Lockout housing and sleeve for safety valve

Abstract

An improved lockout housing (48) and lockout sleeve (46) for a tubing retrievable safety valve (36) having cooperating lugs and lug recesses that are adapted to reduce the likelihood of premature shearing or leaking. Sets of circumferentially spaced, shearable retaining lugs (64) are alternated with sets of circumferentially spaced, shearable communicating lugs (54) that extend radially inward around the upper portion of lockout housing (48) and are preferably unitarily formed as an integral part of the lockout housing (48). First and second sets of longitudinally extending slots (62, 66) are likewise circumferentially spaced around the lower end of outside wall (68) of lockout sleeve (46), and are adapted to slidably engage the longitudinally aligned lugs (54, 64) of the lockout housing. Slots (62) aligned longitudinally with communicating lugs (54) are preferably longer than slots (66) aligned with the retaining lugs (64), and extend a greater distance up outside wall (68) of lockout sleeve (46). Retaining lugs (64) of lockout housing (48) retain lockout sleeve (46) in its upper position relative to lockout housing (48), and shoulders (56) of slots (62) aligned with communicating lugs (54) do not contact communicating lugs (54) of lockout housing (48) until retaining lugs (64) are sheared.