1151) in the radially extending slots or grooves 121a and l2lb in the flats 102 and 112 of the ball to cause rotation of the ball closure member 70 about the pins 100 and 110 as the ball and seats are moved longitudinally simultaneously by the

links

95 and 105 moving longitudinally in the slots 119a and 11% in the actuating member sections 115a and l15b and so cause the ball to move from the open position shown in FIG. 2 to the closed position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The upward movement of the ball closure member 70 by the lower seat member 75 causes the upper seat 76 to move upwardly therewith. The operating links 95 and 105 positively hold the seat members in close proximity to the exterior spherical surface of the ball as clearly'shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6.

When the ball is moved to the upper closed position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 by virtue of the forces applied to the

links

95 and 105 by actuating sleeve 81a biased upwardly by the springs 80a and 80b, the flow through the valve assembly 10 is prevented.

To open the valve to permit flow from the well, control fluid pressure is directed downwardly in the control fluid line F to the lateral inlet opening 0 and into the bore 27 of the landing nipple L where it is confined between the

packing assemblies

26 and 34 and enters the chambers 45a'and 45b through the inlet ports 49a and 49b to act on the upper piston 35a and the lower piston 35b to cause the elongate operator tube 77 to' move downwardly in the packing mandrel 33 and so move the upper seat 76 downwardly. Such downward movement of the upper seat moves the external upwardly facing seating surface 140 at the upper end of the seat member out of engagement with the downwardly facing seat 145 at the lower end of the mandrel 33 and permits well fluid pressure from below. the valve to enter the bore of the tube 77 through the equalizing port 142 in the tube above the valve and so equalize the pressures across the closure member. Further. downward movement of the tube 77 against the force of the springs will then cause the integral pins 120a and 120bon the actuating member sections 115a and ll5b to engage the sides of the slots or grooves 121a and 12lb on the opposite sides ofthe ball and turn the ball about the diametrical axis defined by the pins 100 and 110 engaged in the openings 101 and 111 in the planarsurfaces 102 and 112. When the

links

95 and 105 move downwardly until the lower ends 95a and 105a thereof engage the lower ends of the slots 119a and 119b, further downward movement is stopped and at this point the ball has been moved to the open position, as shown in FIG. 2, and further turning movement of the ball with respect to the seats is stopped by the engagement of the integral pins 120a and 120b with the sides of the slots 121a and l2lb in the planar surfaces 102 and 112, respectively of the ball.

Obviously, the pressure of the control fluid applied to the piston members 350 and 35b will maintain the pistons in the lower position against the force of the springs and the valve closure member 70 will remain open until the control fluid pressure is relieved, exhausted, or reduced for any reason. When the pressure is sufficiently reduced, the springs 80a and 80b will move the valve closure and its associated parts upwardly until the upper ends 95b and 105b of the

links

95 and 105 engage the upper ends of the slots 1 19a and 119b, at which time the valve closure member has been rotated to the closed position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, as has already been explained.

The bore of the piston cylinder 45b below the piston head 36b of the piston 35b is vented to the bore of the tube member 77 through a lateral port 39b in the tube below the piston head, and the bore of the piston cylinder 45a below the piston head 36a of the piston 35a is vented to the, bore of the sleeve extension 39a of the piston 35b through a lateral port 39d in said extension just below the piston head 36a to permit free movement of the pistons in the cylinders.

This valve functions in substantially the same manner as the valve in the aforesaid patent to Dollison, US. Pat. No. 3,583,442.

It is readily apparent that in disassembling the device to service the packing and the valve seat structures of the valve V, the spring 80b will move the lower spring actuator member 81b upwardly until the spacer ring 86 engages the downwardly facing lower end of the connector sub 57 which would prevent further upward movement of the lower spring 80b. Similarly, the upper spring 80a would move the upper spring actuator member 81a upwardly until the upper end of the spring 80a engages the downwardly facing shoulder 56a in the upper portion of the bore of the upper spring housing section 56 to limit upward movement of the spring 80a.

