| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20080210417 | GAS ANCHOR AND SOLIDS SEPARATOR ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH SUCKER ROD PUMP - There is provided a gas anchor for use in admitting fluids into a downhole sucker rod oil pump. The gas anchor includes an outer shell positioned around a hollow core, which defines an interior region and an exterior region of the gas anchor. The gas anchor further includes an upper region and a lower region. The hollow core and outer shell have a plurality of holes passing through the hollow core and outer shell, and the holes provide fluid communication from the exterior region to the interior region of the anchor. The hollow core and outer shell further define at least one channel which is in fluid communication from the upper region to the lower region. Additionally, the plurality of holes are formed so as to induce a cyclonic rotation on fluids passing into the interior region of the gas anchor. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080217565 | SUCKER ROD PUMP WITH IMPROVED BALL CONTAINMENT VALVE CAGE - There is provided, in one embodiment, a ball valve for regulating the flow of petroleum fluids therethrough. The ball valve is capable of transitioning between an open and a closed position. The ball valve includes a lower cage and an upper cage. A common cage channel runs between the upper and lower cage and can be aligned along a central cage axis. Petroleum fluids can pass through the cage channel. The lower cage also includes an annular wall disposed thereon and a ball seat positioned on the lower cage. A ball disposed in the valve can position itself off and on the ball seat in order to open and close the valve. The upper cage, which attaches to the lower cage, defines a plurality of apertures; as petroleum fluids pass through the apertures, the apertures impart a cyclonic rotation on the fluid. A chamber wall is also connected to the upper cage, the chamber wall defining a ball retaining chamber. The ball rests in the ball retaining chamber when the ball valve is in the open position. An annular flow space is defined by the chamber wall and the annular wall, and the annular flow space is positioned around the ball retaining chamber. The annular flow space receives petroleum fluid from the lower cage channel and transmits petroleum fluid to the upper cage channel. The upper cage may also define a ball hole providing fluid communication between the upper cage channel and the ball retaining chamber. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080251131 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING WATER SYSTEM LEAKS - A methods and system detecting water system leaks provides detecting of water leakage having very low flows. Very low flow leaks are detected by detecting drops in a building water system pressure when the water supply source is disabled. The water system is disabled by an electrically controllable valve, which may be turned off in response to a motion detector that detects that no human activity is present in the building. The rate of pressure drop is used to determine the magnitude of the leak, and multiple thresholds can be used to detect slow leaks versus more serious leaks. A humidity detector may also be incorporated in the system to detect abnormal humidity conditions and shut the electrically controllable valve in response. Appliance current consumption can be detected and used to override motion-sensor based shut-off of the valve, so that water-consuming appliances can continue to operate. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080252471 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RELIABLY DETECTING STRUCTURE AND WATER SYSTEM LEAKS - A method and system for reliably detecting structure and water system leaks incorporates motion-sensing for determining whether there is activity in a building is occupied and measures humidity of the inside of the building. If there is no activity in the building, and an unexpected level of humidity or sudden change in humidity is detected, an alarm is generated and the building water system can be disabled by an electrically controlled valve. Current consumed by water-consuming and/or water vapor generating appliances can be detected and used to qualify the generating of an alarm or interruption of the water system, so that false alarms are not generated and the water supply is not interrupted due to operation of those appliances. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20090053087 | PLUNGER FOR A SUCKER ROD PUMP - An improved plunger has a north end, a south end, and a center region therebetween. A first northward angled shoulder is provided proximate the north end, for catching solids and preventing them from damaging an exterior of the plunger below the shoulder and potentially other pump components. In one embodiment, first and second northward angled shoulders are provided proximate the north end. First and second southward angled shoulders may be provided proximate the south end, making the plunger invertible when the north end becomes worn. The plunger may be comprises of separable regions, having different hardnesses. In one embodiment, the shoulders may provide a tapered outside diameter for the plunger. