US2825411A - Circulating swabs for wells - Google Patents

Description

March 4, 1958 A. KELTNER GIRQULATING swABs FOR WELLS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed 00T'. 29. 1953 lli ATTORNEYS United States Patent CIRCULA'HNG SWABS FOR WELLS Amos Lea Keltner, Phoenix, Ariz.

Application October 29, 1953, Serial No. 389,072

11 Claims. (Cl. 16S-177) This invention relates to a circulating swab for wells, and more particularly water wells, for example those used as sources for irrigating water, although the invention is also applicable to oil wells, as further referred to below.

As is well known, water wells frequently become clogged adjacent the well casings, for example through the packing of sand and the like, thus materially reducing the flow of water into the casing and reducing the total supply of water available. Many methods have been proposed and devised to take care of this situation for the purpose of loosening or removing the packed material which interferes with the flow of water. Such prior methods and apparatus, however, have not been particularly effective, and certainly not as elective as is desirable.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel type of swab through the operation of which sands and other iine materials tending to choke the supply of water into the well casing can be broken loose and removed, thus conditioning the well by cleaning the bodies of coarser materials around the well casing, such as gravel and the like, through which the water readily may flow into the well casing.

A further object is to provide a novel type of crculating swab through the use of which water inwardly and outwardly of the casing is circulated to cause a more eective opening of the perforations in the well casing and the flowing of sand into the bottom of the well casing from which it may be more readily removed, thus leaving the well in improved condition for the substantially uninterrupted ow of water into the well casing.

' A further object is to provide a well swab wherein novel elements carried by the swab itself cooperate with the well casing to cause a more effective circulation of the water through the perforations in the well casing and through the materials surrounding the well casing to cause an opening of the pores in the surrounding material by the removal of line packing materials such as sand and the like.

A further object is to provide such a swab of novel construction employing resilient means operating inr combination with the well casing itself to eiect a transmission of water pressure to the well casing perforations to clean the latter and to effect a circulation of the Water around and through materials surrounding the well casing for a far greater radius than has been possible with prior constructions, thus materially increasing the ow of water into the well casing.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawing I have shown several embodiments of the invention. In this showing:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view through a portion of a well casing showing some of the surrounding formations, with the operative portions of the well swab within the casing, parts being shown in elevation,

Figure :2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of ice the same, showing the lowermost resilient swab element and the valve at the bottom of the swab structure,

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure l,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of the swab structure with a dry chemical container in position relative to one of the swab elements,

VFigure 5 is a detailed section on line 5 5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing a wet chemical container in the same relationship,

Figure 7 is a detailed sectional view on line 7-7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a detailed vertical sectional view through a modified type of swab supporting means shown particularly for use with small bore wells,

Figure 9 is a detailed sectional view on line 9 9 of Figure 8, and

Figure 10 is a similar view on line 10-10 of Figure 8.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the numeral 10 designates a conventional4 well casing in position in the surrounding formations of sand, gravel, etc., indicated by the numeral 11. The well casing 10 is perforated at longitudinally and circumferentially spaced points as at 12 for the flow of water from the surrounding formations into the well casing, which water is removed with any desired type of pumping apparatus.

The device forming the subject-matter of the present invention comprises a swab body 14 in the form of a tube, the upper end of which is curved inwardly as at 15 and is slotted as at 16 to receive and it a welded shank 17 the upper end of which is bolted as at 13 to a pull rod 19. The rod 19 is adapted for suitable connection with conventional jars and wire line as will become apparent. Near its upper end, the tubular body 14 is provided with a fishing tool lug 20 of any desired type.

