Sediment Trap Formed In Pumping Chamber Patents (Class 166/105.3)
  • Patent number: 11920452
    Abstract: A downhole separator separates solids from an inflow of downhole fluid resulting in a cleansed fluid which is directed to the intake of a subsurface pump. The downhole separator has a separator unit which has a sleeve member with a liner member disposed within the sleeve member, the liner member having an exterior surface immediately adjacent the inner surface of the sleeve member. The sleeve member has an opening which is aligned with an opening in the sleeve liner to form an inlet. A vortex guide is disposed inside an inner surface of the liner member. The vortex guide has a helical exterior which is in engaging contact of the inner surface, wherein a single helical passage is formed which extends from the inlet to a second end of the vortex guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Black Gold Pump and Supply, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bair, Simon Shin, Bao Binh H Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11913323
    Abstract: A desander assembly retrievably positionable in a tubing string including a fishing neck, a bypass tool, a stop assembly configured to retrievably mate with a portion of the tubing string, an outer tubular member, and an inner tubular member. The outer tubular member has at least one aperture extending. The inner tubular member is positioned in the outer tubular member to form an annulus and so a bore of the inner tubular member is in fluid communication with the bypass tool. The inner tubular member has at least one spiral protrusion extending outwardly from the sidewall to cooperate with an interior side of the outer tubular member to form a spiral channel. The bore of the inner tubular member receives reservoir fluid that passes into the annulus formed between the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member via the apertures of the outer tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: Daniel J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11603748
    Abstract: A sand separating apparatus for use with a production tubing string includes (i) a housing assembly forming an outer tubular and (ii) an inner tubular within the housing assembly to define an annular passage between the inner tubular and the housing assembly. A helical member occupies part of the annular passage below production openings in the housing assembly whereby a flow of production fluids entering from the wellbore is directed downwardly along a helical path within the annular passage as dictated by the helical member and subsequently upwardly through the inner tubular. The helical member extends radially outwardly from the inner tubular beyond a boundary surface at an outer perimeter of the annular passage to prevent formation of a gap at the tip of the helical member as it wears. A fluid passage in alignment with the helical member extends radially from inside the inner tubular to the annular passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventor: Brian Ellithorp
  • Patent number: 11525348
    Abstract: A solids collector is disposed at an end of a tubing in a wellbore. At a top of the solids collector, a reservoir fluid stream carrying solids is separated into a solids-liquid stream that is reversed into an annulus in the solids collector and a gas stream that continues to move uphole in the wellbore. At an end of the annulus in the solids collector, the solids-liquid stream is separated into a liquid stream that moves up the tubing and solids that are accumulated in the solids collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Chidirim Enoch Ejim
  • Patent number: 11156085
    Abstract: Formation fluid sampled from within a wellbore is separated into gas and liquid fractions while downhole and in a wellbore. A separator vessel is used to isolate the gas and liquid fractions from one another. Baffles are arranged in a staggered formation within the separator vessel and in the path of the flow of the sampled formation fluid. Contact with the baffles perturbs the flow of sampled formation fluid, which promotes escape of the gas fraction from the fluid. The gas fraction is ported from an upper end of the sample vessel to a sample bottle for analysis. The liquid fraction collects in a lower end of the sample vessel, and is discharged into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Bander S. Al-Malki, Faisal M. Sarwi
  • Patent number: 9017043
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for sealing an electrical submersible pump assembly are described. An electric submersible pump (ESP) system for pumping solid-laden fluid comprises a thrust chamber of an ESP seal section, the thrust chamber sealed from well fluid on a downstream side by a stationary sand barrier and on an upstream side by a mechanical seal, the thrust chamber further comprising, a rotatable shaft extending axially through the thrust chamber, a head tubularly encasing the thrust chamber and threadedly coupled to a centrifugal pump intake, and a diamond-coated hydrodynamic bearing set inside the thrust chamber, wherein well fluid enters and exits the chamber through cross-drilled apertures in the head of the chamber, and wherein the well fluid forms a hydrodynamic film between the bearing set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Summit ESP, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Parmeter, Brett Leamy, John Vanderstaay Kenner, David Lunk, Keith Johnson, Thomas John Gottschalk
  • Publication number: 20150053394