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090068042 | CYCLONIC, DEBRIS REMOVING VALVE AND METHOD - There is provided, in one embodiment, a ball valve for regulating the flow of petroleum fluids therethrough. The ball valve is capable of transitioning between an open and a closed position. The ball valve includes in one embodiment a hydraulic piston, containment union, ported stem, containment cage and drag plunger, and is adapted to regulate the flow of fluid northward through the valve. A ball and seat should be positioned above these components, so that the hydraulic piston may extend therethrough. More specifically, during a pump downstroke, fluid enters the drag plunger, moves northward through the containment cage and into the interior of the ported stem, exits the interior of the ported stem and enters a plurality of angled veins, which impart cyclonic motion on fluid passing northward therethrough, assisting in the removal of debris. Also during the downstroke, a pedestal portion of the hydraulic unseats the ball from the seat. During the upstroke, the piston withdraws, permitting the ball to come to rest on the seat, closing the valve. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090304526 | DEBRIS REMOVAL APPARATUS FOR A PUMP AND METHOD - A pump apparatus includes a gear pump assembly interposed between top and bottom drive gear assemblies, and coupler assemblies interposed between a bottom of the top drive gear assembly and a top of the gear pump assembly, and between a top of the bottom drive gear assembly and a bottom of the gear pump assembly. The drive assemblies rotate a pre-feed auger. A cyclone screen located within a cyclone housing is positioned over a shaft of the pre-feed auger and interposed between a blade of the pre-feed auger and the bottom drive gear assembly. An intake housing is positioned over the blade of the pre-feed auger, and regulates fluid intake into the pump. As fluid is taken into the pump, it is caused to spin by the action of the auger. This causes solids to be separated from the fluid and to be expelled through exhaust ports in the pump apparatus. As a result, fewer solids are permitted to travel northward with the pumped fluid, thereby helping to protect the components of the pump. The entire pump may be coupled, at a north end thereof, to a hydraulic pump, hydraulic motor, electric motor, or drive rod/shaft powered at the surface. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20100108150 | VALVE ROD GUIDE - A valve rod guide is adapted to be coupled to the barrel of a subsurface pump or the like. The guide has head, neck, body, and base regions. A plurality of angled flutes are provided on the body, tapering downwardly for preventing solids from reentering the pump barrel after pump operations are ceased and thereby damaging pump components once pump operations are resumed. The interior diameter of the neck includes lower and upper grooves and a plurality of spiral radial grooves extending therebetween. The spiral radial grooves terminate at exit ports. During pump operations, solids are wiped from the valve rod, drawn into the spiral radial grooves, and accumulate in the lower or upper groove during downstroke or upstroke, respectively. During upstroke, the solids are expelled through the exit ports. A hardened insert may be positioned in the head region, providing a durable wear area for the valve rod as well as a tight fit, thereby preventing solids from escaping through a northern end of the guide. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100269928 | VALVE CAGE FOR A PUMP - A valve cage device is adapted for use with a subsurface pump or the like. The valve cage includes a housing and an insert. The insert includes a cradle, a plurality of angled ribs, and a base. In one embodiment, the insert may also include an extended nose region. A ball and seat may be positioned in the valve cage. During pumping operations, the cradle retains the ball when the ball is unseated, thereby allowing fluid to pass freely through channels in the insert and around the ball. This eliminates violent action of the ball, thereby obviating a need for a hard liner to be included in the valve cage. A port in the cradle allows fluid to pass therethrough when the ball has been released from the cradle. The angular configuration of the ribs provides for a more laminar flow of fluid compared with prior art valve cages, thereby providing improved passage of fluid through the valve cage. The base may include an angled hook or lip that creates a tight seal, thereby preventing fluid from washing by during pumping operations. During pumping operations, when the ball is released from the cradle, it is guided by the insert and falls straight downward onto the seat, allowing for faster seating of the ball, and in turn, reducing pump stroke loss and providing for more efficient pumping. The valve cage may be configured for a traveling valve or standing valve portion of a subsurface pump or the like. