US1471758A - Apparatus for ejecting fluids from wells - Google Patents

Description

Oct g v R. H. TUCKER APPARATUS vFon EJECTING FLUIDs FROM wELLs Filed June' 1. 1922 I Patented Oct. 23, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH H. TUcxEn, oE Los -Aue-Enns, CALIFORNIA.

APPARATUS FOR EJECTING FLUIDS FROM WELLS.

Application filed Iune 1, 1922. Serial 170,565,132.

ing apparatus in which there is provided a stationary foot section having a lstationary upwardly extending sleeve. Upon this sleeve there is slidably fitted a pistonv operating in the stationary pump foot section. Means Vare provided for forcing compressed air down into the center sleeve and guide upon which the piston slides so that an accumulated air pressure serves to act as a piston for lifting the plunger member in the foot section. Means are also provided for releasing the accumulated-air pressure after the pump plunger has reached a predetermmed polnt in its upward liquid lifting) Stroke.

ther objects will be made manifest in the following specification of an embodi ment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichl Figure 1 is a vertical ntral section through a form of the pump- Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

The presentpump is shown as of the type adapted to be lowered into the bottom of a well hole W in which there is arranged the outer casing C which is perforated as at 2 at its lower portion for the `reception of well liquid.

Substantially concentrically spaced with.- in the casing C is a pump tubing 3 of any suitable number of sections, and this is provided with a foot section 4 at its lower end, the foot section being connected to the upper sections as by a suitable coupling 5 of differential diameters; the foot section being somewhat smaller in diameter than the upper sections 3, of which the lower part of only one is shown.

The foot section 4 is provided with a substantial shoe 6 closing the lower section 4 and carrying on its lower face a screen 7 of any suitable construction for admitting the well liquid. The shoe 6 is provided with a series of valve seats 8 upon which rest upwardly opening valves 9 of any suitable construction and design. -Co-axially arranged upon the shoe 6 is an air pressure column 10 of suitable diameter and which extends a `desired height upwardly from theV shoe. Surrounding the air column 10 is a sleeve 11 having a transverse head 12 from which extends upwardly ai short reduced stem 13.v The'head or shoulder 12 of the sleeve 11 is normally forced down toward the upper open end of the'column 10 by an.

expanslon spring 14, the upper end of which enga-ges a. suitable support as a gland nut 15 threaded intothe contiguous end of an air pipe 16, to the lower end of which is secured a spider 16, the rim of which is of such diameter as to slide freely down through the pump tube 3 and rest upon the upper end of the pump foot section 4. The lower end'of the spring rests upon the upper face ofthe head 12.

The sleeve 11 slidably and snugly fits upon the column 10 and carries a pistonl'ike flange 17 having a cylindrical wall 18 about which is disposed suitable packing l means 19 slidably bearing upon the lower inner surface of the foot section 4. Therefore, the cylindrical wall 18 with its sleevey 10 and its Stem 13 forms a substantially unitary or integral device operating in the nature of a piston or plunger. v

Upon the diametrical wall or iange 17 of the plunger there is seated a suitable number of desirable upwardly opening check valves 20'.

The pipe 16 is constructed of any suitable number of sections and serves as a conduit for compressed air which, when forced downwardly therethrough, enters the tubular stem 13 land the stationary compression chamber or column 10 in which the pressure of the air reacts as a piston upon the piston part 12 of the plunger device and as theaccumulated pressure overcomes the pressure of the column of liquid in thev pump tube 3 the plunger is bodily lifted against the reaction of the spring 14 and the sustained column of liquid 'is movedupwardly and discharged from lthe outlet at the head of the pump. During' the upwardmovement ofthe plunger head 17, the tendency to vacuumize the chamber above the shoe 6 causes the opening of the valves 9 and the inflow of fluid into the plunger chamber below the head 17. l.

A. feature of the invention is that aswell as providing a pneumatically operative pump plunger, further, air is intermittently discharged into the column of Huid in the pump tube 3, and this air facilitates in rendering the liquid buoyant and .accelerates the discharge by virtue of displacement. 'll`o that end, the sleeve 11 of the plunger is provided with suitable means for releasing the compressed air in the air column 10 when the plunger device has reached a predetermined position in its ascent. A form of air releasing means is shown as comprising a series of radially arranged outlets 21 in the sleeve 11, and these outlets are provided with upturned ends carrying check valves 22. When the outlets 21 are shifted upwardly, as to the end of the column 10,then the air compressed therein is permitted to escape outwardly through the check valves 22 and will enter and comingle with the column of liquid in the well tube 3.

