US2874785A - Apparatus for automatically filling well conduits with fluid - Google Patents

Description

J. F. MUSE Feb. 24, 1959 APPARATUSFQR AUTOMATICALLY FILLING WELL CONDUITS WITH FLUID Filed April 27. 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 5 mm m M w 1% W J YM B E. w r f L L I L, L VIZ f w 2 A y 0 J. F. MUSE Feb. 24, 1959 APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY FILLING WELL COND UITS WITH FLUID Filed April 27, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FEE-5 INVENTOR. JOA A /T M05! zgsnnss 5-: APPARATUS F ORAUTOMATICALLY FILLING WELL. :CONDUITS .WITH. FLUID John FQMuse, Montebello, Calif assignor to Baker Oil 5 Tols',*Inc;, Vernon, "Calif-3 a corporation of California Application April 27, 1953, Serial No. 351,396

i 20 Claims.{ (Cl. 166-225) The present invention relatesi tosubsurface well appa- .:ratus, and more particularly to' apparatus for controllably ..fill ing a conduit'string, such as well casing or drill pipe, with fluid .as the string isbeing lowered in a well bore.

. Anaobject .of the present invention is to provide im- ...proved apparatus for automatically controlling the rate .atwhich fluid in the well bore can flow into .the conduit string in which the apparatus is embodied.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus .which automatically reduces flow of fluid inv the conduit stringdisposed in the well bore when the velocity of flow therein tendsv to increase, and which increases the flow tof fluid as its velocity tends to decrease. In a more limited .sense, the apparatus provides a substantially constant :.flow .of fluid inithe conduit string.

. .Another object of theinventionis to provide an apparatusv adapted to beincorporated in a conduit stringtoabe :disposed in a well bore, in whichtheapparatus embodies a backpressure valve to prevent upward flow of fluid'in the conduit string, but in which provision is made to allow the conduit string to fill with fluid at a controlled rate as ituis lowered .in the; well bore, "the back pressure valve being operable to perform its function at all times.

.1. This .inventionpossesses many; other" advantages, and

- ..has.other objects which maybezmademore clearly apparent.from aconsideration of a form in' which it may-:be

embodied- .This form is-showrr-in thev drawings accom- .willnow .bedescribed intdetail", fopthepurposeof illustratingzthegeneral.principles.ofithe invention; but it is to beunderstood that such detailed description is: not to :be taken in alimitingsense, since .thescope of theinvention isebest defined by the appended. claims.

l" Referring to the drawings: I Fig; 1. is .a. longitudinal section .throughan apparatus embodying the invention,.disposed.in'awell bore and with .the valve mechanism in openposition;

. Fig. 2 is an enlarged. fragmentary sectionzof part-of the apparatus-disclosed in .Fig; l;

Fig. 3. is a: side elevational view of a locking member incorporated in the apparatus;

- Fig. 4 is a .view similar to .Fig.,1, disclosing ,parts of .the apparatusinanother relative position; v

' Fig. 5. is aview similar to Fig. l,-disc losing.thei appa .ratus with certainparts in still another relative position. .As. disclosed in the drawings,..tl1eapparatus A; is embodiedin a stringoi casing Bzdisposed in awell boreC, the. apparatus being specifically. provided'in the casing ever, that .the apparatus. is also user'ulin other {types .of conduit. strings, and that it .can. also -.be incorporated at intermediate points in the conduit string.

As specifiically illustratedinthe drawings, theapparatus includes an outer tubular member 10 havingan upper threaded box'"11 threadedly attached tothe lower. pin12 of an 'adjacent'casing sectiQnLB; the casing sections being .connected to one anotherand extending to the top of. the

*well bore, in'which" the casing'string is to be lowered.

Hpanying; and. forming. part .of'thepresent specification..;. =It

2,874,785 Patented Feb. 24, 1959 wThe tubulargmember- 10 has a-cementitious, plug 13 cast "Itherein, this plug being; inseparably united ,to the tubular member by providing longitudinally; spaced circumferential grooves 14 in-the .tubularu-member in' which cementitious material will'flow during thecasting operation to i provide the locking plug ribs 15 -.inuthe grooves. The

lower end 16 of the plug isrounded, to provide a guiding nose for facilitating passage of the casing stringpast restrictions or other obstructions.encounteredin thewell bore during descent of the casing string therewithin.

