Subsurface valve having an energy absorption device

Abstract

A system for completing a well bore, comprises, a string having a housing, a valve having a valve seat positioned within the housing, the valve seat having an inner channel, a flapper pivotally coupled to the valve seat in which the flapper is configured to move from a first open position to a second closed position such that the inner channel is at least partially obstructed. An energy dampening device is coupled to the valve seat, such that the energy dampening device is configured to at least partially absorb an impact of the flapper on the valve seat.

1 . A system for use in a wellbore, comprising:
 a string comprising a housing in which the housing comprises a valve;   wherein the valve comprises a valve seat and a flapper configured to pivot relative to the valve seat, the valve seat having an inner channel;   wherein the flapper is configured to move between a first position and a second position in which the inner channel is obstructed in the second position; and   an energy dampening device coupled to the valve seat;   wherein the energy dampening device is configured to at least partially dissipate an impact of the flapper on the valve seat.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve positioned in the inner channel of the valve seat and configured to retain the flapper in the first open position; 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy dampening device is coupled to the valve seat at a position distal to the flapper. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is a fluid loss control valve. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy dampening device comprises a spring. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the energy dampening device comprises at least one Belleville spring. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the energy dampening device comprises a plurality of Belleville springs. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the energy dampening device comprises a coiled spring. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy dampening device comprises a resilient ring. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the resilient ring comprises a polymer material. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises an increased diameter portion for receiving the valve seat and the flapper. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner channel of the valve seat is substantially unobstructed by the flapper when the flapper is in the open position. 
   
   
       13 . A system for conveying wellbore fluids, comprising:
 a string having a housing, in which the housing comprises a safety valve;   wherein the safety valve comprises a valve seat and a flapper configured to pivot relative to the valve seat, the valve seat having an inner channel;   wherein the flapper is configured to move between a first position and a second position in which the inner channel is obstructed in the second position; and   an energy dampening device configured to oppose at least a portion of a motion of the flapper moving to the second position;   wherein the energy dampening device is configured to at least partially reduce an impact of the flapper on the valve seat.   
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the energy dampening device comprises a spring. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the energy dampening device comprises a plurality of Belleville springs. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the energy dampening device comprises a coiled spring. 
   
   
       17 . A valve for use in a wellbore comprising:
 a valve seat, the valve seat having an inner channel;   a flapper pivotally coupled to the valve seat, the flapper configured to move between a first position and a second position in which the inner channel is obstructed; and   a sleeve positioned in the inner channel of the valve seat and configured to retain the flapper in the first position;   an energy dampening device coupled to the valve seat;   wherein the energy dampening device is configured to at least partially absorb an impact of the flapper on the valve seat.   
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the energy dampening device is coupled to the valve seat at a position distal to the flapper. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the energy dampening device is coupled to the valve seat at a position proximate to the flapper. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the energy dampening device comprises a plunger and a spring, the plunger having a surface configured to engage the flapper.