# US 11,028,665 B2 · Method and apparatus for hydraulic fracturing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,028,665 B2 - Document ID: US11028665B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/559,588 - Filed: 2019-09-03 - Published: 2020-04-23 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-07-03 - Assignees: Cameron International Corporation - Applicants: Cameron International Corporation - Inventors: Thomas G. Roesner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028665B2 ## CPC - E21B 33/068: having provision for introducing objects or fluids into, or removing objects from, wells (cementing-heads E21B33/05) - E21B 33/03: Well heads; Setting-up thereof - E21B 43/26: by forming crevices or fractures - E21B 43/2607: {Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A method for fracking a well includes inserting a downhole tool into the well via a conveyance string through a wellhead assembly having a wellhead bore. The method also includes surrounding, at least partially, the conveyance string with a sleeve that at least extends below a portion of an inlet of the wellhead assembly, wherein the inlet intersects the wellhead bore. The method further includes injecting pressurized fluid into the well via the inlet of the wellhead assembly while retrieving the downhole tool from the well. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method, comprising: directing a fluid flow through an inlet passage of a wellhead assembly in a first direction radially inward toward a central bore of the wellhead assembly; and redirecting the fluid flow from the first direction to a second direction into the central bore via a sleeve disposed coaxial with the central bore, wherein the sleeve axially overlaps the inlet passage, the sleeve is configured to block direct impact of the fluid flow in the first direction against a line extending through the central bore and a central sleeve bore of the sleeve to a downhole position, the sleeve comprises an enlarged portion disposed along the second direction of the fluid flow axially downstream of the inlet passage, and the second direction of the fluid flow extends at least partially through and/or externally along the enlarged portion of the sleeve outside of the central sleeve bore to a distal end of the sleeve. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein directing the fluid flow through the inlet passage comprises directing the fluid flow only in the first direction through the inlet passage directly to the sleeve. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein redirecting the fluid flow comprises redirecting the fluid flow from the first direction to the second direction through an annular passage surrounding the sleeve. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein redirecting the fluid flow comprises redirecting the fluid flow from the first direction to the second direction through a plurality of channels spaced circumferentially about the sleeve. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein redirecting the fluid flow comprises redirecting the fluid flow from the first direction to the second direction between a plurality of protrusions spaced circumferentially about the sleeve, and the enlarged portion comprises the plurality of protrusions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the inlet passage comprises a plurality of inlet passages. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is removably coupled to a body having the inlet passage. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is integrally formed with a body having the inlet passage. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the inlet passage extends through a body of the wellhead assembly to the sleeve, and the inlet passage is unobstructed upstream from the sleeve. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the inlet passage extends in the first direction at an acute angle relative to a central axis of the central bore of the wellhead assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the line comprises a string, a wireline, or a tubing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a downhole tool is coupled to the line. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, comprising perforating a casing that lines a well using the downhole tool. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow comprises a frac fluid. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, comprising fracking a well with the frac fluid. ### Claim 16 A method, comprising: blocking, via a sleeve disposed coaxial with a central bore of a wellhead assembly, a direct impact of a radially directed fluid flow against a line extending through and contacting an interior of the sleeve and the central bore to a downhole position, wherein an exterior of the sleeve receives the direct impact of the radially directed fluid flow along an axis of an inlet passage; and redirecting the radially directed fluid flow as an axially directed fluid flow along the exterior of the sleeve to a distal end of the sleeve. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein redirecting comprises redirecting the radially directed fluid flow only with the sleeve in a body of the wellhead assembly, wherein the body comprises the central bore, the inlet passage extending radially inward along the axis toward the central bore to provide the radially directed fluid flow, and the sleeve disposed between the central bore and the inlet passage. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, comprising routing the axially directed fluid flow at least partially through and/or externally along an enlarged portion of the sleeve outside of a central sleeve bore of the sleeve to the distal end of the sleeve. ### Claim 19 A system, comprising: a wellhead assembly, comprising: a body; a central bore in the body; an inlet passage in the body, wherein the inlet passage is configured to direct a fluid flow in a first direction radially inward toward the central bore; and a sleeve disposed in the body coaxial with the central bore, wherein the sleeve axially overlaps the inlet passage, the sleeve is configured to redirect the fluid flow from the first direction to a second direction into the central bore, the sleeve is configured to block direct impact of the fluid flow in the first direction against a line extending through the central bore and the sleeve to a downhole position, the central bore comprises an enlarged bore portion disposed about the sleeve axially downstream from the inlet passage, and the enlarged bore portion is configured to pass the fluid flow in the second direction along the sleeve into the central bore. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the wellhead assembly comprises a plurality of channels spaced circumferentially about the sleeve at an enlarged portion of the sleeve, and the sleeve is configured to redirect the fluid flow from the first direction to the second direction through the plurality of channels.