Thus, the ball and seats and the upper portions of the valve V may be disconnected from the spring cage assembly by backing offthe coarse threaded connection 51 at the lower end of the pressure cylinder 32 from the upper end of the packing mandrel 33 to permit moving packing assembly 34 and the the locking ring 66 upwardly on the packing mandrel 33 to free the upper ends of the arms 60a and 60b from engagement in the cup to permit such upper ends of the arms to swing outwardly for withdrawing the

flanges

61 and 62 thereon from engagement with the external annular flange 63 and groove 63a on the lower end of the packing mandrel. The parts may be reassembled in reverse order. Thus, all parts of the valve above the spring cage 55 may be removed for servicing, repair or replacement without disturbing the springs and without the necessity for tools of sufficient strength to compress the springs in the housing during such disassembly or reassembly.

It will be seen, therefore, that the valve of the inventionprovides a large bore rotary ball-type valve closure for use in well flow conductors below the surface, in which the valve closure is substantially equal in external diameter to the bore of the well flow conductor and has a large flow passage therethrough, which permits large volumes of flow through the valve. Also, the valve has means providing a plurality of modular multiple spring assemblies for biasing the clostire toward closed position, and a plurality of multiple modular piston assemblies utilized for opening the valve.

The means for actuating the ball valve to cause the across the closure when the valve closure member is in closed position with respect to the seat members and 76 before the closure member is rotated to open position, reducing wear on the rotatable closure member. The seat and seal structure also assures closing off flow through the valve.

In addition, the packing on the pistons and the mandrel, as well as the valve seats and valve closure member, may be serviced, repaired or replaced without requiring that the spring assembly be disassembled.

A modified form of valve V-2 of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 through 10, inclusive, and includes a valve housing 200 which is connected to a locking mandrel M-2 at its upper end in the same manner as the form first described. The valve housing 200 includes an upper connecting sub and packing mandrel 201 having upper and lower external annular packing assemblies or seal rings 202a and 202b disposed on opposite sides of a central external annular flange 203 and abutting the shoulders at the opposite endsof the flange. The packing is held on the reduced upper end of the packing mandrel 201 by the lower end of the locking mandrel M-2 which is threaded onto the reduced threaded upper end 204 of the packing mandrel 201. The lower packing 202b is secured in place on the lower portion of the packing mandrel by the upper end of a control fluid pressure cylinder 210 threaded onto the threaded lower end 205 of the packing mandrel 201 and engaging a spacer ring 206 disposed between the upper end of the cylinder 210 and the lower end of the lower packing assembly 202b;

The lower end of the bore 211 of the pressure cylinder 210 is reduced in diameter and the cylinder has its lower end 212 reduced in diameter and externally threaded and the upper tubular end of a connecting sleeve member 220 is threaded onto such lower reduced end of the cylinder. An elongate cylindrical tubular piston member 225 has an external annular piston head or flange 226 formed integral therewith intermediate its ends and an external annular recess 227 in the head has a packing or O-ring sealing assembly 228 therein for sealing between the piston head and the bore wall 211 of the cylinder 210. An O-ring seal 207 in an external annular groove in the lower endof the reduced lower portion 205 of the packing mandrel sub 201 seals between the sub and the pressure cylinder 210 to prevent fluid leakage therebetween. The bore 211 of the cylinder 210 and the bore 208 of the packing mandrel sub 201 form a pressure chamber 230 in which the piston 225 is movable. The upper end of the bore 208 of the packing mandrel sub 201 has an O-ring 209 disposed in an internal annular groove therein which seals between the mandrel sub and the upper end of the tubular piston member 225. An inlet opening 231 for control fluid is formed in the wall of the external annular flange 203 of the packing mandrel sub between the seal assemblies 202a and 202b provides for entry of control fluid pressure from exteriorly of the sub into the chamber 230 for actuating the piston and the valve closure connected therewith. The upper and lower sealing assemblies 202a and 202b seal off a lateral port similar to the inlet opening port of the landing nipple L of H6. 1 for directing control fluid pressure to the inlet opening 231 into the chamber 230. While only a single cylinder and piston are shown in this form of the valve, obviously modular cylinders and pistons such as are shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 may be utilized in the same manner.