At spaced points therealong, the tubular body 14 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced resilient swabs 21, 22, 23 and 24 each of which is thickened at its peripheral edge portion as at 25, and such por tion of the swab is slightly spaced from the well Ycasing as' shown in Figure 1. Above the swab 21 is arranged a positioning disc 26 welded to the tubular body 14 and against the bottom of which the swab element 21 seats. A relatively large washer 27 seats against the bottom of each of the swabs 21, 22, 23 and 24, and plates or discs 28 similar to the disc 26 are seated above the swabs 22, 23 and 24, and these plates may be somewhat thinner than the plate 26 since the latter forms a postive stop welded to the tube 14. Beneath each plate 27 is arranged a lower disc 30 and such disc of the lowermost swab element 24 seats against the upper end of the sleeve 31 threaded on the lower end of the tubular body 14 for a purpose to be described. Between adjacent pairs of the swab elements are arranged compression springs 32 which exert their force throughout the distance between the uppermost swab 21 and lowermost swab 24. The spring maintains the plate 30 of the lowermost swab engaged with the top of the sleeve 31, while the uppermost swab 21 is prevented from moving upwardly by the plate 26 welded to the body 14.

iIt will be apparent from the foregoing that the intermediate swabs 22 and 23 may move vertically in either direction under the influence of pressures to which they are subjected, while the lowermost swab 24 may move upwardly from the position shown in Figure l. It also will be apparent that the peripheral portions of the swab elements may ex upwardly `more readily than downwardly because of the larger plates 27 arranged therebeneath. Above the uppermost swab element 21, divergt ing tubes 35 are weldedor otherwise secured to and communicate 'with the interior of the tubular body 14 for `the' downward flow 'of waterfrom upper lpartvofotheVV n well casing Yinto the tubular body 14.Y To -oppositesides of each tubular member 35 are welded retaining plates 736,' these plates also being welded tothe tubularbody 14.

Y TheV plates 36 not onlyserve rigidlyrl'tox'thetubular Y will become more apparent belovwf Y vndernbe'ijs"35 in position ibut eachYY pair of'plaftesl-S )co-V operates with the-body ,-14 and associated tubula'r'member-35 to form a pocket 37 in which can settle samples lof projection of water at relatively high velocity .outwardlyY from :the tubular lbrodyrr14 into 4the pockets 41-between 4adjacent vpairs 1 of vswab element-s,V the purpose -otwhich Asfmore clearly shown-'in Figure 12,"the sleeve is e Y upperV portion79 increasing in diameter upwardlyl so asf to provide an open inverted frusto-conical construction above Ywhich is arranged 'thetttube V80 adapted for con- V Vnectiron with the jars and ,line wire in any .suitable manner,

for example as fully* disclosed in conjunction i with thei l lli case, aV tubular body 78-is vemployed in place of'theY vpreviouslyV described Ybody l14.7` The diverging tubular -members 35 cannot heA usedin the smaller wellfand accordingly a modified type of water inlet for the upper s Y Y 'end ofthe swab bodyfis provided; The body 78 hasit's form 0f the formrof vthe YirmaltQ11YpinV Eieure `1. The

tubular :member Y8l) is 'substantially smaller infdiameter than -the upper Yend of the Vvbody portion 79 and projects downwardly into the lat-ten Tube/,8G -is fixed with re- Y yspect to the body portion `7,9 by radial' connecting vplates".V

81 welded in position and dening with the members 79 and 89 a plurality of liquid inlet openingsy 82 (Figure 9). Y u

Whereas r`the pockets 37 in Figure Vl'formrmeansV for Y collectingfformation samples from the `wel'l,"this'=isgnot provided therein with an annularY valve` seat 42 fthe upper extremity goff'w'hich :tapers upwardlj1V substantially Vto a knifeY edge.

Y it 'thegopen lower tend of the Ysleeve 31, ythroughtthe legs of 4 a spider VA13 IVcarriedby the casing '311 A guide 'fro'd 44 projects through the center of rthespider 43 and is prof vided Eat ,its upper end with a 'bead 45. ,A yvertically y Y Vslidablevalve 46 surrounds the stem 44 andis adapted Y toengagethe valve seat 42 as-fshowniinigure '2. Above the -valve 46, whenthiselement is in closed position, the

i VYsleeve 3l is'jprovided'awith circumferentially'spaced Vand elongated unloading-openings `47 for a purpose toY be de Y c 'Y )members 67 inrzloselproximityrthereto.