: An upwardly closing backpressure valve. device 17-. is incorporated in 'the apparatus totpr'eclude return flow-of ,fluid .into the casing string B after it has been lowered to seat 21rand 'into engagement with aplurality of circumferentially spaced lugs or fingers 23 between which the fluid can'flow in moving through the casing shoe between its upper and lowerxends.

Inasmuchas it 'is desired to.-have the casing string B .fill automatically with the'well bore-fluid as it is lowered therewithin, a control mechanism-tor. permitting such flow is disposed in'the apparatus:above :the backpresprovided forprecluding ingressof fluid into .the-conduit string above theuback pressure valve mechanism-17,a,in

'order that. all fluid. must .thenbe. moved. dowmthroughdhe casingstring. for, ejectiomthrough vllZS lower end, ,-the .tendency of. such fluidto flowaback intozthe. casingstr ing ,being prevented by engagement of theballvalvezmemher. 22 with,its-.companionaseat 21.

.As..shown; .specificallyr in. the drawings; .the automatic valvemechanismfor eontrollingthepassage of*fluid into the conduit string includes acomposite. housing 24 secured within. the .cemeirtitious plug; .13,.,as .by providing longitulsdinally spaced'peripheral grooves .25 on. .the housing, in whichf .the...cementitious. material will... flow during the casting operation to form lockingrribs lol T his .housing 24.includes a. lower housing. section 27:.threaded.into an intermediate housingsection -28 .having. a ..p1urality.;of

shoe of the casing string. It is to ,be.understood,-. how- .radial .ports. 29in alignment QWithMcOmpanion :.ports,. 30 extendingthrough. the. cementitious plug. 13. and. the. tubular. .member 10. The intermediate 7 housing... sections28,v is threadedly secured. to. the lowenend. of anupper housing section 31, .which. forms=part;of a ,guide to prevent;-.rotationof a..:sleeve..valve. member .32 that. is -reciprocable within the housing 24.'f'lhis'sleeveavalvesmember is elongate and has. radial ports 33 therethrough; which are maintained. inrthelsame. radial planesxas the.ports,29.,., 30

through, the intermediate housing section 128,. plug liand tubular member, Ill-by alpin and slot,connection;;As disclosed, such. pirna'nd slot connection includes a lpin 13 4 threaded in a r'adial'direction into the upperporztionfbf the sleeve valve member 32 and received within a companion longitudinal groove-or slot 35 in the upper housing section 31. ,7 I,

When the sleeve ports 33 are aligned with the other ports 29, 30, fluid canflow between the exterior and interior of the'casing shoe A, this fluid passing upwardly through a restricted passage or orifice 36 in the upper portion of the sleeve valve member 32 and into the casing section B thereabove, for continued upward flowing through the casing string. Leakage of fluid between the housing 24 and valve member 32 is precluded by the provision of an upper elastic seal ring 37 on one'side of the housing ports 29 engaging the periphery of the sleeve valve 32 above its ports 33. This seal ring may be disposed in a housing groove 38 formed by the upper and intermediate housing sections 31, 28, between which the ring 37 is clamped. A similar lower seal ring 39, of

rubber or rubber-like material, is disposed in a groove 40 formed between the intermediate housing section 28 and a clamp ring 41 below the housing ports 29. This clamp ring 41 is held in position by the upper end of the lower housing section 27.

The ports 33, 29, 30 will be in alignment when a stop and latch ring 42, disposed within a peripheral groove 43 in the sleeve valve 32, engages an inwardly and downwardly tapering shoulder 44 provided in the lower housing section 27. This stop and latch ring 42 is split and is capable of being forced inwardly within the groove 43 and into a position in which the periphery of the ring 42 has a diameter no greater than the inside diameter of the lower housing section 27, which will allow the entire sleeve 32 to move downwardly for the purpose of closing the ports through the housing 28, plug 13 and tubular member 10, this closing position being determined by the reception of the split latch ring 42 within a lock groove 45 in the housing 24 disposed a substantial distance below the shoulder 44. When the ring 42 enters this groove 45 in the manner described hereinbelow, then the sleeve ports 33 will be disposed below the lower non-metallic seal ring 39, preventing fluid communication between the sleeve ports 33 and the radial ports 29, 30 through the housing 28, cement plug 13 and tubular member 10.

