Abstract: A lubricator and plunger catcher used in conjunction with an oil or gas well includes a manifold positioned between the wellhead and the plunger catcher. The manifold includes a plunger passageway that extends from the bottom of the manifold to the top of the manifold, with the plunger catcher being mounted to the top of the manifold. The manifold also includes a production passageway through which oil or gas leaving the wellhead is routed. A choke mechanism for at least partially blocking the production passageway is provided on the manifold to selectively vary the volume of the oil or gas leaving the wellhead that is routed through the plunger catcher. This, in turn, can selectively vary a force imparted to a plunger by the oil or gas leaving the wellhead to ensure the plunger is fully seated in the catcher when it arrives at the wellhead.

Abstract: An electrically operated catcher mechanism that is part of a lubricator and catcher unit used in conjunction with a bypass plunger in an oil or gas well include an electrically operated mechanism to move between the catch and release positions. The electrically operated catcher mechanism includes a cam rotated by a motor which causes the device to move between catch and release positions.

Abstract: A lubricator and plunger catcher used in conjunction with an oil or gas well includes a manifold positioned between the wellhead and the plunger catcher. The manifold includes a plunger passageway that extends from the bottom of the manifold to the top of the manifold, with the plunger catcher being mounted to the top of the manifold. The manifold also includes a production passageway through which oil or gas leaving the wellhead is routed. A choke mechanism for at least partially blocking the production passageway is provided on the manifold to selectively vary the volume of the oil or gas leaving the wellhead that is routed through the plunger catcher. This, in turn, can selectively vary a force imparted to a plunger by the oil or gas leaving the wellhead to ensure the plunger is fully seated in the catcher when it arrives at the wellhead.

Abstract: A bypass plunger includes a unitary or one-piece hollow body-and-valve cage, which retains a dart valve within the valve cage portion of the hollow body using a threaded retaining nut that is secured to the hollow body by crimple detents. A series of helical grooves surround the central portion of the outer surface of the hollow body of the plunger to control spin during descent. A canted-coil-spring disposed within the retaining nut functions as a clutch. The valve cage includes ports that may be configured to control flow through the plunger during ascent.

Abstract: An electrically operated catcher mechanism that is part of a lubricator and catcher unit used in conjunction with a bypass plunger in an oil or gas well include an electrically operated mechanism to move between the catch and release positions. The electrically operated catcher mechanism includes a cam rotated by a motor which causes the device to move between catch and release positions.

Abstract: A bypass plunger combines a unitary or one-piece hollow body-and-valve cage, retains a dart valve within the valve cage portion of the hollow body using a threaded retaining nut secured by crimple detents. A series of helical grooves surround the central portion of the outer surface of the hollow body of the plunger to control spin during descent. A canted-coil-spring disposed within the retaining nut functions as a clutch. The valve cage includes ports that may be configured to control flow through the plunger during ascent. Other embodiments include clutch assemblies using canted-coil springs with split bobbins, and valve stems surfaced to achieve specific functions. Combinations of these features provide enhanced performance, durability and reliability at reduced manufacturing cost, due primarily to the simplicity of its design.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism that can be used in various tools and mechanisms for holding a movable shaft in one or more preferred positions includes a clutch ring that surrounds the shaft. An interior diameter of the clutch ring is configured to closely surround and grasp one or more holding portions of the shaft. The clutch ring is configured such that the clutch ring can elastically deform to allow the shaft to move relative to the clutch ring. The clutch ring can take the form of a generally cylindrical sidewall. Openings may be formed through a thickness of the cylindrical sidewall to make it easier for portions of the clutch ring to elastically deform, thereby allowing the shaft to move relative to the clutch ring.

Abstract: A bumper spring assembly having a one piece mandrel including an integral head piece is further configured with a cage assembly retained on the mandrel with a cage nut locked to the mandrel to obviate the need for pins, set screws, and the like, to provide a more robust assembly. In two embodiments the cage nut is locked to the mandrel in a swaging operation. Improved flow of fluids through and around the bumper spring assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a body having a rounded or cylindrical surface, at least one relieved space in the rounded or cylindrical surface, and a protuberance within the relieved space. The downhole tool also has a generally cylindrical retaining ring that surrounds a portion of the body. One or more crimple detents are formed in the retaining ring, each crimple detent comprising a portion of the retaining ring that has been deformed radially inward into an underlying portion of the relieved space such that the deformed material of the retaining ring contacts and deforms an underlying portion of the protuberance in the relieved space, thereby joining the retaining ring to the body.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a body having a rounded or cylindrical surface, at least one relieved space in the rounded or cylindrical surface, and a protuberance within the relieved space. The downhole tool also has a generally cylindrical retaining ring that surrounds a portion of the body. One or more crimple detents are formed in the retaining ring, each crimple detent comprising a portion of the retaining ring that has been deformed radially inward into an underlying portion of the relieved space such that the deformed material of the retaining ring contacts and deforms an underlying portion of the protuberance in the relieved space, thereby joining the retaining ring to the body.

Abstract: A bypass plunger combines a unitary or one-piece hollow body-and-valve cage, retains a dart valve within the valve cage portion of the hollow body using a threaded retaining nut secured by crimple detents. A series of helical grooves surround the central portion of the outer surface of the hollow body of the plunger to control spin during descent. A canted-coil-spring disposed within the retaining nut functions as a clutch. The valve cage includes ports that may be configured to control flow through the plunger during ascent. Other embodiments include clutch assemblies using canted-coil springs with split bobbins, and valve stems surfaced to achieve specific functions. Combinations of these features provide enhanced performance, durability and reliability at reduced manufacturing cost, due primarily to the simplicity of its design.

