Mill valve system

Abstract

A bypass valve and method of utilizing a bypass valve located inside of a tubular or mill that allows one set of equipment to operate, operating a second tool on demand, and then providing a fluid pathway for at least a third device to operate. The bypass valve has a through bore with the restriction. Fluid flows through the restriction at a first rate that is sufficient to operate a measuring while drilling tool. The fluid flow is then increased to a second rate where the restriction causes an increase in pressure within the bypass valve. The increase in pressure allows a packer typically below the bypass valve to be set. Fluid flow is then increased to a third rate causing a further increase in pressure within the bypass valve due to the restriction. The third pressure level allows an interior sleeve in the bypass valve to shift thereby isolating the downhole tool such as a packer while providing a new fluid flow path that partially bypasses the restriction allowing an even greater flow rate through the bypass valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for providing alternate fluid pathways comprising:
 locking a sleeve in an interior of a housing in a first position with a lock;   moving the sleeve from the first position to a second position;   restricting fluid flow through interior of the housing;   allowing fluid flow through a third port;   pressurizing the housing to overcome the lock; and   moving the sleeve from the first position to the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, fluid flow through the third port is blocked and fluid flow through the second port is allowed once the sleeve moves from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, fluid flow through the second port is less restrictive than fluid flow through the interior of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, the housing has a lock between the housing and the sleeve;
 wherein the lock retains the sleeve in the first position. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein, the sleeve located in the interior of the housing has a second position. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, the sleeve is retained after moving a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, a pressure drop in the fluid flow signals the lock release. 
     
     
         8 . A hydraulic bypass valve comprising:
 a housing having a through bore,   an interior sleeve within the housing through bore,
 wherein the interior sleeve has an interior fluid flow path, 
   a fluid flow restriction in the interior fluid flow path,   the interior sleeve having a first position within the housing wherein a first port in the housing is aligned with a second port in the interior sleeve,   the interior sleeve having a second position within the housing wherein a second fluid flow path enhances the interior fluid flow path.   
     
     
         9 . The hydraulic bypass valve of  claim 8  wherein, the interior sleeve is held in the first position by a shear pin. 
     
     
         10 . The hydraulic bypass valve of  claim 8  wherein, the interior sleeve is retained in the second position by a protrusion from the housing that interacts with the interior sleeve. 
     
     
         11 . The hydraulic bypass valve of  claim 8  wherein, the interior sleeve is retained in the second position by a protrusion from the interior sleeve that interacts with the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The hydraulic bypass valve of  claim 8  wherein, the interior sleeve is retained in the second position by an endcap that interacts with the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The hydraulic bypass valve of  claim 8  wherein, the first port and the second port when aligned allow fluid access from the interior fluid flow path to an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
         14 . A method of operating a downhole mill assembly comprising:
 pumping a fluid at a first rate through a sleeve having an interior bore and a first port,
 wherein the interior bore has a flow restriction, 
   pumping the fluid at a second rate through the sleeve to cause a pressure to reach a first predetermined level wherein the pressure increase to the first predetermined level actuates a tool through the first port,   pumping the fluid at a third rate through the sleeve to cause the pressure to reach a second predetermined level,
 wherein the pressure increase to the second predetermined level moves the sleeve within a housing to access a second port. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method of operating a downhole mill assembly of  claim 14  wherein, accessing the second port enhances a total fluid flow through the sleeve. 
     
     
         16 . The method of operating a downhole mill assembly of  claim 14  wherein, moving the sleeve within the housing isolates the tool. 
     
     
         17 . The method of operating a downhole mill assembly of  claim 14  wherein, the interior sleeve is held in a first position by a shear pin. 
     
     
         18 . The method of operating a downhole mill assembly of  claim 14  wherein, the interior sleeve is retained in a second position by a protrusion from the housing that interacts with the interior sleeve. 
     
     
         19 . The method of operating a downhole mill assembly of  claim 14  wherein, the interior sleeve is retained in the second position by a protrusion from the interior sleeve that interacts with the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The method of operating a downhole mill assembly of  claim 14  wherein, the interior sleeve is retained in the second position by an endcap that interacts with the housing.