US3299823A

US3299823A - Pumps

Info

Publication number: US3299823A
Application number: US564501A
Authority: US
Inventors: Samuel J E Marshall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1966-07-05
Filing date: 1966-07-05
Publication date: 1967-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 1984-01-24

Description

J n- 2 1967 s. J. E. MARSHALL PUMPS ll Sheets-Sheet 1.

Original Filed Aug. 26, 1963 Samuel J. E. Marshall INVENTOR. v ATTmm A' s 1967 s. J. E. MARSHALL 3,

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Jan. 24, 1967 s. .l. E. MARSHALL 3,299,823

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Jan. 24, 1967 s. J. E. MARSHALL 3,299,823

PUMPS Original Filed Aug. 26, 1963 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 Fig 2 7 ll 11v VENTOR.

Samuel J. E. Mdrsho|l A TTORNEYS .4 W64 2 2 I v Jan. 24, 1967 5. J. E. MARSHALL PUMPS Original Filed Aug. Q6, 1963 ll Sheets-Sheet 10 Fig.3!

Fig 29 INVENTOR, Samuel J.E. Morshol| mfg/ United States Patent PUMPS Samuel J. E. Marshall, 2218 N. Carroll St., Dallas, Tex. 75204 Continuation of application Ser. No. 304,424, Aug. 26, 1963. This application July 5, 1966, Ser. No. 564,501 Claims. (Cl. 103119) This invention relates to pumps and more particularly to fluid operated pumps. This [application is a continuation of my copending application, Serial No. 304,424, filed August 26, 1963, now abandoned.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a fluid operated rotary pump which is adapted to be mounted in a well flow conductor for the continuous recovery of the fluids from the wells and which is suitably provided with means for introducing and locating and removing the pump from the well flow conductor without removing the conductor from the well.

An importantobject of the invention is to provide a pump of the character described which is designed for manufacture in component sections which may be connected in multiples of motor and pumping sections whereby the capacity of the pump may be readily varied as needed and whereby any one of the motor or pump sections may be replaced without the necessity for replacinig all sections thereof.

Still another object is to provide in a fluid operated rotary pump sealing members forming a plurality of rotary fluid chambers wherein the effect of the fluid pressure of the motor fluid and fluid pressure of the pumped fluid does not cause the seal members to bind or stick as the pump is operated.

A further particular object of the invention is to provide a fluid operated rotary pump which may be driven by fluid means delivered to the motor sections of the pump from a source at a remote point for pumping fluids from a source adjacent the pump to a remote point; and, particularly for a well pump which is adapted to be mounted deep in a well for pumping fluids from the well bore by means of a power motor fluid circulated from a remote source to the well adjacent the pump and delivered into the motor sections of the pump under conditions of. continuous flow, and wherein the power motor fluid may be mingled with the fluid being pumped from the well after having performed its motor driving function.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fluid pump of the character described having a vane type pumping rotor wherein the vanes are displaced into sealing engagement with the pump cylinder or cam sleeve by resilient means and sealing pressures across the vanes are substantially equalized to reduce wear and binding of the vanes as the pump rotor is rotated.

It is also an object of the invention to provide in a pump of the character described a system for circulating the power motor fluid downwardly of the well to the motor units of the pump and wherein the inlets into the motor units of the pump are provided with trash deflectors, and wherein the mounting for the pump and the well includes a heater for heating the power fluid and thereby heating the fluid being lifted as the fluids are commingled to reduce paraflin deposits and the like; and wherein the heated power fluids heat the adjacent well formations and low viscosity crude fluids in the well to promote flow of such lviscous fluids from the formations and in the well bore.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a fluid pump of the deep well type, a pumping unit which includes a housing or manifold casing adapted to be suspended on the flow conductor string of the well in "ice the well bore and which is provided with a receptacle for receiving the pump unit therein, and wherein the pump unit may be lowered through the flow conductor into the housing and anchored therein by means of a flexible line lowering mechanism and wherein means is provided for releasably locking the pump in place in the housing.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a pump system of the character described, means for circulating and recirculating portions of the fluid being lifted as a motor fluid for driving the pump to lift additional fluids from a well lbore or the like.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a well pumping system of the character described a plurality of check valves removably mounted in the well flow conductor at spaced elevations in the well bore below and above the pump to provide means for maintaining a column of fluid in the conductor while the pump is not-in use so that upon resuming operation of the pump the well may be quickly put into production.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the reading of the following description of pumping devices constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal vertical view, partly in elevation and partly in section, diagrammatically illustrating a well having a pump constructed in accordance with the invention installed therein;

FIG. 2 is a modified form of the installation of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a stillfurther modified form of installation of the pump in a well showing diagrammatically the installation and flow or movement of the fluids in the well;

FIGURE 4 is a still further modified form of the pump showing only the lower portion of the well having the pump disposed therein;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the lower portion of the pump of FIGURE 4 showing the heater used in connection with the pump;

FIGURES 6 and 7 are horizontal cross-sectional views taken on the lines 6-6 and 77 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 is .an enlarged elevation of the housing for the pump;

FIGURE 10 is .a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 10-40 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a vertical sectional view through the housing taken from the opposite side of the housing from that shown in FIGURE 9;

FIGURES 12, 13, 14 and 15 are horizontal crosssectional views taken on the lines 12-412, 1313, 14-14 and 15-15 of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 16 is a side elevation of the pump unit used in the housing of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 17 is a vertical sectional view of the upper portion of the pump unit installed in the housing;

FIGURE 18 is .a continuation of FIGURE 17 showing the lower portion of the pump and housing;

FIGURES 19 and 20 are enlarged horizontal crosssectional views taken on the lines 1919 and 2020 of FIGURES 17 and 18;

FIGURE 21 is an enlarged isometric view of a section of the pump in place in the housing;

FIGURE 22A is an isometric view of one of the pump rotor sections of FIGURE 21;

FIGURE 22B is an isometric view of one of the motor rotor sections of FIGURE 21;

FIGURE 23 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a modification of the motor and pump sections of the pump assembly;

FIGURE 24 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the housing and pump of FIGURE 23 taken on the line 24-24;

FIGURE 25 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of another modified form of motor and pump section in place in a section of a housing;

FIGURE 26 is an isometric view of one of the rotor members of the pump assembly of FIGURE ZS;

FIGURE 27 is an isometric view of a connector cross member for connecting the rotor members of the pump assembly of FIGURE 25;

FIGURES 28 and 29 are horizontal cross-sectional views taken on the lines 28-28 and 2929 through the motor section of the pump assembly of FIGURE 25;

FIGURES 30 and 31 are horizontal cross-sectional views taken on the lines 30--30 and 31-31 through the pump section of the pump assembly of FIGURE 25;

FIGURE 32 is an enlarged isometric view of the pump assembly and housing of FIGURE 25;

FIGURE 33 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of .one of the port arrangements of the pump assembly;

FIGURE 34 is an enlarged view partly in elevation and partly in section of a check valve used in the installation of FIGURE 2; and,

FIGURE 35 is a flow diagram illustrating the manner in which a plurality of pump sections may be compounded to produce higher pressure flow.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, FIG- URES, 1 through 8, a well casing C is shown disposed in a well bore in the earth extending downwardly from the surface of the earth to a producing formation. Within the casing is a flow conductor or tubing string T which extends downwardly of the casing to the level of the producing formation and below the surface of the liquid fluids present in the well. A housing H for a pump A is connected to the tubing string T to form a portion thereof and fluids entering the perforations O at the lower end of the tubing string may flow upwardly through the tubing string and the housing H to the well surface where they will pass through the usual valve connections V and flow lines L to a treater or storage tank S in the usual manner. An injection or pressure line P for power fluid extends downwardly within the casing in the annulus between the tubing T and the casing C and is connected at its lower end with the housing H as will be hereinafter more fully explained. Pressure of fluid introduced through the pressure line P into the housing H acts upon the pump A to actuate the same and to pump fluids from the well bore upwardly through the tubing T to the 'surface. As is shown in FIGURE 2, a plurality of check valves X may be positioned at spaced elevations in the tubing string T for the purpose of preventing back flow of fluids down the tubing string T and to maintain a staged column of fluid in the string as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

In FIGURE 3, the pump system is shown as connected at the surface by the flow lines L with a heater or treater S from which motor fluids are taken by means of a power line Pa to a pump or compressor Y which may be powered by a suitable motor Z to inject the motor fluids downwardly through the power line or tubing P to the pump housing H for operating the pump.

