| 摘要 |
The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method for controlling fluid flow in or into a well. The apparatus includes at least one housing (3m, 3g, 3w) having an inlet (5) and at least one outlet (7, 7′), one of which is arranged in a top portion or a bottom portion of the housing (3m, 3g, 3w) when in a position of use, and a flow control means (9m, 9g, 9w) disposed within the housing (3m, 3g, 3w). The flow control means (9m, 9g, 9w) has a density that is higher or lower than a density of a fluid to be controlled and a form adapted to substantially block the outlet (7, 7′) of the housing when the flow control means (9m, 9g, 9w) is in a position abutting the outlet (7, 7′). |
| 主权项 |
1. An apparatus (1) for controlling fluid flow in or into a well, the apparatus being mounted onto or in a portion of a wellpipe, the apparatus comprising:
at least one housing (3m, 3g, 3w) arranged between a main inlet (4) being in fluid communication with fluid upstream of the apparatus (1) and a main outlet (8) being in fluid communication with fluid downstream of the apparatus (1), the housing (3m, 3g, 3w) having a top portion located in an upper elevation of the housing and a bottom portion located in a lower elevation of the housing when the apparatus (1) is in a position of use, the housing (3m, 3g, 3w) further having:
an inlet (5) for allowing fluid flow into the housing (3m, 3g, 3w); andan outlet (7, 7′) for allowing fluid flow out of the housing (3m, 3g, 3w), the outlet (7, 7′) being arranged in one or both of the top portion and the bottom portion of the housing (3m, 3g, 3w); a flow control means (9m, 9g, 9w) disposed movably within the housing (3m, 3g, 3w) between said top portion and bottom portion, the flow control means (9m, 9g, 9w) having:
a density being higher or lower than a density of a fluid to be controlled so that a position of the flow control means within the housing (3m, 3g, 3w) depends on the density of the flow control means relative to the density of the fluid only; anda shape adapted to substantially block the outlet (7, 7′) of the housing when the flow control means (9m, 9g, 9w) is in a position abutting the outlet (7, 7′) in said top portion or the bottom portion; anda leakage means (11) configured for allowing leakage of fluid out of at least one of a top portion and a bottom portion of the housing (3m, 3g, 3w) independent of the position of the flow control means (9m, 9g, 9w). |
