US3208291A - Well pumping means - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 28, 1965 M. M. ROSS 3,208,291

WELL PUMPING MEANS Filed April 25, 1962 INVENTOR. 5m; U 1 WHLBURN M. RUSS i 41: (ILJHZQ @"if g? BY I20 I24 m 5?" 126 w W 4 3- ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,208,291 WELL PUMPING MEANS Milhurn M. Ross, 631 N. Bind, Wichita, Karts. Filed Apr. 25, 1962, Ser. No. 190,016 4 Claims. (Cl. 74-41) This invention relates to pumping means. In a more specific aspect this invention relates to new means for mounting or assembling the various elements of well pumping apparatus. In a still more specific aspect the invention relates to new well pumping apparatus having counterbalance means and adjustable mounting means for accurately positioning the counterbalance means whereby the weight of the fluid being pumped can be balanced in the well pumping apparatus.

Various types of well pumping means are known to the prior art. The well pumping means known to the prior art include means for balancing or counterbalancing the well pumping apparatus to compensate for the weight of the rods and pumping apparatus in the well hole. The oounterbalancing means of the prior art have not been constructed so that the weight of the fluid being pumped from the well can be balanced nor have suitable adjusting means been provided for the connecting means joining the walking beam and the powering means whereby desirable incremental adjustment can be provided to give the desired motion or stroke to the walking beam and further to vary the mechanics of the well pumping apparatus with a minimum of effort.

In accordance with the present invention new well pumping means are provided which includes support means and means defining a walking beam pivotally mounted thereon. Means are carried by one end portion of the walking beam to connect to pumping apparatus in a well. Powering means are provided, and connecting means are operatively connected in one end portion to the powering means to be move-d thereby. Mounting means are operatively connected to the connecting means and adjustably mounted on a walking beam so that movement of the connecting means causes movement of the walking beam. The mounting means has a portion thereof which is positionably engaged with the walking beam and movable along the walking beam.

In a preferred specific embodiment of the invention the connecting means projects upwardly beyond the walking beam and is provided in the other end portion thereof with adjustably mounted counterbalancing weight means which move as the horsehead moves to compensate for the fluid weight in the well. In addition, counterbalancing weight means can be secured to the walking beam on the end portion thereof opposite from the horsehead so that the weight of the apparatus in the well can be counterbalanced and the two counterbalancing means of the invention result in a substantially continuous and constant load on the powering means of the apparatus.

Accordingly, it is the object of the invention to provide new well pumping apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide new well pumping means having connecting means operatively connected to powering means and with mounting means operatively connected to the connecting means and adjustably mounted on the walking beam.

A further object of the invention is to provide new adjustable mounting means to operatively connect a walking beam and a connecting member so that the position of the connecting member relative to the walking beam can be adjusted over relatively small increments.

A still further object of the invention is to provide new well pumping means having provisions therewith to balance the apparatus for the weight of the fluid being pumped from the well.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the 3,Z8,29l Patented Sept. 28, 1965 invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view, partially broken away, illustrating a preferred specific embodiment of the well pumping means of the invention.

F FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the well pumping means of FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-section view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 4 illustrating a preferred specific embodiment of the mounting and adjustment means for connecting the walking beam and the connecting means of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3.

The following is a discussion and description of a preferred specific embodiment of the new well pumping means of the invention, such being made with reference to the drawings whereon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the well pumping means of the invention is shown generally at 10 and includes a base 12 which is preferably constructed of spaced and generally parallel side members 14 and 16 which are joined at one end portion to an end member 18 and connected at the other end portion to an end member 20, the end member 20 being generally V-shaped as best illustrated in FIG. 2 to be out of the interfering way of the well hole.

A Samson post 22 is provided and is preferably constructed of two spaced and generally parallel channelshaped beams 24 and 26 which are preferably positioned with the edge portions thereof forming the channels facing outwardly as shown. The lower end portion of the Samson post can be mounted on the base 12 in any suitable manner. Preferably a plate 28 is mounted on the end member 20 and has an upwardly extending ear or support 39 at the end portion thereof with the ear or support 30 receiving a shaft 32 which additionally passes through spaced mounting plates 34. The plates 34 have a flat mounting member or flange 36 thereon which is normally positioned over the end portion. of plate 28 opposite from the ear or support 30 and a mounting bolt or the like 38 passes through the member 36 and plate 28 to hold same in assembled relation. The walking beam members 24 and 26 are desirably welded or otherwise suitably secured to the side of the plates 34 so that when desired the mounting bolt 38 can be removed and the Samson post pivoted about the shaft 32 to move the pumping apparatus from the well area.