In FIGURES 4 through 8 a modified form of pumping system is shown wherein a heater W is connected in the tubing string T below the perforations O for heating the fluid being pumped into the well through the power line P which is connected at its lower end with the heater W. The power fluids passing through the heater in the manner shown by the arrows in FIGURE will then pass upwardly through the supplemental power line Ps from the heater to the pump housing H for operating the pump and pumping fluids from the well bore. The fluids injected through the pump power line P may 'be heated at the surface as they are pumped into the well and the heat transferred in the heater W from the power fluid to the well fluids entering the perforations O of the tubing and passing downwardly through a conductor U where they are in heat exchanging contact with the hot power fluids in the heater W and then upwardly through an inner tube R past a check or foot valve Q to the pump housing H. The details of construction of the heater and its operation also will be hereinafter more fully explained.

The exterior of the pump housing H is shown in full elevation in FIGURE 9, while a vertical cross sectional view of the housing is shown in FIGURE 10, the section being taken along the line 1010 of FIGURE 9. A side elevational view of the pump unit A as shown in FIG- URE 16, the pump unit being lowerable by wire line running tool (not shown), similar to the running tool shown in US. Patent No. 2,348,563, which telescopes over and engages under an external annular undercut shoulder 50 at the upper end of a fishing neck 51 on the head 52 of the pump. The running tool is used to lower the pump A downwardly through the tubing string T until the external annular flange 53 on the plug 53a at the lower end of the pump body 54 engages an upwardly facing internal annular stop shoulder 61 in the bore 62 of the pump housing H.

Positioned in the bore of the housing at points spaced above the stop shoulder 61 are a plurality of internal annular flanges or dividers 63 through 72, inclusive, the inner upper and lower edges of which are beveled or chamfered to facilitate entry of the pump A therethrough. The inner annular surface of each of the flanges provides a smooth sealing surface, 63a through 72a inclusive, adapted to be engaged by a plurality of O-rings or seal rings 55 mounted in a plurality of external annular grooves 56 spaced longitudinally along the exterior of the pump body 54 at points thereon corresponding to the spacing of the flanges 63 through 72 of the housing, whereby when the pump is disposed in the housing with the flange 53 thereon engaging the stop shoulder 61 in the housing, each of the O-rings or seal rings 55 engages the internal annular sealing surface of a corresponding one of the internal annular flanges 63 through 72, inclusive, as shown in FIGURES l6 and 17.

The pump housing H has a plurality of high pressure power fluid

inlet \ports

75, 76, 77 and 78 which are arranged in pairs, and which lead from the power fluid inlet manifold 79 through those inlet ports into the internal

annular chamber

75a, 76a, 77a, and 78a, respectively, formed in the bore of the housing between the adjacent pairs of flanges or dividers disposed in the housing on opposite sides longitudinally of the respective inlet ports, whereby power fluid pumped through the power line P into the manifold 79 is directed through the ports into the chambers and to the pump assembly.

The pump A comprises a plurality of pump motor units or sections 82, and each section has a pair of sets of two power

fluid inlet ports

80 and 81 spaced longitudinally from each other and a pair of outlet ports 85 disposed medially of the section intermediate the inlet ports and circumferentially spaced from said inlet ports. An O-ring sealing ring 55 is positioned between each adjacent set of ports, and these sealing rings 55 on the exterior of the pump body seal between the body and the housing dividers or flanges on each side of each set of ports. As has been explained, the lowermost set of inlet ports 81 of the body 54 is disposed between two O-rings 55 as clearly shown in FIGURE 16. Similary, the adjacent set of outlet ports 85 is disposed between two O-rings and the upper set of inlet ports 80 of the pair of sets of inlet ports is likewise disposed between two O-rings, whereby each of the sets of the ports is fluidly separated from the other set of ports by the O-rings, each of which engages one of the dividers or flanges in the housing. Each of the pairs of sets of

inlet ports

80 and 81 with the adjacent intermediate set of outlet ports 85 is incorporated in a single pump motor unit or section 82, and it will be understood that as many uni-t sections as may be desired may be incorporated in the pump and in the housing to provide for the desired volume of flow.

The pairs of sets of power

fluid inlet ports

80 and 81 are provided in the pump body for receiving the power fluid from the

inlet ports

75, 76, 77 and 78 of the housing. The power fluid entering through these inlet ports in the pump body actuates the pump to operate the rotor 90 therein by turning the motor vanes 91 in the pump body. The power fluid then passes through the body and outwardly through the outlet ports or discharge ports 85 formed in the body 54 of the pump and disposed between each pair of sets of inlet ports.

The fluid discharged through the outlet or discharge ports 85 is directed into a discharge chamber 85a or 85c, as the case may be, formed between the

dividers

64 and 65, and between the

dividers

70 and 71, respectively. An outlet opening or ports 86 is formed in the wall of the housing communicating with each of the outlet chambers and this outlet opening or port also communicates with the discharge manifold 87 formed on the exterior of the housing H and having at its upper end a longitudinally elongate lateral re-entry port or opening 88 communicating with the bore of the housing above the uppermost flange or divider 72, whereby fluid discharged from the motor outlet ports 85 will pass through the discharge ports 86 of the housing and into the manifold 8-7, whence it will flow upwardly in the manifold to the elongated reentry opening 88 and into the bore of the housing and the tubing T thereabove for further flow upwardly in the tubing to the well surface.

Thus, it will be seen that the power fluid is pumped downwardly through the power line P through the intake manifold 79 thence through the

inlet ports

75, 7 6, 77 and 78 into the housing to the pump A, whereupon the pressure fluid flows through the pump in the manner to be hereinafter more fully described and outwardly into the

discharge chambers

85a and 850, and then through the outlet or discharge openings 86 in each of said chambers to the discharge manifold 87, whence it flows upwardly in the manifold to the re-entry port 88 and enters the bore of the housing H and flows back to the surface of the well through the tubing string T, where a portion of the fluid may be again pumped downwardly for operating the pump in a continuous cycling or circulating of the power fluid as shown by the arrows in FIGURE 3.

The well fluid to be pumped from the well, which is present in the bore of the well or in the well casing C as shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, will enter through the perforations O at the lower end of the tubing string T and flow upwardly in the tubing string to the pump housing H where they will enter through the perforated strainer sleeve 57 on the lower end of the pump and pass through the strainer screen 58 confined within the sleeve. The fluids will flow upwardly in the strainer through the open upper end thereof and into a counter bore 59 in the pump plug member 53a into which the strainer sleeve is threaded, and will then flow outwardly from the counterbore through the lateral openings 60 in the plug into the bore of the housing. From the bore of the housing the fluids will flow through a longitudinally elongate suction opening 92 in the wall of the housing and enter the suction mani fold or conduit 93 on the exterior of the housing through which they will flow upwardly to a plurality of

suction inlet openings

94 and 95 opening through the wall of the housing into the

suction chambers

73 and 74, respectively, formed between the flanges or

dividers

66 and 67 and between the flanges or

dividers

68 and 69 in the bore of the housing.

