US2733769A - brown - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 7, 1956 Filed May 16, 1951 C. C. BROWN FLOW CONTROL APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet l C/cero C. Brown INVENTOR.

Feb. 7, 1956 C. C. BRQWN FLOW CONTROL APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 16 1951 C/c er'o C. Brown INVENTOR.

A TTOHNE Vs Feb. 7, 1956 c. c. BROWN 2,733,769

FLOW CONTROL APPARATUS Filed May 16 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 C/c ero C. Brown INVENTOR.

QuJLJ EZAM ATTORNEYS United States Patent FLOW CONTROL APPARATUS Cicero C. Brown, Houston, Tex.

Application May 16, 1951, Serial No. 226,675 Claims. (21. m m

.This invention relates to new and useful improvements in flow control apparatus.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved flow control device which is adapted to be mounted within a flow string or tubing and the adjustment of which is controlled from the surface by a rotation of the string or tubing, whereby a desired flow rate through the string or tubing may be obtained.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved adjustable choke device which includes two sections, one of which has connection with an anchoring mechanism and is locked against rotation within a well casing and the other of which is connected with the flow string and is rotatable relative to the first section; relative rotation of the sections with respect to each other accomplishing an adjustment of the choke to effect desired flow rate conditions.

Still anotherobject is to provide an improved anchor ing' means for use with an adjustable flow control device for efiiciently anchoring one section of the device against rotation within a well pipe.

Still another object is to provide an adjustable choke device of the character described which includes a tapered or variable diameter choke element mounted for longitudinal movement relative to a flow orifice whereby positioning of the choke element with respect to the orifice controls flow through the device; said choke element being movable by a rotation of the flow pipe or string, whereby surface control of the adjustment of the choke element is had.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the character described, wherein an outer housing having connection with that portion of the tubing string therebelow is anchored against rotation within a well bore and also wherein an inner mandrel having connection with the upper portion of the tubing string is rotatably mounted in the housing; said apparatus also including an adjustable choke element which is non-rotatably mounted in the housing and which is operatively connected with the mandrel whereby rotation of the mandrel imparts longitudinal or axial movement to said choke element to effect adjustment thereof.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure l is a schematic view of a flow control device constructed in accordance with the invention and illustrating the same in one adjusted position,

\ Figure 2 is a similar view showing another position of the choke element,

Figure 3 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the upper portion of the device,

' Figure 3A. is a continuation of Figure 3 illustrating the lower end of the device,

2,733,769 Patented Feb. 7, 1956 Figures 4 to 6 are horizontal cross-sectional views taken on the lines, 4-4, 55, and 6-6, respectively, of Figure 3, I

- Figure 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 77 of Figure 3A, and

Figure 8 is an isometric view of one of the slips of the anchoring assembly which forms part of the device.

In the drawings, the numeral 10 designates an outer tubular housing which has a coupling 11 connected to its lower end. The upper end of the coupling is enlarged as indicated at 12, and the underside of the enlargement is beveled to form an annular seat 13 within the lower end of the housing. The coupling 11 has connection with an anchoring assembly A which will be hereinafter described, and said anchoring assembly has its lower end connected by a collar 14 withrthe lower. portion of the flow tubing or conductor 15. In this manner well fluids flowing upwardly through the conductor 15 may flow through the anchoring assembly and upwardly past the annular seat 13 within the lower portion of the housing 10.

A choke member C is mounted within the lower portion of the housing and includes an upper tubular section 16 and a lower tapered pin section or body 17. Within the annular external shoulder 18 which is formed at the intersection of the tubular section and the pin 17, the choke member is provided with a plurality of flow openings 19, whereby fluid flowing upwardly past the annular seat and around the exterior of the pin 17 may pass through said openings into the bore 16a of the tubular section 16 of the member. The choke member C may undergo longitudinal or axial movement within the housing 10 but is restricted against any rotative movement within said housing by elongate keys 20 secured to the wall of the housing and longitudinal keyways 21 provided in the exterior of the tubular section 16 of the member C. In this manner the choke member C may be moved longitudinally or axially within the housing but is locked against any rotation therein. The lower end of the pin 17 of the choke member has a straight portion 17a which extends through the bore 13a of the annular seat 13, and the extreme lower end of the pin carries a stop collar 22 which is threaded thereon. The collar has radial guide Wings 23 which guide the lower end of the pin in its axial movement and which function to engage the seat 13 to limit upward movement of the choke member without any restriction of flow.