"scribed, VAweig'ht sleeveor hammer 48Y slidablys'ur-p munds 'the sstem'44 above Y theV valve 246.(

Y 52. It will become apparent below that upon downward Ynovemenfof the :swab the sleeve 50 moves upwardly.

o Y When tbeswab is pulled upwardly, the sleeve 50 moves downwardly .and closes the .openings .47. Dow'nward movement of :the member; 5.0 Vis .limited by a stop ring Y 53 Y(.'lfdguresnl andjZJicarrie'dzby thersleeve '31. Y Y Y fV In Figures 4 and'fS therelisillustrated a containerifor Y dry chemicals-adapted to Abe iused in conjunction -with' theV operationlofthe swab. E1n VVthe embodimentV shown in Figurei, the chemical container fhasjbeen shown iin-con junction with the swabelement 22,Y but it will become apparent thattit maybe nrsedwiththisor any lower swab Y element Vorpany combination of :such elements,VV The-com `taner visfindicaterl Yas, a whole by .the numeral-L55 and Y Y Y Vthe drynh'emieals and stiienedby vertical rib members 67 and byY :an annular .top cap member -surrounding Ythe :upper edgeoftthelbasket and fconliningthe-stiffen'ing The Vbasket substituted for the associated disc '28.A

i Y 'In-Figures? 6 and7-there Ais :shown'amodied `type of chemical fllolder, particularly for use with vwet chemicals.

Y Y In -formof theinvention, fthe .chemical Vholden-,indi-Y e j cated as a' whole fbyfthe numeral 172,-;comprses anim'- nerforate surrounding @entamer :aany ris', laes'olid bottom wal1174,1 andanf-inner 'annularl sleeve '75 #which `snugly' Y The .interiorof the .valve seat 142, Y'com-V mnnicates :with :the interior off-the well casingfthrough partly torresfistance. encountered` bywater .engagingfthe bottom of the'surrounding chamber structure 51.' Y 'The Y Y Yopenings 47 are then uncovered for'the scavenginggof any Y solid material from-within the sleeve 31 whichmjight Y otherwisev prevent theY seating yofrthe valve r46wl'ler'11the.Y

'Substantial quantities of;wafterrofl course will'move upwardly through sleeve I31 and through t the *interiorV Yof the tubular', .body-14 to la substantial' eX- Y Y tent above the swab structure,'depending upon the depth;

ofthejwater. 'Y c c f The swab is 119W pulled ilpwardlyat a relatively high I speed to a' pointsubstantially above'lthestati water level Y further Comprises'a :solidbottomfmember Aorgdise 69 c VVwhich :Seats .ongthe .adjacent swab:.element,VV and may ibefo possible :withvthe type of; upper-swab body construction shown F-igrue.,Y As -a-substitute formation collecting Y V` means, the upper ye'x-trerm'ftyr of -the cylindrical-portion 78 of the fswab'Y-body is provided with an annular cup 83 Y Y fon-receiving formation Asamples which can be examined whenfthqswabis pulledfrom the well. Y 'Y Y Y j Operation e Y' lt will be noted that thegswabconstruction isiself- Vcontained 'without the provision :of .any Surrounding Y cas` Y ing `elelntnts,`Y Therefore, thfelswab operates'diretly inf conjunction with the `well'casing itself,-bywhiehgreatlyV Vimprovedjresults' can be obtained.Y Y Y ,Y Y Y Y When a well is Vto ,be conditionerhsand Presentin like' lo bOttOm of the Ywellmaybe pumpedoutrwithrany Con- Vventional type of sand pump.VV The presentswab'is thjenl loweredrinto the well and sinksginto the lwaterYtllrereiiji.