Since the plunger device is elevated through the instrumentality oi compressed air, it will be clear that as soon as the relief valves or outlets 21 communicate with the compressed air in the column 10, then the pressure of the air will instantly tall and the plunger will start its descent which, underthe load of the liquid in the pump tube and by the reaction of the spring 14:, will cause the plunger to return to its lowermost position until air pressure is again built up after the outlets and valves 22 have been shifted down to cut ed the escape of air.

'llhe pump plunger stem 13 is guided at lts upper end in the air pipe 13, and when it is desired to remove the pump plunger from the well, the air pipe 16 is lnfted until it brings the packing seat 16 therein up against a collar 13 on the upper end of the .stem 13. Thereafter, further upward pullmg o f the air pipe 16 serves to carry with the plpe the spider 7 and the plunger device leaving the foot section d in its stationary position in the well'casing.

Various modifications and changes may be resorted'to within the spirit of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A pneumatically operated plunger pump consisting of a stationary pump tube havlng a f oot section provided with inlet valves in its lower portion, a stationary compressed air column fixed to the foot sectlon, an air pressure pipe arranged in the pump tube, a piston-like plunger operatlvely fitting the foot section and having communication with the air pipe whereby compressed air may be delivered from. the pipe into said column whereby its pressure 1s operative as a piston upon the plunger to litt the same, and automatic air exhaustvalves carried by the plunger.`

2. A pneumatically operated plunger pump consisting of a stationary pump tube having a foot section provided with inlet valves in its lower portion, a stationary compressed air column xed to the foot section, a stationary air pressure pipe arranged in and extending nearly to the bottom of the pump tube, a piston-like plunger operatively fitting the foot section and having communication with and sliding in the vair pipe whereby compressed air may be delivered from the pipe into said column whereby its pressure is operative-as a piston upon the plunger to lift the same, and

vmeans for intermittently releasing air from the compressed air chamber in the apparatus into the liquid in the pump tube.

3. A pneumatically operative plunger pump comprising a stationary inlet valved means including a pump tube to be arranged ina well hole, a plunger valved device operative within said tube by pneumatic pressure created therein and through which `well fluid passes, and ymeans for intermittently discharging air from said means into the pump tube.

4t. A pneumatically operative plunger pump consisting of a pump tube having a valved inlet means at its foot, a compressed air column ixed to the foot of the tube, an air supply pipe extendingl down into the tube and spaced above said column, a plunger device slidably tting said column and having a part slidably fitting in the air suppl pipe and providing for communication between said pipe and said column wherein compressed air acts as a piston upon said plunger device to shift the same in one direction for elevating liquid in the pump tube and an air exhaust means for discharging the air column.

5. A. pneumatically operative plunger 'pump consisting of a pump tube having a valved inlet means at its foot, a compressed air column fixed to the foot of the tube, an airV supply pipe extending down into the tube and spaced above said column, a plunger device slidably fitting said column and having a part slidably fitting in the air supply pipe and providing for communication between said pipe and said column wherein compressed air acts as a piston upon said plunger device to shift the same in one direction for elevating liquid in the pump tube. and means operative during the relative movement of lsaid plunger device and the air pressure column for intermittently discharging air into the liquid in the pump tube.

6. A pneumatically operative plunger pump consisting of a pump tube having a valved inlet means at its toot. a compressed air column xed to the foot of the tube, an air supply pipe extending down into the tube and spaced above said column, a plung- CID er device slidably fittingl said column and having a part slidably fitting in the air suppl pipe and providing for communication iietween said pipe and said column wherein compressed air acts as a piston upon said plunger device to shift the same in one direction for elevating liquid in the pump tube, and means operative during the relative movement of said plunger device and the air pressure column for intermittently discharging air into the liquid in the pump tube, said means comprising air outlets arranged on the plunger device and which are designed to be uncovered by the upward movement thereof with respect to the air column.

7. A pneumatically operative plunger pump consisting of a pump tube having a valved inlet means at its foot, a compressed air column fixed to the foot of the tube, an air supply pipe extending down into the tube and spaced above said column, aplunger device slidably fitting said column and having a part slidably fitting in the air supply pipe and providing for communication between said pipe and said column wherein compressed air acts as a piston upon said plunger device to shift the same in one direction for elevating liquid in the pump tube, means operative during the relative movement of said plunger device and the air pressure column for intermittently discharging air into the liquid in the pump tube,l

and means for returning the pump plunger to its lower position.

8. A pneumatically operative plunger pump consisting of a pump tube having a valved inlet means at its foot, a compressed air column fixed to the foot of the tube, an air supply pipe extending down into the tube and spaced above said column, a plunger device slidably fitting said column and having a partslidably fitting in the air supply pipe and providing for communication between said pipe and said column wherein compressed air acts as a piston upon said plunger device'to shift the same in one direction for elevating liquid in the pump tube, means operative during the relative movement of said plunger device and the air pressure column for intermittently discharging air into the liquidv in the pump tube, and a spring for returning the pump plunger to its lower position.

