US2644527A - Device for controlling well flow - Google Patents

Description

R. c. BAKER 2,644,527

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING WELL FLOW 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. QH/BEN C19/4K5@ BY 'July 7,-'1953 Original Filed July 7. 1944 July 7, 1953 R. c. BAKER DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING WELL FLOW Original Filed July '7, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 7, 1953 R. c. BAKER 2,644,527

. DEVICE FOR coNTRoLLlNG WELL Flow original Filed July 7, 1944 s sheets-sheet :5

.fipa/55N C A/a-re,

ATTORN EY.

Patented July 7, 1953 DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING WELL FLOW Reuben C. Baker, Coalinga, Calif., assignor to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Vernon, Calif., a corporation of California.

Continuation of application Serial No.- 543,853,

July 7, 1944.

1950, Serial No. 147,631

15 Claims.

rI'his invention relates to well devices, and more particularly to devices for controlling the ilow of fluids from oil and gas Wells.

The present application is a continuation of my application for Devices for Controlling Well Flow, Serial No. 543,853, filed July 7, 1944, and now abandoned. I

An object of the invention is to provide a device adapted for use in well tubing and capable of automatically shutting off or greatly diminishing the oW through the tubing upon decrease of the Well pressure below a predetermined value.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device adapted for use in well tubing which permits flow through the tubing to the surface of the well bore under normal pressure operating conditions, but which automatically shuts off or greatly restricts such flow upon drop in pressure below a predetermined value.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device adapted for use in well tubing in which the pressure of the fluid flowing through the tubing under normal operating conditions acts on pressure actuatable surfaces of dissimilar areas to hold a flow control valve open against the action of a valve closing element. v

Upon decrease of the unit tubing pressure below a predetermined amount, the fluid acting on such surfaces of dissimilar areas is incapable of holding the valve open against the force exerted by the valve closing element.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic pressure responsive shut oif valve device for controlling the iiow of iiuid through well tubing, which is capable of being reopened by applying external uid pressure to the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve device adapted for use in Well tubing and which is held open by pressure acting on the device from above, and which will close upon decrease in such pressure to a predetermined degree.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved retrievable lockingv device forr anchoring flow control apparatus in tubing previously installed in a well.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved iiow control apparatus adapted to be anchored in well tubing, which can be run into and retrieved from the well tubing without substantially disturbing the disposition of iiuid in rIlxis application February 23,

the tubing, and without removing the tubing fromk the well bore.

ln its general aspects, the invention contemplates the provision of a valve device which is controlled by fluid pressure acting on pressure actuatable surfaces of dissimilar areas. The pressure acts on a surface of greater area to exert a force tending to open the valve or hold it in open position, and this pressure also acts on al pressure actuatable surface of lesser area tending to move the valve toward closed position, or to a position in which flow through the valve is materially restricted. This last-mentioned hydraulic valve closing force is supplemented by the force of a spring. There is, accordingly, a total valve opening force provided by the unit uid pressure acting on the pressure actuatable surface of greater area, and a total valve closing force provided by the spring force plus the force of the unit fluid pressure acting on the fluid pressure actuatable surface of smaller area. Eo long as the total force on the surface of larger area is greater than the total force exerted by the spring and the fluid acting on the surface of smaller area, the valve will remain in open position; but as soon as the first-mentioned total force is less than the sum of the last-mentioned forces, the valve will move automatically to closed position, or to a position in which flow through the tubing is materially decreased. This invention has other objects and aspects which will become apparent from a consideration of the several forms of apparatus shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail, but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limited sense, since the scope of the invention is best dened by the claims appended hereto.

Referring to the drawings: l Figure lis an elevation of an apparatus shown installed in well production tubing; v Fig. 2v is a longitudinal section through the, apparatus with its parts in retracted position for lowering through the production tubing;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, in another operative position; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section showing the parts in position for elevating the apparatus through the tubing;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section showing the valve control portions of the apparatus in closed position;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of a modied form of apparatus; and

Fig. '1 is a View of the device disclosed in Fig. 6 in another operative position.

As disclosed in the drawings, the device consists of a lower ow control portion A and an upper locking portion B for anchoring the device in a well tubing C previously installed in the bore hole.

