BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
`AND
`BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD
`BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
`OPERATIONS, INC.
`Exhibit 1024
`Exhibit 1024
`Page 1 of 7
`
`

`
`Fbb.28,1967
`
`A. W KAMMERER, JR
`
`3,306,365
`WELL BORE TESTING AND DISPLACING VALVE APPARATUS
`F‘:L1ed May 13 1965
`
`2 'Shaets—Sheet 1'
`zzéa. 4.
`
`
`
`
`mna1%I%macMmA”mwMm%%%ImTM»mm;r%%Mwmwmu“.1/.\\..._,4.,_/(D..&.an...,<.z.\\.._7...u.a/AN.’A.7«V.3,.&...»\.an.7.&../ex...\\..<\/<x..»/<\_>....,/A4*1......./en...\...,./...<.._v..._.,x.....z«.935.3.;x\....K.»S..&.z.:\...\s_._>:\.,/.w.....z._2.._...,/_._..f....3»..2...\Amwwemm
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`H
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`‘I"n..\.....|.mI“|'..|
`
`.un..._....nAI{..u_.nB'lI|'IIIIIIi'F|Il
`§..uk,.
`
`.---_-.z_.a—._---.....!-.._--.-.gua.-.-s-a-.-.-an-_---n.-......-__mmmmummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
`
`
`1..Vwflfiaé-.
`mmWWAHMHmmwuwuwwwrnwywuAAmmm.NuAmNmur.nwhpunmmwmrMNLPAAnwwwhyml.NpLwmmwny“MANAmuMnnrumwhmnmmmmwmwmwwmmmmthmwmwnumumunrymu“.h
`,\.9v..fiwm..Tv.W_£m%Rr_.4.%.fi6NW0.2
`
`
`
`.5.6
`
`
`
`D5
`
`INVENTOR.
`x4a?c¥&E%? 1i§'JE$bn¢4z£xas£5 clfi.
`-
`BY
`
`5zE€¥55L4¢~“*~?'x343¢ceaarweL/
`
`I§?'70PAlE'}’5.
`BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
`Exhibit 1024
`Page 1 of 7
`Page 1 of 7
`
`
`
`

`
`A
`
`MM
`
`EM
`
`AS
`
`Fn
`
`
`..mm.A@B...n..m5maflux.9.mmmama
`
`2MV.n...,.N,.6“._z.un._..,...\../Q.nU.4...axu.\._/,_.w._..\:z_Nn.z2..N.€£..§.r..\._..v4x.z§z..,...§7.¥.x....s.x?1\>/,.\.a.~.\\Z.«_s.\\../...u..\s.acm¢...«.z.V..,./1%./4..2\\./..x...q.y..\x._4.«_./$..x..\\.w,.x..z.\s,...\.4.sxiu.W
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ImI...II,..
`
`
`
`
`Em..'.___.I?k‘ \!1N\lN\htN\N\\\hé\MWN\.\\\\%\.\\‘§
`
`
`
`lBC..||1|LI L33E_7.W%Qm.w::.l1.m”..«\..W_MVfl||||.|.|n|u[|:|H|nu|J|.Er.rz:u.._.||..|
`
`KmW
`
`.3».../,.N../..R.2...?<&.1£..#:.._
`
`WHmyaV,mm5aQa7M.zs\.z../fit»
`
`Mw.fl
`._;RflSC_H.BK%\F.26. .P . .”mInmrmfinwfifi/Affigézfigégfii___Ia%w§..w§g%@aW.Y.RuIIIIIIIII-'Ii|I3JVmEIHRcm
`...._.5...0.1M3.e.._x‘WE0..wWIVMmT__anh_
`7f02w“mm.53.uR.EDn1a5t.e.._....
`
`Page 2 of 7
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`United States Patent Office
`
`3,306,365
`Patented Feb. 23, 1967
`
` 1
`
`2
`
`3,306,365
`WELL BORE TESTING AND DISPLACING
`VALVE APPARATUS
`Archer W. Karnrnercr, Jr., Houston, Tex., assignor to
`Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation
`of California
`Filed May 13, 1953, Sal‘. No. 279,911
`16 Claims.
`(Cl. 166-224)
`
`The present invention relates to subsurface well bore
`apparatus, and more particularly to valve apparatus for
`controlling flow of fluids in the well bore in the per-
`formance of operations -therewithin.
