# US 2014/0196888 A1 · Flow control system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196888 A1 - Document ID: US20140196888A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/122,056 - Filed: 2012-05-24 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2011-05-24 - Assignees: Caledyne Limited - Applicants: Caledyne Limited - Inventors: David Glen Martin; Roland Marcel Van Dort - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196888A1 ## CPC - E21B 34/10: operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole - E21B 23/08: Introducing or running tools by fluid pressure, e.g. through-the-flow-line tool systems - E21B 33/12: Packers; Plugs (used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16) - E21B 34/063: {Valve or closure with destructible element, e.g. frangible disc (E21B34/103 takes precedence)} - E21B 34/142: {unsupported or free-falling elements, e.g. balls, plugs, darts or pistons} - E21B 47/00: Survey of boreholes or wells (monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid E21B21/08) - E21B 2200/06: Sleeve valves - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A downhole flow control apparatus comprising: at least one tubular body (1) locatable at a zone of a well, the tubular body (1) having a longitudinal through bore and one or more transverse ports (5a, 5b) and a port covering device (3) which, in use, is movable from a lower position in which the or each port is covered to an upper position in which the or each port is open; and at least one plugging device (6) which is operable to travel downhole from the surface to locate within and seal the through bore of the tubular body, the plugging device including moving means (10) to cause the port covering device (3) to move from the lower position to the upper position thus allowing fluid communication between the through bore and the or each port (5a, 5b). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A downhole flow control apparatus comprising: at least one tubular body locatable at a zone of a well, the tubular body having a longitudinal through bore and one or more transverse ports and a port covering device which, in use, is movable from a lower position in which the or each port is covered to an upper position in which the or each port is open; and at least one plugging device which is operable to travel downhole from the surface to locate within and seal the through bore of the tubular body, the plugging device including moving means to cause the port covering device to move from the lower position to the upper position thus allowing fluid communication between the through bore and the or each port. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the port covering device comprises a sleeve member provided within the through bore of the tubular body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sleeve member includes one or more slots which align with the or each port when the sleeve member is at the upper position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moving means comprises a piston which is operable to cause the port covering device to move from the lower position to the upper position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the piston is configured to move upwards when the plugging device is located within the through bore of the tubular body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the piston is operable using downhole fluid pressure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in a claim 1, wherein the plugging device includes retaining means for inhibiting movement of the moving means until a predetermined pressure has been reached. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the retaining means comprises one or more shearable screws. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular body and plugging device include co-operating locating means such that only a selected plugging device locates within a particular tubular body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the co-operating locating means comprises a unique arrangement and/or profile of one or more protrusions and recesses, the protrusions receivable within the recesses. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each plugging device includes an upper retrieval connector for coupling to a retrieval tool. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in any claim 1, wherein the or each plugging device includes a lower retrieval connector for coupling to a plugging device which is located further downhole. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each plugging device includes releasing means for releasing the plugging device from the tubular body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the releasing means is configured such that the plugging device is released when the plugging device is moved downwards. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a shutting device which is operable to travel downhole from the surface to cause the port covering device to move from the upper position to the lower position thus preventing fluid communication between the through bore and the or each port. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the shutting device is configured to pass through the tubular body moving the port covering device as it passes. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the shutting device is configured to pass through a plurality of tubular bodies arranged in series and to moving the port covering device of each tubular body as it passes. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plugging device includes one or more sensors for sensing at least one downhole parameter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the plugging device includes a memory for storing at least one sensed parameter readings. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the plugging device is adapted to store sensed parameter readings as the plugging device travels downhole from the surface. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the plugging device is adapted to store sensed parameter readings when located within the sliding sleeve.