The ow control portion includes a cylindrical body I having an adapter or cylinder head threaded into its upper end, and a tubular valve body I2 screwed into its lower end. The valve body has a plurality of lateral ports I3 establishing communication between its interior and exterior, below which is carried a suitable packing to eiect a seal with the tubing wall; shown specifically as a packing cup I4, clamped between a thimble I5 engaging a shoulder I6 on the valve body below the ports, and a clamp nut I1 threaded on the lower end of the valve body I2 and engaging the base portion of the packing cup I4. The clamp nut is provided with a valve seat I8 adapted to be engaged by a valve head I9 mounted on a valve stem 20 extending upwardly through the valve body I2 and into the cylinder I0. A piston 2| is attached to the upper end of this stem 20 and carries a piston packing 22 secured to it by a suitable nut 23 threaded on the piston and engaging an annular V-shaped groove 24 in the packing to force its outer lip 25 against the cylinder wall and its inner lip 26 against the piston, thus preventing leakage of iiuid past the piston from above the packing 22.

The valve stem 20 may be considered as a small piston or piston rod whose upper portion 21 extends into the cylindrical body or cylinder I0. Fluid through the valve body I2 is prevented from flowing or passing along the small piston portion 21 into the cylinder I0 by a rod packing 28, whose base portion engages the underside of a shoulder 29 extending inwardly from the cylinder, and whose inner and outer lip portions 30, 3| are forced against the piston or piston rod portion 21 and wall of the cylinder I9 by the clamping action of the end I2a of the valve body I2 screwed into the lower end of the cylinder. It will, accordingly, be seen that the rod packing 28 prevents fluid from below from passing into the cylinder space 32 between the large piston 2| and the shoulder 29, and that the piston packing 22 prevents fluid from above from passing downwardly into the cylinder space 32 below the large piston. The space 32 between the lower end of the large piston and the shoulder contains no liquid at all, but only air at approximately atmospheric pressure, trapped in the space upon assembly of the device prior to its lowering in the bore hole.

A helical spring 33 is disposed in the cylinder I0 around the smaller piston portion 21 with its lower end Vengaging the upper surface of the shoulder 29, which functions as a spring seat, and its other end engaging the underside of the large piston 2|. This spring is in compression, and tends to shift the large piston 2|, small piston portion 21 and valve stem 20 in an upward direction to engage the valve head I9 with its seat I8 and close the passage 34 through the valve body, thus preventing upward flow of uid within piston or piston rod portion 21.

the tubing C through the device. Flow around the valve body and device in an upward direction is prevented by the sealing action of the packing I4 against the Wall of the tubing.

The fluid under pressure in the tubing can act on the upper pressure actuatable surface of the large piston 2|, having an area S, by passing through the central passage 35 in the cylinder head Il. The total force exerted on the large piston by the pressure acting over its area S tends to shift the piston 2I and the small piston portion 21 and valve stem 20, a; downward direction, to hold the valve head I9 from its seat I8, or in open position. The total force acting in an upward direction and tending to move the valve head I9 to closed position is the force exerted by the coil spring 33 against the upper piston 2| plus the pressure of the fluid in the tubing acting across the pressure actuatable surface having an effective area 5, of the small So long as the tubing pressure is high enough to furnish a total hydraulic force acting downwardly on the large piston 2| greater than the sum of the hydraulic force acting upwardly on the small piston portion 21 plus the upward force exerted by the spring 33, the valve head I9 will be held from its seat I8, or in open position. When thepressure in the tubing diminishes sufficiently, the total downward force acting on the large piston 2| will be less than the sum ofthe upward force exerted by the spring 33 and the hydraulic force acting upwardly on the small piston portion 21, causing the spring 33 to movev the valve head I9 to closed position against its seat |8.

The pressure at which the valve will close can be predetermined by the relationship between the area S across the large piston 2| and the area s of the small piston portion 21, and also by the degree of compression or force of the spring! 33. For example, letitbe assumed' that the flow through the tubing is being substantially restricted by a flow bean (not shown) at the surface of the well bore to build up a4 back pressure in the tubing string both above and below the well device of 600 p. s. i. Let it further be assumed that it is desiredI to yhave, the valve closev upon drop in the tubing pressure to approximately 300 p. s. i., which will occur either asa. result of opening the iiow bean to a greaterextent or through disruption of the surface well connections. If the area of the large piston is assumed to be 3A, sq. in., and the area of theY small piston Tag sq. in., the upward force F` tov be exerted by the coil spring when the valve 1s open can be predetermined from the following equation: t

PXSIF-l-PXS where: Pzdesired unit closing pressure in p. s. 1.2300 Szarea of large piston in sq. in.:% szarea of small piston in sq. inzl Fzforce exerted by coil spring in lbs.

SOOXSzE-i-SOOXg F:168'.75 lbs., or approximately l'10.lbs-.