The lower end of the tubular piston member 225 is threaded into the upper end of an upper seat member 235 having an arcuate seat 236 in the lower end of its bore engaged by a spherical ball valve closure member 240. A lower seat member 250 has an upwardly spherical seat 251 facing at its upper end and a depending tubular sleeve 252 which extends downwardly from the seat member 250 through a spring housing sleeve 260 into the bore of a flow directing shoe 261 having its reduced upper end 262 threaded into the threaded lower end of the bore 263 of the spring housing sleeve. A helical coiled spring is confined within the bore 263 of the spring housing sleeve, having its lower end abutting the upper end of the shoe 261 and its upper end engaging a pressure sleeve 265 slidable in the upper portion of the bore 263 of the spring housing 260. The upper end of the pressure sleeve is reduced in diameter and slides within an internal annular guide and stop flange 266 formed in the upper portion of the bore of the spring housing sleeve 260 and providing a downwardly facing stop shoulder 267 which is engaged by the upwardly facing stop shoulder 268 at the upper end of an external annular flange 269 on the lower end of the spring pressure sleeve 265 to limit upward movement of said pressure sleeve in the spring housing sleeve.

The spring housing sleeve 260 is connected to the connector sleeve 220 carried by the lower end of the piston cylinder 210 by a pair of diametrically opposed depending legs 270a and 270b formed integral with the lower end of the connector sleeve 220 and extending downwardly into an enlarged upper bore 271 in the spring housing sleeve above the internal annular flange 266. The lower external surfaces 272a and 272k of the legs 270a and 270b are reduced in thickness and an external arcuate flange 275a and 275b is formed in the lower end of such reduced portions of each of the depending legs. The flanges are adapted to engage in circumferentially extending arcuate openings 274a and 274b formed in the wall of the spring housing sleeve 260 near the lower end of the enlarged upper bore 271 therein. A pair of longitudinal guide and actuating member sections 276a and 276b which have substantially semi-cylindrical upper portions 277a and 277k and lower semi-cylindrical shaped portions 278a and 278b, respectively, with the upper and lower portions connected by elongate narrow

vertical rib sections

279a and 27% having internally flattened surface 280a and, substantially identical to'the actuating member sections 115a and 11512, are provided with integral inwardly extending cylindrical actuating pins 281a and 28lb similar to the pins 120a and l20b of the members 115a and l15b of the form first described. The guide and actuating members have longitudinally extending slots 282a and 282b formed therein for receiving connecting

link members

290 and 295, which are identical to the links and of the form first described, having inwardly projecting flanges 291a and 29lb at their upper ends and 292a and 292b at their lower ends, and the integral cylindrical pivot pins 293a and 29312 disposed to engage in the cylindrical diametrically opposed pivot openings 294a and 29417 formed centrally in the

flat side walls

300 and 301 on opposite sides of the spherical ball closure member 240. The pins 281a and 281b on the guide and actuating members 276a and 276b have the actuating pins 281a and 281b thereon engaged in radially extending actuating slots 305 formed in the flattened

surfaces

300 and 301 of the ball-closure member 240, identical to the ball 70 of FIGS. 4-H and 4-C, for turning the ball 240 in the same direction as that of the valve of the form first described. The depending legs 270a and 270b of the sleeve 220 are held in the upper end of the spring housing 260 by the engagement of the guide and actuating members 276a and 276b with the inner surfaces of the legs so that arcuate the locking flanges 275a and 275b on the lower ends of the legs are held engaged in the arcuate external slots 274a and 274b in the upper end of the spring housing sleeve.

While a single spring 264 is shown in the spring housing sleeve 260, it is believed readily apparent that a plurality of spring modules similar to those of the form first described may be incorporated 'in thespring housing assembly below the ball closure member in the same manner as in the form first described.

The internal flanges 291a and 29112 at the upper ends of each of the connector links 290 and 295 engage in an external annular groove or recess 235a formed in the upper seat ring above the seat, while the lower internal flanges 292a and 292b engage beneath an external annular shoulder 252a between the upper end of the extensionsleeve 252 and the lower end of the lower seat member 250, and these

links

290 and 295 positively connect the upper and lower seat members and hold the ball between the seats for movement as a unit in the same manner as the form first described.