Abstract: A bypass plunger includes a unibody, or one-piece hollow body and valve cage, retains a dart valve within the valve cage portion using a threaded retaining nut secured by crimple detents, and includes sealable flow parts. A series of helical grooves surround the central portion of the outer surface of the hollow body of the plunger to control spin during descent. A canted-coil-spring disposed within the retaining nut functions as a clutch. The valve cage includes ports that may be configured to control flow through the plunger during descent. Other embodiments include clutch assemblies using canted-coil springs with split bobbins, and surfaced valve stems surfaced.

Abstract: A disclosed control system for a gas assisted plunger lift (GAPL) system includes a sensor and a processor circuit. The sensor is configured to measure a plunger speed and/or velocity and the processor circuit is configured to control various parameters of the GAPL based on the measured plunger speed and/or velocity. The processor circuit may be configured to adjust a gas injection rate parameter based on the measured plunger speed and/or velocity, and/or may adjust one or more parameters including: a close time, an afterflow time, a flow rate, a load factor, a tubing pressure, a casing pressure, and a tubing/casing differential pressure. The controller may be further configured to adjust all parameters simultaneously or may sequentially adjust a first sub-set of parameters and then adjust a second sub-set of parameters. The first sub-set may include a gas injection flow rate and the second sub-set may include after-flow and close time parameters.

Abstract: A bypass plunger combines a unitary or one-piece hollow body-and-valve cage, retains a dart valve within the valve cage portion of the hollow body using a threaded retaining nut secured by crimple detents. A series of helical grooves surround the central portion of the outer surface of the hollow body of the plunger to control spin during descent. A canted-coil-spring disposed within the retaining nut functions as a clutch. The valve cage includes ports that may be configured to control flow through the plunger during ascent. Other embodiments include clutch assemblies using canted-coil springs with split bobbins, and valve stems surfaced to achieve specific functions. Combinations of these features provide enhanced performance, durability and reliability at reduced manufacturing cost, due primarily to the simplicity of its design.

Abstract: A disclosed control system for a gas assisted plunger lift (GAPL) system includes a sensor and a processor circuit. The sensor is configured to measure a plunger speed and/or velocity and the processor circuit is configured to control various parameters of the GAPL based on the measured plunger speed and/or velocity. The processor circuit may be configured to adjust a gas injection rate parameter based on the measured plunger speed and/or velocity, and/or may adjust one or more parameters including: a close time, an afterflow time, a flow rate, a load factor, a tubing pressure, a casing pressure, and a tubing/casing differential pressure. The controller may be further configured to adjust all parameters simultaneously or may sequentially adjust a first sub-set of parameters and then adjust a second sub-set of parameters. The first sub-set may include a gas injection flow rate and the second sub-set may include after-flow and close time parameters.

Abstract: A bypass plunger includes a plunger body that includes a head portion located at one end of the plunger body and a tail portion located at an opposite end of the plunger body. The head portion includes at least one flow port, and the tail portion includes at least one passageway. A valve component is disposed within an internal bore of the plunger body and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. At least one plug is located within a respective one of the flow ports and/or a respective one of the passageways, and is configured to reduce or prevent flow through the respective flow port or the respective passageway.

Abstract: A bypass plunger combines a unitary or one-piece hollow body-and-valve cage, retains a dart valve within the valve cage portion of the hollow body using a threaded retaining nut secured by crimple detents. A series of helical grooves surround the central portion of the outer surface of the hollow body of the plunger to control spin during descent. A canted-coil-spring disposed within the retaining nut functions as a clutch. The valve cage includes ports that may be configured to control flow through the plunger during ascent. Other embodiments include clutch assemblies using canted-coil springs with split bobbins, and valve stems surfaced to achieve specific functions. Combinations of these features provide enhanced performance, durability and reliability at reduced manufacturing cost, due primarily to the simplicity of its design.

Abstract: A bypass plunger includes a unibody, or one-piece hollow body and valve cage, retains a dart valve within the valve cage portion using a threaded retaining nut secured by crimple detents, and includes sealable flow parts. A series of helical grooves surround the central portion of the outer surface of the hollow body of the plunger to control spin during descent. A canted-coil-spring disposed within the retaining nut functions as a clutch. The valve cage includes ports that may be configured to control flow through the plunger during descent. Other embodiments include clutch assemblies using canted-coil springs with split bobbins, and surfaced valve stems surfaced.

Abstract: A bypass plunger includes a unibody, or one-piece hollow body and valve cage, retains a dart valve within the valve cage portion using a threaded retaining nut secured by crimple detents, and includes sealable flow parts. A series of helical grooves surround the central portion of the outer surface of the hollow body of the plunger to control spin during descent. A canted-coil-spring disposed within the retaining nut functions as a clutch. The valve cage includes ports that may be configured to control flow through the plunger during descent. Other embodiments include clutch assemblies using canted-coil springs with split bobbins, and surfaced valve stems surfaced.

Abstract: A bumper spring assembly having a one piece mandrel including an integral head piece is further configured with a cage assembly retained on the mandrel with a cage nut locked to the mandrel to obviate the need for pins, set screws, and the like, to provide a more robust assembly. In two embodiments the cage nut is locked to the mandrel in a swaging operation.