In other words, under the assumed conditions,

if the spring 33 has acompressive force with the.

valve open of about 17o-lbs., the valve will close upon drop in the tubing pressure immediately below 300 p. s. i. A pressure of 600 p. s. i., or any pressure at or above 300 p. s. i.will hold the valve, open.

The valve device A canbe made upand runl in a,

well bore with the tubing string C, if desired, with the cylinder lil or valve body l2 suitably secured to the tubing, or, as shown in the drawings, it can be run in and anchored to tubing already positioned in the well bore. In this latter instance, an anchoring device is attached to the cylindrical body lil to form an upward extension thereof and includes a tubular mandrel 36 having its lower member 36a threaded into the adapter or cylinder head Il and its upper member 36h threaded into the lower member. The upper mandrel member 35D is provided at its upper end with an enlarged head 3'! slidably receiving a retrieving sleeve 38, on the lower end of which is threaded a latch carrier 39 having an inturned shoulder 4l! forming a seat for a helical spring 4| whose upper end engages the mandrel head 3l. A plurality of circumferentially spaced spring-like latches 42 are formed integrally with and depend from the latch carrier 39, each latch having a rigid head 43 at its lower end provided with an integral dog or slip 44 of such length as to be able to lit within a coupling space 45 formed between adjacent sections 46, 4l of tubing. The head 43 also has a foot portion 48 depending from the dog 44, and Aan inwardly projecting lug 49 above the foot. A latch lock or holder 50 is formed on the upper end of the lower mandrel member 36a, and has a shoulder 5l adapted to engage the lower end of the lug 49, and also an outer surface 52 engageable with the inner surface 53 on each foot 48 to prevent inadvertent inward movement of the latch 42 after its outward expansion into the tubing coupling space 45.

When the tool is run downwardly through the tubing, the latches 42 are prevented from moving outwardly, due to their inherent spring action, by a cup-shaped retainer 54 engaging the outer surface of each latch foot 48. This retainer is slidable longitudinally on the lower mandrel member 35a in moving to and from latch retaining position. Circumferentially spaced leaf springs 55 are secured to the latch retainer by screws 56 or the like, and frictionally engage the tubing C, tending to resist movement of the latch retainer 54 therewithin.

A running-in tool D is employed for lowering and setting the tool in the production tubing already installed in the well bore. This tool consists of an upper body 51 received within the retrieving sleeve 38 and having a depending pilot 58 provided with an external circumferential groove 59 in which is positioned a split coupling ring which inherently tends to expand in an outward direction. A companion internal groove 6I is formed in the mandrel head 31 for reception of the split ring 56 to couple the runningin tool to the mandrel 36. A stinger or valve opening rod 52 is secured to the pilot 58, as by a set screw 63, and extends downwardly through the central passage in the mandrel and cylinder head into engagement with the upper end of the large piston 2l. The valve opening rod 62 is of such length as to move the piston 2i downwardly against the action of the spring 33 when the coupling ring 65 is in the internal groove 6l to hold the valve in open position while the valve device is being run downwardly through the tubing C. f

The parts are all arranged as disclosed in Fig. 2, with the running-in tool D in proper position within the mandrel 3B and cylinder I0. It is to be noted that the mandrel 3B has been moved down with respect to the retrieving sleeve 38 and latches 42 to dispose the latch lock 50 below the heads 43, which allows the latter to be forced inwardly and held in retracted position by the retainer sleeve 54 positioned over the foot portions 48 of the latches. The setting spring 4l has been compressed and is held in such compressed state by engagement of the foot portions 48 of the latches with the tapered portion 50a of the mandrel lock 50.

The running-in tool D is secured to a suitable wireline or tubing (not shown) for lowering the entire apparatus through the production tubing C. The body 5l has sufficient weight, which may be supplemented, if required, by a sinker bar (not shown) attached to its upper end, to force the apparatus down through the production tubing. This downward movement is not re-` tarded by the iluid in the tubing, since the stinger 62 holds the valve head I9 open'and allows fluid to by-pass the device by owing upwardly through the valve body I2 and ports I3; Since the friction springs 55 tend to resist movement of the latch retainer 54 downwardly through the tubing, it remains in position over the foot portions 48 of the heads 43 to hold their dogs orl slips 44 in retracted position.

When the approximate depth at which the apparatus is to be anchored in the well tubing is reached, the wire line is moved upwardly causing the entire apparatus to be elevated, with the exception of the latch retainer 54, whose upward movement is prevented by the friction springs 55. Such upward movement releases the latch retainer from the foot portions 48 of the latches 42 and allows them to expand outwardly under their inherent spring action against the wall of the tubing. This outward expanding action may be assisted by the force of the compressed setting spring 4l tending to move the lock 5B upwardly with respect to the latches to shift its conical expander portion 55d upwardly against and along the companion inclined surfaces 48a at the inner lower ends of the foot portions of the dogs or slips.