From the

suction chambers

73 and 74 the well fluid is drawn inwardly into the pump unit or section 83 of the pump assembly which is disposed between the two separate motor units or sections 82, as shown in FIG- URES l6 and 17. The well fluids flow inwardly through the

inlet ports

96 and 97 of the pump section and into the bore of the housing to the pump unit impeller, where they are drawn or influenced by the pump unit impeller blades or vanes 98, and are forced outwardly through the outlet opening 99 into the discharge chamber b from whence they will flow through the outlet opening 86a of the housing into the discharge manifold 87 and upwardly therein with the power fluids which have been discharged into said manifold through the outlet openings 86 from the motor units. The well fluids will then admix with the power. fluids and flow upwardly in the bore of the tubing to the well surface.

It will thus be seen that the pump assembly comprises a pair of motor units 82 between which is positioned a pump unit or section 83 which is operated by the motor units for pumping the well fluids from the well bore upwardly through the tubing, the motor units of the pump assembly being actuated by the power fluid from the conduit P and power manifold 79 and acting on the motor units of the pump assembly to drive the pump unit. The commingled power and well fluids are forced upwardly in the tubing to the surface of the well by the pressure generated by the pump unit 83.

It will be seen that the lowermost O-ring or seal ring 55 on the exterior of the pump assembly A which engages the sealing surface 63a on the divider 63 not only separates the well fluids which are drawn upwardly through the strainer sleeve and into the housing below the flange or divider 63 from the other fluids and directs the same outwardly through the suction outlet opening 92 in the wall of the housing to the suction manifold, but the high pressure of the power fluid which is introduced into the chamber 78a through the opening 78 being greater than the pressure of the well fluids being pumped will act downwardly on such lowermost O-ring to bias or hold the pump assembly downwardly against the upwardly facing stop shoulder 61 to maintain the pump assembly in place in the housing or landing nipple, counteracting and overcoming any upward force imposed on the pump assembly by the presure of the well fluids therebelow.

If desired, and it is preferable, a suitable trash deflector 84 may be positioned in each of the power

fluid inlet openings

75, 76, 77 and 78 of the housing, whereby any foreign matter, sand or trash present in the power fluid pumped downwardly through the power conduit P to the power fluid inlet manifold 79 of the housing will be deflected and prevented from entering the power fluid inlet openings. Each of the trash deflectors 84 is in the form of a hollow cylindrical member closed at its outer end and open at its inner end and pressed or welded or other wise secured in the

inlet openings

75, 76, 77 and 78. The underside of the deflector has an opening 84a cut therein which is covered by the body of the deflector thereabove to prevent the foreign matter from falling into the inlet opening and deflecting the same toward the bottom of the manifold. The power line P has an extension Pe at its lower end which will provide a sump or trap for any trash that may have been pumped downwardly into the housing manifold. The trash accumulating in the manifold, should it reach the level of the lowermost inlet opening 78, may be circulated out of the manifold by removing the pump assembly A and circulating power fluid downwardly through the power line, inwardly through the inlets and back up through the tubing, or vice versa. The check or foot valve Q in the tubing string below the housing H will prevent the power fluid from entering the well formation, and the power fluid and the trash will be circulated back upwardly to the surface where it may be removed by any suitable means.

The construction and operation of the pump assembly A will now be explained in greater detail.

Within the pump body 54 and between the head 52 at the upper end of the body and the plug 53a at the lower end of the body is disposed the elongate pump rotor 90. As is shown in FIGURES 17 and 18, the rotor is formed in a plurality of sections 90a and 900, each corresponding substantially in length to one of the motor unit sections of the pump assembly, and 90b corresponding to the pump unit section of the assembly. One of the motor rotor sections is shown in FIGURE 22B, and the pump rotor section in FIGURE 722A. It is preferable that a suitable disk-like spacer or washer member 100 be disposed in the pump body between the upper end of a sleeve 105 and the head 52 of the pump assembly.

The upper end of the rotor section 90a is embraced or surrounded by the sleeve 105 which is preferably made of a low friction material, such as brass or the like, and is silver soldered, press-fitted, shrunk-fit or otherwise suitably secured in place in the bore of the body 54 of the pump assembly. This sleeve has a longitudinal bore 106 in which the upper end of the upper rotor section is mounted and is rotatable and has intermediate its ends an internal annular groove 107 communicating with a lateral aperture 108 which is disposed in flow communication with the inlet openings 80 of the upper motor unit. A pair of downwardly and inwardly inclined flow passages 109 are formed in the lower end of the sleeve, and each passage communicates with one lobe 113 of the ovate bore 111 of the motor cylinder or cam sleeve 110, which is likewise preferably of a wear resistant material and suitably secured in place in the bore of the body in sealing abutting engagement with the lower end of the upper sleeve 105. The bore 111 of the motor cylinder or cam sleeve is ovate in cross-section, providing a pair of diametrically opposed lobe enlargements 113 in the bore, and the cylinder is provided with a pair of sets of outlet or discharge openings 112 in its side wall, each set of which communicates one lobe of the bore with the discharge chamber 850 and discharge or outlet opening 86 of the housing.

An upper or first intermediate sleeve 115, likewise preferably formed of low friction material, is secured in the bore of the body surrounding the rotor 90 similarly to the upper sleeve 105, and in sealing abutting engagement with the lower end of the motor cylinder or cam sleeve 110. This intermediate sleeve has a longitudinal bore with a pair of longitudinally spaced internal

annular grooves

116 and 117 formed therein which communicate with the bore of the sleeve and a pair of lateral ports 118 are formed in the upper recess and communicate with the inlet openings 81 of the upper motor unit, whereby fluid may enter therethrough into the upper annular groove 116 and the bore of the sleeve. A pair of substantially diametrically opposed upwardly and inwardly inclined inlet passages 119 communicate the upper annular groove 116 and the inlet openings 118 with the bore of the motor cylinder 110 thereabove, one passage communicating with each lobe 113 of the ovate bore of such motor cylinder. A pair of diametrically spaced downwardly and inwardly inclined lateral passages 121 communicate with the suction inlet opening 97 of the body and the annular suction inlet groove 74 of the housing or landing nipple and are inwardly inclined to communicate at their lower ends with the lobes 123 of the ovate bore 126 of a pump cylinder or cam sleeve 125 which is similar in construction to the motor cylinder 110 and which is likewise suitably secured in the bore of the body 54 of the pump assembly in abutting sealing engagement at its upper end with the lower end of the upper intermediate sleeve 115. The bore 126 of the pump cylinder, being ovate in crosssection as is shown in FIGURE 20, is provided with a pair of sets of lateral outlet openings or discharge openings 127, each set of which communicates one of the lobes 123 with one of the opposed sets of discharge ports 99 of the pump unit of the assembly. The lower internal annular groove 117 of the sleeve 115 has communication with the outlet or discharge openings of the pump cylinder by means of a pair of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending passages 120, one leading to each set of discharge openings, whereby fluids may flow from the discharge openings through the passages to the groove 117 and the bore of the sleeve for acting on the pump vanes 98, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Below the pump cylinder or cam sleeve is a second or lower intermediate sleeve 130, which is identical in configuration to the upper intermediate sleeve 115, but is disposed in a longitudinally reversed position with the body 54, and secured therein by press-fit, shrink-fit, silver soldering or othersuitable means, in abutting sealing engagement at its upper end with the lower end of the pump cylinder 125. This second intermediate sleeve has a bore 131 and a pair of longitudinally spaced internal

