US2390124A - System of pumping wells - Google Patents

Description

SYSTEM OF PUMPING WELLS Filed June 27, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 H31 [75 1 we Dec. 4, 1945. E oss 2,390,124

SYSTEM OF PUMPING WELLS Filed June 27, 1938 I 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zi 2/7 I85 f Z ,6 222 90 204 193 8Q, 9 k I92. 93 I rs: '7 9:; .Y M Li Sitar-MM 1/ Dec. 4, 1945. J. F. ROSS 2,390,124

SYSTEM OF PUMPING WELLS Filed June 27, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 4, 1945. J. F. ROSS SYSTEM OF PUMPING WELLS Filed June 27, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 III-I311..

4, 17945. J. F. ROSS 2,390,124

SYSTEM OF PUMPING WELLS Filed June 27, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 A TTORNEYS.

/ Dec. 4, 1945. I E oss 2,390,124

SYSTEM OF PUMPING WELLS Filed June 27, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 8 Q J F. F056.

I N VEN TOR.

Fj- BYI%QGM A TTORN E YS.

es. 4, 1945. J. F. ROSS 2,390,124

' SYSTEM OF PUMPING WELLS Filed June 27, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 S1 Vw mi .2 02 Q1 mfi um M ham, a: +2 .3 e E W I (III. II l I,

WWWMMMMIflMM-M mm m3 ME myv w m3 @Q mil WE IIIIL M mi v i #2 Q Me b9 @2 F mini 6% Q NQ 0 P b2 Tm -Q- Si OW Z J m3? n2 0: I wfi h Q2 of Dec. 4, 1945. J. F. ROSS SYSTEM OF PUMPING WELLS 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 v Filed June 27, 1938 Filed June 27, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 RN EN. wnw 9% gravitation alone. downstroke of sucker rods and pumping mecha- Patented as. 4, 1945 SYSTEM or PUMPING WELLS James F. Ross, Iaredo, Tex.

Application June 27, 1938, Serial No 216,093

I (on. 60-52) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and means of operating a fluid lift pump and particularly pertains to a method and means of operating, controlling, and counterbalancing the sucker rods and mechanism of a deep well reciprocating pump.

The present invention contemplates provision fire, well blow-outs, falling derricks and the like inevitably existing in the vicinity of oil wells.

Other important objects of the present invention are to provide a means and medium adapted for' reciprocating, controlling and counterbalancing the sucker rods and mechanism of deep of pumping Jack structure comprising a cylinder mounted upon a well and having a vertical reciprocating plunger therein, from which plunger sucker rods are suspended and extend down to the well pump. In modern deep oil wells for which this pumping system is particularly adapted, the sucker rods required frequently weigh many tons, and in this invention the rods are elevated by application of actuating fluid under pressure to the lower end of the pump jack plunger, said actuating fluid being stored in a pressure retentive fluid storage tank comprising an important element of this invention.

On each up or working stroke of such pump it is necessary to apply power to the pumping equipment in suflicient magnitude to'simultaneously elevate the weight of the rods and pumping mechanism, together with the entire column of fluid being pumped, while on the down stroke no power is required as the weight of the rods suspended in the well causes their descent by In fact, the gravitational stresses incident to this work. Important objects of this invention are: To-

provide a power transmission and control medium and means for automatically, safely and flexibly reciprocating, controlling, and counterbalancing the sucker rods and mechanism of deep oil well pumps, which said means may be, and preferably is installed and positioned remote from a well, thereby leaving the derrick floor space clear for other needed operations and at the same time safeguarding the equipment from the hazards of well pumps. Said means and medium, without any disturbance to continuous pumping operations, may be manually manipulated at its location either near or remote from the well without need of skilled labor or useof tools, in a manner quickly and accurately to control and/or change the length of the pump stroke and to control and/or reverse the direction of the pump stroke and to regulate and/or adjust either upwardly or downwardly the vertical position of the pump jack plunger relative to its coacting cylinder and by so doing in like manner vertically regulate the interconnected well pump plunger relative to the well pump barrel within which it reciprocates.

' It is well known to those skilled in well pumping that not only must counterbalancing equipment be-provided for deep wells, but that the counterbalance should as effectively aspossible tend to assist the power plant in elevating the weight of the rods and pumped fluid on the up stroke. Other important objects of this invention are: To'automatic'allyrecover and store up for future use a material proportionof the energy and power developed by the weight of the eration and insuring that the pumping operation will require only a relatively small continuously operating motive unit, consuming a minimum and substantially constant amount of horsepow er. 7 The energy and power so saved and conserved from said two forces during each down I stroke is retained in the tank in the form of compressed actuating fluid, compressed air, forinstance, and the expansive force of the compressed To provide a unitized power driven well pumping plant which, while adapted for the operation control and counterbalancing of the reciprocable elements of anylingleorlndividualwelk n thes ametimeadaptediorthelike oontmlandemmgofanynnmberor mmtipleoiwellsflmnaeentralinedloeaflm. No

changesoraddifimsmrequiredtolfldplmt for the pumping of additional tells, except to regulatethepressmeoftbeemnpreliedfluidior counterbalancing purposes and toudJuet the speedofthemotorandthelength otthepump strokesofthevariouswellstokeepthemte powerdemandwiflxintheoutmlteapeeltyotflle motorandpknt. lleansmalsopruvidedwherebythestrokelengthsottbevanonsiellsmlybe controlleithatismadeeitherlmgerorlborter, eachintofflmeother.

Astillmrther object of theinvention is: To providewell pumping eqmpmentalloftheelementsnimotlvation, control end eing in me oompactlixhhdzhtpurhblqemtralizedunlt whichiseesflyloededendtnnsportedupma truck,orwhiehmaybedmggedflomplnceto plweuponthegroundintactritbmitinjury. Theoomplete pumping unit being asembled and readyatallfimesiormstantmeatmdeelred locatimasnoeunmgmorotherimmdationsarerequimdforitslnstenaflonandopemtion.

