DOUBLE SLEEVE PLUNGER

Abstract

Described herein are embodiments of apparatuses and methods that include an improved double sleeve plunger. In an exemplary embodiment, the improved double sleeve plunger includes an outer sleeve, and inner sleeve, and a clutch, whereby the clutch retards movement of the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve between and open and closed position of the plunger.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/286,440 filed Dec. 6, 2021, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein relate to an improved plunger and assembly, and methods of operating and using the same.

DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND

It is well known that production from oil and gas wells can suffer due to the build-up of fluids at the bottom of the well. Various methods and devices have been developed to remove those fluids so as to improve the well's productivity and the economics of extracting hydrocarbons from the well. The present invention assists in that process.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is later discussed.

Described herein are exemplary embodiments of an improved plunger and assembly, and methods of operating and using the same. In an embodiment, the plunger is a double sleeve plunger including a clutch for preventing the plunger from inadvertently opening or closing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following disclosure may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention, except where the drawings are indicated to illustrate the prior art. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a plunger assembly wherein the inner sleeve is in its open position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a plunger assembly wherein the inner sleeve is in its closed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an outer sleeve of a plunger assembly;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an inner sleeve of a plunger assembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cage portion of a clutch assembly for a plunger assembly;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a leaf spring portion of a clutch assembly for a plunger assembly;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tension nut portion of a clutch assembly for a plunger assembly;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top view of one embodiment of a clutch locking ring portion of a clutch assembly for a plunger assembly;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a side view of one embodiment of a plunger assembly wherein the inner sleeve is in its open position;

FIG. 17 is a side view of one embodiment of a plunger assembly wherein the inner sleeve is in its open position and showing cross section line A-A;

FIG. 18 is a cross section of the embodiment of a plunger assembly shown in FIG. 17 taken along section line A-A in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a side view of one embodiment of a plunger assembly wherein the inner sleeve is in its closed position;

FIG. 20 is a side view of one embodiment of a plunger assembly wherein the inner sleeve is in its closed position and showing cross section line B-B;

FIG. 21 is a cross section of the embodiment of a plunger assembly shown in FIG. 20 taken along section line B-B in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a side view of one embodiment of an outer sleeve of a plunger assembly;

FIG. 23 is a side view of one embodiment of an outer sleeve of a plunger assembly and showing cross section line C-C;

FIG. 24 is a cross section of the embodiment of an outer sleeve of a plunger assembly shown in FIG. 23 taken along section line C-C in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a side view of one embodiment of an inner sleeve of a plunger assembly;

FIG. 26 is a side view of one embodiment of an inner sleeve of a plunger assembly and showing cross section line D-D;

FIG. 27 is a cross section of the embodiment of an inner sleeve of a plunger assembly shown in FIG. 26 taken along section line D-D in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a plunger assembly, including an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve, and a clutch assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various features and advantageous details are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known starting materials, processing techniques, components, and equipment are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the invention. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and/or rearrangements within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying inventive concept will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

The words and phrases used herein should be understood and interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the understanding of those words and phrases by those skilled in the relevant art. No special definition of a term or phrase, i.e., a definition that is different from the ordinary and customary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art, is intended or implied. To the extent that a term or phrase is intended to have a special meaning, i.e., a meaning other than that understood by skilled artisans, such special definition will be expressly set forth in the specification in a definitional manner that directly and unequivocally provides the special definition for the term or phrase.

The present exemplary embodiments describe an improved plunger assembly, and methods of operating and using the same. For example, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an improved double sleeve plunger 5, including outer sleeve 10 and inner sleeve 20. Those skilled in the art will recognize that plungers of this nature also may be referred to as a sliding sleeve plunger or a center rod plunger. Likewise, the inner and/or outer sleeve is sometimes also referred to by other names, including a mandrel. As will be discussed in more detail below, the double sleeve plunger 5 is shown in its “open” position in FIG. 1 and in its “closed” position in FIG. 2.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, plungers of this nature are intended to fall (or descend) in a well in their open position. In the open position, gases and fluids are able to travel through the plunger until the plunger reaches the bottom of the well (or another position in the well that provides a stopping point), where the impact between the plunger and the bottom causes the plunger to close. In its closed position, gases and fluids are prevented from travel through the plunger and, as a result, pressure in the well (assuming it is sufficient) causes the plunger to rise (or ascend) in the well. As the plunger ascends, liquid above it will be pushed toward the surface by virtue of the relative “tight” fit of the plunger in the well (the diameter of the plunger generally being slightly less than the diameter of the well bore) and any ribs on the outside surface of the plunger that might also help push liquid above the plunger. These liquids can then be removed at the surface of the well. In this manner, a well can be “unloaded” of liquids that can otherwise reduce the efficiency and productivity of the well.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of outer sleeve 10, whereas FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of inner sleeve 20. Outer sleeve 10 includes upper end 11 and lower end 12. Outer sleeve 10 may also include an internal bore between upper end 11 and lower end 12 for receiving inner sleeve 20 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). In an embodiment, a diameter of the bore of outer sleeve 10 is greater than a diameter of inner sleeve 20 so that the two engage in a sliding relationship, i.e., at least a portion of inner sleeve 20 can slide within outer sleeve 10 at least between its open and closed position.