annular grooves

132 and 133 therein. A pair of diametrically opposed upwardly and inwardly inclined well fluid inlet or suction passages 134 are formed in the sleeve and each of these upwardly and inwardly inclined ports or passages 134 communicates one of the inlet openings 96 of the pump section with one of the lobes 123 in the bore 126 of the motor cylinder 125 thereabove. The upper groove 132 of the sleeve has communication by means of a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinally extending passages 135 with the discharge openings 127 of the pump cylinder thereabove, whereby fluids from such discharge openings may flow through such passages and groove to the bore of the sleeve 130 for acting on the pump vanes 98, as will be described more fully hereinafter. The lower groove 133 of the sleeve has communication by means of a pair of oppositely disposed power fluid inlet openings 136 with the upper inlet openings 80 of the lower motor unit 82 whereby power fluid may flow inwardly to said groove and downwardly and inwardly through each of a pair of diametrically opposed passages 137 to one of the lobes 143 in the ovate bore 141 of a lower motor cylinder or cam sleeve which is secured in the bore of the body 54 of the pump assembly and is identical in shape to the cylinder 110 first described. The upper end of the lower motor cylinder or cam sleeve 140 sealingly abuts the lower end of the lower intermediate sleeve 130 and the lower end of such motor cylinder sealingly abuts the upper end of a lower annular sleeve 145, the lower end of the lower sleeve abutting the lower disk-like spacer or washer member 101 and surrounding the lower end of the rotor 90. A pair of opposed sets of lateral outlet or discharge openings 142 provide communication between the lobes 143 of the bore 141 and the discharge chamber 85a and with the lower discharge outlet 86 of the housing.

In the bore 146 of the lower annular sleeve is formed an internal annular groove 147 which has a pair of opposed lateral openings 148 each communicating with one of the set of lower inlet openings 81 of the lower motor unit of the pump assembly. One of a pair of opposed upwardly and inwardly inclined conduits or passages 149 communicates each inlet opening 148 with one of the lobes 143 of the bore 141 of the lower motor cylinder 140 thereabove.

Each of the sleeves, the upper sleeve 105, the upper motor cylinder or cam sleeve 110, the first intermediate sleeve 115, the pump or cam sleeve 125, the second intermediate sleeve 130, the lower motor cylinder or cam sleeve 140 and the lower sleeve 145, is held in properly oriented position with respect to the adjacent sleeve and against rotation about its axis with respect to the other sleeves by means of dowel pins or keys 150 engaged in suitable openings formed therefor in the abutting end surfaces of the sleeves. Since all the sleeves are confined between the disk-like washers or spacer members 101 and are pressed, shrunk or otherwise secured within the body 54 in abutting sealing engagement with each other between the head 52 and the plug 53a of the pump assembly, it will be seen that the several sleeves form an internal sleeve or lining in the body 54, and the aligned axial longitudinal bores of the upper sleeve 105, the first intermediate sleeve 115, the second intermediate sleeve 130, and the lower sleeve 145 form bearings for rotatably supporting the sections of the rotor 90 inoperative position therein. Since there is a slight space between the rotor and the bore walls of the several sleeves, it will be seen that fluid may enter therebetween and will form a film which will reduce friction as the rotor is rotated in the sleeves. It will be seen also that the annular seal ring 52a prevents fluid leakage out of the body 54 past the head 52, and that the annular seal ring 52b prevents fluid leakage out of the body past the plug 53a.

As is shown in FIGURES l7 and 18, the rotor 90 is for-med of three sections, the upper motor rotor section 90a, the lower motor rotor section 90b, and the intermediate pump rotor section 90c. The upper and lower motor rotor sections are identical in configuration but are disposed in longitudinally reversed position with respect to each other in the bore of the sleeves and support the intermediate pump rotor section therebetween. The inner end of each of the motor rotor sections (FIG. 22B) is provided with a transverse slot 151 in the end surface thereof which receives a transverse projecting rib or key 152 formed on each of the opposite ends of the pump rotor (FIG. 22A), whereby the rotor sections move as a unit in rotating about their longitudinal axis, so that when the motor rotor sections are turned, the pump rotor section is likewise turned.

Each of the motor rotor sections (FIG. 22B) is formed intermediate its ends with an external annular flange or cylindrical but 155 which is of substantially the same length as the length of the motor cylinder or cam sleeve, and which is of a diameter substantially equal to the minor cross-sectional axis dimension of the bore of such cylinder or cam sleeve, and this flange or cylinder hub fits in and is rotatable in the bore of such cam sleeve. The ends of the adjacent sleeve members at the opposite ends of the motor cylinder s'lidably confine the hubs of the rotor sections in their respective motor cylinders, the fluids flowing through the cylinder forming a friction reducing film between the hub and cylinder and sleeves. A plurality of longitudinal diametrically extending circumferentially spaced slots 160 which are curved outwardly at their ends are formed in the surface of the rotor and hub, the rotor sections shown having eight such slots. In each of the slots 160 is disposed a vane 91 for radial sliding dsplacement therein. The vanes are positioned in the slots of the rotor section and disposed within the ovate bore of the respective motor cylinders, the outward movement of the vanes being limited by the engagement of the outer edges thereof with the walls of the ovate bore of the motor cylinder in which they are disposed, and longitudinal movement of the vanes is limited by their slidable sealing engagement with the ends of the adjacent sleeve members.

The outer end of each of the motor rotor sections 90a and 900 is provided with a counterbore 165 which receives an elongate spring carrying rod or mandrel 166 having a sleeve or head 167 soldered, pressed or otherwise secured on its outer end and confining between the head and the rod or mandrel a plurality of elongate spring finger members 168 which are bowed at their inner free ends. The springs are circumferentially spaced about the mandrel, one of said spring members being disposed in each of the slots 160 of the motor rotor section. Since the springs are positioned on the exterior of the rod in longitudinally extending diametrically projecting circumferentially spaced relationship corresponding to the spacing of the slots in which the springs engage, the outwardly bowed free ends of the springs extend outwardly of the axis of the motor rotor section and engage the inner edges of each of the vanes 91 disposed in the slots of the rotor section for biasing the vanes outwardly into sealing wiping engagement with the ovate bore of the motor cylinder or cam sleeve in which the vanes are disposed. It will be noted that the spring carrying rods and sleeves may be removed easily from the rotors and replaced, should the springs wear or break, since the same are retained in place in the counterbores 165 of the motor rotor by the press-fit of the sleeve therein and by the disk-like washers and 101.

The pump rotor section (FIG. 22A) is likewise formed with a plurality of longitudinal diametrically disposed circumferentially spaced slots 170, and in each of these slots is disposed a pump blade or vane 98 for radial sliding displacement. The outer edge of each vane slidably wiping, sealingly engages the ovate bore 126 of the pump cylinder or cam sleeve 125, and the ends of the vane wipe in free sliding sealing engagement the adjacent ends of the first and second intermediate sleeves and 130, respectively, whereby, as the pump rotor 90b is turned, the vanes will wipe or sealingly engage all the surrounding walls of the chamber defined by the ovate bore Wall 126 of the pump cylinder and the adjacent ends of the intermediate sleeves, and Well fluid is drawn inwardly through the

suction openings

94 and 95 of the housing and the

suction inlet openings

96 and, 97 of the body 54 of the pump unit and inwardly to the bore of the pump cylinder. As shown in FIGURE 20, the vanes will move the fluid from the two sets of opposed

inlet passages

121 and 134 around the enlarged lobes 123 in the bore of the pump cylinder or cam sleeve to the opposed set of outlet openings 127, which communicate with the discharge openings 99 of the pump section and the outlet discharge opening 86a of the housing. The pressure of the fluids conducted from the discharge openings 127 of the pump cylinder by way of the passages and and the

grooves

117 and 132 to the bore of the

sleeves

115 and 130 enters the slots of the pump rotor section 9% and acts on the inner longitudinal surfaces of the pump vanes 98 to bias the vanes outwardly into seal- .ing engagement with the ovate bore 126 of the pump cylinder and maintains the vanes in such sealing engagement. Fluids will thus be moved upwardly through the conduit or manifold 87 into the bore of the tubing above the pump assembly and commingled with the power fluid and be influenced upwardly in the tubing to the surface of the Well.