It will be evident that when the tapered portion 17b of the pin 17 moves downwardly with respect to the seat 13 the larger diameter portion of the pin will enter the bore of the seat and will tend to close the annular space between the pin and the seat. An orifice ring 24 is mounted in the enlargement 12 and it is the space between the bore of this ring and the external surface of the pin which controls the volume of flow therethrough. By varying the size of the orifice ring the same taper pin may be employed to control over a long range of flow conditions. Since the external taper on the pin coacting with the orifice ring 24 controls the volume of flow upwardly through the housing 10, it is apparent that a longitudinal or axial adjustment of the choke member C within the housing will control the flow. 4

For-imparting longitudinal or axial movement to the choke member an inner tubular mandrel 25 is rotatably mounted Within the upper portion of the housing It), and said mandrel has a reduced shank 26 extending downwardly into the bore 16a of the tubular section 16 of the choke member. External threads 27 which are preferably left hand threads are formed on the exterior of the shank 26 and interengage and coact with internal threads 28 provided in the upper portions of the tubular section of the chokemember. Obviously, since the choke memher is keyed to the housing which, as will be explained,

is. anchored against rotation by the anchoring assembly A, -a rotation ofthe mandrel will impart longitudinal or axial movement to the choke member to adjust the tapered portion 17b of said member with respect to the orifice ring 24.

The mandrel 25 is rotatably mounted on suitable bearings 29 which engage an external race 30 in the mandrel and an internal race 31 formed in a sleeve 32. The sleeve is threaded into the upper end ofthe housing 10 and in eflect forms a part thereof. A suitable packing ring 33 of the O-ring type seals between the mandrel. and sleeve 32. Additional scaling is obtained by a packing ring 34 confined withinan internal recess 35in the upper portion ofthe sleeve and retained therein by a retaining.

collar 36. The extreme: upper end of the mandrel. is enlarged to provide an internally threaded box 37,, and an additional sealing ring 38. may be. confined between the upper end of the collar 36 and the shoulder 37:: formed by the lower end of the box 37. With this arrangement it will be evident that the mandrel 25' is rotatable with respect to the housing 10 and effective sealing between the parts is bad;

The mandrel 25 is formed with an axial bore 38which extends entirely thercthrough and the lower end of' this bore communicates with the lower portion of the bore 16a of the tubular section of the-choke member C. The upper portion of the flow tubing or conductor 15 is threaded into the box 37 so as to be directly connected with the mandrel 25. This tubing extends to the surface of the well and thus, it will be seen that by rotating the upper portion of the tubing string, a rotation may be imparted to the mandrel 25 to effect an adjustment of the choke member C withrespect to the choke orifice ring 24.

The anchoring assembly A is directly coupled to the lower end of the housing 10 through the coupling 11, and as is clearly shown in Figures 3A, 7 and 8, the anchoring assembly includes a main cylindrical body 40 having an annular recess 41 at its central portion. A pair of arcuate, substantially semi-circular slip elements 42 aredisposed within the annular recess and have their longitudinal or vertical edges 42a (Figure 7) in facing relationship to each other. Each of the surfaces 42a are formed with recesses 43 whereby the ends of coil springs 44 may be engaged therein. Thus, the coil springs 44 constantly urge the gripping slips 42 outwardly toward an expanded position. Complete displacement of the slips from the annular recess 41 is prevented by retaining collars 45 which are threaded onto the body 40 and which,

overhang upper and lower shoulders 46 formed on the external surface of each slip member.

