US2038441A - Fluid lift pump - Google Patents

Description

April 21, 1935- E. w; PATTERSON 2,038,441

FLUID LIFT PUMP A TTORNEY April 21, 1936. E, w. PATTERSON 2,038,441 FLUID LIFT PUMP Filed Feb. 24, 1935 4 Sheets-@Sheet 2 x, l v 41- i l 83 519 I N VEN TOR.

, EMM W 34712225@ ATTORNEY April 2l, 1936. E. w. PATTERSON 2,038,441

FLUID LIFT PUMP Filed Feb. 24, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 BY 7H. man

April 21, 1936. E. w. PATTERSON FLUID LIFT PUMP Filed Feb. 24, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 [N VE N TOR Y EMAB Wafzeazv B y A TTORNE y Patented Apr.. 21; 1936 2,038,441

UNITED l s'm'rss PATENT oFFlcE y Edgar W. Patterson, Long Beach, Calif., assignor, by direct and'mesne assignments, of one-half to Margaret D. Patterson, Long Beach, Califl,

and one-half to Chas. M. OLeary, "Jr., Los

Angeles, Calif. f

Application February 24, 1933, Serial No. 658,315 e 13 Claims. (Cl. 103-231) 'i' This invention relates to a fluid lift pump independent of well pressures, or submergence, especially adapted for use in elevating iluids from and the motivating gas may be either that de-` cil wells and the like. veloped in the well itself,`or supplied from exter- In the operation of oilwellsto obtain producn'al sources. It will be noted as one of \the printion of oil therefromit is the usual practice to cipal .accomplishments of this device that due to d installi a plunger pump mechanism within the the junction of'a foot valve, hereinafter described, Awell in order to elevate the liquid therefrom. the deviceis not aiected by the depth to which Such an installation is quite expensive to manuit is submerged in fluid in a well, and will start facture and to operate, and under certain condito function initially under substantially the same tions, such as when' usedin a well of great depth pressure as will be required at any time therel0 numerous other problems arise which usually after, consequently not requiring the'` commonly makes such apparatus decidedly complicated in known High kick over pressure due to an excess operation, While requiring considerable adjustinitial submergenoe. ment and manipulation to obtain an optimum It is another object of the present invention l5 :dow of iluid from the well. In the oil well into provide means Wheleby the fillid under PreS- i5 dustry lt usually occurs that the' oil which is to Sure after having performed useful Work in elebe drawn from the well is commingled with'gas, vatine liquid may be exhausted from the apparaand while the gas may not be of sufdcient pressure tus against a reduced hydrostatic head from that to'lift the liquid to the surface of the ground, yet existing at the point Where its work was accomit may he utilized to exert a beneficial pressure plished, whereby maximum pumping efneienoy of 20 which may be built up to overcome the hydrothe apparatus may be obtained- 4 static head of the liquid in the well irrespective The Present invention oonteniplates the proof the amount of submergence` of the liftv tube, vision of a iluidl actuated 4pli-nlp mechanism and which pressure may be utilized to lift the adapted to be lowered into a well casing upon a e 2 5 liquid from the We11 It rs the principe] object tubing string, .and-to be set at a pre-determined 25 of the present invention, therefore, to provide degree 0f .Submergenee which device may then be e, fluid lift apparatus which may be introduced. caused to automatically operate under the iminto en oil well shaft to e desired depth of suh-A 'Pulse 0f the fluid Under Pressure Within' l511e Well mergenee, and which wille'et to lift the hquld to elevate the liquid and pump it to a point above column by means of Igas under pressure sulcstun the ground level where it may be drawn oi into 30 tially-less thanl the normal static head pressure desired Storage eenteinere Y ldeveh-,ped by a solidcommu of uuid the depth The invention is illustrated by wayof example of 'an average oil well of approximately 4000 feet, in the accompanying drawings, in Whiehthus developing a. Statie pressure cf approxi- Figure 1 is a view in central longitudinal section mately 1500 pounds per square inch, pressures` through the lower portion of the main tubing 35 as high as this arel commerciany impractical in string and the upper portion of the uid lift apoil well practice. It will be readily understood, Daratus, particularly disclosing the gas pressure however, that the device es it will be disclosed is Chamber and o portion of the valve mechanism. readily'adaptable for use atshallower depths, as Fig. 2 iS a View in Central longitudinal Section 40 in water raising systems wherein the device can With Parts in elevation disclosing the adjacent 40 be'used 1n the fprm of e, direct displacement pump length of the uid lift apparatus to that shown in motivated by gas under sumcient pressure to Fig. 1 0f the drawings, further indicating the overcome the static head pressure developed by details 0f Construction 0f the* 'beianeed Pisten.