In the operation of the pump assembly A, power fluids from the input manifold 79 will enter through the openings 84a of the trash deflectors, pass through the

inlet openings

75 and 76 of the housing at the upper motor unit and enter the

inlet openings

80 and 81 of the upper motor unit of the pump assembly. After passing through the inlet openings 108 into the annular groove 107 of the upper sleeve 105 and entering through the openings 118 into the upper bore 116 of the first intermediate sleeve 115, the power fluids will pass downwardly through the passages 109 of the upper sleeve and upwardly through the passages 119 of the first intermediate sleeve to the entrant side of the lobes 113 in the ovate bore 111 of the motor cylinder 110, where the fluids will act on the vanes 91 in the bore of such cylinder to move the vanes toward the exit side of the lobes to force the motor rotor section 90a to rotate by virtue of the pressure acting on the vanes moving the same from the inlet openings 109 and 119 at the entrant side near the narrow edge of the lobes 113 toward the enlarged central portion of the lobes of the ovate bore of the motor cylinder. It will be seen that the pressure fluid will pass from the enlarged lobes 113 of the bore of the ovate cylinder into and through the discharge or outlet openings 112 of the motor cylinder as the vanes pass over such outlet openings. It will also be seen that the two pairs of inlet openings 109 and 119 into the bore of the cylinder and the two sets of outlet openings 112 from the bore of the cylinder are uniformly spaced circumferentially around the cylinder, and that the provision of eight vanes in the rotor section produces positive movement of the rotor section at all times by the power fluid, since the fluid is aways acting on at least one vane in the imperforate portion of each of the 11 lobes 113 of the bore of the motor cylinder between the inlet openings and the outlet openings therein.

It will also be seen that the pressure of the power fluid is permitted to pass into the slots 160 in the motor rotor section where it acts on the rear or inner edge of the vanes as well as on the outer edge and the ends thereof. Each vane is therefore pressed outwardly by the slight differential resulting from the wiping contact of the outer edge of the blade with the bore wall of the motor cylinder and by the biasing force of the bowed springs 168 pressing the vanes outwardly into wiping sealing engagement with the cylinder wall.

It will similarly be seen that the lower motor unit 82 operates in identically the same manner as the upper motor unit, fluid passing inwardly through the

inlet openings

80 and 81 into the bore 141 of the motor cylinder 140 to act on the vanes 91 therein and cause the vanes to rotate. The arrangement of the

inlet ports

137 and 149 and the outlet ports 142 of the motor cylinder 140 of the lower motor unit are the same as those of the uppermost unit whereby the pressure of the power fluid acting on the vanes causes the lower motor unit rotor section 900 to rotate in the same direction as the upper motor unit rotor section 90a rotates. The two motor units therefore turn the pump rotor section 90b in the pump unit 83. The vanes 98 of the pump unit are not resiliently biased outwardly but are in wiping engagement with the ovate bore wall 126 of the pump cylinder 125 and, as the pump rotor section is turned, the centrifugal force exerted on the vanes or blades moves the same outwardly into engagement with the bore wall 126 of the pump cylinder. Thus, well fluid which is present in the suction conduit 93 will enter through the

suction openings

94 and 95 of the housing and the

suction inlet openings

96 and 97 of the pump section 83 of the body and enter the inlets 121 of the first intermediate section 115 and the inlets 134 of the second intermediate section 130 from whence they will be forced through the lobes 123 of the ovate bore 126 of the pump cylinder 125 to the outlet openings 127 to the discharge manifold 87. It will also be seen that the pumped well fluids will likewise enter the

passages

120 and 135 and the

annular grooves

117 and 132 from which the fluid passes into the elongate slots 170 of the rotor section 90b and acts on the inner edge surfaces of the vanes 98 as well as on the sides and ends thereof. The pressure of the fluids acting on the ends of the vanes is therefore equalized, while the hydrostatic head pressure of such fluids from the discharge or outlet openings 127 supplements the centrifugal force imparted to the vanes as a result of the rotation of the rotor section and holds the vanes in sealing engagement with the ovate bore wall of the pump cylinder or cam sleeve.

The wiping sealing action of the vanes on the ovate bore wall of the pump cylinder creates a suction between the

inlet openings

121 and 134 and the outlet or discharge openings 127 in the wall of said pump cylinder, whereby the well fluids are drawn inwardly through the inlet openings into the bore of the pump cylinder and forced outwardly through the discharge openings 127 of the pump cylinder and the discharge opening 99 of the pump section 83 of the body of the pump assembly, and through the discharge opening 86a of the housing or landing nipple to the discharge manifold 87, whence they will flow upwardly through the re-entry port 88 of the housing into the bore of the tubing above the pump assembly and upwardly to the surface of the well. The well fluids entering the manifold 87 from the discharge opening 86a will commingle with the power fluid which has entered the discharge manifold through the discharge openings 86 from the motor units of the pump assembly and will flow upwardly with the power fluid to the surface.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that balanced fluid pressures are maintained on the vanes of both of the motor units 82, and that the vanes of the pump unit 83 are maintained in sealing engagement with the bore wall of the cam sleeve of the pump unit while at the same time the fluids passing through the units lubricate the space between the cylinders or sleeves and the vanes.

It will also be seen that the slight differential applied to the vanes of the motor units does not cause the same to bind when the power fluid is introduced into the motor units to start the pump to operation. Likewise, it will be seen that the final movement of the vanes past the discharge openings in the reduced end portions of the lobes 113 of the ovate bores of the motor cylinders prevents the building up of any back pressure between the vanes and the cylinder walls, since the discharge openings extend substantially to the discharge end portion of the lobes of the bore of the cylinders corresponding in dimension to the external circumference of the rotor section rotating therein.

In operation, the housing or landing nipple H is run into the well casing C on the tubing string T with the macaroni string of power fluid tubing P strung with the tubing. After the housing has been submerged to the desired depth and the lower end of the tubing string submerged in the fluid in the bore of the well, the pump assembly A is run into the housing by means of a wire line and wire line tools (not shown), in the well known manner, for positioning in the housing or landing nipple with the external flange 53 of the pump assembly engaging the upwardly facing stop shoulder 61 of the housing, the usual foot valve or check valve Q being disposed in the tubing string below the housing or landing nipple H and the perforated section for admitting well fluids connected in the tubing string below the check valve or foot valve.

The power fluid is then pumped down from the surface through the power fluid tubing P to cause operation of the pump in the manner just described by passing through the inlet manifold 79 into the motor sections or units of the pump assembly to cause the rotor to rotate and thereby rotate the pump section rotor 900. As the power fluid passes through the motor sections, it is discharged into the discharge manifold 87. The well fluids are drawn upwardly through the tubing string below the housing from the openings or apertures O in the lower end thereof past the check valve or foot valve Q into the suction manifold 93 and through the pump unit or section 83 to the discharge opening 99 from the pump section into the discharge manifold 87, where the well fluids commingle with the power fluid and the mixed fluids flow upwardly in the manifold and inwardly through the re-entry opening 88 into the bore of the tubing above the pump and upwardly through the tubing to the surface.

If desired, the commingled fluids may be passed through the usual treater heater to a storage tank S, or a portion of such fluids may be withdrawn therefrom and recirculated through the power line or tubing P into the well for continuous cycling operation of the pump. It is preferable that the fluids should be suitably cleaned to remove foreign matter therefrom prior to re-introduction into the system through the power fluid tubing string P.

It is believed readily apparent that the number of motor units and pump units may be increased by increasing the length of the housing or landing nipple H and providing an additional'number of dividers or flanges therein with suitable inlet and discharge openings and suction openings corresponding to the arrangement shown, as by positioning a second pump section or unit above the upper motor unit and another motor unit above the second pump unit, etc. Thus, the number of motor and pump units may be increased to any desired number by increasing the length of the housing H and arranging the porting and manifolding thereof to accommodate the same, and by similarly lengthening the pump assembly A to include an additional number of pump 13 units and motor units. However, it is desirable that motor units should be at each end of the assembly and that pump units and motor units should be alternately disposed throughout the length of the assembly.

A modified form of the installation is shown in FIG- URES 4 through 8, wherein a heater assembly W is connected in the tubing string below the housing or landing nipple H. The power tubing P is connected at its lower end with an inlet coupling 180 in the upper end 181 of the elongate cylindrical heater housing 182, and the power fluid which has been previously heated at the surface is circulated downwardly in a first chamber 183 formed in the housing 182 on one side of a pair of dividers or partitions 184 extending diametrically across the bore of the heater housing and provided at its lower end with passageways 185 permitting the heated power fluids to pass from said first chamber to the other or second chamber 186 within the heater housing. A fluid conductor U depends from the foot valve Q and is disposed axially within the housing between the dividers or partitions 184, the partitions being welded or otherwise secured to the conductor U and to the housing to form the two

chambers

183 and 186. Inlet openings at the upper end of the conductor U admit well fluids, which are directed downwardly within the bore of the conductor exteriorly of an elongate return tubing string R which is secured to the lower end of the check valve or foot valve Q by screw threads and extends downwardly coaxially within the bore of the conductor U to a point adjacent the lower end of the housing. The lower end of the return tube R is open whereby the well fluids entering through the openings 0 will be directed downwardly exteriorly of the return tubing R and in the bore of the downwardly extending conductor U in heat exchanging relationship with the hot or heated power fluid, within the heater housing 182 surrounding the downwardly extending conductor U, will then flow upwardly in the return tubing R to and through the check or foot valve Q and thence upwardly to the pump assembly landing nipple or housing H in the usual manner. This heating of the well fluids produced by the power fluid introduced through the pump reduces the viscosity of the crude well fluids being produced and the formation of parafiin deposits in-the tubing and in the pump. The pressure fluid from the chamber 186 of the heater housing passes upwardly and outwardly therefrom through an outlet coupling 187 in the upper end 181 of the chamber or housing to the return or second string Ps to the power manifold 79 of the housing, being connected to the lower end of the manifold. The upper end of the manifold to which the power string P was formerly connected in the installations of FIGURES 1 through 3 is plugged by a suitable plug 189, whereby the .power fluids will be directed from the manifold through the power fluid inlet openings into the pump assembly A in the same manner as previously described. The functioning of the pump motor units and the pump units is otherwise the same as in the forms already described. The large diameter and length of the heater assembly W also provides means for heating the well formation adjacent the heater assembly and will reduce the viscosity of the crude well fluids being pumped, and will improve the flow characteristics of both the adjacent well formation and the well fluids.

If desired, a plurality of check valves X may be disposed in the tubing string at desired elevations therein above the pump assembly to prevent back flow of well fluids and power fluids when the pump is not operating,

thereby staging the liquid in the tubing and reducing the hydrostatic head of back pressure acting on the pump assembly. The check valves X, one of which is shown in FIG. 34, each include a mandrel 190 having a bore 191 therethrough and a sealing cup 192 thereon. Within the bore of the mandrel is a ball valve 193 which seats on a seat 194 formed in an enlarged portion of the bore of the mandrel. The ball is retained in the mandrel by a cross pin 195 which permits fluid to pass upwardly through the mandrel but prevents the ball from moving upwardly out of the mandrel. A plurality of outwardly and downwardly inclined supporting dogs 196 are mounted in suitable lateral apertures 197 in an upstanding sleeve 198 carried by the mandrel, and an expander wedge 199 is slidable on the reduced upper neck 200 on the mandrel and has a plurality of uniformly spaced dovetailed slots 201 in its outer downwardly tapered sur face 202 receiving the correspondingly dovetailed inner end portions 203 of the dogs, and is adapted to move the dogs outwardly and inwardly as the sleeve is moved longitudinally of the mandrel neck. The check valve is run into the well with the expander member 199 in the upper position on the neck and the expander is moved downwardly on the neck to expand the dogs into a coupling recess as shown in FIGURE 34 to support the check valve at that position. A suitable fishing neck 204 on the upper end of the expander sleeve is provided for connection with a suitable running and retrieving tool (not shown) by means of which the device may be lowered into the well and removed therefrom when desired.

The wire line running and retrieving tools used for inserting and removing the check valves, and their operation, are well known and will not be further described herein, it being well understood that the check valve may be suitably lowered into the well tubing and anchored in position at a coupling recess as shown in the well known manner.

In FIGURE 23 a modified form of the motor and pump sections of the pump assembly is illustrated. The pump assembly is adapted to be mounted in the same housing as the form first described, and the head 52, the body 54 and the plug 53a of the pump are identical to those of the form first described, and are given the same identifying numerals. Within the body 54 and between the head 52 and the plug 53a at the lower end of the body are disposed two motor sections or units with a pump unit or section therebetween, and an elongate rotor 290 consisting of a plurality of rotor sections 290a, 29% and 2900 is rotatably mounted in said sections in substantially the same maner as that of the form first described. The upper end of the upper rotor section 290a is embraced or surrounded by an upper sleeve 205 which is preferably made of a low friction material and is pressfitted, shrunk fit or otherwise suitably secured in the bore of the body 54 and this upper sleeve has a longitudinal bore 206 in which the upper end of the upper rotor section 290:! is rotatable. Immediately below the upper sleeve is a motor cylinder or cam sleeve 210, which is likewise preferably formed of'a wear resistant material and is suitably secured in place in the bore of the body 54 in sealing abutment with the lower end of the upper sleeve 205. Below the motor cam sleeve is an upper or first intermediate sleeve 215 likewise preferably formed of low friction material and suitably secured in the bore of the body surrounding the rotor 290 with its upper end in abutting sealing engagement with the lower end of the motor cylinder or cam sleeve 210 and having its lower end in abutting sealing engagement with a pump cylinder or cam sleeve 225. Below the pump cam sleeve is a lower or second intermediate sleeve 230 which is identical in configuration to the upper intermediate sleeve 215 but is disposed in longitudinally reversed position within the body 54, and the upper end of this lower or second intermediate sleeve is in abutting sealing engagement with the lower end of the pump cylinder or cam sleeve and its lower end is in abutting engagement with a lower motor cylinder or cam sleeve 240. A lower annular sleeve 245 abuts the lower end of the lower motor sleeve and is in sealing engagement therewith. Each of the sleeves, the upper sleeve 205, the upper motor cylinder or cam sleeve 210, the first intermediate sleeve 215,

the pump cylinder or cam sleeve 225, the second intermediate sleeve 230, the lower motor cylinder or cam sleeve 240 and the lower annular sleeve 245, is held in properly oriented position with respect to the adjacent sleeve and against rotation about its axis with respect to the other sleeves by means of dowel pins or keys 250 engaged in suitable openings formed therefor in the abutting end surfaces of the sleeves. Since all the sleeves are confined between the head 52 and the plug 53a of the pump assembly, it will be seen that the several sleeves form an internal sleeve or lining in the body 54 of the pump and that the aligned axial longitudinal bores of the sleeves receive and rotatably support the sections of the rotor 290 in operative position therein, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

