Downhole flow control devices

Several downhole flow control devices are disclosed which are meterable and are also capable of shutting of a particular zone in a well. The several embodiments include a multiple valve body, a toroidal inflatable valve, and a series of related choke systems. The downhole flow control choke mechanisms each include a downhole electronics package to provide programming or decision making capacity as well as motor actuation systems. Each choke mechanism also includes a system whereby the device can be converted to manual operation and actuated by a conventional shifting tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The invention relates to oil well technology. More particularly, the 
invention relates to a downhole fluid flow and pressure equalization 
control and choke devices. 
2. Prior Art 
Flow control has been a concern of the oil drilling industry since the 
first well produced a gusher like that of spindle top in Texas on Jan. 10, 
1901. Initially, flow control was focused upon surface based apparati, 
however, as technology advanced and multiple production zone/multiple 
production fluid wells grew in popularity, flow control downhole has 
become increasingly important. 
One particular prior art device which has been very effective is the CM 
sliding sleeve commercially available from Baker Oil Tools, 6023 
Navigation Boulevard, Houston, Tex. 77011. The sleeve employs one outer 
housing with slots and one inner housing with slots. The slots are 
alignable and misalignable with axial movement of the inner housing 
relative to the outer housing. The tool is effective for its intended 
purpose but does not provide any selectivity regarding where on the 
circumference flow is desired. Other valving and choking devices are also 
available in the prior art but there is still a need for more efficient 
devices and specific devices to function where others have not proved 
effective. Moreover, devices which function with less or no input from the 
surface are also likely to have a significant positive impact on the 
industry. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The above-discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art 
are overcome or alleviated by the downhole flow control devices of the 
invention. 
In connection with all of the following embodiments and sub embodiments of 
the invention it will be understood that these include (although could be 
employed without) downhole electronics including processors, sensors, 
etc., in the downhole environment which perform decision making tasks 
based upon input from sensors and or from preprogramming and or from 
surface input. These intelligent systems are more fully discussed in U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,597,042 which is assigned to Baker Hughes Incorporated who is 
the assignee hereof. The entire contents of U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,042 is 
incorporated hereby by reference. 
In the first embodiment of the invention a cylindrical tool having a 
plurality or multiplicity of individual valve bodies is provided. The 
valve bodies are individually activatable to meter flow circumferentially 
around the tool. Among the individual valve bodies, three subembodiments 
are most preferred. In the first subembodiment each individual valve is 
arranged to be rotationally adjustable; in the second subembodiment, which 
is of very similar appearance to the first, the valve is arranged to be 
adjustable to be longitudinally slidable; and the third subembodiment 
provides a conical/cylindrical spear valve and a conical/cylindrical 
mating structure which allows fluid to flow when the spear is not fully 
urged into the cone. 
With all of the subembodiments of the first embodiment of the invention, 
metered control is possible as well as circumferential control. It will be 
understood that among the valve bodies, differing subembodiments may be 
assembled within one tool. 
Actuation of the valve bodies of any of the subembodiments may be by way of 
electric motor, hydraulic or pneumatic pressurized flow or otherwise. 
Another feature of the invention is a downhole electronics package that 
allows for the downhole decision making sensing and powering of the 
downhole tools of the invention. 
In a second embodiment of the invention, a toroidal inflatable/deflatable 
bladder is disclosed which provides a centrally located orifice through 
which fluid may flow when the bladder is not fully inflated thus occluding 
the orifice. An advantage of the device is that it is very versatile and 
is capable of a great many closing and opening cycles in varying degrees 
without failure. 
In a third embodiment of the invention a dependent sleeve choke mechanism 
is disclosed. The tool includes inner and outer sleeves which are disposed 
one on either of the inner and outer diameter of the housing of the tool. 
The inner and outer sleeves are fixedly connected to one another such that 
the sleeves move in tandem to conceal or reveal openings in the housing 
through which fluid may flow. Actuation may be by electric, hydraulic or 
pneumatic motor and a gear train or can be by conventional shifting tools. 
Position sensors are preferably employed to provide information regarding 
the position of the sleeve. Other sensors as disclosed in Baker Oil Tools 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,042 issued Jan. 28, 1997 which is assigned to the 
assignee hereof and incorporated herein by reference. 
In a fourth embodiment of the invention, similar to the third embodiment, 
an independent sleeve choke mechanism is disclosed. In the independent 
mechanism, the inner and outer sleeves are not connected to one another 
and may be actuated independently of one another. Actuation may be by a 
single motor, solenoid switchable to the desired gear train or may be two 
motors independent of one another. The sensing or processing as discussed 
above are applicable to this embodiment as well. 
In general, with respect to the above, position sensors such as linear 
potentiometers, linear voltage displacement transducers (LVDT) resolvers 
or a synchro is employed to determine position of either the dependent or 
independent sleeve choke devices. Moreover, in both the third and fourth 
embodiments, shear out mechanisms are provided in the event of failure of 
the powered actuation system so that the tool may be conventionally 
actuated with for example a shifting tool. 
In a fifth embodiment of the invention, a nose seal choke mechanism is 
disclosed. The nose seal choke mechanism includes a moveable sleeve on the 
inside of a ported housing which regulates flow by obstructing the amount 
of port area open to flow. Flow is restricted by the unique stepped out 
nose on the inner sleeve. The mechanism provides an advantage by shielding 
seals from flow through the device. This is beneficial because it prevents 
seals being washed out or flow cut during operation of the choke 
mechanism. The device is actuatable by powered means or, if such means 
fail, by conventional means after shearing. This device also provides a 
dual back up operation by adding a second shear out mechanism and a second 
flow control. 