Anotherobjectofthemrenflonistopmvldein a. vertically reei fluid actuated well pump jack, means whereby the application: of compressed fluid, such as air, for instanegisantomafiefllyapplmtocheekorretend the gravitational downst'mke of there]! longlmdmelaectlonmwtnflngthecontmlm employed inthe operation at thefluidflowxeverslngvalveemployedmdlrecflnzthefluldfm thepowerwmpfiothejecksendirmnthem pump to the tank.

Pig. eisalonzmuflneleecflonthromhenflr eompreseorwhichmeybeemplqedmflle invention.

l'lzflllsepenpecflveviewpuflylnm imutratingtbe eontmctiun otmnuidflawre- 'versing valve.

l'lmlOiseviewdmllartothetflmwninllg'l butwlthflxereverdngvalveinadmumtpdpumpingand sucker Iodgflnezeby Bialeeeflonshowingeporflouotflxenmhken providingaflexible,1e,mdiumtoeherkthemvihflmfldeecentotfld pumping elements.

approximntelyonthephnell-llotlkl'l.

caflngflmdacmabedwdlpum m ueanunedpwermnmdmm,m

tainpertsbelnghmkmam.

Fig.2isz1iln11e'i1hsh'etingmydevieeaseqmeetedwimaplurdityot -encingdevieesemplwedwiflamyinven thn,cer-

kaotthestnachuemnhnmi.

Theh! thmmhtheeeatmtheeedngheedwhmthe peckinginstlflaflonkrmed. It'mhennted that fly recesurdoti'mm the a plug :2 having a stufling box I3 therein to flt about the pump rod I4, which is adapted to reciprocate therethrough. The packing within the stufling box may be compressed through a cap l5, which is screwed over the upper end of the stufllng box and adapted to be adjusted through a wrench engaging within radial openings IS in the cap.

The tubing hanger which has been described has certain advantages which will be obvious? When it is desired to move the tubing up and down as may be necessary in releasing the tubing from sand packed around the lower end, this may be done by eng i g a lift nipple within the threaded upper end to and exerting an upward pull sufficient to bring the hanger above the casing head so that access may be had to the packing installation. This packing assembly will then be removed and thereafter the hanger may be moved up or down through the opening in the casing head through the seat 5. When it is desired to again hang the tubing the packing will be inserted and the tubing lowered again into position.

The sucker rod M has its upper end threaded at H to engage within the lower end 18 of the adjusting sleeve l9, which forms a portion of the ram member of the pump jack. Above the lower end E8 of the adjusting sleeve through which the threaded upper end of the pump rod engages, the pump rod is formed with a head 20 which is polygonal to engage within a polygonal sleeve 2| secured at its upper end to the adjusting sleeve. To form a connection between the two sleeves opposite notches 22 are formed in the upper end of the adjusting sleeve and a transverse pin 23 is engaged through openings in the polygonal sleeve 2! thereby fixing the two sleeves against relative rotation.

As the polygonal sleeve is nonrotatable relative to the sucker rod through the engagement of the sleeve with the head 20 on the rod the adjusting sleeve is also ordinarily non-rotatable relative to the sucker rod. The upper end of the adjusting sleeve is formed with a laterally extendin flange which engages above the upper end of the body 24 of the ram. A cap member 25 is fitted over the upper end of the ram together with the adjusting sleeve, servingto close the ram at the upper end and to furnish attachment to a lifting device by means of the eyelet 26 in the cap.

The adjusting sleeve may the upper end of the ram body 24 by a set screw 21, as shown in Fig. 18. Said set screw may be threaded through the flange at the upper end or the adjusting sleeve and into a threaded recess 28 in the ram body, thereby flxing the two parts against relative movement.

The outer surface of the ram body is cylindrical and fits slidably within a cylinder 29. Said cylinder has an internal diameter considerably larger than the outer diameter of the ram body 24. At the pper end of the cylinder, however, I provide a stufllng box which forms a fluid tight fit around the ram. Thi stuiflng box is preferably formed by a plurality of packing rings or cups 30 fitting between the upper end 0! the cylinder andnthe ram and held rigidly in position by means of a cap member 3|. This stuffing box serves to close the Near the lower end of the ram I provide a ro-v tatable ring or collar 32, which normally rests upon a flange 33 upon the ram. Spaced rigidly above the ring on the body of the ram is a stop flange 34, which has thereonone or more downwardly extending lugs 34' adapted to engage within recesses 35 in the upper end of the ring 32. On the outer surface of the ring I provide inclined or spiral blades 36 positioned in-such manher as to rotate the samein a right-hand direction on the downward stroke of the ram. It will 7 thus be seen that on the upward stroke of the ram the rotating sleeve 32 rests upon the flange 33 and has no effect whatever upon the ram. 0n the downward stroke, however, the lug 84' will engage within recesses 35 andthe rotation of the ring 32 will tend to rotate the ram in a righthand direction and thus tend to rotate the suckerrod also and tighten the joints in the rod during the down stroke. The ring or collar 32 could obviousiy be formed with spiral grooves therein, which serve the same function" as the blades previously maintained. I The cylinder 29 i connected at its lower end within a sub or cage member 31. Said cage member has openings 38 therein adjacent the cap i5 previously referred to and to a similar cap 39 on a'plug 4B, which closes the lower end of the said cylinder 29. The cage member 31 fits closely at its lower end around the reduced upper end of the casing head. It bears upon the shoulder 42 on the casing head and is rigidly maintained in that position by the weight of the cylinder and the ram, and its load.

The plug 40 which closes the lower end of the cylinder 29 has a stufling box 43 which forms a sealing fit about the suckerrod. The cap 39 previously mentioned tends to hold the packing in such stufling box tightly compressed about the rod. The upper endof the plug 40 is recessed around the stuffing box to provide an inner wall 44 which engages close against the outer surface be connected with form a tight seal between the two.

. of a ring 45 fixed upon the lower end of the ram. Thus when the ring 45 engages therein the escape of fluid below the ram from the cylinder is substantially cut ofi'.' There is a further recess or undercut chamber 46 in the plug 40 below the surface 44 into which the ring 45 may descend -as shown in Fig. 16.