The entire apparatus is elevated until the next higher coupling space 45 formed by a coupling 64 connecting adjacent sections 45, 4l of tubing together is reached, whereupon the dogs 44 on the latches can inherently expandoutwardly into this space 45, the setting spring elevating the upper mandrel member 36h and attached lower mandrel member 36a to position the latch lock or holder 50 behind the latches, as shown in Fig. 3, in which the lock shoulder 5| engages the lugs 49 and the periphery 52 of the lock engages the inner surfaces 53 of the foot portions 4S of the latches. When in this position, the apparatus cannot move upwardly, except to a very slight extent as limited by the coupling space, since the latches 42 are prevented from moving inwardly out of the coupling space 45 by engagement of the heads 43 with the p-eriphery 52 of the latch holder 50. A continuation of the upward strain on the wire line or tubing attached to the running-in tool D causes the split coupling ring 6D to bear against the tapered upper surface 65 of the internal groove 6I, which will shift it inwardly to release the running-in tool D from the mandrel head 31, permitting withdrawal of the running-in tool to the surface of the well bore, and also withdrawing its valve opening rod 62 from the mandrel 36 and cylinder l0. While this upward force is being exerted on the running-in tool to release it from the mandrel, the upwardly and inwardly inclined 7. surfaces B6 on the latch heads 43 engage the4 endV 41a of the upper tubing section 41, butA the latch holder 50 still prevents the dogs 44 from-v moving inwardly and holds the apparatus locked to the production tubing C against upward movement. Downward movement is prevented by engagement of the dogs 44 with the end 46a of the; lower tubing section 46.

If the valve head I9 has engaged its seat; I8v upon withdrawal of the running-in tool D from the apparatus, such head can be reopened simply by applying pressure from the surface of the well bore to the fluid in the production tubing C. This pressure acts on the large piston 2I to shift the piston rodV 21 and valve stem 20 downwardly and move the valve head I9 from its seatv I8'.l Discontinuation of this externally applied pressure will not cause the valve to close, because 'the pressure of the `well vuid in the tubing is then capable of acting, through the open valve, in a downward direction on the large piston 2I, as well as upwardly on the small piston portion 21. With the valve in open position this well fluid flows upwardly around the valve head I9, through the annular space 34 between the valve body I2 and valve stem 20, through` the ports I3, and upwardly through the annulus 61 between the cylinder I and tubing C to the control mechanism at the surface of the well bore, where the ow is suitably beaned or throttled to provide theA necessary normal back pressure in the tubing string. The well pressure is acting upwardly on the packing cup I4 but cannot pass therearound because of its sealing engagement with the wall of the production tubing, and this pressure is also incapable of forcing the entire apparatus in an upward direction because of the engagement of the latches 42 with the tubing end 41a of the coupling space 45. As aforestated, the latches 42 cannot be moved inwardly out of this space because of the locking action of the latch holder 50 on the mandrel 35. When the tubing pressure drops below a predetermined value, the valve automatically closes because of the action of the helical spring 33, as described above. Such action normally takes place either through opening the flow valve at the surface ofy the well boreY to decrease the Vfluid pressure in the tubing, or through inadvertent disruption of the surface connections, which can occur as aV resultV of hurricane or other natural hazards, or as a result of explosive forces.

The device may be retrieved from the well bore whenever desired by running a retrieving tool E into theA production tubing C on the end of a wire line or other suitable string (see Figure 4). The retrieving tool includes a body 68 adapted to be received within the retrieving sleeve 38, which is provided with a pilot 69 for reception within the mandrel head 58. This pilot also carries a depending stinger or valve opening rod secured to it in suitable fashion,l as by a set screw 1I, which extends through the mandrel 3B and engages the; large piston 2l to force it downwardly against the action of the spring 33and move the valve head I9 fromits seat I8- The tool body 68 is provided with a slip receiving groove 12 whose base portion forms a slip vex-V pander 13 inclined in a downward and outward direction. A slip 14 is received within this groove 12 and is held therein by a retainer screw 15 extending through an elongated slot 16 in ther base portion of the slip and threaded into the body 68 of the retrieving tool.

ventzitslossfromthe; body, but still permits slid-- ingaction of; the slip on the expander portion 13 ofthe body. This; slip- 14 is provided with external VWichers 18, preferably formed as a portion ofv a helical thread, which are adapted to engage companion internal ratchet threads 19' and causes its wickers'18 to engage the ratchet,

teeth 1.9; In effect, the slip and ratchet teeth onl the retrieving sleeve form a one-way clutch, which allows downward movement of the body 68 andy attached stinger 10 with respect to the retrieving sleevel 38, but prevents their relative upward movement.

