US2837030A - Fluid-operated deep-well pump - Google Patents

Description

511111118 3, 395% E. c. LASTER, 5%, a AL, @SSYEB FLUID-OPERATED DEEP-WELL PUMP Filed sapt. 16, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS 50/444,? C Z/ISTEQSE. y 77/600026 A. 4/15/6552.

4 ATTQQMEYS June 3, W58 E. c. LASTER, SR, ET AL 2 N FLUID-OPERATED DEEP-WELL PUMP Filed Sept. 16, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 l2 /2 M6 52 a0 1 76 [NVEN TORS F/ @l ,7 By 77/500055 z. Mai 65,52,

Jame 3, 1958 E. c. LASTEFZ, SR, ET AL 2 37 3@ FLUID-OPERATED DEEP-WELL PUMP 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 16, 1955 INVENTORSV EU/MfiDGMSffiQSz. BY Mfume: AME/M66; 5e.

June 3, 1958 Filed Sept. 16, 1955 E. c. LASTER, SR., ET AL 2,837,030

FLUID-OPERATED DEEP-WELL PUMP l 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ,i F/ a. /6

./4 g F 6 INVENTORS {DH/A20 CJASTEQSE. I A y 7//0002 44/ 4/ 2,

June 3, 5 E. c. LASTER, sR., Er AL 2,837,030

FLUID-OPERATED DEEP-WELL PUMP Filed Sept. 16. 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS A rroe/wz Y5 F/G. l2

. y 77/600025 LAMA/65,52.

zywm w United States Patent 2,837,030 FLUID-OPERATED DEEP-WELL PUMP Edward C. Laster, Sr., and Theodore L. Mange, Sn, Shreveport, Ln.

pump units for deep wells, fluid operated pump of this This invention relates to and more particularly to a type.

The conventional means for pumping deep wells normally includes a suction cylinder located near the fluid level in the Well and operated by a rod, or succession of rods, extending from the suction cylinder through the string of tubing to the surface of the ground. Such installations are expensive both as to initial cost and maintenance, and particularly in oil wells where it is not uncommon to lift the liquid several thousand feet. The rod, or succession of rods, known as sucker rods, have a tendency to buckle as well as to rub against the inner surface of the tubing in which it operates, and the sucker rods are also subject to failure due to fatigue. As a result, it is necessary to supply energy to overcome loss caused by the rubbing of the sucker rod, or rods, against the tubing. Also, the sucker rods and tubing frequently must be removed from the well for purposes of repair.

There are other methods known for pumping wells, such as the gas-lift method and by means of fluid-operated valves disposed at intervals along the tubing string. A survey of the installations in present use shows that the sucker-rod and suction-cylinder construction is by far the most widely used, thus it is indicated that this old technique is the most economical one in practical applications at the present time.

However, the present invention has for its primary object the provision of valve systems that are well adapted to use in pumping installations, either in wells or above grounds. This invention provides a mechanically simple, efficient, economical, and practical means for pumping fluids from wells, especially deep wells. The apparatus is relatively inexpensive, and deep wells as well as shallow ones may be readily pumped by employing the pump of this invention.

Additionally, by employing this invention, the need for expensive strings of sucker rods, with their attendant costly up-keep and high initial cost, is eliminated, and at the same time the full bore of the tubing is available for transporting the fluid or liquid to be pumped.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a fluid-operated pump for wells in which there are no moving parts extending the length of the tubing so that wear on the tubing is eliminated.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a fluid pump which is easily installed and effective in operation in deep wells, and which can handle gases as well as liquids. This latter consideration is an important one since when a pump is installed in an oil well, gases commonly evolve from liquid petroleum within the drawdown area. Therefore, the pump of this invention will eliminate the gas lock commonly associated with the conventional type of pumps.

Another and still further object of this invention is to provide a fluid-operated pump which has the advanthe friction 2,3373% Patented June 3, 1953 tages of a mechanical pump with positive-action mechanical valves, and in addition has the advantage of not requiring a mechanical connection to the source of power at the top of the well bore, and wherein the valve operation is automatic and the speed of operation can be controlled by the operator.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description, forming the specification, and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic View, partially in section, of a well employing the fluid-operated pump of this invention in connection therewith;

Figure 2 is a view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows, and shown on a somewhat enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, and shown on a somewhat enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view on a somewhat enlarged scale, taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figures 5 and 6 (Sheets 2 and 3) respectively show the upper and lower portions of the pump embodying this invention with the well casing shown in broken lines;

Figures 7 and 8 (Sheets 2 and 3) are side elevational views taken along lines 7-7 and 3-43 of Figures 5 and 6 respectively, showing the upper and lower portions of the pump corresponding generally to the portions shown in Figures 5 and 6, with portions thereof broken away to show internal construction;

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view, on a somewhat enlarged scale, taken along line 9-9 of Figure 5;

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view, on a somewhat enlarged scale, taken along line 10-10 of Figure 5;

Figure 11 is a cross sectional view, on a somewhat enlarged scale, taken along line 1111 of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a cross sectional view, on a somewhat enlarged scale, taken along line 12r12 of Figure 5;

Figure 13 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken along line 13-13 of Figure 5;

Figure 14 is a vertical cross sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 14-14 of Figure 7',

Figure 15 is a vertical cross sectional view taken substantially along line 15-45 of Figure 8, and shown on an enlarged scale;

Figure 16 is an enlarged cross sectional view of one of the check valves, taken along line 1616 of Figure 6;

Figure 17 is an elevational view of a modified form of the pump, with parts broken away to show internal construction;

Figure 18 is an elevational view similar to Figure 17 but showing the lowermost portion of the pump of 17; and

Figure 19 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially along line 19-19 of Figure 17 showing the vertical valve means in a position reversed from that shown in Figure 17.

With continued reference to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 a well casing, generally indicated at 10, extending downwardly below a ground surface 12. The upper end of the well casing projects slightly above the ground surface and is provided with a cap 13 closing the open upper end thereof.

A string of tubing, generally indicated at 14 extends downwardly through the well casing in spaced relation thereto and extends outwardly through the cap and is attached with suitable attachments to a pipe 15 extending horizontally and opening to the atmosphere to empty into a tank 16.

A pipe 17 extends from the lower end and one side of the tank 16 to a pump 18 so that the fluid or liquid 20 in s3 V the tank may be pumped therefrom through a' pipe 22 connected at one end to the pump and having its other end passing through the cap 13 and opening into the well casing immediately below the'cap so that fluid or liquid from the tank may be pumped, under pressure, intothe- 23 as Well as- Well casing to fill the casing above a packer filling the tubing 14 by entering through a port 24 vided at the upper end of a pumping mechanism orunit,

discharging this fluid with the fluid pumped down through the casing up through the tubing and into the storage tank 16. V V H While the pump mechanism or unit is capable of pumping a fluid, either gas or liquid, it will most normally be employed in connection with pumping a liquid from a.

well having a well casing, such as the well casing 10. 7 It will be noted that an extension tube 2-3 having a spaced openplurality of spaced rows of circtunferentially ings 30 therethrough tubing 14 and extends below the packer 23 and into the at its top adjacent the threaded upper end 34 to receive 38 and 4il'which extend downthe well casing 10, as clearly seen in Figures 5, 6, 7 and8.

Carried by the pump body 32 adjacent the upper end thereof is a cylindrical hollow shell, generally indicated at 42, disposed longitudinally of the pump body with its longitudinal bore suitable manner, or may be formed integrally therewith'as shown. (See Figures 5, 7 and :14.)

