US2272477A - Pump - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 10,' 1942. G. T. PFLEGER PUMP Filed Aug. 26, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet l enorge Pf/eger ATTO Q N EY INVENTOQ 4 `SII-nee'cs--Sheet 2 Feb. 10, 1942. G. T. PFLEGER PUMP Filed Aug. 26, 1938 l NVE N TOR George T Pf/eger BW /m/ ATT o R N EY w\\\ 7 Iii y Y 1li.' 3 H Q 121e. 3

Feb. 10, 1942. G. T. PFLEGER PUMP 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 26, 1938 rv 1 P T/z/ Feb. 4l0, 1942. G. T. PFLEGER PUMP Filed Aug. 26, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR George 7.- Pfege" ATTO RNEY Patented Feb. 10, 1942 PUMP George T. Pfleger, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to U. S. Electrical Motors, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application August 26, 1938, Serial No. 226,921

(Cl. S-249) 3 Claims.

Mechanism of this general plunger type has inherent disadvantages. The extreme length of the mechanical connections from the top of the well to the pump militates against operation of the pump near to possible maximum elciency. Furthermore, the operation is subject to frequent breakdowns, diiiicult to overcome promptly.

By the aid of the present invention, these disadvantages are overcome. There is no need of providing mechanically operated connections from a source of motion at the top of the Well. Accordingly, it is one of the objects of this invention to make it possible to provide a pump that obviates the necessity of being mechanically operated from the top of the well, and yet without requiring the provision of any source of mechanical power additional to the pump itself.

This object is accomplished by utilizing pressures created by the explosion of a gaseous or vaporous, or atomized fuel, for urging a body of the liquid to be raised past a check valve. It is therefore another object of this invention to provide an explosion operating pump for creating the pumping pressures.

The control of the cyclic supply of fuel, and of the cyclic times of explosion can be readily accomplished from any convenient locality at the surface. The fuel lines and control elements (such as electric circuit control conduits) can be led to the mechanism, without any substantial complications.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a pump of this character which is capable of operating with a slow burning fuel, in a manner analagous to the operation of a Diesel engine. In this way, severe strains on the tubing and mechanism due to the explosive force of a quick burning fuel meeting a stationary column of water of considerable height, are avoided.

It is still another object of this invention to make it possible to utilize a plurality of pump mechanisms of this character, either to secure a number of pumping stages, or to provide a more continuous ow of liquid at the top of the well.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of the invention. For this purpose there are shown a few forms in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings:

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of a pump structure incorporating the invention, some of the parts being shortened in .order to reduce the size of the ligure, together with the control system for operating the pump;

Fig. 2 is a detail section on an enlarged scale of the head of the combustion chamber;

Fig. 3 is a cross section as seen on plane 3-3 of Fig. 2; v

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a pump structure similar to that of Fig. 1, lbut having a different type of valve operating mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a detail section on an enlarged scale, as seen on plane 5-5 of Fig. 4, showing the valve operating mechanism;

Figs. 6 and '7 are detail sections as seen on correspondingly numbered planes of Fig. 8;

Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 are cross sections as seen on correspondingly numbered planes of Fig. 5;

Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating the manner in which several pump structures may be utilized in one installation;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary section showing the modified valve arrangement when the pumps are arranged as in Fig. 12; and

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but of a I modied form of the invention.

In the present instance thereis shown a conduit having an upper portion I and a lower portion 2 through which the liquid is to be pumped l upwardly. The conduit portions I and 2 are intended to be placed inside of a well for the pumping of the well liquid, such as oil or water. The upper portion I of the conduit is intended to extend upwardly to the top of the well and to deliver the liquid that is being pumped to any desired locality. The lower portion 2 of the conduit is immersed below the level of the liquid, so that the liquid in the conduit normally has a level considerably beyond the top of the portion 2.

By the aid of the present invention, gas pressure is provided directly to urge the oil or liquid 3 upwardly into the upper portion I past a check valve structure 4. For this purpose use is made of a branch conduit between the portions I and 2. This branch is shown in the present instance as formed by the aid of an elbow casting 5, havlng a downwardly extending portion 8 and an upwardly extending portion 1, connecting respectively to the lower part 2 of the conduit, and to the upper part I of the conduit.