As was stated above, the latch ring 42 has, as one of its functions, engagement with the tapered shoulder 44 to locate the sleeve ports 33 in alignment with the radial ports 29, 30. When in this position, the ports are in full communication with each other, allowing unimpeded flow of fluid to take place from the exterior of the tubular member 10 to the interior of the sleeve valve member 32. The sleeve valve 32 is urged in a downward direction toward the position just mentioned by a spring member, which is preferably in the form of a rubber or rubberlike tension sleeve 47, the upper end of the sleeve being secured to the lower portion of the sleeve valve member 32 by suitably clamping an enlarged upper end 48 thereof between the sleeve valve member 32 and a retainer ring 49 secured to the sleeve valve 32 in any suitable manner,

as through use of the radial pins 50. The wall of the' housing 24 prevents the retainer ring 49 from becoming dissembled from the sleeve 32.

In a similar fashion, the lower end 51 of the spring sleeve member 47 is of enlarged cross-section and is clamped between the lower portion of the housing section 27 and a retainer member 52 resting upon the upperend of the valve seat 21 and secured to the lower housing section by a plurality of radial pins 53. To equalize the fluid pressure on both sides of the rubber sleeve 47 it may be provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending slots 54.

When the ports 33, 29, 30 are in fully aligned and completely opened position, with the ring 42 engaging the shoulder 44, the rubber spring sleeve member 47 may have no tension or slight tension therein. The upward movement of the sleeve valve member 32 within the housing 24 will stretch the rubber 47 and cause it to tend to move the sleeve valve 32 downwardly to its initial position, as shown in Fig. l-in which the ports are fully open. The upward movement of the sleeve valve 32 occurs under the action of the fluid flowing through the ports 33, 29, 30 and upwardly through the orifice 36 in the upper portion of the sleeve member. The fact that such fluid is throttled by the orifice passage 36 tends to build up a back pressure on the lower portion of the orifice, to move the sleeve valve 32 in an upward direction, thereby misaligning the sleeve valve ports 33 with respect to the other radial ports 29, 30 of the apparatus, andelfecting a throttling of the fluid that can flow between the radial ports.

If fluid is flowing at a relatively low rate through the radial ports 29, 30, 33, very little back pressure would be built up within the sleeve 32 tending to elevate it. Accordingly, the sleeve valve 32 would be disposed in the fully open position disclosed in Fig. 1. In the event the velocity of the fluid passing through the radial ports 29,

30, 33, and upwardly through the orifice 36, increases substantially, then the back pressure built up in the sleeve '32 on the lower side of the orifice would elevate the sleeve valve to disalign the ports 33 and 29, 30, in the manner disclosed in Fig. 4, reducing the effective passage area between the housing ports 29 and the sleeve valve ports 33, and thereby throttling the flow at such points. Ac-

' cordingly, it is evident that as the velocity of flow through the orifice 36 tends to increase, a greater throttling action occurs between the ports 33 and 29, through the longitudinal shifting of the sleeve valve member 32 in the housing 24 against the tension of the rubber spring sleeve 47. This throttling action maintains the volume of fluid passing through the orifice 36 at a substantially constant rate, since decrease in the velocity will cause the rubber spring 47 to pull the sleeve valve 32 back down to a position in which its radial ports 33 are more fully aligned with the radial ports 29, 30 in the housing 28, plug 13 and tubular member 10.

The rate at which fluid will flow into the conduit string B will depend upon the viscosity of the drilling mud, or other fluid in the well bore, the specific gravity of this fluid, the area of the orifice 36, and the force exerted by the rubber tension sleeve 47. The orifice diameter and the strength of the spring member or tension sleeve 47 may be selected, in dependence upon the specific gravity and viscosity of the fluid in the well bore, to insure a relatively slow flow rate of fluid into the conduit string, such that the fluid will not overflow at the top of the hole and drench the surface equipment and personnel.