' The pressure fluid which raises. the ram may enter the cylinder through a pipe 41 coming from a source of pressure fluid which will be later described. It may enter the cylinder through an opening 48 therein by way of a check valve 49. Said check valve is of ordinary-construction and includes a flap valve 50, or any other adjustable valve, which opens inwardly toward the cylinder. My valve has, however, an adjusting screw II, which is threaded through the lower wall of the valve body and engages the valve member 50.

This screw may be adjusted to prevent the complete closing of the valve and may hold the valve open to the desired extent to limit the outward flow of fluid on the down stroke of the ram. There i a bypass 52 from the cylinder and around the valve 49 to the pipe 41 through which fluid freely passes from the cylinder during the down stroke of the ram.

I also provide a connection with the cylinder from th pipe 41 through a branch pipe 54. Said branch leads from the pipe 41 to connect with the cylinder at a. level slightly below the opening 48. There is a check valve 55 in this line, which is normally adjusted to close completely against the escape of fluid outwardly from the cylinder, but

'theram,theweightofthemds,

41 it may enter the cylinder throush any of the 8 threepipes which have been shown. Iltwillznin entrancebelowtheramevenatitslowstlevel bywnyoithepipe flsoastosterttheremcn its upward movement. It may also had entrance through either of the other pipes during liftin: of the load. when the upward been completed and the pressure may escape thru the valve II when normally ediustedsndthenmountescapinzupwardlywithin gotoheredprocsted pmlectionthereon. Baidprojection flanpedetlltoseetupontheuppermrlace ui'thepmnpcase. Therenretwodownwnrdly psumtedopminzsflandfladaptedtoxeeister wifllopmhnaolthepumphandthroushwhich fluidflowstosndfrmnthepump. Attheupper endoftb'ehousingthereu'etwoieterallyextendsopmlnssllsndllthmhwmchnuldmu tromtheiluid-flowreveningvalvetoand fllepumlinlmlndtank. 'I'heflowinto andtromthemtarypxmppaattherevenlngvslve thecylinderpasttheringllissosmnllsstopre- TheplunaerBhas venttheramiromlandlngviolentlyonthepluz extmdinzstemll. seidltemextendstnmush ll. Thusthedropninsotthersmwillbechecked theouterendorheadflorthehousingsndhu andbetorecompletionorthedownwardstrokea itsaulsiotted,esahmrnsl:Jothntthen-mvenew charge of pressure fluid can be forced ummtotthevalvemuhemsnuallycontrolledby throughthepipesintothecylindertoturtherreeleverinlertedwlthlntheslotwhendlnred. A sistthetallingoftheramatthelowerendotthe. see-llstm'medahouttheprojectingstemnby stroke. Whilethecheckvalveilisnormally meansotflaeswillnghoxfl.'rheopposlteend sdaptedtoclosecompletelmcmditionssriseparotthenlvehomlnglschsedbyahesdu. The ticulerly with high speed or heavy rod loads, gobfldyofthepllmlerisiormedwimspacedslots whereitisdesirsbletoslightlyopencheckvelve ormflandll. Aswillbeseenirom u to more gradually cushionthe hydraulic shocks occasioned by said high speeds or heavy loads.

Itwillalsobenotedthatitthering ll atthe lowerendoltherampessestheportllitwillen- 35 in adjusting the vertical position or the well pump plunger. In pumping operationnthe length of thepump rodsmustbe adiusted with aiairderel. The rods stretch amteriel amount due to I the load thereon, and allowance must he made for example, the cap 26 is removed, the pin '21 endthesquaredsleevell aretheuremoved. This 50 of the dim!!! I fl efluid 'l'lu,7to1l,saidslotsdonotextendentirely thnouzhtbe bodybutthelowersidesoi thellotsarenlhstanthllyclosedhyportionsol flngonthelrinnermrteoesclmelyassinstthe reciprocateatthepmperplaceinthepmnpbsr- 5 d! allows rotation 01 the sleeve ll togethe with the the opposite dimecflou.

interconnected mm relative to the sucker rod, whiehrodllissuw rtedbyarodclamp nboutthesaidrodbelowthestumngnoxcapll andrestinguponcap linttertherod l'lisedtothedesired eix t. l

Rotatlonoi'thendlustinisleeveandramin theproperdlrectionwillscrewitupwardlyor downwardly ontherodunfllthedeairedsetting isobtsined. Thepertswhichwereremov edmsy w Wmwmmm hethmassembledasbetoxe,therodolampsremoved, and the Whimsy proceed.

The fluid under measure which tends'toreise themmanditsloadofliqmdisprovidedinitially flu s apo erpumpwhichmubedrivennnm 86 any desired source of power. In Pie. .1 this pump,

which may be shown generalb at A, is oft-he ro-ffl tlry p lndaduptedtobelctuntedthro lhn beltorchainconnection Ii with tractor II, which may be an internal combustion motor, if desired. 79

To directtheflow otfluid fromthestonset'ank m inslsckandrmmthepumn nsi totheiiuidstoragetanket thepropertime,s. fluid-flow reversing valve is placed immedintely above thepllmn mm to 11, inclusive, the

other-opmasseminbothllll. 8nnd9. whmhowever-Jhepllmzer mtesideofflledivldim'memberliflme msyilow in the opposite direction. Itwin lmdelstood, theretore, that when the erBlsmovedtownrdt-heendplnteu through these ports in a manner which will be described.

from the end of the plunger is a stem I01 which projects beyond the end of the stufilng 'box I03 formed in the end plate I06 and leaves the end of the said stem exposed to atmosphere. The end plate I06 of the valve body I04 is closed about the stem by the stumng box including the cap I08 and the packing 808.

There are lateral ports in the wall of the valve body I04; one port H is at the lower side adjacent the end of the plunger member I05. Oppominute lateral openings I30 in the upper portion site this port and on the upper side of the body is a port III. The valve is so formed that fluid passing into the valve body through the port IIO may pass between the end of the plunger and the end wall of the body and flow through the port III. The port H0 is connected with the port I02 in the reversing valve housing by the pipe I I2, said pipe having therein a check valve 3 opening in the direction of the arrow adjacent thereto. Said pipe II2 intercommunlcates with the pipe SI connecting the reverse valve to the Jack and at all times the fluid pressures in pipes II2, 9| are therefore equal. Also, it will be noted that the pipe I10 intercommunicates with the pipe 90. Therefore, the fluid pressures in pipe I10 and pipe 90 are likewise equal.

