Closure mechanism with integrated actuator for subsurface valves

• US 20030121665A1
• Filed: 11/19/2002
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Trott, Douglas, Shaw, Brian, McMahon, David
• Granted Patent: US 6,957,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/332.8
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 2200/05 Flapper valves
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/10 operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole

Abstract

A subsurface safety valve has a closure sleeve or rod mounted below the closure mechanism. Control signal pushes the sleeve up (uphole) or down (downhole), whichever is applicable, which causes the closure element to rotate (or slide, or otherwise translate) to its open position. A loss of control signal allows the closure spring to push the sleeve or rod downhole (or uphole, whichever is appropriate). This movement causes the closure element to be driven to its closed position against the seat.

Claims

1. A downhole safety valve, comprising:

a housing having uphole and downhole ends;

a closure element mounted to said housing; and

an actuator to move said closure element, said actuator mounted substantially between said closure element and said downhole end of said housing.

2. The safety valve of claim 1, wherein:

said actuator forcibly pivots said closure element selectively in opposed directions.

3. The safety valve of claim 1, wherein:

said closure element pivots between an open and a closed position; and

the weight of said actuator provides at least part of the force to urge said closure element to said closed position.

4. The safety valve of claim 1, wherein:

said actuator is connected directly to said closure element.

5. The safety valve of claim 4, wherein:

said closure element comprises a hinge extending beyond a mounting pin supported by said housing;

said actuator is connected to said extending hinge portion beyond said mounting pin.

6. The safety valve of claim 5, wherein:

said connection between said actuator and said hinge portion is accomplished by meshing gears.

7. The safety valve of claim 5, wherein:

said connection between said actuator and said hinge portion is accomplished by a projection on one engaging a depression in the other.

8. The safety valve of claim 5, wherein:

said actuator comprises an annular piston mounted in said housing.

9. The safety valve of claim 5, wherein:

said actuator comprises a rod piston mounted in said housing.

10. The safety valve of claim 5, wherein:

said closure element pivots between an open and a closed position; and

said actuator is biased to urge said closure element toward said closed position.

11. The safety valve of claim 10, wherein:

said actuator defines a variable volume cavity in said body, said cavity having an inlet on the housing to facilitate movement of said actuator against said bias.

12. The safety valve of claim 11, wherein:

said inlet is located between said closure element and said downhole end of said housing.

13. The safety valve of claim 11, wherein:

said actuator forcibly pivots said closure element selectively in opposed directions.

14. The safety valve of claim 13, wherein:

the weight of said actuator provides at least part of the force to urge said closure element to said closed position.

15. The safety valve of claim 14, wherein:

said connection between said actuator and said hinge portion is accomplished by meshing gears.

16. The safety valve of claim 14, wherein:

said connection between said actuator and said hinge portion is accomplished by a projection on one engaging a depression in the other.

17. The safety valve of claim 15, wherein:

said actuator comprises an annular piston mounted in said housing.

18. The safety valve of claim 15, wherein:

said actuator comprises a rod piston mounted in said housing.

19. The safety valve of claim 16, wherein:

said actuator comprises an annular piston mounted in said housing.

20. The safety valve of claim 16, wherein:

said actuator comprises a rod piston mounted in said housing.

21. The safety valve of claim 1, wherein:

said actuator is connected indirectly to said closure element.

22. The safety valve of claim 21, wherein:

said actuator moves toward said uphole end to move said closure element to a closed position.

23. The safety valve of claim 1, wherein:

said actuator moves toward said downhole end to move said closure element to a closed position.

24. The safety valve of claim 1, wherein:

said closure element comprises one of a flapper, a ball and a sliding gate.

25. The safety valve of claim 1, wherein:

said actuator and said closure element are urged toward said closed position by a single biasing element.