A sixth embodiment of the invention is a helical key choke mechanism. This 
device includes helical grooves around the O.D. of a ported housing and 
keys set within the grooves that are moveable based upon the movement of a 
sleeve which is attached to the keys either directly or through an 
intermediary. By moving the keys into the helical flow path, flow is 
restricted; by moving the keys out of the flow path, flow can be 
increased. Preferably there are a total of four keys used so that the flow 
area is maximized through the annular area while still promoting accurate 
and substantial control of fluid. The inner sleeve, to which the keys are 
operably attached, is actuated by motors of electrical, hydraulic or 
pneumatic modes of operation or conventionally after shear out of the 
shear release sleeve. 
In a seventh embodiment of the invention, a spiral choke mechanism is 
disclosed which enlarges or restricts port openings in a ported housing by 
rotation of a spiral choke device. Rotation of the choke device changes 
the throat opening between the ported housing and the port in the spiral 
choke. This enables reliable metering of the flow from the well annulus to 
the tubing string. Sensors are used to determine the position of the 
metering spiral choke device. Actuators for the device are similar to 
those discussed above, and a shear out structure is supplied for removing 
the powered actuator from contact with the choke device. In this 
embodiment the shifted operation is a one time permanent closure 
operation. 
An eighth embodiment of the invention is an orifice choke mechanism wherein 
a moveable sleeve inside an orifice housing having a plurality of hard 
material orifices regulates fluid flow by obstructing number of orifices 
open to flow. In this embodiment the entry of the orifices is square edged 
to provide a pressure drop. The device is preferably actuated by a motor 
and gear train assembly which includes spur gears and a drive screw. A 
shear out mechanism is incorporated to allow the sleeve to be 
conventionally actuated in the event that the powered actuators should 
fail. 
The above-discussed and other features and advantages of the present 
invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art 
from the following detailed description and drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to FIG. 1, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the tool 
comprises outer housing 10 having a plurality or multiplicity of valve 
body bores 12 (could also be a single valve body bore if desired) which 
bores 12 are arranged preferably annularly around an inner sleeve 14 and 
an axial void 16. Brief reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 will put the tool in 
perspective for those of skill in the art. It will be appreciated that 
FIGS. 5 and 6 are examples of locations and patterns for windows and that 
other patterns and locations are possible and are within the scope of this 
invention. 
The individual valve bodies 18, discussed more fully hereunder as 18a, 18b 
and 18c, are operated together, individually, or in selected subgroups to 
access and flow desired fluid from desired regions within a zone. The 
actuation of the valve bodies may be by electric motor (whether regular or 
a stepper motor), hydraulic or pneumatic systems, solenoid systems whether 
a single solenoid is employed for all of the valves or each valve has its 
own solenoid, etc. power can be supplied by an uphole or surface source or 
a downhole source and may be batteries, capacitors, TEC wire, etc. 
Complexity of the system desired will dictate whether all of the bodies 18 
be actuated at once with a single actuator or if individual or groups be 
actuated which will require additional actuating systems or at least 
bridging systems within the tool. Multiple systems may be staggered to 
provide sufficient room within the tool. 
Decision making with regard to openness of a particular body 18 or group if 
the same may be made downhole employing downhole intelligence technology 
like that disclosed in Baker Oil Tools U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,042 issued Jan. 
28, 1997 previously incorporated herein by reference. 1/4 inch TEC cable 
is a preferable conductor although any conductor may be employed to 
conduct signals and power to the actuators from a downhole intelligence 
system or from the surface. 
Referring to FIGS. 2-4 the embodiments of the individual valve bodies are 
illustrated. In FIG. 2, the bore 12 is the shallowest of the embodiments 
since no longitudinal movement of valve body 18a is necessary. Rather, in 
this embodiment the body 18a is in the form of a petcock having a fluid 
aperture 20 which is alignable or misalignable to a varying degree with 
external window 22 leading to the downhole environment and internal window 
24 leading to the axial void 16 of the tool. The alignment of the petcock 
body 18a is accomplished by rotating body 18a through stem 26 thereof. 
O-rings 30 are positioned on either side of the aperture 20 to seal the 
apparatus. 
Referring to FIG. 3, slide body 18b is illustrated. Bore 12 is deeper in 
this embodiment due to the need for misalignment of windows 22 and 24 with 
aperture 21 via longitudinal movement of valve body 18b. O-rings 30 are 
provided to seal the structure. Alignment of windows 22 and 24 with 
aperture 21 is accomplished to a varying degree by movement of body 18b 
through stem 26. 
Referring now to FIG. 4, another longitudinally actuated valve body is 
described. Cone valve 18c is essentially a frustocone with a cylindrical 
extension which mates with a similarly shaped bore 12. Metered flow is 
accomplished by the degree to which the valve body is urged into the 
conical/cylindrical bore 12. Windows 22 and 24 are replaced in this 
embodiment with staggered external opening 32 and internal opening 34. A 
fluid aperture 21 is not necessary in this embodiment. O-rings 30 are 
provided to seal the structure. The scope of the frustoconical/cylindrical 
embodiment of body 18c is important because it allows for very precise 
metering of the fluid flowing therethrough. 
The multiple valve body tool of the invention provides significant latitude 
in construction and selectivity in flow and is, therefore, valuable to the 
industry. 