`Art object of the invention is to provide valve apparat-us
`adapted to be incorporated in a tubing string disposed in
`a well bore in connection with a well packer set there-
`within, which enables testing of the packer to "be performed
`after the surface connections to the tubing string have
`been made at the top of the well bore, and without the
`necessity for moving the tubing string.
`Another object of the invention is to provide valve
`apparatus of the character indicated, which enables fluid
`to be circulated in the well bore after the packer testing
`has been performed without the need for moving the tub-
`ing string in the well bore.
`A further object of the invention is to provide valve
`apparatus adapted to be incorporated in a. tubing string
`disposed in the well here in connection with a well packer
`set therewithin, the valve apparatus being closed to permit
`testing of the packet by imposing pressure on the fluid in
`the annulus surrounding the tubing string, such pressure
`-being incapable of shifting the valve apparatus to closed
`position, the valve apparatus being readily opened merely
`by imposing pressure on the fluid in -the tubing string,
`whereupon the valve apparatus can be reclosed by impos-
`ing pressure on the fluid in the tubing string, the passage
`through the valve apparatus being open or unobstructed
`after its reclosing.
`This invention possesses many other advantages, and
`has other objects which may be made more clearly appar-
`ent from a confideration of a form in which it may be
`embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accom-
`panying and forming part of the present specification.
`It
`will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illus-
`trating the general principles of the invention; but it is
`to be understood that such detailed description is not to
`be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the inven-
`tion is best defined by the appended claims.
`Referring to -the drawings:
`FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal section through a valve
`apparatus connected to a tubing string and well packer
`disposed in a well bore or casing, with the valve apparatus
`in its initial closed position;
`FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section similar to
`FIG. 1, illustrating the valve apparatus in an open condi-
`tron;
`FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the valve
`apparatus in its reclosed condition;
`FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line
`4-4 on FIG. 1;
`‘
`FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line
`5-5 on FIG. 1;
`FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line
`6—6 on FIG. 1.
`As illustrated in the drawings, a valve apparatus A is
`incorporated in a tubing string B disposed in a well casing
`C within a well bore, the tubing string extending to the top
`of the hole. The lower portion of the valve apparatus is
`illustrated as being placed in association with a well
`packer D anchored in packed-off condition in the well
`casing. The well packer can be of any suitable type.
`The valve apparatus A includes an elongate housing or
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`85
`
`T0
`
`outer tubular member Ill having a lower threaded pin 11
`that enables the housing to be secured directly to the well
`packer, or to an intervening length of tubing secured to
`or otherwise associated with the well packer in leakproof
`relation with respect thereto. As specifically illustrated
`by way of example, the threaded pin -is threadedly secured
`to a. collar 12 that is threaded on to the upper end of the
`tubular body 13 of the well packer D which has suitable
`slips or gripping members 14 and a packing structure 15
`mounted on it for engagement with the wall of the well
`casing C. The well packer may have a passage 16 extend-
`ing therethrough to permit -well production to flow into the
`packer and through the housing 10 and tubing string B
`to the top of the well bore.
`The outer tubular member or housing 10 includes a
`housing sub 17 threadedly secured to the -upper portion
`of the main body 18 of the tubular member, this sub
`having a threaded box 19 for threadedly receiving the
`lower threaded pin 2|} of a tubing section 21, this section
`constituting part of the tubing string B extending to the
`top of the well bore. The outer member 10 has a plurality
`of side ports 22 providing communication between its
`interior and exterior, which side ports are closed initially
`by a lower differential valve sleeve 23 slidable longitudi-
`nally within the tubular member. The valve sleeve is
`disposed below an upper valve sleeve 24 that has a shoul-
`der 25 engaging the lower end 26 of the housing sub
`or upper section 17, the upper valve sleeve being held
`initially in such position by one or a plurality of shear
`screws 27 attaching it to the sub.
`Integral with the valve
`sleeve 24 are a plurality of upwardly extending flexible
`arms 23 terminating in outwardly projecting fingers 29
`disposed initially within the restricted diameter bore 30
`of the housing sub, the inwardly projecting fingers provid-
`ing a seat 31 for a valve element 32, such as a ball,
`adapted to be lowered or pumped down the tubing string
`into engagement therewith. The arms 28 and fingers 29
`inherently tend to spring outwarly, but are confined ini-
`tially by the wall 30 of the housing sub 17, so as -to project
`inwardly of the central passage 33 -through the sub and
`sleeve 24.