TheV retrieving tool Eis lowered through the production tubing C until it enters the mandrel 35i and retrieving sleeve 38. Engagement of the dogs 44 with the end of the lower tubing section 4E prevents downward movement of the latches 42. and retrieving sleeve 3B, and allows the weight of. the body 58 to be imposed on the stinger 10 to open the valve against the force of the spring 33 and production tubing pressure. This weight also forces the mandrel 36down to recompress the setting spring 4I and shift the latch holder 56 downwardly from the latch dogs. The latch holder 5t is held in this lower position and the valve maintained open by the clutching engagement of the slip 14 with the retrieving sleeve 38 and engagement of the body B8. with the mandrel head 3f1. Upward movement of the wire line then elevatesv the entire mechanism through the production tubing, the inclined surfaces 66 of the latch heads 43 engaging thelower end 41a of each tubing section 41 to be forced inwardly free of the coupling spaces 45v during upward'travel of the mechanism. These latches 42 ride along the walls ofthe tubing'sections until the entire device is withdrawn from the tubing at the surface of the well bore. The retrieving tool E can then be withdrawn from the mandrel by unscrewing the body andits slipy 14 from the ratchet threads 19 in the retrievingsleeve 38.

For the purposerof' facilitating opening of the valve; the valve head I9 may be formed in sections, being provided with an auxiliary or equalizing valve headV extendingY downwardly from a rod extension BI securedto the valve stem 20 by a coupling 82. The equalizing valve head |83 is adapted to engage an auxiliary valve seat 83 at the lower endof the main valve head I9. When the valves are closed, the auxiliary valve: head 80 engages its companion seat 83 on the main valve head I9 and the latter engages its seat I8 on the` clamp nut I1. When the valve is to be opened, the iirst portion of the downward movement of the valve stem 20 disengages they auxiliary valve head Si! from its seat 83 and permits the pressureY to equalize onboth sides of the main valve head Itis apparent from the foregoing description.

Continued downward movementy that the valve is open both while being run into and removed from the production tubing, and, therefore, can readily be moved through the tubing since the fluid therein is lay-passed through the open valve and remains substantially undisturbed in the tubing.

is an alternative method of keeping the valve in open position after installation of the device in the tubing, fluid pressure may be supplied from the surface of the well bore, being conducted into the up-per end of the cylinder iii through a separate string of tubing 85 extending downwardly from the top of the bore hole and threaded into the retrieving sleeve 38. The pressure will be transmitted through the uid in this tubing and through the mandrel 36 into the head end of the cylinder IG, where it will act downwardly-on the large piston 2l to shift the valve head lfrom its seat I8. The well flow can then take place as before through the open valve, through the annular space 3s between the valve body I2 and stern 20, and through the ports I3 for upward passage around the tool and the annular space between the inner tubing string 35 and production tubing C to the surface of the well bore. With this arrangement, the pressure acting down on the large piston 2| is independent of the production tubing pressure, and the valve can be opened or closed at -will 'simply by controlling the pressure of the iliiid within the inner tubing string 85.

It is detrimental to some wells for its ilow to n be arrested completely. For wellsof this type, the valve head I9 can be so arranged as not to close completely when the well pressure decreases below a predetermined degree. A suitable 'port 86 may be formed through the clamp ring i2' to allow some fluid to continue to by-pass the valve head i9 and now through the ports i3 upwardly through the tubing to the surface of the well bore; or the valve stem 2i) may be of such length as to leave the valve head I9 slightly spaced from its seat I8 when the large piston 2| is in its uppermost position. By materially decreasing the now under the Vlast-mer'iticihed conditions, the well can still be controlled at the surface of the well bore, even upon disruption of the surface control valves by natural or man made forces.

A modified form of the invention is disclosed in Figs. 6 and 7. Essentially, lthe device illustrated in these iigures is substantially the same as the other device insofar as the anchoring mechanism B is concerned It also embodies the principle of the differential areas and predetermined spring tension or compression for controlling operation of the Valve. The main di'erence resides in the provision of a different type of seals for the large and small pistons 2 l 21, and also in the provision of an arrangement for readily adjusting the force of the spring 33.

