# US 9,518,455 B2 · Flow control devices and methods of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,518,455 B2 - Document ID: US9518455B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/111,946 - Filed: 2012-12-20 - Published: 2015-10-15 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-20 - Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Applicants: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Inventors: Matthew Earl Franklin; Stephen M. Greci - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9518455B2 ## CPC - E21B 43/12: Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells (E21B43/25 takes precedence; valve arrangements E21B34/00) - E21B 34/08: responsive to flow or pressure of the fluid obtained (E21B34/10 takes precedence) - E21B 43/08: Screens or liners {(expandable screens or liners E21B43/108)} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract Disclosed are improved flow control devices and methods of use thereof. One flow control device includes a body arranged within a cavity defined in a housing coupled to a base pipe, the housing defining a perforation and the base pipe defining one or more flow ports aligned with the perforation to allow fluid communication therethrough, and a flow chamber defined within the body and having a longitudinal portion and a radial portion, the radial portion being fluidly coupled to the perforation such that a fluid flowing through the flow chamber is conveyed directly to or from the perforation and the one or more flow ports. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flow control device, comprising: a body fixed within a cavity defined in a housing coupled to a base pipe, the body having an inlet and an outlet and the housing defining a perforation permanently aligned in the radial direction, while in use, with the outlet and one or more flow ports defined in the base pipe to allow fluid communication therethrough; and a flow chamber defined within the body and having a longitudinal portion and a radial portion, the radial portion being fluidly coupled to the perforation such that a fluid flowing through the flow chamber is conveyed directly to or from the perforation and the one or more flow ports. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the body is at least one of an elongate cylinder and an elongate prism. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises an erosion-resistant material selected from the group consisting of carbides, ceramics, hardened steel, a metal or other rigid material coated with an erosion-resistant coating or cladding, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal portion and the radial portion are fluidly coupled at an elbow defined in the body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The flow control device of claim 4, wherein the longitudinal portion extends substantially parallel to the base pipe and the radial portion extends substantially perpendicular to the base pipe. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The flow control device of claim 4, wherein the longitudinal portion extends substantially parallel to the base pipe and the radial portion extends at an angle between parallel and perpendicular to the base pipe. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal and radial portions are substantially aligned and the flow chamber is angled with respect to the base pipe. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the body is inserted into the cavity radially via an opening defined in the housing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The flow control device of claim 8, wherein the opening is occluded with a cap secured to the housing for preventing removal of the body from the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the body is inserted into the cavity longitudinally and secured therein using a technique selected from the group consisting of shrink-fitting, press-fitting, o-ring seals, mechanical fasteners, mechanical coupling devices, welding, brazing, industrial adhesives, threading, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 11 A method of regulating a fluid flow, comprising: receiving a fluid in a flow control device comprising a body fixed within a housing coupled to a base pipe, the body having an inlet and an outlet and the housing defining a perforation permanently aligned in the radial direction, while in use, with the outlet and one or more flow ports defined in the base pipe to allow fluid communication therethrough; flowing the fluid through a flow chamber defined within the body, the flow chamber having a longitudinal portion and a radial portion; and conveying the fluid directly to or from the perforation and the one or more flow ports via the radial portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising fluidly coupling the longitudinal portion and the radial portion at an elbow defined in the flow chamber. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the longitudinal portion extends substantially parallel to the base pipe and the radial portion extends substantially perpendicular to the base pipe. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the longitudinal portion extends substantially parallel to the base pipe and the radial portion extends at an angle between parallel and perpendicular to the base pipe. ### Claim 15 A method of producing a fluid, comprising: drawing the fluid through a well screen arranged about a base pipe, the base pipe having one or more flow ports defined therein and a housing coupled thereto, the housing defining a perforation radially aligned with the one or more flow ports to allow fluid communication therethrough; receiving the fluid in a flow control device comprising a body fixed within the housing, the body having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the outlet is permanently aligned in the radial direction, while in use, with the perforation and the one or more flow ports; flowing the fluid through a flow chamber defined in the body, the flow chamber having a longitudinal portion and a radial portion, wherein the radial portion is fluidly coupled to the perforation; conveying the fluid directly to the perforation and the one or more flow ports via the radial portion; and receiving the fluid in an interior of the base pipe via the one or more flow ports. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising restricting a flow of the fluid through the flow control device with the flow chamber. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising fluidly coupling the longitudinal portion and the radial portion at an elbow defined in the flow chamber. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the longitudinal portion extends substantially parallel to the base pipe and the radial portion extends substantially perpendicular to the base pipe. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the longitudinal portion extends substantially parallel to the base pipe and the radial portion extends at an angle between parallel and perpendicular to the base pipe. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the body is inserted longitudinally into a cavity defined in the housing, the method further comprising securing the body within the cavity using a technique selected from the group consisting of shrink-fitting, press-fitting, o-ring seals, mechanical fasteners, mechanical coupling devices, welding, brazing, industrial adhesives, threading, and combinations thereof.