    Abstract: A well pump assembly includes rotary pump and a submersible motor. A shroud surrounds the pump intake and the motor. The shroud has an open upper end in fluid communication with the pump intake. A tubular member of smaller diameter is secured to and extends downward from a lower end of the shroud. The tubular member may have an open lower end for drawing well fluid along a lower flow path up the tubular member to the pump intake. An upper flow path at the upper end of the shroud may have a minimum flow area that is smaller than a minimum flow area of the lower flow path. The tubular member has a smaller outer diameter than an outer diameter of the shroud. The tubular member may have a closed lower end to define a debris collection chamber with a drain valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Leslie C. Reid, Jeffrey S. Bridges, Brent D. Storts
  • Patent number: 8651184
    Abstract: A new method separating sand, solids, and produced particulates down-hole in a well producing hydrocarbons. The separation assembly can include ether one, two, or more segments or stages of varying lengths depending upon the individual application. The assembly is installed into the tubing string or delivery conduit of a well producing hydrocarbons. One stage can consist of a velocity chamber whereby separation of particulates occurs by increasing the downward velocity of particulates and reducing the upward velocity of hydrocarbons thereby allowing the particulates to “fall-out” into a lower chamber where the particulates are captured. Another stage can consist of a filter whereby particulates are captured in a chamber that can consist of filtering materials such as gravel, rock, sand, wood, or manmade materials. Each of the stages can be employed individually or in combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Spirit Global Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Raglin
  • Patent number: 8561813
    Abstract: A cyclonic debris evacuation apparatus and method for removing debris in a pumping system. The apparatus includes a valve rod, a cyclone component, cup component, ring component, and ring coupler component. The cup component is composed of a high density poly-fiber material that helps in creating a positive seal between the cup component and barrel interior during pumping operations, helping to direct solids into the cup component and thereby preventing them from travelling southward in the direction of the barrel and causing damage. The cup component can include a specialized leading edge adapted to direct solids into the cup component. The apparatus can include a carbide ring that prevents solids from traveling further down onto the pump plunger section. The carbide ring can incorporate ports that feed into a main channel flow. The apparatus can include a top plunger adapter capable of connecting with a sucker rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Brent Ford
  • Patent number: 8505747
    Abstract: A cyclonic debris evacuation apparatus and method for evacuating debris in a pumping system that forms between the plunger exterior and barrel interior. The apparatus is configured for use with a valve rod and has a cyclone component, cup component, ring component, and ring coupler component. The apparatus is also configured for use with a hollow valve rod and has a hollow valve rod coupler component, cup component, ring component, and ring coupler component. The cup component can be composed of a high density poly-fiber material that helps in creating a positive seal between the cup component and barrel interior during pumping operations, helping to direct solids into the cup component and thereby preventing them from travelling southward in the direction of the barrel and causing damage. In another embodiment, the cup component can include a specialized leading edge adapted to direct solids into the cup component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Brent Ford
  • Patent number: 8328539
    Abstract: According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a motor protector comprises a housing defining a compensator chamber; a compensator disposed in the housing having a motor fluid end in fluid communication with a motor fluid and a well fluid end, the compensator axially moveable relative to the housing in response to the expansion and contraction of the motor fluid; and a port formed through the housing to provide fluid communication from exterior of the housing to the well fluid end of the compensator. The compensator may be one selected from the group of a bellows and a plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sclumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur I. Watson, Christopher E. Featherby
  • Publication number: 20120125624
    Abstract: This invention provides a positive displacement gas operated pump and pumping system for pumping fluids such as hydrocarbons/oil as well as solids that may be suspended in such fluids. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for the recovery of hydrocarbons/oil from underground water tables and/or where water flooding has previously been used to further extract hydrocarbons/oil from underground areas, but economics prevent further recovery from such areas and/or wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Richard J. Dyer
  • Patent number: 8109331