The upper end of the upper seat member 235 is preferably formed with an arcuate or spherical annular seat having a hard faced seating surface 235b which is disposed to engage a downwardly facing substantially frusto-conical hard faced female seating surface 212a at the lower end of the reduced portion 212 of the pressure cylinder 210. A resilient sealing ring 2l2b (not shown) may be secured in an annular recess in the seating surface 212b, if desired, to seal at low pressures with the seating surface 235b on the upper end of the upper seat member 235. A lateral equalizing port 225b is formed in the lower end of the tubular piston member 225 below the piston 226 and above the upper seat member 235, as clearly shown in FIG. 7. This port permits equalizing the pressures on opposite sides of the ball closure member when the piston sleeve is moved downwardly to disengage the seating surfaces 235b and 212a while the ball closure remains in a position in which the passage through the upper seat is closed. Also, if desired, it is readily apparent that the pressure interiorly of the sleeve 225 may be raised to-a value in excess of that of the well pressure sealed off below the ball closure engaging the seat member 235 connected to the piston member 225 to equalize the pressures on opposite sides of the ball and permit the ball closure .to

be moved downwardly and rotated to the open position.

shoulder or seating surface 2120 on the lower end of the piston pressure cylinder 210.

This form of the valve also provides a large bore rotary ball-type valve closure for wells, which permits large volumes of flow through the valve. Also, the piston packing, the mandrel packing and the valve seats and valve closure member may be removed for servicing, repair or replacement, if desired, without the necessity of completely disassembling the spring assembly in the spring housing sleeve 260. As has been explained, modular multiple spring assemblies and modular multiple piston assemblies may be utilized in the valve. ln this form as well as in the form first described, the flattened surfaces on diametrically opposite sides of the ball closure member coact with the flattened surfaces in the valve actuator members which engage each other to limit movement of the ball closure member to rotatable movement in a vertical plane about the diametrical axis defined by the cylindrical pivot pins on the link members engaged in the central openings in the flattened surfaces on opposite sides of the closure member. Also, the slots in the actuator members, to-

Likewise, the integral projecting actuator pins on the I actuator member sections which engage in the lateral In any event, the control fluid pressure within the chamber 230 acting on the piston 226 may be raised sufficiently to move the piston member 225 downwardlyand unseat the seating surface 235b from the seating surface 212a and open the port 225b to permit equalization of pressures above and below the ball closure in the manner already described in connection with the valve V.

An internal annular groove 320 is formed in the lower portion of the bore of the tubular lower seat exradially extending grooves formed in the planar surfaces on opposite sides of the ball closure provide a rigid positive actuating means for causing rotation of the ball closure without likelihood of breakage or bending of the actuator pins. Thus, the large diameter ball closure member is readily rotatable by the actuating means without requiring the additional support of an enclosing housing.

All other advantages of this form of the invention are the same as those first described, there being merely a variation of the manner of connecting the spring housing sleeve-260 with the piston cylinder 210 of this form of the valve from that of the form first described.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the construction illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art,

within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A subsurface well safety valve including: an elongate tubular valve housing having means for connecting it in a well flow conductor and having a bore therethrough in flow communication with the flow conductor for flow of fluids therethrough from the well formation; a rotatable valve closure member having a transverse flow passage therethrough; an upper seat member and a lower seat. member above and below said valve closure member and engageable therewith for controlling flow through the valve closure member and the housing bore; and means for supporting the valve seat members on the valve housing for movement with respect thereto including: tubular fluid pressure operating piston means connected to the upper valve seat member and sealing with the bore of the housing to provide a fluid pressure chamber in said housing for receiving control fluid pressure for moving said operating piston means to move the valve seat members and valve closure member longitudinally-axially of the housing; a spring housing; connecting means for releasably connecting the upper end of the spring housing with the tubular valve housing above the seat members and closure member; elongate operator means movable longitudinally in said spring housing for moving said lower seat member longitudinally of the spring housing toward said tubular housing; spring means in said spring housing engageable with said elongate operator means for biasing the lower seat member and valve closure member toward said tubular valve housing; actuating means between the tubular housing and the spring housing and engageable with the valve closure member for rotating said closure member about a transverse axis relative to the longitudinal axes of the housings for moving the closure member between open and closed positions; said connecting means connecting said spring housing with said tubular housing comprising a pair of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending arm members providing openings therebetween between said tubular housing and said spring housing in which the valve closure member, seat members, and actuating actuator means are disposed, said openings permitting said closure member to have a transverse dimension substantially equal to the external diameter of the tubular housing, whereby the bore of flow passage through the valve closure member, through the tubular operating piston means, through the valve seat members and through the tubular housing maybe a maximum in diameter.

