FLOW FORCE COMPENSATED SLEEVE VALVE

摘要

The present invention features a sleeve valve comprising an elongate body (14) having an outer surface (18) and including a lumen (22) for receiving a fluid and an associated fluid pressure therein and for defining a flow path of the fluid; at least one fluid flow port formed through the outer surface (18) that is in fluid connection with the lumen (22); and a sleeve slidably disposed about the outer surface (18) of the body (14) and configured to displace across the fluid flow port to precisely regulate fluid emission through the fluid flow port. The sleeve (10) and elongate body (14) are operably related in a manner so as to provide some degree of fluid force compensation, such that the forces necessary to displace the sleeve (10) across the fluid flow port are substantially unaffected by the fluid pressures acting within the body (14) and at the fluid flow port. In other words, the fluid pressures do not substantially contribute to the resistance in the sleeve (10) during actuation.