Inventors:
Brad Groesbeck - Houston TX, US
Jeffrey Arcement - Houma LA, US
John C. Jordan - Houston TX, US
James G. Martens - Spring TX, US
International Classification:
F16K 31/18
Abstract:
An auto-fill type float collar assembly is provided. The float collar assembly of the present invention has at least one curved flapper-style valve, preferably constructed of composite, non-metallic material. Each flapper of the present invention has a substantially 90° range of motion, and is closed via a torsion spring. Each flapper is held in the open (or “auto-fill”), position via an external shifting mechanism passing around, rather than through, the central flow bore of the assembly. A floatable actuation ball can be run with the tool, or pumped downhole, in order to selectively actuate the assembly and close the flappers when desired.