US2193020A - Fluid pump construction - Google Patents

Description

March 12, 1940. H. D. COLLINS FLUID PUMP CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 14, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 5.3.x /HC R Slim/twp March 12, 1940. H. D. COLLINS FLUID PUMP CONSTRUCTION ,Filed Feb. 14, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 12, 1940. H. D. COLLINS FLUID PUMP CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 14, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 12, 1940. COLLINS 2,193,020

FLUID PUMP CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 14, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 12, 1940 UNITED STATES ,aaczt FLUID PUMP CGNSTRUCTION Hubert D. Collins, Tulsa, Okla.

Application February 14, 1938, Serial No. 190,483

6 Claims.-

This invention relates to improvements in pump construction, and more particularly to pumps for use in deep wells, such as oil wells.

Considerable difiiculty is often encountered in pumping water or oil from these deep wells due to what is commonly known as gas lock and also fluid-pound." In the first instance, on the up stroke, the fluid is pumped into the pumping chamber together with a certain amount of gas, or, due to the reduction of pressure on the oil during the pumping stroke, gas isliberated from the oil or water. This gas accumulates and then on the up stroke it expands, so that on the down stroke of the valve in the pump plunger or the traveling barrel, as the case maybe, this gaseous medium must again be compressed to the static pressure of the tubing column before this valve will open to permit the gas and oil to move above the said valve. In other words, the differential in volumetric capacity of the barrel in its two positions is not sufiicient to compress the gas and liquid to a sufiiciently high pressure to open the upper valve and permit its escape. Consequently, no more fluid can be pumped from the well until the lock is broken. This is a common occurrence and source of trouble in oil field deep well pumping, and the absence or partial absence of fluid in the pump barrel not infrequently causes premature failure of the pump plungers due to the lack of lubrication. of these plungers from the pumped fluid.

The other prevalent difliculty in the deep well pumping field is the aforementioned fluid-pound which is caused by the lack' of fluid in the well or the partial accumulation of gas and fluid, preventing the pumpbarrel from completely filling on the up or suction stroke. When the barrel is not completely filled on the up stroke, as the plunger moves back on the down stroke, it strikes the fluid in the partially filled pump cylinder before the plunger valve can open sufficiently, creating a heavy pound andmomentary resistance to the travel of the plunger, thus throwing extremely heavy loads on the tubing and also on the sucker rods on the down strokes of the pump, which often cause the rods to buckle and break, and sometimes cause rupture of the tubing. This pound may be reduced by changing the speed and stroke of the plunger, but in most instances close adjustments are not possible, and, furthermore, any reduction in the number of strokesper unit of time, or in the length of the stroke, results in loss of efiiciency.

- My invention eliminates completely both of these serious pumping troubles, permitting the of my invention to a fluid packed travelingrbarcomplete discharge of any accumulated gas, and also allowing the pump cylinders to completely fill with the fluid to be pumped at the termination of each pumping stroke.

An object of my invention is the provision of 6 means incorporated in deep well pumps for permitting any accumulated gas within the pump cylinder to escape at the end of the pumping stroke and simultaneously allows the pumping 1 cylinder to be completely filled with the fluid being pumped before the next stroke of the pump.

Another object is the provision of gas lock and fluid-pound preventing instrumentalities which may be readily and easily incorporated in existing pump and conventional pump designs without materially changing or altering the general structure other than providing the necessary relief apertures at the proper and desirable location in the pump structure.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter set forth and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a pump having my invention incorporated therein in the form of an exterior bypass passage, the pump plunger being shown at the beginning of the pumping stroke.

Figure 2 is a view imilar to Figure 1, the plunger being illustrated at the completion of its up stroke, the arrows denoting the fluid or gas by-passing action.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a slight modification in which a by-pass chamber is provided surrounding the pump cylinders for establishing communication above and below the pump plunger at the termination of i the pumping stroke.

Figures 4 and 5 are further modifications il- 40 lustrating its application to the plunger insert type of pump. Figure 4 illustrates the beginning of the pumping stroke, while Figure 5 shows the termination of the stroke when the by-passing action above and below the plunger takes place.

Figures 6 and 7 show the beginning and completion of the pumping strokes respectively of another modification or application of my invention to the stufling box plunger insert type of m 50 Figures8 and 9 show the application of my invention to the inverted plunger or traveling outer tube type of pump.

Figures 10 and 11 show a further adaptation rel type of pump. Figure 10 denotes the commencement of the suction stroke, while Figure 11 illustrates the termination of the stroke and the position where the gas relief and fluid replenishment takes place.