the column of fluid being raised. v valve and the-regulating float. It is a further object of the invention to provide Fig. 3 iS a VieW in central longitudinal Section 45 e uuid lift apparatus of the ges or air motivated and elevation showing thel portion of the uuid type, that will be capable ofv attaining a higher lift Dump aS it OoonlSY at the loWei end of the degree of eiliciency f rom a power consumption structure and particularly disclosing the details standpoint than that 'attained by the present gas of construction of the foot valve mechanism. It

,50 ha systems, by making it ppssibiete supply the win be understood that Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are sup- 5 maximum quantity of fluid that agiven volume of plemental to each other, and that they indicate gas is capable of aerating and propelling to, the the entire fluid lift pump structure with the resurface or top/of a well. lationships of the parts shown asv they exist It wilL-'be obvious to those familiar with the art, when the main pump chamber is substantially that this devlcc as disclosed operates absolutely empty.v 55

[tion through the portion of the fluid lift pump an exhaust space tube I2 may extend. This tube mechanism as shown in Fig. 1, disclosing the parts in their transposed positions as will occur when the liquid chamber is filled.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the lower parts ofthe balanced valve and the float as they will appear when the liquid chamber* is partially filled. f

Fig. 6 is a view in longitudinal central section i similar to Fig. 3, showing the parts of the foot valve mechanism as they will appear when the liquid chamber is filling. i

' Fig.` 7 is a view in transverse section through the gas pressure chamber'as seen Aon the line 1-1 of Fig. 1. v-

Fig. 8 is a viewing-transverse section in elevation as seen on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1, showing 'the various exhaust and .pressure passageways in the main valve head;

Fig. 9 is a view in transverse. section through the main valve head as seen on the line 9-9 of Figa 1.

Fig. l0 is a view in transverse section thrpugh the main valve head as seen on the line Ill- 40y of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a view in transverse section through the main valve head as seen on the line II-II of Fig. 2. e l

Fig. 12 is a view in transverse section showing the float structure as seen-on the line I2-I2 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 1.3 is a view in transverse section through the foot valve structure as seenv on the line I3-I3 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 14 is a view in longitudinal section and elevation with parts broken away, generally indicating the complete assembly, and further showing means for regulating the jetting effect of the fluid under pressure from a point above the ground. l

Fig. 15 is a view showing the complete pump assembly.

Referring more particularlyto I0 indicates a well bore which may be fitted with a suitable casing II, and through which is substantially concentric. with the well casing and is suiciently smaller in diameter to permit the structure to be readily introduced into the f accumulated liquid within thewell, arid to attain a desired degree of submergence. It will be understood, of course, that the exhaust space tube I2 is formed in lengths appropriately coupled together to extend from the desired point of pumping operation to a desired point of exhaust which may be above the ground or at a pre-determined level therebeneath. I

Mounted upon the lower end of the exhaust space tube I2 is a top adaptor shoe I3 to which various parts of the fluid lift apparatus are at'- tached, and by' which they are anchoredk This adaptor shoe is formed with an upper bore I4 to receive the threaded end of' the tube I2, and a bore `of reduced diameter I5.to receive the lower end of the main tubing string I6. This string is of considerably smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the exhaust space tube I2, thus creating a concentric exhaust passageway I1 to accommodate the pressure fluid in a manner tobe hereinafter explained.

The lower end of the top adaptor shoe I3 is connected with a tubular and cylindrical pipe I8 forming a gas pressure chamber I9, gas being the drawings,

. chamber.

admitted4 tosaidv chamber from the top of the well by Way of the annular space between tubing string I6 and flow string 29. .The pressure inlet tube to the main flow chamber 83 is formed with a plurality of perforations 2I through its wall near its upper end, so that the tube 2l) will act as' a sieve and prevent extraneous matter from lpassing from the pressure 'chamber and scale trap I9 into the piston valve, and consequently clogging the apparatus. The lower end of the gas pressure chamberand scale trap I8 is closed by a sub-head 22 to which the tube section passes. The sub-head has a central passageway 23 extending downwardly through the.. y

tubular extension 24 and terminating at its upper end in a counterboredportion 25 which is threaded to receive the end of an aspirator tube 26 which .extends upwardlyl through the main tubing string I6 and is formed with a central passageway 21' in communication with and inl scopes. into an adjusting sleeve 29 which has a central bore forming a snug sliding fit with relation to the outer diameter of the aspirator tube, so that by longitudinal adjustment of the` sleeve with relation-to the tube a desired number of jet openings 23 may be uncover/ed and thus a controlled amount of iluid under pressure may be introduced into the column of liquid passing upwardlythrough the central passageway 21 of the aspirator tube. The)sleeve 29 may be longitudinally adjusted from a point above the ground in any'manner, such for example, as shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings.

