Abstract: An improved diffusion bowl and pumping vanes of a centrifugal pump stage are employed in axially stacked, multi-stage pumps for use in oil wells. The wall thickness of the annular casing portion of the diffusion bowl element is reduced to a minimum consistent with the axial loading on the pump stage and the impeller vanes are radially extended to terminate closely adjacent the minimum wall thickness portion of the casing, thereby significantly increasing the pumping pressure developed by the stage without reducing the efficiency of the stage.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated by-pass and relief valve are positioned between a source of fluid under pressure and the hollow interior of a rotor in a fluid pressure actuated downhole drilling motor. The valve includes a hollow mandrel with an inlet opening at one end and an outlet opening at the other end connected to the rotor interior and slidably received in a movable sleeve. Fluid pressure at a first predetermined value moves the mandrel into the sleeve to block the inlet opening such that the fluid by-passes the valve and flows between the stator and the rotor to rotate a bit. Fluid pressure at a higher second predetermined value moves the sleeve relative to the mandrel to expose the inlet opening and relieve the fluid pressure on the rotor and the stator. The movement of the sleeve exposes a greater surface area thereof to the fluid pressure such that a spring moves the sleeve back to block the inlet opening only at an intermediate third predetermined fluid pressure value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning unit for power driven pumps which are required to pump fluids containing significant quantities of particulate material of greater spcific gravity than the fluid. A portion of the pressured fluid output of the pump is utilized to drive a fluid motor which in turn rotatably drives a centrifugal separator. The separator has its inlet connected to the source of particulate containing fluid and effects the centrifugal separation of such fluid into two streams, respectively a clean fluid stream and a particulate containing stream. Means are provided for discharging the particulate containing stream and a diffuser means is provided for converting the rotational energy in the clean fluid stream into a pressure head which is employed to transfer the clean fluid to the inlet of the pump.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the selective disengagement of a fluid transmission conduit which is insertable through a second conduit for communication to a zone within a well bore, and for control of fluid transmission from the zone upon disengagement of the fluid transmission conduit. The apparatus defines a sealing means, usually a packer assembly, which communicates with the interior of the fluid transmission conduit for isolating an annular area between the fluid transmission conduit and the second conduit and above the zone. Valve means carried by the fluid transmission conduit and communicating with the sealing means is manipulatable between open and closed positions for selective isolation of fluid flow through the sealing means to the fluid transmission conduit.

Abstract: An erosion resistant surface is provided for pump components, valves, fluid conduits, diffusion chambers, fluid cleaners, and the like, wherein the surface is exposed to high velocity flow of a fluid containing abrasive particulates. Sharply increased erosion life of such surfaces can be obtained by providing a plurality of closely spaced depressions in the surface, with each depression having a depth in excess of its width, and then applying an erosion resistant coating to the remaining original surface and all surfaces of the depressions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous drilling fluid composition, a filtration control agent for utilization in said aqueous drilling fluid, and a method of forming a filter cake on the wall of a well for the reduction of filtrate from said drilling fluid, which are effective at high temperatures and pressures, by utilization of a terpolymer of: (1) a monovalent alkali metal salt of acrylic acid; (2) an hydroxy alkyl acrylate; and (3) acrylamide.

Abstract: A gas separation apparatus is provided for removing moistened particles from a stream of air by subjecting the moistened particle laden air stream to centrifugal force to separate the moistened particles from the air stream and thence separating the water from the particles and finally causing the air stream to pass to an outlet through a mechanical separator assembly to remove any particles still remaining therein.

Abstract: A heat sensitive locking device is preferably provided for a fluid actuator of the type which is moved in a direction to one position through the application of fluid pressure and remains in such position unless temperature conditions surrounding the device reach a level indicating that the actuator should be shifted to another position. The locking device comprises a core attachable to an exposed end of, for example, the piston shaft, and an annular collar surrounding such core and attached to the cylinder. A plurality of annular segmental shaped locking members are disposed between the core and collar and pivotally mounted so as to be movable to a locking position or to an unlocked position, each relative to the core. The annular locking elements are held in their locking position by being wrapped by a resilient spring wire, the ends of which are anchored to the locking members by means including a minimal size fusible link.