The upper end portion of the Samson post 22 has bearing blocks or mounting means 40 and 42 mounted thereon which receive and mount a shaft 44.

An elongated walking beam is provided and shown generally at 46, the beam 46 preferably being constructed of two spaced and generally parallel channel- shaped members 48 and 50. Preferably the walking beam 46 is pivotally mounted on shaft 44 on the Samson post 22 by use of a flat, elongated plate 52 which is positioned between the channel- shaped members 48 and 50 of the walking beam 46 and is rigidly secured thereto, such as by welding. The plate 52 is of size to project above the walking beam as best illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings and the projecting end portion thereof receives shaft 44 and bearing means can be provided to facilitate pivotal movement of the walking beam 46 about the shaft 44.

A horsehead 54 of suitable construction is preferably provided and mounted on the end portion of the walking beam 46. Preferably, the horsehead 54 is of the type :3 shown and described in my Patent No. 3,006,201, patented October 31, 1961, titled Well Pump Means. Horsehead 54 includes two spaced and generally parallel side portions or members 56 and 58 of like construction which are positioned in spaced relation at opposite sides of the walking beam 46. A shaft 60 extends between the side portions 56 and 58 of the horsehead 54 and is pivotally mounted on the upper forward end portion of the walking beam 46 in any suitable manner. The side members 56 and 58 each have an arcuate outer and upper surface or edge 62 and 64 respectively.

A connecting member 66 is secured to the upper and rearward edge portions of the side members 56 and 58 and has an arcuate portion which forms a continuation of the arcuate surfaces 62 and 64 on the side members and an upper flange or lip portion 68 which projects outwardly over the arcuate portion. In use a rope or cable 70 is received by the connecting member 66 with the lip or flange 68 preventing inadvertent removal thereof and with the side portions of the rope or cable 70 being positioned on the fiat arcuate portions 62 and 64 of the side members 56 and 58, respectively. The end portions of the rope 70 are secured to a connecting member or the like '72 which in turn is secured to the rods in the well (not shown).

Each of the side portions 56 and 58 of the horsehead 54 has a rearwardly projecting arm portion as shown at 74 for the member 56 and a cable, rope or the like 76 is secured in its end portions to the outermost ends of the arm portions 74. An arcuate mounting member, such as a pulley or the like shown at 78, is provided and is secured to the base 12 thorugh a mounting member 80. In operation, the cable 76 limits movement of arm portions 74 to compound the movement of the horsehead 54 in relation to the movement of the end portion of the walking beam 46 on which it is mounted.

A plate 84, FIG. 2, is positioned between and rigidly secured to the end portions of the channel- shaped members 48 and 50 of the walking beam 46 opposite from the horsehead 54 and the plate can be secured in position by welding or other suitable means. Preferably, the plate is of size to project or extend above and below the members 48 and 50 forming the walking beam 46. A plurality of counterbalance weight means 86 are positioned against the outer surfaces of the channel- shaped members 48 and 50 of the walking beam 46 and are preferably secured in place by mounting bolts 88 which pass through the counterbalance weights 86 and through the portions of the plate 84 which project above and below the walking beam.

Suitable powering means are provided to drive the well pumping apparatus. The powering means as illustrated in the drawings includes speed reduction gearing 90 which is mounted 011 a suitable plate or the like 92 supported by the base 12 in any suitable manner. The speed reduction gearing 90 includes an input shaft 94 at one end portion thereof which is constructed to be attached to and driven by a motor, engine or the like (not shown). The gearing 90 has an output shaft 96 which preferably projects from both sides of the gearing as shown in FIG. 2. The gearing 90 is preferably positioned between the Samson post 22 and the end member 18 of the frame or base 12.

Two crank arms 100 and 102 are each secured in one end portion to the end portions of the shaft 96 and the other end portions of the crank arms are secured to two spaced pitmans 104 and 106, respectively, by pivots 105 and 107. The pitmans 104 and 106 are preferably positioned in generally parallel planes and are positioned on opposite sides of the walking beam 46 as is best illustrated in FIG. 2.

counterbalance weights 110 and 112 are mounted on the end portions of the pitmans 104 and 106, respectively, opposite from the connection of the pitmans to the crank arms and preferably the counterbalance weight means are secured by mounting bolts or the like as shown at 114 and 116 which pass through the weights and 112, respectively, and through mounting holes or the like 118 in the pitmans. Preferably a plurality of the holes are provided in each of the pitmans so that the counterbalance weight means can be mounted at various positions therealong to more accurately perform their desired function.