The check valve structure 4 that prevents oil or liquid discharged into the upper portion I from returning into the branch 5 or into the lower' portion 2, includes a sloping valve seat 8 formed in the upper portion 1 of the elbow 5. This valve seat is arranged to accommodate a valve closureA 9, urged as by a compression spring I against the seat 9, and thereby closing the lower end of the portion I. The valve closure 9 is shown in this instance as being carried by a stem II, guided for movement in the boss I2 of a spider I3 threaded against shoulder I4 formed inside of the extension 1. The upper portion I of the conduit is shown as likewise threaded into this portion 1. The compression spring III is restrained at its upper end by the boss I2. In this way a compression force is exerted against the valve 9. The weight of the liquid in the upper portion I also serves to urge the valve closure 9 to its seat. However, when suillcient pressure is exerted below the valve structure 4, the valve 9 is lifted to permit the entry of liquid into the portion I. This valve structure 4, therefore, forms in effect a check valve.

A similar valve structure I5 is provided at the top of the lower portion 2 of the conduit and interposed between this lower portion 2 and the elbow 5. This valve structure I5 includes a body I6 threaded at its upper and lower ends respectively to the elbow 5 and to the lower portion 2. It includes the valve seat I1 with which cooperates a spring pressed check valve closure I8. A spider I9, similar to spider I3, provides a guide for the valve stem 20.

The valve structure I5 permits liquid to flow past the valve upwardly into the elbow 5, but effectively prevents the return of the liquid into the portion 2 of the conduit when pressure is exerted on the liquid which is accommodated in the branch connection between the two valves 4 and I5.

The elbow 5 connects to an upright conduit member 2|, which forms a liquid chamber. This conduit 2| carries an upper extension 22 threaded to the conduit 2| and providing a tapered valve seat 23. Cooperating with this tapered valve seat 23 is a float valve closure 24 which operates to close when the level of the liquid in the branch 5--2I reaches a predetermined height. The float valve 24 is therefore made appropriately buoyant in the liquid to be pumped, as by providing a hollow stem 25 therefor, or by making the closure member 24 of appropriate light weight material. The stem 25 is shown in this instance as guided in a long central boss 29 formed in the spider 21 screwed into the member 22.

As thus far described, it is seen that the valve structure I5 forms an inlet valve for the branch chamber, and that valve structure 4 forms an outlet valve for this chamber. Normally liquid will rise to a sufficient height to close the float valve structure 23-24.

Provisions are made for creating a gas pressure upon the surface of the liquid in chamber 2I at periodic times, so that the liquid therein will be forced downwardly and out of the chamber through elbow 5. Further, this liquid will be forced by this pressure past the outlet valve 9 and upwardly in conduit I. It cannot be forced downwardly into conduit 2 because of the oneway inlet valve I5.

For creating this pressure, the member 22 is connected to a fuel or combustion chamber 28, which may be formed by a cylindrical conduit. This conduit carries, at its top, a cylinder head structure 29, clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

This head structure has a nozzle 30 for the admission of fuel, a port 3| for the admission of air or oxygen to mix with the fuel and form a combustible mixture, and an exhaust port 32, for the discharge of the products of combustion. The fuel may be a light hydro-carbon, such as gasoline, a heavy hydro-carbon or fuel oil such as used in Diesel engines, or it may be a finely divided solid, such as powdered coal, or flour. Nozzle 30 may be of a type frequently'used in Diesel engines, and includes a spray head 33 havirig a plurality of small radially extending ports 34, which .serve-to distribute the fuel which is admitted to The needle valve 38 is maintained in closed position by a compression spring 4I, which acts against a collar 42 suitably secured to the stem of valve 33, means being provided to unseat the valve against the spring at desired intervals to admit a charge of fuel to the combustion space. Means may be provided to accurately determine the extent and duration of this opening, whereby the amount of fuel admitted may be metered.