The fluid will continue flowing into the apparatus during lowering of the conduit string B through the fluid in the well bore. When the conduit string or casing has reached the desired depth in the well bore, the fluid level within the casing will rise to approximate equality with the fluid level around the casing string. Thereafter, fluid may be pumped down the casing string B, the restricted orifice 36 causing a back pressure to build up above the sleeve valve member 32, overcoming the tension of the split latch ring '42, the tapered shoulder 44 forcing the latch ring 42 inwardly within the groove 43, whereupon the sleeve valve 32 can be shifted downwardly to the position disclosed in Fig. 5, in which the latch ring 42 will snap into the companion housing groove 45, precluding return of the sleeve to its initial position.

When the sleeve 32 is locked in this downward position, its radial j ports 33 will be disposed below the lower seal ring 39 in 32 is pumped downwardly to the extent required, but the rubber sleeve valve 47 will not restrictthe flow offlilid downwardly through the apparatus.

Circulating fluid, cement slurry, and the like, may now be pumped down the casing string B, shifting the ball valve member 22 downwardly from its seat 21, this fluid flowing around the ball valve member 22 and between the stop fingers 23 for discharge from the shoe A and for upward passage around the casing string B. When the pumping action is stopped and the fluid pressure in the casing string relieved, any tendency for fluid to flow back into the shoe A and the conduit string B will be precluded by the upward movement of the ball valve member 22 into engagement with its companion seat 21 and seal ring 20.

It is to be noted that the seal rings 37, 39 on opposite sides of the housing ports 29 slidably engagethe periphcry of the sleeve valve member 32, and that the latter member has the same external diameter at such points of slidable engagement. Accordingly, the pressure acting on the exterior of the sleeve valve member 32 is counterbalanced, so that the hydrostatic heads of fluid within and exteriorly of the apparatus do not tend to shift the sleeve valve member in either direction. It is merely the velocity of the fluid flowing through the orifice 36, and which builds up the back pressure on the underside of the orifice, which is eflective to tend to elevate the sleeve valve 32 against the tension of the rubber spring member 47, and which determines the degree of throttling action caused by the misalignment of the ports 33 and 29, 30.

Although disclosed specifically in combination with a back pressure valve member 17, it is evident that the apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid into the conduit string B is eflective in the absence of a back pressure valve mechanism, as, for example, by making the lower portion of the conduit string imperforate at the location of the back pressure valve apparatus. It is also evident that the apparatus is useful in general for controlling the flow of fluidintoiconduit strings, as, for example, in its use for production apparatus to automatically regulate the flow of well production into a tubing or similar conduit string positioned in the well bore. I t

The inventor claims: c

i 1. In well apparatus: tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to be loweredin a Well bore; a back pressure valve in said tubular means adapted to close in an upward direction; said tubular means having a port through its side Wall above said back pressure valve; 21 valve member in said tubular means having a passage therethrough in fluid communication with said back'pressure valve and movable with respect to said port to regulate the flow of fluid therethrough, said'valve member having a flow restricting passage through which fluid flowing through said port and into said valve member passes to build up a back pressure tending to elevate said'valve member to restrict fluid flow through said port; said valve member being movable downwardly to a position closing said port.

2. In well apparatus: tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to be lowered in a well bore; a back pressure valve in said tubular means adapted to close in an'upward direction; said tubular means hav-' ing a port through its side Wall, above'said back pressure valve; a valve member in said tubular means having a passage therethrough in fluid communication with said back pressure valve and movable with respect to said port to regulate, the flow of fluid therethrough, said valve member having a flow restricting passage through which fluid flowing through said port and into said valve member passes to build up a back pressure tending to elevate said valve member to restrict fluid flow through said port; said valve member being movable downwardly to a position closing said port, andspring means acting on said incorporated in a conduit string "to be lowered in a well bore; a back pressure valve in saidtubular means adapted to close in an upward direction; said tubular means having a port through its side wall above said back pressure valve; a valve member in said tubular means having a passage therethrough in fluid communication with said back pressure valve and movable with respect to said port to regulate the flow of fluid therethrough, said valve member having a, flow restricting passage through which fluid flowing through said port and into said valve member passes to build up a back pressure tending to elevate said valve memberto restrict fluid flow through said port; said valve member being movable downwardly in said tubular means to a position closing said port; and means for securing said valve member in said port closing position.

