US1966994A - Reciprocating pump - Google Patents

Description

Juy 17, 1934. w. A. OBANNON RECIPROCATING PUMP Filed Jan. 6. 1 931 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 17, 1934- w. A. OBANNON 1,966,994

REC IPROCAT ING PUMP Filed Jan. 6. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 17, 1934 PATENT OFFICE RECrraoCA'rrNG PUMP Walter A. OBannon, Tulsa, Okla., assigner to Walter OBannon Co., rlulsa, Okla.

Application January 6, 1931, Serial No. 506,995

6 Ciaims.

The present inventionrelates to a reciprocating pump primarily adapted for use in oil'wells.

In the operation of deep Well pumps, theoil cr water from the well carries with it a considerable amount of abrasive material, cuttings and line sand. These have a tendency to settle back as the fluid passes upwardly through the tubing to thetop of the welland if they settle back in sufficient quantities, or in any appreciable quantity, thereis an inclination to unnecessarily wear the moving parts of the pump as well as the inside of the tubing inJ which the pump works.

Unless steps are taken to overcome or prevent lthe settling back of the abrasive materials, it is n' necessary to frequently pull the pump, that is,

to such anvextent as to render further operation prohibitive.

In order tc have free movement, the pump barrel of the type to which the invention relates, is provided with considerablel play between the outside diameter of the crown and the tube in which it operates. In the reciprocation ofthe barrel by the sucker rods, there is a tendency for this crown to move sidewiseresulting in a bending of the inner tube of the pump through which the uid passes upwardly through the pump, and excessive wear on the parts.

To overcome the aforementioned diiiculties and reduce and minimize the wear on the various parts of the pump, I have provided a simple yet very effective means for preventing sand or other abrasive materials from settling back or working up in the pump, as well as for preventing sidewise deflection of the parts of the pump by positively maintaining the same in position so as to Vconstantly work in a straight line.

The invention has for a further object the enclosing of the traveling barrel in a chamber which contains a clean lubricant, or lubricating fluid, the arrangement being such as to retain the lubricant within this chamber whereby to prevent the entrance of the contaminated fluid being pumped, the abrasive materials in the pumped uid constituting the contaminating elements.

A still further object of the invention Vis to provide means for compensating for the change in lubricant Vcapacity of the chamber incident to the reciprocation of the traveling barrel, by causing `the excess lubricant to be temporarily transferred tov an inner chamber, the lubricant being without any appreciable loss and without dis- (Cl. 10S- 181) charge of the same with the pumped iiuid being lifted from the well.

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

In the drawings: y

Fig. l is a fragmentary View at the lower portion of a deep well, the well casing being shown in section and the pump constructed in accordance with the invention and located in position for operation;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the lower part of the pump and well tubing, parts being broken away;

Fig. 2A is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through the upper part of the pump and constituting a continuation of Fig. 2 at the upper end thereof, the traveling barrel extension being shown in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2A;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4 4. of Fig. 2A; Y

Figs. 5, 6 and l are sectional views taken on the lines 5"-5, 6--6 and 7-7 respectively of Fig. 2. v

Like reference characters refer to corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

The numeral 1 denotes the usual well casing forming the lining for the well and through which the fluid is pumped by a suitable pump which is lowered or run in the well at the end of the usual sucker rods 2, the reciprocation of the sucker rods imparting the reciprocation to the pump.

Ihe general construction of the working elements of the pump of the present invention is similar to a well known type including a reciprocable barrel 3 cooperating with a stationary plunger, denoted generally by the numeral 4. More particularly, the plunger is constructed in the form of a head 5 having a central passage 6 extending longitudinally thereof and communicating with a tubular member '7 forming the plunger body on which is mounted the usual packing 8 and cups 9 in such manner as to be replaced as desired, all of which is well known in the art. Connected with the lower extremity of the member 7 is an inner tubular member 10 of smaller diameter than the reciprocable barrel 3 to form an inner chamber 11 intermediate the tube 10 and barrel 3. The barrel 3 is guided in its reciprocable movements by a lower bushing v12 in the customary manner. Connected to the lower extremity of the inner tube `10 is the usual lower or standing valve cage 13 having the valve letherein cooperating with a seat l5. The usual cups 16, rings 17 and valve bottom 18 are suspended from the lower end of the pump for seating the pump at the lower end of the well and sealing the same. The improvements forming the embodiment of the present invention are to follow.

Preferably secured to the valve cage 13 is an outer stationary barrel 19 extending upwardly therefrom about the reciprocable barrel 3 and in spaced relation thereto for providing an outer chamber 20 intermediate the reciprocable barrel and outer barrel. The upper end of the reciprocable barrel l is provided with a crown 21 in which is arranged the upper valve 22 and seat 2 the crown being preferably closed and provided with a tubular extension 24 constituting an extension of the reciprocable barrel, the eX- tension preferably being of smaller diameter than the said reciprocable barrel and provided at its upper end with discharge ports or apertures 25 and a connection 26 for attaching the same to the sucker rods. The extension is preferably guided in its reciprocating movements by a bushing 27 having a working lit with the extension, the bushing being carried by the upper end of the stationary barrel 19, thereby substantially sealing the same.

