US3891032A

US3891032A - Apparatus for installing and removing flow control devices

Info

Publication number: US3891032A
Application number: US456094A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gilbert H Tausch; Ronald E Pringle
Original assignee: Camco Inc
Current assignee: Camco International Inc
Priority date: 1974-03-29
Filing date: 1974-03-29
Publication date: 1975-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 1992-06-24
Also published as: GB1491626A

Abstract

A flow control device handling apparatus adapted for use in placing a flow control device in a selected offset pocket in a mandrel having an orientating sleeve in the well tubing and for removing said device therefrom. A body adapted to be moved through the well tubing supporting a flow control device handling arm and means for laterally shifting the arm into position over a selected pocket when the body is oriented. Orienting means connected to the body for coacting with the orienting sleeve for orienting the handling arm relative to the pocket. A universal joint is provided in the body between the orienting means and the handling arm for allowing the body to pivot about the universal joint to allow the body to move through curved portions of well tubing. The universal joint maintains the orienting means and the handling arm in a predetermined rotational alignment to allow orientation of the handling arm. An actuator is engaged by the orienting means for actuating the shifting means with the actuator movable through the universal joint. Spring means are connected to the body above the universal joint in position to urge the body away from the tubing and towards the pocket when the body is oriented.

Description

United States Patent Tauseh et al.

[ 1 June 24, 1975 1 APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING AND REMOVING FLOW CONTROL DEVICES [75] Inventors: Gilbert II. Tausch; Ronald E.

Pringle, both of Houston, Tex.

[73] Assignee: Cameo, Incorporated, Houston, Tex.

[22] Filed: Mar. 29, 1974 [2]] Appl. No.: 456,094

[52] US. Cl l66/l17.5; 166/156 [58] Field of Search l66/117.5, 117.6, 117.7, 166/153l56 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,126,058 3/1964 Yetman ct al. 166/156 3,732,928 5/1973 Sizer 1. 166/117.5

3,752,231 8/1973 McGouen, Jr. et al.. 166/117.5

3,788,397 l/1974 Terra] et a1. l66/117.5

3,799,259 3/1974 Dinning l66/1l7.5

3,827,490 8/1974 Moore, Jr. et al. 166/117.5

[57] ABSTRACT A flow control device handling apparatus adapted for use in placing a flow control device in a selected offset pocket in a mandrel having an orientating sleeve in the well tubing and for removing said device therefrom. A body adapted to be moved through the well tubing supporting a flow control device handling arm and means for laterally shifting the arm into position over a selected pocket when the body is oriented. Orienting means connected to the body for coacting with the orienting sleeve for orienting the handling arm relative to the pocket. A universal joint is provided in the body between the orienting means and the handling arm for allowing the body to pivot about the universal joint to allow the body to move through curved portions of well tubing. The universal joint maintains the orienting means and the handling arm in a predetermined rotational alignment to allow orientation of the handling arm. An actuator is engaged by the orienting means for actuating the shifting means with the actuator movable through the universal joint. Spring means are connected to the body above the universal joint in position to urge the body away from the tubing and towards the pocket when the body is oriented.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUN 2 4 ms SHEET 1 APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING AND REMOVING FLOW CONTROL DEVICES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of an apparatus or kickover tool for installing or removing flow control devices or valves from an offset pocket in a mandrel is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,752,231. However, it is frequently desirable to raise and lower the kickover apparatus through the well tubing by means of a hydraulic pumping system as well as by wireline. In a pumpdown system, the well equipment passing through the well tubing is generally passed through a curved tubing in which the linear extent of the well tools being pumped is limited. The present device provides an apparatus or kickover tool for installing or removing flow control devices or valves in which the longitudinal length of the rigid sections are reduced by using a universal joint to allow the tool to pass around the curved sections that affect the well tubing.

SUMMARY The present invention is directed to a flow control device handling apparatus or kickover tool adapted for use for placing a flow control device such as a valve in a selected offset pocket in the mandrel in a well tubing and for removing the device therein. A body is provided in which a universal joint is provided intermediate the ends of the body for allowing the ends of the body to pivot relative to each other in a 360 direction so as to be moved through curved well tubing, but the universal joint maintains the ends of the body in rotational alignment so that the apparatus may be oriented relative to the offset pocket.