    Abstract: A wellbore cleanup tool is run on slickline. It has an onboard power supply and circulation pump. Inlet flow is at the lower end into an inlet pipe that keeps up fluid velocity. The inlet pipe opens to a surrounding annular volume for sand containment and the fluid continues through a screen and into the pump for eventual exhaust back into the water in the wellbore. A modular structure is envisioned to add debris carrying capacity. Various ways to energize the device are possible. Other tools run on slickline are described such as a cutter, a scraper and a shifting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gerald D. Lynde, Yang Xu
  • Patent number: 8056622
    Abstract: A wellbore cleanup tool is run on slickline. It has an onboard power supply and circulation pump. Inlet flow is at the lower end into an inlet pipe that keeps up fluid velocity. The inlet pipe opens to a surrounding annular volume for sand containment and the fluid continues through a screen and into the pump for eventual exhaust back into the water in the wellbore. A modular structure is envisioned to add debris carrying capacity. Various ways to energize the device are possible. Other tools run on slickline are described such as a cutter, a scraper and a shifting tool. A motor driven by an onboard power supply operates the circulation pump as well as a vibration device to agitate the debris and prevent coring into the debris if compacted. A shroud presents an alternate flow path if the housing lower end is embedded in debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Gerald D. Lynde
  • Patent number: 7909589
    Abstract: A downhole pump has a barrel and a plunger which reciprocate with respect to each other. The plunger has a first portion with a first seal, a second portion and a third portion with a second seal. The second portion is intermediate the first and second portions. A balancing chamber is formed between the plunger second portion and the barrel. The balancing chamber communicates with the plunger interior by way of an opening. A sand snare chamber is provided with respect to the opening so as to prevent sand from contacting the seals in the balancing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Harbison-Fischer, Inc.
    Inventor: Benny J. Williams
  • Patent number: 7891419
    Abstract: A downhole well cleaning tool adapted for connection between upper and lower sections of an elongate string includes a pump barrel having at least one fluid outlet proximate its upper end. A swab assembly is connected to a pump mandrel for reciprocation within the pump barrel to pump fluids upward to the outlet to draw fluid and debris into the lower string section and trap the debris. A lower portion of the swab mandrel is hollow and open at a lower end thereof with at least one conduit extending through a side wall of the swab mandrel to direct fluid laterally outward from the hollow lower portion against the side wall of the pump barrel during lowering into fluid to reduce debris build-up within the pump barrel. A wear bushing is mounted between the pump mandrel and barrel and a knuckle or swivel joint connects the swab and pump mandrels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Daren Shewchuk
  • Patent number: 7428923
    Abstract: There is provided a top plunger adapter assembly for use in controlling sand fouling of an oil pump system wherein the oil pump system reciprocates between upstrokes and downstrokes within a barrel, and wherein the oil pump system includes as components a sucker rod and a plunger. In one embodiment, the top plunger adapter assembly includes an adapter having a first end configured to receive a sucker rod, wherein the adapter includes a chamber which allows fluid movement therethrough; a collection cage rotatably mounted to the adapter, the collection cage defining an interior region, and the collection cage having an upper lip configured to direct sand toward the interior region of the collection cage during an upstroke of the pump; and a bottom cage attached to the adapter and the bottom cage having a bottom end configured to attach to a pump plunger, wherein the bottom cage includes a passage to allow fluid communication through the bottom cage to the chamber of the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Inventor: Michael B. Ford
  • Patent number: 7377312
    Abstract: An oil well pumping apparatus for pumping oil from a well to a wellhead provides a tool body that is sized and shaped to be lowered into the production tubing string of the oil well. A working fluid is provided that can be pumped into the production tubing. A prime mover is provided for pumping the working fluid. A flow channel into the well bore enables the working fluid to be circulated from the prime mover via the production tubing to the tool body at a location in the well and then back to the wellhead area. A pumping mechanism is provided on the tool body, the pumping mechanism including first and second gerotors. The first gerotor is driven by the working fluid. The second gerotor is rotated by the first gerotor. The two gerotors are connected with a common shaft. The tool body has flow conveying portions that mix the working fluid and the produced oil as the oil is pumped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: Raymond C. Davis
  • Patent number: 7275592
    Abstract: An oil well pumping apparatus for pumping oil from a well to a wellhead provides a tool body that is sized and shaped to be lowered into the production tubing string of the oil well. A working fluid is provided that can be pumped into the production tubing. A prime mover is provided for pumping the working fluid. A flow channel into the well bore enables the working fluid to be circulated from the prime mover via the production tubing to the tool body at a location in the well and then back to the wellhead area. A pumping mechanism is provided on the tool body, the pumping mechanism including first and second gerotors. The first gerotor is driven by the working fluid. The second gerotor is rotated by the first gerotor. The two gerotors are connected with a common shaft. The tool body has flow conveying portions that mix the working fluid and the produced oil as the oil is pumped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Raymond C. Davis
