Downhole circulating valve having a metal-to-metal seal

摘要

A downhole circulating valve includes a generally tubular outer housing having an axially extending internal passageway including an internal seat and at least one generally radially extending opening formed through the housing intersecting the internal seat. A valve element is rotatably disposed within the internal passageway. The valve element has an axially extending internal bore and a head portion disposed at least partially within the internal seat. The head portion includes at least one generally radially extending seal element. The valve element has a first position relative to the housing, wherein the seal element is not aligned with the opening, thereby allowing fluid communication between the opening and the internal passageway. The valve element has a second position relative to the housing, wherein the seal element is aligned with the opening and wherein the seal element forms a metal-to-metal seal with the internal seat, thereby preventing fluid communication between the opening and the internal passageway.

主权项

1. A downhole circulating valve comprising:
a generally tubular outer housing having an axially extending internal passageway including an internal seat and at least one generally radially extending opening formed through the housing intersecting the internal seat; and a valve element rotatably disposed within the internal passageway, the valve element having an axially extending internal bore and a head portion disposed at least partially within the internal seat, the head portion including at least one generally radially extending seal element, the valve element having a first position relative to the housing wherein the at least one seal element is not aligned with the at least one opening allowing fluid communication between the at least one opening and the internal passageway and a second position relative to the housing wherein the at least one seal element is aligned with the at least one opening and wherein the at least one seal element forms a metal-to-metal seal with the internal seat preventing fluid communication between the at least one opening and the internal passageway, wherein, the head portion rotates relative to and translates toward the internal seat to sealingly engage the seal element with the internal seat when the valve element is operated from the first position to the second position, thereby forming the metal-to-metal seal.