As shown in the drawings, a cup-shaped eX- tensible piston packing '8l has its upper end 33 clamped betweenv the cylinder l0 and cylinder head, and its lower base portion 89 resting upon the head of the large piston 2 la. Y A suitable filler cup or thimble en can be inserted in the cup- Shaped packing for engagement by the valve opening rods 62, 'is of the running-in and retrieving tools D, E', and thus prevent potential damage to the cup-shaped packing. The piston rod or small piston 27a is also provided with an extensible piston or rod packing 9| whose upper end 92 is clamped to the cylinder lila, by a lower clamp ring 93 engaged by the upper end of a spring housing 94 threaded into the lower end of the cylinder Ia.. The lower` Gilde 95 Of the 10 1 small piston packing 5I is clamped to the small piston 2id by a clamp nut St threaded on this latter member.

The valve body I2 is threaded into the lower end of the spring housing 94 and forms a seat for the bottoni end of the spring 33, Whose upper end engages an adjustingnut El? threaded on the valve stern 2te, which extends upwardly into the spring housing with its upper end engaging the lower end of the small piston`2ld. A lock nut 98 is threaded on the upperend of the valve stem 26a to hold the nut 97 in any position of adjustment.

As described in connection with the other embodiment shownin the drawings, the pressure of the iiuid in the production tubing acts Yupwardly over the eflective area s of the small piston 21a to urge the valve head I9 to closed position, and this force is supplemented by the action of the spring 33, whose compression is predetermined by appropriately threading the adjusting nut el on the threaded valve stem 20a. The pressure of the fluid in the production tubing is also acting downwardly on the large piston 2 la f over its effective area 5, tending to move the closes under the action of the spring 33.

The inventor claims: l. A well flow control device including a body 'K adapted to be disposed within a now line and having a passage through which well fluidmay iiow, means for preventingv fluid flow longitudinally along the exterior of said body between said body and the flow line surrounding said body, a valve movable' by said well iluid toward a position closing said passage, means having a fluid pressure actuatable surface responsive to the action of said well iiuid under pressure on the outlet side of said valve for urging said valve to open position to permit flow of fluid through said passage, means having afluid pressure actuatable surface of less area than said iirst-mentioned surface and responsive to the action of said well uid under pressure for urging said valve toward closed position, and means supplementing the k'force of the fluid pressure on said surface of less valve means coacting withsaid body and movable v to positions regulating the how of fiuid through said passage, means for urging said valve means in an upward direction toward closed position, said valve means having an upper nuid pressure actuatable surface responsive to the action lof fluid under pressure in-said tubing above said device on the outlet side of said valve means rfor urging said valve means in a downward direction to open position to permit flow of weil fluid'upwardly through said passage, said valve means also having a fluid pressure actuatable' surface of less area than said rst-mentioned surface and responsive to the action orwell fluid under` pressure in said tubing from below said device for urging said valve means upwardly toward closed position, said areas and urging means being proportioned and related to each other as to cause 1 l said urging means to shift said valve means 'to- Vward closed position upon decrease in tubing pressure above the device from normal to a predetermined value.

3. A Well flow control device including a body adapted to be positioned within production tubing and having a passage `through which well iiuid may flow upwardly through the tubing, means for preventing fluid flow between said body and the production tubing, a valve coacting with said body andmovable to positions regulating the flow Vof fluid through said passage, said valve being movable by the pressure of said well fluid toward closed position, `means for urging said valve in an upward direction Atoward closed position, and `fluid operated means responsive to fluid pressure in the production tubing above said device on the outlet side of said valve for urging said valve downwardly toward open position to permit upward ow of fluid through said passage.

4. A well flow control device including a body adapted to b e positioned within production tubing, means for preventing flow of fluid between said body and the production tubing, said body having a passage through which Well fluid may by-pass upwardly around said flow preventing means for upward passage between said body and tubing, a valve coacting with said body and movable to positions regulating theow of well iiuid through said passage, means for urging said valve in an upward direction toward closed position, and fluid operated means responsive to the pressure ofiluid Von the outlet side of said valve and above said ow preventing means for urging said valvedownwardly toward open position to permit upward flow of fluid through vsaid passage.

5. A wellv flow control device including production tubing, a body positioned within said production tubing and having a passage through which well iiuid may flow upwardly through the tubing, means for `preventing iuid flow between said body and the production tubing, a valve coacting with said body and 'movable to positions regulating the ow of fluid through said passage, means for urging said valve in an upward direction toward closed position, a cylinder secured to said body and spaced laterally from said production tubing, means for feeding fluid into said cylinder, and piston means in said cylinder acted on by the iluid fed into the cylinder and coacting with said valve for urging said valve in a downward direction toward open position to 'permit Yupward ow of fiuid through said passage and upwardly through saidproduction tubing around said cylinder.