Secured to the lower side of the sub-head 22 is a relatively short casing length 30 which forms an exhaust transfer chamber 3| around the tubular extension 24 of the head. `Thelower end of the casing section 30 is attached to the upper end`of the main valve head 32. This valve head is formed with a central liquid eduction passageway 33 in longitudinal alignment with the passageways 23 and 21, and being in effect a' continuation thereof. Disposed'eccentrically of the passageway 33 is the valve head 32, and extending through this head is a cylindrical -bore 3 4- which'receives a'balanced piston valve 35. This piston valve may reciprocate longitudinallyA within this bore and will act Ato control the inlet of pressure gas and the educ-tion of liquidv from the fluid lift chamber, and the exhaust of spent pressure fluid, and the refilling of the iluid The valve comprises two cylindrical portions; an upper one indicated at.36','and a lower portion indicated at 31. These portions are connected by a stem 38 of considerably smaller diameter, which forms a bypass passage- A way to permit communication of certain bores in the valve head 32 when the piston valve35 is 1 reciprocated Afrom one extreme position to-th' other. The upper end of thecylindrical bore for the piston 35 is closed by a plug 39.

Formed at diametrically opposite sides o fthe valve head 32, as indicated in Fig. 8 of the d; ings, is a pair of exhaust passageways 40 and'lH. These passageways extend longitudinally of the valve housing and parallel to the central axis' thereof. The upper ends of these exhaust passageways communicate with the exhaust trans-y fer chamber.3|.

. at a point short thereof to communicate with a laterally extending exhaust port 44 which communicates with theyalve piston bore 34. Extending upwardly from the lower end 'of the main valve head 32 is a pair of pressure passageways 45 and 46. 'Ihese passageways do not extend the entire length of the valve head, but terminate with the laterally. extending chamber port 81. vThis port communicates with the valve bore 34 and when the piston valve 35 is in the position indicated in Fig. l 'of the drawings, the shoulder 48 occurring at the upper end of the portion 31 of the pistonA will register with the loweredge of the chamber port 41, and the spindle-portion 38 of the piston valve will cause a passageway 49 to occur around the spindle and within the bore 34 to permit the pressure iluid to communicate with a pressure port 58 formed in the valve head 32, and which port is in communication with the pressure chamber tube 28.. l

By examination of the drawings it will be seen that the exhaust port 44 is disposed at a point below the chamber port 41, and that the space between the portions 38 and 31 of the piston valve, as defined by the length of the spindle 38, is such as to insure that the chamber port 41 may be either in communication with the exhaust port 44 or with the pressure port 58.

@and will provide equal hydrostatic pressure at l'opposite ends of the valve so that the valve will vvalve stem 53., shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 5- lThe piston valve 35 is formed with a central bypass duct 52. This duct tends to break the seal which might .otherwise occur between the upper end of the piston valve and its closed cylinder,

be balanced and can move without the resistance of any hydrostatic head or pressure which might occur yaty either end of the valve housing ports. y c l 'I'he valve is provided' at its lower endwith a of the drawings This valve stemis actuated by a. mechanism which will now be described.

Mounted at the lower end of the piston'yaite head 32 is an eduction tube nipple 54, which'is formed with a central tubular opening communicating with and in alignment with the central eduction passageway through the valve head. The tubular nipple 54 is formed with the upper end of an eduction tube valve housing 55, which is tubular in shape and extends downwardly to accommodate a valve seat 56 for the bore 58 of an eduction tube foot valve. Thelower opened end of the valve housing 55 receivesv the threaded end of a. bali friction mandrel 58. 'Ihe central bore of the mandrel is provided to receive the upper end of eduction tube 59. The eduction tube telescopes within the bore ofthe mandrel and carries a-nut 60 which is threaded intothe lower threaded end of a ball friction sleeve 6|, which telescopes over the ball friction mandrel 58. The lower end of the Amandrel 58' is formed with an enlarged lshoulder which limits the movement of the sleeve vthe upper end of the sleeve 6|.

valve, orthrough the l The volume per cycle will be calculatedvif' 6| with relation thereto. The upper end of the sleeve 6| is formed with an annular shoulder 62 which extends outwardly and into a groove 63 formed in the side faceif the valve stem 53, and which groove terminates `at its upper end in a lshoulder 64, and 'at its lower end-in a shoulder 65. .'Ihe length of the groove as defined by the distance l between these shoulders is here shown as being substantially twice the width of the Vannular shoulder 62 on the sleeve 6|. 'I'he sleeve 6| is also formed with an internal shoulder 66 which will encounter the abutting face of the external shoulformedV around and in the outer face of the mandrel 58', and are intended to alternately receive lock ballsv1|l which are mounted in radial passageways 1| formed through the shoulder 62 at yieldably held by springs 12 which may be adjusted by adjusting screws 13. This makes it possible to impose a desired tension upon the balls so that there cannot be displacement of the friction mandrel 58 with relation to the housing 6|, until a pre-determined longitudinal pressure has been set up to cause relative longitudinal movement between the ymandrel and housing.

