US2179481A - Pump inlet means - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 14, 1939. c. J. cOsLY PUMP INLET MEANS Filed April 22, 1937 LRR/S UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PUIVIP INLET MEANS Clarence J. Coberly, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Roko Corporation, Reno, Nev., a'corporation of Nevada Application April 22, 1937, Serial No. 138,345

Claims.

My invention relates to the deep well pumping art, and more particularly to an apparatus for introducing a fluid to be pumped into a deep well pump.

.t Although my invention is susceptible of many uses, it is ofparticular utility in the oil industry and will be described in connection with a deep weii pump adapted to pump oil from `an oil Well. lt is to be understood, however, that this application of the invention is for thepurpose 'of illustration only, and i do not intendV to be limited thereby to the specinc use described.

'in the pumping of oil wells numerous types oi pumps may be successfully utilized, as is Well known in the art. Although the type oi pump utilized forms no part oi my present invention, l

prefer to use my invention in conjunction with a fluid operated deep well pump o the type disclosed in my Patent No. 2,081,223, issued May 25, 1937, entitled Fluid operated deep well pump, which discloses a pump andv motor unit adapted to he positioned in a well so as to pump fluid therefrom.

ds is Well known in the art, oil to be pumped from a well frequently has a substantial quantity of gas mixed therewith or in solution therein. The amount oi gas in solution under equilibrium conditions depends on the temperature and pressure in the well and the analysis of both the oil and the gas. It is possible for the oil to be supersaturated, i. e., to have more gas in solution than the amount normally corresponding to equilibrium conditions. When the pressure on the well huid is decreased, the temperature increased, or when the iiuid is agitated, relatively large quantities of the gas therein are frequently liberated and separate from the oil and form a foam or an emulsion therewith. Such gas produces a number oi detrimental eiects in the pumping, treating, conveying, and storing of the pumped fluid, and numerous devices have been devised and are common in the art for separating such gas from the oil. Prior art devices for separating the gas from the oil prior to the pumping of the oil from the well have not produced satisfactory results, and it is a primary object of my invention to provide a method and apparatus for separating at least a portion of the gas in the uid to be pumped from a well therefrom prior to pumping such iluid from the Well.

It is another object of my invention to provide an apparatus for introducing into a pump a liquid normally having a high degree of gas saturation. in which the degree of gas saturation is reduced 55 before the liquid enters the pump.

Another object of my invention is to supply an apparatus for introducing into a pump a liquid normally supersaturated withv gas, in which the supersaturation of the liquid is eliminated, and the degree of saturation is then further reduced 5 so that the liquid is less than saturated when it enters the pump. I prefer to accomplish this by reducing the pressure on the liquid to decrease the amount of gas in solution and then increasing the pressure thereon to reduce the degree of 10 saturation.

, Another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus for use in connection with a deep well pump of the character described above for reducing to a minimumthe tendency of the pump to' l5 cause the release of gas from the pumped fluid and the resulting loss of pump capacity due to the space occupied by such gas.

Another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus for introducing fluid into a deep well 2@ pump in which the pressure of the iluid to be pumped is reduced to casing pressure so as to liberate gas therefrom, and the iluid is then conveyed to the inlet of the pump under sufiicient pressure so that said iluid is less than saturated With gas when it enters the pump.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for introducing liquid into a deepwell pump, in which a desired head of the liquid is maintained above the inlet of the pump.

A further object of my invention is to provide an apparatus -for introducing iluid into a deep well pump, in which the fluid is conveyed to a iluid reservoir communicating with the pump inlet, and the amount of uid in the reservoir is automatically controlled.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for introducing Well fluid into a deep Well pump, in which gaspressure in the well is utilized to lift the uid to a point adjacent the inlet of the pump, and the amount of duid so lifted is automatically controlled.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an apparatus for introducing well duid into a deep well pump positioned above a packer, in which the back pressure on the Well formation is reduced as the level of fluid above the packer is lowered. I prefer to accomplish this by conveying the well uid to be pumped through a passage of variable length, and controlling the length of the passage in accordance with the-height of the uid level above the packer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus for disconnecting a well inlet member from a packer adapted to be set in a Well tubing so that the inlet member may be removed from the well without displacing the packer.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following specification and drawing, which is for the purpose of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the inlet member Y of my invention installed in conjunction with a deep well pump.