A bushiing 46 is received in the bore 44 and'extends from adjacent one end thereof to adjacent pump body in any of a specially constructed rod, gen erally indicated at 50, is slidably received Within the bushing 46. e The bushing is maintained in place by upper and lower packing glands, generally indicated at 52 and 54 respectively, which sealingly close the upper and lower ends of the bore 44.

' The upper portion 48 of the annular recesses or cutaway rod 50 has vertically spaced sections 56 and 58 and another annular recess or cutaway portion 60 of con-' 50 therethrough as the rod moves in a vertical rectilinear path.

The shell 42 is inlet ports of each pair being in opposed relation to each other with one port 66 of the first pair and one port 68 of the second pair placing the interior or here 44 of shell in communication with the interior of the well casingltlto permit flow of the fluid, normally liquid, under pressure from the casing throughthese one ports of each 'pairof ports.

is carried by the lower end of the provided with pairs of inlet' ports 64," 66 and 68, 70 arranged in vertical spaced relation. The

interior of the casing positioned within the bore ofthe shell 42 and movable vertically into and out of alternate bridging relation with respect to each pair of valves 64, 66 and 68,70. Thus, when the valve 43 is in the position shown in Figure 14, which is also the position of the valve 48 with the other parts of the pump mechanism 26 in their position shown in Figure 5, ports 64, 66 are open and ports 63, 70 are closed so that fluid can flow through port 66 from the 10 and through the port 64 around the cutaway or reduced section 56 into the upper end of a conduit or pipe 72 threadingly engaged in the shell 42 so as to be in communication with the port 64.

With the port 70 closed, fluid is prevented from entering the upper end of a second pipe or conduit '74 threadingly engaged at its upper terminal end into the body of the cylindrical shell 42 so as to be in communication with the port 71?. The lower ends of the conduits 72 and 74 are secured upon opposite sides of a valve body, generally indicated at 76,-interposed in the pump body 32 at a location spaced from the cylindrical shell 42 with avertical passage or chamber 78 disposed along the center line of the pump body and opening to the upper end of the body 76, as shown in Figure 7, and the lower ends of the conduits 72 and 74 being in communication with the vertical passa e or chamber 73 through opposed transverse ports or passages 8t) and 82 respectively. The ports or passages 80 and 82 are provided in face or end plates 84 and 86 respectively threadingly engaged into the valve body or housing 76 at opposite sides thereof and seat finnly against O-rings 88 to form a tight seal. The face plates 84 and 86 92 respectively (see Figure 12). Thus, the counterbores 90 and 92 define valve seating chambers, as will presently appear.

the lower end of the valve body or housing 76, as shown in Figure 7. The passage 98 places the chamber 92 in I communication with a lower vertical passage'100 through The upper portion 48 of the rod 59 defines a valve 15 barrel. The valve means 162 'tical passage 78, as shown in Figure I 100 is placed in communication with the the slot 94. The passage'96 opens to the outside of the body 76 at one side thereof at which the c'onduit 72 is disposed.

A transversely extending valve means, generally indicated at 162, is disposed within the body '76 for moveme'nt transversely thereof and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis through the valve body andthe working consists of a valve rod 104 carrying valves 106 and 163 g respectively movable into seating engagementwith the end of the transverse ports and'32 adjacent the upper vertical passage 78 by movement within the chambers 90, 92. The valve means 182 is, in effect, a double valve made as a single unit and its direction of motion is trans-v verse to the. general direction of the movement of the fluid through thepump mechanism. vA small movement is all that is required of the valve means 102 before slots allow passage of fluid therethrough. As shown in Figure 7, chamber 9311's --connected through the passage 96 to the upper end of a pipe or conduit 11!) threadingly engaged into the passage 96, and also the chamber by the seating At the same time, the other conduit 74 is in :communication with the port 82 and withthe passage 98 leading into the upper end of the working barrel 33.

When the valve 102 is :in its. other position seated against the end of the transverse port 82 adjacent the verll2, the lower vertical passage upper vertical passage 78 throughthe passage 98, slot 94, and chamber 92 soas to placethe'upper portion33 of the working barrel in communicationwith the upper portion of the pump.

longitudinal.

are counterbored as at 90 and Each of'the chambers 90 and 92 has a slot 94 fixedly secured thereto and the port 84) is blocked engagement of the valve106 therewith.

The spool-valve mechanism 102 will be operated automatically by the fiuid pressures in pipes 72 and 74, as will appear in the description of the pump operation.

The lower end of the pipe 110 terminates in communication with a vertical bore 112 provided centrally and longitudinally in a plug, generally indicated at 114, threadingly engaged in and closing the lower end of the working barrel 33, as shown in Figure 8. The lower end of the pipe 110 is threadingly engaged in a suitably internally threaded opening at one side of the plug 114 and opens into a transverse passage 116 opening at its inner end into the bore 112. The bore 112 extends from a transverse partition wall 118 and opens through the upper end of the plug 114 into the lowermost cylinder section 1249 of the lower portion of the working barrel.

The plug 114 is also provided with a bore 122 disposed centrally longitudinally thereof and extending from the partition wall 118 and opening through the lower end of the plug into the extension tubing 28 which is threadingly engaged on the lower end of the plug 114.

The lower ends of the pipes 38 and 40 terminate in the plug 114 below the partition wall 118 so as to be in communication with the bore 122 through suitably formed openings 124 in the side wall of the bore. (See Figures 7 and 8.)

Thus, the conduits 28 and 40 are in communication at their lower ends with the producing section of the well below the packer 23 which seals off the annular space between the well casing and the extension tubing 28 below the working barrel of the pump mechanism.

Longitudinally spaced pistons 126, 128, 130 are mounted in the working barrel 33, for movement longitudinally thereof in an up and down direction, and the pistons are rigidly connected together for simultaneous movement by a piston rod 132. The piston 130 operates in the lower cylinder section 120 while the piston 126 operates in the upper cylinder section 121 of the working barrel 33 adjacent the connection to the valve body 76 so that the lower vertical passage 100 opens into this upper cylinder section in which the piston 126 operates. The piston 128 is disposed intermediate the upper and lower cylinder sections and operates within an intermediate cylinder section 127.

A packing gland, generally indicated at 134 is interposed in the lower portion of the working barrel and defines the upper end of the lower cylinder section 120 (see Figures 8 and 15). The piston rod 132 is mounted so as to pass slidably through the packing gland.

The pipe or conduit 38 is placed in communication with the upper end of the lower cylindrical section through a branch pipe 136 connected at one end into communication with the pipe or conduit 38 through a suitable T-fitting 138 while its other end is threadingly engaged in a suitably internally threaded passage in the assembly 134, with the passage opening at its other end into a lower central, longitudinal bore 140 in a lower section 142 of the assembly 134. The bore 140 opens through the lower end of the lower section 142 of the assembly and into the upper end of the lower cylinder section 120 above the piston 130. I

Check valves 144- and 146 are placed in the pipe or conduit 33 respectively below and above the T-fitting 133. Each of the check valves are of the conventional ball and seat type, as shown in Figure 16, to permit the flow of liquid through the pipe or conduit 38 in an upward direction only and preventing downward flow from above each of the check valves downwardly through the pipe.

Means are provided whereby the upper portion of the rod 59, defining the shell valve, is operatively connected to the piston rod 132 for imparting movement to the shell valve out of bridging relation with one pair of the shell ports and into bridging relation with the other pair of shell ports upon conclusion of the execution of either 6 the upward or downward movement of the pistons in their respective cylinders.