Figures 12 and 13 are vertical sectional views of a further modification of the insert type of pump.

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawmgs.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, i denotes a working barrel tube secured to the anchor 2 and having the usual standing valve 3 and the pump plunger or traveling valve 4 cperable therein and connected to the pumping rig, not shown, by the conventional sucker rod 5. The upper portion of the working barrel tube I is apertured at 6 and I, these apertures being in communication with each other by the fluid by pass tube 8. The space between the apertures is somewhat greater than the length of the pump plunger and traveling valve 4.

During the major portion of the pumping stroke, the plunger is below both of the apertures and, consequently, the fluid above the plunger is lifted by the pump plunger as the fluid is sucked into the working barrel below the plunger through the standing valve 3, until the plunger moves" upwardly past the lower aperture, establishing communication between the barrel above the plungerand the space between the plunger and the standing valve, as seen in Figure 2. Any accumulation of gas or air below the plunger is allowed to escape through the opening I and pass upwardly through the by-pass tube 8 to a point above the plunger, as indicated by the dotted arrows, when it is again introduced into the tubing through the opening 6, prior to which the fluid being pumped readily passes downwardly, as indicated by the full line arrows as shown in the drawings, with the result that the pump barrel is always filled with fluid at the beginning of each down stroke of the plunger. Thus the pressure is equalized above and below the traveling valve 4 in the up stroke positions, permitting the valve to quickly open at the start of the down stroke, which aids in the escape of the gas that has accumulated in the upper portion of the barrel and allows the fluid to pass freely through the traveling valve as it moves to the down stroke position. Gas locks and fluid-pounds are, therefore, completely eliminated at the commencement of each down stroke of the pump.

Figure 3 illustrates the use of a sleeve 9 disposed around the upper end of the working barrel tube having its ends inturned, as at ill, 10, to provide an enclosing chamber registering at the top with the apertures 6a, and at the bottom with. the apertures la. The rest of the structure is similar to Figures 1 and 2, and similar parts are, therefore, denoted by the same reference characters. The operation of this structure, as shown in Figure 3, is the same as in the previous figures, but the use of the closed chamber 9 permits the provision of a greater number of apertures, and, consequently, a greater efficiency in the by-passing action is obtained with the result that the pump stroke speed may be increased without loss of pump efliciency. The tubular casing or chamber 9 constitutes a reinforcing medium in the vicinity of the apertures 6a and la, and positively prevents any tendency of tubing failure at these Ill points.

Figures 4 and 5 discose the application of my invention to the plunger insert type of pump. In these figures, the tubing is indicated at H and the tubing anchor at 12.

In this form the pump is inserted as a unit in discharge apertures ll, while fluid by-pass apertures I8 are formed in the wall of the pump tube near the upper end thereof. These apertures 18 are spaced from the upper end of the pump tube so that, when the plunger l9 carried by the sucker rod 20, moves upwardly to the end of the pump tube these operations register with the interior of the tube below the pump plunger I9. When the pump plunger l9 moves up somewhat beyond the apertures I8 at the end of the pumping stroke, as seen in Figure 5, any gas accumulating in the pump barrel below the plunger escapes into the tubing II and is replaced by the pumped fluid.

Upon downward movement of the plunger, any fluid or gas below the plunger and above the bypass apertures I8, which has not escaped naturally through the apertures, is preliminarily forced out of the pump tube before the apertures are covered by the plunger. Further movement of the plunger I9 displaces the fluid in the pump tube through the traveling valve 2| in the plunger in the normal manner.