The bore 211 of the upper motor or cylinder or camsleeve 210 is ovate in cross section, providing a pair of diametrically opposed lobe enlargements 213 in the bore thereof corresponding to the enlargements in the lobes of the bore of the motor cylinders of the first described form. The motor cylinder is likewise provided with a pair of sets of outlet or discharge openings 212 in its side wall, each set of which communicates with the discharge end of one lobe of the bore of the motor cylinder and with the discharge or outlet opening 86 of the housing. The upper motor rotor unit 29011 has an external cylindrical enlargement intermediate its ends, and this enlarged central portion of the rotor section is disposed in the ovate bore 213 of the motor cylinder, the upper end of the cylindrical enlargement sealingly slidably engaging the lower end of the upper annular sleeve 205 and the lower downwardly facing surface of the enlargement sealingly slidably engaging the upper end of the upper intermediate sleeve 215. The opposite ends of the rotor section 290a are confined in the bore of the upper annular sleeve 205 and in the upper portion of the bore of the upper intermediate sleeve 215. The opposite ends of the motor rotor section 290a are provided with diametrically extending cross grooves 251a and a cross shaped connector or coupler 252, such as is shown in FIGURE 27, is disposed in the grooves in the lower end of the motor rotor section 290a and provide a means of coupling such upper motor rotor section with the upper end of the pump rotor section 2901; which conforms in shape and size to the motor rotor section 290a. The coupler 252 is engaged in the cross grooves 251b at the upper end of the pump rotor 290b and provides a means of connection between the pump rotor section and the motor rotor section whereby the two move together. The enlarged external annular flange or intermediate cylindrical hub 25311 of the pump rotor section is disposed in the ovate bore 226 of the pump cylinder or cam sleeve 225 in sealing engagement with the smaller portions of the bore wall of such cam sleeve or cylinder and in slidable sealing engagement at its oppositely facing ends with the lower end of the upper intermediate sleeve 215 and with the upper end of the lower intermediate sleeve 230. The lower motor rotor section 290a is identical in shape and configuration to the rotor section 290a and is coupled at its upper end to the lower end of the pump rotor section by means of the coupler 252 engaged in the crossed slots 25111 at the lower end of the pump rotor section and in the slots 2510 in the upper end of said lower motor rotor section. The enlarged annular flange or cylindrical hub 253a of the lower motor rotor section is disposed in the ovate bore 241 of the lower motor cylinder or cam sleeve 240 with the oppositely facing surfaces of the enlarged hub slidably sealing engaging the lower end of the upper cylindrical sleeve 230 and the upper end of the lower annular sleeve 245. Since the annular flanges of the rotor sections are confined within the ovate bores of the motor cylinders and pump cylinders of the respective units in which they are mounted, it will be seen that the rotor 290 is rotatably confined within the longitudinally aligned hores of the several sleeves and is freely rotatable therein. The opposite ends of the rotor 290 adjacent the head 52 and the plug 53a are spaced from the head and plug because the upper and lower

annular sleeves

205 and 245, respectively, are of greater lengths than the length of the end portions of the rotor sections disposed therein.

Suitable annular sealing members 52a and 53b fluidly seal between the pump "body 54 and the head 52 and the plug 53a of the pump assembly, whereby fluids entering the several ports of the assembly are confined within the body.

Each of the rotor sections is formed with a plurality of longitudinal diametrically extending circumferentially spaced slots 260 which are curved outwardly at their opposite ends and extend through the hub portion of the rotor section, each rotor section being shown as having eight such slots, but which may be more or less than eight. The rotor section is similar to that shown in FIGURE 26. 'In each of the slots 260 of the motor rotor sections is disposed a vane 291 for radial sliding displacement therein. The vanes are positioned in the slots in the hub portion of the rotor section and disposed within the ovate bore of their respective motor cylinders, the outward movement of the vanes being limited by the engagement of the outer edges thereof with the wall of the ovate bore of the motor cylinder in which they are disposed, and longitudinal movement of the vanes is limited by their slidable sealing engagement with the ends of the adjacent sleeve members. Similar vanes 298 are disposed in each of the slots 26% in the pump rotor section 29% and their outer edges slidably sealingly engage the bore wall of the pump cylinder or cam sleeve 225,, while their ends slid-ably sealingly engage the opposite ends of adjacent intermediate

cylindrical sleeve sections

215 and 230, respectively.

An elongate spring finger member 266 is mounted in each slot of each rotor section and has one end turned at a right angle to the elongate main body of said spring and disposed in a radially extending bore in the rotor section, and the opposite free end 268 of the spring is bowed outwardly of the slot and has a reverse bend at its extreme end. An annular sleeve 267 has a close shrunk fit, or is otherwise suitably secured as by silver soldering, on the exterior of the reduced upper end of each of the rotor sections and this sleeve surrounds, engages and confines the upper end portions of the springs in the grooves and radial apertures in the rotor section. The upper end of the shaft portion of each of the rotor sections is reduced in diameter to accommodate the sleeve, whereby the sleeve conforms in size to the external diameter of the remainder of the shaft portion of the rotor section and is rotatable therewith. Since the springs are positioned in the slots 260 of the rotor sections and their outwardly bowed free ends 268 extend outwardly of the axis of the rotor section and engage the inner edges of each'of the vanes 291 disposed in the slots of the motor rotor section and the inner edge of the vanes 298 disposed in the slots of the pump section, it will be seen that the vanes are each biased outwardly into sealing wiping engagement with the ovate bore of the motor cylinders and pump cylinders in which the vanes are disposed.

Opposed lateral inlet openings 207 in the upper annular sleeve 20 5 communicate with the bore of the sleeve and with the grooves formed in the exterior of the upper portion of the upper motor rotor section 290a and power fluids entering through the openings 207 will pass inwardly therefrom to the grooves or slots in the rotor section and downwardly therein to the hub portion of the rotor section disposed in the bore of the motor cylinder or cam sleeve 210 behind the vanes 291. In addition, longitudinally extending conduit passages 208 extend downwardly from each lateral inlet opening 207 and communicate with the bore of the motor cylinder adjacent the inlet sides of the lobes 213 formed therein for acting on the vanes 291 to cause the rotor to be rotated about its longitudinal axis. The fluids pass around the lobes 213 of the motor cylinder forcing the vanes ahead of the fluids until the fluids enter the outlet or discharge openings 212 adjacent the opposite outlet ends of the lobes 213. Longitudinally extending passages 209 provide communication between the fluids flowing through the outlet openings 212 and opposed lateral passages 209:: which likewise communicate with the bore 206 of the upper sleeve 205 and with the grooves or slots in the exterior of the motor rotor-section whereby fluid-s flowing through the outlet openings 212 are likewise conducted by way of the

passages

209 and 209a to the inner edges or surfaces of the vanes 291. It will thus be seen that pressures acting on the vanes on opposite edges and ends thereof are equalized at the inlet openings and at the outlet openings and that the vanes are held in wiping sealing engagement with the ovate bore wall of the motor cylinder by the springs 266 as the vanes pass the openings.

A pair of diametrically opposed inlet openings 218 are formed in the upper portion of the upper intermediate sleeve 215 for admitting power fluid from the inlet openings 81 in the walls of the pump assembly body 54. Longitudina'lly extending passages 219 communicate with the inlet openings 218 and conduct fluids from the inlet openings to the inlet side-of the cam lobes 213 of the motor cylinder, coacting with the fluids introduced through the passages 208 to cause rotation of the vanes and the rotor sections. Fluids from the inlet 218 will likewise pass upwardly through the slots 260 in the upper rotor section and act on the inner edges of the vanes 291. It will thus be seen that the pressures acting on the inner and outer edges of the vanes are identical and balanced and that the pressures on the opposite ends of the vanes are likewise equal and balanced, both being the inlet pressures of the power fluid entering the lobes. The fluids will pass around the lobes through the outlet openings and will be conducted downwardly through longitudinally extending passages 216 and opposed lateral passages 216a into the bore of the upper portion of the sleeve 215 where the fluids will enter the grooves or slots 260 in the 'lower portion of the upper motor rotor and pass upwardly therein to the rear or inner edge of the vanes 291 disposed therein to balance the pressures acting on opposite edges of the vanes. It will likewise be seen that the pressures in the

passages

209 and 216 are identical and that the opposite ends of the vanes are exposed to such identical pressures whereby the vanes freely float under conditions of equal fluid pressure throughout the rotation of the rotor, the vanes being held in wiping sealing engagement with the ovate bore wall of the motor cylinder by the springs 266, as the vanes pass the openings.

