Patent ID: 6491102
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A downhole valve comprising:a valve body having a first fluid inlet port, a second fluid inlet port, and a plurality of fluid outlet ports, the first and second fluid inlet ports being connected to a fluid supply line, the fluid supply line being connected to at least one source of pressurized fluid; a shiftable valve member having a plurality of notches, at least one fluid passageway establishing fluid communication between the fluid supply line and the plurality of fluid outlet ports, and being movably disposed within the valve body in response to pressurized fluid in the fluid supply line; a retaining member on the valve body and cooperating with the plurality of notches on the shiftable valve member to hold the position of the shiftable valve member in a plurality of discrete positions, the shiftable valve member establishing fluid communication between the fluid supply line and one of the plurality of fluid outlet ports for at least one of the plurality of discrete shiftable-valve-member positions; and, a spring biasing the shiftable valve member against the pressurized fluid in the fluid supply line.