A particular feature of each gripping slip is the fact that its gripping teeth 47 are disposed to extend longitudinally of the slip member and of the body 40; the teeth are also directedto prevent rotation of the assembly (Figure 8). manner, it is evident that there will be no gripping action of'said teeth as the assembly A is lowered downwardly within a well casing or pipe B even though the coil springs 44 are urging the slips outwardly into contactwith the bore of such well pipe. However, upon a rotation of the body 40 of the anchoring assembly A the teeth will engage the wall of the well pipe and will lock the body against continuedrotation. Since the anchoring assembly-is connected to the housing 10 said assembly will prevent rotation of said housing.

In the operation of the apparatus the housing 10 is connected to the anchoring assembly A and said anchoring assembly has connection with the lower portion of the flow string or tubing 15. The mandrel 25 which is rotatably connected to the housing 10 has connection through the box 37 with the upper portion of the flow stringer tubing 15. Separation of the mandrel from the housing is prevented by the bearings 2? which engage the complementary raceways or recesses 30 and 31 in the By disposing the gripping teeth 47 in this g mandrel and the sleeve'32 which forms the upper portion of the housing. Thus, the device may be lowered downwardly within the well casing or pipe B, as indicated in .Figure l.

During lowering of the apparatus Within the Well pipe B the teeth 47 of the anchoring slips 42 will merely ride downwardly on the wall of the pipe, and there will be no gripping action even though the coil springs 44 are urging the slips outwardly into contact with the wall. At this time the choke member C is in the position shown in Figure 1 with the member fully raised with respect to the orifice ring 24. it might be noted that ordinarily the usual type of well packer (not shown) will be connected below the anchoring assembly and after setting of this packer, upward flow through the tubing string Will occur. As this flow occurs it will be substantially uncontrolled by the choke member because the straight section 17a of said choke member is within the orifice ring 24. To accomplish an adjustment of the flow to obtain the desired how it is only necessary to rotate the upper portion.

of the tubing string 15 ina direction to cause the choke member to move downwardly with respect to the mandrel. As the mandrel is rotated, the threads 27 on said mandrel coact with the internal threads 28 of thechoke member and cause a downward movement of the choke member with respect to the orifice ring 24. The choke member C and the outer housing 10 to which it iskeyed is maintained and held against rotation at this time by the engagement of the gripping teeth 27 of the mandrel. It is therefore obvious that by rotation, of the upper portion or the flow string, it is possible to accurately adjust the choke member C to obtain the desired flow rate. The upper portion of the taperedpin 17 of the choke member Cis of a diameter to seat on the upper end of the orifice ring 24 so that if desired, fiow through the device may be completely shut off. The apparatus thus provides a simple and effective means operable.

from the surfacevof the wall for accurately adjusting and controlling the upward flow through the flow conductor or tubing string 15. V

The threads 27 and 28 are relatively coarse threads and will permit rotation of the upper portion of the tubing or how string 15 in either direction to operate the choke member without danger of breaking out of any of the usual coupling members in the flow string. Thus, it is possible to move the choke member either upwardly or downwardly with respect to the choke orifice ring 24 and by employing an orifice ring of predetermined diameter and controlling the taper of the pin 17, accurate control of flow can be maintained. Actually, theapparatus is connected in the flow string or tubing in a manner to form a part thereof and obviously may be disposed at any point therein. By connecting the apparatus in the lower portion of the flow conductor or tubing, an adjustable bottom hole choke controllable by manipulas tion of the upper-portion of the tubing string, is pro: vided.

Having described the invention, I claim: 7

1. A flow control apparatus including, an outer nonrotatable housing, an inner mandrel rotatable within said housing, choke means movable within limits within the housing for controlling the flow therethrough, an operating connection between the rotatable mandrel and said choke means whereby said choke means is controlledby rotation of the mandrel, an annular abutment within the housing through-which the choke means is movable, and a projection securedto the end of the choke means beyond the annular abutment for engagement with that side of the abutment remote froin 'thechoke means for limiting the movement of said chokemcans in one direction.