`The upper valve sleeve 24 has an external diameter 34
`conforming to the internal diameter 35 of the tubular
`member on opposite sides of its ports 22, there being a.
`suitable seal ring 36 mounted on the lower portion of the
`upper valve sleeve adapted to slidably seal against the
`wall 35 of the tubular member on opposite sides of its
`ports 22. The bore 3'? through the tubular member 10
`below the housing sub 17 is enlarged in diameter to pre-
`vent any sealing action by an upper seal ring 33, mounted
`on the upper valve sleeve 24, with the tubular member
`when the upper valve sleeve is in its upper position, thereby
`preventing the existence of any pressure differentials upon
`the upper seal ring 38 and the lower seal ring 36 that might
`deform such rings and resist movement of the upper sleeve
`valve 24 in the tubular member. The upper seal ring 38,
`however, is adapted to slidably seal -with the inner wall
`portion 35 of the tubular member when the upper sleeve
`valve 24 is shifted downwardly across the ports 22, as
`described hcreinbelow.
`The lower differential sleeve valve member 23 is dis-
`posed initially across the ports 22 to close the same. As
`shown in FIG. 1, its upper end 39 is adapted to engage
`the lower end 40 of the upper valve sleeve, which will
`preclude upward movement of the lower valve sleeve 23
`within the tubular member, since the upper valve sleeve
`shoulder 25 is engaging the stop shoulder 26 provided by
`the housing sub.
`Initially, downward movement of the
`lower valve sleeve is prevented by one or a plurality of
`shear screws 41 extending into a bore or groove 42 in the
`lower valve sleeve and secured to a shearing ring 43 test-
`ing upon an inwardly directed flange or valve seat 44 pro-
`
`Page 3 of 7
`Page 3 of 7
`
`

`
`3,306,385
`
`3
`jecting inwardly of the tubular member 10. The lower
`valve sleeve 23 includes an upper valve head 46 which
`initially engages the wall 35 of the tubular member above
`the side ports 22, and also a lower valve head portion 47
`that initially engages the cylindrical seat 44 of the tubular
`member. A suitable seal
`ring 43 is mounted on the
`upper head 46 for slid-able sealing engagement with the
`inner wall 35 of the tubular member; whereas, the lower
`cylindrical valve seat 44 carries a suitable seal ring 49
`engaging the periphery of the lower valve head 47'. With
`the valve sleeve in its position illustrated in FIG. 1, any
`fluid under pressure within the tubular member 10 is
`acting downwardly on the sleeve 23 over the annular
`area R of the upper valve head, and is acting ‘tl.1J\\«'Zll'di}'
`over the annular area S of the lower valve head, the an-
`nular arca R being greater than the annular area S by the
`differential area T indicated as being the area of the
`underside of the upper valve head (FIG. 1). Below the
`cylindrical valve seat 44, the internal diameter 50 of the
`outer tubular member or housing 10 is enlarged, for the
`purpose that will be described herein-below. Between the
`upper and lower heads 46, 47, the exterior of the lower
`differential valve sleeve is provided with a plurality of
`longitudinal hleeder or by—pass grooves 51.
`The valve apparatus A forms part of the tubing string
`B, its parts being arranged initially in the relative posi-
`tions illustrated in FIG. 1, in which the lower differen-
`tial valve sleeve 23 is disposed across the side ports 22
`to close the same. Downward movement of the differen-
`tial valve sleeve is prevented -by the shear screw or screws
`41 and the shearing ring 43 engaging the lower valve
`seat 44, whereas upward movement of the lower sleeve
`valve is prevented by its engagement with the upper valve
`sleeve 24, -which, in turn, is shouldered against the hous-
`ing sub 17. The ball seat fingers 29 project inwardly
`of the housing sub passage.
`The tubing string B is placed in association with the
`packer D, which is anchored in packed-off condition
`against the well casing C. Appropriate connections (not
`shown) to the tubing string B and easing C are made at
`the top of the well bore. The testing of the packer D can
`now take place by imposing pressure on the liquid in the
`annulus 60 -between the tubing string and casing. The
`fluid pressure passes through the ports 22 and acts on the
`underside 70 of the head of the sleeve valve over the dif-
`ferential area T, tending to shift the lower valve 23 up-
`wardly. However, such shifting cannot occur since the
`lower valve sleeve abuts the upper valve sleeve 24, which,
`in turn, abuts the lower end 26 of the housing sub 17.