Figures 6 and 7 disclose the embodiment of my invention in a plunger insert type of pump having a stufiing box closure, the tubing being indicated at 22 and the tubing anchor at 23, while 24 denotes the pump tube or barrel mounted on a standing valve 25. The pump barrel 24 is provided with fluid by-pass apertures 26 designed to establish communication between the interior of the tubing 22 and the interior of the barrel above the plunger 21 during the pumping stroke, and to establish communication with the interior of the pump barrel 24 below the plunger upon the upward movement of the plunger 21 at the completion of the pumping'stroke, as seen in Figure 7. The plunger 21 is connected to the hollow pump rod which passes through the pump barrel packing 29, located in the head of the pump barrel 2E. The upper end of the pump tube 28 carries an upper traveling valve 30 which is secured to the sucker rod 3! Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the application of my invention to a pump of the insert working barrel type in which the tubing is indicated at 32 having an anchor 33. The standing valve 34 is formed with the upstanding plunger tube 35 to the upper end of which is fixed the upper standing valve or stationary pump plunger 36. The working barrel or pump tube 37 surrounds the pump plunger 36 and carries the traveling valve 38 in the upper end thereof, which, in turn, is secured to the sucker rod 39. The pump barrel 31, as in the previous forms, is provided with fluid by-pass apertures to establishing communication between the interior of the pump tube 31 below the plunger 36 and with the interior of the well tubing 32 when the working barrel is at the limit of its down stroke, and establishing communication between the interior of the working barrel 3? above the plunger and the interior of the well tubing when the pump barrel completes its upper or suction strokes As disclosed in the previous embodiments of areaoao my invention and the last described form, during the pumping stroke, the fluid in the pump tube 31 will be displaced by plunger 36 through the apertures 40 until the apertures move upwardly beyond the plunger, as seen in Figure 9, at which time any gas accumulations can escape naturally through the apertures 40, and the space below the plunger previously occupied by the gas accumulations will be replaced by the pumped fluid entering the apertures at this time. Upon downward movement of the pump tube, the

plunger closes the apertures from registration with the pump chamber and the usual pumping stroke takes place.

In Figures 10 and 11, my invention is disclosed as applied to a fluid packed pump of the insert type. 4| indicates the tubing, 42 the standing valve having upstanding therefrom the stationary pump tube 43 provided with the by-pass apertures 44 near the upper end thereof.

A pair of concentric traveling pump tubes or barrels 45 and 46 secured to the upper traveling valve 41 are arranged to be reciprocated vertically by the sucker rod 48 and telescope the pump tube 43 exteriorly and interiorly. The lower end of the interior tube 46 carries a lower traveling valve 49.

Figure 11 illustrates the beginning of the suction stroke, and, as the barrels 45 and '46 are moved upwardly, the vacuum in the expanding chamber 50 draws the well fluid through the standing valve 42 together with any gas or other volatile matter which might be present in the fluid. The suction continues until the barrel uncovers the by-pass apertures 44, as seen in Figure.

threaded or otherwise secured thereon a seating shoe 52 formed with a tapered seat 53 onwhich my improved pump, designated generally 54, is supported.

The pump comprises a working barrel 55 provided with a standing valve 56 at its lower end, and at its upper end it is secured to the supporting guide extension 56. The guide extension is formed with lower tapered sealing flange 5'! arranged to rest on the tapered seat 53 of the shoe 52.

Perforaticns 58 are formed in the wall of the guide extension slightly above the sealing flange 51, while the upper end of the extension 56 is threaded to receive the guide and pull bushing 59.

The sucker or pump rod 60 extends through the bushing 59, as clearly disclosed in the drawings, and has secured to the lower end thereof the traveling valve or pump plunger 6|.

When the pump plunger BI is drawn upwardly by the sucker rod 60, the fluid above the travellower portion of theworking barrel 55 below the plunger 6|. Any gas accumulations will immediately move upwardly through the fluid to a fluid in th tubing immediately above the pump and retarding settlement of sand, when the same is present in the pumped fluid. The weight of the fluid in the tubing normally holds the pump on its seat 53. However, when it is desired to pull the pump, the sucker rod ismoved upwardly until the top of the traveling valve 6| engages the bottom of the bushing 59, whereupon further upward movement ofthe rod 60 will unseat the pump and it may be thus removed from the well.

The pump is inserted in the same manner, being lowered by the sucker rod until it engages the seat 53 on the end of the tubing, after which the pumping stroke is adjusted and the pumping operation may be commenced.

When gaseous fluids or low fluid content wells are being pumped, they usually pump fluid normally for a short period of time before the gas lock or low fluid condition occurs, thus completely filling the well tubing to the surface and creating a high pressure in the tubing with the result that, when gas begins to accumulate in the pump chamber, either from being drawn in with the fluid or evaporated or thrown off from the fluid due to the reduction in pressure, a gas lock occurs. The high pressure fluid, when bypassed around the plunger at the extreme up stroke, is utilized to force the fluid through the by-pass to the spacein the pump chamber, and thus the high pressure of the static head of the column of fluid in the tubing is used to force the fluid through the -by-pass openings on the up stroke of the plunger and thus. creates the proper working conditions within the pump chamber, thus eliminating any gas lock and preventing fluid-pound. The by-pass will also create a con- 1 dition that will permit a greater vacuum to be pulled by the traveling valve through the standing valve due to the complete filling of the pump chamber with fluid. When a deep well pump becomes gas locked, the gas accumulation within the pump chamber due to the static head of the column expands on the up or suction stroke and is compressed again on the down stroke, no fluid flowing through either. the standing or the traveling valves with the result that, in addition to the efliciency of the pump being at zero, the lack of fluid in the pump chamber, the pump plunger packings and cups are quickly worn out due to the lack of lubrication by the pumped fluid. In the instance of a partial accumulation of gas within the pump chamber, fluid-pound takes place due to the plunger traveling. through the upper part of the pump chamber occupied by the gas accumulating and then striking the fluid in the partially filled pump chamber. At the in-' termediate portion of the pumping stroke, the plunger is traveling most rapidly, and, when it strikes the liquid, the shock is transferred to the sucker rod and to the barrel before the traveling valve completely opens. Thisshock is very detrimental to the pump element, often causing breakage of the sucker rods and joints and rupm ture of the pump tubings. My invention completely eliminates all of these difliculties.

While the specific details of construction have been herein shown and described, the invention is not confined thereto, as alterations may be made without departing-from the spirit thereof as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: r

1. In a pump of the class described, a pump tubing, a standing valve therein having a working barrel upstanding therefrom, a pump plunger reciprocable within said barrel, said barrel having apertures formed in the wall thereof intermediate the length ofthe stroke of the plunger to be covered when said plunger is in one of its extreme positions of reciprocation, and uncovered by said plunger before the same moves to its other extreme position of the reciprocation, whereby the plunger vents the pump barrel to the interior of the pump tubing and upon downward movement of the plunger toward said apertures from the last-mentioned position a preliminary discharge of fluid from the barrel through the apertures is effected preliminarily to the interruption of the flow through the apertures by the plunger.

2. In a fluid pump -of the class described, a well tubing, a standing valve therein, a pump plunger projecting upwardly therefrom, a traveling barrel surrounding said plunger and reciprocably mounted within said well tubing and formed with a by-pass aperture spaced from-the lower end of said barrel a distance greater than the length of said plunger head, whereby, upon extreme upward movement of saidbarrel, said aperture is moved from a position below said plunger to a position above said plunger, establishing communication between the interior of the traveling barrel and the interior of the well tubing to vent the interior of the traveling barrel of any gas accumulations.

3. In a fluid pump of the class described, a working barrel having a standing valve at one end, a supporting guide extension secured to the other end of said working barrel having a supporting seat and a fluid sealing flange at its lower and and rod guide means at its upper end, said guide extension being formed with outlet ports intermediate the seating and fluid sealing flange and said guide means, a pump plunger within said working barrel movable into said guide extension to a point above said outlet ports, and a sucker rod passing through said guide means and secured to said pump plunger.

4. In a deep well pump construction of the class described, a well tubin a pump supporting shoe, secured thereto, a working barrel having a standing valve at its lower end, a supporting guide extension at its upper end, a fluid sealing and supporting flange on the lower end 01* said guide extension arranged for fluid sealing and supporting cooperation with said supporting shoe, said extension being formed with apertures ex tending through the wall of said guide extension intermediate the ends thereof and above said sealing flange, a pump plunger movable in said working barrel upwardly into said guide extension to a point above theapertures, and a sucker rod extending downwardly through said guide extension and connected to said pump plunger.

5. In a deep well pump construction of the class described, a well tubing having a pump seating shoe at its lower end, a pump seated on said shoe comprising an elongated barrel having a standing valve at its lower end, a supporting fluid sealing flange intermediate the ends of said barrel, said barrel having apertures in its wall intermediate its upper end and the fluid sealing flange, a pump plunger movable in said barrel to points above and below the apertures, and a sucker rod extending through the upper end of said barrel and connected to said plunger.

6. An insert type fluid pump of the class described, comprising cooperating pump barrel and plunger parts, one of said parts aforesaid carrying a standing valve and having means for sealing the same within a well tubing, and said barrel having an aperture therein to be covered and uncovered in the movement of one of said parts in relation to the other, said aperture being so located between the extreme ends of the barrel that when the plunger is in one extreme position with relation to the barrel, the aperture is uncovered to establish direct communication through the aperture between the interior of the barrel and the interior of the well tubing so that a preliminary discharge of fluid and accumulated gas from the pump barrel into the well tubing will be effected upon relative movement of the barrel and plunger parts aforesaid, and until the aperture is covered by the plunger and interrupts such preliminary discharge.

HUBER/T D. COLLINS.

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