The flow control device handling apparatus or kickover tool of the present invention includes a body adapted to be moved through the well tubing and support a flow control device handling arm. Means are provided for laterally shifting the handling arm into position over a selected pocket when the body is oriented. And orienting means are connected to the body for coacting with an orienting sleeve in the mandrel for orienting the handling arm relative to the pocket. Universal joint means are provided in the body between the orienting means and the handling arm for allowing the body to pivot about the universal joint thereby reducing the longitudinal length of the body and allowing the body to be moved through curved well tubing. But the universal joint means is non-rotative about the the body axis thereby maintaining the orienting means and the handling arm in a predetermined rotational alignment for allowing orientation of the handling arm.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of actuator means engaged by the orienting means for releasing the shifting means in which the actuator means are movable through the universal joint.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of a flow control device handling apparatus having a universal joint intermediate the ends of the apparatus and having spring means connected to the body above the universal joint and positioned to urge the body away from the tubing and toward the offset pocket when the body is oriented to aid in aligning the flow control device or valve. with the axis of the offset pocket.

Yet a still further object of the present invention is the provision of a universal joint intermediate the ends of a kickover tool in which the universal joint is a ball tive to the offset pocket.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, given for the purpose of disclosure and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings where like character references designate like parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an enlarged elevational view, partly in cross section, of the top portion of the apparatus of the present invention in a well mandrel shown oriented but prior to being kicked over,

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the apparatus actuated into the kickover position,

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in cross section, of the present invention in position beginning to insert a flow control valve into the sidepocket of a well mandrel, and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 in which the valve-is being further inserted into the valve pocket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, the well tubing 10 is connected a plurality of vertically spaced mandrels 12, here shown only as one for convenience. Each mandrel includes a main bore 14 therethrough generally having the same size and aligned with the bore of the well tubing 10 and includes an offset pocket 16 for receiving a flow control device such as a valve 18.

A flow control device handling apparatus or kickover tool generally indicated by the reference numeral 20 is adapted for raising and lowering in the tubing 10 and mandrels 12, such as on a wireline or by conventional hydraulic pumpdown apparatus, to install or remove the valve 18 from the pocket 16. The apparatus 20 is provided for selectively installing or removing a flow control device or valve 18 in or from one of the desired vertically positioned mandrels 12 wherein the kickover tool 20 is oriented relative to the offset pocket 16 for inserting or removing the valve 18 from the pocket 16.

An orienting sleeve 22 may be provided aligned with the main bore 14 and preferably positioned above the pocket 16. The guide sleeve 22 includes a longitudinal guide slot 24, a helical guide surface 26 positioned below the slot 24 and directed inwardly and upwardly toward the bottom of the slot 24 for guiding a key upwardly and into the slot 24, and an actuating shoulder 28 positioned at the top of the slot 24 for coacting with a key positioned in the slot 24 for actuating the handling apparatus 20. The flow control device handling apparatus or kickover tool 20 generally includes a body 30, a flow control device handling arm 32 supported from the body 30, and an orienting and releasing mechanism generally indicated by the reference numeral 35 for coacting with the orienting sleeve 22 for orienting the handling arm 32 relative to the offset pocket 16 for installing or removing a flow control device 18. The body 30 includes a first portion 31 and a second portion 33 and includes a protective guide member 34. The handling arm 32 is connected to the portion 33 by a pivot pin 36 and supports an adapter 38 which may be a running adapter which is conventional, such as the Type JC-3 of Cameo, Incorporated, which may be utilized to carry a flow control valve 18 for insertion into the valve pocket 16. Laterally shifting means, such as spring 40, is provided such as between guide means 34 and the adapter 38 for laterally shifting the handling arm 32 and thus the adapter 38 over a selected pocket when the apparatus 22 is oriented for shifting the valve 18 over the pocket 16.

Suitable supporting means 42 are provided for raising and lowering the apparatus 22 in the well tubing and mandrel 12 by any suitable means such as a wireline or conventional hydraulic pumpdown equipment. The supporting means 42 includes a pivot connection 44 connected to the body 30 for allowing the apparatus 22 to be deflected over and above the pocket 16, as will be more fully described hereinafter. Preferably, the supporting means 42 includes a second pivoting connecting 46 to assist in aligning the adapter 38 and handling arm 32 with the offset pocket 18.

