Patent ID: 6520478
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: F16K

Abstract:
A mechanically latching valve adapted to be inserted in a valve chamber in the body of a downhole tool for sampling wellbore fluids, the tool having at least one sample collection bottle, an inlet open to a wellbore, at least one open pilot to deliver open fluid to the valve when the open pilot is pulsed to open the valve, and at least one close pilot to deliver close fluid to the valve when the close pilot is pulsed to close the valve, the body of the downhole tool further defining a pilot close port, a pilot open port, a wellbore fluid inlet and a wellbore fluid outlet to the sample collection bottle, the mechanically latching valve comprising:a valve body defining a valve pilot open port, a valve pilot close port, a valve inlet port, and a valve outlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port of the downhole tool and the sample collection bottle, the valve pilot open port in fluid communication with the pilot open port of the downhole tool, the valve pilot close port in fluid communication with the pilot close port of the downhole tool, the valve body having a central bore; a piston sized and arranged to slide from a valve open position to a valve close position in the central bore of the valve body in response to the forces applied to the piston by the open fluid and the close fluid; a seal assembly carried by the piston, the seal assembly blocking fluid communication between the valve inlet port and the valve outlet port when the valve is in the closed position and the seal assembly allowing wellbore fluids to flow from the valve inlet port to the valve outlet port and into the sample collection bottle when the valve is in the open position; and a detent assembly carried by the piston and releasingly engaging a first detent groove in the central bore of the valve body when the valve is in the closed position and releasingly engaging a second detent groove in the central bore of the valve body when the valve is in the open position.