Fig. 2 is a sectional viw of an alternative form of the invention. y

Fig. 3 is a sectional view takenon the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 'at the lower end thereof threadedly receiving a tubular pump receptacle I2 in the lower end of which a ,pump seat element I3 is threaded. The pump seat element I3 is provided with a conical seat I4 adapted to receive the tapered end I5 of a pump unit I6, preferably being of the iiuid operated type, and the seat element has an enlarged lower portion I1. The lower portion I1 has an external annular channel I3 in which an external tubular member I9 makes a sliding fit, the upper end of the tubular member also making a sliding t in a suitable external channel formed on an annular ring 20 engaging the lower end of the production pipe collar, the ring fitting over the pump receptacle i2. The upper end of the tubular member I9 is provided with perforations 2i above the upper end of the pump unit i5.

The enlarged lower portion il of the pump seat element I3 has a lower convex face 23 adapted to seat in a concave seat 24 formed in an upper clamp ring 25 of a packer means 26.- The upper clamp ring 25 has a tubular extension 2l on which al lower clamp ring 23 is free to slide, there being a packing element 29 held between the two clamp rings and adapted to form a seal between the casing l and the packer means 25. The tubular extension 21 has a suitable collar threaded onto its lower end to hold the lower clamp ring 29 in engagement with the packing element 29. The lower clamp ring 28 engages the upper end of a standard tubular liner 3i which is perforated at its lower end in the usual way and which acts as a support for the packer means 25. The packing element 29 is formed of an expansible material, such as oil-resisting rubber, so that when the seat element I3 and connected structure are lowered into engagement with the packer means 23, the packing element is compressed and expanded to form a seal between the casing I9 and the packer means.

The enlarged lower portion Il of the pump seat element I3 is provided with a threaded bore receiving a lower pipe 33 which extends downwardly through the tubular extension 21 of the packer means 26 and is externally threaded at its lower end to receive an internally left-hand threaded nut 34, and is internally threaded to receive the upper end of a Skeeter bill 35 which projects downwardly in the liner 3I. The Skeeter bill 35 has perforations therein to permit the free passage of iluid therethrough, and has its lower end closed. and operates to prevent large pieces of foreign materials from passing into the lower pipe 33, as is well known in the art. The upper end of the nut 34 and the lower end of the tubular extension 21 are provided with lefthand ratchet teeth 30 and 32, respectively, as more fully illustrated in Fig. 2, which are adapted to be engaged for a purpose to be described more fully hereinafter. The nut 34 may be used as a jar to loosen the packer means 26 from the casing II) when it is desired to remove the packer means, the nut engaging the .lower end of the tubular extension 21 and the lower clamp 28 when it is raised relative thereto, the ratchet teeth 30 and 32 alsobeing engaged. Threaded into the upper end of the lower pipe 33 is a plunger seat element 31 having a bore 38 tapered at its upper end. Axially aligned with the bore 38 is a plunger bore 39 formed in the pump seat element I3`which communicates at its lower end with a chamber 40, also formed in the pump seat element, which in turn communicates with the bore 33. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, flow passages 4I formed in the pump seat element I3 communicate between the chamber 49 and an annular space 42 'formed between the tubular member I9 and the pump receptacle I2, and although I prefer to use three of such ilow passages, it will be apparent that any suitable number may be utilized in my construction. Also formed in the pump seat element I3 are inlet passages 43 communicating between the plunger bore 39 and a reservoir space 44 between the casing I0 and the tubular member I9, the space 44 constituting a uid reservoir as will be described hereinaiter. Three inlet passages 43 are shown, but it will be apparent that any suitable number may be utilized.

