Flow-operated valve
First Claim
1. A tool for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- a sealing assembly to define a first zone;
a valve; and
a valve operator responsive to fluid flow to actuate the valve from an open to a closed position, wherein the valve operator comprises a plurality of flow restrictors and wherein at least one of the flow restrictors controls fluid free fall rate through the valve to prevent inadvertent activation of the valve.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tool string, such as one used for performing fracturing operations or other types of operations, includes a valve, a valve operator, and a sealing assembly that in one arrangement includes packers to define a sealed zone. The tool string is carried on a tubing, through which fluid flow may be pumped to the sealed zone. The valve operator is actuated in response to fluid flow above a predetermined flow rate. When the flow rate at greater than the predetermined flow rate does not exist, the valve operator remains in a first position that corresponds to the valve being open. However, in response to a fluid flow rate at greater than the predetermined flow rate, the valve operator is actuated to a second position to close the valve.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A tool for use in a wellbore, comprising:
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a sealing assembly to define a first zone;
a valve; and
a valve operator responsive to fluid flow to actuate the valve from an open to a closed position, wherein the valve operator comprises a plurality of flow restrictors and wherein at least one of the flow restrictors controls fluid free fall rate through the valve to prevent inadvertent activation of the valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
a port housing defining the one or more ports; and
a seat, wherein the poppet has a sealing element engageable with the seat.
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16. The tool of claim 15, wherein the port housing, seat, and sealing element are formed at least in part of an erosion-resistant material.
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17. The tool of claim 15, wherein the seat has an inner bore.
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18. The tool of claim 1, wherein the valve is positioned downstream of the sealing assembly.
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19. The tool of claim 1, wherein the sealing assembly comprises a packer.
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20. The tool of claim 19, wherein the sealing assembly comprises another packer, the first zone defined between the packers.
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21. The tool of claim 19, wherein the valve comprises at least one port positioned below the packer.
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22. The tool of claim 1, wherein the valve operator is responsive to fluid flow of greater than or equal to a predetermined flow rate.
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23. The tool of claim 1, wherein the sealing assembly comprises a bypass element to enable communication of fluid flow or pressure between a region above the sealing assembly and a region below the sealing assembly.
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24. A fracturing string for use in a wellbore, comprising:
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a fluid conduit to receive fluid; and
a flow-operated valve assembly adapted to be actuated between an open and closed position by fluid flowing in the fluid conduit and through the valve assembly at greater than a predetermined rate;
wherein the flow-operated valve assembly comprises a valve operator movable in response to flow of fluid during a fracturing sequence and having one or more flow restrictors across which a pressure difference is created due to such flow of fluid.- View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification