Downhole Screen with Valve Feature

Abstract

A screen assembly for downhole uses features screen sections that have a valve associated with the screen base pipe. Flow through the screen has to go into an annular space to reach one or more ports on the base pipe over which is located a sliding sleeve. The sliding sleeve is preferably located at an axially spaced location from the screen and its underlying base pipe to allow the presence of the sliding sleeve to be located in a recess avoiding a drift diameter reduction in the screen assembly.

1 . A screen assembly for subterranean use, comprising:
 a base pipe defining a main bore having a drift dimension;   a screen mounted over said base pipe defining a flow passage outside said base pipe;   a valve member for selective communication of said flow passage to said main bore, said valve member in said bore without reducing its drift dimension.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said valve member is axially offset from said screen.   
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said valve member is mounted to a housing that is secured to an end of said base pipe.   
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said valve member is mounted to a housing that is integral with said base pipe.   
     
     
         5  . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said valve member comprises a sliding sleeve. 
 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein:
 said sliding sleeve is movable between travel stops that define a recess where said sliding sleeve is mounted.   
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein:
 said sliding sleeve does not extend beyond said recess.   
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein:
 said travel stops do not reduce said drift dimension.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an inflow control device in said flow passage.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein:
 said flow passage extends through said housing.   
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said valve member comprises a sliding sleeve.   
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said sliding sleeve has at least one port.   
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein:
 said housing comprises spaced seals that straddle said port in an open position of said sleeve.   
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the only way for flow through said screen to reach said main bore is through said valve member.