2. A safety valve of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises: a pair of link members connecting the seat members on opposite sides of the closure member for moving the seat members simultaneously with said closure member, each of said link members having a pivot member centrally thereof projecting into a central pivot recess in said closure member on diametrical opposite sides thereof and forming an axis of rotation for said closure member extending diametrically transverse to the flow passage through the closure member to provide for rotation of the closure member thereabout during movement between open and closed position, whereby said link members positively move said seat members with said closure member longitudinally axially of the tubular housing, said link members being positively moved in opposite directions longitudinally of said actuating means by said operating piston means and by said spring means, said actuating means also having opposed stationary pin means engageable in complementary opposed recesses in said closure member offset from and extending radially from said diametrically opposed central pivot recesses, whereby movement of said link members and the closure member with which they are connected with respect to said stationary pin means on said actuating means causes rotation of the closure member about said diametrically transverse axis between open and closed positions relative to said seat members.

3. A safety valve of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the connecting means connecting the tubular valve housing and the upper end of the spring housing includes: means on said tubular valve housing providing connecting shoulder means; oppositely facing shoulder means on the ends of the elongate arm members of said spring housing engageable with the connecting shoulder means on the tubular valve housing; and cup means on said tubular valve housing engageable with the ends of the arm members to releasably hold said shoulder means on said arm members in connecting engagement with the connecting shoulder means on said valve housing.

4. A safety valve of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the connecting arm means connecting the spring housing and the tubular valve housing comprises: depending circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending arm members having shoulder means on their lower projecting ends; connecting shoulder means on said spring housing coengageable with the shoulder means on the lower end of said arm members; and means in said spring housing disposed to engage said ends of said arm members to hold said shoulder means on said arms members and the connecting shoulder means on said spring housing in coengagement.

5. A safety valve of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein said operating piston means comprises: a plurality of piston members movable in the valve housing and defining a plurality of fluid pressure chambers therein, said piston members being engageable with each other upon application of fluid pressure thereto to cause simultaneous movement of said piston members in a common longitudinal direction in said tubular valve housing for moving the link members, and the valve seat members and the closure member connected therewith longitudinally of the valve housing to rotate the closure member in one direction between open and closed positions.

6. A safety valve of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein the spring means comprises: a plurality of spring modules in said spring housing movable simultaneously longitudinally in said spring housing and engageable with said link members for moving said link members and the valve seats and closure member connected therewith longitudinally relative to said tubular valve housing to cause rotation of said closure member in one direction between open and closed positions.

7. A subsurface well safety valve of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein said operating piston means comprises: a plurality of piston members movable in the valve housing and defining a plurality of fluid pressure chambers therein, said piston members being engageable with each other upon application of fluid pressure thereto to cause simultaneous longitudinal movement of said piston members in a common longitudinal direction in said tubular valve housing for moving the link members and the valve seat members and closure member connected therewith longitudinally of the valve housing in one direction in said valve housing to rotate the closure member in one direction between open and closed positions; and said spring means comprises: a plurality of spring modules in said spring housing movable simultaneously longitudinally in said housing and having operator means engateable with the said link members for moving'said link members and the valve seat members and closure member connected therewith longitudinally relative to said tubular housing in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the link members and the valve seat members and closure member connected therewith caused by the operating piston menas to cause said closure member to rotate in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the closure member caused by the operating piston means.