The pump unit I6 has a pump barrel 41 attached as by threads to the tapered end I thereof, and although any suitable type of pump may be used, I prefer to use a fluid operated pump in which actuating fluid is conveyed to the pump unit through macaroni tubing 43 connected thereto. The tapered end I5 has a central bore 49 adapted to be substantially axially aligned with the plunger bore 39 but somewhat larger in diameter, and has a tubular projection 50 formed thereon or attached thereto. The tubular projection 50 forms a chamber 5I which is in open communication with the interior of the pump barrel IS'I through orices 52, and a transverse pin 53 projects through the upper end of the projection. The transverse pin 53 passes through the lower end of a plunger actuating means 55 journalled in the tubular projection 5U.

The plunger actuating means 55 may be of any suitable type, but I prefer to use a'Sylphon construction in which a base element 56 is rigidly fixed on the transverse pin 53, and a sliding plunger shell 51 is adapted for vertical movement on the base element with which it makes a sliding nt. The plunger shell 51 is provided with perforations 55 therein affording fluid communication between the interior of the shell and the pump barrel 41. The lower end` of the plunger shell 51 is provided with vertical slots 58 through which the transverse pin 53 extends, and which permit vertical movement of the shell but prevent its rotation. The upper end of the plunger shell 51 is closed by a closure plate 59 to the under side of which is bolted a retaining plate 60 to which is xed in fluid-tight relation the upper end of a flexible Sylphon bellows 6I, the lower end of the 75 bellows being secured to the base element 56 in fluid-tight relation. Also fixed to the retaining.

plate 60 and depending therefrom is an upper tube 62, having a plurality of small perforations at its upper end, into which telescopes a lower tube 63 fixed to the base element 56. The telescopng tubes 62 and 63 serve to maintain the plunger shell 51, the bellows 6 I, and the base element 56 in axial alignment. Threaded into the retaining plate 60 is a nipple element 65 having a nipple 66 projecting upwardly into a suitable receiving chamber formed in the closure plate 59. The nipple 66 is preferably made of copper which is crimped over and then soldered, as is well known in the art, its purposebeing to provide a means for introducing uid under pressure into the interior of the Sylphon bellows 6I, but it will be apparent that any suitable form of valve mechanism may be substituted therefor without departing from the invention.

The lower end of the plunger shell 51 carries a plunger member 61, preferably threaded thereto, which extends downwardly through the central bore 49 and the plunger bore 39, and which has its lower end tapered to seat in the tapered upper end of the bore 38 of the plunger seat element 31 so as to close the bore 38 to prevent the passage of fluid therethrough. As shown in Figs. l and 6, the plunger member 61 has vertical channels 68 formed in the exterior surface thereof which communicate with the inlet passages 43 and with the chamber 5I in all of the operating positions of the plunger.

In installing the device shown in Fig. 1, the liner 3l is first lowered into the casing I6 in the usual manner, the liner being of a length considerably less than the height to which well uid would normally rise in the well, as represented, for example, by the line A-A. To the lower end of the production pipe Il are connected the pump receptacle I2, the pump seat element I3, the tubular member I9, the packer means 26, and associated mechanism, which are then lowered into the casing I0 by means of the production pipe until the lower clamp ring 28 of the packer means engages and is supp'orted on the upper end of the liner 3l. The weight of the production pipe II and connected mechanism bears on the upper clamp ring of the packer means 26, causing the upper clamp ring to move down relative to the lower clamp ring 28 to compress and expand the packing element 29 into sealing relation with the casing IIJ. The convex face 23 and concave seat 24 insure that a fluid-tight joint is made between the packer means 26 and the seat element I3 even though the packer means 26 and the seat element are not axially aligned, which is a feature of the invention. The Sylphon bellows 6I of the plunger actuating means 55 is filled with uid under pressure, such as air, as by a suitable pressure pump applied to the nipple 66, the pressure used therein being determined by operating conditions in the well. I have found that 100 pounds per square inch in the Sylphon bellows'l will provide sufficient head of fluid over the packer, as described hereinafter, but it will be understood that this pressure may be increased or decreased to conform tc the conditions in a particular well. The pump unit I6 is then assembled and connected to the macaroni 48 by means of which it is lowered through the production pipe Il until the tapered end I5 seats in the conical seat I4 to form a fluid-tight joint therewith. Although I have disclosed a preferred system in which the pump unit I 6 is suiliciently small in diameter to be lowered into operating position through the production pipe' Il, it will be apparent that a pump of any suitable size and design may be utilized without departing from the invention, and that the pump unit may be assembled in the production pipe and lowered into the well therewith. L