  • Patent number: 6719050
    Abstract: A tool for removing solid particles from a well after sand fracturing, drilling, etc. The tool includes a flapper valve assembly above a drill bit, a sand screen, and a screw pump. Fluid in the well, with the solid particles therein, is pumped into the tool by rotating the screw pump, wherein the fluid moves past the bit, across the flapper valve assembly, and through the sand screen. The solid particles stay in a cavity above the flapper valve, but the fluid moves further along the screw pump and is returned along the outside of the tool to the bit, to start the cycle over again. Over time, the cavity fills with solid particles, and the device is raised to the surface, where the accumulated solid particles are dumped. The device can be re-introduced into the well to remove more solid particles, if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Longacre
  • Patent number: 6619390
    Abstract: A particle separator for a fluid pump has a cylindrical body which is attachable to a pump by a flexible sleeve and has tangential slots directing intake fluid in swirling manner about an inlet tube within the cylindrical body. The inlet has an enlarged outer diameter at its lower end which causes the swirling inlet fluid to accelerate—thus aiding in particle separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Charles W. Kellett, III
  • Patent number: 6571869
    Abstract: The present invention provides a downhole cementing apparatus run into a borehole on a tubular. The apparatus is constructed on the pipe in such a way that pressure surge during run-in is reduced by allowing fluid to enter the pipe and utilize the fluid pathway of the cement. In one aspect of the invention, an inner member is provided that filters fluid as it enters the fluid pathway. In another aspect of the invention, various methods are provided within the cementing apparatus to loosen and displace sediment in the borehole prior to cementing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton Stanley Pluchek, Gerald Dean Pedersen, Richard Lee Giroux, Thad Joseph Scott, David Michael Haugen
  • Patent number: 6564865
    Abstract: A system for producing a mixed gas-oil stream which contains solid particulates wherein gas is to be separated and compressed downhole in a turbine-driven compressor before the gas is injected into a subterranean formation. The stream is passed through an upstream separator to separate out the particulates which pass through a first and second set of slots into first and second passages, both of which empty into a bypass through the turbine whereby the separated particulates do not contact the rotary vanes of the turbine thereby alleviating the erosive effects of the solids in the produced stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Conocophillips Company
    Inventors: Jerry L. Brady, James L. Cawvey, John M. Klein, Mark D. Stevenson, Steven J. Svedeman, Steven P. Petullo, Kerry N. Oliphant
  • Patent number: 6412563
    Abstract: An artificial lift assembly is suspended from a string of conduit in a well inside a well casing. An encapsulation module is independently suspended from the conduit and encases the pump assembly with a jacket. A series of well fluid conditioning tools are mounted to the lower end of the jacket, including a tubular screen, a desander located behind the screen, a string of disposal conduit extending below the desander, and a nucleation device located above the desander. The entire weight of this fluid conditioning equipment is completely supported by the jacket and the conduit. The encapsulation module is completely sealed so that the well bore fluid is limited to entering the module and pump through the screen. The screen removes larger contaminants from the fluid such as rubber and trash. After the fluid passes through the screen, it enters the desander where solid matter such as sediment is removed from the fluid and eliminated through the disposal conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Albert David William St. Clair, Robert Timothy Dempsey, Steven Keith Tetzlaff, David Lester Olson
  • Patent number: 6220347
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing debris from a bore hole, comprising a housing, and a cylindrical electric motor coupled coaxially to a direct drive pump. The housing includes a debris entry port into which the debris is induced to flow into the housing, and the inside of the housing is maintained at a pressure which is lower than the outside pressure. The electric motor has a central bore through which material pumped by the pump can pass. The apparatus includes a head rotatable by the motor which engages the debris deposits in the bore hole. Where the pump is a direct drive worm pump, the head may be directly attached to the worm of the pump. In one embodiment, the housing extends along the whole length of the motor and pump, with the apparatus including a port settable to allow debris to be pumped into the housing from either end. Alternatively, a debris collection means may be included for effectively isolating any debris pumped by the pump from the bore hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Philip Head