Free flow valve

Abstract

A valve for use with a downhole pump, wherein the valve comprises a single moving part that in a first position forms only a first interface and in a second position forms only a second interface, each interface presenting a barrier that cannot be breached by fluid, whereby the first interface directs fluid to the production tubing only from the annulus and the second interface directs fluid to the production tubing only from the pump, the pump and annulus and production tubing are simultaneously interconnected by a chamber of the valve when the single moving part is between the first and second positions, each interface is maintained or broken depending on the fluid pressure differential across the associated interface, the single moving part moves between the first position and second position according to the fluid direction through the valve, characterised by each of the two interfaces being formed between a convex surface of the single moving part and a concave surface of a non moving part of the valve, whereby the single moving part self aligns with each interface and only via the interface, and where the single moving part does not house or incorporate one or more rotational or/and linear axes.

1 . A valve for use with a downhole pump, wherein the valve comprises a single moving part that in a first position forms only a first interface and in a second position forms only a second interface, each interface presenting a barrier that cannot be breached by fluid, whereby the first interface directs fluid to the production tubing only from the annulus and the second interface directs fluid to the production tubing only from the pump, the pump and annulus and production tubing are simultaneously interconnected by a chamber of the valve when the single moving part is between the first and second positions, each interface is maintained or broken depending on the fluid pressure differential across the associated interface, the single moving part moves between the first position and second position according to the fluid direction through the valve, characterised by each of the two interfaces being formed between a convex surface of the single moving part and a concave surface of a non moving part of the valve, whereby the single moving part self aligns with each interface and only via the interface, and where the single moving part does not house or incorporate one or more rotational or/and linear axes. 
     
     
         2 . A valve according to  claim 1 , where the smallest cross sectional area of the fluid path defined by the first interface has a different cross sectional area to the smallest cross sectional area of the fluid path defined by the second interface. 
     
     
         3 . A valve according to  claim 1 , comprising four chambers and associated ports wherein the fluid directed by the first interface enters the production tubing from the valve via a discharge chamber via discharge port/s via a transfer chamber via an annulus chamber via annulus port/s and the fluid directed by the second interface enters the production tubing from the valve via a discharge chamber via discharge port/s via a transfer chamber, via a pump discharge chamber. 
     
     
         4 . A valve according to  claim 3  where the chambers and ports are concentric to the valve's longitudinal centre line. 
     
     
         5 . A valve according to  claim 1 , where one or both of the concave surfaces are formed by a cone. 
     
     
         6 . A valve according to  claim 1 , where one or both of the concave surfaces have a convex cross section. 
     
     
         7 . A valve according to  claim 1 , where one or both of the concave surfaces have a concave cross section. 
     
     
         8 . A valve according to  claim 1 , where the convex surface is formed by a single sphere. 
     
     
         9 . A valve according to  claim 1 , where the convex surface is formed by two cone segments positioned from each other by an interconnecting section. 
     
     
         10 . A valve according to  claim 1 , where the convex surface is formed by two spherical segments positioned from each other by an interconnecting section. 
     
     
         11 . A valve according to  claim 1 , where the convex surface is formed by one spherical segment and one cone segment positioned from each other by an interconnecting section. 
     
     
         12 . A valve according to  claim 9 , where at least one of the segments is truncated. 
     
     
         13 . A valve according to  claim 9 , where the largest diameter of each segment is a different dimension from the other. 
     
     
         14 . A valve according to  claim 9 , where the interconnecting section is cylindrical. 
     
     
         15 . A valve according to  claim 14  where the interconnecting cylindrical section has a smaller diameter than the largest diameter of at least one of the two segments. 
     
     
         16 . A valve according to  claim 14 , where the interconnecting cylindrical section is a cone. 
     
     
         17 . A valve according to  claim 9 , where the interconnecting section includes additional faces. 
     
     
         18 . A valve according to  claim 9 , where the interconnecting section includes one or more longitudinal sections. 
     
     
         19 . A valve according to  claim 1 , where the single moving part is hollowed. 
     
     
         20 . A valve according to  claim 1 , where the single moving part is guided between the first and second positions by guide sections integral with the valve's housing. 
     
     
         21 . A valve according to  claim 1 , where the single moving part is guided between the first and second positions by a inner housing. 
     
     
         22 . A valve according to  claim 1 , where at least one of the concave surfaces is carried by a separate component from the housing or from the outer housing. 
     
     
         23 . A valve according to  claim 3 , where the ports and/or guides are formed into a helix. 
     
     
         24 . A valve according to  claim 1 , where at least one of the interfaces is formed by a material dissimilar to the housing. 
     
     
         25 . A valve according to  claim 1 , where at least some of the internal corners intersecting fluid course changes are rounded. 
     
     
         26 . A valve according to  claim 1 , where the single moving part's movement is spring assisted. 
     
     
         27 . A valve according to  claim 1 , where the housing or outer housing is fashioned to directly or indirectly secure one or more power cables. 
     
     
         28 . A valve according to  claim 1 , carrying either a male or female thread at one or at both ends to secure the valve to the production tubing or to the production tubing and pump. 
     
     
         29 . A valve according to  claim 1 , where the pump is an ESP.