At the left end of the valve body a pipe II4 connected with the port I03 in the reversing valve is extended through the wall of the body I04 at H5. There is an upper outlet from the. housing I 04 at I I8 in which is secured the pipe I I1. This end of the valve is also so formed that irrespectlve of the position of the plunger I05 a free flow of fluid is possible in either direction through the v pipesild, I11.

In connection with this power valve I may include an air compressor or pump shown generally at D. This compressor, which is adapted for the pumping of liquid as well as for the compression of air, includes a body I I8, which isscrewed within an opening in the end of the valve body I04. Said compressor body projects into the interior of the powervalve body. and has an extension II 9 formed with an axial bore I within which the compressor plunger I2I upon the valve member is adapted to reciprocate. The outer end of the body II8 of the compressor has a lower port I22 and an upper port I23, said ports being connected with the end of the bore r cylinder I20 of the compressor. The lower port I22 is the inlet port. It has a disc I24 therein with a central passage therethrough, the upper portion of which forms a seat for the ball valve I25. Said ball valve is connected to a port 144, thus allowing the pasheld in its seat by gravity. The said plate I24 is held in position by a fitting I26, which is screwed'within the port I22 and serves as an attachment with the pipe I21, which may be connected with a container I28, the upper end of which is closed by a cap I29. This cap shields of the container wall which, while allowing admission of air, serves to prevent the entrance of insects or other foreign matter. There is a lateral pipe I3l formed in the container which is connected with the liquid tank, as wil1 be later described.

The upper port I 23 has a, valve I33 fitting upon a seat I34 in the same manner as the lower valve. There is a perforated disc I35 above the valve I33 which limits its movement upwardly. A fitting I36 screwed within the port I23 retains the seat plate I34 in position. Said fitting forms a connection with a pipe I31 which conveys pumped fluid from the compressor to the fluid storage tank which will be later described.

Movement of the power valve plunger I05 to the left is caused by application through pipes 9|, II2, through port IIO to the right end of the plunger, of fluid from the power pump at pressure suflicient to overcome friction between the plunger and its cylinder, and to overcome the resistance ofiered by the fluid at tank pressure on the left end of said plunger. The desired power-applying function of plunger I05, which occurs during its movement back to the right, forces fluid out of port III and on through pipes I41, I 49, at pressure sufiicient to aid or complete the leftward stroke of the reversing plunger B, which moves leftward because the force of the fluid at tank pressure, which always exists at the left end of plunger B, is much less than the force exerted on the left end of the power plunger I05. Therefore, when proper fluid communication is provided the plunger I05 moves rapidly tothe right and performs its power applying function of moving the plunger B to the left.

Adjacent the power valve body I04 in any convenient position I provide a fluid bypass valve shown generally at E which could'as well be designated as a pilot or timing valve. said valve comprises a cylindrical case I38, said case being closed at one end by the plug I39 and at the other end is formed a stuffing box I40 through which projects a stem I4I extending from a compound plunger member I42. There is a stufllng box I43, which forms a seal about the stem MI,

.and allows the reciprocating of the stem therethrough. The end of the stem MI is exposed to atmosphere. v

The valve case I38 is formed with fluid ports therein through which connections are made with other portions of the apparatus previously described or to be described. Atthe end of the housing adjacent the plug I39 the pipe H1 is sage of fluid throu h said port into a slight recess I45 in the valve case I38. 'Spaced from the port I44 is another port I46 into which is connected a pipe I41 which leads to the port III in the power valve previously noted. Between the ports I44 and I46 and preferably on the opposite side of the valve case is the port I48, from which pipe I43 leads to the port I00 in-the. reversing valve housing 86.

Connected in the pipe II2, which has been previously described, is a pipe I50, which leads from below the check valve in the pipe .I I2 upwa dly adjacent the bypass valve E is con 3d nu nmh passages in longitudinally there- 'lheinnerwallofthe ylilncuelillspm- Ill. 12. These recesses prevent lateral hydnulle to the letthand end of the ph'mzer In the reverslng valve as well u to the Dlunlers in the power valve and in the 11m vnlve.

wlllbenotedirommnrnd 14. spaced EEEEEE Si h? VthepmnpJuekrtrokesaretlmedtorntwo-loot strokeJnd that add two footstrokeisoccurrlnll adleoenttheextremelowerendorthepumpjeck cvllnderandotthezellpum cylinderandthatbeeauaeotwearlngotthewell pump cylinder, or elongating of the sucker rods, orforotherreuonsltlsdesh'edtohmemld phlmerperlormltsaaldtwofootstrokeinany upper or higher portion of said cylinder, then andinthntevmtdurmztheup-strokeotthe ramsntdvalvel'lllsmmmllycloeeddudng whlcholomrestrokerevernllshnposxlbleuflu d mmtpesethroughaldvnlvellldurlngtheoccurrenceotboththeunnndthedownatmke. ittercloeureotvflvelllnndwhentheremhu reechedthemsxlmnnhelghtofltsnewordeelred up-Itmkepodtiomwlflehmqbentanypoint deeIredJhevalvellllsqnieklymmMiwhereumnnutomeflcreveraenowlmmedintelyoecun andtheremdeaeendsltsorldnaltwo-f otrtmke dlsteneeforwhlchtheflmlnznlve lflhadall thettmebeenoetupontheeornpleflon ofnld two foot dowmtroke the upstroke reverse min nutomatlcnllyoomrgandwenowlnvethewell pump plunger performing its desired two foot sh'okelnanewplnoemthewellxmmpbarrel. Itwlllthmbeaeenthathymanlnnlatlon of valve I'll the well pump plunger-may. without on! disturbance pumplnmberelaedorloweredwlthln'lt'e oo-actlnc qvlinder tn my desired Tnenreesureorthetankfluldlnthemtem w ich is elwovs exerted agalnstthe phmnem B. Ill and 2 will move the planners in a rlzbthand direction so that in upstroke-sternum p dtlon they wlll stand in the position shown in 1'11. 5 and P13. 10. This is due to thefact that the I have in e oon e fl z pipe I'll a ha d- 75 m exposed to fluid pressure is grater on the "assure-1.

lefthand ends of these valve plungers beause of they greater area exposed to the pressure on that end.