The air port 8| is connected by a tube 45 to a source of air or oxygen 46, located at the top of the well and maintained under suitable pressure,

This tube .is connected to valve housing 41 mounted on head 29 and in communication with port 3I. A valve 48 in the housing serves to interrupt communication between tube 45 and port 3|, means being provided to open it at proper intervals to admit the desired quantity of oxygen to combustion chamber 28.

Since the pressure of the air or oxygen may be of the order of 300-500 pounds per square inch, and it is desirable to maintain valve 48 closed without the use of an excessively strong spring, a balanced poppet valve is used. This valve has upper and lower closure members 49 and 50 respectively, each cooperatingV with an appropriate seat in valve cage 41 and Joined together by a hollow shank 5I. A valve stem 52 extends through the shank and provides means for seating or unseating the valve, pins 53 and 54 extending through the stem to prevent relative axial movement between the stem and the valve. Air or fluid under pressure being admitted to the cage 41 between the seats, it will be evident that the only force tending to unseat the valve will be the effect of this pressure on the difference in areas between the closures 49 and 50. Thus a moderately strong spring 55 confined between a collar 56 on stem 52 and the top of cage 41 will be sufficient to keep the valve on its seat and closed against this pressure. Conversely, pressure from the combustion space acting on valve 48 through port 3| is effective on both the upper and lower closure members through the 'hollow shank 50, but since the area of the lower valve member exceeds that of the upper member, this pressure will act to seat the valve. Thus there is no danger of the explosive force within chamber 28 unseating the valve. As with the fuel valve, means to open the valve at appropriate intervals against spring 49, are provided. As a precaution against the possibility of any of the products of the combustion reaching the fuel and oxygen tanks 40 and 46, supply tubes 39 and 45 may include check valves 59 and 60 respectively arranged to permit passage of fluids to the combustion space, but to check reverse flow.

By appropriate timing of the opening and closing of valves 38 and 48, a proper combustible or explosive mixture may be formed in chamber 28.

This mixture may then be ignited by energizing a spark plug 6| of conventional type.

The exhaust port 32 is controlled by a valve 64. Since the pressure Within the combustion chamber at the time of release may be several hundred pounds per square inch and it is desirable to have the valve 64 open with the exertion of a comparatively small force, the valve 64 is also a balanced poppet valve, similar to valve 48. It is maintained normally closed by a compression spring 65 acting on stem 66. Since the valve seats in an upward direction and the area of the lower valve member 61 exceeds that of the upper valve member 68, it will be clear that pressure in chamber 28 has no tendency to unseat the valve. unseat the valve needs only to exceed the force exerted by spring 65 together with that caused by the pressure within chamber 28 acting'on the excess area of valve member 61 over valve member 68. An exhaust pipe or conduit may lead the exhaust gases to the top of the well.

The arrangement is such that the admission of fuel through conduit 39 and oxygen through conduit 45, the ignition of the resulting combustible mixture by means of spark plug 6I and the venting of the products of combustion through conduit 10, are obtained in cyclic order, and repeated as desired. For this purpose, some form of operating mechanism is required for the several valves and the spark plug.

Thus, in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, electro-magnetic means are shownfor operating the valves, including a motor driven switching system. Thus for example, a rotary shaft is shown as adapted to be driven through gearing 16 by an electric motor 11, energized from a source.of current 18. The motor can have its speed varied as desired, as by the aid of a variable resistance 19.

The shaft 15 is arranged to carry contact making and breaking cams 80, 8|, 82 and 03, respectively cooperating with the contact nger mechanisms 84, 85, 86 and 81.

Contact mechanism 86 is shown as controlling the energization of electromagnet 90 for actuating the fuel valve 38, while contact mechanism 85 controls the energization of electro-magnet 9| for actuating the air valve 48. By appropriate design of the cams operating these contact mechanisms, these Valves are maintained open to give a mixture of the desired proportions, after which the contacts are allowed to separate and the Valves close. Soon after this, rotation of shaft 15 causes cam 83 to close contacts 81 which control the energization of spark plug 6|. This Also, that the force necessary to Lil) energization may be accomplished by means of a conventional high tension coil arrangement 88. Further rotation of shaft 15 causes cam 80 to close contacts 84 and energize electro-magnet 92, which opens exhaust valve 64. The cams and 83 are so designed that the exhaust valve is not opened until suicient time has elapsed after ignition for the expansion of the burning mixture to accomplish its work, as will be explained later. Also, the exhaust valve will be maintained open a suiiicient period to permit the escape of the burnt gases,'after which it closes and the cycle is repeated.