Means are provided to adjustably mount or secure each of the pitmans 104 and 106 to an intermediate portion of the walking beam 46 so that movement of the pitmans by the powering means causes pivotal movement of the walking beam about the shaft 44. Preferably this adjusting and mounting means is provided by a shaft 120 which extends between and is pivotally secured in its end portions to the intermediate portion of the pit mans 104 and 106 and is desirably positioned immediately below the walking beam members 48 and 50. A mounting member is provided which has a flat portion as shown at 122 positioned between the channel members 48 and 50 of the walking beam 46 and is desirably located between the Samson post 22 and the counterbalance weights 86 on the end portion of the walking beam 46. The mounting member 122 has a portion thereof which projects below the walking beam 46 and through which the shaft 120 passes and is rotatably received. The mounting member has spaced flange portions 124 and 126 which are preferably generally triangular in shape as best illustrated in FIG. 3 and which are rigidly secured to the longitudinal ends of the portion of the member 122 which projects below the walking beam and are positioned transversely to the fiat portion 122. The flange portions 124 and 126 rest on and engage the lower surface of the channel members 48 and 50 of the walking beam 46.

The mounting means includes a plate 128 which has spaced and centrally located apertures 130 therethrough and is positioned against the upper surface of the channel members 48 and 50 of the walking beam 46 above the portion 122 of the mounting means. Suitable mounting bolts or the like 132 pass through the plate 128 and are threadedly received in the upper end of the flat portion 122 of the mounting member and upon tightening of the bolts 132 the plate 128 and the flanges 124 and 126 of the mounting means tightly and firmly engage opposite edge portions of the walking beam to attach the pitmans 104 and 106 to the walking beam.

The preferred means of the invention for mounting the pitmans on the walking beam is very desirable and merely by loosening and tightening the bolts 132 and moving the fiat member 122 relative to the walking beam the position of the pitmans relative to the walking beam can be adjusted over any desired increment, and this adjustment changes the movement of the walking beam and thus the horsehead and varies the stroke of the well pumping apparatus making it suitable for use on difiFerent wells where the loads encountered are substantially different and where pumping depths vary considerably. This adjustment also varies the movement of the counterbalance weight means during the pumping cycle.

In operation power is provided to the well pumping apparatus through the output shafts 96 of the speed reduction gearing 90 which turns the crank arms 100 and 102 and this rotary movement of the crank arms is transmitted to a reciprocating movement by the pitmans 104 and 106. Movement of the pitmans causes the walking beam 46 to be moved about the pivot or shaft 44 carried by the Samson post and thi in turn causes movement of the horsehead, the positions of the movable elements of apparatus being shown in the solid and dotted lines during a half cycle of the well pumping apparatus. Movement of the horsehead 54 in turn moves the connecting member 72 to raise and lower the rods in the well during pumping of oil, water, etc. The counterbalancing weight means 86 at the end portion of the walking beam opposite from the horsehead serve to even out or balance the load of the well pumping apparatus within the Well hole itself, that is the rods, pump structure, etc. In the absence of these counterbalancing means a load would be present on the speed reduction gearing 90 only during a half of a revolution of the shaft 96 and such would cause undue wear and breaking of the parts of the gearing.

The counterbalance weight means 110 and 112 are provided and are adjustably positioned on the pitmans 104 and 106, respectively, to compensate for the fluid load in the well as carried by the well pumping apparatus and in operation moves from the position shown in the solid lines to the position shown in the dotted lines as the horsehead moves from the solid to the dotted positions as illustrated in FIG. 1. The weights 110 and 112, are, in effect, on the horsehead during downward movement of the horsehead when substantially no fluid load is present and moves to a position to be, in effect, on the weights 86 during upward movement of the horsehead when maximum fluid load is present. The shaft 120 can be positioned above the walking beam, if desired, however the weights 110 and 112 move a greater distance when shaft 120 is below the walking beam.