This means referred to ccriiprises a trigger 148 which is rigidly connected to the piston rod 132 at one end thereof and projects laterally therefrom through a longitudinal slot 150 provided in the side wall of the Working barrel 33 between the upper and lower cylinder sections. (See Figure 6 and Figure 13.) At the location of attachment of the trigger 148 to the piston rod 132, the piston rod is provided with a soft metal bushing or sleeve 152 circumposed about rod 132 which prevents side play or lateral whip of the piston rod, due to any unbalanced forces created thereon by action of the trigger 148, it will be seen that the bushing or sleeve 152 is carried by the piston rod and engages slidably the inner wall of a portion of the working barrel.

The end of the trigger 148 remote from its end connected to the piston rod 132, is provided with a bore 154 transversely theretnrough to slidably receive the lower end of the rod 50 therethrough. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, a helical spring 156 is circumposed upon the rod 59, above the trigger 14B, and is supported by a collar 153 secured to the rod 50 as by a pin or set screw 160, so that the spring 156 extends below the collar 158 about the rod 50. A similar coiled helical spring 162 is circumposed on the rod 5- and supported upon a collar 164 secured to the rod 50 with the spring 162 being disposed below the trigger 148, as clearly shown in Figure 6. in Figures 5 and 6, the pistons 126, 128 and 130 are at their conclusion of downward movement with the trigger 143 in engagement with the spring 162, while in Figures 7 and 8, the pistons are at the conclusion of their upward movement or stroke and the trigger 148 is in contact with the spring 156.

Thus, it will be seen that the rod 50 is mounted for movement in a vertical rectilinear path at one side of the pump body 32 through the shell 42 and slidably guided in its vertical movement by a plurality of guides 166 carried by and projecting laterally outwardly from the working barrel below the valve body 76, as seen in Figures 5 and 6.

The movement of the rod 519 in partially controlled by a toggle-spring assembly, generally indicated at 168, carried by the pump body on the upper portion 33 thereof. The assembly 168 comprises a pair of ring members 170 and 172 arranged in vertically spaced circumposed relation with respect to the pump body 32 and secured to the pump body as by pins 174 passing transversely through opposite sides thereof, and into the side wall of the pump body, as shown in Figure 11.

A rigid bar 176 extends between the lower and upper ring members at one side of the working barrel. The bar 176 has a bore 178 transversely therethrough centrally between the lower and upper ring members receiving therethrough a shaft 180 rotatably mounted therein and maintained against lateral movement by annular projections 182 adjacent opposite ends of the block 176, as shown in Figure 10. The opposite, outwardly extending portions of the shaft 180, are cut away as at 184 to provide a flat surface extending from adjacent the projections 182 to the end of the shaft. Also, the shaft 180 is provided with bores 186 and 188 transversely therethrough adjacent opposite ends thereof to slidably receive therein one end of toggle pins 190 and 192 respectively, with the pins projecting outwardly therefrom. Each of the toggle pins has a helical spring 194 circumposed thereabout with one end thereof seated on the cutaway portions 184 of the shaft 180 and the other end thereof bearing against an enlarged portion or collar 196 on each of the toggle pins adjacent the end thereof remote from the shaft 180. The terminal end of the toggle pms 190 and 192 are formed as spherical caps 198. The spherical caps or balls 198 seat in complementarily formed sockets 200 provided in a bumper its vertical path is block 202 centrally intermediate its ends and on opposite sides of the pump body 32, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. The bumper block 292 has a rearwardly projecting boss 204 through which the rod 50 passes, and a set screw, or other similar fastener device, is carried by the boss 2114 to engage the rod 50, as indicated at 206 to mount the bumper block for movement bumper rings or pads 208, of a resilient material such as neoprene, secured to the opposed horizontal'surfaces of the ring members 170 and 172 as indicated in Figure 11. The bumper block 202 is. guided in its vertical movement between the ring members 170 and 172 along vertically disposed raceguides 210 carried by flattened faces 212 diametrically opposed to the bar 176, with the guides 210 disposed in parallel relation on opposite sides of the boss 204 and secured to the coplanar flattened faces 212 of the ring members by any suitable fastener means, such as the screws 214, see Figure 11. Each of the race guides 210 is provided on its inner face with a longitudinally extending recess 216 opening to the inner face thereof for the reception therein of vertically spaced balls 218. The balls 218 are rotatably mounted in a complementarily formed recess 220 in theconfronting face of the bumper block adjacent opposite ends thereof, as clearly shown in Figures 10 and 11. Thus, the ball bearings 218 go in slots or recesses 216 and 226. As the rod 59 moves, the block 202 will move on the ball bearings 218 over the race guides 210, and toggle pins 190 and 192 will slide through the axle or shaft 18!) which is rotatably mounted in the bore 178 in the bar 176. p

In its operating position, the pump mechanism or unit 26, shown in Figures 1 through 16, is suspended near the bottom of the well bore on the string of tubing .14. As hereinbefore indicated, the only path of communication between the bottom of the well and the surface of the ground is through the pump mechanism.

In the usualtype of oil well installation, the well head is customarily sealed except for valves and fittings which may be connected to tanks or pipe lines. mechanism 26 of this invention is designed to operate with both the casing and the tubing filled with a fluid. If this condition is not fulfilled initially, fluid is pumped into the casing, as previously explained;

As the fluid level rises in the casing, transfer fluid to the tubinguntil finally and the tubing are filled.

As fluid is pumped into the casing 10 at a selected pressure, While the upper end of the tubing 14 is subject to atmospheric pressure, or some other pressure less than that applied on the fluid pumped into the casing, and the parts of the pump mechanism are in the positions shown in Figures and 6, the pistons 126, 128 and 130 are at the conclusion of the execution of the downward movement or stroke. The port 79 in the cylindrical shell 42 is closed while the port 64 of the pair of ports 64, 66 is open and fluid can flow through the port 66 under pressure from the casing to pass about the reduced portion 56 of the valve to enter through the port 64 and into the pipe 72. This position of the valve relative to the pairs of ports 66, 64 and 68, 79 is shown in Figure 14.

Due to'the fluid pressure maintained in the well casing, the spool-valve means 162 will move transversely of the body 76 out of seating engagement with the end of the transverse port 80 adjacent the vertical passage 78 and into seating engagement with the end of the other trans verse port 82 at the end thereof adjacent the vertical passage 78. This will close ofi communication between the transverse port 82 and the axial bore 78 above and open the passage 96 to place the pipe 110 in communication with the port 80. At the same time, the upper end of the upper cylinder 121 will be in communication with the vertical passage 78 by way of passage 98, slot 94 andc'hamber90 (Figure 12).

the pump will both the casing The pump The fluid under pressure will flow downwardly through pipe and discharge at its lower end into the bottom of the lower cylinder v below the piston 130. The fluid will exert the pressure upon the piston and cause it to move upwardly from its position at the conclusion of the execution of its downward movement or stroke. The fluid already in the lower cylinder 12 8, abovethe piston 139, will be forced out of the upper end of the cylinder into the pipe 38 through the branch pipe 136 between the check valves 144 and 146. 'The fluid is prevented from moving downward in pipe 38 by the check valve 144, but'may flow upwardly through the check valve 146. lower cylinder 120 is discharged through the pipe 38 into the tubing 14 above the pump mechanism 26, and thence out into the storage tank 16.