Inner sleeve 20, as shown in FIG. 4, further may include upper end 21 and lower end 22, as well as an internal bore between upper end 21 and lower end 22. Inner sleeve 20 may also include one or more ports 23. Ports 23 allow fluid and/or gas to enter the port and flow through the internal bore of inner sleeve 20 toward upper end 21 when plunger 5 is descending in the well. This is particularly true for embodiments in which inner sleeve 20 includes plug 24 for preventing fluid and/or gas from entering or exiting its lower end.

The size and number of ports 23 can vary depending on how much or how little fluid and/or gas a user desires to allow to pass there-through, thereby allowing a user to better control the descent rate of the plunger in the well by selecting the number and/or size of said ports. In embodiments including more than one port, it is preferred to stagger the ports (as shown in FIG. 4) so as to preclude introducing an area of undue weakness in inner sleeve 20. Recall that in embodiments in which the lower end 22 of inner sleeve 20 extends beyond the lower end 12 of outer sleeve 10 (in either the open or closed position), inner sleeve 20 will strike the bottom of the well with a force that can make it important to not introduce undue weak points in inner sleeve 20.

Inner sleeve 20 also includes seal 25. While seal 25 is shown in FIG. 4 as ball-shaped, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it can take on other shapes so long as the shape serves to substantially seal the lower end 12 of outer sleeve 10 (from passage of fluid and/or gas) when the plunger is in its closed position. As such, while not fully shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but better shown in FIG. 21, outer sleeve 10 includes a receptacle for receiving the seal portion of inner sleeve 20 so that when the two are in their sealed relationship (i.e., the plunger is in its closed position), fluid and/or gas are substantially precluded from entering the lower end of the plunger as it descends in the well. (Note that this assumes inner sleeve 20 is sealed at its lower end via plug 24 or some other sealing mechanism known to those skilled in the art. Plug 24 can be machined into inner sleeve 20, threaded in, welded in, or inserted in other ways known in the art.)

Finally, with respect to FIG. 4, some embodiments of inner sleeve 20 include an area of increased diameter 26 relative to other portions of the sleeve. As will be explained in more detail below, this feature can provide additional functionality to those embodiments that include it. For example, as will be described below in connection with FIG. 28, the lower portion of area 26 can be used as a “stop” for preventing inner sleeve 20 from fully exiting (or sliding completely out of) outer sleeve 10. Area 26 also can serve to more firmly or rigidly hold inner sleeve 20 in outer sleeve 10, while also reducing the well flow that reaches clutch assembly 70 as the plunger descends in the well, thereby reducing the well contaminants that might otherwise contaminate and jeopardize the functionality of clutch assembly 70.

FIGS. 5-15 illustrate an embodiment of elements of an exemplary clutch assembly 70 (shown in FIGS. 18, 21, and 28). A clutch assembly is deployed in the plunger to retard movement of inner sleeve 20 within outer sleeve 10. In other words, a clutch may be deployed to retard movement of the plunger between is open and closed positions. It can be important to retard the plunger from prematurely closing as it descends in the well and/or prematurely opening as it ascends in the well. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the premature opening and/or closing of the plunger can lead to inefficiencies in unloading the well, damage to the plunger and other well components, and otherwise generally reduce the productivity and economics of the well. While an exemplary clutch assembly 70 is illustrated in FIGS. 18, 21, and 28, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other clutch assemblies are possible and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, while clutch assembly 70 is shown deployed in upper end 4 of outer sleeve 10, it could be deployed in other regions of the plunger.

Exemplary components of clutch assembly 70 are shown in FIGS. 5-15, where FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cage portion of clutch assembly 70 and FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a leaf spring portion of a clutch assembly 70, FIG. 8 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tension nut portion of clutch assembly 70 and FIG. 11 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a top view of one embodiment of a clutch locking ring portion of a clutch assembly 70, FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 12, FIG. 14 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 12, and FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 12.