`Any desired test pressures can be imposed on the fluid
`or liquid in the tubing-casing string annulus 61) to pres-
`sure test
`the well packer, without such pressure being
`capable of shifting the lower differential valve sleeve 23
`to port opening position.
`After the well packer D has been tested, it is desired to
`displace the fluid in the well casing.
`It is only necessary
`to impose pressure on the fluid or liquid in the tubing
`string B, which will act downwardly on the differential
`valve 23 over the area T (R minus 8), and when such
`pressure is sufficient to overcome the shear strength of
`the screws 41,
`the latter are disrupted and the lower
`valve 23 is shifted downwardly to the position illustrated
`in FIG. 2, in which the shearing ring 43 rests upon the
`lower cylindrical valve seat 44 and the upper valve head
`46 engages the shearing ring. During such downward
`shifting,
`fluid is not
`trapped between the upper valve
`head 46 and the lower cylindrical seat 44 since the by-
`pass or bleeder grooves 51 extend from a position above
`the cylindrical valve seat
`to a position therebelow after
`the valve head 46 has shifted below the side ports 22.
`Accordingly, the fluid below the upper head 46 can move
`downwardly around the outside of the valve sleeve and
`into the central passage of the tubular member 10.
`The valve apparatus is now in the open condition il-
`lustrated in FIG. 2, and circulating fluid can -be pumped
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`(50
`
`‘I0
`
`75
`
`4
`down through the tubing -string B for upward passage
`through the open ports 22 and return flow through the
`tubing-casing annulus 60 to the top of the well bore.
`During the shifting of the differential sleeve valve 23
`downwardly to port opening position, movement of the
`tubing string B, or disturbing of the surface connections
`at the top of the well bore to the tubing string and the
`well casing, is unnecessary.
`After circulation has been completed, it is desired to
`reclose the side ports 22 through the tubular member
`10. This action is performed by dropping a suitable
`valve element 32, such as a ball, of an appropriate diam-
`eter into the tubing string B and pumping the ball or al-
`lowing it
`to gravitate down through the tubing string
`into engagement with the valve seat 31 afforded by the
`inwardly projecting fingers 29. When the ball engages
`such seat, pressure can be built up in the fluid or liquid
`in the tubing string B suflicient to overcome the shear
`strength of the screws 27 releasably securing the upper
`valve sleeve 24 to the housing sub 1'7.
`=Upon shearing
`of such screws, the upper sleeve valve 24 is shifted down-
`wardly to a position in which its lower end 40 engages
`the upper end 39 of the lower sleeve valve 23, the fingers
`29 moving out of the restricted housing passage 30 and
`into the enlarged diameter portion 3')’ of the tubular mem-
`ber, the arms 28 and fingers 29 inherently springing out-
`wardly to an effective diameter greater than the diameter
`of the ball valve element 32, allowing the latter to drop
`downwardly through the sleeve valves 24, 23 and the
`well packer D into the well bore therebelow. The valve
`element 29 springs outwardly below the housing shoulder
`26, -which will preclude inadvertent return movement of
`the upper sleeve valve 24 toward its initial position, in-
`suring its retention in closed position across the side ports
`22, with its upper and lower seals 38, 36 engaging the
`wall 35 of the tubular member on opposite sides of the
`ports
`(FIG. 3). The application of pressure to the
`fluid in the tubing string 13 has effected downward shifting
`of the upper valve closing sleeve 24.
`It is unnecessary to
`disturb any connections to the tubing string at the top of
`the well bore.
`I claim:
`1. In subsurface valve apparatus adapted for connec-
`tion to a tubing string to be disposed in a well bore: a
`tubular member adapted to be connected to the tubing
`string and having a side port; an upper valve member
`in said tubular member disposed initially above said port;
`a lower valve member in said tubular member disposed
`initially across said port to close the same, said lower
`member including an upper head portion in sealing rela-
`tion to said tubular member above said port and a. lower
`head portion in sealing relation to said tubular member
`below said port, the upper head portion having an up-
`wardly facing total transverse area subject to fluid pres-
`sure in said tubular member greater than the downwardly
`facing total transverse area of said lower head portion
`subject to fluid pressure in said tubular member to pro-
`vide a differential area on said lower valve member sub-
`ject to the pressure of fluid in the tubular member tend-
`ing to shift said lower member downwardly in the tubu-
`la-r member to port opening position; and means for shift-
`ing said upper valve member downwardly in said tubular
`member to port closing position.