By appropriate design of the cams 80, 8| 82 and 83, and appropriate angular arrangement thereof, the succession of acts required to fill the combustion chamber 28 with fuel, to explode it, and to vent the combustion chamber, may be readily secured.

The mode of operation of the pumping system as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, may now be set forth. Oil or other liquid enters past the intake valve I5 into the branch chamber formed by conduit 2|. When this chamber is filled, the float valve closure 24 is seated. A gaseous or vaporous fuel mixture is passed through valves 38 and 48 into the combustion chamber 28, after which the charge is ignited or exploded by the spark plug 6I, creating a high pressure in the combustion chamber 20. This high pressure depresses the valve closure 24 and operates upon the liquid in conduit 2|, forcing it out of the branch and upwardly past the check valve structure 4. Thereafter the exhaust valve 64 is opened and new liquid is permitted to rise into the conduit 2|, with a repetition of this cycle. By varying the speed of the motor 11, the frequency of the pumping pulses may be correspondingly regulated.

'I'he operation of the valves may be performed mechanically, if preferred. Thus, in Figs. 4 to 11, a pump structure which is the same as that of Fig. 1 is illustrated, the head 29 however including mechanical means, generally indicated by 95, for operating the valves.

As shown, this mechanism includes a pair of vertical members 96 secured on opposite sides of head 29 in any convenient way. The upper and lower ends of opposite members are brought together to form guides 91 and 98, for a rod or valve actuating member 99 carrying cams I 00, IOI, and |02. As best shown in Figs. 5 and 8, a pin. |03 extends between members 96 and serves to rotatably support rocker arms |04, |05 and |06. Rocker arm |04 has a horizontal arm |01 arranged to operate the exhaust valve |08. This valve may be a balanced poppet valve such as valve 64 of the first form, and is otherwise the same except that the electromagnet is omitted. The other arm IIO of rocker arm |04 carries a roller III at its outer end. The arrangement is such that when rod 99 is moved upward, cam |00 rides under roller I I I and turns the rocker arm clockwise about its supporting pin |03. Thus arm |01 presses the exhaust valve downwardly oi its seat and opens it. Another arm |I2 is carried by a pin I I3 spaced above pin |03. This arm has a roller I I4 to cooperate with cam IOI. Arm |I2 is connected to rocker arm |05 by a pivoted link II5, so that when it is swung by cam |0I it will open fuel valve II6.- A similar arrangement includingr an arm |I1 adapted to be swung about pin I I0 and connected to rocker arm |06 by link H9 causes the air valve |20 to be actuated by cam |02.- Air valve |20 as well as fuel valve ||6 are substantially identical with the corresponding valves in the first form, except that the electro-magnets are A omitted.

In Figs. 4 and 5, rod 99 is shown in its lowest position, and as it is moved upward, cam will ride under roller opening exhaust valve |00 and maintaining it open until the continued upward movement of the rod moves the cam beyond the roller, when the exhaust valve will be closed by its spring. Continued upward movement of the rod will cause cams |0| and |02 to open the fuel and oxygen valves by the described mechanism, it being understood that these cams are so arranged as to allow a proper explosive mixture to be formed in the combustion space, when the continued movement of the rod allows the valves to close. Immediately after this, the mixture is fired by energizing the spark plug 6| by mechanism to be presently described, and the rod 99 is returned to its initial position without operating the valves.

To enable the rod to move downwardly without aiecting the valves, the cams |00, |0| and |02 are formed on one side only of rod 99, as indicated in Fig. 8; thus if the rod is rotated through a suitable angle about its axis, the cams will joined by an inclined groove I3|, the lower ends of grooves |21 and 28 being joined by a similar inclined groove |32.

