Autonomous well valve

Abstract

An autonomous well valve having a body that constitutes an actuator for opening and closing at least one first valve opening, wherein the body, that in operation is submerged, has an effective density that is equal or greater than the density of a first fluid and less than the density of a second fluid.

Claims

1. An autonomous well valve having a body that constitutes an actuator for opening and closing at least one first valve opening, and wherein the body, that in operation is submerged, has an effective density that is equal or greater than the density of a first fluid and less than the density of a second fluid, wherein the autonomous well valve has a first member and a second member, wherein the at least one first valve opening extends from a conical recess in the first member, wherein a first end portion of the body has a corresponding conical recess, and wherein a first ball is placed between the conical recesses of the first member and the first end portion, and wherein the second member has a conical recess, wherein a second end portion of the body defines a corresponding conical recess, and wherein a second ball is placed between the conical recesses of the second member and the second end portion, wherein the body has a length that allows axial movement between the first and second members, and wherein a ball race with at least one race ball surrounds the body.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the conical recess in the second member extends into a second valve opening.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the body is biased towards the second member.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the body has a flange like ring that abuts the at least one ball in the ball race.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the autonomous well valve is symmetrical about a center axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Below, an example of a preferred device is explained under reference to the enclosed drawings, where:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a principal sketch in cross section a valve according to the invention in its open position;

(3) FIG. 2 shows the same as in FIG. 1, but where the valve is in its closed position;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a section II-II of the valve in FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a valve as in FIG. 2, but where a second valve opening is provided;

(6) FIG. 5 shows the valve positioned in a well where water is directed into a different formation;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a valve closer in an alternative embodiment;

(8) FIG. 7 shows the valve in a different embodiment in its open position;

(9) FIG. 8 shows the valve of FIG. 7 in its closed position; and

(10) FIG. 9 shows a section VII-VII in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(11) On the drawings, the reference number 1 denotes a well valve that includes a body 2 that in operation is submerged. The body 2 is positioned between a first member 4 and a second member 6 in a housing 8. In this preferred embodiment the members 4, 6 and housing 8 provides a room 10 for the body 2. Fluid may enter the room 10 via an opening 12.

(12) At its first end portion 14 that is closest to the first member 4, the body 2 is provided with a central conical recess 16B. Similarly, the first member 4 is provided with a conical recess 16A opposing the conical recess 16B of the first end portion 14. A first valve opening 18 extends from the conical recess 16A of the first member 4.

(13) A ball 20A that here constitutes a valve closer 22, is positioned between the said conical recesses 16A, 16B.

(14) Similarly, conical recesses 16C, 16D with a ball 20D in between are provided at a second end portion 24 of the body 2 and in the second member 6. The conical recess 16C in the second member 6 constitute a body support 26.

(15) The length of the body 2 is chosen to give room for some axial movement between the first and second members 4, 6. The valve 1 is symmetrical about its central axis 27.

(16) A ball race 28 with at least one race ball 30 surrounds the body 2. The ball race 28 is fixed to the housing 8. Gravity will ensure that the at least one race ball 30 is positioned at its lowermost position in the ball race 28.

(17) A flange like ring 32 on the body 2 abuts the race ball 30 and bias the body 2 towards the second member 6 and the body support 26 as shown in FIG. 1 where the fluid in the valve 1 has a lower density than the effective density of the body 2. As the body is in its lowest position and thus closest to the second member 6, the first valve opening 18 is open for the fluid in the valve 1 to flow through.

(18) As a fluid of higher density is flowing into the valve, the body 2 is rising in the fluid along the body support 26. The movement includes a component that moves the body 2 axially towards the first member 4 when the ring 32 is following the surface of the race ball 30.

(19) The valve closer 22, here in the form of a ball 20A, is closing the first valve opening 18.

(20) In the section II-II shown in FIG. 3, the ball 20D is not shown.

(21) FIG. 4 shows an embodiment where a second valve opening 34 that extends from the conical recess 16C of the second member 6 is connected to a pipe 36. In FIG. 4 where the body 2 has the same relative position in the valve 1 as in FIG. 2, the second valve opening 34 is open while the first valve opening 18 is closed.

(22) In FIG. 4 the valve 1 is shown in an equally functional inclined position.

(23) FIG. 5 shows a tubing string 38 that is extending into a well 40 in the ground 42. A valve 1 is included in the tubing string 38. The pipe 36 is extending from the valve 1 and into a formation 44 in the ground 42.

(24) When the well 40 is producing water, the body 2 of the valve 1 will be in the position shown in FIG. 4. Water will thus be directed via the second valve opening 34 and the pipe 36 to the formation 44.

(25) A different valve closer 22 in the form of a seat valve is shown in FIG. 6.

(26) In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, a tube 46 is passing through the valve 1. At each end portions 14, 24 there is spaced out three balls 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D (with the third ball at each of the end portions 14, 24 not shown) with related conical recesses 16A and 16B, 16C and 16D for increased flow capacity. The balls 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D are not shown in FIG. 9.