`2. In subsurface valve apparatus adapted for connec-
`tion to a tubing string to be disposed in a well bore: a
`tubular member adapted to be connected to the tubing
`string and having a side port; an upper valve member in
`said tubular member disposed initially above said port
`and engaged with said tubular member to prevent upward
`movement of said upper valve member therewithin; a
`lower valve member in said tubular member disposed
`initially across said port to close the same and adapted
`to engage said upper member to prevent upward move-
`ment of said lower member in said tubular member to
`port opening position; said lower member including an
`
`Page 4 of 7
`Page 4 of 7
`
`
`

`
`3,306,365
`
`5
`upper head portion in sealing relation to said tubular
`member above said port and a -lower head portion in seal-
`ing relation to said tubular member below said port, the
`upper head portion having an upwardly facing total trans-
`verse area subject to fluid pressure in said tubular mem-
`ber greater than the downwardly facing total transverse
`area of said lower head portion subject to fluid pressure
`in said tubular member to provide a differential area on
`said lower valve member subject to the pressure of fluid
`in the tubular member tending to shift said lower member
`downwardly in the tubular member to port opening posi-
`tion; and means for shifting said upper valve member
`downwardly in said tubular member to port closing
`position.
`3. In subsurface valve apparatus adapted for connec-
`tion to a tubing string to be disposed in a well bore: a
`tubular member adapted to be connected to the tubing
`string and having a side port; an upper valve member in
`said tubular member disposed initially above said port;
`first releasable means releasably securing said upper valve
`member to said tubular member in said initial position; a
`lower valve member in said tubular member disposed
`initially across said port to close the same: second re-
`leasable means preventing downward movement of said
`lower valve member; said lower valve member including
`an upper head portion in sealing relation to said tubular
`member above said port and a lower head portion in seal-
`ing relation to said tubular member below said port, the
`upper head portion having an upwardly facing total trans-
`verse area subject to fluid pressure in said tubular mem-
`ber greater than the downwardly facing total transverse
`area of said lower head portion subject to fluid pressure
`in said tubular mem-ber to provide a differential area on
`said lower member subject to the pressure of fluid in the
`tubular member tending to release said second releasable
`means and shift said lower member downwardly in the
`tubular member to port opening position; and means for
`releasing said first releasable means and for shifting said
`upper valve member downwardly in said tubular member
`to port closing position.
`4. In subsurface valve apparatus adapted for connec-
`tion to a tubing string to be disposed in a well bore: a
`tubular member adapted to be connected to the tubing
`string and having a side port; an upper valve member in
`said tubular member disposed initially above said port
`and engaged with said tubular member to prevent upward
`movement of said upper valve member therewithin; first
`releasable means releasably securing said upper valve
`member to said tubular member to prevent downward
`movement of said upper valve member from said initial
`position; a lower valve member in said tubular member
`disposed initially across said port to close the same and
`ad-apted to engage said upper member to prevent upward
`movement of said lower member in said tubular member
`to port opening position; second releasable means pre-
`venting downward movement of said lower valve mem-
`ber; said lower -valve member including an upper head
`portion in sealing relation to said tubular member above
`said port and a lower head portion in sealing -relation to
`said tubular member below said port, the upper head por-
`tion havingan upwardly facing tot-al transverse area sub-
`ject to fluid pressure in said tubular member greater
`than the downwardly facing total transverse area of said
`-lower head portion subject to fluid pressure in said tubu-
`lar member -to provide a differential area on said lower
`member subject to the pressure of fluid in the tubular
`member tending to release said second releasable means
`and shift said lower member downwardly in the tubular
`member to port opening position; and means for releasing
`said first releasable means and for shifting said upper
`valve member downwardly in said tubular member to
`port closing position.
`5. In subsurface valve apparatus adapted for connec-
`tion to a tubing string to be disposed in a well bore: a
`tubular member adapted to be connected to the tubing
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`ClI'll
`
`60
`
`65
`
`TD
`
`75
`
`6
`string and having a side port; an upper valve sleeve in
`said tubular member disposed initially above said port; a
`lower valve sleeve in said tubular member disposed ini-
`tially across said port to close the same, said lower sleeve
`including an upper head -portion in sealing relation to
`said tubular member above said port and a lower head
`portion in sealing relation to said tubular member
`-below said port, the upper head portion having an up.