With the rod in its lowest position, as illustrated, pin is at the low end of groove |32 and alined with groove |21, and pin |29 is alined with groove |26. As the rod moves upward pin |30 slides in groove |21, and before it passes out of this groove pin |29 enters groove |26. Thus rod 99 is prevented from turning and the cams are maintained in position to operate the valves. As rod 99 approaches the upper end of its movement, and after the cams have each passed their respective rocker arm, pin |29 enters inclined ,groove |3|, the upward movement continuing until pin |29 enters groove |25. This rotates rod 99 suiiiciently to swing the cams out of alinement with the rocker arm. The rod then moves downward, pin 29 in groove |25 and later, pin |30 in groove |28 serving to maintain the rod against rotation. As the rod nears the lower end of its stroke, and when each cam is below its cooperating roller, pin |30 enters inclined groove |32, further downward movement serving to rotate the rod until pin |30 is again alined with groove |21 and the cams are alined with their respective rollers.

In order to reciprocate rod 99, it may be joined by a swivel connection |35 to a string of rods vary the motor speed and consequently the speed of the pumping cycles. A cam and contact mechanism |42, in conjunction with the usual high tension coil (not shown) may be provided to energize the spark plug, similar to that in the rst form. A

Brief consideration will show that the shape and spacing of cams |00, |0| and |02 taken together with the rate of movement of rod 99 determine the timing in the cycle. Thus, this timing may be varied by altering this shape and spacing. Or it .may be varied by altering the rate oi movement of the rod, which can readily be done by changing the configuration of the cam |38.

The flow of liquid upwardly in the discharge conduit can be made more uniform by the provision of a plurality of pumping mechanisms. Thus, in Fig. 12 pumping units |50, |5| and |52 are shown connected to a common discharge pipe |53 and submerged in the well liquid |54. The lowest unit |50 may be identical with that shown in Fig. 1, while the other units |5| and |52 differ only in the arrangement of the inlet which is as shown in Fig. 13. By this arrangement, each unit has an independent inlet.

The units may be controlled in a manner similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1 or Fig. 4, but the arrangement must be such that the pumping pulses are not simultaneous. Each unit operates independently to force liquid upwardly through the discharge pipe, and by arranging that the pulses do not occur simultaneously, the discharge of iuid is more uniform in quantity.

If desired, the pump units may be arranged in tandem to produce a multiple lift effect. In this case, additional check valves may have to be used.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 14, the intake valve I5 and the outlet valve 4 are arranged as before on opposite sides of the elbow 5. However, in this case the float valve structure in the conduit |60 is omitted, the well liquid simply rising sufficiently to compress what is left of the products of combustion in the chamber formed by conduit |60. After a fresh explc'sive mixture is admitted through conduits 39 and 45, controlled by valves as in the other forms, an explosion may be produced by the aid of the spark plug 6| as before. The large gas pressure thus produced urges the liquid past the valve structure 4, and most of the products of ccmbustion also pass upwardly through the conduit I to escape at the top of the well. Upon the completion of the combustion and the pumping act, the liquid may again rise, partially to fill the chamber formed by conduit |60. The cycle may then be repeated as often as desired. By proper proportioning of the volume of the chamber formed by conduit |60, itis possible to obviate the exhaust line with its exhaust valve. The contraction of the hot gases formed as a result of the combustion due to cooling and condensation, permits reloading of the combustion chamber with a suiiiciently large charge to produce the desired effect.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a conduit, means forming a branch from the conduit, thereby dividing the conduit into two portions where the branch occurs, a valve system ensuring that liquid may enter but one portion of the conduit, and that liquid may leave the branch only into the other portion of the conduit means forming a combustion chamber in communication with said branch, a float valve between the branch and the chambei', and means for igniting fuel in said chamber.

2. In a pump structure for liquids, means forming a liquid chamber, means for controlling the ber, means forming a combustion 'chamber in communication with the liquid chamber, valve means for admitting fuel into the combustion chamber, a rod supported for reciprocation with 5 respect to the combustion chamber, a cam on said rod, a cam follower arranged to operate said valve means when engaged by the cam, means to reciprocate said rod, means to ignite the mixture, and means to control the ignition means cyclically 10 with respect to the operation of the valve means.

GEORGE T. PFLEGER.

Images