US2418788A - Apparatus for lifting fluids - Google Patents

Description

April 8, 1947. J. D. NlxoN APPARATUS FOR LIFTING FLUIDS Filed June :50, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 1 l, Y. IIIIIIII d a 1V ,Je

TTRJVEYS J. D. NIXON APPARATUS FOR LIFTING FLUIDS Aprile, 1947.

2 t e m w S t e e h s 2 Filed June y D; M011 Jedd PatentedApr. 8, 1947l mso rA'r-ss ,-ArsNr OFFICE APPARATUS FOR LIFTIN G FLUIDS.

J eddy D. Nixon, New Braunfels, Tex. Application June 30, 1945, Serial No. 602,561

` 15 ClaiInS. .(Cl. 103234) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatuses for lifting fluids. Y

The invention has more particularly to do with an improved apparatus for lifting liquids in wells, especially water wells.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus employing compressed air as a lifting medium; and being entirely automatic in its operation as well as making for high efficiency of production and low cost of both operation and maintenance.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved liquid lifting apparatus employing a suitable compressed air supply connected with the well eduction tubing through a separate line, in which an automatic control valve is connected and which valve, also has connection with the well discharge conductor; whereby compressed air under a predetermined lifting pressure, is automatically and periodically, supplied to the eduction tubing in suicient quantity to `rapidly lift a predetermined head of liquid and which supply of compressed air is automatically shut off by the back pressureof the discharged liquid, when the latter is applied thereto, thus permitting the source of compressed air supply to rebuild the pressure to `supply the next lifting period.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved liquid lifting apparatus employing an eduction tubing and an air supply line extending down yinto the well externally of the tubing, together with a plug or ball having a seat above the air inlet and 'a relatively close sliding t in said tubing, whereby the compressed air forces the ball to the top of the tubing and the ball `in turn elevates a slug or volume of liquid accumulated in the tubing above the seated ball; the ball falling down to its seat when the supply of compressed airis shut off.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved liquid lifting apparatus wherein the eduction tubing is allowed to free itself of compressed air after each lifting operation, whereby the tubing pressure is reduced to atmospheric` pressure after each operation and the apparatus is left free to build up the pressure without interference from air left in said tubing.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for cutting off the supply of compressed air, beyond the compressor tank, whereby a higher pressuremay be built up in the cornpressor tank for kicking oli` the well, after an idle period.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lifting apparatus of the character described wherein means is provided between the inlet to the tubing and the control valve, for trapping compressed air or pressureuid in the line be,

tween. said means and the inlet to the tubing, whereby a head of pressure in the line is maintained between lifting periods and also whereby, the automatic valve is shut off from the line when iiuid pressure in said valve falls-below the iiuid pressure in said line, thus preventing bleeding back of the compressed air from the line and speeding up the closing action of the control valve..

Another very important object ofthe invention is to provide a Well liquid lifting apparatus whereby a predetermined sizeable load or slug of liquid may be, not only lifted at a relatively high rate of speed, but with a comparatively low expenditure of lifting fluid, thusproviding a highly desirable production of liquid from a well at a very low cost, as well as producing greatly increased quantities of liquid in a. given overall period of time, in comparison with apparatuses now in common use.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein an example of the invention is show'n, and wherein: A

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical View showing an apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the upper end of the eduction tubing and the air supply line,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the lower end of said tubing and air supply line,

Fig. 4 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of the control valve, and

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a plug which may be y ple I4 and a bull-plug strainer I5 is connected to the lower end of the nipple by a collar I6. An ordinary standing valve I1 which may be of any suitable construction is mounted in the lower end f the nipple.