The guide means 34 is arcuately shaped in cross section for ease in moving along the tubing 10 and includes a recess in which the arm 32, adapter 38 and valve 18 may be carried in a retracted position so as to be prevented from falling into or engaging the top of a pocket 16. The guide 34 is more fully described in US. Pat. No. 3,353,608 and is sized and shaped so it will remain in the bore of the tubing 10 and thus will bypass and will not become stuck over an offset pocket 16. The mandrel 12 may also include a deflector and guide surface generally indicated by the reference numeral 17 (FIGS. 3 and 4) as more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,741,229. The deflector and guide 17 will engage the lower end of the valve 18, when the valve 18 is oriented and shifted over, to guide the lower end of the valve 18 into the pocket 16, but is sized and shaped so as to prevent other well tools from engaging or sticking in the pocket 16 or on any valve seated therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the orienting means 35 includes a movable body 50 telescopically and longitudinally movable in the first portion 31 of the body 30, and a locator key 52 pivotally connected to the body 50 at its lower end by an emergency shear pin 54. The upper portion 31 of the body 30 includes an opening 56 through which the locator key 52 is yieldably urged outwardly by a spring 58. While the locator key 52 is yieldably urged outwardly at all times, it will, because of a downwardly facing tapered surface 60, readily pass downwardly over protruding shoulders inside of the main bore 14 including any number of orienting sleeves 22. The key 52 includes an upwardly directed actuating shoulder 62 which, when the key 52 is below the guide surface 26, will contact the downwardly directed guide surface 26 thereby rotating the valve handling apparatus 22 and rotatably align the apparatus 22 in the well bore as the guide key 52 moves along the guide surface 26 and into the longitudinal guide slot 24. Further upward movement of the valve handling apparatus 22 will bring the shoulder 62 ofthe key 52 into engagement with the actuating shoulder 28 4 thereby stopping further upward movement of the movable body 50.

Releasable engaging means is provided coacting between the handling arm 32 and the second portion 33 of the body 30 for initially holding the arm 32, adapter 38 and valve 18 longitudinally aligned in the guide 34 to prevent the valve 18 from being caught on undesired obstructions as the apparatus 22 is lowered in the well tubing. The engaging means may include a pin 66 on the arm 32' and a shoulder 68 on movable member 70 which is initially secured to the body portion 33 by a shear pin 72. Normally, the movable body 50 is yieldably maintained upwardly relative to the body 30 by a spring 74. However, as best seen in FIG. 2, when the apparatus 22 is moved upwardly in a mandrel 12, and the key 52 engages the actuating shoulder 28, the body 30 moves upwardly relative to the movable body 50. An actuator 76 is connected to the movable body 50, by a shear pin 78 and is adapted to engage the member 70. Therefore, upward movement of the body 30 relative to the movable body 50 causes the actuator 76 to be moved downwardly against the member 70 shearing the pin 72 which shears at a lower force than pin 78. The shoulder 68 is moved out of engagement with the pin 66 thereby freeing the adapter 38 and arm 32 to be laterally shifted by the spring 40 to a position over and above the offset pocket 16 and into engagement with the deflector and guide 17, as best seen in FIG. 3. The handling apparatus 22 may be lowered to cause the lower end of the valve 18 to move into the offset pocket 16.

It is to be noted that prior art flow control device handling apparatus or kickover tools were generally designed for use in generally straight well tubing and are of too great a longitudinal length to be pumped around a five foot curved radius well tubing having a diameter of three inches. The present invention has, as one feature, the provision of a universal joint, generally indicated by the reference numeral 80, intermediate the ends of the body 30 for allowing the

body portions

31 and 33 to pivot 360 degrees in any direction relative to each other about the joint 80. This allows movement of the apparatus 22 through a curved well tubing, for example only, a three inch well tubing having a 5 foot radius. However, it is preferred that the universal joint 80 be positioned between the orienting means 35 and the handling arm 32, and in that event, the universal joint 80 while having the capacity to pivot in any direction, must maintain the rotational orientation of the handling arm 32 relative to the key 52 in order that the arm 32, adapter 38 and valve 18 are properly oriented relative to the offset pocket 16. Preferably, the universal joint is a ball joint having a first member 82 and a second member 84, one of the members such as 82 includin g a slot 86 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body 30, and the second member 84 including a pin 88 positioned in the slot 86 and axially aligned with the center of the ball joint. The universal joint 80 allows the

body portions

31 and 33 to pivot in any direction relative to each other and thereby pass through a curved portion of the well tubing, but the coaction between the pin 88 and the slot 86 assures that when the orienting means 35 is oriented in the orientation sleeve 22, the

handling arm 32 will be rotationally oriented for moving outwardly and over the offset pocket 16 in the mandrel 12. Additionally, the'universal joint 80 does not interfere with release of the member'70 by the actuator Referring to FIG. 3, it is noted'that when the valve 18 is being moved into the pocket 16, the valve 18 must become aligned with the pocket 16,-as best seen in FIG.

