Valve assembly
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorDinesh R. Patel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus usable in a subterranean well includes a valve, a first mechanism and a second mechanism. The valve controls communication between an annular region that surrounds the valve and an inner passageway of the valve. The first mechanism causes the valve to transition from a first state to a second state in response to pressure in the annular region. The second mechanism causes the valve to transition between the first state and the second state in response to a pressure differential between the annular region and the inner passageway.
Claims25
A method usable with a subterranean well, comprising:
- running a valve downhole in a first state;
- changing the valve to a second state in response to pressure applied to an annular region that surrounds the valve;
- and
- changing the valve between the first and second states by regulating a differential pressure between the annular region and an inner passageway of the valve.
An apparatus usable in a subterranean well, comprising:
- a valve to control communication between an annular region that surrounds the valve and an inner passageway of the valve;
- a first mechanism to cause the valve to transition from a first state to a second state in response to pressure in the annular region;
- and
- a second mechanism to cause the valve to transition between the first state and the second state in response to a pressure differential between the annular region and the inner passageway.
An apparatus for use with a subterranean well comprising:
- a tubular member having a longitudinal passageway and at least one port for establishing communication between the passageway and an annular region that surrounds the tubular member;
- and
- a valve adapted to open and close the port and lock the valve closed after the valve closes more than a predetermined number of times.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.