초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for selectively restricting fluid flow in a well or well conduit. A dissolvable core material is positioned in the well and is isolated from the well fluids with an inpermeable sheath. The sheath is punctured with a control mechanism or other device so that the sheath is brea

An apparatus and method for selectively restricting fluid flow in a well or well conduit. A dissolvable core material is positioned in the well and is isolated from the well fluids with an inpermeable sheath. The sheath is punctured with a control mechanism or other device so that the sheath is breached. The fluid dissolves the core material and permits fluid flow through the well or well conduit. The sheath can be punctured by pressurizing the well fluid, or by controlling the fluid pressure to activate a pressure sensitive control mechanism.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for selectively controlling fluid flow in a well, comprising: a core material that is dissolvable when contacted by the fluid; a sheath impervious to the fluid for preventing contact between the fluid and said core material, wherein said sheath and core material cooperate to restrict th

An apparatus for selectively controlling fluid flow in a well, comprising: a core material that is dissolvable when contacted by the fluid; a sheath impervious to the fluid for preventing contact between the fluid and said core material, wherein said sheath and core material cooperate to restrict the flow of the fluid through the well; and a control mechanism including a thermal sensitive material that can be weakened by heat and a heating element for selectively heating said thermal sensitive material so that the fluid breaches said thermal sensitive material and contacts said core material, thereby causing the dissolution of said core material to permit fluid flow through the well. A method for selectively controlling fluid flow in a well, comprising the steps of: positioning a dissolvable core material in the well to restrict fluid flow through the well, wherein a fluid impermeable sheath prevents the fluid from contacting said core material; and heating a heat sensitive material so that the fluid pressure breaches said sheath; and contacting the fluid and said core material to dissolve said core material and to permit fluid flow through the well.