A suitable seat 28 may be formed in the well casing or tubing for maintaining the bushing in position to properly support the stationary barrel 19 when lowered to the bottom of the well.

The chambers 11 and 2O formed intermediate the inner tube and reciprocable barrel, and between the reciprocable barrel and the outer barrel 19 respectively are filled with a clean lubricating fiuid preferably before lowering the pump into the well, By providing apertures 29 in the lower part of the reciprocable barrel, the lubricating fluid is caused to alternately pass through the apertures into and out of the reciprocable barrel incident to the reciprocation of the same. It will thus be observed that an oscillatory motion is imparted to the body of the lubricating fluid by the reciprocation of the barrel 3, thereby compensating for the change in lubricant capacity of the outer chamber by virtue of the reciprocation of the barrel 3 in the chamber.' Since the outer barrel 19 is closed at the lower extremity thereof by virtue of its connection with the standing valve cage 13, the lubricant is retained in the pump without any appreciable loss and without being discharged into the main stream of fluid being pumped from the well. This provides an automatically lubricated pump wherein the lubricant is kept free from contamination by virtue of its segregation from the pumped fluid, the lubricant being brought into contact with the movable parts of the pump incident to the reciprocation of the barrel 3. t

If it is not desirable to prell the pump, that is, to place the lubricant therein before running the pump in the well, substantially the same result Will be produced since the first liquid which is pumped will fill the chambers 11 and 20 by entering between the barrel extension 24 and the bushing 27, this being a working fit. Since the first fluid which is pumped from the well is substantially free of abrasive materials, this fluid upon entering the chambers will be a clean lubricant. Once the chambers have been filled, the lubricant is retained therein and completely isolated or segregated from the main pumped fluid.

The use of the closed crown 21 hereinbefore described, and the discharge of the pumped iiuid at the upper end of the travel barrel extension 24 permit the use of the bushing 27 to positively guide the extension and crown toeliminate the usual tendency for sidewise movement of the crown which results in bending of the inner tube and excessive Wear on the moving parts. Such a construction as shown in the drawings has a distinct advantage over the usual constructions. The bushing may be made of any suitable material, preferably a metal having a low coefficient of friction. If desired, the tubular extension 24 may also be made of a suitable metal having a low coefficient of friction.

From the foregoing description of the parts, the operation of the invention should be apparent and may be briefly summarized as follows:

After the assembly of the pump and filling of chambers 11 and 20 with the clean lubricant, the pump is connected to the sucker rods in the usual manner by the connection 26 and lowered or run in the well until the same is seated in the proper position in the bottom of the well, the well tubing being preferably provided with a restricted portion for engaging the bushing 27 at the upper end of the pump after the same has reached its proper position. The reciprocation of the sucker rods in any well known manner causes the traveling barrel 3 to move up and down, thereby raising the liquid in the well and forcing the same upwardly through the well tubing. On the upward stroke of the barrel 3, the reduction in pressure within the central tubular fluid passage through the plunger causes the fluid to enter the passage by unseating the standing valve 14, downward movement of the pump closing the valve 14 and unseating the valve 22 in the crown 21 to force the fluid outwardly through the discharge ports at the upper end of the extension 24 into the tubing. During the reciprocation of the barrel 3, the lubricant contained in the chambers 11 and 20 is displaced from one chamber to the other. For example, on the upward movement of the barrel 3, the lubricant in the inner chamber 11 is forced outwardly through the apertures 29 by virtue of the reduction in capacity of the chamber. Since the outer chamber 20 is increasing in capacity on the upward movement of the barrel 3, it is able to accommodate the lubricant which is displaceed from the inner chamber. It is to be understood that the dimensions of the parts should be such as to provide chambers of substantially equal capacity at all positions of the reciprocable barrel 3. Downward movement of the barrel 3 reduces the capacity of the chamber 20 and displaces the excess lubricant therefrom through the apertures 29 and into the inner chamber 11 which is increasing in capacity on the downward movement of the barrel 3.

As hereinbefore mentioned, instead of prefilling the pump with the clean lubricant before running the same in the Well, it may be desirable to place f been filled with lubricant, it will be retained" therein to provide at all times a clean fluid which is brought into contact with the moving parts incident to the reciprocation of the barrel 3.

