Valve

Abstract

A downhole valve ( 26 ) comprises a valve body ( 32 ) defining a sealing surface ( 34 ) and a flow port ( 36 ), a valve member ( 50 ) mounted within the valve body and including a sealing arrangement ( 60 ), and a protection sleeve ( 72 ) mounted within the valve body ( 32 ). The valve member is moveable within the valve body from a closed position in which the flow port is closed and the sealing arrangement sealingly engages the sealing surface of the valve body, towards an open position in which the flow port is opened and the sealing arrangement is disengaged from the sealing surface and received within the protection sleeve.

1 . A downhole valve, comprising:
 a valve body defining a sealing surface and a flow port;   a valve member mounted within the valve body and including a sealing arrangement; and   a protection sleeve mounted within the valve body,   wherein the valve member is moveable within the valve body from a closed position in which the flow port is closed and the sealing arrangement sealingly engages the sealing surface of the valve body, towards an open position in which the flow port is opened and the sealing arrangement is disengaged from the sealing surface and received within the protection sleeve.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The downhole valve according to  claim 1  wherein the valve member is axially moveable within the valve body. 
     
     
         4 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The downhole valve according to  claim 1  wherein the protection sleeve is configured to be moveable within the valve body. 
     
     
         7 . The downhole valve according to  claim 1  wherein the protection sleeve is configured to be moveable from a first position in which the protection sleeve covers the flow port, and a second position in which the protection sleeve uncovers the flow port. 
     
     
         8 . The downhole valve according to  claim 7  wherein the protection sleeve is configured to be moveable between its first and second positions by the valve member during movement of said valve member between its open and closed positions. 
     
     
         9 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The downhole valve according to  claim 1  wherein the valve member is configured to be moveable towards its open or closed position by a pressure differential acting on opposing sides of the sealing arrangement when engaged with the sealing surface of the valve member. 
     
     
         37 . The downhole valve according to  claim 1  wherein the downhole valve comprises a biasing arrangement for biasing the valve member in a desired direction. 
     
     
         38 . The downhole valve according to  claim 1  wherein the valve member is configured to be moveable towards its closed position by action of a biasing arrangement. 
     
     
         39 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . The downhole valve according to  claim 1  wherein the valve body defines a valve seat, wherein the valve member is configured to engage said valve seat when said valve member is located in its closed position. 
     
     
         42 . The downhole valve according to  claim 1  wherein the valve member is mounted on an axial member located within the valve body. 
     
     
         43 - 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . The downhole valve according to  claim 1  wherein the sealing arrangement comprises a chevron type seal arrangement. 
     
     
         49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . The downhole valve according to  claim 1  wherein the seal arrangement comprises a metal seal. 
     
     
         51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . The downhole valve according to wherein the seal arrangement comprises a hybrid metal and non-metal seal. 
     
     
         53 - 56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . A downhole fluid control method, comprising:
 arranging a valve within a wellbore, wherein the valve includes a valve body having a sealing surface and a flow port, a valve member mounted within the valve body and including a sealing arrangement, and a protection sleeve mounted within the valve body;   arranging the valve member in a closed position in which the flow port is closed and the sealing arrangement sealingly engages the sealing surface of the valve body; and   reconfiguring the valve member towards an open position in which the flow port is opened and the sealing arrangement is disengaged from the sealing surface and received within the protection sleeve.   
     
     
         58 . A downhole system, comprising:
 a tubing string;   a sealing arrangement mounted on the tubing string and being operable to move from a radially retracted position to a radially extended position to engage a wall structure of a surrounding wellbore; and   a downhole valve according  claim 1  mounted on the tubing string.   
     
     
         59 . A downhole system according to  claim 58  wherein the downhole valve is positioned downhole relative to the sealing arrangement. 
     
     
         60 . A downhole system according to  claim 58  wherein the sealing arrangement defines a bridge plug. 
     
     
         61 . A downhole injection system comprising a tubing string and a downhole valve according to  claim 1  coupled to the tubing string. 
     
     
         62 . The downhole injection system according to  claim 61  comprising a sealing arrangement coupled to the tubing string. 
     
     
         63 . The downhole injection system according to  claim 61  comprising a bridge plug arrangement coupled to the tubing string.