An air line I8 extends down the casing I0 ex- `teriorly of the tubing II and has its lowerend screwed into the upper end of an inlet duct I9 in the block I2, which is connected with the bore I3 by a lateral port 20. The air line I8 which is referred to in the well industry as a macaroni string is attached to the tubing by clamps 2|. Each clamp has a bore 22 to snugly receive the tubing and a smaller bore 23 to snugly receive the line I8. These clamps may be attached to the tubing and air line by set screws 24 as shown in Fig. 1. In order to facilitate assembling of the tubing and air lines, the sections of tubing are connected by collars 25 engaging the underside of each clamp and the sections of the line I8 are connected by collars 26 engaging the upper side of each clamp. This arrangement not only permits a ready connecting of the tubing and air line sections, but it serves to securely hold the clamps in position and to prevent their displacement. The uppermost clamp 2i rests upon a surface header 21 of suitable construction, whereby the tubing and air line are adequately supported in the well. A T 28 is screwed on to the upper end of the tubing and rests upon the upper clamp 2I, thus aiding in carrying the tubing load, c

The bore I3 of the coupling block I2 has a diameter less than the internal diameter of the tubing II and is provided with a seat 29 at its upper end to support a ball 30. This ball may be made of any suitable material, such as rubber, soft or hard plastic or metal, or a combination of the samt-i. If the material of which the ball is composed should be too buoyant to properly sink in the column of liquid to the seat 29, it may be loaded with a suitable metal. The elevating member may take the form of a ball, plug or piston. A plug as shown at 3| in Fig. 5 may be used. This plug may be composed of soft plastic, such as synthetic rubber, and provided with washers 3| at each end connected by a bolt 30 and a nut 29'. If the plug wears, the nut may be tightened to compress and expand the plug.

In order to prevent the ball 30 from closing the end of the pipe I8', a pin 28 is inserted in the T 28 across the end of said pipe. A check valve is connected in the line I8 adjacent the valve 35 arranged to close and prevent compressed air from the line Ill vflowing or bleeding back into the valve 35.l It is pointed out that the block I2 at the bottom of the tubing II is usually positioned a substantial distance below the standing level of the Water in the casing Ill; as an illustration or 50 feet, or more, The water will also rise to approximately the same level in the tubing as in the casing, thus when l the ball 3U is seated, there will be a column of water standing in the tubing above said ball. From the foregoing, it will be seen that because of the column of water or liquid standing above the tubing inlet 20, a liquid seal thereacross will be provided, although the port remains open for the entrance of compressed air to the tubing. This seal coacting with the check valve 35' provides means for trapping a head of compressed air in the line when the lifting operation is completed or nearly so. The height of the column ofliquid will of course control the pressure of the trapped air. A column of liquid standing in the usual water Well tubing, approximately 40 feet above the inlet 20, will hold the trapped air under substantially 20 pounds pressure per sq. in. By the time the liquid load being lifted leaves the tubing, the pressure of the compressed air enteringthe tubing will be greatly reduced and therefore, the head of liquid standing in the casing I0 will flow into the tubing through the standing valve I1 and rise in said tubing, thus trapping air in the line I8. Liquid will immediately begin to enter the tubing from the formation and raise the column of liquidin the tubing to its normal or working level.

The upper end of the valve 35 is connected by a back pressure pipe 36, with a T 31 connected in the discharge pipe 34, as is shown in Fig. l. An elbow 38 is connected with the lower end of the valve 35 and also with a cut-on valve 40, which in turn, is connected with one end o the compressor tank 39 of an air compressor A; Any suitable air compressor may be used. A satisfactory type is shown generally in Fig. l and includes the tank 39 with an air compressor 4I and a small gasoline engine 42, mounted thereon. The air compressor is driven by the engine in the usual manner. The tank also carries a pressure gage 42'. When the type of compressor shown in Fig. 1 is used, the engine is operated continuously, except when the well is shut down; however, a type employing starting and stopping means (not shown) could'be used, such types being now in common use.

The control valve 35, which will be hereinafter described in detail, is constructed so that when the pressure in the tank 39 reaches the predetermined degree which for the purpose of illustration, may be lbs. to the square inch, the valve opens and supplies compressed air to the line I8 by Way of the lateral I8. The ccmpressed air after lling the pipe I8 iiows through the duct I9 and port 20 into the bore I3. In the meantime, the standing valve I1 has opened and permitted anaccumulation of water to enter through the nipple I4 and bore I3 and rise in the tubing, as hereinbefore described. The ball will temporarily be unseated to permit the water to rise lup to its working level in the tubing I I, after which the ball will seat. When compressed air is admitted to the bore I3, it will force the ball 30 upwardly thus .elevating the water trapped thereabove and carry it up the tubing I I into the T 28 in a slug. The ball 30 will be arrested by the plug 33, and kwill be retained in the T 28 by the pin 28', while the water is being discharged through the pipe 34. It is obvious that the slug of water being substantially solid, channeling of the air therethrough will not occur.

