Abstract: A surface power unit for use on a subterranean well generates a series of pulses of pressurized fluid to a downhole pump. A sequencing mechanism connects and disconnects the surface power unit to each of a plurality of downhole pumps in a predetermined order such that a pulse of pressurized fluid is being applied to one or more of the plurality of downhole pumps during a power cycle while each of the other ones of the plurality of downhole pumps is completing its pumping cycle. The number of downhole pumps which can be operated from a single surface power unit is limited by the ratio of the length of the power cycle to the length of the pumping cycle of the downhole pumps. The sequencing means can include a clocking device such as a shift register which generates a sequence of enabling signals to corresponding signal amplifiers for each well.

Abstract: A surface power unit for use on a subterranean well generates a series of pulses of pressurized fluid to a downhole pump. A pump means generates a flow of fluid from a reservoir through a charging line to a charging side of a cylinder. A piston is slidably disposed within the cylinder, dividing the cylinder into the charging side and a power side. Position or pressure transducer means responsive to the movement of the piston generates control signals representing the position of the piston in the cylinder. The charging line can include a first valve means responsive to one of the control signals for regulating the flow of fluid through the charging line. A return line is provided for returning fluid from the charging side of the cylinder to the pump means. The return line includes a second valve means responsive to another one of the control signals for regulating the flow of fluid through the return line.

Abstract: A combined surface power unit and velocity actuated valve for a downhole pump is disclosed. The surface power unit generates a series of pulses of pressurized fluid. A power line supplies the fluid pulses to a downhole pump. Within the downhole pump, a piston means is slidably disposed for pumping fluid therefrom. The piston means includes an orifice for permitting fluid flow therethrough. The velocity of the fluid passing through the orifice causes a pressure differential across the orifice and valve means closes for the duration of each pulse. When the valve means is closed, pressure builds up in the downhole pump causing the piston means to move in a power stroke, pumping the production fluid. Between pulses, the pressure of the fluid in the downhole pump drops and a velocity valve opens. When the velocity valve is opened, fluid can flow freely therethrough, and the piston means retracts under the influence of gravity in a re-charging stroke.

Abstract: A downhole pump for a well is disclosed which includes a piston slidably disposed within a housing for pumping fluid from the well. The longitudinal axes of the piston and the housing extend in a generally vertical direction with respect to the surface of the well. A surface unit supplies a pulsating flow of fluid to the piston. A velocity actuated valve is formed in the piston and includes a ball which is spaced from an orifice by a bias. The bias holds the ball away from the orifice such that the valve is normally open. The flow of fluid through the velocity actuated valve during each fluid pulse creates a pressure differential which is resisted by the bias. When the pressure differential exceeds the force generated by the bias, the ball will seat in the orifice and close the valve to further fluid flow. The balance of the fluid pulse will be applied to the lower side of the piston and the piston moves upwardly within the housing, thereby pumping fluid from the well.

Abstract: A pump assembly for limited production wells comprises an electric motor driven centrifugal pump having a controlled amount of recirculation through a jet pump. The recirculated fluid is the power fluid for the jet pump, which aspirates production fluid. The combined output of the jet pump is discharged to the centrifugal pump inlet. An electrically actuated valve in the recirculation path controls the amount of recirculation, permitting low well flow rates to be compensated for by high recirculation rates, and variation of the valve position is accomplished from the well head by the imposition of a DC signal on the AC power line for the pump motor.

Abstract: A conduit is provided for transmitting both electrical power and pressured hydraulic fluid from the surface to a point in a subterranean well. The conduit comprises an outer housing formed of steel or other high tensile strength material and one or more insulated wires of copper or similar low tensile strength, highly conductive metal which are run through the outer housing. Supports are provided between the external surfaces of the insulated wires and the internal wall of the housing to frictionally anchor the insulated wires to the housing. The supports also define fluid passages therethrough so that pressured fluid may be transmitted through the bore of the housing. So that the wires are gravitationally stabilized within the outer housing, the average density of the supports and the pressured fluid is approximately equal to the average density of the insulated wires.