2. A flow control apparatus including, an outer nonrotatable housing having an annular seat therein, a choke memberinovable longitudinally withinthe housing with respect to the seat, whereby theposition of said member projection on the end of the choke member and engage' able with that side of the abutment remote from the choke member for limiting movement of said member in an opposite direction.

3. A flow control apparatus including, an outer nonrotatable housing having an annular seat element projecting into the bore of the housing and disposed in the lower portion of the housing, a choke member including a tapered body mounted for longitudinal movement within the housing and having the tapered body movable within the bore of the seat, whereby the position of said body with respect to said seat controls the flow through the housing, means rotatable within the housing and connected with said choke member for controlling the longitudinal movement of said member, the end of the choke member extending through the bore of the annular valve seat, and a projection on the end of the choke member and of suflicient radial extension to engage the under- 1 side of the valve seat element to limit movement of the choke member upwardly relative to the seat.

4. A flow control device including, an outer non-rotatable housing having an annular seat therein, a choke member mounted for longitudinal movement within the housing above said seat, said choke member comprising an upper tubular portion and an intermediate solid tapered pin portion with said pin portion being adapted to enter the bore of the annular seat upon longitudinal movement of the choke member within the housing, and a 7 lower pin section of constant diameter extending within and through said bore when said choke member is in its raised position, said choke member also having an opening establishing communication between the area exteriorly of the member and the bore of the tubular portion of said member, means rotatably disposed in the upper portion of the housing for imparting longitudinal movement to the choke member to adjust its pin portion relative to the seat to control flow through the device, and a projection on the lower end of the constant diameter pin section and of suificient radial extension to engage the underside of the valve seat to limit upward movement of the choke member relative to the seat.

5. A flow control device as set forth in claim 4, wherein the projection comprises a collar having a diameter greater than the bore of the valve seat and also wherein said collar has passages therein so that flow through the valve seat may occur when said collar is in engagement with the seat. 7

6. A flow control device including, an outer non-rotatable housing having an annular seat therein, a choke member mounted for longitudinal movement within the 6 housing above said seat, said choke member comprising an upper tubular portion and an intermediate solid tapered pin portion with said pin portion being adapted to enter the bore of the annular seat upon longitudinal movement of the choke member within the housing, and a lower pin section of constant diameter extending within and through said bore when said choke member is in its raised position, said choke member also having an opening establishing communication between the area exteriorly of the member and the bore of the tubular portion of said member, a tubular mandrel rotatably mounted in the upper portion of the housing with its upper end projecting from the housing and its lower end disposed within the tubular portion of the choke member, an

operative connection between the mandrel and choke seat, movement of the choke member in one direction relative to the seat being limited by intermediate tapered pin portion of the member engaging said seat, and a projection on the lower end of the constant diameter pin section normally disposed below the valve seatand of sufiicint radial projection to engage said seat to limit movement of the choke member relative to the seat in an opposite direction.

7. A flow control device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the operative connection comprises interengaging threads on the exterior of the mandrel and the interior of the tubular portion of the choke member.

8. A flow control device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the projection comprises a collar having a diameter greater than the bore of the valve seat and also wherein said collar has passages therein so that flow through the valve seat may occur when said collar is in engagement with the seat.

9. A flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 6, together with anchoring slips mounted on the housing and adapted to anchor said housing against rotation within a well pipe, and means for connecting a flow conductor to the inner mandrel whereby said mandrel may be rotated by means of said conductor.

10. A flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 6, together with anchoring slips secured to the lower portion of the housing for locking said housing against rotation, said anchoring means comprising a pair of arcuate gripping slips having gripping teeth extending longitudinally of the housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,560,296 Mahafi'ey Nov. 3, 1925 1,856,469 Crowell May 3, 1932 1,870,697 Taylor Aug. 9, 1932 2,121,268 Shafier June 21, 1938 2,370,832 Baker Mar. 6, 1945 2,531,791 Silvey Nov. 28, 1950

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