Flapper valve

Abstract

A flapper for a downhole valve including a surface configured to substantially geometrically mate with a tubular section within which the flapper is mounted when in an open position. The surface reduces an amount of fluid that can exist between the flapper and a housing member thereby reducing the effect of turbulence on the flapper. The geometrically mating surface may be a hard surface that is configured to mate or may be a softer surface that will self conform.

1 . A flapper for a downhole valve comprises a conformable surface material disposed as a part of the flapper and configured to substantially geometrically mate with a tubular section within which the flapper is mounted when in an open position, the conformable surface material configured and positioned to reduce turbulence between the flapper and the tubular section. 
     
     
         2 . The flapper as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the conformable surface material is compressible. 
     
     
         3 . The flapper as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the conformable surface material has shape memory. 
     
     
         4 . The flapper as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the conformable surface material is a flexible material. 
     
     
         5 . The flapper as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the conformable surface material is soft. 
     
     
         6 . The flapper as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the conformable surface material self-conforms to a shape of the tubular section when the flapper is in the open position. 
     
     
         7 . The flapper as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the conformable surface material substantially assumes any irregularities of an inside surface of the tubular section in the open position of the flapper. 
     
     
         8 . The flapper as claimed in  claim 5  wherein volumes created by the irregularities within which turbulent fluids might otherwise act are reduced by the conformable surface material. 
     
     
         9 . The flapper as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a shape of the tubular section and any irregularities therein are assumed by the conformable surface material upon contact of the conformable surface material with the tubular section. 
     
     
         10 . The flapper as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the conformable surface material conforms to an inside surface of the tubular section in the open position of the flapper. 
     
     
         11 . The flapper as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the conformable surface material assumes a shape of an inside surface of the tubular section in the open position of the flapper. 
     
     
         12 . The flapper as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the conformable surface material is conformable to irregularities of the tubular section, including irregularities caused by flow cutting, erosion, and deformation. 
     
     
         13 . The flapper as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the conformable surface material is a surface of the flapper. 
     
     
         14 . The flapper as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the conformable surface material is attached to a surface of the flapper. 
     
     
         15 . The flapper as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the conformable surface material extends across a surface of the flapper. 
     
     
         16 . The flapper as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the conformable surface material extends substantially from a first end of the flapper adjacent a pivot point thereof to adjacent an opposite second end of the flapper. 
     
     
         17 . The flapper as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flapper includes an erosion resistant material.