As the piston 136 moves upwardly, the pistons 126 and 128 will move correspondingly therewith, and fluid is drawn into the lower part of intermediate cylinder section 127 in which the piston 128 operates below the longitudinal slot in the working barrel through pipe 40. This is accomplished by means of a T-fitting 222 interposed in the pipe 49 between check valves 224 and 226 through a branch pipe 223 (Figure 15) through a passage 230 opening into the vertical bore 232 formed in the upper section 234 of the packing gland assembly 134, the vertical bore 2352 opening through the upper end thereof and into the lower end of the intermediate cylindrical section 127 below the piston 128. Check valve 224 prevents the fluid from flowing downwardly in the pipe 40 but through into the branch pipe 228 while the check valve 226 prevents fluid from moving downwardly therethrough into the lower end of the section 127. Thus, the suction created by upward movement of the piston 128, in the intermediate cylinder section 127, draws the fluid through the lower partof pipe 40, through the check valve 224 and into the lower end of the intermediate cylinder 127.

'The portion of the working barrel between the pistons 128 and 126 is in free communication, at all times, with the annular space between the well casing and the pump by means of slot 159, and this portion contributes nothing to the pumpingaction.

With the piston assembly moving upwardly, piston 126 forces fluid out of the upper cylinder section 121 above the piston, through the passage 98, chamber 92 and into the vertical passage 78 to be discharged into the upper portion of the pump mechanism and thence into the string oftubing 14 and out of the tubing into the storage tank 16. I

Also, as the piston assembly travels upwardly, it carries the t igger 148 with it. As the upward travel of the piston assembly continues, the trigger 148 contactingly engages the spring 156 (Figure 7) and begins to compress the spring against the fixed collar 153. As the. upward movement of the piston assembly continues, the compres sion on'the spring 156 becomes greater and the rod 50 is lifted slightly under this resilient pressure. The slight upward movement of the rod SO-Will cause the corre sponding upward movement of the block 2132 of the toggle-spring assembly 163 and also cause the toggle pins 191) and 192 to move rearwardly, in a direction away from the bumper block 262, and compress the toggle springs 194,

the toggle pins assume a more nearly transverse position. Since the reduced or cutaway sections 56 and 58 are longer than the diameters of the pairs of ports 64, 66 and 63, 73, the small upward movement of the rod 51) will not aflect the original conditions at these pairs of ports, although the valve 48 will slide upwardly a small amount, but not so much as to close ports 64, 66 or open ports 68, 71 With the piston assembly continuing in its upward stroke toward the completion of the execu tion of its upward movement, the compression of the spring 156 finally results in movement of the togglespring assembly 168 past its point of maximum com- The fluid from the upper part of the permits upward movement there-.

9 pressiori, and the toggle spring assembly will move into its opposite position of stable equilibrium, as shown in broken lines in Figure l1. As the toggle pins 190 and 192 move to the other position of stable equilibrium, the rod 50 is carried rapidly upwardly, thus changing the position of the valve 48 to close the pair of ports 64, 66 and open the pair of ports 68, 70, as shown in Figure 7.

Since the pair of ports 64, 56 have been closed at the completion of the execution of the upward movement of the piston assembly, fluid can no longer enter through these ports from the casing into the pipe 72. Instead, the fluid under pressure in the casing 10 will flow about the reduced section 58 of the valve 43 and enter the pipe 74 through the port 70. The fluid pressure in the pipe 74 will cause the spool valve means 102 to move transversely of the valve body 76 to assume the position shown in Figure 7. Thus, Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the positions of the parts of the pump mechanism at the stage where the piston assembly is at the top of its upward stroke.

The fluid under pressure from pipe 74 will now flow through the transverse port 82 through the slot 94 to enter the lower vertical passage 109 through the passage 98 and flow into the upper end of the uppermost cylinder section 121 above the piston 126. Pressure will, therefore, be exerted on the top of the piston 126 and cause it to move downwardly, and thereby cause the downward movement of the entire piston assembly since all of the pistons are rigidly connected together.

As the piston assembly moves downwardly, the fluid in the intermediate cylinder section 127 below the piston 123 will be forced out of the bottom of the cylinder into the pipe 40 through passage 230 and branch pipe 228. The fluid enters the pipe 40 between the check valve 224 and 226. Since the check valve 224 will not permit fluid to flow downward therethrough in the pipe 40, the fluid must flow upwardly in the pipe 40 through the check valve 226 which permits flow therethrough in an upward direction only. The fluid will then be forced upwardly through the pipe 40 to be ultimately discharged into the tank 16.

Downward movement of the piston assembly, and especially the movement of the piston 130, draws fluid into the upper portion of the lower cylinder 120 through the connection with the pipe 38. This is possible since fluid can be drawn upwardly through the pipe 38 through the check valve 144, which will not permit flow of fluid downwardly therethrough, but fluid cannot enter through the portion of the cylinder section 126 from above the check valve 146 since this check valve is so constructed as to permit only upward movement of fluid therethrough above the T-connection 138.

The fluid in that portion of the cylinder section 12%) below the piston 130 will be discharged by the piston 130, due to its downward movement, into the pipe 11% and into the passage 96, thence into the chamber 90 and upwardly and through the vertical passage 78, which is placed in communication with the passage 96 by the movement of the valve means 102 into the position shown in Figure 7, and the fluid will be discharged from the pump mechanism through the upper portion pump body into the connected portion of the string of tubing to be discharged therefrom into the tank 16.

On the downward movement of the piston assembly toward the execution of its stroke in this direction, the trigger 148 will be carried downwardly along with the downward movement of the piston rod 132 to eventually engage the upper end of the spring 162 (Figure 6) and start to compress the spring 162. As the compression on the spring 162 increases, the compression will be transmitted to the toggle pin springs 194 of the toggle-spring assembly, and as the compression continues on the toggle springs, will result in the toggle-pin assembly snapping to its stable position of equilibrium shown in full lines in Figure 5 and in Figure 11 and carry the rod 50 downwardly therewith. This will again open the pair of ports 64, 66 and close the pair of ports 68, 70 since the valve portion 48 of the rod must move therewith. Due to the snap action of the toggle-spring assembly, the pairs of ports in the cylindrical shell 42 will be alternatingly opened and closed practically simultaneously with the operation of the spool-valve mechanism 102.

After the valve 48 has once more assumed the position in the cylindrical shell 42, wherein the piston assembly is at the execution of its downward stroke, the pumping cycle hereinbefore described will be repeated.

It will be noted from the foregoing operation that fluid is drawn from the producing section of the well both on the up stroke and the down stroke of the piston assembly, and that there is a continuous flow of fluid into the tubing 14 to be discharged into the tank 16. Pipes 38 and 40 may be considered production pipes, that is, fluid flows only upwardly in them and this is fluid from the producing section of the well. In the pipe 110, movement of fluid is downward on the up stroke of the piston assembly and upwardly on the down stroke.

The strength of the springs 156 and 162 on the rod 50 cannot be too great or too small in comparison with the strength of the toggle pin springs 194, or the valve mechanisms will operate sluggishly, or may even fail to operate, thus greatly reducing the efliciency of the pumping mechanism. If the strength of the respective springs are adjusted so that the toggle-spring assembly gives way before the piston assembly has reached the end of its full possible travel path, the only eflect is to slightly shorten the stroke of the piston and thereby somewhat reduce the efliciency of the pumping mechanism. The adjustment of the relative strengths of the springs is not critical, the length of the stroke is almost entirely determined by the spacing of the collars 158 and 164.

The speed at which the pump will operate can be controlled by the pressure applied to the top of the well casing. Increasing the pressure on the fluid in the well casing will increase the speed of action of the pumping mechanism.

The cross sectional area at the lower end of the intermediate cylinder section 127 is of smaller diameter as defined by the vertical passage 232 of the packing gland. The packing gland assembly 134 also provides a reduced cross sectional area at the upper end of the lower cylinder section as defined by the vertical passage above the piston 13!).