In a second embodiment of the invention, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a 
fluid pressure actuated bladder valve is disclosed. The bladder of the 
invention is positionable in a section of pipe such that an outer diameter 
thereof is firmly attached to the inner diameter of the pipe and the inner 
orifice of the bladder is open or closed depending upon the amount of 
pressure inside the bladder relative to ambient pressure in the vicinity 
of the bladder. FIG. 7 is a side view of a pressure controlled valve of 
the present invention. A toroidal shaped bladder 44 is positioned in the 
inside of a pipe 40. The bladder 44 may be bonded to the inside of the 
pipe 40 using an adhesive or any other suitable attachment arrangement 
which includes but is not limited to a mechanical attachment magnetic 
element inside the bladder which then pinches the wall of the bladder 
between the magnetic element and the pipe in which the bladder is 
positioned. Alternatively, the bladder 44 may be simply positioned in the 
pipe 40 and maintained in the desired position by friction caused by 
pressure internal to the bladder. The bladder 44 has an orifice 42 which 
allows fluid flow through pipe 40 when the bladder is not inflated. The 
bladder 44 is preferably made of an elastic material which can be inflated 
and deflated repeatedly without structural degradation. Pressurization and 
depressurization of the bladder of the invention is effected through a 
control line 46 which preferably passes through pipe 40 and extends into 
the interior of bladder 44. Control line 46 is in sealed communication 
with bladder. The control line 46 controls the pressure within the bladder 
and can inflate or deflate the bladder 44 through hydraulic, pneumatic or 
other pressure sources. 
When inflated, bladder 44 will expand. Since expansion radially outwardly 
is inhibited by the pipe in which the bladder is located, the expansion is 
limited to radially inward and longitudinal. Since the radial inward 
expansion requires less energy, the bladder tends to close off orifice 42, 
thus sealing the pipe 40. Desired flow through the pipe 40 can be achieved 
through applying a determined amount of fluid pressure to the bladder 44. 
FIG. 8 is an end view of the pipe 40 shown in FIG. 7 including the pressure 
controlled valve positioned inside of the pipe 40. As noted above, the 
centrally located orifice 42 may be opened or closed by deflating or 
inflating the bladder 44 to control flow through the pipe 40. 
The pressure controlled valve of the present invention includes a single 
moving part, namely bladder 44, which is made from an elastic material. 
Therefore, the pressure controlled valve can withstand numerous cycles of 
opening and closing without failure. This feature makes the pressure 
controlled valve ideal for applications such as downhole flow control and 
other applications, where ambient conditions are adverse and valve 
maintenance or replacement is difficult. 
The pressure controlled valve may be controlled from the surface of the 
well or through downhole intelligence located within the well. A 
representative downhole intelligent control is schematically illustrated 
in FIG. 7 but it will be appreciated that the invention is also capable 
without the intelligent systems illustrated. Downhole intelligence, 
intelligent sensor arrangements, (e.g., position sensors, pressure 
sensors, temperature sensors, etc.) and communications for communicating 
to a downhole or surface microprocessor via any conventional communication 
device or media such as telemetry devices, wireline, TEC wire, cable, 
etc., are beneficial to the operation of the above-described valve. 
Moreover, the downhole intelligence systems described in U.S. Ser. No. 
08/385,992 filed Feb. 9, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,776, by Baker Oil 
Tools and previously incorporated herein by reference are desirable to 
monitor conditions including the status of the pressured controlled valve 
and initiate and execute commands. By monitoring conditions downhole, 
metered adjustments of the pressure controlled valve can be made to boost 
efficiency and production of any given well. This type of downhole 
intelligence is employable and desirable in connection with all of the 
embodiments disclosed herein and while only some of the embodiments 
contain direct reference to intelligent systems and controls it will be 
understood that these can be for all of the embodiments. 
In a third embodiment of the invention, referring to FIGS. 9-16 a dependent 
sleeve choke mechanism includes a ported housing 60 which is flanked on 
its inner diameter by inner sleeve 62 and on its outer diameter by choke 
sleeve 64. Sleeves 62 and 64 are attached to one another by retaining key 
66 such that a single actuator may be employed to move both inner sleeve 
and choke sleeve to full open positions or choked positions or anywhere in 
between. As one of skill in the art will understand, the precise actuator 
employed may be electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, combustion motor or 
otherwise. The most preferred embodiment, however, is illustrated in FIGS. 
9-16 and employs an electric motor 70 which translates force through a 
gear train located in and supported by a gear body 102 and spur gear body 
77 comprising spur gear 72 in contact with the motor 70, which drives 
drive shaft 76 transmitting force efficiently which, in turn, meshes via 
spur gear 108, 110 profiles with drive screw 78. Drive screw 78 provides a 
screw thread on the I.D. thereof which is complimentary to an O.D. thread 
on the uphole end of drive sleeve 80. Drive sleeve 80 provides linear 
force to inner sleeve 62 via dog 116. In order to assist the gear train in 
transmitting force efficiently, there are provided several bearings 82 
throughout the gear train. Further, and to increase the ability of drive 
screw 78 to impart driving force upon drive sleeve 80, thrust bearings 84 
are provided. Thrust bearings 84 are retained by thrust bearing retainers 
86 which are housed along with drive shaft 76 within gear housing 88. The 
gear train is maintained within gear housing 88 which is connected to more 
downhole components of the tool via a splined connection 89 and a 
retaining nut 90. A seal 87 prevents undesired fluid passage at the uphole 
end, gear housing 88 is connected to motor housing 94 by double metal to 
metal seal thread 92. These connections provide an environment for 
operation of the gear train. The environment is most preferably filled 
with pressure compensated dielectric fluid. Beyond the motor housing 94 in 
the uphole direction, motor housing 94 is connected to electronics housing 
96. Electronics housing 96 defines an atmospheric chamber 98 which houses 
the downhole electronics processors and power sources or power couplers 
associated with the choke of the invention. It should be noted that all of 
the chokes of the invention employ similar electronics packages and 
similar housings. These elements are, therefore, not discussed in detail 
with respect to each embodiment. It will be noted that in order to prevent 
wellbore fluids from entering the motor area, a seal 104 is maintained in 
place by a snap ring 106. 
Referring back to the gear train, more detail is provided. At the downhole 
end of drive shaft 76, the shaft is endowed with a spur gear arrangement 
108 which engages an O.D. spur gear 110 on drive screw 78. On the I.D. of 
drive screw 78, which is not readily visible from the drawing, however 
will be understood by one or ordinary skill in the art, is a threaded 
arrangement 112 which meshes with an O.D. thread 114 on drive sleeve 80. 