When it is desired to remove the packer means 26 from the casing I0, the pump unit I6 may first be removed by withdrawing the macaroni 48, or the macaroni and production pipe Il may be raised together. Frequently, silt, sediment, and other foreign materials will lodge around the packer means 26, making it difficult to loosen the packer from the casing I0. To obviate this difficulty, it will be noted that the lower pipe 33 extends some distance below the lower end of the tubular extension 21 and that the nut 34 is spaced fromthe extension. By raising the production pipe II, the lower pipe 33 is raised relative to the packer means 26 until the nut 34 strkes the lower end of the tubular extension 21, delivering thereto a sharp impact which acts as a jar to loosen the packer means from the casing Ill. The production pipe II may then be raised, carrying with it the packer means 26 which rests on the nut 34. If sediment and other foreign materials have lodged around the packer 26 to such an extent that the packer cannot be removed from the well, additional means arc provided for removing the pump inlet members without removing the packer. To accomplish this, the production pipe II is raised until the nut 34 engages the lower end of the tubular extension 21 so as to cause engagement of the ratchet teeth 36 and 32. By rotating the production pipe Il, the engaging ratchet teeth 30 and 32 cause the nut 34 to rotate therewith, thus unscrewing the nut 34 which then drops to the bottom of the well, permitting the production pipe and connected elements to be raised from the well independently of the packer 26 which remains in place in the casing I0. The packer means 26 may then be drilled out of the casing I0, or otherwise removed therefrom, and this means of removing the pump receptacle assembly independent of the packer is an important feature of the invention.

In operation, oil from the well formation flows through the perforations in the liner 3l and the Skeeter bill 35 and is forced upwardly through the lower pipe 33 by the fluid pressure on the fluid below the packer. As is well known in the oil industry, formation pressure in an oil well is ordinarily sulcient to lift the well uid, being a mixture of gas and oil, through considerable distances, which fact has been widely utilized in various well known types of oil lifts. In Fig. l, the course of the well fluid is indicated by solid arrows, the fluid flowing upwardly from the lower pipe 33, through the bore 36, through the flow passages 4I, into the annular space 42 between the tubular member l I9 and the pump receptacle I2. The fluid then flows upwardly through the annular space 42 and out of the perforations 2l into the space 44, which is at casing pressure ordinarily slightly above atmospheric pressure. If, as frequently happens, the oil is supersaturated with gas as it enters the lower pipe 33, on flowing out through the bore 38 the pressure thereon is suddenly reduced to approximately atmospheric pressure, and gas is liberated so that the amount of gas saturated in the oil is greatly decreased and corresponds approximately to equilibrium conditions at the temperature and pressure in the chamber 40. The liberated gas with the oil flows upwardly through the annular space 42 and out through the perforations 2| into the casing l0, as indicated by the dotted arrows, and the oil flows downwardly in the space 44 to form a sump or reservoir of well fluid therein just above the packer means 26 and communicating with the inlet passages 43, the upper level of which quickly rises to a point above the plunger actuating means 55, as indicated by the line B-.B, for example. The head of oil in the space 44 causes oil to flow through the inlet passages 43, the channels 68 in the plunger 61, into the chamber 5|, from whence it flows out through the orifices 52 into the pump barrel 41 and upwardly therein to approximately the level which it occupies in the space 44 as indicated by the line B-B above the plunger actuating means 55. It will be apparent that the levels A-A and B-B are for the piu'poses of illustration only, and will vary considerably in actual operation due to variations in pumping conditions. F'luid in the pump barrel 41 will flow through the perforations 64 in the plunger shell 51 and will fill the shell outside of the Sylphon bellows 6|. Since the Sylphon bellows 6| is lled with pressure fluid at a definite operating pressure, such as, for example, 100 pounds per square inch, when the head of well fluid in the pump barrel 41 rises to a point at which it exerts more than the operating pressure on the plunger shell 51, the plunger shell will move downwardly relative to the fixed base element 56, compressing the Sylphon bellows. Since the plunger 61 is fixed to the plunger shell 51, the plunger will move with the shell to tend to close the upper end of the bore 38 by seating therein. If the fluid pressure acting on the plunger actuating means 55 is high, the plunger will seat in the upper end of the bore 38 to completely shut off the fluid flow therethrough, but if such pressure is but slightly higher than the operating pressure inside the Sylphon bellows 6|, the plunger will merely partially close the upper end of the bore 38 to throttle the fluid ow therethrough. If the fluid pressure acting on the plunger actuating means 55 is lower than the operating pressure within the Sylphon bellows 6|, the operating pressure will expand the bellows to force the plunger shell 51 upwardly to open the bore 38. It will thus be understood that the plunger actuating means 55 functions to control the flow of well fluid through the device and into the space 44 in accordance with the height of the oil level in the space or reservoir 44. This is an important feature of the invention, because I have found that it is desirable to maintain the oil level B-B above the inlet of the pump unit I6 below a predetermined maximum for maximum. pumping efficiency.