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100294731 | CYCLONIC DEBRIS EVACUATION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A PUMP - A cyclonic debris evacuation apparatus and method for evacuating debris in a pumping system that forms between the plunger exterior and barrel interior. The apparatus is configured for use with a valve rod and has a cyclone component, cup component, ring component, and ring coupler component. The apparatus is also configured for use with a hollow valve rod and has a hollow valve rod coupler component, cup component, ring component, and ring coupler component. The cup component can be composed of a high density poly-fiber material that helps in creating a positive seal between the cup component and barrel interior during pumping operations, helping to direct solids into the cup component and thereby preventing them from travelling southward in the direction of the barrel and causing damage. In another embodiment, the cup component can include a specialized leading edge adapted to direct solids into the cup component. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20110024112 | DEBRIS-CATCHING ATTACHMENT DEVICE AND METHOD THEREFOR - A debris-catching attachment device and method therefor is disclosed. When positioned in wellbore tubing, the device collects solid impurities found in well environments, thereby preventing the solids from settling onto the pump and its components when pumping operations are halted. The device comprises a ring having one of a plurality of brushes and a plurality of wiper segments coupled to a surface of the ring. As fluid is being forced naturally upward or is pumped, it flows past the components of the ring and is caused to rotate or spin in a cyclonic motion. During the first phase of well production, this directs the fluid and solids toward the tubing wall, allowing gas to escape upward. During the second phase of production, solids are caused to move toward the wall of the tubing, allowing any water and oil to move upward to the surface, with the surface tension dragging the solids along the wall of the tubing. The solids may accumulate on the brushes or wiper segments when pumping operations are halted. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110024370 | CYCLONIC DEBRIS EVACUATION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A PUMP - A cyclonic debris evacuation apparatus and method for removing debris in a pumping system. The apparatus includes a valve rod, a cyclone component, cup component, ring component, and ring coupler component. The cup component is composed of a high density poly-fiber material that helps in creating a positive seal between the cup component and barrel interior during pumping operations, helping to direct solids into the cup component and thereby preventing them from travelling southward in the direction of the barrel and causing damage. The cup component can include a specialized leading edge adapted to direct solids into the cup component. The apparatus can include a carbide ring that prevents solids from traveling further down onto the pump plunger section. The carbide ring can incorporate ports that feed into a main channel flow. The apparatus can include a top plunger adapter capable of connecting with a sucker rod. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110052435 | PLATE PUMP ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH A SUBSURFACE PUMP - A plate pump assembly for pumping various fluids including heavy crude. The plate pump assembly includes first and second chambers each having lower and upper valves. Primary upper and lower eccentric cams within the plate pump assembly are connected to an upper plate and a lower plate. A secondary eccentric cam is connected to a piston that separates the first and second chambers. A drive shaft of the assembly rotates the primary upper and lower eccentric cams to actuate the upper and lower plates alternately concealing and revealing the lower and upper valves for the first and second chambers. The drive shaft further rotates the secondary eccentric cam to actuate the piston alternately decreasing and increasing an area of the first and second chambers to receive fluids through the lower valves and compress the area within the first and second chambers to push the fluids through the upper valves. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110100624 | CYCLONIC STRAINER - A cyclonic strainer for a well intake that provides for improved separation of gas and fluid in naturally flowing wells during mechanical pumping operations. The strainer includes an elongated member having a channel formed longitudinally therein. A plurality of apertures extend through the elongated member angled downwardly into the channel and away from a center of the channel allowing for a better shear between gas and fluids. The angle of the ports causes fluid to be forced in an opposite direction, resulting in gases and fluids shearing more quickly and cleanly, due to kinetic energy. The angle of the ports can be varied to accommodate different conditions in various well environments. In well environments in which gaseous conditions are extreme, it can be desired for the ports to be sloped southwardly or downwardly at a greater angle than for well environments in which gaseous conditions are not as extreme. | 05-05-2011 |