These balls are I A lock nut 68 normally rests against the upper end of' a oat tube 14, through which the eduction tube 59 extends and with relation to which the iioat tube 14 may have longitudinal reciprocable motion, 'I'he iloat tube is disposed centrally of a hollow oat 15 which comprises a cylirdrical outer wall 1,6 closed at its opposite ends by heads 11 and 18.

The foot valve structure previously described, as Well as the friction mandrel 58,- the friction sleeve 6|, and the float 15, are included within a tubular casing 19 which extends downwardly to a foot valve housing 80, carrying a foot valve ball 8| adapted to rest on a seat 82. The'oat 15 is designed to respond to the level of liquid within the main liquid chamber 83', as dei-ined bythe 'The upper end of the float tube 14 projects beyond. the head 11 to encounter the' lock nut 60.

This nut issplt'so that it will readily clamp upon lthe eduction tube 59 at a desired pre-determined point.

Mounted upon the @duction tube at a point below they float 15 is a fluid controlcollar 84 which.

will be encountered by the lowen projecting end of the oat tube 14 when the float isin the act of moving to its lowermost position, as indicated' by dotted lines in'Fig."6 ofthe drawings.'y C This collar controls the Ydistance-the float ,can travel, and consequently the.volume of iiuid per j cycle.

...a-d; Vance with reference to the expected production, submergence, etc. i

The eduction pipe 59 telescopes into the upper and fastened to sleeve 86 of the foot valve structure. This sleeve telescopes overl a tubular mandrel 81 of the foot valve structure and has a tight sliding t with relation thereto. The lower end of the tubular mandrel is fastened to the member v8|! of the foot valve.- The upper end of the tubular mandrel is closed, save for a laterally extending port 88 through its side wall, which is shown lin Fig. 3 of the drawings, as being closed by the overlapping portion of the sleeve 86. This sleeve is formed with an incoming fluid portv 89 which may move to register with the port 88 of the mandreLas shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, and during which time the passageway through the mandrel may communicate with the main',l

liquid chamber 83 through the incoming huid port-89 and an annular passageway 98 which occurs between the contiguous walls o f the mandrel 81 and the sleeve 86 due to-a difference intheir diameters.

The sleeve 86 is formed with an enlarged shoulder 9| at its upper end, beneath lwhich a balancing spring 92 is seated. ThisXspring being helical in formation and extending downwardly to seat at its lower end upon a shoulder 93 formed near thebase o f the mandrel 81. The tension of this spring being just sufcient to balance .the weight `of the parts resting upon it,-foot valve cage,

eduction tube, nuts, ball friction cage, etc. The valve ball 8| is limited in its motion by a ball pin 94 which extends across the valve housing 88 at a point directly beneath the base of the mandrel 81. i I

If desired, the lower tubular end of the foot valve housing or bottom shoe 80 may be fitted' with a casing .member 95 which may be used1as an extension for a tubing catcher.

,In operation of thepresent invention the lift mechanism is mounted at the lower end of the exhaust tube I2, and is also connected to kthe main tubing string |6. Extending downwardly through this tubingstring from a point above the ground is the aspirator regulating the flow tube 29. The assembled structure is lowered into the well to any desired depth of submergence.

It will be understood that the lower the operating point is beneath the fluid in the well, the greater will be the hydrostatic head of fluid upon the apparatus. It will be assumed that when the device is setA in operation there will be no fluid within the main chamber 83, and that as the foot valve structure 80 is fsubmerged in the" liquid it will lift the valve ball 8| and tend to i'lll the central passageway of the foot valve mandrel 81. At this time the float will berestingupon the fluid regulating collar -84 to force the eduction tube 59 downwardly, at. the same time compressing` the foot valve spring 92, and moving the sleeve' downwardly until it reaches the position indicated in Fig. 6 of the drawings, when the exhaust is open to low pressure area. Here it will be seen that the yupwardly moving fluid will travel through the central passageway of the foot valve mandrel 81 and may then pass outwardly through the lmandrel opening 88 intothe annular passageg way 98 occurring between the upper reduced end of the mandrel 81 .and the inner wall of the foot .valvef sleeve 86. This; fluid will then flow upwardly into eduction tube 59. At the same time the fluid from the mandrel 81 will flow outwardly through the fluid port 89 in the foo't valve sleeve 86 and will tendto fill -the main chamber 83 of the pump. .Asthe level of liquid within this chamber 'rises,'theiloat l5I will begin -to rise.