Each of the pistons have disposed adjacent the ends thereof entering the reduced cross sectional areas at the ends of the cylinders, as above indicated, a collar 236 carried on the piston rod 132, see Figure 15, for example, adapted to slidably enter into the respective reduced cross sectional areas with a small clearance. This design permits the piston in each of the cylinder sections to almost completely evacuate the cylinder at the end of the piston stroke without closing the outlet or'inlet to the cylinder at the ends thereof indicated. The advantage of this construction is that if gas is evolved when a liquid is being pumped, the gas will be forced out of the cylinders, and a gas lock will be prevented; obviously, the check valves 144, 146 and 224, 226 are located near the outlet openings of the lower and intermediate cylinder sections 120 and 127. Thus, when the piston is at the conclusion of its execution of the upward or downward stroke, only a small residual space remains in the cylinder. The projecting collars 236 will enter this space and will not cause the closing of the inlet or outlet to the cylinder by the piston. Also, the collars 236 are preferably made of a soft metal, such as brass, since due to wear or misalignment the collars may come in contact with the reduced section areas at the ends of the cylinders and would cause undue friction and wear on these reduced cross sectional areas, if the material from 11 which the collar is made were of a hardness equal to or greater than the hardness of the metal from which the parts containing the smaller cross sectional areas are made.

This construction of the pumping mechanism, just described, not only provides a means for minimizing, or preventing entirely, gas lock, it also permits the pumping mechanism to be used in pumping gases as well as liquids. However, if the pumping mechanism were to be used in the transfer of gaseous fluid, some minor modifications would be desirable, although not necessary.

With regard to the valve body 76, it will be seen that the body is composed of the end or face plates 84 and 86 and connecting members 87 and 89 at the upper and lower ends of the body onto which the face or end plates are threadedly secured, and which connecting members support means for threadingly securing the upper and lower portions of the pumping mechanism together with the body 76 interposed therebetween.

In Figures 17, 1S and 19, there is shown a modified form of the valve means, by which the spool valve 102 will be moved transversely of the valve housing 76, in the place of the cylindrical shell 42, and actuable by V the movement of the rod 51 in its vertical rectilinear path, upwardly and downwardly and as snapped into its uppermost and lowermost positions by the spring-toggle assembly 168.

In the modified form, rod 50 has connected thereto, at opposite ends thereof, tubular extensions 238 and 241 which extend longitudinally from the lower and upper ends of the rod respectively. Within the larger diameter portion 242 of the longitudinal bores centrally through each of the tubular extensions, there are disposed compression springs 244 which bear against the enlarged portion of valve stems 246 and 248 in the tubular extensions 233 and 240 respectively. Each of the tubular extensions have the bore therethrough opening to the outer ends thereof of a diameter smaller than the portion 242, and these smaller diameter portions are indicated at 25th in which is slidably mounted the reduced diameter portion of the respective valve stems 246 and 248, with these portions extending through the open end of the smaller diameter portions 250, to carry on their outwardly extended ends valves 252 and 254 respectively. The larger diameter portions 2560f the valve stems are reciprocable within the bore portions 242 and are urged outwardly therefrom by the springs. The movement of the valve stems 246 and 248 out of the tubular extensions or housings 23S and 240 respectively is prevented by the engagement of the portions 256 of the valve stems against the shoulders 258 formed at the juncture of the smaller bore diameter portion'with the larger bore diameter'portion in each of the tubular. extensions, as clearly shown in Figure 19. The valve or valve heads 252 and 254 are preferably made of 'steel and are case hardened. They have beveled outer faces which are adapted to alternatingly engage and seat in a complementarily formed recess 260 and 262 respectively formed at the upper and lower ends of a fitting 264 and 266 respectively and opening through the designated ends thereof. One end of a pipe or conduit 268 is threadingly engaged at the lower end of the fitting 264, remote from the end through which the recess 260 opens, and is in communication with the recess 260 by way of a passage 270 in the fitting 264 (Figure 19). Similarly, one end of a pipe or conduit 272 is threadingly engaged into the fitting 266 at the end thereof remote from the lower end through which the recess 262 opens, and is in communication with the recess 262, defining a valve seat, by way of a central longitudinal bore or passage 274 in the fitting 266. V

The other ends of the pipes or conduits 268 and 272 are engaged to be in communication with the valve body 76 at opposite sides thereof. The valve body 76 contains the spool-valve means 102, hereinbefore described.

In the operation of the modified form of the valve mechanism of Figures 17 to 19, the pipe or conduit 272 corresponds to the conduit 72 of the form of the inveniton of Figures 1 through 16 while the conduit 268 corresponds with the conduit 74.

With the valves 253 and 254 in the positions shown in Figure 17, the valve seated in the conduit 272 is closed by the valve 254, but the corresponding end of the conduit 268 is open.

Thus, when fluid is forced into the well casing 10 under pressure, it will enter the pipe 268 and flow upwardly therein and discharge into the valve body 76 through the transverse port 82 and into the chamber 92. When the valves are in this position, the piston assembly is at the top of its stroke or at the completion of the execution of the upward movement of the pistons.

Thus, it will be recognized that one end of the conduit 272 is in communication with the transverse port 80 while the other of the conduits 268 is in communication at one end with the other transverse port 82.

Referring to the position of the spool valve 102 in its position shown in Figure 7, and with the valves 252 and 254 in the position just described, fluid passes from the chamber 92 through the passage 98 into the upper end of the upper cylinder section 121 through the lower vertical passage 100, and begins to drive the piston assembly downwardly. In this position, the spool valve closes the end of the pipe 272 in communication with the end of the transverse passage remote from its end adjacent the vertical passage 78. At the same time, the passage 96 is in communication with the upper vertical passage 78 through the slot 94 and chamber 90 and with the upper end of the pipe 110.

As the piston assembly travels downward, fluid is forced out of the lower end of lower cylinder section 120 by the piston 13%) to the lower end of the pipe 110. Fluid then travels upward through pipe 110 into the passage 96 and up through the tubing to be discharged therefrom into the storage tank 16. I

At the same time, fluid is drawn from the producing section of the Well into the plug 114 and upward through the pipe 38, through the check valve 144 and into the up per end of the lower cylinder section 120. Simultaneously, fluid is discharged from the intermediate cylinder section 127 below the piston 128 through the pipe 40 past the check valve 226, and then into the sub at the top of the pump mechanism, into the tubing string, and out of the tubing string into the storage tank.

As previously described, as the piston assembly moves downward, the trigger 148-is carried with it and eventually engages against the upper end ofthe spring-162 until the compression of the spring 162 finally results in movement of the rod 59 to actuate the toggle-spring assembly,

as hereinbefore described. When the toggle spring assembly snaps to its other stable position, rod 50 moves downward. The result is that the valve 252 closes the adjacent end of the conduit 268 while simultaneously the valve 254 moves away from its seat 262 and opens the adjacent end of the pipe 272.

The pressure of the fluid in the well casing causes the fluid to flow upward through the conduit 272 and into the other transverse port where it impinges on the valve 106 and moves the spool valve 102 to the position viewed in Figure 12. Accordingly, the transverse port is closed by the seating of the valve against the end thereof adjacent the vertical passage 78. The chamber will thus be cut ofl from its communication with the upper vertical passage 78 while the chamber 92 will be placed in communication with this vertical passage.