Drive sleeve 80 is connected to inner sleeve 62 by dogs 116 so that linear 
movement of drive sleeve 80 is directly translated to inner sleeve 62 and 
consequently translated through key 66 to choke sleeve 64. It should be 
noted that choke sleeve 64 includes at its uphole end, a cover 118 whose 
purpose it is to avoid the entry of wellbore debris into the area in which 
key 66 slides. Were the debris to enter the area, the key may not slide as 
intended and the tool would need to be repaired. As can be ascertained 
from the drawing FIG. 15, the port 120 in ported housing 60 can be exposed 
or closed off by the movement above described. 
Seals 74 provide closure of port 122 from port 120 of the port housing 60 
providing complete separation of annulus fluid from tubing fluid when the 
inner sleeve 62 is placed in the downward position. Seals 74 are on the 
same axial diameter to reduce the net force caused by differential piston 
areas to zero differential. 
It should be noted that port 122 of the inner sleeve aligns with port 120 
of the ported housing 60, thus rendering that part of the device fully 
open, prior to the choke sleeve 64 pulling uphole sufficiently to clear 
port 120 from port housing 60. This is due to extra length on the downhole 
end of sleeve 64. This is an important feature of the invention since when 
choke sleeve 64 is placed in the choke position the inner sleeve 62 is 
more fully open. By providing alignment of port 120 and port 122 flow 
cutting of the inner sleeve is prevented. Secondly, with the choke sleeve 
64 extended in the manner described, erosional wear caused by flowing in 
the choked position does not immediately effect the function of the device 
such that the inner sleeve would be damaged by the choke sleeve not 
functioning as intended. In other words, the extended portion of the choke 
sleeve 64 provides for extended life of the tool by the effective extra 
length thereof. Moreover, in order to avoid erosional wear of the choke 
sleeve, a hard wear resistant material such as tungsten carbide is either 
applied as a coating to sleeve 64 or actually makes up all or a part of 
sleeve 64. 
At the downhole end of choke sleeve 64 in the closed position, it is 
abutted against lower sub upset 124 which provides both a downhole stop 
for the choke sleeve 64 and, furthermore, is slightly wider in outside 
diameter to protect the choke sleeve 64 from damage during run in. 
It should be noted that the motor housing is offset from the sleeve to 
accommodate the motor, gear train, electronics and compensation system 
while minimizing the O.D. of the tool. 
In the most preferred dependent sleeve embodiment, a position sensor such 
as a linear potentiometer, linear voltage displacement transducer (LVDT), 
resolver or synchro is employed. The exact location of the position sensor 
is not illustrated but can be anywhere along which linear movement is 
experienced or where rotary movement is experienced in the event that a 
rotary position sensor is employed. 
In this as well as the other embodiments of this invention, the motor and 
gear train are protected by a pressure compensated dielectric fluid. 
Referring to FIGS. 11C and 11D, two alternative pressure compensators are 
illustrated. Both compensator designs are intended to separate well fluid 
from the dielectric fluid with a moveable member to allow pressure to 
change within the dielectric fluid in response to a change in pressure of 
the surrounding fluid. In FIG. 11C, the compensator is a piston 101 
mounted moveably in a cylinder 103 cut in motor housing 94. The location 
of the compensator cylinder is not critical and is shown, for example, in 
FIG. 11A. Cylinder 103 is open to tubing pressure through port 105 and is 
open to the dielectric fluid at the opposite end of the cylinder. The 
piston includes conventional parts such as a piston body and cap and 
nonelastomeric seals. 
In the alternative embodiment, a bellows 107 is employed to do the same job 
as piston 101. The bellows embodiment provides the advantage of 
eliminating piston seals and increasing responsiveness to pressure changes 
however suffers the disadvantage increasing tool length due to short 
throw. The metal bellows is commercially available from Senior Aexonics. 
The choke system of the invention provides for backup conventional shifting 
tool actuation in the event of the actuator of the invention failing. 
Referring to FIG. 13, and back to dogs 116, the drive sleeve 80 may be 
disconnected from inner sleeve 62 by shifting shear out sleeve 126 uphole 
through use of a conventional shifting tool acting upon shear out shoulder 
138 (see FIG. 13). Upon engaging a shear out shoulder 138, shear out 
sleeve 126 is provided with sufficient shear stress to entice shear screw 
132 to fail thus allowing shear sleeve 126 to slide uphole until the 
shoulder 134 impacts the downhole end of 136 of shifting sleeve 130. Upon 
the moving uphole of shear sleeve 126, dog 116 will move radially inwardly 
onto the downhole end 140 of shear sleeve 126 so that dog 116 is no longer 
in communication with drive sleeve 80. The shear out sleeve 126 when 
reaching its uphole extent, as discussed above, allows snap ring 142 to 
snap radially outwardly into ring groove 144 to prevent any additional 
relative movement between sleeve 126 and sleeve 62. By preventing such 
relative movement, the dog is prevented from reengaging with drive sleeve 
80 due to other well operations. 
At this point, a shifting tool of a conventional nature will be employable 
upon shifting profile 128 to actuate inner sleeve 62 and (through key 66), 
choke sleeve 64 in the uphole direction. Moving the sleeves in the uphole 
direction, as noted previously, will open the device. By employing the 
shifting profile 146 at the downhole extent of inner sleeve 62, sleeve 62 
and sleeve 64 may be shifted to the closed position. When operating the 
tool in the closing process on shifting profile 146, the well operator can 
be assured that a tool will not be driven beyond its proper orientation by 
stop shoulder 148 which is part of the ported housing 60. 