As Vthe swab sinks, the sleeve 50:,willV be movedtupwardly Y swab is t ascending.

in the 'We'lLand "is ihrem-'Suddenly stopped .The yheavy Columnlofrgwater bengtpushedfahead 0f 'the swab 'is 1- lQWed 1.0i idrOP, .thus poundinglthe Vwell t9 fasslSjf in lQQSniue encrusfedfformationsinthe wellrcas'ingjrrf rationslZ. Y c

and "into l'the chambers 41. JAgitationxand v:pres'fslfire Vof effectively 5in;'breakingincrustations` which Ehave formed The *operationsV referred to above are continu'ouejlyvre.- ci Y Y peat'edover a substantial length :of 5tiling-and particular Y attention is. linvitedoto the funetioningrtoffthe appara tu,s j Y Y f during upward movement 4of 'therswabl `'With substan-` f Y tial ibody pfjwater V`trapped between the swab elements Y and :toa substantial tfdeplth gthe'reabove, Vit will 'jbe vapparent t that when *the "swab isjpullegd upwardly, water Vwillfrnshi' Y downwardlyj through the ftnbular melnbers 'Sin'to the-1' in theperforations offtheyvellcasing,thusjlooseningltbis materiallr; The water'willr be forced under pressure radi-` Y ally outwardly throughthe lwell casing openings 12,',Vandf due tothe 'fact thattthejperiphrall edgesofthe}swab elementsare only slightly'irspacedfromQthewelleasing. 1 Y o. f Yrzoid YY'upward .1i-movement A of 'the -swatipcrreates.fsubatniosi f phericgpressure beneath .thertjlowerm'ost swab elementY l245V i Iheretqre, ,water "forced radially nubi/ardlyv-'t11`ro11fg11-v Poemes-riferiti@ was @risen-e be t openings 12 will tend to circulate downwardly and back into the well casing beneath the swab, carrying with it Aline materials which have tended to clog the surrounding well. formation. Any tendency for encrusted openings 12 to resist radially outward flow of water, or any such resistance occurring through the packing of ne sands outwardly of any of the chambers 41, will greatly increase the pressure in such chamber, causing the expansion thereof due to movement of at least one adjacent swab element against the tension of at least one of 4the springs 32. The swab element tends to return to its normal position, thus maintaining a flushing pressure in the chamber to ltend to loosen the material which is resisting circulation of the water through the wel] casing openings 12.

Attention also is invited to the fact that during such rapid upward movement of the swab, the valve 46 closes while the sleeve 50 will be in its lowermost position closing the openings 47. Thus the water rushing downwardly into the interior of the swab body 14 is prevented from flowing from the bottom of such body, and the water pressure is thus utilized to the maximum extent to break through resisting formations -which have prevented a free ow of water into the well.

To explain somewhat more fully the operation of the springs 32 and the islidable swab elements, attention is invited -to the fact that the springs serve as jars in the event a large slug of sand or the like comes into the well casing, tending to cause the swab to become stuck. In such case, upon upward movement of the swab, the jamming of one of the swab elements 22 would tend to prevent such element from moving upwardly. The vspring beneath such swab element thus will be compressed and loaded and the force thus generated in the spring, when the loading thereof is suicient for such purpose, moves the jammed swab element 22 upwardly to dislodge the lslug of mud or sand which has caused the jamming action. In the second place, assuming for example that upon the rapid upward movement of the swab, passage of water from the uppermost chamber 41 is resisted by incrustations in the openings 12 which it is passing, such chamber will expand causing downward movement of the next lower swab element. This increases the pressure of the water in the next lower chamber 41, rendering this water more effective as the swab moves upwardly to dislodge incrustations or the like which have previously caused the upper chamber 41 to expand.

'lhe rapid lifting of the swab, the sudden stopping and then dropping of the swab, in the continuous repetition of such steps, provides a highly effective cleaning action. During rapid lifting of the swab, the water, due to its inertia, moves downwardly relative to the swab at 4relatively high speed, through tubes 35 and outwardly through openings 49 into the chambers 41 thence through the casing openings 12 into the surrounding formation. Then, as the lowermost swab element 24 passes successive casing openings 12, the partial vacuum existing below the swab element 24 jerks into the well casing any incrustation that may have been partially loosened in the openings 12. This results in what may be termed a high frequency respiratory action, and by virtue of extreme pressures applied to the well casing perforations and to the well formations, the action breaks loose any incrusted formations or the packing of fine sand which has interfered with the flowing of the water into the well. The circulatory action is assisted by the partial vacuum beneath the lowermost swab element, whereby water forced outwardly between the swab elements flows downwardly into the bottom of the well, causing line sands and the like to iiow into the bottom of the well to collect therein. This action opens the interstices of the surrounding well formations to facilitate the ow of water into the well. The collected sands can be removed periodically or after the operation of the swab by the use of a conventional sand pump. v