FIG. 28 is an exploded view of one embodiment of improved double sleeve plunger 5, including inner sleeve 20, outer sleeve 10, and clutch assembly 70. As described above, inner sleeve 20 is engaged with outer sleeve 10 so that at least a portion of inner sleeve 20 substantially freely slides within outer sleeve 10. As also described above, clutch assembly 70 is deployed in the plunger to retard movement of inner sleeve 20 within outer sleeve 10 so that at least a portion of inner sleeve 20 does not slide as freely within outer sleeve 10 as it would without the clutch assembly.

As also shown in FIG. 28 and as mentioned above, the particular components of exemplary clutch assembly 70 are shown to include tension nut 50, clutch locking ring 60, cage 30, and leaf springs 40. As shown in conjunction with FIGS. 5 and 28, cage 30 is designed to hold (or at least assist in holding) leaf springs 40 in place in plunger 5. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, this particular embodiment of cage 30 includes base 31 and four outer walls 32, where each wall is separated from its adjacent wall by a gap 33. Gap 33 is sized to receive leaf spring 40, such that one end of leaf spring 40 is held in position in the interface between cage 30 and clutch locking ring 60 and the other end of leaf spring 40 abuts a recess in the inner bore of outer sleeve 10 (as shown in FIGS. 18 and 21). As such, in this particular exemplary embodiment, there can be one leaf spring 40 for each gap 33.

The number of gaps and the number of leaf springs may vary, but there are four in the preferred embodiment. Likewise, the invention is not limited to using leaf springs or a cage with walls and gaps so long as there is some mechanism for retarding the movement of inner sleeve 20 within outer sleeve 10. That said, an advantage to using leaf springs in the vertical orientation shown in FIGS. 18, 21, and 28 is that they are less prone to collect debris from the well that may jeopardize the functionality and/or efficiency of the clutch. Moreover, their vertical arrangement enables them to be better cleaned or flushed of collected debris when the plunger descends in the well.

As also shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in an exemplary embodiment, the outside diameter of outer walls 32 is greater than the outside diameter of base 31. The outside diameters of these portions of cage 30 are sized such that (as shown in FIGS. 18, 21, and 28) base 31 of cage 30 fits into an inside diameter of clutch locking ring 60, and the outside diameter of outer wall 32 of cage 30 is substantially the same as an outside diameter of clutch locking ring 60. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 21, an outside diameter of cage 30 and clutch locking ring 60 are slightly smaller than an inside diameter of the bore of outer sleeve 10 such that the two slide relatively snugly into at least a portion of the bore of outer sleeve 10. As shown in FIG. 28, tension nut 50 is threaded and abuts the opposite side of clutch locking 60.

In operation, as tension nut 50 is threaded into upper end 11 of outer sleeve 10, clutch locking ring 60 is driven toward lower end 12 of outer sleeve 10, which in turn drives cage 30 toward lower end 12 of outer sleeve 10, which in turn compresses leaf spring 40 so that it exerts a force on inner sleeve 20, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 21. The more tension nut 50 is tightened (or threaded into outer sleeve 10) the more compressed leaf spring 40 becomes and, consequently, the more force it exerts on inner sleeve 20. In this manner, the amount of friction leaf springs 40 impart on inner sleeve 20 is adjustable via tension nut 50. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, there are uses that may require more or less clutch action on inner sleeve 20, and such can be accomplished by the adjustable nature of clutch assembly 70. Finally, once clutch assembly 70 is inserted and adjusted as desired, it may be held more securely or permanently in place via clutch assembly pins 75 shown in FIG. 28. These pinholes are drilled and then the pins are welded into place, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that other holding/retaining mechanisms may be used.

FIG. 16 is a side view of an embodiment of improved double sleeve plunger 5 in its open position. FIG. 17 is the same view as FIG. 16 but includes cross section line A-A. FIG. 18 is a cross section of improved double sleeve plunger 5 taken along section line A-A in FIG. 17.

As described above, when plunger 5 is in its open position and is positioned in and descending in a well, gases and liquids enter ports 23 and then travel up the inner bore of inner sleeve 20 and exit the top of inner sleeve 20, as shown by the flow arrows in FIG. 18. In this embodiment, gases and liquids are not allow to enter the inner bore of inner sleeve 20 from the bottom of inner sleeve 20 because plug 24 prohibits the entry of such gases and liquids in that area of the inner sleeve. Likewise, given the relative dimensions of inner sleeve 20 and outer sleeve 10, the majority of the flow of such gases and liquids is directed through the inner bore of inner sleeve 20 and not in the space between inner sleeve 20 and outer sleeve 10. A benefit of this is the fact that the majority of such flow is directed away from clutch assembly 70, thereby limiting its exposure to the deleterious effects of such flow that it might otherwise be subject to if it were located in another position of the plunger. The position of clutch assembly 70 in the relative upper end of outer sleeve 10 also is advantageous because it distances it from impacts at the bottom of the well, which could damage the clutch if it were located in the lower end of the plunger.