f 2,038,441 end of a lock nut 85 by which it is rigidly clamped During such a time the ball friction mandrel 58' and the ball friction sleeve 6| will be in the posi- 'tion shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, so that thev lock balls 10 will be in engagement with the lower lock ball groove 69. The spring tension of the ball springs 12 is sufficient to insure that there will be a differential in the resistance of the springs and the buoyancy force of the float vof approximately pounds, so that the upward movement of the float will be resisted until this amount of force has been created in holding the float down, and after which the balls 1l]v will be forced from the lower ball groove 69 and the friction sleeve 6| will be violently moved upwardly until the balls 18 register with the upper ball groove 68 on the mandrel. This action will not be produced, however, until the fluid has been elevated to a point where the upper endl of the float tube 14 encounters the lock nut 60 which is secured in the lower end of the ball friction sleeve 6|. Attention is directed to the fact that until the friction ball sleeve and mandrel have been thus tripped, the eduction pipe 59 will be held in its lowermost position. During this time a hydrostatic head is being built up by the column of 'liquid filling into the main chamber 83 of the device. When the buoyancy of the iioat 15 in the main chamber 83 has increased to a degree sufllcient to overcome the frictional resistance between thelock balls 10 and the lower lock groove 69, the resistance to relative movement ofthe friction ball sleeve 6| and the mandrel 58 will be instantly released, thus permitting the buoyancy of the float 15 to force the .friction ball sleeve upwardly to its upper locked, position as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and without any possibility that thes parts will assume any intermediate unlocked' position with relation to each other.

L Prior to the application of sufficient pressure upon the friction ball sleeve 6| to cause it to be released from its lowermost position, the valve stem 53 of the piston valve 35 will be in its lowermost position with the lower face of the shoulder 62 in engagement withy the shoulder 65 of the valve stem recess 63. At this time the piston valve 35 will be in its lowermost positionso that the portion of the piston valve which is reduced in diameter and which occurs around the spindle 38 and between the enlarged cylindrical portions 36 and 31 of the valve will be in its lowermost position as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, thus permitting communication between the main fluid chamber 83 and the exhaust space between I2 and I8 by way of the intermediate chamber port 41 and the exhaust port 44. This establishes communication between the exhaust passageways and 4| and communicates with exhaust transfer chamber 3| and the pressure passageways 45 and 46 within the head and opening int'o chamber 83. With the piston valve in this position, it is evident that the chamber may ll withiluid readily under a pressure equal to that.

at the top ofthe exhaust space, etc. When the the piston valve will be shifted from the position indicated in Figs. 4-and5 of thev drawings, to

the position indicated in Figsj'l and 2 ofthe yhousing and be carried away -to the surface by This will cause the chamber port 4l ing inside the aspirator tube and flow column,4

it lis" evident -that like fluid inside the main chamber 83 will be forced up through the eduction tube by way of ports 89 in the footvalve the constantly incoming gas at the aspirator tube. 'As the fluid level in the mainchamber 83 lowers the oat will alsolower, leaving the piston'valve and foot valve mechanism held inr their respective positions by the ball friction device together with the weight. of all the parts being balanced, and therefore of no consequence or detrimental value, by the balancing spring 82.

As, the iiuid reaches a predetermined low level, the lioat will engage the -stop or regulating collar 84 and come to rest upon said stop until such time .as the uid will have lowered away under t the float, until a weight value of approximately pounds has been reached. As above stated, a thrust or weight value of approximately 20 eduction valve ball 5l will seat and will cause a column of liquid to be entrapped in the passageway above the valve. The height of this column will be in direct ratio to the quantity of liquid which had been` impounded. within the main pump chamber 83; When thev liquid level within the main'pump chamber 83 lowers, the float 15 will correspondingly lower and will recede from .a position in engagement with the lower faceof the lock nut 60. The ball friction jo t sleeve 6l andthe ball friction mandrel 58' will not move from the position indicatedlin Fig. 2,

- however, until sumcient weight has been imposed upon the fluid 4control collar 34 to overcome the friction existingbetween the vlock balls 13 and the uppergroove y68 on the'ball friction f mandrel 58', at which time anew cycle of operation will be imparted to move the various parts to the positions shownl in Figs. 4, 5, and of the drawings. Y

Attention is directed to the fact that the column of liquid passing through the aspirator tube 26 will. be aerated by the fluid admitted through the passageways 28 in the wall of the tube, and that by regulation of the aspirator sleeve 29 the amount of fluid required for this purpose may be accurately controlled so that the fluid will not L blow through the column of liquid, but will add pounds 'willi cause the ball friction to release,.

thereby instantly reversing the position ofthe piston valve from that of admitting gas under pressure to that of exhausting the gas used to force the iiuid from the chamber to a predetermined lower pressure, in order that the chamber may again rapidly lill with iluid from the well under a predetermined static head pressure. Simultaneously with the piston valve movement occurs theffoot valve movement from a closed position to an open position, and the cycle is re- -peated as before.