The basket devices in Figures 4 to 7 inclusive, can be provided for the use of any chemicals or other materials for chemically or mechanically assisting the operation of the swab. For example, Dry Ice may be used in one or more baskets 5S in the operation of the device. The carbon dioxide gas and surrounding water will form carbonio acid suiciently strong to dissolve, loosen and remove various types of incrustations, facilitated by the normal circulatory and water pressure operation which occurs through the use of the apparatus as described above.

Regardless of the use of chemicals or other materials, it has been found that the repetitions up and down movement of the apparatus and the functioning following its operation affords no opportunity for any relodging of sand or sediment in the surrounding formation or in the well casing openings. Large volumes of water will be propelled at high velocity through the well casing perforations to accomplish the results stated, and the device is strictly a wire line tool. The swab has no surrounding casing except the well casing itself which is utilized in the operation of the swab combination and the only valve employed in the swab is the lower valve 46 which automatically closes when the swab is elevated and opens when the swab is lowered for the relatively free flow of water upwardly through the swab body.

The operation of the form of the device shown in Figure 8 will be identical with that described above. The tubular body 78 will be provided beneath the cup 83 with the series of swab elements as described above, these elements being identical with the elements 21 to 24 inclusive, except that they are of such size as to render them practicable for use in a smaller well. Instead of the tubular water inlets 35, the form of the invention shown in Figure 8 minimizes the overall diameter` of the swab by providing the water inlet openings 82. Therefore, the

device is highly practicable for use in wells of various well casing diameters. The valve 46 of course, also will be used with the modified type of swab body, and in both cases, the hammer member 48 will insure the seating of the valve 46.

While the invention has been particularly described in its use in connection with water wells, it is also highly useful in the developmentV of oil wells. Experimentation has indicated its usefulness in cleaning oil wells in connection with the practice of applying a special sand to the well bore and formation and then forcing the sand back into crevices by extremely high pressure. This process is completed by recleaning the well and removing all surplus sand.

The construction illustrated embodies the invention in a preferred form, but it is intended that the disclosure be illustrative rather than definitive. The invention is defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A well swab structure comprising a tubular stem, a plurality of resilient disc-like swab elements surrounding said stem and axially slidable with respect thereto, and resilient means supporting said elements in normally predetermined spaced relation along said stem, said stem having an opening for the introduction of liquid thereinto and provided with openings for the passage of such liquid into the spaces between said elements. f

2. A well swab structure comprising a tubular stem, a plurality of pairs of resilient disc-like swab elements surrounding said stem and spaced therealong, a rigid disc above the uppermost element fixed to said stem to limit upward movement thereof, means carried by said stem beneath the lowermost element to limit downward movement thereof, the remaining swab elements being axially slidable along said stem, and springs arranged between adjacent pairs of swab elements to resiliently maintain them in predetermined normal spaced relationship to each other, said stem having an opening for the introduction of liquidV into the upper'end thereof and being provided elements,`

wirhsngemirgsifarifthssfibwenrsnaaiigniniinionnegspaes 1between,said: elenients:4 Y

. )Snihwellc swabr; structurel Vcompiising a: tubulargbbdir, j aplurality Yoitresilientdiscslikeesvvabr;elements surroimdel;y

ing?.` said: .body Y in;` axially; spaced relation; therealongg; a. Y ch'emicalcontain'er lianlingza. bottomseated :onzone of.isaid. elementsaand opens at its top;y .andiaspring `arranged` be2V tweennthelernents.oeacktiadjacent pairtoiendtomainf Y therm inipredetermined.; spacecl-irelation, one. of: saick,