8. A safety valve of the character set forth in claim 1 including: bypass means on the tubular operating pis-- ton means above the upper seat means communicating the bore of the tubular valve housing with the exterior thereof; valve seat means on the tubular valve housing; and oppositely facing valve seat means on the upper movable seat member movable into engagement with the seat means on the tubular valve housing for closing said bypass opening between the exterior of the housing and the bore thereof. 7

9. A safety valve of the character set forth in claim 8 wherein said seat means on said upper seat member is movable out of seating engagement with the seat means on the tubular valve housing prior to rotation of the valve closure member between closed and open positions.

10. A safety valve of the character set forth in claim 8 including: deformable seal means on one of said seat means on said tubular valve housing and said seat means on said upper seat member engageable with the other seat .means for positively sealing therebetween under low pressure.

11. A subsurface well safety valve including: an elongate tubular valve housing having a bore therethrough; means for connecting said valve housing in a well flow conductor for controlling flow through the said conductor; a rotatable valve closure member mounted in said valve housing and having a transverse flow passage therethrough rotatable into and out of communication with the flow passage of the housing; an upper valve seat member in the valve housing above the valve closure member and engaging said valve closure member to coact therewith to control flow through the housing; a lower valve seat member in engagement with the valve closure member below and opposite the upper valve seat member and movable therewith for also controlling flow through the valve closure member and the her and having pivot means thereon engaged with complementary pivot means on the valve closure member providing for pivotal movement of the valve closure member between open and closed positions in engagement with said seat members; piston means slidable in the bore of said valve housing above said upper valve seat and engageable with said valve seat member to 'move the same; means for conducting fluid pressure into the valve housing to act on the piston means to move the upper seat members to cause the same to move the valve closure member; a spring housing connected at its upper end with the lower end of the valve housing and having spring biasing means therein and spring actuator means engaged by said spring biasing means and engaging said lower valve seat member for moving said lower valve seat member in opposition to the pressure of the fluid on the piston means acting on the upper valve seat member in the valve housing; actuating means fixedly secured between the valve housing and the spring housing and having actuating pin means thereon engageable with complementary radially extending groove means on the valve closure member for causing rotation of the valve closure member about the pivotal pins on the link members as the valve seat members and closure member are moved longitudinally by the piston means and by the actuator means energized by the spring means; elongate connector arm means connecting the spring housing with the valve housing providing enlarged window openings therebetween in which the valve closure means member is movable to permit the valve closure member to have a diameter substantially equal to the exterior diameter of the valve housing and the spring housing and so permit a larger flow passage through the valve closure member and the valve housing; link members connecting the valve seat valve housing.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION A Patent No. 3 26,462 7 Dated July 30, 1974 Inventofls) Frank H. Taylor I I It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent I and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 9, line 67, after "upwardly" insert -facing-- I .1

Column 10, line 1, cane wac1ng- Column 10, line 43, following "286A", add --an'd 2803+ Column 11, line 3, for "that ai'cuate the" read that the a arcuate I I. I

Column 11, line 30, cancel "212B" Qolumn 12, line 1, for "2126' red --2l2a- Column 13 line 2]., c aneel "actuator" Signed and sealed this 19th day of November 1974.

(SEAL) Attest: I

' MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. v I c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. A subsurface well safety valve including: an elongate tubular valve housing having means for connecting it in a well flow conductor and having a bore therethrough in flow communication with the flow conductor for flow of fluids therethrough from the well formation; a rotatable valve closure member having a transverse flow passage therethrough; an upper seat member and a lower seat member above and below said valve closure member and engageable therewith for controlling flow through the valve closure member and the housing bore; and means for supporting the valve seat members on the valve housing for movement with respect thereto including: tubular fluid pressure operating piston means connected to the upper valve seat member and sealing with the bore of the housing to provide a fluid pressure chamber in said housing for receiving control fluid pressure for moving saiD operating piston means to move the valve seat members and valve closure member longitudinally axially of the housing; a spring housing; connecting means for releasably connecting the upper end of the spring housing with the tubular valve housing above the seat members and closure member; elongate operator means movable longitudinally in said spring housing for moving said lower seat member longitudinally of the spring housing toward said tubular housing; spring means in said spring housing engageable with said elongate operator means for biasing the lower seat member and valve closure member toward said tubular valve housing; actuating means between the tubular housing and the spring housing and engageable with the valve closure member for rotating said closure member about a transverse axis relative to the longitudinal axes of the housings for moving the closure member between open and closed positions; said connecting means connecting said spring housing with said tubular housing comprising a pair of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending arm members providing openings therebetween between said tubular housing and said spring housing in which the valve closure member, seat members, and actuating actuator means are disposed, said openings permitting said closure member to have a transverse dimension substantially equal to the external diameter of the tubular housing, whereby the bore of flow passage through the valve closure member, through the tubular operating piston means, through the valve seat members and through the tubular housing may be a maximum in diameter.

