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US 5,499,687 AGranted
Downhole valve for oil/gas well
OwnerPaul B. Leeinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A downhole drilling device utilizing a spring-loaded sleeve within a casing for controlling circulation of fluid material. A plastic, i.e., deformable ball is used to block a flow opening in the sleeve for positioning the sleeve and aligning flow ports. Subsequently, the ball is deformed and the drilling operation continues. In one form, an expandable packer may be operated to close off the annulus about the casing.
Claims4
Apparatus for controlling wells during drilling operations comprising:
- a tubular casing insertable into a drill string;
- a shiftable sleeve means disposed within and shiftable with respect to said tubular casing;
- spring means for holding said sleeve means in a first location within said tubular casing;
- an opening in said sleeve means for passing fluid therethrough;
- a first ball means insertable within said opening for closing said opening and precluding fluid from passing therethrough for shifting said sleeve means within said tubular casing;
- said first ball means being deformable under increased fluid pressure for being forced through and out of said opening.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.