Patent ID: 7537056

Claim:
A system for use in a wellbore to control gas inflow into a downhole tool configured to be positioned proximate to a formation comprising a desired liquid and a gas, the system comprising: the downhole tool comprising a flow path from the formation to an interior of the downhole tool; and a valve positioned in the flow path, the valve having a pressure responsive actuator that automatically maintains the valve in an open position when exposed to liquid flow and automatically closes the valve upon exposure to gas flow into the valve, the pressure responsive actuator comprising a piston hydraulically communicating with the flow path and configured to translate within a cavity, the piston being biased by a spring towards a closed position; and wherein the bias of the spring is overcome by pressure from the liquid flow acting against a side of the piston opposite the spring, the valve further comprising a gas transfer mechanism, the gas transfer mechanism configured to facilitate gas passing to a side of the piston acted on by the spring but preventing liquid flow to the side of the piston acted on by the spring.