Large bore auto-fill float equipment
AssigneeBlackhawk Specialty Tools, LLC
InventorsBrad Groesbeck, Jeffrey Arcement, J. Christopher Jordan, James G. Martens
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An auto-fill type float collar assembly is provided. The float collar assembly of the present invention has at least one curved flapper-style valve, preferably constructed of composite, non-metallic material. Each flapper of the present invention has a substantially 90° range of motion, and is closed via a torsion spring. Each flapper is held in the open (or “auto-fill”), position via an external shifting mechanism passing around, rather than through, the central flow bore of the assembly. A floatable actuation ball can be run with the tool, or pumped downhole, in order to selectively actuate the assembly and close the flappers when desired.
Claims10
A float assembly comprising:
- a. a body member having a central flow bore extending therethrough, said central flow bore having a longitudinal axis;
- b. a first flapper hingeably connected to said body member and defining an open position and a closed position, wherein said first flapper extends into said central flow bore in said closed position;
- c. a second flapper hingeably connected to said body member and defining an open position and a closed position, wherein said second flapper extends into said central flow bore in said closed position, and wherein said hinge connections of said first and second flappers are axially spaced along said longitudinal axis, and are not axially aligned or circumferentially aligned;
- d. a first rod releasably holding said first flapper in an open position, wherein axial movement of said first rod permits said first flapper to close;
- and
- e. a second rod releasably holding said second flapper in an open position, wherein axial movement of said second rod permits said second flapper to close,
- f. wherein the first and second rods are not circumferentially aligned or axially aligned.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.