springsseating .afgainstsaidbottomt of said gchemicalzcon.-

. 4-LL .well swabf. structure'.- cornpri'sing a.; tubular. body,

' connecting-means -at thefrupper-.ends of saircl'bodyy for conf.l

nectinff it` tolai-.mechanismto raiseaand' lower; said body Y withing.atwell` casing; la plurality "ofi pairs of: resilienbdisclike swabl elementssurroundingiandiaxially slidable. along Y saidV body? 'and arrangedinf normal positionsjspaced 'from each; other,said` bodyfb'eingpr'o videdv above Ythe uppermost:

dista-'likefelenientandfbelowfsaid oonnectingmeans withri liquidlinletiportsithrough which liquid; mayrilow downwardlyfinto V'sait'btubular body,V said body: being further Y providecllwith.,lateraloutlet-.openingsbetweenV eleinents ofv jadjacent.pairsoisaid swab'elements, and springs ,sur-

n roundingsaidl body 'between adjacent swab elements to' Vbias themztoV saidnormalpositions'fronrwhich they are` Y movable axially along! said lbody' under the'inuence of liquid:v pressures in tne: spaces betweenjs'aid'swaby elements.

.5L A1 well: swabstructrei comprising..aiv tubular bod'y,..VV

Vconnecting.:meains. at;theffupper'encly of saidLbody for connectinglit-{to a.:'rriechanism to :raise and lower' said "body v'fitljiin;a-,1well casing; a plurality Voffpairs of're'silient Y disc-'likef swab elements',y and means supporting saidV peleaV ment'sfwithgrespecttolsaid body at vpredetermined fspaced Y points;'f'thex'ealong` said body being provided Yabovefthe uppermostV swab.` elemen'trandA below; said connecting means Awitlrliquid inlet'porrts through Ywhich liquid may owdownwardly intossaidftuhular body, said body being further; provided l*with lateralfoutletV openings between adjacentpairrs of saiclelements, said. supporting means Y comprising Yrigidzdiscs,arranged above and below each of.` said resilientrswab elements, the upper of such rigid discsV being;'offsmallerdiameter than the: lower of such discs Y wherebyeaoli resilient` element' at its periphery Vis Yde. forrnahle tota: greater.v extent upwardly' than downwardly..

Y adaptedoninsertion ina wel]v casingeand having means i at; its upper end vforconnectingl itto a .vertical reciprovcatingriieaus;for movin gsaid body' upwardly and downwardly-inrthwell' casing; a plurality of resilientY disc.

. like swabV elements surrounding land axially movable along said bodyf and normally spaced fromeach otheig.

' spaced .relation with, eachjo'ther.-` to:l definevvitll4 said ybody j saidbody; above.. the* uppermostv resilient element havin g Y.

" liquidzinlet'passages forlthe flow of liquid from thelin-f terior of the. well casing intosaidgbody, said body having jlateral outlet openingsY Yfor Ythe owofliquid from; the interiorA offsaidbody.tothefspaces between said swab ele-- ments; Vresilientri-means'. tendingv toV maintain said; resilient` 'Y Yelements infrpredetermined i spaced relation" along. saidf Y Ybody;and,l'an;upwardly opgening check valvey carried by body below the lowermostelement for. allowingtheVv Y ouofliquidgupwardly'Ythrough'saidrbody when thelatter 't isl'oweredfinto thetwlellf."iyV .'1 5 Y 7. A well swab s'tructureeconiprising tubular body ..adaptedior'insertionin awell casingY and having means at jitsf'upper! end for. connecting it'. to Yvertical reciprocatfjingerneansrior'movingwsaid body upwardly andtdoyvn-K'V Wiardlyli` the YVWelleasing, VaV plurality of disc-like swab"V leansfpsupporting Vsaid Velements'on said bodyYV Y Y ati spaeed''pointsthefealngr VsaidgbordyY above theV upperno' element haring Vwater inlet pass ages for Vthe owY of om; the` inteiior'of'the'well-casinginto said; body,`

' swabelementsi t0 prdetermindi positions transf hiel .6o

idboy havingflateral'onnempenmgafor the saw ff to. the spaces .for thegzflQ the;latter'isgloweredvinto the; well; saidlfcyalyezhousing:

oper'iings cotmnunicating; between.: the'interiorfis 301 and sain-Landi:havingflateal ds'sharseopsmngs, vswab, elements:Heinemannmovable ailing vrdane :withlvatationstm pressures i111V saidV diamv formation into .the-wellcas'rrg swab-strucnirecbni. Y