4, for proper seating. In order to assistthe valve 18 in becoming aligned with the pocket l6, a spring, such as a bow spring 92, is provided on the'side of the body 30 opposite from the handling arm 32 to urge the body 30 away from the tubing and towards the pocket 16 to assist the valve to enter thepocket 16. The

pivoting connections

44 and 46 also more readily allow the-valve 18 to become vertically aligned with the pocket 16.

After the valve 18 is seated in the pocket 16 and locked by shoulder 13, the valve 18 may be conventionally disconnected from theadapter 34 by an upward movement, as is conventional. The apparatus 22 may be withdrawn from the tubing 20 by moving the apparatus 22 upwardly and jarring the locator key 52 against the shoulder 28 to shear the pin 78 which will bring a retracting shoulder 94 against the taperedface 60 of the key 52 retracting the key 52 into the movable body 50 and away from the shoulder 28.

Of course, the handling apparatus 22 of the present invention may also be used to remove a valve 18 from the seat 16 in a selected mandrel by utilizing a pulling adapter 20 of any conventional type, such as the Type JDC of Camco, Incorporated, in place of the running adapter 38.

In operation, the handling apparatus is used for installing a valve 18 in a preselected pocket 16 by being lowered downwardly into the tubing and past any number of mandrels 12 to the desired mandrel 12 in which it is desired to install or remove a flow control device 18. On reaching the desired location, the apparatus 22 is raised whereby the guide key 52 engages the guide surface 26 and further upward movement causes the key 52 to rotate and be guided into the guide slot 24 thereby orienting the apparatus 22 with respect to the offset pocket 16. Further upward movement will cause the shoulder 62 on the key 52 to contact the engaging shoulder 28 above the slot 24 of the orientation sleeve 22, as best seen in FIG. 1. Further upward movement of the apparatus 22 will move the body 30 upwardly, as best seen in FIG. 2, relative to the movable body 50 causing the actuator 76 to move the member 70 and shear the pin 72 carrying the shoulder 68 off of the pin 66 which releases the handling arm 32. The shifting spring 40 will now move the adapter 38 and valve 18 into position above the pocket 16 and into the deflector and guide 17, as best seen in FIG. 3. Further downward movement of the apparatus 22 causes the lower end of the valve 18 to move into the pocket 16 and become axially aligned thereof with the aid of the universal joint 80, the

pivots

42 and 44 along with the action of spring 92. Further downward movement latches the valve 18 in the pocket 16 and an upward jarring action disengages the adapter 38 from the valve 18. The running tool 22 may then be removed from the tubing 10 as previously described.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is given for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are-encompassed within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A flow control device handling apparatus adapted for use in placing a flow control device in a selected offsetpocket in a mandrel having an orientating sleeve in a well tubing and for removing said device therefrom comprising,

a body adapted to be moved through the well tubing,

a flow control device handling arm supported from the body, 1

means for laterally shifting said handling arm into position over a selected pocket when the body is oriented,

orientating means connected to the body for coacting with the orientating sleeve for orientating the handling arm relative to the pocket, and

universal joint means in the body between the orientating means and the handling arm for allowing the body to pivot about the universal joint for allowing movement of the body through curved well tubing, but maintaining the orientating means and the handling arm in a predetermined rotational alignment for providing orientation of the handling arm.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including,

actuator means engaged by the orientating means for actuating the shifting means, said actuator means movable through the universal joint.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 including,

spring means connected to the body above the universal joint, and positioned to urge said body away from the tubing and toward the pocket when the body is oriented.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the universal joint is a ball joint having first and second members, one of the members including a slot parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, and the second member includes a pin positioned in the slot and axially aligned with the center of the joint.

5. A flow control device handling apparatus adapted for use in placing a flow control device in a selected offset pocket in a well tubing and for removing said device therefrom comprising,

a body adapted to be moved through the well tubing,

a flow control device handling arm pivotally connected to the body,

shifting means for pivoting the handling arm relative to the body,

releasable engaging means coacting between the body and the handling arm initially preventing the handling arm from being shifted until the engaging means is released,

locating means carried by the body for releasing the engaging means including a locator shoulder protruding upwardly and adapted to contact a shoulder in the tubing for actuating the releasing engaging means,

a universal joint means intermediate the ends of the body for allowing the ends of the body to pivot relative to each other to be moved through curved tubing but maintaining the ends of the body in rotational alignment, said universal joint means is positioned between the locator shoulder and the handling arm, and

said locating means includes an actuator movable through the joint for releasing the engaging means.