Abstract: A universal joint is provided for transferring thrust and torque forces from a rotatable means for driving to a rotatable means to be driven. The joint has a pair of end housings each connected to a respective rotatable means at one end thereof and having a socket formed at the other end thereof. A shaft has a socket formed at each end thereof and one shaft socket and one end socket cooperative to receive a ball. The thrust forces are transferred through abutting surfaces on the sockets and the ball. Each socket also has one end of an individual plate attached thereto. The other end of each plate is slidably received by a slot formed in the respective ball. The two slots on each ball are formed one hundred eighty degrees apart and the longitudinal axis of one of the slots is rotated ninety degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the other one of the slots.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for protecting a submersible electric motor from failure due to contamination of the windings of such motor by the fluids surrounding the motor in its submerged environment. A conduit is provided extending from a pressurized source of insulating fluid to the housing of the electric motor immersed in fluids to be pumped. Valve means are provided between the lower end of the tubing and the interior of the motor housing to permit the entry of pressurized lubricating fluid into the motor housing to maintain the internal pressure in the motor housing at a level on the order of 100 p.s.i., or a determinable rate above the pressure of the surrounding fluids. In accordance with a modification of this invention, the electrical cable by which the submerged motor is energized, is disposed within the conduit filled with insulating fluid.

Abstract: An erosion resistant surface is provided for pump components, valves, fluid conduits, diffusion chambers, fluid cleaners, and the like, wherein the surface is exposed to high velocity flow of a fluid containing abrasive particulates. Sharply increased erosion life of such surfaces can be obtained by providing a plurality of closely spaced depressions in the surface, with each depression having a depth in excess of its width, and then applying an erosion resistant coating to the remaining original surface and all surfaces of the depressions.

Abstract: The method of recovering petroleum from a subterranean reservoir preferably comprising the steps of: (1) introducing through an injection well a predeterminable amount of a polyalkylene oxide adduct of a fusible, water-insoluble organic aromatic hydrocarbon solvent-soluble synthetic resin, wherein said resin has from between about 4 to about 15 phenolic groups and is an alkyl or cycloaliphatic substituted phenol-aldehyde condensate of an ortho- or para-substituted phenol and an aldehyde, said condensate resin being thereafter further condensed with an alkylene oxide containing less than about five carbon atoms in an amount equal to at least one mole of alkylene oxide per phenolic moiety of said resin, said condensation product at about 25.degree. C.: (a) being less than about 1% by volume soluble in water and in isooctane; (b) having a solubility parameter in the range of between about 6.9 and about 8.

Abstract: The invention provides a high flow rate standing valve for oil wells of the type employing a plurality of check valve units disposed in parallel between inlet and outlet passages, the flow area of the inlet or outlet passage each being not in excess of the total flow areas of the individual check valves so that no significant pressure drop is produced by fluid flow through the check valves in their open position. Specifically, the invention provides an improved configuration for such standing valves permitting the convenient manufacture and assembly of the valve components. In a modification of the invention, the standing valve housing is constructed so that its lower end is mounted on and co-operates with a conventional well safety valve.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for injecting fluid within the bore of a subterranean well. The fluid is transmitted through the bore above the apparatus through parallel fluid flow conduits. A packer assembly communicates to the fluid flow conduits and is carriable on at least one of the conduits. Concentric flow means are defined through the packer assembly for transmission of fluid and communicate with the fluid flow conduits and a production zone within the well. Receptacle means are carried on the packer assembly and communicate between the fluid flow conduits and the concentric flow means. Casing gripping means which are fluid pressure responsive are defined around the packer assembly and are responsive to each of predeterminable pressure increase from fluid flow from the top of the well within one of the fluid flow conduits and within the well below the packer assembly, whereby the gripping means are urged to gripping engagement with the casing to prevent movement of the apparatus in one direction.