With the valves in this position the pump is started. The position of the reversing valve B will then be as shown in Fig. 10. The port will be the inlet port in the reversing valve and pump and will be connected with the storage tank. The discharge port 9| is connected through the slot or passage 00 with the outlet or discharge end, of the pump.

The pressure of th fluid in the discharge pipe ii of the reversing valve will be exerted outwardly through the pipe 2 but will-be prevented from entering into the bypass valve at I46 by the position of the plunger I61 therein. Tank pressures will, meanwhile, be exerted through the pipe I it through the power valve member I04 and the pipe III to the lefthand end of the bypass valve, thence outwardly therefrom through the pipe I49 to the port I00 inthe reversing valve. Although the pressure of the pumped fluid cannot pass through pipe III into the housing E of the bypass valve, the pressure entering the power valve through the port H0 will move the power valve plunger I06 to the left of its position shown in Fig. and in doing so will force the plunger I2I' to drive the air in the compressor cylinder I outwardly past the valve m. During all the upstroke or the pumping jack the power valve plunger I05 will remain in an extreme lefthand position where its further progress is limited by impingement of the, compressor piston III against the leithand end of the compressor cylinder I20 in which position all fluid or liquid, as the case may be. has been forced out of the compressorcylinder I10 past the discharge valve I into pipe I31. with the reversing valve in the store said uo-stroke position the'pressure of the pum ed actuating fluid will pass throu h the port 0| to enter the cylinder 20 of the lack under the ram 24 and perform the up-stroke of the jack. Said pumped fluid pressure at the same time passes from port 6i into the pipes 2, I60 and on to' the fluid inlets I61, I60 for the purposes hereinafter fully described. Tank pressure meanwhile is maintained at both ends of the reversing valve pllmger by fluid communication with the tank through ports I00. I0'I, I03 andpipes I49, I10, I I 4 and II1, respectively.

The tank pressures upon opposite ends of the valve plunger B within the reversing valve housing will therefore be such as to hold the plunger in the position shown in Fig. 10 due to the greater area exposed to pressure on the end of the plunger remote from the stem 92. In this connection it may be noted that the plunger B of the reversing valve is hydraulically balanced laterally by the provision through the body of the plunger of passages I11, which allows the passage of pressure fluid transversely through the body of the plunger and allows the balancing of pressure on both sides thereof. 'To further assist in balancing the pressure at the periphery of the valve plunger the inner wall of the hous ing may be recessed as shown'at I10 where it is\ end of which is rigidly flxed in the head 06 of the reverse valve, is employed. .Said pin flts a longitudinal bore through the lefthand head 0! the plunger as shown in Fig. 10;

It is to be noted that the pipe ll of the reversing valve 06 is open through the port I02 and pumped pressure fluid may pass therefrom through the pipe I50 around to the pipe ,IBI and into the port I60 inthe bypass valve, but the fluid entering port I60 between the opposing pis- 1 tons I66, I61 has no effect on same, as bein of equal area they are thus hydraulically balanced. By regulating the position of the inlet valve I62 the amount of fluid which may enter the bypass cylinder may be limited to the desired amount to time the movement or the bypass plunger, so as to control the movement of the reversing plunger, B, to coincide with any desired jack stroke length. Fluid passing the valve I02 and the check valve I63 will enter the housin I38 at the end thereof, as indicated particularly inFig. 12.

When the bypass plunger reaches the left end of its throw and the piston I61 has passed to the left of port I46, pumped pressure fluid will pass from" pipe. 9| through pipes II2, I41 and I40 whence it will enter the reversing valvehousing 06 through the port I00 in the housing and en- Ease behind the right hand and of the reversin valve plunger B, As the pressure of this fluid .irom the pressure side of the pump is sufflciently great to overbalance the tank pressure at the other end of the valve plunger B, said plunger will start movement toward its opposite position. As it is moved longitudinally in the valve housing the slot 81 and the slot 08 will reach\ an intermediate or neutral position where the pressure in the entire system, except in the righthand end of the power valve I06 and the pipe I41, casing E, pipe I and the right hand end of the reversing valve, will be equal and the reverse plunger will tend to stop. Further fluid, however, is discharged into the end of the housing 86. against the stem end-'0; the reversing plunger at pressure suflicient to complete its movement to the lefthand end of the reverse valve housing. This further pressurefluid is obtained from the righthand end of the plunger I05 0! the power valve C, the only outlet therefrom being through pipe I41 as the pipe H2 is closed by the check valve 3, alsothe hand operated valve I16 is normally closed though at times it may be partially opened to increase the length of the airicompressor plunger stroke as herein more fully described. 1 It willbe seen that the pressure fluid entering through the pipe- I64 will en8age against the end of the piston I and through the longitudinal fluid passages therein impinge against the surface of the piston I66. The pressure of the fluid on the piston I66 will move the entire 60 plunger slowly, depending upon the rate said fluid time the piston I66 will approach the opening I60, as shown'in Fig. 13, and continuing'will open said port. As will be noted, the pipe I00 65 has a full open passage and as soon as the piston I66 slightly uncovers the port I60 the fluid pressure therefrom will be exerted against the plunger in full force and will immediately throw. the piston portion I61 of the plunger assembly 70 to the extreme left end ofthe cylinder m and fully open port I48 to provide free fluid com municati'on between ports I48 and I46. Whereupon, high pressure pumped fluid from pipe 0| will pass to the righthand end of the reverse valve housing 86 and start leftward movement may pass through the valve I52. At the proper' otitsplungerB sheretotoredescribeithebalnnoeoftheleitwardtrsveloitheplungerBbeing performed!!! theautomaticactionorthepower valve mechanism "immediately bereeiter ex- Inordertonotethhisctitwfllbeunderstood thstwhenthebvpamvnlvehssmovedtoits ultimate letthsnd positionsnd opens thepassage between and throughthepipes I41 and I theiiuidinthecylinderlllbetweenthepower vslve plunger ill! andtheri hthandend "to! the valve housing Ill will be forced out-through the pipe I", thence through the bypass valve body and through the pipe I down into the housing 88 crime reversing valve at the righthandendofthe plungerB andexert sumcient force to cause ssid plunger to complete its movementtothe leit.