A portion of the water, which is discharged into the pipe 34, will flow into the back pressure pipe 36, act upon the valve 35, and in conjunction with the check Valve 35, sh'ut off the supply of compressed air to the line I8. When the oompressed air is shut off, the pressure in the tubing II will be sufficiently reduced to permit the ball/39 to fall by gravity and come to rest on the seat 29.

While the particular construction of the valve 35 is subject to variation, the valve shown in Fig. 4 has b een found to give very satisfactory results. This valve includes an upright tubular casing 45 provided with a bore 46 at its lower end, an intermediate enlarged bore 41 and an upper bore 48. The lower end of the bore 48 is internally screw-threaded to receive the screw-threaded end of the casing. A packing ring 56 is interposed between the header and the upper end of the casing. The header has an enlarged annular cup 51 at its upper end which' is externally threaded to receive the internally screw-threaded ange 58 of a cap 59. which has a central screwthreaded boss 60 on itsupper side.

A exible diaphragm 6I is clamped around its marginal edge between the cup 51 and the cap 59 and a metal follower disk 62 may be suitably fastened to the bottom of the diaphragm or may be held in contact therewith by a coiled spring 65. A guide collar 64 depends from the center of the disk. The shank 54 of the header is provided with an axial well 64 in which the coiled spring is supported. The upper end of this spring surrounds the boss 63. A reduced guide sleeve 66 is made integral with the lower end of the shank 54 and has a reduced bore 61 which terminates in an enlarged bore 68 at the lower end of the sleeve which in' turn, has a beveled seat 69 at its lower end.

An upright valve stem 10 extends through the elements 69, 68, 61, 66 and into the collar 63 but terminates short of the top of the bore of said collar. The valve stem extends upwardly from an inclined valve shoulder 1I formed on the upper end of a cylindrical valve body I2 having spaced annular collars or pistons 13 made integral therewith' and preferably made integral with the valve body. An axial valve pin 15 depends from the lower piston and has its lower end beveled at 16 to engage in a valve seat 11 formed at the upper end of an axial duct 18 disposed vertically in the plug 50. Ihe pistons have a snug sliding fit in the bore 46 and are made of suicient height to form guides for the valve body T2 and to maintain the same in an upright sliding position. A plurality of vertical ports 19 are provided in the collars so as to permit the' compressed air to flow therethrough. The pin 'l5 is held on `the seat 11 by a coiled spring 80 surrounding the sleeve ,66 and the valve body 12 and y confined between the upper portion 13 and the lower end of the shank 54.

It will be observed that the spring 65 is under compression and act's to support the diaphragm in its normal horizontal position; while the spring 80 is also under compression and acts to force the pin 15 onto the seat 11. The valve stem 1I) having,a loose sliding fit in the collar 63, it is obvious that the diaphragm is movable independently f said stem. An internally screw-threaded outlet boss 8| extending from the bore 41 receives the lateral I8', whereby compressed air supplied by the compressor 39 is delivered to the line I8. It will also be observed that the reduced bore 61 has an internal diameter which is greater than the external diameter of the valve stem 10, whereby compressed air may pass upwardly along the stem and escape into the header 53 which later is provided with vent ports 82.

When the predetermined air pressure, as for illustration 100 lbs. per sq. in., has ybeen built up in the compressor tank 39, the compression of the spring 80 will be overcome because the air will act against the lower end of the pin 15, thus raising its inclined surface from the seat 11, whereby compressed air will be discharged into the bore 4B and pass upwardly through the ports 19 and to K the lateral I 8. i

Owing tothe area of the underside of the lower collar 13, which is exposed to the compressed air, the body 12 will be rapidly, in fact; almost instantaneously, lifted to cause the shoulder 1I to engage the seat 59, upon sufcient air entering the bore 56. This force will raise and seat the body 'I2 with a snap or quick action. Because of the space in the collar 63, above the stem l0, the shoulder 1I will engage the seat 69 without displacing the diaphragm 5I. The sealingof the valve body 12 will prevent escape of air through the ports 82.

