Sleeve valve
The present invention relates to a sleeve valve ( 1 ), which sleeve valve ( 1 ) can be used offshore or onshore to control the fluid flow between a hydrocarbon reservoir and a tubing in a well in the hydrocarbon reservoir. The sleeve valve ( 1 ) comprises an outer and an inner sleeve ( 2, 3 ) which are coaxially and rotatably arranged relative to one another, wherein in each of the sleeves ( 2, 3 ) there is provided at least one through opening ( 4, 18 ). The sleeves ( 2, 3 ) are rotated relative to one another with the aid of a suitable device, so that they can selectively be brought into an open, closed or other positions therebetween so as thereby to be able to control the fluid flow through the sleeve valve ( 1 ).
1. A sleeve valve comprising
an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve arranged therein, the sleeves being rotatable relative to one another and wherein in each of the sleeves there is provided at least one through aperture, fluid flow through the sleeve valve being allowed by an overlapping of the sleeves' through openings, and wherein in the through opening of the outer sleeve there is arranged, seen in relation to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve valve, at least one radially movable insert, an inner metallic end of the insert cooperating with a metallic surface on the inner sleeve to provide a metal-to-metal seal, wherein between the outer sleeve and the insert there is formed a chamber, and wherein in the chamber there is provided a tension element, and
one or more gaskets arranged radially outside the chamber between the outer sleeve and the insert, wherein an offset area on an outer face of the insert, which is subjected to a pressure externally by the outer sleeve, is equal to the area of an offset area in the chamber, which is subjected to a pressure internally from the inner sleeve, the sum of these areas being as great as the area of the inner end of the insert which creates a surface pressure against the surface of the inner sleeve, independent of the direction of the pressure differential between external/internal pressure.
2. The sleeve valve according to claim 1 , wherein the insert is a circular bushing with a through aperture.
3. The sleeve valve according to claim 1 , wherein the tension element can be selected from the group consisting of leaf springs, helical springs, disc springs, elastomeric material, several layers and/or combinations thereof.
4. The sleeve valve according to claim 1 , wherein the through openings in the sleeve can be a single opening, a plurality of smaller openings, one or more slots etc.
5. The sleeve valve according to claim 1 , wherein between the stationary outer sleeve opening and the insert's outer surface there is provided a gap.
6. The sleeve valve according to claim 1 , wherein the tension element is located in the pressure chamber.
7. The sleeve valve according to claim 1 , wherein the sleeves can be provided with a plurality of through openings, in rows and columns, in a random pattern etc.
8. The sleeve valve according to claim 1 , wherein the inner rotating sleeve is hydraulically actuatable or actuatable by means of a separate tool.
9. The sleeve valve according to claim 1 , wherein a device brings the sleeve valve from a closed to an open position or vice-versa.