Pumps – Expansible chamber type – Having pumping chamber pressure responsive distributor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-19
2001-02-27
Thorpe, Timothy S. (Department: 3746)
Pumps
Expansible chamber type
Having pumping chamber pressure responsive distributor
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193483
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to pumps for oil wells and, more particularly, is concerned with a full flow tubing stationary valve pump apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Low gravity crude oil deposits are scattered throughout North America and other parts of the world. Large deposits can be found particularly in western portions of the United States and Canada. Deposits may be at depths ranging from the ground surface to 2,000 feet therebelow. Most of the deposits are high water drive. Commercial removal of heavy crude oil with very little gas and high water drive from shallow depths can be very expensive and difficult. Recovery of viscous low gravity oil, however, may well represent a large portion of the future energy needs of North America from fossil fuels.
The commercial recovery of viscous low gravity deposits with conventional API pumps in most cases are marginal at best. Many adverse economic, hydraulic and mechanical changes are involved when attempting to pump this type of fluid, such as (1) reduced price per barrel with increased lifting cost; (2) costly water separating at the surface; (3) poor pumping efficiency (less BPD); and (4) severe emulsion created by excessive turbulence and restricted flow through conventional API ball and seat type valving with high emulsion creation equating to high oil/water separation cost at the surface.
A technique to increase pump efficiency and to lower emulsion creation could make the production of low gravity crude commercially attractive. Consequently, a need remains for some means to recover viscous low gravity oil which is cost efficient and easier to accomplish than by current methods of crude oil extraction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a full flow tubing stationary valve pump apparatus designed to satisfy the aforementioned need. The full flow tubing stationary valve pump apparatus of the present invention provides increased pump efficiency with less emulsion creation compared to current methods of extraction which allows economical production from low gravity crude oil reserves not possible with current methods of extraction.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a full flow tubing stationary valve pump apparatus which comprises: (a) an outer annulus barrel; (b) an inner working barrel; (c) means for supporting the inner working barrel within the outer annulus barrel in radially inwardly spaced relation therefrom so as to define a vertical flow annulus therebetween; (d) an elongated inner plunger disposed within and vertically movable by upstrokes and downstrokes relative to the inner working barrel; (e) a lower intake valve assembly spaced below the inner plunger and disposed within and supported by the outer annulus barrel; and (f) an upper discharge valve assembly disposed below the inner plunger and inner working barrel and within and supported by the outer annulus barrel above the lower intake valve assembly; (g) the outer annular barrel defining a working chamber between the lower intake valve assembly and upper discharge valve assembly into which crude oil can be drawn through the lower intake valve assembly from a production formation therebelow and from which crude oil can be forced through the upper discharge valve assembly into the vertical flow annulus thereabove. The upstroke of the inner plunger causes the lower intake valve assembly to open and draw crude oil upwardly into the working chamber of the outer annular barrel. The downstroke of the inner plunger causes the upper discharge valve assembly to open and force flow of crude oil upwardly from the working chamber of the outer annular barrel.
More particularly, the lower intake valve assembly of the pump apparatus has a stationary seat defining an annular intake passageway, a cover valve movable between a closed position and an opened position relative to the seat, and first biasing means on the cover valve for biasing the cover valve to the closed position. The upper discharge valve assembly of the pump apparatus has a stationary seat defining an annular discharge passageway, a cover valve disposed in flow communication with the vertical flow annulus thereabove and movable between a closed position and an opened position relative to the seat, and second biasing means on the cover valve for biasing the cover valve to the closed position. The working chamber is disposed in communication with a plugged lower end of the inner plunger, the annular discharge passageway of the stationary seat of the upper discharge valve assembly, and the cover valve of the lower intake valve assembly. The upstroke of the inner plunger pulls a vacuum in the working chamber that overcomes the downward biasing force of the first biasing means on the cover valve of the lower intake valve assembly to cause the cover valve of the lower intake valve assembly to be lifted from the closed position to the opened position off the seat of the lower intake valve assembly and draw crude oil upwardly through the annular intake passageway of the seat of the lower intake valve assembly into the working chamber of the outer annular barrel. The ceasing of the upstroke of the inner plunger and filling of the working chamber of the outer annular barrel with crude oil results in the downward biasing force of the first biasing means of the lower intake valve assembly forcing the return of the cover of the lower intake valve assembly to the closed position on the base of the lower intake valve assembly. The downstroke of the inner plunger causes an increase in pressure or compression of oil in the working chamber that overcomes the hydrostatic pressure of a column of oil in the vertical flow annulus above the upper discharge valve assembly and the downward biasing force of the second biasing means on the cover valve of the upper discharge valve assembly to cause the cover valve of the upper intake valve assembly to be lifted from the closed position to the opened position off the seat of the upper intake valve assembly and force flow of crude oil upwardly through the annular discharge passageway of the seat of the upper discharge valve assembly to the vertical flow annulus.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention.
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Flanagan John K.
Flanagan John R.
Flanagan & Flanagan
Perry Trelita
Thorpe Timothy S.
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