4. In well apparatus; tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to be lowered in a well bore; a back pressure valve in said tubular means adapted to close in an upwarddirection; said tubular means having a port through its side wall above said back pressure valve; a valve member in said tubular means having a passage therethrough in fluid communication with said 'back pressure valve and movable'with respect to said port to regulate the flow of fluid therethrough, said valve member having a flow restricting passage through which fluid flowingthrough said port and into said valve member passes to build up aback pressure tending to shift said valve member in one longitudinal direction with respect to said tubular meansto restrict fluid flow through said port; said valve member being movable in the other longitudinal direction to a position closing said, port.

5. Inwell apparatus: tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to .be lowered in a well bore; a back pressurevalve in said tubular means adapted to close in an upward direction; said tubular rneans having a port through its side wallabovesaid back pressure valve; a valve member in said tubular means having a passage therethrough in'fluid communication with said back pressure valve and movable with, respect to said,

port to regulate the flow of fluid'therethrough, said valve member having a flow restricting passage through which fluid flowing throughsaid port and into said valve member passes to build up a back pressure tending to shift said valve member in one longitudinal direction with respect to said tubular means to restrict fluid flow through said port; said valve member beingmovable longitu-j dinally in said tubular 'means in the other direction to a position closing said port;and means for securing said valve member in said port closing position.

6. In well apparatus: tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to be lowered in a well bore; said tubular means having a port through its side wall; a valve member in said tubular means movable with respect to said port to regulate the .flow of fluid therethrough, said valve member having an axial, central flow restricting passage through which fluid flowing through said port and into said valve member passes to build up a back pressure tending to movesaid valve member in one longitudinal direction within said tubular means to restrict fluid flow through said port; and means on said valve member for enabling said valve member to be shifted in the opposite longitudinal direction to a position closing said port.

' 7. In well apparatus: tubular means adapted to be build up a back pressure tending to movesaid valve member in one longitudinal direction'within said tubular means to restrict fluid flow through said port; means on said valve member for enabling said valve member to be shifted in the opposite'longitudinal direction to a position closing said port; and spring means acting on said valve member to urge it to a position allowing greater flow of fluid through said port.

8. In well apparatus: tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to be lowered in a well bore; a back pressure valve in said tubular means adapted to close in an upward direction; said tubular means having a port through its side wall above said back pressure valve; a sleeve valve member in said tubular means having a passage therethrough in fluid communication with said back pressure valve and having a port adapted to be aligned with respect to said tubular means port to allow full flow of fluid through said ports, said sleeve valve member being shiftable to disalign said ports to restrict the flow of fluid therethrough, said sleeve valve member having a flow restricting passage through which fluid flowing through said ports and into said sleeve valve member passes to build up a back pressure tending to elevate said sleeve valve member to disalign said ports and restrict fluid flowing therethrough; said valve memher being movable downwardly to a position closing said port.

9. In well apparatus: tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to be lowered in a well bore; a back pressure valve in said tubular means adapted to close in an upward direction; said tubular means having a port through its side wall above said back pressure valve; a sleeve valve member in said tubular means having a passage therethrough in fluid communication with said back pressure valve and having a port adapted to be aligned with respect to said tubular means port to allow full flow of fluid through said ports, said sleeve valve member being shiftable to disalign said ports to restrict the flow of fluid therethrough, said sleeve valve member having a flow restricting passage through which fluid flowing through said ports and into said sleeve valve member passes to build up a back pressure tending to elevate said sleeve valve member to disalign said ports and restrict fluid flowing therethrough; releasable stop means in said tubular means engageable with said sleeve valve member to limit downward movement of said sleeve valve member and fully align said sleeve valve member port with said tubular means port; and means for releasing said stop means to enable said sleeve valve member to be shifted downwardly to a position closing said tubular means port.