6. A well ilow control device including a body adapted to be positioned within production tubing and having a passage through which well fluid may flow, means for preventing fluid flow longitudinally along the exterior of said body between saicl body and the production tubing, a valve coacting with said'fbody and vmovable to positions regulating the flow of iiuid through said passage, means for urging said valve toward closedY position, a cylinder secured to said body and having an inlet for the entry of well ,iluid on the outlet side of said valve, piston means in said cylinder coacting with said valve for urging said valve toward open position `to permit flow of fluid through said passage, said piston means having a larger fluid pressure actuatable surface subject to the pressure of the well fluidentering said cylinder through said inlet to urge vsaid valve toward open position, andpiston means coacting withY said valve and having a smaller iiuid pres- .75 a'valVe it/.ald plgfd Dition upon decrease Y sure actuatable surface subject to substantially.

the same vpressure as the well uid in said passage for urging said valve toward closed position, said areas of said surfaces and said urging means being proportioned with respect to each other :as to cause said urging means to shift said valve toward closed position upon decrease in well pressure from normal to a predetermined lower value.

7. A well flow control device vincluding a body adapted to be positioned within production tubing and having a passage therethrough through which fluid `may flow upwardly through the tubing, a, valve coacting with said body and movable to Apositions regulating the iiow of fluid through said passage, ra spring urging said 4valve in an upward direction toward closed pos'ition,` acylinder secured to said body andliaving an inlet for Vthe entry of -uid .from said production tubing onthe outlet 'side of :said valvel means .for preventing fluid flow longitudinal-ly along the exterior of said body between said ,body .and production tubing, an `upper piston in said cylinder lexposed to the action of well uid in said cylinder and inlet, a lower piston exposed to the action of well fluid yfrom below said cylinder, said pistonsV coacti-ng with said valve so that said upper piston urges said valve toward open position to permit ilow of fluid through -said passage and said lower piston tends to counteract the valve opening action of said upper piston, said upper piston having a fiuid pressure actuatable surface .of larger area than the fiuid pressure actuatable surface of ,said

lower piston, and said .areas Aof said surfaces and force of ysaid 4spring being .proportioned and related to each other as to cause said upper piston Vto hold said valve in open position under normal well lpressure flowconditions and said spring -to shift said val-ve toward closed position upon decrease in Well pressure-from normal to a predetermined lower value.

8. A well flow control device including production tubing, Aa body within said production tubing and having a `cylinder extending upwardly therefrom and spaced inwardly from said production tubing, means for preventing flow of fluid between said body and production tubing, said body having a lpassage through which uid vmay bypass upwardly around said now `preventing means for upward passage through the space between said tubing vand cylinder, a valve coacting with said body and ,movable to positions regulating the ilowgof duid through saidpassage,.a spring urging' tends to counteract the valve opening action ofV said upper piston, said lupper piston having a fluid pressure actuatable surface of larger area than the fluid-pressure actuatable surface of said lower piston, and said areas of said surfaces and force of said spring being so proportioned with respect Vto one another that -the pressure of the well fluid fiowing through the device under norvmal well iow conditions will act on said pistons to counteract the force Of. Said spring to hold ,the valve 1n Open position, said spring shifting -13 in the Well pressure from normal to a predetermined lower value. l

9. A well flow control device adapted to be moved longitudinally through a tubularstring, including a body having a passage through which fluid-may flow through the tubular string, a valve coacting with said body and movable to positions regulating the flow of fluid through said passage, a spring urging said valve toward closed position, cylinder means secured to said body and having a fluid inlet, a piston in said 'cylinder means acted on by fluid fed into said cylinder means through said inlet and coacting with said valve for urging said valve toward open position to permit ilow of fluid through said pas- 2* sage, and a tool releasably connected to said cylinder means for moving, said device through said tubular string comprising a rod engageable with said piston for holding said valve open.

10. A well flow control device adapted to be lowered through a tubular string, including a body having a passage through which fluid may flow through the tubular string, a valve coacting with said body and movable to positions regulating the flow of fluid through said passage, a spring urging said valve toward closed position, a cylinder secured to said body and having a fluid inlet, a piston in said cylinder acted on by fluid fed into said cylinder through said inlet and coacting with said valve for urging it toward open position to permit flow of fluid through said passage, means secured to said cylinder for anchoring said body and cylinder to said tubular string, a tool releasably conected to said anchoring means for lowering said device through said tubular string comprising a rod engageable with said piston for holding said valve open, and means for holding said anchoring means in retracted position while said device is being 10W- ered through said tubular string.

