초록 ▼

The present invention provides a bi-directional ball seat and method of use. In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a fluid control system that includes a radial protrusion that can be selectively engaged and disengaged upstream and/or from a ball seat. For example, a ball can be

The present invention provides a bi-directional ball seat and method of use. In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a fluid control system that includes a radial protrusion that can be selectively engaged and disengaged upstream and/or from a ball seat. For example, a ball can be placed in a passageway, engaged with a downstream ball seat, and the radial protrusion radially extended into the passageway distally from the seat relative to the ball. A reverse movement of the ball is restricted by the active radial movement of the radial protrusion into the passageway. The control system can be used to control a variety of tools associated with the well. Without limitation, the tools can include crossover tools, sleeves, packers, safety valves, separators, gravel packers, perforating guns, decoupling tools, valves, and other tools know to those with ordinary skills in the art.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A fluid control system for a hydrocarbon well, comprising: a first portion of the control system; an actuator coupled to the first portion; an inner sleeve slidably disposed inside the first portion and forming a longitudinal passageway; a seat coupled to the control system a

What is claimed is: 1. A fluid control system for a hydrocarbon well, comprising: a first portion of the control system; an actuator coupled to the first portion; an inner sleeve slidably disposed inside the first portion and forming a longitudinal passageway; a seat coupled to the control system and exposed to the passageway; a passageway seal coupled to the inner sleeve and exposed to the passageway; and a radial protrusion disposed at least partially in the inner sleeve and distal from the seat relative to the passageway seal, the radial protrusion initially biased in a position retracted from or a position extending into the passageway and adapted to have a radial position retracted from the passageway and another radial position extended into the passageway, the radial positions determined by engagement of the protrusion with the actuator, the seat and the radial protrusion being adapted to selectively restrict in at least one direction movement of a movable restriction through the passageway, and the control system adapted to selectively restrict flow in at least one direction by sealing engagement with the movable restriction inserted in the passageway. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system provides sealing engagement with the movable restriction through the seat, the radial protrusion, the passageway seal, or a combination thereof. 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising the movable restriction. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the movable restriction comprises a covering over a disintegratable core. 5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a cutter coupled to the seat, the radial protrusion, or a combination thereof and adapted to engage the movable restriction and cause impairment of the covering to at least partially expose the core. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the movable restriction is in contact with the passageway seal when the movable restriction is in contact with the radial protrusion to forms a flow restriction in the passageway. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the radial positions of the radial protrusion are independent of a radial position of the seat. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the radial protrusion is locked radially toward the passageway when actuated. 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one tool associated with a hydrocarbon well that is coupled to the control system. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the passageway seal comprises a first and second portion, wherein at least one of the portions and the radial protrusion are adapted to concurrently engage the movable restriction. 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second radial protrusion disposed longitudinally from the first radial protrusion in the passageway. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein both radial protrusion are adapted to retract from the passageway. 13. The system of claim 10, wherein the seat comprises the radial protrusion. 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the control system comprises another actuator and the seat comprises another radial protrusion engageable with at least one of the actuators. 15. The system of claim 1, wherein said control system comprises a cartridge disposed within a tubular string. 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system comprises a modular unit coupled to other tools in a tubular string. 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the seat is longitudinally biased. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the control system is flow rate sensitive. 19. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system comprises a multi-staged actuation. 20. A fluid control system for a hydrocarbon well, comprising: a first portion of the control system having an actuator; an inner sleeve slidably disposed inside the first portion and forming a longitudinal passageway; a seat coupled to the control system and exposed to the passageway; and a radial protrusion disposed at least partially in the inner sleeve, the radial protrusion initially biased in a position retracted from or a position extending into the passageway and adapted to have a position retracted from the passageway and another position extended into the passageway, the positions determined by engagement of the protrusion with the actuator, the seat and the radial protrusion being adapted to selectively restrict in at least one direction movement in the passageway of a movable restriction disposed in the passageway between the seat and the radial protrusion. 