Referring to FIGS. 17-22, an independent sleeve choke mechanism is 
disclosed wherein two independent movable sleeves are located on either 
side of the ported housing. The ported housing is similar to that 
disclosed with respect to the dependent sleeve choke mechanism described 
hereinabove and allows fluid to flow through the port depending upon 
positions of a choke sleeve and an inner sleeve. As in the foregoing 
embodiment, a choke sleeve includes a hard material either applied to the 
exterior of the sleeve or comprises part of all of the sleeve itself. 
Beginning from the downhole end of the tool and referring directly to FIGS. 
20 and 21, lower sub 200 extends upwardly to join with ported housing 202 
at threaded connection 204 and includes seal 207. Lower sub 200 further 
includes a radially enlarged section 208 having a shoulder 206 which acts 
as a down stop for choke sleeve 210. Choke sleeve 210 is actuatable in a 
linear manner to conceal and reveal port 212, in ported housing 202. As 
one of skill in the art will undoubtedly understand, port 212 is most 
preferably a plurality of ports arranged circumferentially about the 
invention. It is within the scope of the invention to have as few as one 
port. Choke sleeve 210 is protected by choke cover 214 which is 
non-moveable and is anchored to keys 216 which extend from choke cover 214 
to choke connector sleeve 218. Choke sleeve 210 includes a groove 220 
which allows it to slide longitudinally past keys 216. In other words, 
keys 216 ride within groove 220 and prevents rotational movement of sleeve 
210. Rotational movement must be prevented in sleeve 210 since the 
actuation mechanism which provides the longitudinal movement of choke 
sleeve 210 is provided by a drive screw which without being prevented from 
allowing rotational movement, would merely rotate the choke sleeve as 
opposed to driving it longitudinally. Keys 216 also carry tension from 
above the tool to below by transferring the load from choke cover 214 
through keys 216 to choke connector sleeve 218. More particularly, and 
referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, choke sleeve 210 continues uphole past 
shoulder 222 to an uphole end thereof having O.D. threads 224 
complimentary to I.D. threads 226 on choke drive screw 228. Choke drive 
screw 228 is driven by choke drive shaft 230 having spur gear teeth 232 at 
the downhole end thereof. It will be noted by one of ordinary skill in the 
art that bearings 234 are positioned at the downhole end of the choke 
drive shaft 230 to provide for support of the drive shaft 230 and avoid 
drag. 
An important feature of the invention includes thrust bearings 236 located 
on either side of choke drive screw 228. Thrust bearings 236 provide for 
more smooth power transfer from drive shaft 230 to choke sleeve 210. 
Better power transition allows for the use of a smaller and less costly 
motor. Drive shaft 230 extends uphole to its terminus at spur gear 240. 
Drive shaft 230 is supported at its uphole end, similar to its downhole 
end, by bearings 234. Drive shaft 230 is driven by a motor illustrated in 
FIGS. 17A and 17D as numeral 244 through the action of solenoid 242 which 
selectively engages one of the idler gears 278 in order to drive either 
choke drive shaft 230 or the inner sleeve drive components 272. Referring 
back to FIGS. 20 and 21 and a downhole end of the tool of the invention, 
inner sleeve 250 extends longitudinally and exists radially inwardly of 
port 212. Inner sleeve 250 further includes port 252 which is alignable or 
misalignable with port 212 as desired. Inner sleeve 250 includes shifting 
profiles 254 and 256 for conventional shifting of the sleeve in the event 
of a drive system failure. Should such failure occur, the shear screw 258 
need merely be sheared by a tensile force exerted on, for example, profile 
254. Once shear screw 258 has sheared, the drive system is disconnected 
from sleeve 250 and it can be normally shifted with a conventional 
shifting tool. 
Providing the drive system has not failed, shear screw 258 remains intact 
and securely binds sleeve 250 to drive sleeve 260 which moves 
longitudinally up and downhole, pursuant to the movements of an actuator 
system more thoroughly discussed below. Longitudinal movement of inner 
sleeve drive sleeve 260 is limited by shoulder 262, at the uphole end 
thereof, impacting against stop 264 located on choke connector sleeve 218 
and is bounded at the downhole end thereof by sleeve end surface 266 which 
abuts shoulder 269 when the sleeve 250 is at its downhole most position. 
Snap ring 268 maintains seal 270 in the desired position. Inner sleeve 
drive sleeve 260 extends uphole to a threaded engagement 274 with inner 
sleeve drive screw 272. It should be noted that preferably inner sleeve 
drive screw 272 is a spur gear arrangement on its O.D. surface and a 
threaded arrangement on its inner surface. The threads mate to O.D. 
threads on the inner sleeve drive sleeve 260. Thrust bearings 276 are 
provided on either side of inner sleeve drive screw 272 to more 
efficiently transfer power to drive sleeve 260. This is obtained by 
reduced friction due to the thrust bearings. Several idler gears are 
provided in the drive system one of which is visible in FIG. 17 and is 
indicated as numeral 278. 
Referring to FIG. 22, a schematic perspective view of the drive system of 
the invention will provide a better understanding to those of skill in the 
art regarding how the system is driven. Idler gears are indicated 
collectively as 278 The solenoid is identified by numeral 242 with 
solenoid gear 279, and the drive motor is 244. The inner sleeve drive 
screw 272 is closer to the motor arrangement and choke drive screw 228 is 
further away. Choke drive shaft 230 is also illustrated. The inner sleeve 
drive gear is illustrated as 280. FIG. 22 in conjunction with the 
foregoing and FIGS. 17-21 provide the skilled artisan with an excellent 
understanding of the invention. 
The solenoid of the invention operates in a manner very similar to that of 
an automobile solenoid and moves to engage one drive gear 280 or in order 
to drive the inner sleeve 272 or the choke sleeve 228 in the gear train 
described and illustrated. 