7. A subsurface well safety valve of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein said operating piston means comprises: a plurality of piston members movable in the valve housing and defining a plurality of fluid pressure chambers therein, said piston members being engageable with each other upon application of fluid pressure thereto to cause simultaneous longitudinal movement of said piston members in a common longitudinal direction in said tubular valve housing for moving the link members and the valve seat members and closure member connected therewith longitudinally of the valve housing in one direction in said valve housing to rotate the closure member in one direction between open and closed positions; and said spring means comprises: a plurality of spring modules in said spring housing movable simultaneously longitudinally in said housing and having operator means engateable with the said link members for moving said link members and the valve seat members and closure member connected therewith longitudinally relative to said tubular housing in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the link members and the valve seat members and closure member connected therewith caused by the operating piston menas to cause said closure member to rotate in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the closure member caused by the operating piston means.

8. A safety valve of the character set forth in claim 1 including: bypass means on the tubular operating piston means above the upper seat means communicating the bore of the tubular valve housing with the exterior thereof; valve seat means on the tubular valve housing; and oppositely facing valve seat means on the upper movable seat member movable into engagement with the seat means on the tubular valve housing for closing said bypass opening between the exterior of the housing and the bore thereof.

10. A safety valve of the character set forth in claim 8 including: deformable seal means on one of said seat means on said tubular valve housing and said seat means on said upper seat member engageable with the other seat means for positively sealing therebetween under low pressure.

11. A subsurface well safety valve including: an elongate tubular valve housing having a bore therethrough; means for connectinG said valve housing in a well flow conductor for controlling flow through the said conductor; a rotatable valve closure member mounted in said valve housing and having a transverse flow passage therethrough rotatable into and out of communication with the flow passage of the housing; an upper valve seat member in the valve housing above the valve closure member and engaging said valve closure member to coact therewith to control flow through the housing; a lower valve seat member in engagement with the valve closure member below and opposite the upper valve seat member and movable therewith for also controlling flow through the valve closure member and the valve housing; link members connecting the valve seat members on opposite sides of the valve closure member and having pivot means thereon engaged with complementary pivot means on the valve closure member providing for pivotal movement of the valve closure member between open and closed positions in engagement with said seat members; piston means slidable in the bore of said valve housing above said upper valve seat and engageable with said valve seat member to move the same; means for conducting fluid pressure into the valve housing to act on the piston means to move the upper seat members to cause the same to move the valve closure member; a spring housing connected at its upper end with the lower end of the valve housing and having spring biasing means therein and spring actuator means engaged by said spring biasing means and engaging said lower valve seat member for moving said lower valve seat member in opposition to the pressure of the fluid on the piston means acting on the upper valve seat member in the valve housing; actuating means fixedly secured between the valve housing and the spring housing and having actuating pin means thereon engageable with complementary radially extending groove means on the valve closure member for causing rotation of the valve closure member about the pivotal pins on the link members as the valve seat members and closure member are moved longitudinally by the piston means and by the actuator means energized by the spring means; elongate connector arm means connecting the spring housing with the valve housing providing enlarged window openings therebetween in which the valve closure means member is movable to permit the valve closure member to have a diameter substantially equal to the exterior diameter of the valve housing and the spring housing and so permit a larger flow passage through the valve closure member and the valve housing.