Baker Hughes Corporation

Barry Lee Brown

David Z Anderson

Darren E Bane

Grant R Thompson

James T Sloan

Anthony S Coghill

Alan N Wagner

Brian S Shaw

Ronald D Williams

Allen P Carney

Troy L Smith, Ii

Jeremy R Johnson

John E Gunnells

John L McCoy, Jr

A system is provided for switching between redundant control systems for a subsurface safety valve (SSV) while being able to isolate the closure spring from hydrostatic pressure in the control line of the system that is not being used. There are two control lines that connect to discrete operating pistons that are both coupled to the flow tube. Each operating piston is connected to a control rod with the control rods terminating near opposed ends of a pivoting member. Pushing down on one rod pushes up on the other rod so that the other rod is held supported and the hydrostatic pressure in its associated control line doesn't affect the force needed by the closure spring to close the SSV. Releasing control line pressure puts the system in neutral to allow either of the systems to be reselected.

Switching apparatus between independent control systems for a subsurface safety valve

A closure device that is useful as a safety valve within a tubular member, such as production tubing and pipelines. The closure device includes an inflatable bladder that is disposed within a cavity in the wall of the tubular member. A fluid conduit interconnects a fluid source with the inflatable bladder, and a pump is associated with the fluid conduit to flow fluid between the fluid source and the bladder.

Inflatable closure system

Various techniques for holding open an SSSV using expansion technology are disclosed. A sleeve is delivered to the SSSV and expanded mechanically or hydraulically to deposit the deformed sleeve in position over a flapper or against a flow tube holding the flapper in the open position.

Flapper lock open apparatus

Growing community of inventors

Tulsa, OK, United States of America

Barry Lee Brown