Abstract: Valve assemblies and related pumps and methods may include an insert disposed in an internal flow path of a casing where an outer surface of the insert is fixedly engaged with an inner surface the casing with fluid sealing. The insert includes protrusions, each individually extending into the internal flow path of the casing and converging at an apex of the insert to define a cage in which the restriction element is configured to move axially through the internal flow path.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plunger for use in a sucker-rod pumping system. The plunger reciprocates within a barrel. The plunger comprises first, second, and third sections, in which the first and third sections are sealed against the barrel and in which a second section is between the first and third sections and in some embodiments may be a pull tube. A through passage for production fluid is provided, along with a pressure balancing chamber that is connected to the through passage via a sand snare, where the pressure balancing chamber is operable to equalize pressure on longitudinal sides of the seals, whereas the sand snare operates to restrain solids from reaching the pressure balancing chamber from the through passage (which is carrying the production fluid) and thereby create a slippage flow in the pressure balancing chamber, which equalizes pressure between the balancing chamber and the plunger's through passage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a ball check-valve assembly comprising a ball; a casing comprising an outer surface and defining an internal cavity extending within the casing, the internal cavity comprising a cylindrical inner wall; a bottom threaded connection at a downhole end of the casing, the bottom threaded connection comprising an opening therethrough to allow fluid passage into the internal cavity; a top threaded connection at an uphole end of the casing, at least three longitudinally extending guides defined within internal cylindrical cavity; and (f) a sealing surface formed in the casing and interposed between the top threaded connection and the internal cavity, the sealing surface further defining at least three quartic-shaped flow-passages extending from the sealing surface and providing for fluid passage through the sealing surface from the internal cavity to the uphole end of the casing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plunger for use in a sucker-rod pumping system. The plunger reciprocates within a barrel. The plunger comprises first, second, and third sections, in which the first and third sections are sealed against the barrel and in which a second section is between the first and third sections and in some embodiments may be a pull tube. A through passage for production fluid is provided, along with a pressure balancing chamber that is connected to the through passage via a sand snare, where the pressure balancing chamber is operable to equalize pressure on longitudinal sides of the seals, whereas the sand snare operates to restrain solids from reaching the pressure balancing chamber from the through passage (which is carrying the production fluid) and thereby create a slippage flow in the pressure balancing chamber, which equalizes pressure between the balancing chamber and the plunger's through passage.