Magnetically coupled safety valve with satellite inner magnets

• US 8,919,730 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2011
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Vick, James D. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fristoe, Jr., John K
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rost, Andrew J
• Application Number:
  US13/231,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20120032099A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,204 Days
• Field of Search: 251/65, 166/332.8, 166/66.5, 166/332.1, 335/207, 335/306, 335229-234, 137/456, 137/457
• US Class Current: 251/65
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/10 operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/086 the magnet being movable and actuating a second magnet connected to the closing element

Abstract

A safety valve can include multiple magnetic devices reciprocably disposed in respective longitudinally extending chambers, and a another magnetic device magnetically coupled to the first magnetic devices. The first magnetic devices may be circumferentially spaced apart and encircled by the second magnetic device. Another safety valve can include multiple longitudinally extending chambers and multiple magnetic devices. Each of the magnetic devices may be reciprocably disposed in a respective one of the chambers, and the magnetic devices may be attached to an operating member of the safety valve.

Claims

1. A safety valve for use in a subterranean well, the safety valve comprising:

multiple first magnetic devices which reciprocate within respective longitudinally extending chambers;

a second magnetic device magnetically coupled to the first magnetic devices; and

wherein the first magnetic devices are circumferentially spaced apart and are encircled by the second magnetic device.

2. The safety valve of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic devices are attached to an operating member of the safety valve.

3. The safety valve of claim 1, further comprising a housing having a pressure bearing wall, and wherein the chambers extend in the housing wall.

4. The safety valve of claim 3, wherein the housing wall is made of a non-magnetic material.

5. The safety valve of claim 3, wherein each of the first magnetic devices is completely surrounded by the housing wall.

6. The safety valve of claim 3, wherein the housing wall is exposed to pressure in an interior longitudinal passage formed through the safety valve.

7. The safety valve of claim 3, wherein at least one support positioned between the chambers resists pressure in an interior longitudinal passage formed through the safety valve.

8. The safety valve of claim 1, wherein an actuator of the safety valve simultaneously displaces the first magnetic devices.

9. A safety valve for use in a subterranean well, the safety valve comprising:

multiple longitudinally extending chambers, the chambers being circumferentially spaced apart; and

multiple first magnetic devices attached to an operating member of the safety valve, wherein each of the first magnetic devices reciprocates within a respective one of the chambers.

10. The safety valve of claim 9, wherein the first magnetic devices are magnetically coupled to a second magnetic device which encircles the first magnetic devices.

11. The safety valve of claim 9, wherein an actuator of the safety valve simultaneously displaces the first magnetic devices within the chambers.

12. The safety valve of claim 9, wherein at least one support positioned between the chambers resists pressure in an interior longitudinal passage formed through the safety valve.

13. The safety valve of claim 9, wherein the chambers are disposed in a housing wall of the safety valve.

14. The safety valve of claim 13, wherein the housing wall is made of a non-magnetic material.

15. The safety valve of claim 13, wherein the chambers and the first magnetic devices are circumferentially spaced apart in the housing wall.

16. The safety valve of claim 13, wherein each of the first magnetic devices is completely surrounded by the housing wall.

17. The safety valve of claim 13, wherein the housing wall is exposed to pressure in an interior longitudinal passage formed through the safety valve.