Power is fed to the solenoid and motor through the motor housing 282 by 
conduit 284 which houses connector 281 such as a Kemlon connector, known 
to the art, said conduit leading to electronics housing area 286 which is 
hermetically sealed by electronics housing cover 288 threadedly connected 
at 290 to motor housing 282 and includes seal 292 to prevent wellbore 
fluids from contaminating the electronics which may include downhole 
processors, sensors and power sources. As discussed earlier, power may 
come from the surface or from downhole sources. 
As in the previous embodiment, the motor and solenoid are most preferably 
surrounded in pressure compensated dielectric fluid. The pressure 
compensation device are as was discussed previously. The fluid in this 
embodiment exists in area 294 and is sealed from surrounding fluids by 
seal 296 held in place by snap ring 298. 
Referring to FIGS. 23-27, a seal nose sleeve choke mechanism of the 
invention is disclosed. The device employs a dual operation concept which 
allows for increased longevity in the useful life of the tool. Beginning 
at the downhole end of the tool in FIG. 27, a lower sub 300 is threadedly 
connected to a ported housing 302. It should be noted that the lower sub 
contains a stop shoulder 304 which is employed only in the event of an 
electronics or motor drive failure or other failure in the seal nose of 
the device. More specifically, Dog retaining sleeve 306 will abut against 
shoulder 304 in the event the shear release of the invention is employed. 
In the event of a failure requiring the shear release to be employed, snap 
ring 308 is provided which will lock into groove 310 of ported housing 302 
to maintain dog retaining sleeve 306 in the downhole position should such 
mechanical operation be required. The dog retaining sleeve 306 is 
threadedly connected to down stop 312 which communicates with inner sleeve 
314. It should be noted that in normal operation, dog retaining sleeve 306 
is fixedly connected to ported housing 302 via dog 316 to prevent relative 
movement between the two sleeves. Providing electronic and/or automatic 
operation of the choke mechanism of the invention is functioning properly, 
no relative movement between the dog retaining sleeve 306 and ported 
housing 302 is necessary or desirable. 
It should be noted that the shear out sleeve 318 is exactly the same as the 
shear out sleeve discussed previously and, therefore, will not be 
discussed in detail here other than to list numerically the parts thereof. 
Sleeve 318 includes snap ring 320 and snap ring groove 322 as well as a 
set slot 324 which enables a technician or machine during assembly of the 
tool to press snap ring 320 into the sleeve 318. Shear screw 326, 
(obviously most preferably a plurality of shear screws 326) maintains the 
shear out sleeve 318 in the engaged position until a shifting tool is 
brought to bear against shifting profile 328 whereby shear screw 326 is 
sheared and the shear sleeve 318 is shifted uphole to release dog 316. 
Moving uphole into FIG. 25, and in the normal (not shear released) 
operation of the tool, ported housing 302 includes seal 330 and defuser 
ring 332 which operate the seal fluid flow through port 334 and prevent 
seepage during periods when such flow is not desired. 
Inner sleeve 314 includes nose 336 which extends into annular groove 340 of 
down stop 312. This provides a metal to metal seal to choke off flow 
through port 334. It should also be noted that in order to reduce the 
chances of washout of seals 330 or flow cutting thereof, annular recess 
338 is provided in nose 336. This allows for a reduced flow rate during 
opening of inner sleeve 314 to reduce wear on seal 330. Inner sleeve 314 
further includes port 342 which is employed in the event of loss of nose 
336 or a failure of the actuation mechanism. This will be discussed in 
more detail hereunder. Inner sleeve 314 extends uphole and is illustrated 
as joined in a threaded connection to upper inner sleeve 352 which 
provides shifting profiles 354 and 356 for uphole shifting and downhole 
shifting, respectively in the event of a catastrophic occurrence with 
respect to the inner sleeve itself or the actuation mechanism. Lower 
sleeve 314 and upper sleeve 352 in combination are secured to drive sleeve 
360 by dogs 362 which are maintained in the engaged position by shear out 
sleeve 364. This shear out sleeve is identical to that described earlier 
and a balance of the operative elements of shear out sleeve 364 are 
numeraled identically to shear out sleeve 318. Thus, shear out sleeve 364 
includes snap ring 320, groove 322, set slot 324 and shear screw 326 as 
well as shifting profile 328. Drive sleeve 360 is threaded on its O.D. at 
at least the uphole most portion thereof wherein drive sleeve 360 is 
engaged with a drive screw 366. In order to transfer power more 
effectively, thrust bearings 368 are employed and are maintained in their 
desired positions by bearing retainers 370. Drive force is transferred to 
drive screw 366 through drive shaft 372 which is supported at its downhole 
end by bearings 374 and includes a spur gear arrangement 376 at the 
downhole end thereof which is complimentary to a spur gear arrangement on 
the O.D. of drive screw 366. From drive shaft 372 uphole, the nose seal 
drive mechanism is identical to the dependent sleeve choke mechanism and 
therefore, is not illustrated or described in detail at this point. 
In operation, the nose seal choke mechanism provides several modes of 
operation. Initially and preferentially, the electronics housing (not 
shown) includes downhole processors and power conduits or power supplies 
to determine through preprogrammed instructions or based upon input from 
sensors such as linear potentiometers, linear voltage display transducers, 
resolvers or synchros as well as flow sensors, pressure sensors, 
temperature sensors and other sensors downhole whether the flow should be 
increased or decreased. Upon such determination, the electronics of the 
device will cause the motor to turn the drive shaft in the desired 
direction to either move the nose seal uphole or downhole thus opening or 
closing ports 334 to the desired extent. Since nose 336 is either composed 
of or coated with a hard substance such as tungsten carbide, longevity of 
the nose should be substantial. However, in the event that the nose should 
become dislodged or worn away, the shear out sleeves 364 and 318 can be 
sheared as described above by a conventional shearing tool to allow the 
down stop and dog retainers sleeves to slide downhole thereby allowing the 
inner sleeve to slide downhole exposing previously unused port 342 to port 
334. After such occurrence the inner sleeve 314 can be actuated 
mechanically in a conventional manner with a shifting tool bearing on 
shifting profiles 354 or 356 to align or misalign port 342 or port 334 to 
varying degrees. 
