Patent ID: 6899318
Filing Date: 2005-05-31
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A flow control device for controlling the flow rate through tubing placed in an oil well, the tubing including at least one hole therethrough, the device comprising: a closure sleeve adapted to slide over the tubing hole, the closure sleeve having a front edge having a wave-like surface; one or more seals mounted downstream of the tubing hole, the one or more seals cooperating in a fluid-tight manner with the closure sleeve; a protective sleeve mounted in alignment with the closure sleeve and proximate to the one or more seals, the protective sleeve having a top edge adapted for mating engagement with the wave-like surface of the front edge of the closure sleeve; and a return mechanism for automatically returning the protective sleeve to a covering position in which the protective sleeve covers the first seal when the first seal is not covered by the closure sleeve.