1l. A well flow control device adapted to be secured within a flow line including a body havv between said body and the flow line, a valve mov- .3;

able to positions regulating the flow of fluid under pressure through said passage, means having a fluid pressure actuatable surface responsive to the action of fluid under pressure above said passage on the outlet side of said valve and within said flow line for urging said valve to open position to permit flow of fluid through said passage, means having a fluid pressure actuatable surface of less area than said first-mentioned surface and responsive to the action of fluid under pressure within said flow line for urging said valve toward closed position, means supplementing the force of the fluid pressure on said surface of less area for urging said valve toward closed position, said fluid pressure actuatable surfaces and said supplementing means being proportioned and related to one another as to hold said valve in fully opened position until the fluid pressure through said passage decreases substantially below normal to a predetermined value.

l2. A well flow control device including a body having a passage through which well fluid may fioW, a valve movable to positions regulating the flow of fluid through said passage, means having a fluid pressure actuatable surface and adapted' to urge said valve to open position to permit ilow of fluid through said passage, means on the outlet side of said valve for imposing static pressure only on said fluid pressure actuatable surlface of less area for urging face of said urging meansv to urge said valve to open position, means provided with a fluid pressure actuatable surface of less area than said first-mentioned surface and responsive to the action of fluid under pressure for urging said valve toward closed position, and means supplementing theV force of the fluid pressure on said sursaid valve toward closed position.` I

13; A well flow control device including a body having a passage through which well fluid may flow, a4 valve coacting with said body and movable to positions regulating the flow of fluid through said passage, means for urging said valve toward closed position, a cylinder. secured to said body and `having an inlet for the entry of Well fluid which is spaced longitudinally from'said passage, piston means in said cylinder coacting with said valve for urging it toward open position to permit 'flow of well fluid through said passage, said piston means comprising large and small pistons operatively associated with one another and movable within said cylinder, said large and small pistons being in leakproof relation with respect to said cylinder providing a conned cylinder space therebetween into which said well fluid cannot enter, said large piston being subject tothe pressure of the well fluid entering said cylinder through said inlet to urge said valve toward open position and said smaller piston being subject to the pressure of the well fluid above said valve for urging said valve toward-closed position, the fluid pressure actuatable areas of said large and small pistons and said urging means being so proportioned with respect to each other as to cause said urging leans to shift said valve toward closedY position upon decrease in well pressure from normal to a predetermined lower value.

14. A well flow control device including a body having a passage through which well fluid may flow, a valve coacting With said body to regulate flow of fluid through said passage, means for urging said valve toward closed position, a cylinder secured to said body and having an inlet on the outlet side ofl said valve which is spaced longitudinally from said passage, first piston means in said cylinder coacting with said valve for urging said Valve toward open position to permit flow of fluid through said passage, said rst piston means having a fluid pressure actuatable surface subject to lluid pressure entering said cylinder through said inlet to urge said valve toward open position,V

means preventing the well fluid from acting upon said iirst piston means to urge said ilrst piston means in the opposite direction such as would cause said valve to move toward closed position, and second piston means coacting with said valve and having a smaller fluid pressure actuatable surface than said iirst piston means subject to substantially the same pressure as the Well fluid in said passage for enabling said valve to move toward closed position. l

15. A well flow control device adapted to be lowered through a tubular string, including a body having a passage through which fluid may flow through the tubular string, valve means secured to and coacting with said body and movable to positions regulating the flow of fluid through said passage, a mandrel secured to said valve means, means on said mandrel for anchoring said mandrel to said tubular string, means on said mandrel for retaining said anchoring means in retracted position while the device is being lowered through the tubular string, said retaining vmeans being frictionally .engageable with said Num'loei' .Name Date tubular string, 'a Ytool relea'saloly connectedtofsai'd 1,087,399 Phelps Feb. .17, 1914 4mandrel for lowering said `olevice through ssaid 1,283,061 .Bridgham Oct. 29, 1918 tubular string, Ysaid retaining means being mov- 22,196,535 vOtis Apr. 9, 1940 able to a position wthrespect to'sad vanchoring f5 12,238,124 Mathieson Apr..15, 1941 means releasing said anchoringmeans upon up- `21,251,244 Stanley Ju1y.v29, 1941 ward movement of said tool and mandrel to per- 2,268,227 Rose Dec. 30, 1941 mit expansion of said anchoring means toward 2,304,404 VFlanagan Dec. 8, 1942 engagement with said tubular string. 2,375,810 Nelson AMay 15,1945 REUBEN C. BAKER. '10 2,428,150 Field Sept. 30,1947 42,508,399 Kendrick May V23, 1950 References Cited in the file rof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,001,324 'Thompson Aug. 22, t191

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