Multi position sleeve assembly

Abstract

A three-position sleeve assembly having a housing with one or more housing ports and two sliding sleeves retained in a housing bore. The first sliding sleeve is movable between an open position to permit fluid flow through the housing ports, and a closed position to obstruct the housing ports with the first sleeve. The second sliding sleeve has one or more metering orifices and can be actuated to a metering position to align the metering orifices with the one or more housing ports to permit fluid flow through the housing ports at a metered flow rate, and an inactive position where the second sleeve is clear of the housing ports. The first and second sleeves can be actuated to set the sleeve assembly to an open mode, a closed mode, or a metering mode.

1 . A three-position sleeve assembly for use in a wellbore, comprising:
 a housing comprising a housing bore and one or more housing ports;   a first sliding sleeve located in the housing bore and having a first sleeve profile, the first sliding sleeve axially actuable between an open position wherein the one or more housing ports are exposed for permitting fluid communication therethrough, and a closed position wherein the first sliding sleeve obstructs the one or more housing ports for blocking fluid communication therethrough;   a second sliding sleeve located within the housing bore and having at least one metering orifice and a second sleeve profile, the second sliding sleeve axially actuable between a metering position wherein the at least one metering orifice is aligned with the one or more housing ports, and an inactive position wherein the second sliding sleeve is clear of the one or more housing ports.   
     
     
         2 . The sleeve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second sliding sleeve is located downhole of the first sliding sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The sleeve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second sleeve profile has a lesser axial length than the first sleeve profile.