Abstract: A check valve apparatus is provided for high volume fluid conduits such as a casing string of an oil well. In order to maximize the fluid delivered from the well, it is essential that the restrictions imposed on the fluid flow path by necessary components in the casing string, such as a standing check valve, provide as little as possible interference with the flow area. This invention provides a valving arrangement including longitudinally extending, separated, parallel fluid inlet and outlet passages interconnected by a plurality of ball valve chambers, with each chamber defining a transverse ball seat and containing a ball cooperating with such seat. The fluid area of the inlet passage decreases from the first chamber to the last in the direction of fluid flow while the fluid area of the outlet passage increases from the first chamber to the last, so that the total fluid area passage through the plurality of valves in their open position is maximized.

Abstract: A control tool is provided which is insertable through a tubing string in a subterranean well for selectively transmitting fluid pressure through the tool in first and second fluid flow paths for application of the pressure to activate an auxiliary tool on the tubing string, the auxiliary tool typically having first and second piston chambers and piston means in communication therewith, the chambers receiving fluid pressure delivered through the control tool. The control tool comprises a cylindrical housing with means defining first and second selectively pluggable fluid ports thereon. One of the ports is communicable with the first piston chamber, with the other port communicable with the second piston chamber. First and second selectively pluggable fluid vent passageways are defined through the housing with one of the vent passageways being communicable to one of the piston chambers, and the other of said vent passageways being communicable to the other of the piston chambers.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump of the pitot pump type is provided a stationary vane structure containing a pitot tube mounted inside a rotating casing. Fluid is delivered to a pumping chamber within the casing through a plurality of radially extending ducts of at least two disparate radii in the wall of the casing which discharge fluid by centrifugal force into the casing. The disparate radii of the ducts induce inward fluid circulation in the shorter ducts and outward circulation in the longer ducts which improves the low flow-pressure characteristic of the pump. An air extraction tube provides communication between the central portion of the pumping chamber and the inlet of the radially extending ducts to provide for the extraction of air from the interior of the pumping chamber to further improve the pumping efficiency.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump apparatus is provided for pumping fluids which includes a cylindrical housing rotatable about its central axis and defining a main pumping chamber. A stationary fluid intake passage extends radially outwardly of the central axis of the housing into the main pumping chamber and has a fluid pickup opening facing in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the housing and communicating with an outlet conduit. A substantially unobstructed radially extending annular inlet passage is defined and has a radially inner portion communicating with a fluid inlet and the radially outer portion communicating with the pumping chamber of the housing.

Abstract: A pump is provided which is specifically designed for the pumping of abrasive particulates, such as a pump employed in the bottom of an oil well. Within a cylindrical housing, one or more pumping stages are provided to pressurize the particulate containing fluid to move the fluid axially through the housing and into a centrifugal type particulate separator mounted on the same shaft as that which drives the pumping stages. The separator effects the division of the fluid into two radially adjacent, axially moving fluid streams with the inner stream being relatively free of particulates and the outer stream containing most of the particulates.

Abstract: A fail safe mechanism is provided for locking an actuating piston rod of a fluid operated actuator in a selected axial position in the event of a failure, or significant decrease in, the fluid pressure applied to the actuator. Preferably, a secondary cylinder is provided within the actuator cylinder and is in fluid communication therewith. A piston in the secondary cylinder is biased toward a locking position by a spring and is shiftable toward a released position by the existence of a predetermined amount of fluid pressure in the main cylinder. An annularly extending locking mechanism is provided in surrounding relationship to the actuating piston rod and is radially movable into engagement with a locking shoulder on such piston rod when the rod is shifted to one of its selected axial positions by the application of fluid pressure to the cylinder.