10. In well apparatus: tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to be lowered in a well bore; said tubular means having a port through its side wall; a sleeve valve member in said tubular means having a port adapted to be aligned with respect to said tubular means port to allow full flow of fluid through said ports, said sleeve valve member being shiftable to disalign said ports to restrict the flow of fluid therethrough, said sleevevalve member having an axial, central flow restricting passage through which fluid flowing through said ports and into said sleeve valve member passes to build up a back pressure tending to elevate said sleeve valve member from a position restricting fluid flow through said port to disalign said ports and restrict fluid flowing therethrough; and means on said sleeve valve member enabling said sleeve valve member to be shifted downwardly in said tubular means to a position closing said port in said tubular means.

11. In well apparatus: tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to be lowered in a well bore; said tubular means having a port through its side wall; a sleeve valve member in said tubular means having a port adapted to be aligned with respect to said tubular means port to allow full flow of fluid through said ports, said sleeve valve member being shiftable to disalign said ports to restrict the flow of fluid therethrough, said sleeve. valve member having a flow resricting passage through which fluid flowing through said ports and into said sleeve valve member passes to build up a back pressure tending to elevate said sleeve valve member to disalign said ports and restrict fluid flowing therethrough; releasable stop means in said tubular means engageable with said sleeve valve member to limit downward movement of said sleeve valve member and fully align said sleeve valve member port with said tubular means port; and means for releasing said stop means to shift said sleeve valve member downwardly to a position closing said tubular means port.

12. In well apparatus: tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to be lowered in a well bore; said tubular means having a port through its side wall; a valve member in said tubular means movable with respect to said port to regulate the flow of fluid therethrough, said valve member having a flow restricting passage through which fluid flowing through said port and into said valve member passes to build up a back pressure tending to move said valve member in one longitudinal direction within said tubular means to restrict fluid flow through said port; means on said valve member for enabling said valve member to be shifted in the opposite longitudinal direction to a position closing said port; and an elastic sleeve secured to said valve member and tubular means for urging said valve memher from a position restricting fluid flow through said port to a position fully opening said port.

13. In well apparatus: tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to be lowered in a well bore; a back pressure valve in said tubular means adapted to close in an upward direction; said tubular means having a port through its side wall above said back pressure valve; a shiftable valve member in said tubular means having a passage therethrough in fluid communication with said back pressure valve, said valve member having a port alignable with said port of the tubular means to permit fluid to flow through said port into said valve member and then upwardly into said tubular means and the conduit string; means for locating said valve member in said tubular means with said valve member port in alignment with said port of said tubular means; means within said valve member and responsive to the pressure of the fluid flowing through said ports for regulating the flow of fluid through said ports; and means for shifting said valve member downwardly in said tubular means to a position disaligning and closing said ports to prevent flow of fluid therethrough.

14. In well apparatus: tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to be lowered in a well bore; a back pressure valve in said tubular means adapted to close in an upward direction; said tubular means having a port through its side wall above said back pressure valve; a shiftable valve member in said tubular means having a passage therethrough in fluid communication with said back pressure valve, said valve member having a port alignable with said port of the tubular means to permit fluid to flow through said port into said valve member and then upwardly into said tubular means and the conduit string; means for locating said valve member in said tubular means with said valve member port in alignment with said port of said tubular means; means within said valve member and responsive to the pressure of the fluid flowing through said ports for regulating the flow of fluid through said ports; means for shifting said valve member downwardly in said tubular means to a position disaligning and closing said ports to prevent flow of. fluid therethrough; and means for securing said valve member in said port closing position.

15. In well apparatus: tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to be lowered in a well bore; a back pressure valve in said tubular means adapted to close in an upward direction; said tubular means having a port through its side wall above said back pressure valve; a shiftable valve member in said tubular means having a passage therethrough in fluid commu nication with said back pressure valve, said valve member having a port alignable with said port of the tubular means to permit fluid to flow through said port into said valve member and then upwardly into said tubular means and the conduit string; means within said valve member and responsive to the pressure of the fluid flowing through said ports for regulating the flow of fluid through said ports; releasable means for preventing downward movement of said valve member to a position disaligning said ports; and means for shifting said valve member downwardly in said tubular means to release said releasable means and then locate said valve memher in a position disaligning and closing said ports to prevent flow of fluid therethrough.