It is another important feature of the invention to arrange the elements so that the inlet of the pump unit I6 is below the level B-B of oil in the reservoir 44 at all times during normal operation. As stated, when the well fluid flows through the bore 38 into the chamber 40, the pressure thereon is reduced to atmospheric or casing pressure, and suilicient gas is liberated to reduce the gas saturation to equilibrium at the temperature and pressure in the casing. By providing a head of oil, such as indicated by the line B-B, above the inlet of the pump unit I6, the degree of gas saturation of the oil is further reduced as the oil enters the pump unit, and the oil entering the pump unit is always less than saturated with gas. AThis prevents liberation of gas in the pump unit I6 during pumping, and insures that the pump is entirely filled with oil and free from gas bubbles, which maintains a high pumping eflciency.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 2, in which no means is shown for automatically controlling the amount of well fluid flowing through the device. It will be understood, however, that the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 may be provided with means for controlling the flow of fluid into the reservoir similar to that shown in Fig. 1, without departing from the invention. A well casing 10 receives a packer means 1|, substantially similar to the packer means 26, in which seats a seating element 12 generally similar in function to the seating element |1having a lower pipe 13 threaded thereto and communicating with a Skeeter bill 14 similar to the skeeter bill 35. Threaded to the upper end of the seating element 12 is a collar 15 which is in turn threaded to a lower tubular section 16. Threaded to the upper end of the tubular section 16 is an annular valve collar 11 having a plurality of vertical passages 18 communicating through suitable radial openings 19 with the interior of the tubular section. The upper end of the valve collar 11 is threaded to an upper tubular section 80, the lower end of which is spaced from the upper end of the lower tubular section 16. An annular flapper valve plate 8| is carried on the upper tubular section and is free to move up and down thereon, being limited in its upward movement by an annular ring 82 welded or otherwise xed to the upper tubular section, and engaging the upper end of the valve collar 11 when in its lowermost position so as to close the vertical passages 18 for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

Threaded to the upper tubular section 80 is a tube element 84 threadedly connected to an annular nut 85, the tubular member having radial orifices 83 at the lower end thereof. Extending down through the nut 85 is a production pipe 86, to the lower end of which is threadedly connected a splined tube 81 having keyways 88 therein receiving keys 89 projecting through suitable slots formed in the tube element 84. A pipe section 90 is positioned on the production pipe 86 by the nut 85, and the lower end thereof forms an engaging shoulder for engagement with the upper end of the splined tube 81. The lower end of the splined tube carries a pump receptacle 9| threaded thereto, the lower end of which is externally tapered to seat in a receptacle seat 92 formed in the seating element 12. The lower end of the pump receptacle 9| has an internal conical seat 93 which receives the lower tapered end 94 of a pump unit 95 which may be of any suitable design but is preferably of the fluid operated type specified hereinabove and connected to a suitable macaronitubing 96. Formed in the lower end of the pump receptacle 9| is a vertical passage 91 which communicates between the inlet of the pump unit 95 through inlet passages 98 and 99 formed in the seating element 12 and a uid reservoir space |00 in the casing 10 and just above the packer means 1|. A suitable production passage |0| is also formed in the seating element 12, communicating between the upper end of the lower pipe 13 and an annular flow space |02.