The fluid under pressure passing upwardly through the pipe 272 (Figure 19) flows into the transverse port 80, through chamber 90, into passage 96 and downward through the pipe 110. The pipe terminatesat the lower end of the lower cylinder section 120,.below the piston 13%, and the fluid under-pressure will begin :to

force the piston assembly upward. When this upward movement occurs, fluid is discharged from the upper end of the lower cylinder section 120, above the piston 130, into the pipe 38 through the check valve 146, with the check valve 144 preventing the movement of the fluid being thus discharged to flow downwardly in the pipe 33 below the check valve 144. The fluid thus discharged into the pipe 38 will be pumped upwardly into the tubing string 14 connected to the upper end of the pump body and out of the tubing at the upper end of the well casing and into the storage tank 16. During the upward movement of the piston assembly, fluid is drawn into the intermediate section 127 through the pipe 40 and check valve 224 below the piston 123. This fluid comes from the producing section of the well below the plug 114, and cannot move downwardly through the pipe 4% due to the action of the check valves 224 and 226.

The upward stroke of the piston assembly also causes fluid to be discharged from the upper cylinder 121 above the piston 126 through the lower vertical passage run into the passage 98 and through the slot 94 and chamber 92 into the upper vertical passage 78 to be discharged through the upper end of the pump body into the tubing connected thereto and out of the tubing into a storage tank.

As the upward movement of the piston assembly continues through the completion of its stroke, the trigger 148 will engage the lower free end of the spring 156 (Figure 7), eventually resulting in actuation of the toggle-spring mechanism 168, in the manner hereinbefore described. This will cause the valve mechanism carried at opposite ends of the rod to again be moved to the position shown in Figure 17 which will allow the one end of the conduit 268 adjacent the valve 252 to again be opened to the fluid pressure Within the well casing, and the cycle is repeated.

While there is shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the structure is susceptible to change and modification within the practicability of the invention and therefore should be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. In a deep well of the type having a well casing and a string of tubing positioned within the casing and spaced from the walls thereof, said casing being filled with a liquid under pressure; a pumping mechanism comprising a pump body inserted in the string of tubing adjacent the lower end thereof, an upstanding hollow shell in said well casing carried by said pump body adjacent the upper end thereof, said shell having at least two pairs of inlet ports arranged in vertical spaced relation, the inlet ports of each pair being in opposed relation to each other with one port of each pair placing the interior of the shell in communication with said well casing to permit flow of the liquid under pressure from said casing through said one port of said pairs, a valve positioned within said shell and movable vertically into and out of alternate bridging relation with respect to each pair of said ports, a valve body carried by said pump body extending transversely thereacross adjacent said shell and having a vertical passage therethrough, said valve body having opposed inlet ports and each extending transversely from the vertical passage to the exterior'thereof, valve means positioned within the transverse ports of said valve body and movable into seating engagement with the end of one of the transverse ports adjacent the vertical passage and out of seating engagement with the end of the other transverse port adjacent the vertical passage, a first conduit connecting one of the inlet ports of one pair in said shell to one of the transverse ports in said body, a second conduit connecting the other of the inlet ports of the other of said pairs in said shell to the other of the transverse inlet ports in said body, a plurality of cylinders arranged in vertical spaced relation positioned below said body, a

connecting member securing the uppermost one of said cylinders to the lower end of said body, said member having a vertical passage in communication with the first mentioned vertical passage and also having a passage connecting said first vertical passage with each of the transverse inlet ports in said valve body, a piston mounted in each cylinder for up and down movement, a piston rod rigidly connecting said pistons for movement together, a third conduit connecting one of the passages of said connecting member to the lowermost one of said cylinders adjacent the lower end thereof, and means connecting said shell valve to said piston rod for movement of said shell valve into and out of bridging relation with one pair of shell ports on conclusion of the execution of the upward and downward movements of the pistons in the respective cylinders.

2. In a deep well of the type having a well casing and a string of tubing positioned within the casing and spaced from the walls thereof, said casing being filled with a liquid under pressure; a pumping mechanism comprising a pump body inserted in the string of tubing adjacent the lower end thereof, an upstanding hollow shell in said well casing carried by said pump body adjacent the upper end thereof, said shell having at least two pairs of inlet ports arranged in vertical spaced relation, the inlet ports of each pair being in opposed relation to each other with one port of each pair placing the interior of the shell in communication with said well casing to permit flow of the liquid under pressure from said casing through said one port of said pairs, a valve positioned within said shell and movable vertically into and out of alternate bridging relation with respect to each pair of said ports, a valve body carried by said pump body extending transversely thereacross adjacent said shell and having a vertical passage therethrough, said valve body having opposed inlet ports and each extending transversely from the vertical passage to the exterior thereof, valve means positioned within the transverse ports of said valve body and movable into seating engagement with the end of one of the transverse ports adjacent the vertical passage and out of seating engagement with the end of the other transverse port adjacent the vertical passage, a first conduit connecting one of the inlet ports of one pair in said shell to one of the transverse ports in said body, a second conduit connecting the other of the inlet ports of the other of said pairs in said shell to the other of the transverse inlet ports in said body, a plurality of cylinders arranged in vertical spaced relation positioned below said body, a connecting member securing the uppermost one of said cylinders to the lower end of said body, said member having a vertical passage in communication with the first mentioned vertical passage and also having a passage connecting said first vertical passage with each of the transverse inlet ports in said body, a piston mounted in each cylinder for up and down movement, a piston rod rigidly connecting said pistons for movement together, a third conduit connecting one of the passages of said connecting member to the lowermost one of said cylinders adjacent the lower end thereof, and means connecting said shell valve to said piston rod for movement of said shell valve into and out of bridging relation with one pair of shell ports on conclusion of the execution of the upward and downward movements of the pistons in the respective cylinders, a pair of spaced production pipes arranged longitudinally Within said Well casing, each of said production pipes being in communication at one end with said pump body adjacent the top thereof and connected at the other end into communication with the producing section of the well below said pumping mechanism, one of said production pipes connected intermediate its ends into communication with the lowermost one of said cylinders and the other of said production pipes connected intermediate its ends to a cylinder immediately above said lowermost cylinder whereby upward movement of said pistons will pump liquid into said one production pipe and movement of the pistons in the downward direction will pump liquid into said other production pipe so that the pump liquid will discharge into said string of tubing above said pumping mechanism, said pistons causing the drawing of liquid into each of said pipes through said other end thereof from the producing section of the well and into the cylinder connected into communication therewith upon movement in the direction opposite to the direction in which the liquid is caused to be pumped into the production pipe.