16. In well apparatus: tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to belowered in a well bore; a back pressure valve in said tubular means adapted to close in an upward direction; said tubular means having a port through its side wall above said back pressure valve; a shiftable valve member in said tubular means having a passage therethrough in fluid communication with said back pressure valve, said valve member having a port alignable with said port of the tubular means to permit fluid to flow through said port into said valve member and then upwardly into said tubular means and the conduit string; means within said valve member and responsive to the pressure of the fluid flowing through said ports for regulating the flow of fluid through said ports; releasable means for preventing downward movement of said valve member to a position disaligning said ports; means for shifting said valve member downwardly in said tubular means to release said releasable means and then locate said valve member in a position disaligning and closing said ports to prevent flow of fluid therethrough; and means for securing said valve member in such port closing position.

17. In well apparatus: tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to be lowered in a well bore, said tubular means having a port'through its side wall; a shiftable valve member in said tubular means having a passage therethrough and also having a port alignable with said port of the tubular means to permit fluid to flow through said ports into said valve member and then upwardly into said tubular means and the conduit string; means for locating said valve member in said tubular means with said valve member port in alignment with said port of said tubular means; means within said valve member and responsive to the pressure of the fluid flowing through said ports for regulating the flow of fluid through said ports; and means for shifting said valve member downwardly in said tubular means to a position disaligning and closing said ports to prevent flow of fluid therethrough.

18. In Well apparatus: tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to be lowered in a well bore, said tubular means having a port through its side wall; a shiftable valve member in said tubular means having a passage therethrough and also having a port alignable with said port of the tubular means to permit fluid to flow through said ports into said valve member and then upwardly into said tubular means and the conduit string; means for locating said valve member in said tubular means with said valve member port in alignment With said port of said tubular means; means within said valve member and responsive to the pressure of the fluid flowing through said ports for regulating the flow of fluid through said ports; means for shifting said valve member downwardly in said tubular means to a position disaligning and closing said ports to prevent flow of fluid therethrough; and means for securing said valve member in such port closing position.

19. In well apparatus: tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to be lowered in a well bore, said tubular means having a port through its side Wall; a shiftable valve member in said tubular means having a passage therethrough and also having a port alignable with said port of the tubular means to permit fluid to flow through said ports into said valve member and then upwardly into said tubular means and the conduit string; means within said valve member and responsive to the pressure of the fluid flowing through said ports for regulating the flow of fluid through said ports; releasable means for preventing downward movement of said valve member to a position disaligning the ports; and means for shifting said valve member downwardly in said tubular means to release said releasable means and locate said valve member in a position in which said ports are disaligned and closed to prevent flow of fluid therethrough.

20. In well apparatus: tubular means adapted to be incorporated in a conduit string to be lowered in a well bore, said tubular means having a port through its side wall; a shiftable valve member in said tubular means having a passage therethrough and also having a port alignable with said port of the tubular means to permit fluid to flow through said ports into said valve member and then upwardly into said tubular means and the conduit string; means within said valve member and responsive to the pressure of the fluid flowing through said ports for regulating the flow of fluid through said ports; releasable means for preventing downward movement of said valve member to a position disaligning the ports; means for shifting said valve member downwardly in said tubular means to release said releasable means and locate said valve member in a position in which said ports are disaligned and closed to prevent flow of fluid therethrough; and means for securing said valve member in such port closing position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,907,162 Webb May 2, 1933 1,933,852 Hahn Nov. 7, 1933 2,117,536 Baker May 17, 1838 2,198,487 Sick Apr. 23, 1940 2,208,690 Tydon July 23, 1940 2,593,520 Baker Apr. 22, 1952 2,676,573 Abbe Apr. 27, 1954 2,698,054 Brown Dec. 28, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 678,563 France of 1930

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