While' the specific details of construction have been herein shown and described, the invention is Gli not confined thereto as changes and 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:

l. In a pump of the class described, a reciprocable barrel, an outlet valve for said barrel, a stationary plunger therefor including an inner tubular member arranged in spaced relation to the said reciprocable barrel and forming an inner chamber intermediate the reciprocable barrel and tubular member, a standing valve adjacent the lower extremity of said inner tubular member, an outer stationary barrel surrounding said reciprocable barrel and arranged in spaced relation thereto, said outer barrel being closed at its lower end, a guide member at the upper end of said stationary barrel surrounding said reciprocable barrel to guide said reciprocable barrel in its reciprocating movements, said guide member substantially closing the upper end of the stationary barrel whereby to provide a chamber adapted to contain a lubricant, and means for alternately displacing the lubricant from said last mentioned chamber to said inner chamber and from said inner chamber to said last mentioned chamber incident to reciprocation of said reciprocable barrel.

2. A pump of the class described comprising a reciprocable barrel having a closed crown and provided with a reduced elongated extension at its upper end adapted to be connected to the usual sucker rods, said reduced extension having discharge ports adjacent to the upper extremity thereof, an outlet valve for said reciprocable barrel, a stationary plunger in said reciprocable barrel including an inner tubular conduit arranged centrally of and in spaced relation to said reciprocable barrel and provided with packing means extending about the same for a portion of its length, a standing valve including a cage connected to the lower extremity of said inner tubular conduit, an outer barrel connected to said cage and surrounding said reciprocable barrel in spaced relation thereto, and a guide member carried by the upper extremity of said outer barrel and surrounding the reduced extension of said reciprocable barrel whereby to close the upper end of said outer barrel.

3, A pump of the class described comprising a reciprocable barrel having a closed crown and provided with a reduced elongated extension at its upper end adapted to be connected to the usual sucker rods, said reduced extension having discharge ports adjacent to the upper extremity thereof, an outlet valve for said reciprocable barrel, a stationary plunger in said reciprocable barrel including an inner tubular conduit arranged centrally of and in spaced relation to said reciprocable barrel and provided with packing means extending about the same for a portion of its length, a standing valve including a cage connected to the lower extremity of said inner tubular conduit, an outer barrel connected to said cage and surrounding said reciprocable barrel in spaced relation thereto, a guide member carried by the upper extremity of said outer barrel and surrounding the reduced extension of said reciprocable barrel whereby to close the upper end of said outer barrel, a body of lubricant confined intermediate said outer barrel and reciprocable barrel, and means for storing the excess lubricant displaced by the reciprocable barrel incident to the reciprocation of the same.

4. A pump of the class described comprising a reciprocable barrel having a closed crown and provided with a reduced elongated extension at its upper end adapted to be connected to the usual sucker rods, said reduced extension having discharge ports adjacent to the upper extremity thereof, an outlet valve for said reciprocable barrel a stationary plunger in said reciprocable barrel including an inner tubular conduit arranged centrally of and in spaced relation to said reciprocable barrel and provided with packing means extending about the same for a portion of its length, a standing valve including a cage connected to the lower extremity of said inner tubular conduit, an outer barrel connected to said cage and surrounding said reciprocable barrel in spaced relation thereto, a guide member carried by the upper extremity of said outer barrel and surrounding the reduced extension of said reciprocable barrel whereby to close the upper end of said outer barrel, a body of lubricant confined intermediate said outer barrel and reciprocable barrel, and means for storing and returning the excess lubricant displaced by the reciprocable barrel incident to the reciprocation of the same.

5. A pump of the class described comprising a reciprocable barrel having a closed crown and provided with a reduced elongated extension at its upper end adapted to be connected to the usual sucker rods, said reduced extension having discharge ports adjacent to the upper extremity thereof, an outlet valve for said reciprocable bar rel a stationary plunger in said reciprocable barrel including an inner tubular conduit arranged centrally of and in spaced relation to said reciprocable barrel and provided with packing means extending about the same for a portion of its length, a standing valve including a cage connected to the lower extremity of said inner tubular conduit, an outer barrel connected to said cage and surrounding said reciprocable barrel in spaced relation thereto, a guide member carried by the upper extremity of said outer barrel and surrounding the reduced extension of said reciprocable barrel whereby to close the upper end of said outer barrel, and a body of lubricant intermediate said outer barrel and reciprocable barrel, said reciprocable barrel having an aperture therein adjacent to the lower end for establishing communication with the interior of said reciprocable barrel below the packing means, said lubricant being adapted to be alternately transferred through said aperture into and out of said reciprocable barrel incident to reciprocation thereof.

6. In a pump of the class described, an outer pump barrel, an inner spaced stationary pump plunger, a spaced enclosing casing for said pump barrel and plunger, means for enclosing an oscillatable body of fluid lubricant within said casing and means to oscillate said lubricant back and forth between the space between the outer pump barrel and the pump plunger and the space between the pump barrel and casing incident to reciprocation of said barrel.

WALTER A. OBANNON.

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