.~ Fluid flow causes pellet to block opening in wall of conduit
DEFINITION
Classification: 166/284
(under subclass 244.1) A process in which there is an opening in the side wall of a pipe or well conduit and a pellet entrained in a fluid is caused to be moved by said fluid to impede flow of said fluid through the opening, a single pellet being used to impede flow through an opening.
(1) Note. Plural pellets may be used to block plural openings but only one pellet is used for each of the openings blocked by the pellets. If a plurality of pellets or particles are used to block an opening the operation is considered to be a cementing or plugging process for subclasses 285+.
(2) Note. The pellet must be free to travel a substantial distance due to fluid flow. A pellet confined in a cage
adjacent an opening which pellet is moved by fluid flow to block the opening is considered a check valve. A process using such a pellet would be classified on other features.