While FIGS. 16-18 show inner sleeve 20 not extending beyond the upper end 11 of outer sleeve 10 and extending beyond the lower end 12 of outer sleeve 10 when the plunger is in its open position, other embodiments are possible. For example, inner sleeve 20 could be sized such that its upper end protrudes from outer sleeve 10 when the plunger is in its open position and/or such that its lower end does not protrude from outer sleeve 10 when the plunger is in its open position. Such design options can be chosen to affect which portion(s) of the plunger is required to absorb some or all of the impact between the plunger and the top or bottom of the well. In a preferred embodiment, the top of inner sleeve 20 will not protrude or extend beyond the top of outer sleeve 10 when the plunger is in its open position (as shown in FIGS. 16-18) so that outer sleeve 10 absorbs the bulk of the impact when the plunger reaches the top of the well and the plunger is forced into its open position. This can prevent damage to inner sleeve 20 that is a prominent problem in the prior art.

FIG. 19 is a side view of an embodiment of improved double sleeve plunger 5 in its closed position. FIG. 20 is the same view as FIG. 19 but includes cross section line B-B. FIG. 21 is a cross section of improved double sleeve plunger 5 taken along section line B-B in FIG. 20.

As described above, when plunger 5 is in its closed position and is positioned in and ascending in a well, gases and liquids are substantially prevented from entering the bore of inner sleeve 20 for two primary reasons. First, plug 24 precludes said gasses and liquids from entering the bottom of inner sleeve 20. Second, ports 23 are shielded from such gases and liquids reaching them via the sealing effect resulting from the combination of seal 25 and the inner contour of the lower end 12 of outer sleeve 10, as described above. Given that substantially no gases or liquids can enter plunger 5 and given that there is little space between the outside diameter of outer sleeve 10 and the inside diameter of the well bore, pressure in the well (assuming it is sufficient) will drive or force the plunger to ascend in the well. (As those skilled in the art will recognize, the successive ribs on the outside of the plunger also assist in causing the plunger to rise due to the pressure differential between the upper and lower end of the plunger.)

While FIGS. 19-21 show inner sleeve 20 extending beyond the upper end 11 and lower end 12 of outer sleeve 10 when the plunger is in its closed position, other embodiments are possible. For example, inner sleeve 20 could be sized such that its upper and/or lower end does not protrude from outer sleeve 10 when the plunger is in its closed position. Such design options can be chosen to affect which portion(s) of the plunger is required to absorb some or all of the impact between the plunger and the top or bottom of the well.

FIG. 22 is a side view of an embodiment of outer sleeve 10 of improved double sleeve plunger 5. FIG. 23 is the same view as FIG. 22 but includes cross section line C-C. FIG. 24 is a cross section of outer sleeve 10 of improved double sleeve plunger 5 taken along section line C-C in FIG. 23. FIG. 24 better illustrates the threaded connection 78 for tension nut 50 and recess 80 in the inner bore of outer sleeve 10 for receiving and holding one end of leaf springs 40 as also shown in FIGS. 18 and 21.

FIG. 25 is a side view of an embodiment of inner sleeve 20 of improved double sleeve plunger 5. FIG. 26 is the same view as FIG. 25 but includes cross section line D-D. FIG. 27 is a cross section of inner sleeve 20 of improved double sleeve plunger 5 taken along section line D-D in FIG. 26.

FIGS. 25-27 better illustrate the exemplary embodiment wherein inner sleeve 20 includes an area of increased diameter 26 relative to other portions of the sleeve. As mentioned, this feature can provide additional functionality to those embodiments that include it. For example, as shown in FIGS. 25-27 and in connection with FIG. 28, a lower portion 82 of area 26 can be used as a “stop” for preventing inner sleeve 20 from fully exiting (or sliding completely out of) outer sleeve 10. More specifically, as noted above, inner sleeve 20 and outer sleeve 10 are dimensioned so that the two combine such that at least a portion of inner sleeve 20 slides in and out of outer sleeve 10. So that the two do not slide completely apart and out of the lower end of outer sleeve 10, one or more cross pins 84 are inserted through outer sleeve 10 so that lower portion 82 of area 26 will abut the cross pins and preclude inner sleeve 20 from further sliding out of outer sleeve 10, thereby acting as a “stop”. (Note that the two will not slide completely apart and out of the upper end of outer sleeve 10 because the ball-shaped seal 25 on the lower end 22 of inner sleeve 20 is too large to pass the sealing area of outer sleeve 10. See FIG. 21.)