The operation of the device shown in Fig. 2 is similar to the operation of Fig. l, as follows. Well fluid is forced upwardly through the Skeeter bill 14 by gas pressure from the well formation, and 75 ows upwardly through the lower pipe 13 and the production passage .finto the flow space |02, the flow of the iiuid being -indicated by solid arrows. The well fluid continues its upward flow through the ow space 02 and flows outwardly through the radial openings 19, and upwardly through the vertical passages d8, raising the ilapper valve plate 8| to the position shown in dotted lines |03, and llows outwardly into the reservoir space |00 in the casing 10. Since the interior of the casing 10 is at substantially atmospheric pressure, the fluid pressure on the well uid is immediatelyreduced thereto, and gas is liberated therefrom as described above in connection with Fig. 1, the gas passing upwardly in the casing as indicated by dotted arrows, and the oil flowing downwardly in the reservoir space |00 to form a reservoir of oil above the packer means 1l. As the level of oil in the reservoir space |00 rises, oil flows through the inlet passages 98 and 98, and the vertical passage 91, into the pump unit 95. The level of oil in the reservoir space |100 quickly rises above the inlet of the pump unit" 95, so that during operation the degree of gas saturation of oil flowing into the pump is always less than the saturation point under equilibrium conditions, as described above.

If the normal ow of well iluid through the flow space |02 is greater than the capacity of the pump unit 95, as frequently occurs, the oil level in the reservoir space |00 rises above the flapper valve plate 8|. Well fluid continues to flow from the vertical passages 18 into the reservoir space |00 until the oil level in the space rises to a point adjacent the orices 83, at which time the head of oil above the apper valve plate 8| operates to move the plate down into engagement with the collar 11, the plate closing the passages 18. Well iluid then ows out of the ilow space |02 through the orifices 83 and into the reservoir space |00. The primary purpose of this construction and method of operation is to insure that the well fluid will be reduced to substantially casing pressure as it ows into the reservoir space |00, so as to reduce the amount of gas saturated in the oil and to automatically increase the length of the reservoir space for gas-free oil as the fluid level rises. Although I have shown only one ilapper valve plate mechanism, in actual use it is frequently desirable to use a number of such ilapper valves spaced at frequent intervals between the seating element 12 and the tube element 84, there being, of course, additional tubular sections similar to the sections 16 and 80 used in connection therewith. The number and spacing of such apper valves are determined for a particular installation by the static fluid level and draw-down of the well, which can be determined readily by one skilled in the art.

It will be apparent that with the construction shown in Fig. 2 if the ilow rate of the well or the well pressure decreases, the level of oil in the reservoir space |00 will subside, and that when the level drops a substantial distance below the orifices 83, the well fluid pressure will cause the apper valve plate 9| to again rise to the position shown by dotted lines |03, and the flow of wellv iluid will be resumed through the vertical passages 18 into the reservoir space. This feature is also important, because it insures that the annular flow space |02 will always have a minimum eilective length to maintain the friction drop of the well fluid flowing therethrough at a minimum. When the fluid level above the packer is decreased, the back pressure on the well formation ls accordingly reduced. permitting a maximum iiow from the well formation into the well at al1 times. The operation of the ilapper valve plate 8| is thus automatic, depending on the level of oil in the reservoir space |00.