In so far as the normal cycle of operation is concerned, the foot valve performs no function that an ordinary ball .valve would not perform. Theoretically, the foot valve can be dispensed with and the ball valve will answer the purpose, as it will admit'fuid lto the chamber .when the pressure within is .reduced below-the static head pressure of fluid outside the chamber, and will seat and holdv when the pressure is applied within the chamber. Therefore the only` function of the foot valve is in closing the chamber to any more incoming iluid after the oat has been raised sufliciently to actuate the piston valve and the foot valve. The function of this foot valve then becomes one of stopping the fluid from seeking'a level both inside and outside of the device at the time it, is I lowered into the well, or at any time thereafter that it may be necessary to release all gas pressure from the device. .This valve function thus .eliminates the ,common high-kick over pressure met with in all flowing devices that are initially submerged to any appreciable depth in fluid. It lends to the device the characteristic of normal initial operating pressure.

When the pressure of theI hydrostatig;A head of liquid within the main pump chamber-83 and its pressure to the liquid in elevating the same, thus creating a true fluid lift operation which is at all times within. the control of above vthe ground. i

. It will be understoodv that the pumping structure here shown operates while submerged within a column of liquid within ya well. This colr3o l the operator umn may vary in height and may extendfor a. considerable distance. above the pumping mechanism. Under ysuch conditions it will befrecognized that the pressure head of the column of' liquid within the well will be in proportion tov its height, and since the exhaust pressure of the fluid passing upwardly through the pumpthrough the exhaust tube l2 will l'be llimited in pressure, it will benecessary to extend theexhaust pipe `I5 upwardly into the column of liquid within the well to a point where the pressure head of this column of liquid will be low enough to allow the exhaust gas to pass upwardly into the well. Since this is theconditio'n which exists it will be evident that in different wells the pipe l2 may be of different lengths.

It will also be evident that due tothe fact that excessive pressures occur upon various opposed surfaces of the piston valve 35, that the bypass duct l52 therefor will break any seal between the the pressure so that the piston valve 35 may operate with the same freedom as though `it were moving in 4conditions of yuniform atmosphericpressure.

It wil1,thusY be seen thatthe apparatus here;

disclosed provides simple and effective means for lifting and expelling liquid from an oil or water well while tilizing the benecialforcas produced by the h ldrostatic head of the liquid within which the device is submerged, and the gas pressure which may occur in the well, and that the device may be controlled and adjusted from a point abovethe/ ground to insure that it will operate eiciently under conditions as they'may uniformflow of the well and diiferences in gas pressure.

the fluid pressure -thereinhas :been spent the,v

yWhile I have shown the preferred form of my invention, as nowknown to me, it will be under--y A 65 opposite ends of the valve member, and balance 7o ly occur in a'well, or to meet emergencies arising v from varying conditions created by change in-the stood that various changes may be made in combination, construction, and arrangement of parts by those skilled in the art without departing from. the spirit of my invention vas claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patentis: 1- In a device of the character described, a fluid lift pump adapted to be positioned in a well shaft at a determined degree of submergence, valve means for controlling the iiow of liquid from the Ywell shaft into the pump, means for conducting iiuid under pressure from a point above the level of theliquid in the well to said pump, means for conductingv liquid from the pump to a point above the level of the liquid within which it is submerged, float operated means for bringing the air under pressure into lifting relationship to a quantity of liquid introduced into the pump and for interrupting the flow of air under pressure when said quantity of liquid has been forced into the liquid conducting means, and for interrupting said liquid inflow through the controlvalve and means at the conclusion of said float operation for exhausting theA spent pressure fluid into the well at a point higher than that at which the pump structure is positioned.

2. In a device of the character described, a fluid lift pump adapted to be positioned in a well shaft at a determined degree of submergence, means for conducting liquid from the well shaft into the pump, means for conducting iiuid under pressure from a point above the level of the liquid in the well to said pump, means for conducting liquid from the pump to a point above the level of the liquid within which it is submerged, oat operated means for bringing the air under pressure into lifting relationship to a quantity of liquid introduced into the pump and for interrupting the flow of air under pressure when said quantity of liquid has been forced into the liquid conducting means, an aspirator tube through which the fluid under pressure flows from the pump as the liquid is lifted, and means manually controlled from above ground for introducing fluid under pressure into said aspirator tube to increasethe buoyancy of the liquid which is being lifted and means for exhausting pressure fluid from the pump.

3. In a device 'of the character described, a fluid lift pump adapted to be positioned in a well shaft at a determined degree of submergence, means for conducting liquid from the well shaft into the pump, 'means for conducting fluid under pressure from a point above the level of the liquid in the well to said pump, means ior'con-l ducting liquid from the pump to a point above the levelof the liquid Within`which it-is submerged, means actirig to prevent return flow of said liquid into the pump, oat operated means for bringing the air under pressure into lifting relationship to a quantity of liquid introduced into the/pump andfor interrupting the ow of air under pressure when said quantity of liquid has been forced into the'liquid conducting means, an aspirator tube through which the fluid under. pressure flows from the pump as the liquid is nftea and by which air is introduced into said column of fluid, manuallyl controlled means for introducingfluid under pressure into said aspira- !tor tuber` to vincrease the buoyancy of the liquid which is being lifted, and means actuated from f above the ground for regulating the proportion of fsaid fluid under pressure'withrelation to the illlweight of the liquid flowing-through the, aspirator tube and into which liquid said uid is being introduced.

