Abstract: An equalizing valve for a flapper in a subsurface safety valve has a valve member disposed in a passage in the flapper that is made of a material that changes shape when subjected to a stimulus such as heat, for example. In one configuration, the valve member closes off the passage and in another flow past or through the valve member defines the open position allowing pressure to equalize across the closed flapper. Other valve applications are envisioned for downhole use. The stimulus can come from applied electrical current that causes sufficient heating to have the valve member alter its shape. Mechanical assists to the shape altering can be provided which can also optionally be made of shape changing materials. Biasing into a sealed position is envisioned.

Abstract: A downhole shock absorber preferably is filled with well fluid in a chamber that is reduced in volume due to impact. A rupture disc can hold the initial non-compressible liquid charge until impact. Upon impact, the rupture disc breaks to allow the fluid to be forced through an orifice to absorb some of the shock that occurs when a string hits a fixed object after dropping in the wellbore. The nose of the shock absorber is a soft material that has voids so that the combination of the softness of the material and the voids allow the nose to reshape until it encounters a surrounding tubular wall and then to collapse inwardly into the voids, making it simple to remove. The nose is releasably mounted to the shock absorber so the two can separate if the nose gets stuck after impact.

Abstract: A system is provided for switching between redundant control systems for a subsurface safety valve (SSV) while being able to isolate the closure spring from hydrostatic pressure in the control line of the system that is not being used. There are two control lines that connect to discrete operating pistons that are both coupled to the flow tube. Each operating piston is connected to a control rod with the control rods terminating near opposed ends of a pivoting member. Pushing down on one rod pushes up on the other rod so that the other rod is held supported and the hydrostatic pressure in its associated control line doesn't affect the force needed by the closure spring to close the SSV. Releasing control line pressure puts the system in neutral to allow either of the systems to be reselected.

Abstract: Piston bore distortions in a sub-surface safety valve are reduced or eliminated when valve body is subjected to high working pressures. In one embodiment, a piston is disposed in a sleeve that is disposed in a piston bore. The bore can distort but the sleeve within will not distort to the point of losing sealing pressure around the piston. In another approach additional bore or bores are provided adjacent the piston bore to make the pin end of the connection for the valve housing more uniform in the region of the piston bore so that pressure loading does not result in sufficient distortion of the piston bore to lose the piston sealing relation in its bore.

Abstract: Piston bore distortions in a sub-surface safety valve are reduced or eliminated when valve body is subjected to high working pressures. In one embodiment, a piston is disposed in a sleeve that is disposed in a piston bore. The bore can distort but the sleeve within will not distort to the point of losing sealing pressure around the piston. In another approach additional bore or bores are provided adjacent the piston bore to make the pin end of the connection for the valve housing more uniform in the region of the piston bore so that pressure loading does not result in sufficient distortion of the piston bore to lose the piston sealing relation in its bore.

Abstract: A control system for a subsurface safety valve addresses normal open and closed operation and a failsafe operation if key system components fail. It features a single control line from the surface that splits at the subsurface safety valve and goes to one end of two discrete piston chambers that are aligned and isolated from tubing pressure. The piston in one chamber is larger than in the other and the pistons are connected for tandem movement. Each side of the unbalanced system's piston has a seal mounted to it and another for the rod attached to it that exits the chamber. A jumper line connects the chambers at a point between the seals in each chamber and features a large reservoir. The jumper line is filled with a compressible fluid. Fail safe closure of the valve occurs if any of the four seals fail.

Abstract: A valve for a line going to a subsurface safety valve can be blocked off with a valve that is initially held in a closed position. An upper spring pushes collets against a shoulder to keep a seal on a support assembly for the collets within an initial bore in a sealing relation. Application of pressure to the line urges the support assembly to move with respect to the collets and causes the collets to become unsupported. This initial movement of the support assembly is against a second spring that is weaker than the upper spring. The upper spring forces the collapsed collets into a smaller bore while the support assembly is retained against reverse movement at the urging of the second spring by a ratchet assembly. The seal is shifted into a bigger bore to allow flow through the valve and into or beyond the subsurface safety valve.

Abstract: A downhole shock absorber preferably is filled with well fluid in a chamber that is reduced in volume due to impact. A rupture disc can hold the initial non-compressible liquid charge until impact. Upon impact, the rupture disc breaks to allow the fluid to be forced through an orifice to absorb some of the shock that occurs when a string hits a fixed object after dropping in the wellbore. The nose of the shock absorber is a soft material that has voids so that the combination of the softness of the material and the voids allow the nose to reshape until it encounters a surrounding tubular wall and then to collapse inwardly into the voids, making it simple to remove. The nose is releasably mounted to the shock absorber so the two can separate if the nose gets stuck after impact.