When the water or liquid is being discharged through the pipe 34, a back pressure will be built up against the top of the diaphragm 6I, through the pipe 36, which is comparatively small with relation to the pipe 34. It is apparent that by the time the ball 30 enters the T 28, the load or slug of liquid will have been discharged and the pressure of the compressed air flowing into the lateral I8', as well as the air pressure in the tank 39, will be greatly reduced.

The upward movement of the body 12`compresses the spring 80,- so that when the pressure in the valve casing 45 drops to a predetermined point, the back pressure acting upon the diaphragm will start the same downwardly, thus breaking the contact or seal between the shoulder 1I and seat 69, and thereby cracking the seal and releasing the air from the bore 41 to the ports 82. This movement, coupled with the expansive force of the compressed spring will quickly, and almost instantaneously, move the valve body downwardly a-nd engage the pin 15 with the seat 11 to close lthe valve with asnap action. The snap seating of the shoulder 1I and the pin 15 is very advantageous because the sudden impact keeps the seating surfaces clean as well as maintaining tight seats. When the diaphragm is depressed, the spring 65 is compressed so that, as the back pressure drops, the spring raises said diaphragm Ito its horizontal position.

The time elapse between the opening and closing of the valve 35 is, in mostI installations, very short, even less than a minute. The rate of travel of the ball 30 up the tubing'is controlled by the clearance between the collar 13 and the wall of the bore 46, which clearance is, of course, subject to variation. This short operation period not only makes for rapid lifting of the load of liquid, but involves rapid action of all elements, as well as an-economical expenditure of compressed air. The time lag between lifting cycles,

Y during which lag the Valve 35 remains closed, de-

pends upon the time required for the compressor A to build up the reduced pressure in the tank 39. Thus, if the pressure drop is 20 lbs. to the square inch, the time required to rebuild the pressure is less than if the drop was 30 lbs. per sq. in. Where the starting pressure is lbs. `per sq. in., satisfactory operation has been carried out with a drop of 20 lbs. persq. in.

The check lvalve 35' is important because it the air pressure in the controlv valve 35, thus It is pointed out that when the ball 30 l closing the check valve 35' and trapping air under pressure in the line I8 and lateral Il. However, it may occur that the shoulder 1I will be unseated and air released from the valve 35 before the check valve 35' closes. In either event the check valve will close and air -under pressure will be trapped and not bled from the line.

It is obvious that when a well remains idle for many hours or days, the liquid will rise in the tubing to a height greater'than the working level to which it rises during the lifting cycles, therefore, when it is desired to again start lifting liquid, it will be necessary to kick off the well and this will require a higher pressure than the working pressure built up in the tank 38 during lifting cycles. For this purpose, the cut-off valve 40 is provided. By closing this valve the required kick-oil pressure may be accumulated in the tank, after which the valve 43 may be opened and regular operation automatically started. It is to be understood that the term ball used generically in the specification and claims, is intended to cover a ball, plug or piston and the like. Also, the term compressed air as used generlcally in the specification and claims, is intended to cover any pressure fluid suitable for the purpose. Further, the apparatus may be used in a well having only a surface casing. Itis to be un derstood that the ball and the plug 33 may be omitted, so that the slug of liquidwill be lifted directly by the compressed air.

It is to be understood that while a pop off v or working pressure of 100 pounds per sq. in. may be built up in the storage tank 39, the compressed air delivered to the pipes I8' and I8 may have a considerably lower pressure, as for instance 60 pounds per sq. in., or even lower. The amount of pressure which can be built up or maintained in the pipes I8 and I8 depends upon the height of the head of liquid standing in the tubing above the inlet 20, because when the pressure of the air exceeds the hydrostatic weight of this liquid head, such head will start moving up the tubing. Thus, while a pressure of 100 pounds per sq. in. may be carried in the compressor tank 39, only a pressure of 60 pounds per sq. in. may be required to lift the liquid load.

