Patents Examined by Michael J. Starinshy
  • Patent number: 4401159
    Abstract: A pumping system (10) is disclosed for pumping a fluid (14) from within a borehole (12) to the surface. A combustion engine (18) is employed to drive a pump comprising a pump barrel (28) and an auger pump shaft (32). The pumped fluid is carried from the borehole in a fluid return tubing string (42) having a standing valve (44) therein to prevent backflow into the borehole. A fuel-air mixture is provided to the combustion engine (18) through a fuel-air tubing string (22). A byproduct of the combustion of the fuel-air mixture is heat. The combusted mixture is exhausted from the combustion engine (18) through an engine exhaust tubing string (60). The engine exhaust tubing string includes a heating coil portion (64) forming a heat exchanger to transfer heat from the combusted fuel-air mixture to the fluid (14) adjacent the inlet of the pump to reduce the viscosity of the fluid to enhance the efficiency of the pumping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Flying K Equipment System, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Kofahl