Abstract: A control system for a downhole tool, such as a subsurface safety valve, features an operating piston that is insensitive to tubing pressure in the valve. The hydrostatic forces from the single control line from the surface are significantly reduced with a branch line to a piston bottom that is slightly smaller than the piston top. A variable volume between piston seals is connected to a low pressure compressible fluid reservoir to permit piston movement. The piston can be modular to facilitate assembly or bore offsets in the valve body. Failsafe closure upon seal failures is contemplated.

Abstract: Piston bore distortions in a sub-surface safety valve are reduced or eliminated when valve body is subjected to high working pressures. In one embodiment, a piston is disposed in a sleeve that is disposed in a piston bore. The bore can distort but the sleeve within will not distort to the point of losing sealing pressure around the piston. In another approach additional bore or bores are provided adjacent the piston bore to make the pin end of the connection for the valve housing more uniform in the region of the piston bore so that pressure loading does not result in sufficient distortion of the piston bore to lose the piston sealing relation in its bore.

Abstract: A system is provided for switching between redundant control systems for a subsurface safety valve (SSV) while being able to isolate the closure spring from hydrostatic pressure in the control line of the system that is not being used. There are two control lines that connect to discrete operating pistons that are both coupled to the flow tube. Each operating piston is connected to a control rod with the control rods terminating near opposed ends of a pivoting member. Pushing down on one rod pushes up on the other rod so that the other rod is held supported and the hydrostatic pressure in its associated control line doesn't affect the force needed by the closure spring to close the SSV. Releasing control line pressure puts the system in neutral to allow either of the systems to be reselected.

Abstract: An equalizing valve for a flapper in a subsurface safety valve has a valve member disposed in a passage in the flapper that is made of a material that changes shape when subjected to a stimulus such as heat, for example. In one configuration, the valve member closes off the passage and in another flow past or through the valve member defines the open position allowing pressure to equalize across the closed flapper. Other valve applications are envisioned for downhole use. The stimulus can come from applied electrical current that causes sufficient heating to have the valve member alter its shape. Mechanical assists to the shape altering can be provided which can also optionally be made of shape changing materials. Biasing into a sealed position is envisioned.

Abstract: A valve for a line going to a subsurface safety valve can be blocked off with a valve that is initially held in a closed position. An upper spring pushes collets against a shoulder to keep a seal on a support assembly for the collets within an initial bore in a sealing relation. Application of pressure to the line urges the support assembly to move with respect to the collets and causes the collets to become unsupported. This initial movement of the support assembly is against a second spring that is weaker than the upper spring. The upper spring forces the collapsed collets into a smaller bore while the support assembly is retained against reverse movement at the urging of the second spring by a ratchet assembly. The seal is shifted into a bigger bore to allow flow through the valve and into or beyond the subsurface safety valve.

Abstract: A control system for a downhole tool, such as a subsurface safety valve, features an operating piston that is insensitive to tubing pressure in the valve. The hydrostatic forces from the single control line from the surface are significantly reduced with a branch line to a piston bottom that is slightly smaller than the piston top. A variable volume between piston seals is connected to a low pressure compressible fluid reservoir to permit piston movement. The piston can be modular to facilitate assembly or bore offsets in the valve body. Failsafe closure upon seal failures is contemplated.

Abstract: Piston bore distortions in a sub-surface safety valve are reduced or eliminated when valve body is subjected to high working pressures. In one embodiment, a piston is disposed in a sleeve that is disposed in a piston bore. The bore can distort but the sleeve within will not distort to the point of losing sealing pressure around the piston. In another approach additional bore or bores are provided adjacent the piston bore to make the pin end of the connection for the valve housing more uniform in the region of the piston bore so that pressure loading does not result in sufficient distortion of the piston bore to lose the piston sealing relation in its bore.

Abstract: A control system for a subsurface safety valve addresses normal open and closed operation and a failsafe operation if key system components fail. It features a single control line from the surface that splits at the subsurface safety valve and goes to one end of two discrete piston chambers that are aligned and isolated from tubing pressure. The piston in one chamber is larger than in the other and the pistons are connected for tandem movement. Each side of the unbalanced system's piston has a seal mounted to it and another for the rod attached to it that exits the chamber. A jumper line connects the chambers at a point between the seals in each chamber and features a large reservoir. The jumper line is filled with a compressible fluid. Fail safe closure of the valve occurs if any of the four seals fail.