When a well remains idle for several hours or days, the liquid in the tubing will rise to a higher level than it will when the well is being operated` at regular intervals; thus, there will be a maximum or static level and a working level therebelow. It is obvious that a greater pressure will be required to lift the liquid when it is at the maximum level because of the increased hydrostatic load. Thus, where a pressure of 60 pounds per sq. in. may be adequate to operate the well from the working level, a pressure of 80 pounds per sq. in. may be required to lift the liquid load when the fluid" stands at the maximum level. However, as the operation of the well progresses, the level will drop at successive lifting cycles and the pressure requirements will likewise drop until` the working level and working pressure are reached. Thus it is necessary to build up a reserve pressure in the tank 39. A

Owing to the relatively large area of the diaphragm 6I and the comparatively lesser areas of the surfaces being acted upon by the compressed air, when the valve is open, such diaphragm is very sensitive and will respond or yield tb low pressures. For instance, where the pressureof the air being supplied to the tubing may be approximately 60 pounds per sq. in., the diaphragm will yield to a pressure ot pounds per sq. in. Of course, as soon as the valve member I2 moves its shoulder 1I downwardly from the seat 69, the pressure in the bore I6 will be released and the valve pin 15 will be snapped to its seat 11. The check valve 35' will close substantially simultaneously with the release of pressure in the valve 35. This arrangement makes for a quick trapping of the compressed air in the pipes I8' and I8 and aids in limiting the pressure drop in said pipes.

It is pointed out that by the time the ball 3U falls to its seat 29, or soon thereafter, all of the compreed air utilized in lifting said ball and the slugI of liquid will have escaped into pipe 34 and consequently the pressure in the tubing I I, will reduce to atmospheric. This is important as no compressed air pressure is trapped in the tubing and it is only necessary to build up pressure in the string I8 to elevate the slug of liquid.

It will be noted that the string I8 is considerably less in diameter than the eduction tubing II. This is'important because it makes for conservation in the expenditure of compressed air. Where eduction tubing is 2 inches, internal diameter, the pipe I 8 for many installations need not be over 1/2 inch internal diameter, A small pipe is more readily filled with compressed air between the inlet 20 andthe control valve 35 and consequently the loss of compressed air after each lifting operation is greatly reduced. Further, once the valve 35 is opened, the supply of compressed air quickly builds up in the small string I8, particularly if air under pressure has been trapped therein between the check valve 35' and the liquid column in the tubing. Thus,

lthe lag between the opening of the compressed air supply and the initial movement of the slug of liquid is reduced over where llarge air supply pipes are used.

It is preferable to make the seat 29 so that it will not close off the passage when the ball 30 rests thereon, which permits liquid to freely flow upwardly when the ball is seated or arrested.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well asin the details of the illustrated construction may be made, Within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A liquid lifting apparatus including. an eduction tubing adapted to be disposed in a well with its lower end below the liquid level in 'said well and having ran inlet valve below said liquid level, means for supplying compressed air to the tubing above the inlet valve and below the liquid level in the tubing to cut off a slug of liquid above the point of admission and elevate said plug to the top ofthe tubing and discharge it therefrom,

and control means connected in said pressure fluid supply connected with the top of the tubing 'and having pressure-responsive means for cutting oil? the supply of pressure fluid responsive to a low pressure, and means adjacent the control means for trapping pressure fluid between the supply means and the point of admission to the tubing.

2. A liquid lifting apparatus including, an

eduction tubing adapted to be disposed in a well with its lower lend below the liquid level in said well and having an inlet valve below said liquid level, a pressure uid supply line of greatly less diameter than the diameter of the tubing conless than 10 75 nected directly into the tubing above the inlet valve and below the said-liquid level for supplying pressure fluid to lift a slug of liquid,- whereby. said lineis quickly filled with pressure fluid and the supply of pressure fluid is conserved, lmeans at the top of the well responsive to af reduced fluid pressure for shutting off the supply oi' ypressure fluid to said -line when'the slug reaches the top of the tubing, and means for, trapping pressure fluid in the line after the supply thereto is cut oil.