The reversing plunger will be moved backwardlytotheoriginslpositionbynnsetionoi thebypossvnlvewhichisprncticnllythereverle of the original movement. It will be observed from the drawings that when the bypass plunger lilisatthelefthandendotitssirokethepnnped pressure fluid may pass through the valve housing E,throughthepipes I" and l|l,butwillnot elect the movement the bypass plunger due tothefactthstthepramreisequalinbothdirections between the two pistons I" and III.

valve I57. Thisiiuidmayeseapeonlythmugh theoutietpipelil asttheeheckvslveiu. This hnnd-operstedvalveissosdjustedthsttheiiuid willpassthesamentnpredehrminedntewhieh willservetotimethemovementnndopmhz sage is provided through III. ill for the fluid to passltrom the stem-end o! the reversing valve on into ports ill which latter ports are always maintained at tank pressure through their connection to-the main tank line 00.

The tank pressure which is normallyexerted on the leithend end 0! the reversing plunger B through openings ill, pipe I'll and open valve I'll, end on down through pipe H4 is thus exerted upon the left end of the reversing plunger which,

1701!!! Of l r er area than the righthanding conditions to terminate the down stroke of whichisnown piectedtoequelpressuresaid grenterleithsndareacausestheplungertomove abruptly to the right into its original position, asshowninl'ig;10,atwhiehtimethepower andbvpassvslveplungerswillelsobeintheoriginalposition,nsshownin1'ig.5,whichco|npletes am p sm e.

Itishereexpleinedthatthehsndvslve lll entorarlly discontinue existing automatic operations for the purpose of re-ediusting same as is herein more fully explained. I

The construction and varying positions oi my reversing valve plunger B, relative to the ports in the reversing valve housing within which the plunger reciprocates, comprises an important Hit-hand movement 1! power .5 and'appliedto therighthandendotsaidplunger from another source. to continue the reversing strokeoithereversephnwertotheleit. However. as'elsewhere herein explsined. plunger reaches this intermediate position my power valve performs its duty, which is to supply suiiicie'nt hydraulic pressure or ower to complete the left-hand stroke of the plunger 13 without an! noticeable slowing up of its movement.

It is frequently required under varying pumpthe ram 24 before the ring 45 on the bottom'of the ram has descended to or below the fluid outlets from under the ram. In such cases the descent of the ram will be checked by the timed operation of the fluid-flow reversing valve. The initial checking of the rams descent will occur when the reversing plunger reaches the aforesaid intermediate position at which time fluid from under the ram has an obstructed passage from pipe 88, through the reversing valve and pipe 98 to the air tank. The compressed air in the tank is thereby initially applied to check the descent of the ram and oflers a flexible cushioning me dium for so doing.

The fluid forced out from the power pump into pipe SI of the fluid flow reversing valve passes to the pumping jack previously described and acts to engage below the ram therein and elevate the ram and its load of rods and liquid. In actual practice a plurality of wells may be pumped simultaneously and in Fig. 2 is illustrated an installation for this purpose. The pipe 9| is shown as extending out to conduct the pressure fluid from the pump to a plurality of jacks. Branch lines 81, 41a and 41b conduct the lifting fluid-to Jacks I80, I8I and I82, respectively. Hand operated valves I83 are provided in each of the branch pipes to regulate the rate of flow of the liftin fluid through the same. It will=be understood that each well has its own characteristics as to depth, volume of production, and the like, and each jack may therefore differ in the length of its stroke. The valves I83 may, therefore, be adjusted for each well, to pass the required volume of lifting fluid to elevate the jack on that well to its required stroke length.

I employ in connection with the pumping systerm a fluid pressure storage tank having a compressible expansible fluid such as air therein, the pressure of which serves to counterbalance the weight of the ram, sucker rods and pump mechanism on the down stroke thereof, and also stores up. energy and power derived from the falling loads of ram, rods, and pump plunger, to assist the motor-driven pump in elevating said elements together with the load of pumped liquid on the next upstroke.

In constructing my tank I provide an air storage chamber I 84, which as shown particularly in Fig. 2 is rectangular in shape. The body of the air tank comprises a tubular member, the two side members being connected to the end ,members I85 and I85, by welding or other equivalent means. There is thus provided a continuous internal tubular chamber for the air which chamber is of lar e volume and yet is adapted to lie low upon the ground and form a base upon which the motor, power pump and its control mechanism may be mounted. This therefore provides a support for the complete pumping unit which with the tank is easily portable from place to place when the location thereof is to be changed.

This base member ,I84 is one closed chamber but it has connection with the liquid containin tanks which are mounted thereon, as shown in Fig. 3. At one end I85 of the base member I mount two liquid tanks I88 and I81 respectively, which are spaced apart upon the end member. They have no connection whatever with the air 7 tank except as will be presently described.

The liquid-containing tank I88 has a direct connection through the fluid flow reversing valve with the power pump and may hence be called the liquid supply tank. It is closed at its lower end, where it is mounted upon the air. tank, ex-

cept for a. central opening I81 therein to allow the passage therethrough of a connecting pipe I88. Said pipe I88, which is welded or otherwise sealed ofi from communication with the air chamber I84, extends upwardly into the liquid'supply tank to a point adjacent the upper end thereof. The upper end of the tank I 88 is reduced in diameter and closed by means of a plug I89 screwed therein, said plug having a central passage I98 which is normally closed by a screw threaded plug I8I.

