# US 2021/0340863 A1 · Indexing valve system for a resource exploration and recovery system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0340863 A1 - Document ID: US20210340863A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/865,505 - Filed: 2020-05-04 - Published: 2021-11-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-05-04 - Assignees: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC - Inventors: Donavan Holland Brown - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210340863A1 ## CPC - E21B 23/004: {Indexing systems for guiding relative movement between telescoping parts of downhole tools} - E21B 47/12: Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling - E21B 23/03: for setting the tools into, or removing the tools from, laterally offset landing nipples or pockets - E21B 34/06: in wells - E21B 34/066: {electrically actuated} - 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 An indexing valve system includes a first tubular having an outer surface portion, an inner surface portion defining a passage portion, and a plurality of indexing components. A second tubular is axially aligned with the first tubular. The second tubular includes an outer surface section, an inner surface section defining a passage section, and a plurality of indexing members that selectively inter-engage with the plurality of indexing components. The inner surface section including a plurality of indexing elements. An insert extends into, and is axially shiftable relative to, the passage portion and the passage section. The insert includes an outer surface supporting an indexer that selectively engages with the plurality of indexing elements to rotate the second tubular relative to the first tubular. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An indexing valve system comprising: a first tubular including an outer surface portion, an inner surface portion defining a passage portion, and a plurality of indexing components; a second tubular axially aligned with the first tubular, the second tubular including an outer surface section, an inner surface section defining a passage section, and a plurality of indexing members that selectively inter-engage with the plurality of indexing components, the inner surface section including a plurality of indexing elements; and an insert extending into, and being axially shiftable relative to, the passage portion and the passage section, the insert including an outer surface supporting an indexer that selectively engages with the plurality of indexing elements to rotate the second tubular relative to the first tubular. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The indexing valve system according to claim 1, wherein the first tubular includes a terminal end portion, the plurality of indexing components being formed in the terminal end portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The indexing valve system according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of indexing components include an annular array of tooth components. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The indexing valve system according to claim 2, wherein the second tubular includes a terminal end section, the plurality indexing members being arranged on the terminal end section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The indexing valve system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of indexing elements project radially inwardly from the inner surface section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The indexing valve system according to claim 5, wherein the indexer projects radially outwardly of the outer surface, the indexer including a receiving portion that is selectively receptive of one of the plurality of indexing elements. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The indexing valve system according to claim 5, further comprising: a travel limiter provided in the inner surface section, the travel limiter restricting axial travel of the insert relative to the first and second tubulars. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The indexing valve system according to claim 7, wherein the travel limiter comprises a plurality of step features that extend radially inwardly of and annularly about the inner surface section. ### Claim 9 A resource exploration and recovery system comprising: a first system; a second system including at least one tubular extending from the first system into a formation, the second system including an indexing valve system fluidically connected to the at least one tubular, the indexing valve system comprising: a first tubular including an outer surface portion, an inner surface portion defining a passage portion, and a plurality of indexing components; a second tubular axially aligned with the first tubular, the second tubular including an outer surface section, an inner surface section defining a passage section, and a plurality of indexing members that selectively inter-engage with the plurality of indexing components, the inner surface section including a plurality of indexing elements; and an insert extending into, and being axially shiftable relative to, the passage portion and the passage section, the insert including an outer surface supporting an indexer that selectively engages with the plurality of indexing elements to rotate the second tubular relative to the first tubular. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The indexing valve system according to claim 8, wherein the first tubular includes a terminal end portion, the plurality of indexing components being formed in the terminal end portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The indexing valve system according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of indexing components include an annular array of tooth components. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The indexing valve system according to claim 10, wherein the second tubular includes a terminal end section, the plurality indexing members being arranged on the terminal end section. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The indexing valve system according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of indexing elements project radially inwardly from the inner surface section. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The indexing valve system according to claim 13, wherein the indexer projects radially outwardly of the outer surface, the indexer including a receiving portion that is selectively receptive of one of the plurality of indexing elements. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The indexing valve system according to claim 14, further comprising: a travel limiter provided in the inner surface section, the travel limiter restricting axial travel of the insert relative to the first and second tubulars. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The indexing valve system according to claim 15, wherein the travel limiter comprises a plurality of step features that extend radially inwardly of and annularly about the inner surface section. ### Claim 17 A method of operating an indexing valve system comprising: shifting an insert into a passage section of a tubular; engaging an indexer on the insert with one of a plurality of indexing elements provided on the tubular; further shifting the insert to unseat a plurality of indexing members on the tubular from a plurality of indexing components on another tubular; rotating the tubular a first distance through inter-engagement of the indexer and the one of the plurality of indexing elements; biasing the tubular back toward the another tubular; re-engaging the plurality of indexing members with the plurality of indexing components; and rotating the tubular a second distance by re-engaging the plurality of indexing members with the plurality of indexing components.