Vp risingf-a tubular: bodyr having.;means'A at. its, ,tulpeneiid..V

"said-V well casing` a plurality of. chambers; seiidsvvk f. ments rhaving y clearance` withrespectv to theywellf :Said-body beinaprev-ids .-itubnlar bodyfand'f said -br f*bragging@laterk 7@ by; valv.r` seagsandsaniupwardly @neming checle valveV by; aidrvalre hnusing below; the lowermostzswabfelemenr Y hayirigf..an:.uppet;end.limiting dovvnwardnrdvementfofz tlleflovvzerrrlostzsvvab:elementiV j f. 8i: Afdevicesinsaccordancewith claim. 'Zwherein'tsaidilV valveihousingiabnve VsaidLvalfveseatis provided with 'radialiv valve` housing'andthe;A interior of: the. well casing; Y and l all irlrx'ati:.'cont'rolleclfsleevevalvesurroundingsaid-valvehouseV L Y Ving and'rnovable 'downwardlylto closesuclropeningewlien? saidhousingiY is rri'oved.;upwardly,4V and movable upwardly' tofuncovensuchopenings'whensaid'housirigniovesjdowm Y i tubul-'a-r bodylr yingfmeanslatits'uppergend for;colniefrtirig)- iti'oa raisingandilwering*mechanisniyaplralityjo y Y ele'rnents carried by''saidfbodyfinispacedfrelationwithVV each o'tlerftodeneswithsaidgbodyjand saidwell" asing al j clearance withY V'respect-1` to* the-Welljl casingjrfsaidjbody' 1 f beingfproyidedabovethe uppermost' svvab elerri'ent, 'l'ipV inlet rneansfor'theow oflriquildf into'gsaidf l tubjq opening upwardly for allowing .the .bWQfll Y thelwell. into said.Y body fwhen the ltterino, :sdbivnsVY Wardlyl. j .Y .m 1 ()IY In combination with a.` wellcasinggin op K position in fthe. `groundandfprovidedy with liquidopeningsv forV ftheV flow. of liquid-- froid the; surroun gl Y for Vconnecting .itf to., a Yraisingfand' y loweringiinechanismzl aV plurality of swab Yelerrients'V carried by said b and saicf well V'casinga nplurality of;cliambersgsaidswabY eiementshaving clearance withrrespect tofthewellcasi gusaid bordybeingV provided above. ther'ruppe Yrnost w element/Withy n inlet'vmeans forY theilov'v` `ofY liqiiild.- tubular-bodyVY and: saidjbody having-klateral. p Openinssfof.- the-How f-lauiifwm Vsail baldvip sai.

disc-like.- structure and provided above-its upper/.face n i i Y below?. itsflgwerfface withrigid Washersjandia; coil spi; in eaehV chamber surrounding said.;bodyandb1a there@ axially movable :aaairist the comp.fessieret` Springer.' Y' Y ll; 11n'. combination; AWitl'iz-aiV Wellf casitrll'g-S in Op'atyerj positionfin itheground-fand providedvithfliqnidinilux; openings Vfor the owi'ofzliquid ifromzthexsurroundingf I formation :intestine-well leasing; .ai swab' 'structure'A compris. ingaf tub. i" body.; bavingfirnean at. itsrupperzend forLK connectingfjitfto ,aj raising fand; lowering Ymeeliaiiisrrrf,a f

elinentivith inletrrnean ifo:V- elllen/.wf lig'uidiiitosai openin'gsffor the lloyv "A zessen chambers, a tubular valve housing carried by said body beneath the lowermost swab element and provided with an upwardly opening seat, an upwardly opening check valve engageable with said seat, said valve housing 'having lateral openings therethrough above said valve seat, and a tubular sleeve surrounding said valve housing operable to open and close said lateral openings and having a float at its upper end.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Boynton Nov. 19, 1940 Rice July 29, 1941 Hall Jan. 1, 1946 Johnson June 24, 1952

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