3. A liquid lifting apparatus including, 'an' eductlon tubing adapted tobe disposed in a well with its lower end below the liquid level in said well and'having an inlet valve below said liquid level, means for supplying compressed tubing above the inlet valve and below level therein, a control valve connected air to the the liquid with supply means and having a uid pressure-responsive cut ofi' below its point of connection to said supply means and a vent above said connection, and a back pressure valve in said supply means adjacent said control valve adapted to shut off back flow of pressure fluid in said supplymeans when the vent of said control valve is open to trap pressure between the tubing and itself.

4. A liquid `lifting apparatus as Set forth in claim 3 with means responsive to pressure differentals forperiodically shutting off and subsequently opening the supply of compressed air.

5. A liquid lifting apparatus including, an eductio-n tubing adapted to be disposed in a well with its lower end below the liquid level in said well and having an inlet valve below said liquid level, means for supplying compressed air to the tubing above the inlet valve and below the liquid level in the'well to lift liquidand discharge the same Ifrom the tubing including a source for building up 'and supplying compressed air at a predetermined pressure, control means adapted to open and supply compressed air when a predetermined pressure is built up at saidsource and connected with the discharge end o'f the tubing and exposed to the discharge uld for operation thereby to shut off the supply of compressed air to the tubing, and a movable member` separate from the inlet valve seated in the tubing between thecompressed air inlet and the liquid level therein adapted to be elevated by the compressed air to lift the liquid accumulated thereabove and adapted to fall down the tubing to lts seat.

6.V A liquid lifting apparatus including, an eductlon tubing adapted to be disposed vin a well with its lower end below the liquid level in said well and having an inlet valve below said liquid level, means for supplying compressed air to the tubing above the inlet valve and below the liquid level in the well to lift liquid and discharge the same from the tubing including a sourceof compressed air supply for supplying said air at a predetermined pressure and control means connected in the supply means and connected with thedischarge end of the tubing adapted to open when said predetermined pressure is built up and exposed to the discharged fluid for operation thereby to shut oli the supply of compressed air to the tubing, and a movable member separate from the inlet valve seated in the tubing between ,the air inlet and the liquid level therein adapted tobe elevated by the compressed air to lift the liquid accumulated thereabove and adapted to fall down the tubing to its seat.

7. A liquid lifting apparatus including, an eductlon tubing adapted to be disposed in a well with its lower end below the liquid level in said well and having an inlet valve at its lower end,

atravesy i tubingl adapted tobe disposed in a well with its l 4 in the compressed below the liquid level in a discharge pipe leading from Athe upper end oi' the tubing, an air supply line extending loneltudinally ofthe tubln in the well and connected withthe tubing be well. means for supplying compressed air to the. air line, a/control'valve connected with the air line and hayingmeans for supplying compressed air to the air line when opened means for conducting a portion of the iiuid discharged from the well to the valve to close the same, and a movable y member separate from'the inlet valve seated in the tubing between the air' inlet 'and the liquid level therein adapted to be elevated by the compressed air to lift the liquid accumulated thereabove and to return down the tubing toits seat.

8. A lifting apparatus including,l an eductlon lower end below the liquid level therein and having an inlet valvebelow said liquid level for accumulating a head of liquid in said tubing, means for supplying compressed airto the tubing and to said head of liquid to lift and discharge said liquid from the tubing, control v'means connected air supply means and exposed to the pressure of the discharged liquid for automatically supplying and cutting ou the compressed air, said control means being responsive to a pressure lower than the lifting pressure applied to the head of liquid to shut ou the supply of compressed air, and means co-acting with the control means and separate therefrom for trapping avolume of compressed air between said control means and the inlet to the tubing.

9. A liquid lifting apparatus including, an

eductlon tubing adapted to be disposed in a'well having liquid standing therein with its lower end said well, a liquid inlet at the lower end of the tubing, a pressure-iluid line extending substantially parallel oi the tubing and having its lower end connected with the tubing normally open for discharging pressure uid into the tubing below the liquid level in. said well and above the liquid inlet to lift liquid insaid tubing,l means above ground for supplying a pressure uid to said line, means connected to said line and with said supply means responsive to' matically starting and shutting ou the supply oi pressure. iluid to said linepand means for trapping ahead of pressure uld in said line between its inlet to the tubing and said automatic means.