6. A flow control device handling apparatus for use in placing a flow control device in a selected offset pocket in a mandrel having an orientating sleeve in a well tubing and for removing said device therefrom comprising,

a body adapted to be moved through the well tubing,

said body including an elongated guide means adapted to be lowered through the well tubing and bypass said seat,

a flow control device handling arm pivotally connected to the guide means,

shifting means for pivoting the handling arm relative to the guide means,

releasable engaging means coacting between the guide means and the handling arm initially preventing the handling arm from being shifted until the engaging means is released,

orientating means carried by the body for releasing the engaging means including a locator key adapted to coact with an orientating sleeve for orientating the body relative to the pocket, and

a universal joint means in the body positioned between the locating means and the handling arm for allowing the ends of the body to pivot relative to each other for allowing movement of the body through curved well tubing, but maintaining the ends of the body in rotational alignment for providing orientation of the handling arm.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the locating means includes an actuator movable through the universal joint for releasing the engaging means.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 including,

spring means connected to the body above the universal joint and positioned to urge said body away from the tubing and toward the pocket when the body is oriented.

Notice of Adverse Decisien in Interference In Interference No. 99,475, involving Patent No. 3,891,032, G. H. Tausch and R. E. Pringle, APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING AND REMOVING FLOW CONTROL DEVICES, final judgment adverse to the patentees was rendered June 23, 1977, as to claims 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

[O ficz'al Gazette Septembm" 20, 1 977.]

Claims

1. A flow control device handling apparatus adapted for use in placing a flow control device in a selected offset pocket in a mandrel having an orientating sleeve in a well tubing and for removing said device therefrom comprising, a body adapted to be moved through the well tubing, a flow control device handling arm supported from the body, means for laterally shifting said handling arm into position over a selected pocket when the body is oriented, orientating means connected to the body for coacting with the orientating sleeve for orientating the handling arm relative to the pocket, and universal joint means in the body between the orientating means and the handling arm for allowing the body to pivot about the universal joint for allowing movement of the body through curved well tubing, but maintaining the orientatinG means and the handling arm in a predetermined rotational alignment for providing orientation of the handling arm.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including, actuator means engaged by the orientating means for actuating the shifting means, said actuator means movable through the universal joint.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 including, spring means connected to the body above the universal joint, and positioned to urge said body away from the tubing and toward the pocket when the body is oriented.

5. A flow control device handling apparatus adapted for use in placing a flow control device in a selected offset pocket in a well tubing and for removing said device therefrom comprising, a body adapted to be moved through the well tubing, a flow control device handling arm pivotally connected to the body, shifting means for pivoting the handling arm relative to the body, releasable engaging means coacting between the body and the handling arm initially preventing the handling arm from being shifted until the engaging means is released, locating means carried by the body for releasing the engaging means including a locator shoulder protruding upwardly and adapted to contact a shoulder in the tubing for actuating the releasing engaging means, a universal joint means intermediate the ends of the body for allowing the ends of the body to pivot relative to each other to be moved through curved tubing but maintaining the ends of the body in rotational alignment, said universal joint means is positioned between the locator shoulder and the handling arm, and said locating means includes an actuator movable through the joint for releasing the engaging means.

6. A flow control device handling apparatus for use in placing a flow control device in a selected offset pocket in a mandrel having an orientating sleeve in a well tubing and for removing said device therefrom comprising, a body adapted to be moved through the well tubing, said body including an elongated guide means adapted to be lowered through the well tubing and bypass said seat, a flow control device handling arm pivotally connected to the guide means, shifting means for pivoting the handling arm relative to the guide means, releasable engaging means coacting between the guide means and the handling arm initially preventing the handling arm from being shifted until the engaging means is released, orientating means carried by the body for releasing the engaging means including a locator key adapted to coact with an orientating sleeve for orientating the body relative to the pocket, and a universal joint means in the body positioned between the locating means and the handling arm for allowing the ends of the body to pivot relative to each other for allowing movement of the body through curved well tubing, but maintaining the ends of the body in rotational alignment for providing orientation of the handling arm.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 including, spring means connected to the body above the universal joint and positioned to urge said body away from the tubing and toward the pocket when the body is oriented.