Mud saver valve

Abstract

Present embodiments are directed to a mud saver valve assembly having a first sleeve, a second sleeve, and a first valve element axially captured between the first sleeve and the second sleeve, wherein the first valve element includes a support ring portion extending about a circumference of the first valve element and a center portion extending across the support ring portion, wherein the center portion comprises a dome-shaped geometry.

1 . A mud saver valve assembly, comprising:
 a first sleeve;   a second sleeve; and   a first valve element axially captured between the first sleeve and the second sleeve, wherein the first valve element comprises:
 a support ring portion extending about a circumference of the first valve element; and 
 a center portion extending across the support ring portion, wherein the center portion comprises a dome-shaped geometry. 
   
     
     
         2 . The mud saver valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the center portion comprises a concave side, and the concave side faces an upstream direction with respect to a fluid flow received by the mud saver valve assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The mud saver valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the center portion comprises a plurality of segments divided by a plurality of slits extending axially through the center portion. 
     
     
         4 . The mud saver valve assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of segments comprises four segments, and the plurality of slits comprises two slits, wherein each of the two slits extends across a diameter of the center portion, and the two slits are generally perpendicular to one another. 
     
     
         5 . The mud saver valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve axially capture the support ring portion of the first valve element. 
     
     
         6 . The mud saver valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first valve element is formed from a rubber, neoprene, or other elastomer. 
     
     
         7 . The mud saver valve assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve are formed from a steel. 
     
     
         8 . The mud saver valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a concave side of the center portion is calibrated to support a threshold pressure without deformation, wherein the threshold pressure is equal to or greater than a head pressure of fluid within a casing running tool, a head pressure of fluid within a portion of a mud hose of a drilling rig, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The mud saver valve assembly of  claim 1 , comprising a third sleeve and a second valve element, wherein the second valve element is self-similar to the first valve element, and the second sleeve and the third sleeve axially capture the second valve element. 
     
     
         10 . A system, comprising:
 a casing running tool tem configured to couple to a casing element and add the casing element to a casing string; and   a mud saver valve assembly disposed within the casing running tool, wherein the mud saver valve assembly is configured to flow a fluid through the casing running tool and into the casing element, the mud saver valve assembly comprises a valve element extending across a flow path of the mud saver valve assembly, and the valve element is formed from an elastomer.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the elastomer comprises rubber, neoprene, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the mud saver valve assembly comprises an upper sleeve and a lower sleeve, the upper and lower sleeves define the flow path, and the upper and lower sleeves axially capture the valve element. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the valve element comprises a dome-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein a concave side of the valve element is exposed to an upstream side of the mud saver valve assembly relative to flow of the fluid. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the valve element comprises a support ring portion extending about a circumference of the valve element and a center, dome-shaped portion extending between the support ring portion, wherein the support ring portion is axially captured between first and second annular sleeves of the mud saver valve assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the center, dome-shaped portion of the comprises a plurality of segments divided by a plurality of slits extending axially through the center, dome-shaped portion, wherein each of the plurality of segments is configured to move independently of one another. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the valve element is configured to remain in a closed position upon application of a first pressure and automatically actuate to an open position upon application of a second pressure, wherein the first pressure is below a threshold pressure, and the second pressure is above the threshold pressure. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the threshold pressure is greater than a head pressure of fluid within the casing running tool, a head pressure of fluid within a mud hose coupled to the casing running tool, a head pressure of fluid within a stand pipe portion of the mud hose, a head pressure of fluid within a kelly hose of the mud hose, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A mud saver valve system, comprising:
 an upper annular sleeve comprising a first axial recess;   a lower annular sleeve comprising a second axial recess;   a valve element axially captured between the upper annular sleeve and the lower annular sleeve, wherein the valve element comprises:
 a support ring extending about a circumference of the valve element, wherein the support ring comprises a first axial contour and a second axial contour; and 
 a dome-shaped center portion extending between the support ring, 
   wherein the first axial contour is disposed within the first axial recess, the second axial contour is disposed within the second axial recess, and the valve element is formed from a rubber.   
     
     
         20 . The mud saver valve system of  claim 19 , wherein the center portion comprises a plurality of segments formed by a plurality of slits extending axially through the center portion, and a concave side of the center portion faces the upper sleeve.