Open/close outlet internal hydraulic device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9976376-B2
Application number	US-200913000359-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 10, 2009
Priority date	Jul 31, 2008
Publication date	May 22, 2018
Grant date	May 22, 2018

Abstract

A fluid-driven adapter for a mineral extraction system is provided. The adapter includes a sleeve (e.g., annular piston) that engages a mandrel disposed in a wellhead component and moves in an axial direction in response to fluid pressure. The adapter moves the mandrel between a first position and a second position to open or close passages in the wellhead component. The adapter includes a lock ring that moves in response to fluid pressure and that locks the adapter to a wellhead assembly to prevent axial movement of the adapter. Methods of operation are also provided.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system, comprising:
a wellhead assembly;
a frac mandrel disposed in the wellhead assembly;
an adapter comprising:
a tubular body;
a locking mechanism coupled to the tubular body, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to secure the adapter to the wellhead assembly to block axial movement of the adapter, wherein the locking mechanism is responsive to fluid pressure to move a locking structure relative to the tubular body between locked and unlocked positions between the adapter and the wellhead assembly;

a first piston coupled to the tubular body, wherein the first piston and the frac mandrel are coupled together via a pin and J-slot coupling;
a first fluid chamber configured to receive a first fluid pressure to drive the first piston in a first axial direction relative to the tubular body to drive the frac mandrel from a closed position to an open position relative to one or more passages in the wellhead assembly; and
a second fluid chamber configured to receive a second fluid pressure to drive the first piston in a second axial direction relative to the tubular body to drive the frac mandrel from the open position to the closed position relative to the one or more passages in the wellhead assembly.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the locking structure of the locking mechanism comprises a lock ring, wherein the adapter comprises:
a second piston coupled to the tubular body;
a third fluid chamber configured to receive a third fluid pressure to drive the second piston in a third axial direction relative to the tubular body to drive the lock ring in a first radial direction into the locked position between the adapter and the wellhead assembly; and
a fourth fluid chamber configured to receive a fourth fluid pressure to drive the second piston in a fourth axial direction relative to the tubular body to drive the lock ring in a second radial direction into the unlocked position between the adapter and the wellhead assembly.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the lock ring and the first piston comprise mating tapered surfaces.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the adapter comprises:
a moveable portion movably coupled to the tubular body, wherein the moveable portion is responsive to fluid pressure to move the moveable portion to drive the locking structure between the locked and unlocked positions; and
a moveable sleeve movably coupled to the tubular body, wherein the moveable sleeve comprises the first piston.

5. A system, comprising:
a wellhead assembly;
a frac mandrel disposed in the wellhead assembly;
an adapter comprising:
a plurality of tie-down screws configured to lock and unlock the adapter relative to the wellhead assembly;
a piston, wherein the piston and the frac mandrel are coupled together via a pin and J-slot coupling;
a fluid chamber configured to receive a first fluid pressure to drive the piston in a first axial direction to drive the frac mandrel from a closed position to an open position relative to one or more passages in the wellhead assembly; and
a second fluid chamber configured to receive a second fluid pressure to drive the piston in a second axial direction to drive the frac mandrel from the open position to the closed position relative to the one or more passages in the wellhead assembly.

Assignees

• Guidry Kirk
• Nguyen Dennis P
• Cameron Int Corp

Inventors

• Guidry Kirk
• Nguyen Dennis P

Classifications

• E21B33/068 Primary

  having provision for introducing objects or fluids into, or removing objects from, wells (cementing-heads E21B33/05) · CPC title

• E21B43/26

  by forming crevices or fractures · CPC title

• E21B43/2607

  Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations · CPC title