Bypass valve for a flow through gas lift plunger

Abstract

A bypass valve for a gas lift plunger includes a cylindrical valve having opposed ends, a circumferential sidewall and a first flow through aperture which extends through the circumferential sidewall. A body is provided with a cylindrical valve seat and a second flow through aperture. The cylindrical valve is rotatable relative to the valve seat. When the cylindrical valve is rotated to a first position the first flow through aperture and the second flow through aperture are in register thereby permitting gas to flow through. When the cylindrical valve is rotated to a second position, the first flow through aperture and the second flow through aperture are out of register and the flow of gas is restricted. An activation sleeve which overlies the body is used to move the cylindrical valve between the first position and the second position.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive Property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A bypass valve for a gas lift plunger, comprising: 
 a cylindrical valve having opposed ends, a circumferential sidewall and a first flow through aperture which extends through the circumferential sidewall;    a body with a cylindrical valve seat and a second flow through aperture, the cylindrical valve being rotatable relative to the valve seat, when the cylindrical valve is rotated to a first position the first flow through aperture and the second flow through aperture are in register thereby permitting gas to flow through, when the cylindrical valve is rotated to a second position, the first flow through aperture and the second flow through aperture are out of register and the flow of gas is restricted;    a pin extending from at least one of the opposed ends of the cylindrical valve;    an activation sleeve overlying the body, the activation sleeve having at least one guide slot which is adapted to engage the pin, such that when the activation sleeve moves in a first direction that pin moves along the guide slot to rotate the cylindrical valve to the first position and when the activation sleeve moves in a second direction the pin moves along the guide slot to rotate the cylindrical valve to the second position.