US1836872A - Plunger assembly for fluid pressure operated pumps - Google Patents

Description

N. H. RICKER Dec. 15, 1931.

PLUNGER ASSEMBLY FOR FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED PUMPS Filed April 16, 1929 INVENTOR fr /r/A i A l Nunn :HHIH liv/IIA llllllllllllllll Il. l. 1 s

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ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 15, 1931 UNITED STATESl PATENT OFFICE NORMAN H. RICXER, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR T0 HUGHES TOOL COMPANY, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, A CORPORATION OF TEXAS PLUNGER ASSEMBLY FOR FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED PUMPS Application filed April 16, 1929. Serial No. 355,643.

My invention relates to pumps, whereby liquid may be raised from the well by air or gas pressure.

In raising liquid in the eduction tube Aabove a plunger, by the use of air pressure below the plunger, the speed of operation is somewhat retarded by the rictional losses in the passage o the liquid from the lower end of the eduction tube to the surface. The fric# tion of the liquid against the walls of the tube sets up eddy currents in the liquid which caus'e a turbulence, retarding the progress of the plunger and its load.

It is an object of the invention to provide a plunger assembly which reduces the frictional losses between the load of liquid and the eduction tube, thus speeding up the operation of the device.

I desire to reduce friction by separating the load of liquid from the wall of the eduction tube by a sectional extension upon the plunger. I produce, in effect, an elongated bucket above the plunger in which the load is contained, thus preventing thel rictional engagement of liquid upon the tube.

I further aim to move the load of liquid in the final step of its progress by the force of the air directly.

I also desire to provide novel means to stop the plunger at the upper end of its stroke without unnecessary ar or vibration.

Referring to the drawings herewith, Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal section through a well pumping installation showing my invention therein.

Fig. 2 is a broken central longitudinal section through a. portion of the eduction tube with my plunger extension therein.

The well is normally set with a casing 1, which serves to retain the walls of the well. A casing head 2 of special construction is secured to the upper end of the casing. Said head has a lower inlet 3 for the pressure fluid and an outlet extension 4 adjacent the upper end, said extension being connected to a container for storage, not shown` by a pipe 5. The upper end of the casing head is closed by a bull plug, or cap 6.

Within the casing head and supported on a shoulder 7 therein, is a nipple or block 8,

closing the passage through the head except for a central passage 9, which terminates in an upward extension 9 in the head, closed at its extremity by a cap 10. The side walls of the extension 9 have lateral slotted openings 11 therein, to allow discharge of fluid to the outlet 4. The cap 10 has a downwardly extending stop piston 12 thereon, the purpose of which will later appear.

.The block or nipple 8 has two concentric pipes 13 and 14 threaded into connection with its lower end, said pipes being spaced apart to provide a passage 15 between them. The inlet 3 leads to this passage and allows the pressure fluid to flow into said passage to the lower end of the inner pipe, which constitutes an eduction tube connecting with the passage in the nipple 8.

Vithin the eduction tube is a plunger 16 having a downwardly converging passage 17 therethrough, said passage being closed by a valve 19 adapted to open downwardly. Above the plunger 16 are a series of sectional extensions 18 of said plunger. They are tubular sections with comparatively thin walls and are sutlicient in number to contain the load of liquid to be elevated. I make the plunger extensions in short enoughvsections to allow them to travel in a crooked well without binding against the walls of the eduction When the load of liquid has accumulated above the plunger, the air pressure is turned into the well and enters the eduction tube below the plunger closing the valve and raising the plunger and its load. The sectional extension 18 will keep the liquid from coming into contact with the wall of the tube and will prevent turbulence and excessive friction losses. The upper level of liquid will contact with the stationary stop piston 12 which fits loosely in the upper end of the plunger extension. This will tend t0 stop the piston and its load without excessive shock and will cause the liquid to be forced laterally7 toward the outlet chamber 4. The shock of contact with the stop piston will open the plunger valve and the air will issue through the liquid and force it out the discharge pipe 5 after which theair will exhaust and the plunger therewith in the manner Gob will drop to the bottom again. The plunger will come to rest upon the seat 22 in the eduction tube, and "w the fluid pressure ac- Y'r" 1nulates below` the swab suiiiciently, the 1, will be forced to closed position, and the will again be moved upwardly with its et' liquid..

nay secure the sections 18 flexibly together, if desired, and in Fig. 2- I have shou'n one means oi. doing so. A chain 20 is secured to staples 21 in adjacent sections thus holdingl said sections together, but allowing the ilexibility which is necessary in passing curved places in the eduction tube.

The advantages of this construction lies in the increased speed of operation in raising the load of liquid. Very little frictional resistance is encountered due to the elimination of eddy currents in the liquid.

That I claim as new is:

l. In an air lift device, including an eduction tube, having an outlet at its upper end, and a plunger in said tube, the combination of sectional, tubular extensions above said r plunger to contain the load of liquid to be lifted.

2. In an air lift device including an eduction tube. having an outlet at its upper end, and a plunger in said tube, the combination ot' a plurality of tubular sections fitting Within said tube above said plunger, and movable described.

- 3. A plunger for air lift devices adapted to fit within an eduction tube, and a plurality of tubular extensions above said plunger to move with and contain the load of liquid handled by said plunger.

4. An eduction tube for air lift devices, in l combination with a plunger freely movable therein, and means above said plunger to maintain the load of liquid above said plunger out of contact with the walls of said tube.

5. An eduction tube for air lift devices, in combination with a plunger freely movable therein, and means above said plunger, and movable with said plunger, to maintain the load ot liquid above said plunger out of contact with the walls of said tube.

6. In an air lift device, tion tube, having an outlet at its upper end and a plunger freely movable in said tube, the combination of a tubular extension above said plunger to contain the load of liquid to be raised by said plunger.

'i'. In an air lift device, including an eduction tube, having an outlet at its upper end. and plunger freely movable in said tube, the combination of a tubular extension above said plunger to contain the load of liquid t0 e raised by said plunger, and means in said tube to contact with said load when it reaches said outlet, for the purpose stated.

l. In an airlift device, including an eductiontube, having an outlet at its upper end, and a plunger freely movable in said tube,

including an educthe combination of a tubular extension above said plunger to contain the load of liquid to be raised by said plunger, and a stationary piston at the upper end of said eduction tube to Contact with. the liquid raised by sai plunger when said load reaches said outlet.

9. In an air lift device, includin an eduction tube and plunger in said tu e, a plurality of tubular upward extensions on said plunger and means to secure said extensions flexibly together.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aliix my signature this 12th day of April A. D. 1929.

NORMAN H. RICKER.

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