In another mode of operation, only shear out sleeve 364 would be removed 
which would disconnect a malfunctioning motor drive system from the inner 
sleeve and allow the shifting tool to operate the nose seal in the 
originally intended manner. This allows the operator of the well to shift 
the nose seal choke mechanism mechanically with a shifting tool for an 
extended period of time even after failure of the drive actuation system. 
Moreover, if over time, in this mode of operation, the nose seal is worn 
away, the operator can shear the shear sleeve 318 and gain an entirely new 
method of operation of the tool by allowing port 342 to align with port 
334. Thus longevity of the tool is significant. The shear out 
possibilities with this tool helps prevent the need for removing the tool 
from its downhole position for an extended period of time. 
In the helical key choke mechanism embodiment of the invention, referring 
to FIGS. 28-36, a very similar drive mechanism is provided as those 
described hereinabove, however the flow controlling features are distinct. 
More specifically, the invention contains an upper key body and lower key 
body having helical grooves therein and being adapted to receive removable 
keys which when extended into a helical groove, choke flow through the 
tool. In the most preferred embodiment, the choking position of the tool 
moves keys from the upper section and lower section toward one another and 
this action is created by a single moving sleeve. The sleeve moves 
downhole to close the helical flow areas and forces the upper keys 
downhole with it while it turns a spur gear at the downhole end which 
forces the lower keys uphole while the sleeve is moving downhole. 
Beginning with the downhole end of the tool, at FIG. 34, lower sub 400 is 
threadedly connected to the lower key body 420 and outer housing 404. 
Outer housing 404 contains a plurality of lower ports 406 which allow 
fluid to flow into lower flow area 408. The outer housing also includes 
upper ports 410 which allow fluid to flow into upper flow area 412. Flow 
areas 408 and 412 are communicatively connected to the helical flow paths 
416 and 418 illustrated in FIG. 35. 
Radially inwardly of outer housing 404 are disposed lower key body 420 and 
upper key body 422 which are visible both in section view in FIGS. 30-32 
and in plan view in FIG. 35. These key bodies provide the helical flow 
paths to enable the choking action desired by the invention by moving the 
lower keys 424 and upper keys 426. Preventing flow into undesired areas 
are seals 428 which maintain position by seal retainer 430. Upward 
movement of sleeve 432 opens flow through the helical flow path 416 and 
418 by moving keys 424 and 426 increasing the flow area at the keys. 
Movement of sleeve 432 also moves ports 429 in alignment with ports 431 in 
the upper key body 418. Fluid from the helical flow paths 416 and 418 
enter a plenum chamber 433 and commingle reducing their kinetic energy. 
Fluid is then redirected through the ports 429 in sleeve 432 into the 
tubing. Continuing to concentrate on FIGS. 30-33, inner sleeve 432 extends 
through each of the identified drawings to actuate both lower keys 424 and 
upper keys 426. A longitudinal movement of inner sleeve 432 moves upper 
keys 426 through the urging on projection 434 of inner sleeve 432. 
Projection 434 is received in slot 436 of inner sleeve 432 to provide 
positive engagement thereof. Lower key 424 is likewise moved by inner 
sleeve 432 but in a direction opposite that of upper keys 426. The 
movement is proportional in magnitude but opposite in direction. The 
action described is created by providing spur teeth 438 on the O.D. of 
inner sleeve 432 at the appropriate location to engage spur gear 440 which 
translates energy inputted by the inner sleeve 432 to lower key 424 
through rack teeth 442 on the I.D. of keys 424. The helix key choke 
mechanism embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings in 
the closed, fully choked position; as will be appreciated by one of 
ordinary skill in the art, from the lack of a gap at the location 
indicated as 446 for the upper keys and 448 for the lower keys. In drawing 
FIGS. 29 and 30 dog 450 is readily apparent which is held in place by 
shear sleeve 452 which has been described hereinabove and will not be 
described now. Dog 450 locks inner sleeve 432 to drive sleeve 454 which is 
housed in connector housing 456. Drive sleeve 454 extends uphole into 
communication with drive screw 458 which employs thrust bearings 460 and 
bearing retainers 462 as discussed hereinabove. In the event of a failure 
of the motor actuation of this tool, shear sleeve 452 will be utilized as 
above described to release inner sleeve 432 from drive sleeve 454 
whereafter profiles 470 at the uphole end of the tool and 472 at the lower 
end of the tool may be employed via a conventional shifting tool to 
actuate the helix key choke mechanism of the invention. 
Referring to FIGS. 37-41, the spiral choke mechanism embodiment of the 
invention is illustrated the spiral choke mechanism includes a housing 
having a longitudinal port and a rotatable spiral choke within the housing 
such that flow can be stopped or choked to a desired extent. The spiral 
choking insert includes a longitudinal port to allow flow to the I.D. of 
the tubing. 