` l0. A liquid lifting apparatus including, an eductlon tube adapted to be disposed in a well with its lower end below the liquid level in said well and having an inlet valv below said liquid level, means for supplying compressed air to the tubing above the inlet valve and below the liquid level in the well to lift liquid and discharge' the same from the tubing including a source for building up and supplying compressed air at a predetermined pressure, control means'adapted to open and supply compressed air when a predetermined pressure is built up at said source and connected with operation thereby to shut od the supply of compressed air to thef tubing, and means separate from the control means for trapping a head of compressed air in said supply means between the control means and the tubing when `the load of liquid 'reaches the top of the tubing.

11. A liquid uiting apparatus including, an eductlon tubing adapted to be disposed in a well'wlth its lower end below the liquid level ow theliquidilevel in the pressure dlerentials for autothegdischarge end of the tubing and exposed to the discharged iluld for pressed air therein in said welli and having an inlet valve at its lower end, a discharge pipe leading from the upper end of the tubing, an air supply line extending substantially parallel of the tubing in the well and connected with the tubing below the liquid level in the well, means for supplying compressed air to the air line, a control valve connected with the air line and having means for supplying compressed air to the air line when opened, and means connected in said supply line for trapping compressed air therein.

I 12. A liquid lifting apparatus including, an

eduction Atubing adapted to be disposed in e. well with its lower end belowv the liquid level in said well and having an inlet valve below said liquid level, means for supplying compressed air to the tubing above the inlet valve and below the liquid level in the well to lift liquid anddischarge the same from the tubing including a source of compressed air supply for supplying said air at a -predetermined pressure and control means connected in the supply means and connected with the discharge end oi the tubing adapted to open when said predetermined pressure is built up and eX- posed to the discharged iluid for operation thereby toshut oi! the supply of compressed air to the tubing, and means connected in the air supply for trapping compressed air therein when said movable member reaches the top of the tubinl 13. A liquid lifting apparatus including, an eduction tubing adapted to be disposed in a well with its lower end below the liquid level in said well and having an inlet valve at the lower end, a discharge pipe leading from the upper end of the tubing, an air supply line extending sub` stantially parallel of the tubing in the well and connected with the tubing below the liquid level in the well, means for supplying compressed air to the air line, a control' valve connected with the air line for controlling the supply of compressed ai to the air line when opened, and a check valve in the airline for'trapping comwhen the control valve is closed.

14. A well liquid lifting apparatus including,

sn educuon tubing adapted to be disposed in a.

well having liquid standing therein, a liquid inlet at the lower end of the tubing, an air line 1 extending substantially parallel of the tubing having a normally openV inlet to the tubing at its lower end below the liquid level of the well for supplying compressed air to the tubing to elevate liquid to the top thereof, the -liquid inlet admitting liquid to the tubing, whereby liquid rises in the tubing above the open inletof the air line, meansl for supplying compressed air' to the air line, control means connected with said compressed air supply also connected with the upper end of the tubing for automatically starting and shutting oil the supply of compressed air to the line, and means separate from the control means connected in the line adjacent the control means and coacting with the liquid accumulated in the tubing for trapping compressed air in said line between the control means and the open inlet to the tubing.

15. A well liquid eduction tubing having a nected to its lower end for admitting liquid directly from a well source tothe tubing and a seat in the tubing above the inlet valve, said tubing being continuous from the well inlet valve to the seat and above said seat, said tubing having a compressed air inlet therein. between the valve and the seat, means separate from the tubing for conducting compressed air downwardly of the tubing directly to the air inlet of said tubing, and a liquid lifting ball normally resting upon said seat and adapted to be lifted by liquid inlet valve conthe compressed air to the top oi the tubing to REFERENCES crrnp The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 583,837 Bechtol June 1, 1897 1,224,068 Chason Apr. 24, 191'? 1,334,638 Tucker Mar. 23, 1920 1,846,001 Fletcher Feb. 16, 1932 1,932,497 Wellensick Oct. 31, 1933 2,296,833 Boynton Sept. 29, 1942 681,216 Gray Aug. 27, 1901 means and said line and l lifting apparatus including an

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