US 2015/0308222 A1 · SELF-REGULATING FLOW CONTROL DEVICE

Abstract

A self-regulating flow control device for controlling the flow of injected fluid into a subsea well or flowline via a tree, manifold, or other access point on the subsea infrastructure by responding to the injection pressure being applied to prevent the conduit from collapsing. An embodiment of the self-regulating flow control device includes a housing having a first and second through bore, a piston moveable in the through bore, and a biasing member. When in an unactuated position, the biasing member biases the piston isolating the first through bore from the second through bore, and when in an actuated position, a pressure overcomes the biasing member to move the piston and expose the first through bore to the second through bore. The self-regulating control flow device prevents a vacuum from being drawn into the conduit system below during sudden decreases in uphole pressure by blocking or closing flow paths in the housing.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A self-regulating flow control device comprising:

a main body comprising a through bore;
a cavity intersecting the through bore and angularly offset from the through bore;
a piston comprising an aperture;
and
a biasing member;
wherein, in an unactuated position, the biasing member biases the piston such that the aperture is enclosed in the cavity;
wherein, in an actuated position, a pressure overcomes the biasing member to move the aperture into the through bore.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self-regulating flow control device

Life of this patent

Self-regulating flow control device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22