Patent ID: 6283217
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
An equalizing subsurface valve for controlling fluid flow in a well conduit, comprising:a body member having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough and an inclined diverting surface;a valve closure member mounted within the body member to control fluid flow through the longitudinal bore;a valve actuator disposed within the body member and remotely shiftable to move the valve closure member between open and closed positions, the valve actuator including a sleeve member disposed for movement within the longitudinal bore and a piston disposed within the body member and remotely shiftable to move the sleeve member within the longitudinal bore;an actuating key having a latching finger releasably engageable with a recess in the valve actuator, an actuating surface, and an inclined surface disposed between the latching finger and the actuating surface, the actuating key being releasably engageable with the valve actuator and moveable in response to movement of the valve actuator when engaged therewith, the inclined surface on the actuating key cooperating with the inclined diverting surface on the body to disengage the latching finger from the recess in the valve actuator; andan equalizing plug disposed for reciprocal movement within a plug bore in the body member and along an axis generally parallel to the longitudinal bore in response to movement of the actuating key, the equalizing plug alternately permitting and preventing fluid communication between the longitudinal bore adjacent a first surface of the valve closure member and the longitudinal bore adjacent a second surface of the valve closure member.