`wardly facing total transverse area subject to fluid pres-
`sure in said tubular member greater than the down-
`wardly facing total transverse area of said lower head
`portion _subject to fluid -pressure in said tubular member
`to provide a difleren-tial area on said lower sleeve sub-
`ject to the pressure of fluid in the tubular member tend-
`ing to shift said lower sleeve downwardly in the tubu-
`lar member to port opening position; and means for
`sl-uftmg said upper valve sleeve downwardly in said tubu-
`lar member to port closing -position.
`‘ 6. In subsurface valve apparatus adapted for connec-
`tion to a tubing string to be disposed in a well bore: a
`tubular member adapted to be connected to the tubing
`string and having a side port; an upper valve sleeve in
`said tubular member disposed initially above said port
`and engaged with said tubular member to prevent upward
`movement of said upper valve sleeve therewithin; a lower
`valve sleeve in said tubular member disposed initially
`across said port to ciose the same and adapted to engage
`said upper sleeve to prevent upward movement of said
`lower sleeve in said tubular member to port opening posi-
`tion, said lower sleeve including an upper head portion
`in sealing relation to said tubular member above said port
`and a lower portion in sealing relation to said tubular
`member below said port, the upper head portion having
`an upwardly facing total transverse area subject to fluid
`pressure in said tubular member greater than the down-
`wardly facing total transverse area of said lower head
`portion subject to fluid pressure in said tubular member
`to provide a differential area on said lower sleeve subject
`to the pressure of fluid in the tubular member tending to
`shift said lower sleeve downwardly in the tubular mem-
`ber to port opening position; and means for shifting said
`upper valve sleeve downwardly in said tubular member
`to port closing position.
`7. In subsurface valve apparatus adapted for connec-
`tion to a tubing string to be disposed in a well bore: a
`tubular member adapted to be connected to the tubing
`string and having a side port; an upper valve sleeve in
`said tubular member disposed initially above said port
`and engaged with said tubular member to prevent upward
`movement of said upper valve sleeve therewithin; firs:
`releasable means relcasably securing said upper valve
`sleeve to said tubular member in said initial position; a
`lower valve sleeve in said tubular member disposed ini-
`tially across said port to close the same; second releasable
`means preventing downward movement of said lower
`valve sleeve; said lower valve sleeve including an upper
`head portion in sealing relation to said tubular member
`above said port and a lower head portion in sealing rela-
`tion to said tubular member below said port, the upper
`head portion having an upwardly facing total transverse
`area subject
`to fluid pressure in said tubular member
`greater than the downwardly facing total transverse area
`of said lower head portion subject to fluid pressure in
`said tubular member to provide a differential area on said
`lower sleeve subject to the pressure of fluid in the tubular
`member tending to release said second releasable means
`and shift said lower sleeve downwardly in the tubular
`member to port opening position; and means for releasing
`said first releasable means and for shifting said upper
`valve sleeve downwardly in said tubular member to port
`closing position.
`8. In subsurface valve apparatus adapted for connec-
`tion to a tubing string to be disposed in a well bore: a
`tubular member adapted to be connected to the tubing
`string and having a side port; said tubular member having
`
`Page 5 of 7
`Page 5 of 7
`
`

`
`3,306,365
`
`7
`a first portion above and below said port of a particular
`internal diameter and a second portion substantially below
`said port of an internal diameter smaller than the internal
`diameter of said first portion; an upper valve sleeve in
`said tubular member disposed initially above said port
`and having an external diameter -conforming to the in-
`ternal diameter of said first portion; a lower valve sleeve
`in said tubular member disposed initially across said port
`to close the same, said lower sleeve including an upper
`head portion in sealing relation to said first portion above
`said port and a lower head portion in sealing relation to
`said second portion, said upper and lower head portions
`providing a differential area on said lower sleeve subject
`to the pressure of fluid in the tubular member tending to
`shift said lower sleeve downwardly in the tubular mem-
`ber to port opening position; and means for shifting said
`upper valve sleeve downwardly in said tubular member
`to port closing position.
