# US 10,309,193 B2 · Valve apparatus having dissolvable or frangible flapper and method of using same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,193 B2 - Document ID: US10309193B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/424,109 - Filed: 2017-02-03 - Published: 2017-08-03 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-03 - Assignees: Premium Tools LLC - Applicants: Cajun Plugs, LLC - Inventors: Danny L. Gordon; Kenneth Perry - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309193B2 ## CPC - E21B 34/063: {Valve or closure with destructible element, e.g. frangible disc (E21B34/103 takes precedence)} - E21B 33/134: Bridging plugs - E21B 2200/05: Flapper valves - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A bridge plug for use in a wellbore having an anchoring system to grip the inner surface of the surrounding wellbore, as well as a sealing system or packing element to seal against the inner surface. A hinged flapper permits flow of fluid in one axial direction through a central through bore, but can selectively contact against a seat to create a fluid pressure seal and prevent fluid flow through said central through bore in an opposite axial direction. The flapper can be manufactured of frangible material and/or dissolvable material, permitting selective removal of the flapper when desired. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A valve assembly comprising: a) a body section having an upper surface, an outer surface, and a central flow bore having an upper opening defining a seat at said upper surface; b) a transverse support member extending substantially across said central flow bore at said seat; c) at least one slip member disposed on said outer surface adapted to selectively grip against an inner surface of a wellbore; d) at least one elastomeric sealing member disposed on said outer surface adapted to selectively form a fluid pressure seal against said inner surface of said wellbore; and e) a flapper hingedly attached to said body section, wherein said flapper can move between a substantially open configuration, and a substantially closed configuration wherein said flapper contacts said seat and said transverse support member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said valve assembly can be conveyed into said wellbore on wireline and set using a wireline setting tool. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said valve assembly can be conveyed into said wellbore on pipe and set using a hydraulic setting tool. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said flapper and said transverse support member are constructed of frangible material adapted to selectively break into smaller pieces in response to application of a predetermined force to said flapper and said transverse support member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The valve assembly of claim 4, wherein said smaller pieces can be circulated out of said wellbore when broken. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said flapper and said transverse support member are constructed of dissolvable material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The valve assembly of claim 6, wherein said dissolvable flapper and said dissolvable transverse support member are adapted to substantially uncover said central flow bore after dissolving. ### Claim 8 A method of performing hydraulic fracturing operations in a wellbore comprising: a) conveying a valve assembly into a wellbore, wherein said valve assembly comprises: i) a body section having an upper surface, an outer surface and a central flow bore having an upper opening defining a seat at said upper surface; ii) a transverse support member extending substantially across said central flow bore at said seat; iii) at least one slip member disposed on said outer surface adapted to selectively grip against an inner surface of said wellbore; iv) at least one elastomeric sealing member disposed on said outer surface adapted to selectively form a fluid pressure seal against the inner surface of said wellbore; v) a flapper hingedly attached to said body section, wherein said flapper can move between a substantially open configuration, and a substantially closed configuration wherein said flapper contacts said seat and said transverse support member; b) setting said valve assembly at a desired position in said wellbore; c) closing said flapper; and d) conducting hydraulic fracturing operations in said wellbore. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein said valve assembly is conveyed into said wellbore on wireline and set using a wireline setting tool. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein said valve assembly is conveyed into said wellbore on pipe and set using a hydraulic setting tool. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein said flapper and said transverse support member are constructed of frangible material adapted to selectively break into smaller pieces in response to application of a predetermined force to said flapper and said transverse support member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein said smaller pieces can be circulated out of said wellbore when broken. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein said flapper and said transverse support member are constructed of dissolvable material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein said dissolvable flapper and transverse support member are dissolved to substantially uncovers said central flow bore following completion of said hydraulic fracturing operations. ### Claim 15 A valve assembly comprising: a) a body section having an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, a central flow bore having an upper opening defining a seat at said upper surface, a hinge post disposed at said upper surface, and notch disposed at said lower surface; b) a transverse support member extending substantially across said central flow bore at said seat; c) at least one ball transfer unit disposed on said outer surface configured to contact an inner surface of a wellbore; d) at least one slip member disposed on said outer surface configured to selectively grip against said inner surface of said wellbore; e) at least one elastomeric sealing member disposed on said outer surface adapted to selectively form a fluid pressure seal against said inner surface of said wellbore; and f) a flapper hingedly attached to said hinge post of said body section, wherein said flapper can move between a substantially open configuration, and a substantially closed configuration wherein said flapper contacts said seat and said transverse support member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The valve assembly of claim 15, wherein said flapper and said transverse support member are constructed of frangible material adapted to selectively break into smaller pieces in response to application of a predetermined force to said flapper and said transverse support member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The valve assembly of claim 16, wherein said smaller pieces can be circulated out of said wellbore when broken. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The valve assembly of claim 15, wherein said flapper and said transverse support member are constructed of dissolvable material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The valve assembly of claim 18, wherein said dissolvable flapper and said dissolvable transverse support member are adapted to substantially uncover said central flow bore after dissolving. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The valve assembly of claim 15, wherein said hinge post is configured to be selectively received within a notch of an adjacent valve assembly disposed in said wellbore.