Valve with integrated fluid reservoir
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsCaleb Thomas Warren, Geir Gjelstad, Thomas Frosell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Certain aspects and features of the disclosure relate to a valve device for use in a wellbore. In one example, the valve device includes a body containing swell fluid, a swellable elastomer, and a piston. The swell fluid can contact the swellable elastomer, causing the swellable elastomer to swell. The swellable elastomer can swell and contact the piston. The swellable elastomer can move the piston from a first position to a second position. In the second position, the piston can open, close, or restrict one or more flow paths through the valve device.
Claims18
A valve for use in a wellbore, the valve comprising:
- a body defining a chamber for receiving and storing swell fluid prior to inserting the valve into the wellbore;
- a swellable elastomer disposed in the body adjacent the chamber so as to swell in response to contact with the swell fluid from the chamber;
- a first piston disposed in the body, the piston movable from a first position to a second position in response to the swellable elastomer swelling to change a flow path between an open state and a closed state;
- and
- a second piston disposed in the body adjacent the chamber, the second piston moveable, in response to an increase of pressure in the wellbore, from a first position to a second position to aid in the swell fluid contacting the swellable elastomer.
A method of manipulating a valve in a wellbore, the method comprising:
- storing swell fluid within a valve body prior to inserting the valve into the wellbore;
- moving, in response to an increase of pressure in the wellbore, a first piston disposed in the valve body from a first position to a second position to aid in the swell fluid contacting a swellable elastomer disposed in the valve body;
- expanding the swellable elastomer body towards a second piston moveable from a first position to a second position within the valve body;
- and
- applying a force to the second piston, the force applied by the swellable elastomer contacting the second piston after swelling in response to the swell fluid to change a flow path between an open state and a closed state.
A valve assembly comprising:
- a chamber for receiving and storing swell fluid prior to inserting the valve assembly into a wellbore;
- a swellable elastomer;
- a first piston that is movable in response to the swellable elastomer swelling subsequent to contacting the swell fluid to change a flow path between any of an open state, a closed state, or a restricted state;
- and
- a second piston adjacent the chamber, the second piston moveable in response to an increase of pressure in the wellbore to aid in the swell fluid contacting the swellable elastomer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.