9. A pneumatically operative plunger pump consisting of a 'stationary pump tube having a` foot section provided with inlet valves, said foot section having a. central, upwardly extending column; a stationary air pressure pipe extending down in the pump tube; a piston-like plunger operatively fitting the foot section and having a portion slidably fitting 'the said column, an'

operating connection between the lower end o the stationary air pipe and said plung-l er whereby air is conveyed down to the air column, and means for discharging the compressed air from the column.

10. A pneumatically operative plunger pump including a stationary pump tube having afoot section with inlet valves, a stationary air supplying means extending down in the pump tube and nearly to the bottom thereof; an air column fixed to the foot section; a plunger device surrounding said column and operating on the same and having a packed running fit with the tube; `an operating means connecting the stationary air pipe and the air column to supply air to the latter and which is connected to the plunger to operate the latter; and means for exhausting the compressed air at the upper stroke of the plunger.

11. A pneumatically operative plunger pump including a stationary pump tube having a foot section with inlet valves; a stationary air supplying means extending down in the pump tube andnearly to the bottom thereof; an air column fixed to the foot section; a plunger device surrounding 'said column and operating on the same and having a packed running fit with the tube; an operating means connecting the stationary air pipe and the air column tosupply air to the latter, said connecting means lincluding a piston-like part upon which the compressed air in the column reacts, and which is connected to the plunger to operate the latter; and means for exhausting the compressed air at the upper stroke of the plunger.

12. A pneumatically operative plunger pump including a stationary pump tube havlng an inlet-valved foot section; a stationary compressed air column; a piston-like plunger operatively fitting the foot section and being provided with upwardly opening valves for the passage of well uid on the downward stroke of the plunger; means for supplying compressed air to said column to operate the plunger; and means for exhausting air from the column at the end of the upward stroke of the plunger.

13. A pneumatically operative plunger pump including a stationary pump tube hav- 'ing an inlet-valved foot section; a stationary compressed air column; a piston-like plunger operatively fitting the foot section and being provided with upwardly opening valves for the passage of well fluid on the downward stroke of the plunger; means for supplying compressed air to said column to operate the plunger; and means for exhausting air from the column at theend of the upward stroke of the plunger; said supplying means including a stationary air pipe extending down into the tube and an operating tubular connection communicating with the said column.

14. A pneumatically operative plunger pump including a stationary pump tube having an inlet-valved foot section; a stationary compressed air column; a piston-like plunger operatively fitting the foot section and being provided with upwardly opening valves for the passage of well fluid on the downward stroke of the plunger; means for supplying compressed air to said column to operate the plunger; and means for exhausting air from the column at the end of the upward stroke of the plunger; said supplying means including a stationary air pipe extending down into the tube and anV oper` ating tubular connection communicating with the said column ,and being' connected to the piston-like plunger.

15. A pneumatically operative plunger pump including a stationary pump tube having an inlet-valved foot section; a stationary compressed air column; a piston-like plunger operatively fitting the foot. section and being provided with upwardly opening valves for the passage of well fluid on the downwar'lstroke of the plunger; means for supplying compressed air to said column to operate the plunger; and means for eX- hausting air from the column at the end of the upward stroke of the plunger; said air supplying means including a stationary air pipe extending down into the pump tube and ending near the bottom thereof, and having a sliding extension fitting the colf umn and forming communication between the columnv and the ed to the plunger.

navman pipe, and being connect- 16. A pneumatically operative plunger pump including a stationary tube having an inlet-valved foot section, a stationary air column forming a pneumatic cylinder nxed in the bottom of the column, a plunger slid- 40 ably fitting the column and thetube, a stationary air pipe extending down into the tube and terminating above the said col-q, umn, a conduit slidably mounted in the lower end of said pipe and communicating with the stationary column and being con` nected to the plunger, and means for enhausting air from the column at the upper limit of movement of the plunger.

17. A pneumatically operative plunger ably fitting the column and the tube, a sta`r 555 tionary air pipe extending down` into the tube and terminating above the said column, a conduit slidably mounted in the lower end of said pipe and communicating with the stationary column and being con` nected to the plunger, and means for eX- hausting air from the column at the upper ,limit of movement of the plunger, said conduit providing a connection with the air pipe wherebythe plunger can be pulled from 05 the tube when the air pipe is pulled.

ln testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specilication.

RALPH n; rnonnn.

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