Slurry outlet with seal protection system

Abstract

A slurry outlet system including a top sub having a seal, a closure sleeve positionable in an open position spaced from the top sub during a slurry pumping operation and a closed position wherein the closure sleeve sealingly interacts with the seal, a protector sleeve disposed to protect the seal and movable upon the closure sleeve becoming sufficiently close to the protector sleeve. A method for pressure sealingly closing a slurry outlet system including bringing a closure sleeve into proximity with a top sub of the slurry outlet system, displacing a protector sleeve, with the closure sleeve, off a seal of the top sub and simultaneously making sealing contact between the closure sleeve and the seal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.