Abstract: A fluid compressor of the pitot type includes a high speed, high stress rotary casing. The casing is formed from a pair of tapered discs spaced apart and mounted for rotation about an axis. The discs form the end walls of the casing. A side wall is connected between the opposed peripheral portions of the discs to enclose the casing and a stationary pitot tube. The side wall is formed from a pair of concentric rings connected by a plurality of beams. In one embodiment, the beams are C-shaped with an upper leg attached to the outer ring and a lower leg attached to the inner ring, the longitudinal axis of the beams being parallel to the axis of rotation. In an alternate embodiment, the rings are formed from the upper and lower legs of a plurality of I-shaped beams, the longitudinal axis of the beams being parallel to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A dual thrust bearing arrangement is provided for a shaft subject to axial thrust which accomplishes, under all conditions, an exact division of the total thrust on the shaft into two equal components which are respectively applied to the thrust bearings.

Abstract: An improved design of a rotary pump is provided having a rotary pumping chamber with stationary axially disposed fluid inlet and outlet passages communicating therewith. To increase the rotational speed and the flow capacity, the axial inlet passage is enlarged in diameter to approach the diameter of the rotary pumping chamber. To impart the required rotational velocity to the fluid entering the chamber, vanes are provided in the rotating chamber immediately adjacent the axial annular inlet passage. The fluid pickup and discharge unit is defined by a hollow stationary member disposed in the rotary pumping chamber and having in one embodiment, a plurality of peripherally spaced inlet openings transversely positioned to receive the high rotating velocity fluid therein, and in another modification, a substantially continuous annular inlet opening in a radial plane.

Abstract: To improve the erosion resistance of the mixing chamber of a jet pump employed to pump particulate containing fluids, this invention contemplates directing a pressurized source of clean fluid through an annular jet-type orifice, thus providing an annular jet of high velocity clean fluid at the inlet end of the mixing chamber which surrounds an orifice connected to the source of particulate containing fluid and effects the pressurizing and pumping of the particulate containing fluid by the well known jet diffusion technique. Additionally, this invention contemplates the provision of a second annular nozzle surrounding the first mentioned annular nozzle through which a relatively clean fluid is discharged, thereby interposing a clean fluid barrier between the momentumly transferred particulate containing fluid and the surface of the mixing chamber to protect such surface from the abrading effects of the particulate material.

Abstract: This invention effects a significant reduction in leakage along a piston reciprocating in a cylinder and having a high fluid pressure differential existing between one end of the piston and the other. A large number of closely spaced, annular grooves are provided on the periphery of the piston and the clearance between the non-grooved piston diameter and the interior wall of the cylinder is maintained at a value significantly larger than that commonly employed between a smooth cylindrical shaft and a cylindrical interior sealing surface. The employment of such unexpectedly large clearance not only provides reduced fluid leakage for lighter density fluids when the equipment is relatively new, but the leakage becomes substantially less than that encountered in a smooth surface bearing construction as the piston and cylinder surfaces wear and increase the clearance.

Abstract: A centrifuge apparatus for separating materials of different densities having means for the removal of the more dense materials utilizing a jet of pressure fluid to assist in moving the more dense materials to an appropriate outlet from the apparatus.

Abstract: A petroleum well has a plurality of centrifugal pump stages, a jet pump stage, and an electrical drive motor. A recirculated portion of the output from high pressure stages of the centrifugal pump provides power fluid for the jet pump, and the jet pump aspirates fluid from lower pressure centrifugal pump stages. The balance of the output of the high pressure stages goes to the surface as production. The output of the jet pump supplies the high pressure stages. A centrifugal cleaner upstream of the power fluid inlet for the jet pump cleans that stream of particulates. The overall flow rate through the centrifugal stages exceeds the production rate of the pump by the amount of power fluid for the jet pump. The jet pump caps the assembly and can be separately removed for servicing and adapting the pump to the flow requirements of the well.