3 In a deep well of the type having a well casing and a string of tubing positioned within the casing and spaced from the walls thereof, said casing being filled with a liquid under pressure; a pumping mechanism comprising a pump body inserted in the string of tubing adjacent the lower end thereof, an upstanding hollow shell in said well casing carried by. said pump body adjacent the upper end thereof, said shell having at least two pairs of inlet ports arranged in vertical spaced relation, the inlet ports of each pair being in opposed relation to each other with one port of each pair placing the interior of the shell in communication with said well casing to permit flow of the liquid under pressure from said casing through said one port of said pairs, a valve positioned within said shell and movable vertically into and out of alternate bridging relation with respect to each pair of said ports, a valve body carried by said pump body extending transversely thereacross adjacent said shell and having a vertical passage therethrough, said valve body having opposed inlet ports and each extending transversely from the vertical passage to the exterior thereof, valve means positioned within the transverse ports of said valve body and movableinto seating engagement with the end of one of the transverse ports adjacent the vertical passage and out of seating engagement with the end of the other transverse port adjacent the vertical passage, a first conduit connecting one of the inlet ports of one pair in said shell to one of the transverse ports in said body, a second conduit connecting the other of the inlet ports of the other of said pairs in said shell to the other of the transverse inlet ports in said body, a plurality of cylinders arranged in vertical spaced relation positioned below said body, a connecting member securingtthe uppermost one of said cylinders to the lower end of said body, said member having a vertical passage in communication with the first mentioned vertical passage and also having a passage connecting said first vertical passage with each of the transverse inlet ports in said body, a piston mounted in each cylinder for up and down movement, a piston rod rigidly connecting said pistons for movement together, a third conduit connecting one of the passages of said connecting member to the lowermost one of said cylinders adjacent the lower end thereof, and means connecting said shell valve to said piston rod for movement of said shell valve into and out of bridging relation with one pair of shell, ports on conclusion of the execution of the upward and downward movements of the pistons in the respective cylinders, a pair of spaced production pipes arranged longitudinally within said well casing, each of said productionpipes being in communication at one end with said pump body adjacent the top thereof and connected at the other end into communication with the producing section of the well below said pumping mechanism, one of said production pipes connected intermediate its ends into communication with the lowermost one of said cylinders and the other of said production pipes connected intermediate its ends to a cylinder immediately above said lowermost cylinder whereby upward movement of said pistons will pump liquid into said one production pipe and'movement of the pistons in the downward direction will pump liquid into said other production pipe so that the pump liquid will discharge into said string of tubing above said pumping mechanism, said pistons causing the drawing of liquid into each of said pipes through said other end thereof from the producing section of the well and into the cylinder connected into communication therewith upon movement in the direction opposite to the direction in whichthe liquid is caused to be pumped into the production pipe, means in each of said productionpipes arranged on opposite sides of the connection to its respective cylinder to prevent flow of liquid downwardly in said pipe below said means.

4. In a deep well ofthe type having a evell casing and a string of tubing positioned within the casing and spaced from the walls thereof, said casing being filled with a liquid under pressure; a pumping mechanism comprising a pump body inserted in the string of tubing adjacent the lower end thereof, an upstanding hollow shell in said well casing carried by said pump body adjacent the upper end thereof, said shell having at least two pairs of inlet ports 7 arranged in vertical spaced relation, the inlet ports of each pair being in opposed relation to each other with one port of each pair placing the interior of the shell in communication with said well casing to permit flow of theliquid under pressure from said casing through saidone port of said pairs, a valve positioned within said shell and movable vertically into and out of alternate bridging relation with respect to each pair of said ports, a valve body carried ports adjacent the vertical passage and out of seating engagernent with theend of the other transverse port adjacent the vertical passage, a first conduit connecting one of the inlet ports of one pair in said shell to one of the transverse ports in said valve body, a second conduit connecting the other of the inlet portstof the other of said pairs in said shell to the otherof the transverse inlet ports in said valve body, a plurality of cylinders arranged in vertical spaced relation positioned below said valve body, a connecting member securing the uppermost one of said cylinders to the lower end of said valve body, said member having a vertical passage in communication with the first mentioned vertical passage and also having a passage connecting said first'vertical passage with each of the transverse inlet ports in said valve body, a piston mounted in each cylinder for up and down movement, a piston rod rigidly connecting said pistons for movement together, a third conduit connecting one of the passages of said connecting member to the lowermost one of said cylinders adjacent the lower end thereof, and means connecting said shell valve to said piston rod for movement of said shell valve into and out of bridging relation with one pair of shell ports on conclusion of the execution of the upward and downward movements of the pistons in the respective cylinders, a pair of spaced. production pipes ar-' ranged longitudinally within said wall casing,-,each of said production pipes being in communication at one end with said pump body adjacent the top thereof and connected at the other end into communication with the producing section of the well below said pumping mechanism, one of said production pipes connected intermediate its ends into communication with the lowermost one of said cylinders and the other of said production pipes connected intermediate its ends to a cylinder immediately above said lowermost cylinder whereby upward movement of said pistons will pump liquid into said one production pipe and movement of the pistons in the downward direction will pump liquid into said other production pipe so that the pump liquid will discharge into said string of tubing above said pumping mechanism, said pistons causing thedrawing of liquid into each of said pipes through said other end thereof from the producing section of the well and into the cylinder connected into communication therewith upon movement in the direction opposite to the direction in which the liquid is causedtto be pumped intothe production pipe, each of said cylinders having its discharge end of reduced cross sectional area, said production pipes and said third conduit connected into communication with respective ones of the cylinders through the discharge ends thereof so that the piston in each cylinder will make a full stroke in either direction without closing the discharge ends thereby preventing the pumping mechanism from becoming inoperative due to gas entrapped in the cylinder.

5. In a deep well of the type having a well casing and a string of tubing positioned within the casing and spaced from the walls thereof, said casing being filled with a liquid under pressure; a pumping mechanism comprising .a pump body inserted in the string of tubing adjacent the lower end thereof, an upstanding hollow shell in said well casing carried by said pump body adjacent the upper end thereof, said shell having at least two pairs of inlet ports arranged in vertical spaced relation, the inlet ports of each pair being in opposed relation to each other with one port of each pair placing the interior of the shell in communication with said well casing to permit flow of the liquid under pressure from said casing through said one port of said pairs, a valve positioned within said shell and movable vertically into and out of alternate bridging relation with respect to each pair of said ports, a valve body carried by said pump body extending transversely thereacross adjacent said shell and having a vertical passage therethrough, said valve body having opposed inlet ports and each extending transversely from the vertical passage to the exterior thereof, valve means positioned within the transverse ports of said valve body, and movable into seating engagement with the end of one of the transverse ports adjacent the vertical passage and out of seating engagement with the end of the other transverse port adjacent the vertical passage, a first conduit connecting one of the inlet ports of one pair in said shell to one of the transverse ports in said valve body, a second conduit connecting the other of the inlet ports of the other of said pairs in said shell to the other of the transverse inlet ports in said valve body, a plurality of cylinders arranged in vertical spaced relation positioned below said valve body, a connecting member securing the uppermost one of said cylinders to the lower end of said valve body, said member having a vertical passage in communication with the first mentioned vertical passage and also having a passage connecting said first vertical passage with each of the transverse inlet ports in said valve body, a piston mounted in each cylinder for up and down movement, a piston rod rigidly connecting said pistons for movement together, a third conduit connecting one of the passages of said connecting member to the lowermost one of said cylinders adjacent the lower end 7 thereof, and means connecting said shell valve to said piston rod for movement of said shell valve into and out of bridging relation with one pair of shell ports on conclusion of the execution of the upward and downward movements of the pistons in the respective cylinders, a pair of spaced production pipes arranged longitudinally within said wall casing, each of said production pipes being in communication at one end with said pump body adjacent the top thereof and connected at the other end into communication with the producing section of the well below said pumping mechanism, one of said production pipes connected intermediate its ends into communication with the lowermost one of said cylinders and the other of said production pipes connected intermediate its ends to a cylinder immediately above said lowermost cylinder whereby upward movement of said pistons will pump liquid into said one production pipe and movement of the pistons in the downward direction will pump liquid into said other production pipe so that the pump liquid will discharge into said string of tubing above said pumping mechanism, said pistons causing the drawing of liquid into each of said pipes through said other end thereof from the producing section of the well and into the cylinder connected into communication therewith upon movement in the direction opposite to the direction in which the liquid is caused to be pumped into the production pipe, each of said cylinders having its discharge end of reduced cross sectional area, said production pipes and said third conduit connected into communication with respective ones of the cylinders through the discharge ends thereof so that the piston in each cylinder will make a full stroke in either direction without closing the discharge ends thereby preventing the pumping mechanism from becoming inoperative due to gas entrapped in the cylinder, means in each of said production pipes arranged on opposite sides of the connection to its respective cylinder to prevent flow of liquid downwardly in said pipe below said means.