There is a lateral pipe I82 connected with the upper end of the liquid tank which has a handoperated valve I93 thereon which may be opened to provide connection with the pipe I3I previously mentioned as leading to the container. I28, shown in Fig. 5 at the inlet to the compressor D.

The tank I 81 is likewise sealed off at its base from the air chamber but a downwardly extending pipe I94, which is also sealed off from the air chamber, is open to thetank I81 at its upper end and connects to pipe I88 at its lower end. It will'therefore be seen that the pipe I88 connects the two tanks I 86 and I81 so that the pressure of the fluid therein is equal. Said downwardly 4 extending pipe I94 has the effect of further extioned compressor or pump D, which is designed to pump any kind of desired flu'd from the container I28 through pipe I21 and discharge same throughpipe I31 into the upper end of the tank I81. There is normally an air space I95 in the upper end of the tank I81. The upper end I 98 of the tank I81 is reduced in diameter and has an opening which is normally closed by the hand operated valve I99. There is a so a laterally extending pipe 280 leading from the upper air stor- 1 age portion of thetank I81 which is connected 'with an upright air conductor pipe 28I. I provide in pipe 280 a hand-operated valve 282 by means of which the air pressure-from the chamher I84 may be cut oil from the liquid tanks. and I may also connect therein a pressure gauge 208 by means of which the fluid pressure in the system may be noted.

The pipe 2Ill extends downwardly through the upper wall of the air storage tank I 84 and may be understood as being welded in position to make a fluid tight connection where it passes therethrough. The lower end of this pipe extends to a point closely adjacent the lower end of the air storage chamber and is adapted toconvey and apply the air .pressure from the chamber I 84 to the top of the liquid in the air oil storage tank I81 whence said pressure extends throughout the entire closed system. I provide at the upper end of the pipe 20I a relief valve 284 which acts as a safety valve to relieve excess pressure beyond a predetermined amount.

The pressure fluid storage installation thus provided has several advantageous characteristics. Tanks heretofore used for this work are relatively bulky to accommodate the volume of fluid required and are ordinarily constructed in the form of a cylinder approximately sixteen or eighteen inches in diameter and from fifteen to twenty feet in length. Such tanks must be stood on end in order to attain a considerable head or depth of 'the oil which is essential in order to maintain the separate identity of the two fluids, air and oil, for instance, which in this work are stored in direct contact with each other in the tank. Therefore, previous tanks had to be erected and maintained in an upright position which requires use of foundations and guy wires or other supports to prevent their falling. Furthermore, if such tanks are to be charged or filled with the two fluids at the factory they become intermixed in transit and rendered unfit for their required function.

The operation of this installation may now be noted. Referring to Fig. 2, oil from tank I86 is pumped by the power-operated pump and di charged past the fluid flowreversing valve and outwardly through the pipe 9I to the pumping jacks where it serves to elevate the rams therein together with their. loads. The valves I83 in the branch line leading to the separate jack will be adjusted by tests so that during the time of the fluid discharge thereto the rams in the jacks indicated diagrammatically at 205 will be raised the desired amount to operate the particular well on which it is installed. Each valve I83 may be thus adjusted so that during the working stroke of the pump each jack cylinder will receive the amount of liquid under pressure to elevate the ram therein to the desired height necessary in the particular well upon which the jack is placed. In Fig. 2 the jack I82 is indicated as requiring a shorter stroke than are the other two jacks. his may readily be accomplished by the adjustment of the valve I83 leading thereto. Thus each of the rams in each of the jacks will be elevated the proper amount required for the particular well upon which the Jack is placed.

When sufllcient liquid under pressure from the power pump has been delivered to elevate the jacks as required the fluid flow reversing valve will be reversed in the manner which has been described so that the liquid can pass back from under the rams in the jack through'pipe 9 I. thence through the reversing valve down into the pump which applies sufficient additional powe to force said liquid outwardly through'pipe 90 on into :the liquid storage tank I88. It must be understood that the fluid in said tanks is always maintained at such pressure that during th up-stroke of the jacks the pressure in the tank bears substantially the same relation to the pressure required to elevate the rams as the pressure created under the rams by their gravitational down stroke bears to the pressure in the tank. This equalization of pressures during the entire up and down pumplng strokes results in a substantially uniform and continuous power demand from the motive unit. There is no variation between the up-strcke and down-stroke power demand upon the motor except that created by the insignificant slight drop and rai e in the tank pressure as liquid is.

taken from and forced back into said tank. Thus, when the rams in the separate jacks are falling under their separate loads, the pressure exerted thereby upon the liquid under the rams will be I applied to aid the power plant in forcing said When the reversing valve is again shifted to discharge the. fluid through the pipe 8| to again elevate the jacks the H. P. of the motor will be aided by the fiow of liquid from the tanks into the intake side of the pump through the pipe 98, and this is so because the power stored up in the tanks in the form of compressed fluid will exert its expansive force against the oil which it contacts at the top of the tank I81 and force the liquid out of the tank I 88 into the power pump and thus aid the motor in performing its upstroke.

During the normal operation of the system air and/0r liquid will be discharged from the small pump or compressor through the pipe I31 into the upper end of the tank I81. I have found that when air under pressure, as is required in this system. is in contact with and about the oil, as shown in tank I81, sald'pressure causes the air to pass or be absorbed into the oil and I have found further that increasing the depth of the oil lessens this mixing of the two fluids. By arranging the alr tank I84 as shown and mountin the liquid tanks thereon and further by downwardly extending the pipe I94 below the tank I81 I attain in a low compact type of tank a maximum depth or head of oil into which less air will enter. The amount of ai which enters the oil increases substantially relative to any increase in pressure, or to any decrease in depth or head of the oil.

Air entering the oil will pass down through the oil in the tank 581 and pipe I 94 thence across and up through pipe I88 to the upper end of the tank I86, where it will accumulate and whence it can, either steadily or at intervals, through valve I83, be drawn oil before it mixes with the oil in the lower portion of tank I81 from which the oil supply to the power pumps is drawn. When said undesired air is drawn oil the top of tank I88 a small amount of more or less foamy or air-impregnated oil may also pass with the undesired ai and such oil if any passes into and through pipe I3I to the container I28 which is connected withthe compressor D in the manner described. I am thus enabled to substantially prevent the leakage of air through the oil to the outlet pipe 90, which leads to the power pump. This, as may be well understood, prevents access of air to said pump in such quantity as to decrease the eiflcient operation thereof and further by my deep oil sealin means in tank I81 which minimizes entry of air into the oil, pressure drop in the tank is insignificant even over a long period of time.

