Patent ID: 8104540

Claim:
A differential pressure operated blanking tool comprising: a Y-tool comprising a substantially tubular body and having first and second limbs connected together via a throat in the body; a valve seat located adjacent a top portion of each of the first and second limbs; a pathway in the throat between the top portion of the first limb to the top of the second limb; a ball valve movable within and along the pathway and selectively positionable to close one or other limb of the Y-tube against fluid flow; a housing mounted within the tubular body and upon an upper portion of the second limb, the housing having an opening in one side thereof of a size sufficient to allow the ball to pass through; and an actuator mounted on the housing wherein fluid flow within the tool carries the ball valve along the pathway and through the opening in the housing to a position where the second limb is closed against bias of the actuator and, when said fluid flow is removed, the actuator operates to force the ball valve out of engagement with the second limb whereupon the ball passes through the opening in the housing along the pathway and towards the first limb, whereupon as the ball valve moves within and along the pathway between the first and second limbs, the ball rotates, thereby presenting a fresh sealing surface when the ball valve lands in one of the valve seats.