The usual prior art pumping apparatus does not provide any means for compensating for the fluid load in the well or for rapidly and accurately adjusting the pumping apparatus for any changes in load encountered due to the change in the amount or type of fluid being pumped. In addition, the well pumping apparatus of the invention provides for adjustment of the connection of the pitmans to the walking beam which further provides for adjustment for the load encountered. As a result of the adjustments and counterb-alancing of the apparatus of the invention together with the adjustable connecting means the apparatus is highly versatile and can be used in many instances in different locations under varying conditions and in addition is more accurately adjusted to the load encountered in each well. This results in less wear and breakage of the structure involved, particularly the gearing means 90, and furthermore in some instances it results in power means of smaller capacity being used in a specific instance which reduces initial cost as well as operating expenses of the well.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred specific embodiment thereof it will be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Iclaim:

1. Well pumping apparatus comprising, in combination, a base having spaced and generally parallel side members joined at the end portions to end members, a Samson post mounted in one end portion on one of said end members of said base and projecting upwardly therefrom, said Samson post being constructed of two spaced and parallel beams, a shaft mounted on said Samson post and extending between said beams, an elongated walking beam constructed of two spaced and parallel members, a bearing means mounted on the intermediate portions of said members of said walking beam pivotally mounting same on the intermediate portion of said shaft, a horsehead pivotally mounted on one end portion of said walking beam and having means therewith constructed to receive and hold a cable or the like, said horsehead having spaced rearwardly projecting arm portions positioned on opposite sides of said walking beam, a pulley operatively connected to said one end portion of said base, a cable operatively connected to said arm portions of said horsehead and said pulley, a plate positioned between and rigidly secured to the other end portion of said members of said walking beam and extending above and below said beam, a plurality of counter balance weights mounted on said plate, drive means mounted on said base and having an output shaft extending to both sides thereof, two crank arms, each of said crank arms having one end portion rotatably secured to said output shaft of said drive means, two spaced and generally parallel pitmans each rotatably secured in one end portion to the other end portions of said crank arms and positioned on opposite sides of said walking beam, counter balance weights adjustably secured to the other end portions of each of said pitmans, a shaft extending between and rotatably secured in its end portions to the intermediate portions of said pitmans, a mounting member having a flat portion positioned between said members of said walking beam between said Samson post and said counter balance weights on said walking beam, said mounting member having a portion extending below said walking beam and rotatably receiving said last-named shaft, said mounting member having spaced flange portions on said extending portion thereof positioned transversely to said flat portion and engaging the lower surfaces of said members of said walking beam, a plate having spaced apertures therethrough positioned on the upper surfaces of said members of said walking beam, mounting bolts passing through said apertures in said last-named plate and between said members of said walking beam and threadedly mounted in said flat portion of said mounting member to fixedly and adjustably locate said mounting member relative to said walking beam, said mounting member being positioned on. said walking beam so that said weights on said pitmans are positioned and moved during Well pumping operations With said weights on said pitmans being moved in opposition to said Weights on said walking beam during at least a portion of a cycle of operation to thereby balance said well pumping apparatus for the load of the fluid being pumped, said well pumping apparatus being constructed and adapted so that operation of said drive means rotates said crank arms and causes said pitmans to move said walking beam about said first-named shaft with said counter balance weights on said other end portion of said walking beam balancing the load on said drive means and with said counter balance weights on said pitmans balancing said apparatus for the weight of the fluid being pumped from the well, the connection of said pitmans to said walking beam being adjustable to obtain proper balance in use.

2. Well pumping apparatus comprising, in combination, a base disposed in a generally horizontal position, a Samson post mounted on one end portion of said base and projecting upwardly therefrom, a shaft mounted on the other end portion of said Samson post, an elongated walking beam constructed of two spaced and parallel members and having an intermediate portion thereof pivotally connected to said shaft, a horsehead pivotally mounted on one end portion of said walking beam and having a portion adapted to receive and hold thereon a rope, counterbalance weight means carried by the other end portion of said walking beam, speed reduction gearing carried by said base and positioned between said Samson post and the other end portion of said base and constructed to be operatively connected to and turned by power means, two crank arms each connected in one end portion to an output shaft of said gearing, two pitmans each rotatably secured in one end portion to the other end portions of said crank arms and positioned on opposite sides of said walking beam, counterbalance weight means adjustably secured to the other end portion of each of said pitmans, a shaft extending between and rotatably secured in its end portions to the intermediate portions of said pitmans, a mounting member receiving said shaft having a flat portion positioned between said members of said walking beam and between said Samson post and said counterbalance weight means on said walking beam, said mounting member having a portion extending transversely to said first-named portion and engaging a lower edge surface of said members of said walking beam, 21 plate positioned along the upper edge surfaces of said members of said walking beam, and mounting bolts passing through said lastnamed plate and mounted in said first-named portion of said mounting member to fixedly and adjustably locate said mounting member relative to said walking beam, said mounting member being positioned on said walking beam so that said weight means on said pitmans are positioned and moved during well pumping operations to balance said well pumping apparatus for the load of the fluid being pumped, said well pumping apparatus being constructed and adapted so that operation of said gearing will rotate said crank arms and cause said pitmans to move said Walking beam about said first-named shaft with said counterbalance weight means on said other end portion of said walking beam balancing the load on said gearing and with said counterbalance weight means on said pitmans balancing said apparatus for the weight of the fluid being pumped from the well, the connection of said pitmans to said Walking beam being adjustable to obtain proper balance in use.