Accordingly, in order to configure this embodiment of the plunger, inner sleeve 20 must be inserted into outer sleeve 10 and then cross pins 84 are inserted. As will be appreciated, the distance between cross pins 84 is slightly greater than the outside diameter of inner sleeve 20 below its area of increased diameter 26 but less than the outside diameter of its area of increased diameter 26.

Preferably, the holes in outer sleeve 10 for receiving cross pins 84 are drilled all the way through outer sleeve 10 on one side and only partially through outer sleeve 10 on its opposite side so as to enhance the structural integrity of outer sleeve 10. Cross pins 84 are preferably welded in place, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that other retaining mechanisms are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Indeed, those skilled in the art will also appreciate that other mechanisms can be used to retain inner sleeve 20 within outer sleeve 10. The invention is not limited to the use of an area 82 on inner sleeve 20 and one or more cross pins 84 through outer sleeve 10.

As also noted above, area 26 of inner sleeve 20 (as shown in FIGS. 25-27) also can serve to more firmly or rigidly hold inner sleeve 20 in outer sleeve 10. That said, it also can be desirable to dimension the inner sleeve 20 and outer sleeve 10 so that some of the well flow passes (when the plunger is in its open position) through the space between the outside diameter of the inner sleeve 20 and the inside diameter of the outer sleeve 10 so as to flush or otherwise clean debris that may have collected on clutch assembly 70. The vertically oriented nature of clutch assembly 70 (including leaf springs 40) further facilitates this functionality.

Although the invention(s) is/are described herein with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention(s), as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and Figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention(s). Any benefits, advantages, or solutions to problems that are described herein with regard to specific embodiments are not intended to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims.

Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. The terms “coupled” or “operably coupled” are defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless stated otherwise. The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Similarly, a method or process that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more operations possesses those one or more operations but is not limited to possessing only those one or more operations.

Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

1. A plunger for use in a well, comprising:

an outer sleeve including a bore;

an inner sleeve located at least partially in the bore of the outer sleeve and adapted to move between an open position and a closed position, wherein well liquids and gases are able to pass through the plunger in the open position and substantially are not able to pass through the plunger in the closed position; and

a clutch for retarding movement of the inner sleeve between its open and closed position.

2. The plunger of claim 1 wherein the inner sleeve includes a bore through which well liquids and gasses are able to pass when the inner sleeve is in its open position.

3. The plunger of claim 2 wherein the inner sleeve includes one or more ports through which well liquids and gasses pass from the well into the bore of the inner sleeve when the inner sleeve is in its open position.

4. The plunger of claim 3 wherein the clutch is located in an upper end of the plunger.

5. The plunger of claim 4 wherein the clutch includes at least one leaf spring.

6. The plunger of claim 5 wherein the clutch is adjustable to provide more or less retarding force on the movement of the inner sleeve between its open and closed position.

7. The plunger of claim 6 wherein the clutch includes a tension nut.

8. The plunger of claim 7 wherein the clutch includes a cage.

9. The plunger of claim 8 wherein the clutch includes a clutch locking ring.

10. The plunger of claim 9 wherein the cage includes an outer wall and a gap in the outer wall and wherein the at least one leaf spring is located in the gap in the outer wall.

11. The plunger of claim 10 wherein the leaf spring includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is positioned in an interface between the cage and clutch locking ring and the second end is positioned in a recess in the bore of the outer sleeve.

12. The plunger of claim 11 wherein the cage includes at least two outer walls and a gap between each outer wall and wherein a leaf spring is located in each gap.

13. The plunger of claim 12 wherein the inner sleeve is configured to include a stop that at least assists in preventing the inner sleeve from fully exiting the bore of the outer sleeve at a lower end of the outer sleeve.

14. The plunger of claim 13 wherein the stop includes an area of increased diameter of the inner sleeve.

15. The plunger of claim 14 including at least one cross pin that at least partially traverses the bore of the outer sleeve and prevents the inner sleeve from fully exiting the bore of the outer sleeve at a lower end of the outer sleeve when the stop contacts the cross pin.

16. The plunger of claim 15 wherein the inner sleeve includes a seal for substantially sealing an interface between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve when the inner sleeve is in its closed position.

17. The plunger of claim 16 wherein the seal on the inner sleeve is adapted to prevent to the inner sleeve from fully exiting the bore of the outer sleeve at an upper end of the outer sleeve.

18. The plunger of claim 17 including a flow path between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve when the inner sleeve is in its open position.

19. The plunger of claim 18 wherein each leaf spring is in the flow path between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve.