Pumps – Expansible chamber type – Fluid serially moved to opposite side of pumping member
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-28
2003-12-09
Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3742)
Pumps
Expansible chamber type
Fluid serially moved to opposite side of pumping member
C417S556000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06659741
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a travelling valve assembly for a fluid pump for elevating fluids, and in particular, to a travelling valve assembly for a fluid pump for raising petroleum fluids through production tubing in completed oil wells.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional oil well includes a cased well bore with one or more strings of tubing extending downwardly through the casing into the oil or other petroleum fluid contained in the sub-surface mineral formation to be produced. The casing is perforated at the level of the production zone to permit fluid flow from the formation into the casing, and the lower end of the tubing string is generally open to provide entry for the fluid into the tubing.
One type of pump conventionally employed in structures of the type described is wedged into an internal constriction or seating nipple formed internally of the tubing below the fluid level. A metallic enlargement on the external body of the pump prevents it from travelling below the seating nipple and resilient seal rings on the body of the pump housing, or pump barrel, act to form a leak proof seal between the seating nipple and pump housing, or barrel. The pump is generally driven by a mechanical linkage of metal rods, generally referred to as sucker rods, or valve rods, which extend from the pump to the well surface. The valve rod, or sucker rod, linkage is powered in a reciprocating motion by a conventional mechanical apparatus, usually called a pumping unit located at the well surface.
The conventional pump itself generally includes a housing through which a piston is reciprocated by the sucker rod, or valve road, linkage. In its simplest form, the conventional pump of the type described often includes a number of ball and seat valves with one such valve in, above, or below, the piston, or a travelling valve assembly, and another at the inlet port of the housing or barrel. On the upstroke of the plunger, the ball in the inlet port valve is drawn away from its seat and the ball of the outlet port valve is forced over its seat to draw fluid from below the seating nipple and into the housing. On the piston's downstroke, the ball in the inlet valve is forced onto its seat and the ball in the piston valve, or travelling valve, moves away from its seat to allow the piston to move downwardly through the fluid contained in the housing. On the subsequent upstroke, the closing of the piston valve forces the fluid above the piston out of the housing through the outlet ports and into the tubing above the sealing nipple and simultaneously fills the housing below the piston with fluid. Repetition of this cycle eventually fills the tubing string and causes the fluid to flow to the surface.
The previously described pump or some variation thereof is probably the most widely employed in applications where it is desired to drive a sub-surface pump by a surface powered, mechanical linkage. A significant problem in pumps of this type is that the ball of the travelling valve assembly, during the downstroke typically rotates within its housing, or cage, in the same general path, and the ball wears out the cage, whereby the pump must be pulled from the well, so that the cage may be replaced.
Accordingly, prior to the development of the present invention, there has been no travelling valve assembly for a sucker rod actuated fluid pump for raising petroleum fluids through production tubing in completed oil wells which prevents excessive wear to the cage, or housing, of the travelling valve assembly, which can lead to failure of the pump. Therefore, the art has sought a travelling valve assembly for a sucker rod actuated fluid pump for raising petroleum fluids through production tubing in completed oil wells which reduces excessive wear to the cage, or housing, of the travelling valve assembly, thus increasing the time within which the fluid pump may be used before pulling the pump to replace travelling valve assembly components, such as the cage, or housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing advantages have been achieved through the present travelling valve assembly, for use in a sucker rod actuated fluid pump which has a pump barrel and a moveable piston, or plunger, disposed within the pump barrel.
The travelling valve assembly of the present invention, when compared with previously proposed prior art travelling valve assemblies for fluid pumps, has the advantage of preventing excessive wear to the cage, or housing, of the travelling valve assembly; and additionally is believed to provide: the pumping of more fluid per pump stroke; reduced operating costs for the well; and increased fluid production.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4599054 (1986-07-01), Spears
patent: 4907953 (1990-03-01), Hebert et al.
patent: 5382142 (1995-01-01), Spears
patent: 5431229 (1995-07-01), Christensen
patent: 5593289 (1997-01-01), Tarpley
patent: 5593292 (1997-01-01), Ivey
patent: 6007314 (1999-12-01), Nelson, II
patent: 6220358 (2001-04-01), Leniek, Sr.
patent: 6257850 (2001-07-01), Conn
Bracewell & Patterson LLP
Patel Vinod D.
Walberg Teresa
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