3. Well pumping means comprising in combination, an upright support means, a walking beam, means pivotally mounting said walking beam on said upright support means, connecting means on a first end of a said walking beam for operative engagement with a well rod, first counter-balance weight means mounted on a second opposite end of said walking beam, powering means having a power output crank arm means located below said walking beam and extending transversely thereto, elongated pitman means having a lower end pivotally mounted to said crank arm means, connection means on the intermediate portion of said pitman means pivotally connecting same to said walking means at a point spaced from said means pivotally mounting said walking beam on said upright support means, second counter-balance weight means mounted on the upper end of said pitman means, said well pumping means adapted in use to impose a relatively constant load on the powering means when said second counter-balance weight means on said pitman means is rocked during the pumping to add a counter-balance force approximately equal to the weight of the fluid normally pumped to said 8 walking beam during the down stroke of the well rod which counter-balance force requires an expenditure of power to overcome.

4-. In a well pumping means having an upright support means, a Walking beam pivot-ally mounted on the upright support means, connecting means on the walking beam for operative engagement with a well rod, a counterbalance weight mean on the opposite end of the walking beam, powering means having a power output crank arm means located beneath the walking beam and extending transversely thereto, the improvement comprising, an elongated generally upright pitman means having a lower end pivotally mounted on said crank arm means, a connection means on the intermediate portion of said pitman means pivotally connecting same to the walking beam, counter-balance means on the upper end of said pitman means, said well pumping means adapted in use to impose a relatively constant load on the powering means of same when said second counter-balance weight means on said pitman is automatically rocked during the pumping stroke to shift the center of gravity of the pitman and walking beam combination outwardly toward the first counter-balance weight means during the down stroke of the well rod thus requiring an additional expenditure of power.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,293,609 2/19 Dayton 7441 1,567,586 12/25 Gardner 74108 1,609,250 11/26 Holmgreen 74108 1,758,609 5/30 Kammerer 74-589 1,943,906 1/34 Walton 74589 1,953,903 4/34 Austin 74103 2,042,294 5/36 Bloss 7441 2,054,655 9/36 Humphrey 74l03 2,380,686 7/45 Cummins 74-41 2,841,992 7/58 Chastain 74590 XR 2,958,237 11/60 Johnson 7441 XR 3,006,201 10/61 Ross 7441 BROUGHTON G. DURHAM, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 4. IN A WELL PUMPING MEANS HAVIN AN UPRIGHT SUPPORT MEANS, A WALKING BEAM PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE UPRIGHT SUPPORT MEANS, CONNECTING MEANS ON THE WALKING BEAM FOR OPERATIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH A WELL ROD, A COUNTERBALANCE WEIGHT MEANS ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THE WALKING BEAM, POWERING MEANS HAVING A POWER OUTPUT CRANK ARM MEANS LOCATED BENEATH THE WALKING BEAM AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY THERETO, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING, AN ELONGATED GENERALLY UPRIGHT PITMAN MEANS HAVING A LOWER END PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID CARNK ARM MEANS, A CONNECTION MEANS ON THE INTERMEDIATE PORTION OF SAID PITMAN MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAME TO THE WALKING BEAM, COUNTER-BALANCE MEANS ON THE UPPER END OF SAID PITMAN MEANS, SAID WELL PUMPING MEANS ADAPTED IN USE TO IMPOSE A RELATIVELY CONSTANT LOAD ON THE POWERING MEANS OF SAME WHEN SAID SECOND COUNTER-BALANCE WEIGHT MEANS ON SAID PITMAN IS AUTOMATICALLY ROCKED DURING THE PUMPING STROKE TO SHIFT THE CENTER OF GRAVITY OF THE PITMAN AND WALKING BEAM COMBINATION OUTWARDLY TOWARD THE FIRST COUNTER-BALANCE WEIGHT MEANS DURING THE DOWN STROKE OF THE WELL ROD THUS REQUIRING AN ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE OF POWER.

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