It is to be noted that although it is preferable to have the casing pressure above the level of fluid in the fluid reservoir of my invention at approximately atmospheric pressure to insure maximum eiilciency of device in separating gas from the well fluid, as described above, it is sometimes desirable in actual field operations toY maintain the casing pressure slightly above atmospheric pressure. This occurs when it is desired to pipe the separated gas to other points in an oil eld for any one of a number of well known uses, in which case it is desirable to build up a.low casing pressure suillcient to force the gas through such piping. It a low casing pressure,rbelow 100 pounds per square inch, for example, is built up in the well casing, my invention is still practically operable, the only effect being to reduce slightly the elciency of the system, and, accordingly, I intend to cover such a use of the invention. Consequently, for the purpose of this specication and the appended claims, I dene substantially atmospheric pressure" as being any pressure sulciently near to atmospheric pressure to permit my invention to operate with commercial eiiciency.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device for introducing well iluid into a deep well pump, the combination'of: 'walls forming a reservoir for receiving well iluid from a well; a deep well pump having an inlet communicating with said reservoir; and means independent of said pump for maintaining the amountof well fluid in said reservoir below a predetermined value.

2. In a device 'for introducing well uid into a deep well pump, the combination of: walls forming a reservoir; walls forming a passage communicating between said reservoirand the iluid in the well; and means for varying the point of discharge of said well fluid into said reservo1r. y

3. In a device for introducing well uid into a deep well pump, the combination of: packer means adapted to t into a well casing to conne well iluid therebelow, said packer means and said casing forming a fluid reservoir above said packer means; walls forming a passage communicating between said reservoir and said well iluid below said packer means for permitting the flow of well fluid into said reservoir; pumping means having an inlet communicating with said reservoir, said inlet being positioned below the normal level of well uid in said reservoir; and means for controlling the amount of uid in said reservoir independent of said pumping means.

4. In a device for introducing Well uid into a deep well pump, the combination of: packer means adapted to t into a well casing to confine well fluid under pressure below said packer means, said packer means and said casing forming a fluid reservoir above said packer means; means for conveying said well fluid from below said packer means to said reservoir, including means for discharging said well iiuid into said reservoir lat substantially atmospheric pressure; and pumping means having an inlet communicating with said reservoir, said inlet being positioned below the normal level of well fluid in said reservoir so that iluid flowing into said inlet iromsaid reservoir is under a uid pressure substantially higher thanl atmospheric pressure.

'5."In a device for introducing well uid into -a deep well pump,- the combinalton of: walls forming-a reservoir; walls forming a passage communicating between said reservoir and the fluid in the well; a deep`well pump having an inlet communicating` with said reservoir; and valve means independent o! said pump for regulating the iiow of well' iluidthrough said passage into said reservoir.

6. In a device for introducing well iluid into a deep well pump, the combination oi:` walls forming a reservoir; walls forming a passage communicating between said reservoir and the iluid in the well; a deep well pump having an inlet` communicating with said reservoir; and means independent oi said -pump for regulating the iiow of well fluid through said passage into said reservoir in accordance, with the amount of well fluid in said reservoir.

7. Ina device of the character described, the combination of: walls forming a reservoir for receiving well fluid from a well; walls forming apassage communicating between said resern voi and the iluid in the well; valve means associated with said passage for controlling the ilow of well iluid through said passage; and means responsive to the pressure of well fluid in said reservoir for controlling the operation of said valve means.

8. In a device of the character described, the

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combination oi': walls forming a reservoir; walls forming a passage co unicating between said reservoirv and the iluid in the well; and means for varying the-point of discharge of said well fluid into said reservoir, including a plurality ot openings at diilere'nt levels between said passage and said reservoir, one of said openings being provided with' valve means.

9. In a` device for introducing .well fluid into a deep weil pump, the combinaiton oi: packer means adapted to tit intoa well casing to coniine well iluid under'pressure below said packer means; a pump-inlet member adapted to receive well fluid from below said packer means and convey said well fluid/to the pump; and means for permitting relative oscillatory movement between said inlet member and said packer means but maintaining a iluid-tight ilt therebetween.

l0. In a device for introducing well fluid into a deep well pump, the combination oi: a packer member adapted to t into a well'casing to con- "ne well iluid under pressure below said packer member; and a pump inlet member adapted to receive well fluid from below said packer member'and convey said well fluid to the pump, one

, o! said members being provided with a concave seat and the other of said members being provided with a convex seating element adapted to seat in said concave seat to form a, fluid-tight joint therebetween but permitting movement therebetween.

' CLARENCE J. COBERLY.

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