6. In a deep well of the type having a well casing and a string of tubing positioned within the casing and spaced from the walls thereof, said casing being filled with a liquid under pressure; a pumping mechanism comprising a pump body inserted in the string of tubing adjacent the lower end thereof, an upstanding hollow shell in said well casing carried by said pump body adjacent the upper end thereof, said shell having at least two pairs of inlet ports arranged in vertical spaced relation, the inlet ports of each pair being in opposed relation to each other with one port of each pair placing the interior of the shell in communication with said well casing to permit flow of the liquid under pressure from said casing through said one port of said pairs, a valve positioned within said shell and movable vertically into and out of alternate bridging relation with respect to each pair of said ports, a valve body carried by said pump body extending transversely thereacross adjacent said shell and having a vertical passage therethrough, said valve body having opposed inlet ports and each extending transversely from the vertical passage to the exterior thereof, valve means positioned within the transverse ports of said valve body and movable into seating engagement with the end of one of the transverse ports adjacent the vertical passage and out of seating engagement with the end of the other transverse port adjacent the vertical passage, a first conduit connecting one of the inlet ports of one pair in said shell to one of the transverse ports in said valve body, a second conduit connecting the other of the inlet ports of the other of said pairs in said shell to the other of the transverse inlet ports in said valve body, a Working barrel including a plurality of cylinders arranged in vertical spaced relation positioned below said valve body, a connecting member securing the uppermost one of said cylinders to the lower end of said body, said member having a vertical passage in communication with the first mentioned vertical passage and also having a passage connecting said first vertical passage with each of the transverse inlet ports in said valve body, a piston mounted in each cylinder for up and down movement, a piston rod rigidly conmeeting said pistons for movement together, a third conduit connecting one of the passages of said connecting member to the lowermost one of said cylinders adjacent the lower end thereof, and means connecting said shell valve to said piston rod for movement of said shell valve into and out of bridging relation with one pair of shell ports on conclusion of the execution of the upward and downward movements of the pistons in the respective cylinders, a pair of spaced production pipes arranged longitudinally within said well casing, each of said production pipes being in communication at one end with said working barrel adjacent the top thereof and connected at the other end into communication with the producing section of the well below said pumping mechanism, one of said production pipes connected intermediate its ends into communication with the lowermost one of said cylinders and the other of said production pipes connected intermediate its ends to a cylinder immediately above said lowermost cylinder whereby upward movement of said pis which the liquid iscaused to be pumped into the production pipe, said third conduit having liquid pumped upward- 1y therethrough upon the downward movement of said pistons so that the liquid will enter said vertical passage and be discharged from said pump body into said string of tubing above said pump body, and movement of said valve means. into closing relation withtthe other of said transverse passages in said valve body permitting theliquid under pressure in said casing, to flow downward in said third. conduit to impinge upon the lower end of the piston in saidllowermost one of the cylinders to move the pistons-upwardly. t 1 7."In a' deep well of the type having a well casing and a string of tubing positioned within the casing and spaced from the walls thereof, said casing being filled with a liqliid under pressure; a pumping mechanism comprising a pump body inserted in the string of tubing adjacent the lower end thereof, an upstanding hollow shell in said well casingcarried by said pump body adjacent the upper end thereof, said shell having at least two pairs of inlet ports arranged in vertical spaced relation, the inlet ports of each pair'being in opposed relation to each other with one port of' each pair placing the interior of the shell in communication with said well casing to permit flow of the liquid under pressure from said casing through said one port of said pairs, a valve positioned within said shell and movable. vertically into and out of alternate bridging relation seating engagement with the end of one of the transverse ports adjacent the vertical passage and out of seating engagement with the end of the other transverse port adjacent the vertical passage, a first conduit connecting one ofthe inlet ports of one pair in said shell to one of the transverse ports in said valve body, a second conduit connecting the other of the inlet ports of the other of said pairs in said shell to the other of the transverse inlet ports in said valve body, a plurality of cylinders arranged in vertical spaced relation positioned below said. valve body, a connecting member securing the uppermost one of said'c'ylinders to. the lower end of said valve body, said member having a vertical passage in communication with the first mentioned vertical passage and also having a passage connecting said first vertical passage with each of the transverse inlet ports in said valve body, a piston mounted in eachv cylinder for up and down movement, a piston rod rigidly connecting said pistons for movement together, a third conduit connecting one of the passages of' said connecting member to the lowermost one of said cylinders adjacent the lower end thereof, and means connecting said shell valve to said piston rod for movement of said shell valve into and out of bridging relation with one pair of shellports in conclusion of the execution of the upward and downward movements of the pistons in the respectivecylinders, a pair of spaced production pipes arranged longitudinally within'said well casing, each of said production pipes being in communication at one end with said pump body adjacent the top thereof and connected at the other end into communication with the producing section of the well below said pumping mecha- '20- i 'nisin, one ofs'aid productionrpipes connected: interme diate its ends into communication with the lowermost one of said cylinders and the other of said production pipes connected intermediate its ends to a 'cylinder'iminediately above said lowermost cylinder whereby upward moveme'n't'of saidpistons willplimp liquid into said one i production pipe and movement of the pistons in the down ward direction will pumpliquid into said" other pioduction pipe so thatthepump liquidwill'discharge into said string of tubing above said pumping mechanism, said pistons causing the drawing ofliquid into each of said pipes through said other end thereof from the producing section of thegwell and into the cylinder connected into communication therewith upon movement in the direction opposite to the direction in which the liquid is caused to a be pumped into the production pipe,,said third conduit having liquids pumped upwardly therethrough upon the downward movementofsaid pistons so that the liquid I will enter said vertical passage and be discharged from said working barrel into saidstringrof tubing above said working barrel, and movement of saidvalvemeans into closing relation with the other of said transverse passages in said valve bodyspermitting the liquid under pressure in said'casing to How downward in said third conduit to impinge upon the lower end of the piston in said lowermost one'of; the cylinders'to move the pistons upwardly, each of said cylinders having its discharge end of reduced cross sectional area, said production pipes and said third conduit connected into communication with respective ones of the cylinders through the discharge ends thereof so that the piston in each cylinder will make a full stroke in either direction without closing the discharge ends thereby preventing the pumping mechanism from becoming inoperative due to gas entrapped in the cylinder.

8. Ina deep well of the type having a well casing and a string of tubingpositioned' within the casing and spaced from the walls thereof,- said casing being filled with a liquid under pressure; apumping mechanism comprising a pump body inserted in the string of tubing adjacent the lower end thereof, a valve body carried by said pump body extending transversely thereacross and'having a verticalpassage -therethrough,'said valve body having opposed inlet ports and eachjextending transversely from the vertical passage to "the exteriorthereof, valve means positioned within the transverse ports of said valve body and movable into seating engagement with the end of the 1 duits at the ends thereof remote from said valvetbody; a

plurality of cylinders arranged in verticalspaced relation positioned below said valve body, a connecting member securing the uppermostone of said cylinders to the lower end of said body, a memberhavinga vertical passage in communication with the first-mentioned vertical passage.

of; said cylinders adjacent-the lower end thereof, and

meansoperatively connected-tosaid valve means and to 21 22 said piston rod to impart the movement of the piston rod References Cited in the file of this patent thereto to move the valve means alternatingly into and UNIT out of closing relation with said ends of said first and ED STATES PATENTS second conduits remote from said valve body upon con- 2,245,501 Rlchardson June 1941 clusion of the execution of the upward and downward 5 2,624,285 Han 1953 movements of the pistons in the respective cylinders.

Images