Beginning from the downhole end of the tool, at FIG. 41 and moving uphole 
(or backward in drawing figure numbers) lower sub 500 extends uphole to 
mate with ported housing 502 which provides a longitudinal port 
illustrated in FIG. 39a said port being indicated as 504. The ported 
housing extends uphole to terminate at motor housing 530. Other features 
of ported housing 502 are seals 506 which are disposed on uphole and 
downhole ends of the flow choking section of inner sleeve 512. Ported 
housing 502 further includes snap ring receiving groove 508 which will be 
employed only if the drive mechanisms of the tool fails. This will be 
discussed hereunder. Radially inwardly of ported housing 502 is inner 
sleeve 512 as mentioned above. Initially 512 is best viewed in the cross 
section view of FIG. 39a which provides an understanding to one of skill 
in the art of the gradually increasing flow area between ported housing 
502 and inner sleeve 512. As one of skill in the art will understand, as 
sleeve 512 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction flow though port 
504 is increased. When the choke sleeve 512 is in the closed position, 
seals 514 are positioned on either side of port 504 and prevent any flow 
between the well annulus and the tubing. When the choke is open flow will 
be carried through flow area 516 until the flow reaches port 518 and flows 
into the tubing itself. 
Sleeve 512 is rotably actuated by motor 532 which drives upper sleeve 520 
through ring gear profile 522 in order to create smooth power flow. Thrust 
bearings 524 are located as indicated and are all retained by thrust 
bearing retainer 526. The motor is surrounded as in previous embodiments 
by dielectric fluid occupying the space indicated as 528 and sealed from 
wellbore fluid by seal 534 which is held in place by snap ring 536. Fluid 
compensators are also preferably employed. Motor housing 530 provides 
power conduit 538 which connects to electronics area 540 covered by 
electronics housing cover 542. 
Referring to FIG. 38 the dog retainer 544, it will be understood, rotates 
easily due to reduced friction rotatably due to thrust bearings 524 while 
still maintaining the inner sleeve 512 in communication with the motor 
drive. 
In the event of a failure of the invention, provision is made for closing 
off a choke mechanism but not for operating the choke mechanism subsequent 
to shearing. Upon the occurrence of such a failure shear sleeve 546 is 
actuated as described in more detail with respect to the embodiments 
above. Subsequent to dog 548 disengaging from dog retainer 544 the 
shifting tool (not shown) is employed upon shifting profile 550 to force 
inner sleeve 512 downhole misaligning a spiral choking element of that 
sleeve from the longitudinal port 504 to permanently close the flow 
control device. In order to ensure that the device will not self open, 
snap ring 552, upon moving of sleeve 512 downhole, will expand into snap 
ring receiving groove 508 and will prevent relative movement of sleeve 512 
and ported housing 502. 
In a final embodiment of the invention, an orifice choke mechanism is 
disclosed. Referring to FIGS. 42-46, the orifice choke is illustrated in 
cross-section which embodiment provides a plurality of orifices 
constructed of an erosion resistant material and which can be exposed from 
the inside of the tubing by an inner sleeve. This tool as in the foregoing 
embodiments is preferably actuated by a downhole motor drive system 
including an electronics package having a processor and sensor capability. 
Referring directly to the drawings and the downhole end of the tool (FIG. 
46) a lower sub 600 extends uphole to threadedly mate with orifice housing 
602. It should be noted that lower sub 600 provides stacked radial 
recesses on the I.D. thereof to receive elements of the invention. The 
first recess allows seal cover 604 to slide along the I.D. of lower sub 
600 while not restricting the overall I.D. of the tubing string. The 
second recess accepts spring 606 which biases seal cover 604 to the uphole 
position when inner sleeve 608 is moved uphole to expose any number of the 
plurality of orifices 610. The purpose of seal cover 604 and spring 606 is 
to maintain uphole end 612 of seal cover 604 in contact with shifting 
profile 614 of inner sleeve 608 so that when inner sleeve 608 moves uphole 
due to the impetus of either the motor drive system of the invention or 
the backup conventional shifting tool system, the seal cover 604 will 
cover seal 616 and prevent flow cutting thereof. The operative area of the 
flow control device further includes a screen 618 to protect the plurality 
of orifices during run in the hole and to prevent debris from collecting 
at the orifices and reducing the flow thereof. As one of skill in the art 
will appreciate each orifice is extended beyond flush with orifice housing 
602 this is to provide room for erosion of the orifices without causing 
any damage to the device. It should also be noted that the orifices are 
squared off to provide a pressure drop therethrough thus enhancing the 
operability of the tool. The orifices themselves are most preferably 
constructed of tungsten carbide or other similar highly erosion resistant 
material to provide for longevity of the tool. 
Orifice housing 602 includes seals 616, noted above, and seal 620 to 
provide effective seal of the device and stop flow should such action be 
determined necessary or desirable. It is, otherwise, noted that numeral 
622 points out that there is a gap between the inner sleeve 608 and the 
orifice housing 602 on the order of one to several thousandths of an inch. 
This provides for a very small amount of flow from the uphole ports when 
only lower hole ports are exposed by uphole movement of the inner sleeve 
608. Orifice housing 602 is threadedly connected to housing connector 624 
which is, in turn, connected to a gear housing and uphole components. 
Radially inwardly of housing connector 624, one of skill in the art having 
been exposed to the foregoing embodiments will recognize drive sleeve 626 
which is locked to inner sleeve 608 through the inner media are of dog 628 
the dog is held in place with a shear release sleeve which has been 
hereinbefore described and will not be described at this point. Drive 
sleeve 626 extends upwardly to threadedly mesh with drive screw 630 in a 
manner hereinbefore described. Drive screw 630 also includes thrust 
bearing 632 and bearing retainers 634 which are outwardly bounded by gear 
housing 636. Screw 630 is driven by drive shaft 638 and motor 640. The 
motor transmits power through a spur gear 642 supported by bearings 644 
and a second gear 646 also supported by bearings 644. Power is supplied to 
the motor and downhole control exists in the same manner as previously 
described with the foregoing embodiments. In the event of a failure of the 
motor drive system of the invention, the shear out sleeve 648 is actuated 
releasing dog 628 from drive sleeve 626 whereafter a conventional shifting 
tool is employed on shifting profile 650 or 614 to open or close the choke 
mechanism respectively. 
While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, various 
modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from 
the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood 
that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and 
not limitation.