21. The system of claim 20, further comprising a passageway seal positioned between the seat and the radial protrusion and adapted to be engaged by the movable restriction while the movable restriction is engaged with the seat, the radial protrusion, or a combination thereof. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the control system is adapted to selectively restrict flow through the passageway in cooperation with the movable restriction inserted in the passageway between the seat and radial protrusion when the movable restriction is positioned in sealing engagement with the seat, the radial protrusion, the passageway seal, or a combination thereof. 23. The system of claim 20, further comprising the movable restriction. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the movable restriction comprises a covering over a disintegratable core. 25. The system of claim 20, further comprising a tool associated with a hydrocarbon well that is coupled to the control system. 26. The system of claim 20, wherein the seat is longitudinally biased. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the control system is flow rate sensitive. 28. The system of claim 20, wherein the control system comprises a multi-staged actuation. 29. A method of using a fluid control system for a hydrocarbon well, the control system comprising a first portion having an actuator, an inner sleeve slidably disposed with the first portion and forming a longitudinal passageway, a seat coupled to the control system and exposed to the passageway, and a radial protrusion initially biased in a position retracted from or a position extending into the passageway and disposed at least partially in the inner sleeve and exposed to the passageway with the seat, comprising: allowing the radial protrusion to retract from and extend into the passageway based on actuation with the actuator; allowing a movable restriction to engage the seat; and moving the inner sleeve relative to the first portion to cause the actuator of the first portion to extend the radial protrusion into the passageway to selectively restrict the longitudinal travel of the movable restriction between the radial protrusion and the seat. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the control system further comprises a passageway seal disposed between the seat and the radial protrusion, and further comprising selectively restricting flow through the passageway by sealing engagement of the movable restriction with the seat, the radial protrusion, the passageway seal, or a combination thereof. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein restricting the flow is in at least one direction by sealing the movable restriction with the passageway seal when the movable restriction is engaged with the seat, by sealing the movable restriction with the passageway seal when the movable restriction is engaged with the radial protrusion, or a combination thereof. 32. The method of claim 29, further comprising pressurizing a volume of the passageway adjacent the movable restriction to cause the inner sleeve to move relative to the first portion of the control system. 33. The method of claim 29, wherein the movable restriction initially engages the radial protrusion in an extended position before the radial protrusion is retracted to allow the movable restriction to engage the seat. 34. The method of claim 29, further comprising a second radial protrusion disposed longitudinally from the first radial protrusion in the passageway and further comprising actuating the radial protrusions to control the travel of the movable restriction in the passageway. 35. The method of claim 29, wherein the seat, the radial protrusion, or a combination thereof comprises at least one cutter and the movable restriction comprises a covering disposed over a disintegratable core and further comprising impairing the covering with the cutter to expose at least a portion of the core. 36. The method of claim 29, wherein the seat is longitudinally biased and engages the movable restriction against an extended radial protrusion. 37. The method of claim 29, further comprising allowing the seat to move longitudinally in proportion to a flow rate of a fluid through the passageway. 38. The method of claim 37, further comprising increasing the flow rate so that the inner sleeve moves relative to the first portion. 39. The method of claim 38, further comprising retracting the radial protrusion and allowing the movable restriction to move longitudinally in the passageway. 40. A fluid control system for a hydrocarbon well, comprising: a first portion of the control system having an actuator; an inner sleeve slidably disposed inside the first portion and forming a longitudinal passageway; a seat coupled to the control system and exposed to the passageway; a movable restriction adapted to restrict flow in the passageway when engaged with the seat, wherein the movable restriction comprises a covering disposed over a disintegratable core. 41. The system of claim 40, further comprising a radial protrusion disposed at least partially in the inner sleeve, the radial protrusion adapted to have a position retracted from the passageway and another position extended into the passageway, the positions determined by engagement of the protrusion with the actuator, the seat and the radial protrusion being adapted to selectively restrict bi-directional movement in the passageway of a movable restriction inserted in the passageway between the seat and radial protrusion. 42. The system of claim 40, further comprising at least one cutter coupled to the seat and adapted to engage the movable restriction and cause impairment of the covering to at least partially expose the core. 43. The system of claim 40, further comprising at least one cutter coupled to the radial protrusion and adapted to engage the movable restriction and cause impairment of the covering to at least partially expose the core.