4. A Adevice of the character described, comprising a string of tubing at the lower end of which a fiuid lift pump is attached, means at the upper end thereof to supply a pressure fluid through the .tubing to the fluid lift pump, a second string of tubing connected with said pump and through which fluid under pressure may be elevated from the well into the liquid in which the pump is submerged, a main fluid chamber adapted to communicate With the pressure fluid tubing and with the lifted liquid tubing, valve means interposed in the line of flow of said pressure fluid to the main liquid chamber whereby the now of pressurev fiuidlmay be interrupted, means for introducing liquid to the main. liquid chamber, means for' interrupting the flow of liquid into said chamber and a`iloat within the chamber simultaneously and alternatelyacting to open the liquid pressure valve and to interrupt the flow of liquid into the main liquid chamber whereby the pressure fluid may be admitted to the main liquid chamber to elevate a quantity of liquid entrapped therein and to cause it oto be lifted through the liquid lift tube, means `constantly introducing the the column of liquid being lifted, and means for exhausting the pressure fluid from the ,main liquid chamber as liquid enters thereinto.

5. A device of the character described, comprising a string of tubing at the' lower end of which a uid lift pump is attached, means at the upper end thereof to supply la pressure fluid through the tubing to the uid lift pump, a sec- ,ond string of tubing connected with said pump and through 'which fluid under pressure may-be elevated from the wellA into the liquid in which the pump is submerged, a main fluid chamber adapted to communicate with the pressure uid tubing and with the lifted liquid tubing, valve means interposed in' the line of ow of said fluid to the main liquid chamber whereby the iioW of pressure fluid may be ,interrupted, means for introducing liquid to the main'liquid chamber, means for interrupting the flow of liquid into said chamber, and a float Within the chamber simultaneously and alternately acting to open the uid pressure valve and to interrupt the flow of liquid into the main liquid chamber whereby the pressure fluid may be admitted to the main liquid chamber to elevate a quantity of liquid entrapped therein and to cause it to be lifted through the liquid lift tube, and alternately to exhaust the pressure iiuid from the main liquid chamber and simultaneously to open the liquid control valve to admit liquid from the Well into the main liquid chamber and `means for conducting the spent pressure fluid from the pump and releasing it within the well at a level of lesser hydrostatic pressure than that prevailing at the position of the pump.

6. A device of the 'character described, comprising a string of tubing at the lower end of which a fluid lift pump is attached, means at the pressure fluid into ed to communicatewith vthe pressure fluid tubing and with the lifted liquid tubing, valve means interposed in the line'of ow of said Apressure fluid to the main liquid chamber whereby thedowbeen accumulated sufficient to positively of pressure fluid may be interrupted, means forv introducing liquid to the main liquid chamber,

means for interrupting 'the flow of liquid into said chamber and a float within the chamber si` multaneously and alternately acting to open the iluid pressure valve and to interrupt the flow of liquid into themain liquid chamber whereby the pressure fluid may be admitted to the main liquid chamber to elevate a quantity of liquid entrapped therein and to cause -it to belifted through the liquid lift tube, means permitting pressure fluid to be exhausted from the main liquid chamber as displaced by incoming liquid and delay action means resisting movement of the float at opposite ends of its cycle of operation thereby insuring that energy will be stored until a forcev has p'letely move -the pressure uid valve. t '7. A device of the character described, comprising a string of pressure fluid tubing adapted to extend downwardly into a well, the upper end of said tubing communicating with a source of fluid under pressure, a fluid lift pump connected with the lower endof' said tubing, a liquid eduction pipe extending downwardly into the well to-com'- municate with said pump, a liquid chamber within the pump and in constant communicationV with said eduction pipe, afoot valve interposed vin the line of communication from the liquid chamber to the eduction pipe whereby fluid expelled from the chamberinto the eduction pipe will be entrapped in the pipe, a pressure fluid valve interposed between the pressure fluid tubing I and the liquid chamber whereby the flovif of pres- Y sure iiuid into the liquid chamber may be interrupted for a periodin the cycle of operation of the pump, means for constantly introducing pressure fluid into'the column of liquid above the foot valve, afloat within the liquid chamber-connect'- ed with the pressure fluid valve and operating at the opposite ends of the stroke of said float to introduce said pressure fluid into the liquid chamber whensaid chamber is filled and to interrupt the iiow lof pressure fluid into said chamber when the liquid has'been expelled therefrom and means whereby the. operation of the pressure fluid valve b y the oat will be delayed until a predetermined amount of energy will be stored by the float to positively move the valve to bring about said a.-

ternate operation and means permitting` pressure fluid to be exhausted from the main liquid chamber .as displaced by incoming liquid.