Abstract: An improved power fluid driven turbo pump is provided for pumping oil wells of the type having, from time-to-time, significant quantities of gas included in the oil so that wide variations in the density of the medium to be pumped may be expected to be encountered. Two separate pumping units driven by the same power fluid are employed, one of which is designed to efficiently compress and pump gas, and the other is designed to efficiently pump normal density fluids. Since the pumps are disposed in series, the combined efficiency of the pumps is substantially unchanged due to changes in density of the fluid to be pumped and remains at a uniformly high level.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for pumping and conditioning a drilling fluid normally utilized in the drilling, completion or workover of a subterranean oil or gas well. The apparatus includes a rotor housing encasing a rotatably supported rotor assembly and means for driving the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly is divided into first and second chambers. The first chamber has a radial acceleration passage, connected between an inlet for the drilling fluid and a peripheral portion of the chamber, and means for collecting a first component of the drilling fluid, the drill chips, which are the heaviest, and are forced to the periphery of the first chamber.

Abstract: A circulation and drying system is provided for the lubricating oil of a submersible motor of the type employed in pumping oil wells. The lubricating system provides a forced, closed system circulation of the lubricating oil for a submersible motor, including an expandable chamber at the bottom portion of the motor for collection of water therein and provision of a hygroscopic material in the circulating path of the motor oil to dry the oil before it passes into contact with the bearing and/or electrical parts of the motor.

Abstract: A thermal recovery system for a subterranean well includes an electric heater located immediate the bottom of the well which cyclically receives electric power generated at the well surface. A pump directs a stream of pressurized fluid, such as water, through a conduit to a solenoid valve located at the bottom of the well. The solenoid valve senses electric power application relative to the heater and directs the stream of pressurized water to one of two fluid circuits. When electric power is supplied to the heater, the solenoid valve directs the fluid stream into the heater. The heater thermally stimulates the well and is cooled by the water which is heated and exhausted to thermally stimulate the well. When electric power is not supplied to the heater, the solenoid valve directs the pressurized water to a turbine for driving a production pump. In an alternate embodiment, both the heater and the production pump are operated continuously and the fluid stream is divided between the turbine and the heater.

Abstract: The invention relates to agitating means for preventing the accumulation of particulate matter at the contaminate outlet orifices in a pump and centrifugal separator apparatus. The pump-separator apparatus includes a rotatable casing forming a chamber for centrifugally separating the oil, water and contaminant matter in an oil well production fluid. The clean oil is collected by a stationary pitot tube in the chamber, the clean water is drawn off at an outlet port near the outer periphery of the chamber, and the dirty water and contaminants are discharged through outlet orifices formed in the outer wall of the casing. The agitating means includes rotating jet ports for directing streams of pressurized fluid tangentially along the inner surface of the casing to agitate accumulations of separated solid contaminant matter thereby preventing the clogging of the outlet orifices.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump is provided for generating a relatively high pressure fluid discharge. The pump includes a stationary, enclosed rotor housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A rotor assembly is rotatably supported in the rotor housing. The rotor assembly includes a chamber having a radial passage formed in one end thereof for fluid communication between the fluid inlet and a peripheral portion of the chamber. A drive shaft is rotatably supported in the rotor assembly and has a discharge tube formed therein with one end in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. A pair of hollow, radially extending pickup arms are attached to the drive shaft. Each pickup arm has an inlet positioned proximate the peripheral portion of the chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with the other end of the discharge tube.

Abstract: A liquid-gas separator unit with superior performance characteristics is disclosed. The unit is characterized by a high liquid flow rate capacity at high as well as low accompanying gas flow rates, and efficient liquid-gas separation capability. The unit has a unique discharge plug element and a unique intake plug element that cooperate with a unique impeller means. Inlet/recirculation openings in the unit casing act to increase the liquid flow rate.