`9. In subsurface valve apparatus adapted for connec-
`tion to a tubing string to be disposed in a well bore: a
`tubular member adapted to be connected to the tubing
`string and having a side port; said tubular member having
`a first portion above and below said port of a particular
`internal diameter and a second portion substantially below
`said port of an internal diameter smaller than the in-
`ternal diameter of said first portion; an upper valve sleeve
`in said tubular member disposed initially above said port
`and engageable with said tubular member to prevent
`upward movement of said upper valve sleeve therewithin,
`said upper sleeve having an external diameter conforming
`to the internal diameter of said first portion; a lower valve
`sleeve in said tubular member disposed initially across
`said port to close the same and adapted to engage said
`upper sleeve to prevent upward movement of said lower
`sleeve in said tubular member to port opening position;
`said lower sleeve including an upper head portion in
`sealing relation to said first portion above said port and
`a lower head portion in sealing relation to said second
`portion, said upper and lower head portions providing a
`differential area on said lower sleeve subject to the pres-
`sure of fluid in the tubular member to shift said lower
`sleeve downwardly in the tubular member to port open»
`ing position; and means for shifting said upper valve
`sleeve downwardly in said tubular member to port closing
`position.
`It}. In subsurface valve apparatus adapted for connec-
`tion to a tubing string to be disposed in a well bore: a
`tubular member adapted to be connected to the tubing
`string and having a side port; said tubular member having
`a first portion above and below said port of a particular
`internal diameter and a second portion substantially below
`said port of an internal diameter smaller than the in-
`ternal diameter of said first portion; an upper valve sleeve
`in said tubular member disposed initially above said port
`and engageable with said tubular member to prevent
`upward movement of said upper valve sleeve therewithin
`and having an external diameter conforming to the in-
`ternal diameter of said first portion; first releasable means
`releasably securing said upper valve sleeve to said tubular
`member in said initial position and against downward
`movement in said tubular member; a lower valve sleeve
`in said tubular member disposed initially across said port
`to close the same and adapted to engage said upper sleeve
`to prevent upward movement of said lower sleeve in said
`tubular member to port opening position; second re-
`leasable means preventing downward movement of said
`-lower sleeve; said lower sleeve including an upper head
`portion in sealing relation to said first portion above said
`port and a lower head portion in sealing relation to said
`second portion, said upper and lower head portions pro-
`viding a differential area on said lower sleeve subject to
`the pressure of fluid in the tubular member tending to
`release said second releasable means and shift said lower
`sleeve downwardly in the tubular member to port open-
`ing position; and means for releasing said first releasable
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`36
`
`-10
`
`G0
`
`70
`
`75
`
`8
`means and for shifting said upper valve sleeve down-
`wardly in said tubular member to port closing position.
`11. In subsurface valve apparatus adapted for connec-
`tion to a. tubing string to be disposed in a well bore; a
`tubular member adapted to be connected to the tubing
`string and having a side -port; said tubular member having
`a first portion above and below said port of a particular
`internal diameter and a second portion substantially below
`said port of an internal diameter smaller than the internal
`diameter of said first portion; an upper valve sleeve in
`said tubular member disposed initially above said port
`and engageable with said tubular member to prevent up-
`nvard movement of said upper valve sleeve therewithin
`and having an external diameter conforming to the in-
`ternal diameter of said first portion; frangible means re-
`leasably securing said upper valve sleeve to said tubular
`member in said initial position and against downward
`movement in said tubular member; a lower valve sleeve
`in said tubular member disposed initially across said port
`to close the same and adapted to engage said upper sleeve
`to prevent upward movement of said lower sleeve in said
`tubular member to port opening position; means includ-
`ing frangible instrumetltalities connected to said lower
`sleeve and resting upon the upper end of said second por-
`tion releasa-bly holding said lower sleeve in closed posi-
`tion across said port; said lower sleeve including an upper
`head portion in sealing relation to said first portion above
`said port and a lower head portion in sealing relation to
`said second portion, said upper and lower head portions
`providing a differential area on said lower sleeve subject
`to the pressure of fluid in the tubular member tending to
`disrupt
`said frangible instrumentalities and shift said
`lower sleeve downwardly in the tubular member to port
`opening position; and means for disrupting said frangible
`means and for shifting said upper valve sleeve down-
`wardly in said tubular member to port closing position.
`12. In subsurface valve apparatus adapted for connec-
`tion to a tubing string to be disposed in a well bore: a
`tubular member adapted to be connected to the tubing
`string and having a side port; an upper valve member in
`said tubular member disposed initially above said port; a
`lower valve member in said tubular member disposed
`initially across said port to close the same, said lower
`member including an upper head portion in sealing rela-
`tion to said tubular member above said port