Unitary actuator valve for downhole operations

Abstract

A member includes a unitary body defining a first portion integrally joined with a second portion through one or more shear tabs

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A member comprising:
 a unitary body defining a first portion integrally joined with a second portion through one or more shear tabs.   
     
     
         2 . The member according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion defines a piston portion having a first end section including an activation member, a second end section, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. 
     
     
         3 . The member according to  claim 2 , wherein the second portion defines a piston ring member disposed adjacent the first end section and includes a first section having a first diameter and a second section having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The member according to  claim 3 , wherein the second end section includes at least one ball receiving recess and a ball arranged in the ball receiving recess. 
     
     
         5 . The member according to  claim 3 , wherein the second end section includes a plurality of cantilevered fingers, each of the plurality of cantilevered fingers including a first radially outwardly directed projection and a second radially outwardly directed projection axially spaced from the first radially outwardly directed projection. 
     
     
         6 . The member according to  claim 5 , wherein the second end section includes a hub including a recess and a stopper integrally joined to the hub through at least one shear element, the stopper limiting axial movement of the piston member. 
     
     
         7 . The member according to  claim 6 , where the stopper includes a central bore including an annular shoulder portion selectively receivable of the second radially outwardly directed projection. 
     
     
         8 . The member according to  claim 5 , wherein the second end section includes a plurality of slots defining the plurality of cantilevered fingers. 
     
     
         9 . The member according to  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of slots defines a spiral slot. 
     
     
         10 . An actuator valve (AV) comprising:
 a piston member receiver including an inner wall defining a passage, the inner wall including at least one annular shoulder; and   a piston member including a unitary body defining a first portion integrally joined with a second portion through one or more shear tabs.   
     
     
         11 . The AV according to  claim 10 , wherein the first portion defines a piston portion of the unitary body including a first end section disposed axially outwardly of the passage, a second end section arranged within the passage and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. 
     
     
         12 . The AV according to  claim 11 , wherein the second portion defines a piston ring member disposed adjacent the first end section and includes a first section having a first diameter received by the passage and a second section having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The AV according to  claim 12 , wherein the second end section includes at least one ball receiving recess and a ball arranged in the ball receiving recess, the ball being selectively engageable with the at least one annular shoulder preventing axially outwardly directed movement of the piston member relative to the passage. 
     
     
         14 . The AV according to  claim 12 , wherein the second end section includes a plurality of cantilevered fingers, each of the plurality of cantilevered fingers including a first radially outwardly directed projection and a second radially outwardly directed projection axially spaced from the first radially outwardly directed projection, the first radially outwardly directed projection being selectively engageable with the annular shoulder. 
     
     
         15 . The AV according to  claim 14 , wherein the second end section includes a hub including a recess and a stopper integrally joined to the hub through at least one shear element, the stopper limiting axial movement of the piston member into the passage. 
     
     
         16 . The AV according to  claim 15 , where the stopper includes a central bore including an annular shoulder portion selectively receivable of the second radially outwardly directed projection. 
     
     
         17 . The AV according to  claim 14 , wherein the second end section includes a plurality of slots defining the plurality of cantilevered fingers. 
     
     
         18 . The AV according to  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of slots defines a spiral slot. 
     
     
         19 . The AV according to  claim 12 , wherein the piston member receiver includes an annular recess having a shoulder portion and a spring arranged in the annular recess between the shoulder portion and the piston ring member. 
     
     
         20 . The AV according to  claim 10 , wherein the piston member receiver includes a fluid outlet selectively exposed to a fluid flow.