US Patent 7377327 Variable choke valve

Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a more reliable variable choke flow control valve. In one embodiment, a variable choke valve for use in a wellbore is provided. The valve includes a tubular housing having an axial bore therethrough and a port through a wall thereof. The valve further includes a tubular sleeve having an axial bore therethrough and first and second holes through a wall thereof and disposed within the housing. The first hole is larger than the second hole, and the sleeve is actuatable among three positions: a first position where the first hole is aligned with the port, a second position where the second hole is aligned with the port, and a third position where the sleeve wall is aligned with the port.