I employ oil as the actuating medium between the power pump and the jack because of its superior lubricating qualities and its non-oxidizing characteristics. I find, however, that water resists the passage of air therethrough under pressure to a much greater extent than does the oil. In Fig. 4 I have illustrated an installation whereby I may provide a volume of water between the air pressure chamber and the oil discharge system which leads to the power pump and the jack. The tank I81 and its connection with the pipe 2M is in this case identical with the previous installation. I provide however between the tank I88 and the connecting pipe "8a a separate liquid containing tank 208. The U-shaped pipe Illa connects between the lower part of this third tank 286 and the original tank I81 which is pro vided with the same equipment as was disclosed in Fig. 3. The pipe I881: in this modification however does not extend to the upper end of either tank and is shown as extending to a point slightly above the bottoms of the tanks 208-I81. The upper end of this third tank 286 is closed by a small screw plug 208. A pipe 289 connects the upper end of the two tanks 206 and I86. Said tank I88 is provided with equipment as is disclosed in Fig. 4.

With the installation thus constructed I fill tank I88 and a large proportion of the tank 205 with oil. vThe tank I81, however, is filled with water, said water filling also the pipe I88a and the lower part of the tank 206 up to a level indicated at ZIII. It will thus be seen that the oil and water will be separated by gravity so that the oil will lie above the water in the tank 206. How-.

ever, the air pressure entering tank I81 through the pipe 2!" will be exerted against a, water medium. Thus if bubbles of air tend to pass through the liquid toward the discharge pipe 90 leading to the power pump it will have to first pass through the water in tank I81 and the pipe H381: and also through the water in the lower part of the tank 206 before-it may reach the oil in the remaining portion of the system. This installation is somewhat heavier and expensive but where high counterbalancing pressures are required in the air chamber as is necessar in pumping from wells of extreme depths I find that such high pressures when applied directly to the oil as is shown in tank I81, Fig. 3, cause such a mixture of the fluids as to lower the mechanical efliciency of the power pump, therefore the introduction of my water sealing means between the air and the oil provides a more economical and emcient method of pumping deep wells.

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen' that near the top of the third tank 206 I have provided a pipe I92, a valve I93, and a pipe I3I' through which air may bedrawn off in the same manner as through pipe I92, valve I93, and pipe I 3|, in the top of tank I88. Also in Fig. 4, near the top of tank I85, I have provided a pipe I31 through ,which fluid may be supplied to said tank from the compressor D or any other source.

I have previously described my air compressor D as operated in connection with the power valve. This positioning and operation of the compressor has the advantage of placing the compressor where the barrel may be cooled by liquid within the body of the power valve case I04. In this way the compressor may be kept from overheating without difliculty.

I may, however, place an air compressor in position adjacent the pipes running to and from the reversing valve so that the said compressor may be operated by fluid connections with these two pipes. This is illustrated in Fig. 2. With reference also to Fig. 6, the construction of this compressor may be seen. The power cylinder 2 I 5 is shown as connected at one end 2; to a fitting 2 which closes that end of the cylinder except for the lateral pipe 2I8. Said pipe is connected through the pipe 2 I 9 with the pipe 9| as shown in Fig. 2. The opposite end of the cylinder 2I'5 is provided with an integral head 220 within which thereon adapted to engage at one end of the stroke of the piston within a, recess 226 in the head 2I1. The entry of said head 225 into said recess 226 provides a gradual hydraulic stop or termination of the travel of plunger 223 at its extreme righthand position.

On the opposite end of the plunger 223 is an axially extending plunger 221 of smaller diameter side 230 of the cylinder MI is a fitting and valve i 228 to the fluid pressure tank I81.

connected therewith also the same as those shown in Fig. 5 in connection with the compressor there disclosed.

The operation of this compressor will be readily understood. When the liquid pumped from the power pump flows outwardly through pipe BI to the pump jacks there will be liquid pressure exerted through the pipe 2I9 into the power cylinder 2I5 of the compressor. The areas of the opposite ends of the piston 223 are so proportioned that pressure exerted by this liquid against the righthand end of the piston will be sufficient to move the compressor piston 221 in the cylinder 22I to the left to compress any fluid which has entered said cylinder through the inlet 230 and force said fluid outwardly through the pipe When the direction of flow of liquid from the power pump is reversed and the jacks are moving downwardly the pressure of the fluid through the inlet pipe 2I9 will be decreased below the pressure in the pipes 90 and 222 to such an extent as to cause the power piston 223 to again move to its righthand position, during which righthand movement fiuid enters the compressor cylinder 22I through the inlet pipe 230 whereupon the mechanism is ready for the next stroke.

It will be obvious that the suction stroke of the compressor will require but smal1 consumption of power to move the piston and the amount necessary for this purpose is supplied through the pipes 90, 222. The movement of the power piston 223 on its suction stroke will bring the head 225 on the stem 224 within the recess in the cylinder head Zn, and thus limit the movement of the piston in that direction, It will be understood that this form of compressor may be substituted for that shown in Fig. 11 whenever desired and particularly when the type of power valve shown in that figure is not employed. The use of one or the other forms of the compressor member will be optional and the use of one or the other will depend upon the other elements of structure employed therewith.

I have shown in Fig. 5 a power valve and bypass valve which may be employed in controlling the movement of the plunger in the fluid flow reversing valve. It will be understood that the particular structure shown in Fig. 5 may be modifled in many ways without departing from the inventive idea therein disclosed. In Fig. 20 a substitute structure is illustrated. Instead of the power valve and bypassvalve being separately formed and mounted I combine the two in one connected structure.

In this embodiment of the power and bypass valve I provide a base member 23I which is

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