The lower portion of the motor rotor section 290a has a rotatable sealing movement in the bore 214 of the upper intermediate sleeve 215 whereby the power fluids are confined in the bore of the sleeve thereab'ove.

It will also be seen that the pressure of the fluids entering into each of the motor cylinders through the inlet openings and acting on the vanes 291 to move the same around the ovate bore of the motor cylinder will remain equalized on all sides of the vanes while they are moving past such inlet openings. However, when the vanes move into the imperfora'te portion of the lobes between the inlet openings and the outlet or discharge openings near the opposite ends of the lobes, the pressure on the side of the vane nearest the inlet openings and the pressure acting on the ends and inner edge of the vanes will be the pressure of the motor power fluids from the inlet openings, while the pressure on the side of the vanes nearest the outlet or discharge openings will be that of the discharged power fluids present in such outlet openings; and, since the higher pressure of the fluids from the inlet openings is acting on the inner edges of the vanes, the vanes will be pressed into sealing wiping engagement with the imperforate portions of the lobes during such movement between the inlet openings and the outlet openings in the motor cylinders. While the vanes pass the outlet openings, the pressure acting on all edges and ends of the vanes is equal and the vanes may readily retract into the slots in the motor rotor section in which they are radially slida-bl-e so that they will readily pass from the lobe portions of the ovate bore of the motor cylinder into and through the reduced diameter portions of such bore between the lobes without binding or locking the rotor against rotation. V

Opposed suction inlet openings 221 in the lower portion of the upper intermediate sleeve 215 communicate the suction inlet opening 97 of the housing 54 with the bore of the lower portion of said sleeve for admitting and conducting well fluids drawn upwardly to the inlet opening into the bore of the sleeve and into the slots 260!) in the exterior of the pump rotor section 290b, where they will pass downwardly to the portions in the hub disposed in the bore of the pump cylinder or cam sleeve 225 and act on the inner edges of the pump vanes 298. Longitudinally extending passages 222 communicate the inlet suction openings 221 with the inlet sides of the lobes 226a in the bore of the pump cylinder or cam sleeve 225. Similar opposed inlet openings 234 in the upper portion of the lower intermediate sleeve 230 communicate with the suction inlet opening 96 in the pump body 54 and direct fluids from the inlet opening into the upper portion of the bore of such lower intermediate sleeve, where the fluids enter the longitudinal slots 26% in the pump rotor section 290!) and pass upwardly in such slots into the portions of the slots formed in the hub of the rotor section disposed in the bore of the pump cylinder where they. also act on the inner edges or surfaces of the pump vanes 298. Upwardly extending diametrically opposed longitudinal passages 235 conduct fluidsfrom the inlet openings 234 upwardly into the inlet side of the lobes 226a of the pump cylinder where they are drawn by the movement of the vanes in the lobes. It will thus be seen that the vanes 298 are always under fluid pressure on all sides, being biased outwardly therein to wiping sealing engagement with the ovate bore wall of the pump cylinder by the springs 266. As the pump rotor is rotated by the motor units, the vanes pass around the ovate bore wall 226 of the pump cylinder and draw fluids inwardly through the inlet openings and force the same outwardly through a pair of diametrically opposed outlet or discharge openings 227 which communicate with the discharge openings 99 of the body 54 and with the discharge conduit 87 of the housing. A longitudinal passage 220 extends upwardly from each of the outlet or discharge openings 227 to a horizontal passage 219 which communicates with the lower portion of the bore of the upper sleeve 215 and conducts the fluids from the discharge openings into such bore where they pass downwardly by way of the slots 260bin the pump motor section 29% into the space in the hub behind the vanes 298 to equalize the fluid pressures on opposite sides of said vanes. Similarly, downwardly extending longitudinal passages 232 extend downwardly from each of the discharge openings 227 to diametrically opposed laterally inwardly" extending openings 232a whereby the pumped well fluids from the outlet or discharge openings 227 of the pump cylinder are conducted to the upper portion of the bore of the lower intermediate cylinder, where they pass upwardly through the slots 26% in the pump rotor to act on the inner surfaces of the pump vanes 298 to equalize the pressures on the opposite sides thereof. It will also

Claims

1. A MOTOR SECTION FOR USE IN A FLUID OPERATED PUMP, COMPRISING: A HOUSING, A MOTOR CYLINDER HAVING AN OVATE AXIAL BORE DISPOSED IN SAID HOUSING; CYLINDRICAL SUPPORTING SLEEVES IN SAID HOUSING AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID MOTOR CYLINDER AND HAVING REDUCED BORES AXIALLY ALIGNED WITH THE BORE OF SAID MOTOR CYLINDER; AN ELONGATE MOTOR ROTOR SECTION ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING AND HAVING AXIALLY ALIGNED SUPPORTING SHAFTS AT ITS ENDS DISPOSED IN THE REDUCED BORES OF SAID SUPPORTING SLEEVES AND AN ENLARGED CYLINDRICAL CENTRAL HUB DISPOSED IN SAID OVATE BORE OF SAID MOTOR CYLINDER; A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING RADIALLY MOVABLE VANES DISPOSED IN CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING SLOTS FORMED IN SAID HUB AND SAID SHAFTS OF SAID MOTOR ROTOR SECTION, SAID VANES BEING CONFINED IN SAID OVATE BORE OF SAID MOTOR CYLINDER BY SAID SUPPORTING SLEEVES AND MOVABLE IN SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE OVATE BORE OF SAID MOTOR CYLINDER, SAID OVATE BORE PROVIDING AT LEAST A PAIR OF LOBE ENLARGEMENTS IN SAID BORE WHICH SAID VANES SLIDABLY SEALINGLY ENGAGE; INLET PORT MEANS FOR POWER FLUID FROM THE EXTERIOR OF SAID MOTOR SECTION TO ONE SIDE OF EACH LOBE OF SAID OVATE BORE OF SAID MOTOR CYLINDER; OUTLET PORT MEANS FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF EACH OF SAID LOBES OF SAID BORE OF SAID MOTOR CYLINDER TO THE EXTERIOR OF SAID MOTOR HOUSING; SAID VANES SEPARATING FLUID FLOWING THROUGH SAID INLET PORT MEANS TO SAID LOBES FROM FLUID FLOWING THROUGH SAID OUTLET PORT MEANS FROM SAID LOBES OF SAID MOTOR SECTION; FLOW PASSAGES IN SAID SUPPORTING SLEEVES SEPARATELY COMMUNICATING THE INLET PORT MEANS AND THE OUTLET PORT MEANS OF SAID MOTOR CYLINDER WITH THE PORTIONS OF THE SLOTS IN THE SHAFTS OF SAID ROTOR SECTION FOR CONDUCTING FLUID PRESSURE FROM THE INLET PORT MEANS TO THE ENDS AND INNER EDGES OF THE VANES IN SAID SLOTS IN SAID HUB OF SAID MOTOR SECTION AND FOR CONDUCTING FLUID PRESSURE FROM THE OUTLET PORT MEANS TO THE ENDS AND INNER EDGES OF THE VANES IN SAID SLOTS FOR EQUALIZING THE PRESSURES APPLIED TO THE ENDS AND INNER EDGES OF SAID VANES BY THE FLUIDS PASSING THROUGH THE LOBES OF THE MOTOR CYLINDER.