# US 11,441,364 B2 · Concentric pipe systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,441,364 B2 - Document ID: US11441364B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/112,774 - Filed: 2020-12-04 - Published: 2021-03-25 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-08 - Assignees: Kryn Petroleum Services LLC - Applicants: Kryn Petroleum Services LLC - Inventors: Luc DeBoer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11441364B2 ## CPC - E21B 21/001: {specially adapted for underwater drilling (dual gradient drilling E21B21/082)} - E21B 17/18: Pipes provided with plural fluid passages {(E21B17/203 takes precedence)} - E21B 17/20: Flexible or articulated drilling pipes {, e.g. flexible or articulated rods, pipes or cables} - E21B 21/103: {Down-hole by-pass valve arrangements, i.e. between the inside of the drill string and the annulus (valves specifically for maintaining circulation of drilling fluid while connecting or disconnecting tubular joints E21B21/019)} - E21B 21/12: using drilling pipes with plural fluid passages, e.g. closed circulation systems - E21B 2200/04: Ball valves - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A concentric valve positionable in a wellbore includes a valve body including an outer surface and a central passage, a receptacle disposed in the central passage and defining a chamber disposed therein, and a radial port extending between the receptacle and the outer surface to provide fluid communication between the chamber of the receptacle and an environment surrounding the concentric valve, an inner tubular member received in the receptacle of the valve body, wherein the inner tubular member includes a seal assembly configured to sealingly engage an inner surface of the receptacle, and a bypass passage extending around the receptacle of the valve body and circumferentially spaced from the radial port, wherein the bypass passage provides fluid communication between a first end of the central passage and a second end of the central passage opposite the first end. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A concentric valve positionable in a wellbore, comprising: a valve body comprising an outer surface and a central passage, a receptacle disposed in the central passage and defining a chamber disposed therein, and a radial port extending between the receptacle and the outer surface to provide fluid communication between the chamber of the receptacle and an environment surrounding the concentric valve; an inner tubular member received in the receptacle of the valve body, wherein the inner tubular member comprises an internal fluid passage and a seal assembly configured to sealingly engage an inner surface of the receptacle; and a bypass passage extending around the receptacle of the valve body and circumferentially spaced from the radial port, wherein the bypass passage provides fluid communication between a first end of the central passage and a second end of the central passage opposite the first end and wherein fluid communication is restricted between the bypass passage and the radial port. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The concentric valve of claim 1, further comprising a piston slidably disposed in the receptacle of the valve body, wherein the piston comprises a first position providing for fluid communication between the chamber of the valve body and the surrounding environment, and a second position restricting fluid communication between the surrounding environment and the chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The concentric valve of claim 2, further comprising a biasing member configured to bias the piston towards the second position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The concentric valve of claim 2, wherein the piston is configured to actuate into the second position in response to the ceasing of fluid flow through the internal fluid passage of the inner tubular member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The concentric valve of claim 2, wherein the piston comprises a radial port in fluid communication with the radial port of the valve body when the piston is in the first position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The concentric valve of claim 1, wherein the concentric valve comprises a plurality of the bypass passages which are circumferentially spaced from each other and the radial port. ### Claim 7 A concentric valve positionable in a wellbore, comprising: a valve body comprising an outer surface and a central passage, a receptacle disposed in the central passage and defining a chamber disposed therein, and a radial port extending between the receptacle and the outer surface to provide fluid communication between the chamber of the receptacle and an environment surrounding the concentric valve; an inner tubular member slidingly received in the receptacle of the valve body whereby an outer surface of the inner tubular member is unattached from an inner surface of the receptacle, wherein the inner tubular member comprises an internal fluid passage and a seal assembly configured to sealingly engage an inner surface of the receptacle; and a piston slidably disposed in the receptacle of the valve body, wherein the piston comprises a first position providing for fluid communication between the chamber of the valve body and the surrounding environment, and a second position restricting fluid communication between the surrounding environment and the chamber. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The concentric valve of claim 7, further comprising a bypass passage extending around the receptacle of the valve body, wherein the bypass passage provides fluid communication between a first end of the central passage and a second end of the central passage opposite the first end. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The concentric valve of claim 8, wherein the bypass passage is circumferentially spaced from the radial port. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The concentric valve of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of the bypass passages which are circumferentially spaced from each other and the radial port. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The concentric valve of claim 8, wherein the piston is configured to actuate into the first position in response to fluid pressure in the inlet flowpath extending through the bypass passage being greater than fluid pressure in a recirculation flowpath extending through the radial port. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The concentric valve of claim 7, further comprising a biasing member configured to bias the piston towards the second position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The concentric valve of claim 7, wherein the piston comprises a radial port in fluid communication with the radial port of the valve body when the piston is in the first position. ### Claim 14 A concentric valve positionable in a wellbore, comprising: a valve body comprising an outer surface and a central passage, a receptacle disposed in the central passage and defining a chamber disposed therein, and a radial port extending between the receptacle and the outer surface to provide fluid communication between the chamber of the receptacle and an environment surrounding the concentric valve; an inner tubular member received in the receptacle of the valve body, wherein the inner tubular member comprises an internal fluid passage and a seal assembly configured to sealingly engage an inner surface of the receptacle; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced bypass passages extending around the receptacle of the valve body and each circumferentially spaced from the radial port, wherein the bypass passage provides fluid communication between a first end of the central passage and a second end of the central passage opposite the first end. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The concentric valve of claim 14, further comprising a piston slidably disposed in the receptacle of the valve body, wherein the piston comprises a first position providing for fluid communication between the chamber of the valve body and the surrounding environment, and a second position restricting fluid communication between the surrounding environment and the chamber. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The concentric valve of claim 15, further comprising a biasing member configured to bias the piston towards the second position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The concentric valve of claim 15, wherein the piston is configured to actuate into the second position in response to the ceasing of fluid flow through the internal fluid passage of the inner tubular member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The concentric valve of claim 15, wherein the piston comprises a radial port in fluid communication with the radial port of the valve body when the piston is in the first position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The concentric valve of claim 14, wherein fluid communication is restricted between the bypass passage and the radial port.