Patent ID: 6422317
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A flow regulating apparatus comprising:a generally tubular outer housing having a housing port formed through a sidewall portion thereof; a first seat disposed within the housing, the first seat having a first sealing surface; a second seat slidably disposed within the housing, the second seat having a second sealing surface, the first and second sealing surfaces being sealingly engageable to substantially prevent fluid flow therebetween; a sleeve slidably disposed within the first and second seats, the sleeve having a flow passage extending generally axially therethrough, the sleeve having a sleeve port formed through a sidewall portion thereof, the sleeve being positionable relative to the first seat to variably regulate fluid flow through the sleeve port, the sleeve having first and second positions relative to the second seat; and a seal disposed on the sleeve such that when the sleeve is in the first position, the seal is disposed between the sleeve and the first seat, thereby preventing fluid flow through the sleeve port and when the sleeve is in the second position, the seal is disposed between the sleeve and the second seat, thereby not preventing fluid flow through the sleeve port.