. 7 operation of the pressure fluid valve by the float will be delayed until a predetermined amount of energy will be stored by the float'to positively move the valve, and -a positively actuated foot l vvalve mechanism at the bottom of the liquid .establishing and interrupting the flow of pressure fluid to the cylinder, means permitting exhaust of pressure fluid from said liquid vcylinder and an operative connection between the valve and the vfloat whereby the opening and closing of the pressure fluid valvewill be in synchronisrn with the opening and closing of the sleeve foot valve.

10. In a iiuid lift pump a chamber into which liquidK flows, said chamber being submerged below the level of `said liquid, means for delivering'fluid under pressure to said chamber, aflow pipe communicating with said .chamber and upwardly through which said liquid may be` forced by said pressure fluid, said ow pipe being formed at an area of its length 'with a series of openings through and along its sidewall, a pressure compartment embracing the section of pipe through `which the openings occur and into which uid under pressure is delivered, and a sleeve slidable on said pipe and manipulated from a remote point to vary the area oi said openings and the volume of said pressure iuid forced A into the liquid flow pipe.

,11. A uid lift pump structure comprising a cylindrical pump unit adapted to be mounted at the vlower end of' a string of pipe, said unitbeing formed with va pump chamber therein, a foot valve at the bottom of said chamber to'permit liquid yfrom the well to enter the chamber, a pressure valve at the top of said chamber to establish. andinterrupt the iow of a pressure uid into the -pump chamber, a fluid eduction -pipe extending upwardly through the pump chamber and centrally of thestring of pipe'by'which the pump .unit is supported; said fluid eduction pipe and the supporting pipe string being concentrically ar- 8. A device of the character described, compris- -ing a string of pressure fluid tubing adapted to extendxdownw'ardly into a well, the upper end of said tubing communicating .with the lsource.oi

with the' lower end of said tubing, a liquid eduction pipe extending downwardly into the well to communicate with said pump, a liquid cham-v ber within the pump and in constant communication with said eduction pipe.'a foot valve interposed in the line of communication from the liquid chamber tothe eduction pipev whereby fluid expelled from the 'chamber into the eduction pipe will be entrapped in the pipe, a pressure fluid valve interposed between the pressure uid tubingland the liquid chamber whereby the ow of pressure fluid into the liquid chamber may be in" terrupted for a period in the cycle of .operation 'of the pump, means permitting exhaust of pressure fluid from the liquid chamber, a float within the liquidy chamber connectedl with the pressure fluid valve vand operating at the opposite ends of the-stroke of said oat, and means whereby the fluid under pressure, a duid lift pump connected ranged whereby the uid under pressure may pass downwardly between the supporting stringof pipe and the liquid eduction pipe to the pump unit,

-a pressure fluid control valve establishing and interrupting the flow of pressure iiuid to the pump chamber, means for permitting exhaust of 'said pressure iiuid from the pump chamber, a foot valveat the bottom of the pump chamber to prevent the outflow of liquid from the bottom of the pump unit, and afloat within the pump chamber adapted to open and close the pressure 'uid valve adjacent the opposite ends of its movement, the eduction pipe being formed above the pump 'chamber with openings, means for introducing a iiuid under, pressure to the liquid in the eduction pipe 'through said openings, and a tubular sleeve adjustable from above the well and slidable to vary the degree ofr eective yarea of saidopenin s..\

12.v An'air lift'p ofthe character disclosed' comprising' a man, liquid chamber, a vertically movable` float within s'aidchamber, an eduction tube extending through the float and by' whichf 8 said tube is vertically moved, a positively acting foot valve at the bottom of saidliquid chamber and connected to the eduction tube whereby vertical movement of the tube will actuate said valve, and adjustable means controlling the relative movement of the float and the eduction tube and whereby the column of liquid entering the main liquid chamber at each cycle of operation of the positively operated foot valve will be controlled.

13. An air .lift pump of the character disclosed comprising a main liquid chamber, a vertically movable float within said chamber, an eduction tube extending through the float and by which said tube is vertically moved, a positively acting foot valve at the bottom of said liquid chamber and connected to the eduction tube whereby vertical movement of the tube will actuate said valve, adjustable means controlling the relative movement of the float and the eduction tube andwhereby the column of liquid entering the main liquid chamber at each cycle of operation of the positively operated foot valvev will be controlled, and a spring acting to balance the weight of the eduction tube and the parts attached thereto in a manner to permitthe tube and all of said parts to be moved up and down with equal force under the action of the movement of the float.

EDGAR w.- PATTERSON.

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