Patent ID: 9528337
Filing Date: 2016-12-27
CPC Classification: E21B

Claim Text:
1. A valve assembly for positioning within a core barrel assembly during an up-hole drilling operation, the valve assembly comprising: a bushing having a longitudinal axis and a wall, the wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining an inlet, an outlet, and a central bore of the bushing, the central bore surrounding the longitudinal axis and extending between the inlet and the outlet of the bushing, the outer surface having a first portion positioned proximate the inlet of the bushing and a second portion positioned proximate the outlet of the bushing, wherein the first portion of the outer surface of the wall projects outwardly from the second portion of the outer surface relative to the longitudinal axis of the bushing such that the first portion of the outer surface defines opposed first and second shoulder surfaces extending substantially perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the inner surface defines a projection positioned between the inlet and the outlet of the bushing within the central bore of the bushing, and wherein the outlet of the bushing has an inner diameter; and a piston moveable about and between a blocking position and an open position relative to the longitudinal axis of the bushing, wherein the piston has an end portion that remains within the central bore of the bushing as the piston moves about and between the blocking position and the open position, and wherein the end portion of the piston has a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the outlet of the bushing, wherein the inner surface of the wall of the bushing maintains the piston in the blocking position as the end portion of the piston moves axially between the projection of the bushing and the outlet of the bushing, and wherein, in the blocking position, the piston blocks fluid flow through the bushing.