US971612A - Apparatus for forcing fluids from wells. - Google Patents

Description

G HQLLJTBAY. PARATUS FOR FO'BJGING PLUDs APPLICATION FILED HAYIL, 1910.

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n 'rn Yra APPARATUS FOR FORCING FLUIDS FROM WELLS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

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Application filed 'May 14, 191i). Serial No. 561,439.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. HOLLI- DAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Forcing Fluids from Wells, of which the `following is a specification.

My invention relates to the improvement of apparatus for forcing fluids from wells andv has particular relation to means for discharging oil from an oil well.

.The objects of my invention are to provide'an improved construction of apparatus of this character whereby loil or other fluid contained in a well may be readily driven outward therefrom; to so construct my improved'apparatus as to obviate the necessity of lifting the entire volume of oil contained in the outlet pipe of the well at each'discharging operation and to otherwise provide a simpleand reliable mechanism whereby portions of-the oil contained in the well outlet pipe may be successively discharged. Theseobjects I accomplish in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawing, inwhich-- l Figure 1 is a central vertical section of an oil well showing in elevation my improved discharging mechanism, and, Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through portions of one of the air supply pipes and the oil discharging pipe.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

1 represents an oil well and 2 a suitable metallic casing which is inserted therein in the usual manner. Within the oil well, preferably at one side lof the center thereof, I provide a vertical oil discharge pipe 3, the upper portion of which extends through the cap plate 4c of the casing 2 from which said discharge pipe may leadvto a tank or other oil receptacle. The pipe 3 is composed of va suitable number of lsections 3a, the ends of these sections, which are otherwise separated one from the other, being connected by sleeves or pipe coupling. members 5, each of which is formed on onev side with a central laterally extending neck 5a.

`Immediately beneath the lower end o each ofthe pipe sections 3a with the exception ofthe lowest section, the T-couplin'g 5 formed as above described, is provided with acentral transverse rod upon which is normally supported the lower'end of'a plunger 7 lwhich plunger fits slidably in the next higher pipe section 3a. Formed centrally through each of the plungers is acomparatively small vertical opening or passage S, the upper end of which is normally closed by a check valve 9, the latter haring an up wardly extending stem which passes loosely through a gui'deopening in an ilpuard extension 7a of the'plunger. IVithin the upper end portion of each of the pipe sections 3 is fitted a check valve casing 10, the upper side of the central opening therein, being normally closed by 'acheck valve 11, which is adapted to be raised 0E its seat by pressure from below.

Connected with the neck of each of the T-couplings is a short outwardly extending pipe member 12 within which is secured a hollow valve casing 13 within .the central bore of which is contained a spring actuated valve .14, theY latter being normally closed against a seat formed within the central passage of the casing 13. `Through the medium of a suitable coupling or pipe connection 15, the outer end of each of the pipe sections 12 is connected with the lower end of a vertical air pipe 16, said air pipes extending downward into the well through'the cap plate I and there being one of said air pipes for each of the couplings 5. The upper ends of the air pipes 16 above the well, are 'connected through the medium of horizontal pipes 16y with a. manifold or air containing head 17, said pipes 16HL each having a suitable cut-oil valve 16". The head o'r manifold 17 has leading thereto an air supply pipe 18, which connects with a compressed air tank 19, the latter receiving its charge of con'ipressed air from a suitable pump or compressing engine 20. i

The air pipe valves 16b being closed, it will be understood that oil from the bottom of the well will rise inthe pipe 3, the natural pressure ofthe oilA raising the valves 11 and 9 and permitting the ,oil to move freely upward in the pipe. It being desired to force the oil contained in the pipe 8 upward 'and outward to a receiving tank orv other `re ceptacle, the operationis as follows: The

opening of the valve 1Gb of the upper pipe arm 16a results in a discharge of compressed air through the corresponding pipe 16 downward to the lirst or higher joint 'of thepipe sections 3e; The air thus discharged through said pipe section, operates to yopen the valve 14, thus permitting the entrance of the compressedair into the space between the plunger 7 and the next higher valve l0, thereby forcing said plunger upward in its pipe section. Owing to the weight of the oil above the plunger and the fact that the opening 8 of the plunger is comparatively small, the

. l vplunger valve 9 will be retained in a closed position and the oil above the plunger will' thus be forced upward and outward through the discharge pipe. lt is obvious-that when the oil has thus been discharged from the upper section of the discharge pipe, thevpreviously opened valve 1Gb may be closed and the next lower valve 16b opened, resulting in the oil in the next lower pipe section 3a being. forced upward through the valve casing 10 and through theV opening 8 of the next higher plunger. It will readily be understood that if the force of the oil is sufficientto raise the next higher plunger, such operation will not interfere with the passage of the oil through the plunger opening 8 which,

as is obvious will result in the raising of the valve 9. Y

A s indicated at 22 l may if desired employ an air outlet pipe havingl a suitable controlling valve 23 and having its lower end entering one of the main pipe sections 3a belowthe second' lowest coupling 5 valve casing l0. This pipe may be employed if needed to Vreliev'etlie ipe sections above said nextlower valve ll fiom any undesirable -V pressure of air which may' exist therein after theair has served the purpose of forcing the oil outward through the discharge pipe.

llromAthe-censtruction and operation described, it will readily he understood that the operation of suceessivelv clearing the' of the invention, butv while the elements shown and described are well adapted .5to serve the urposes for which they are in# tended, it is to be understood that the invention isnot limited to the precise construction set, forth, but includes within its 'purview such changes as maybe made within the scopeof the appended claims.

What I claim, is: v

1 '.v In an apparatus for forcing liuid from wells, the combination with a well, a casing therein, a discharge pipe extending into said well, a plurality of plungers in said discharge pipe having a limitedl downward movement, each of said plungers having a vertical valve controlled passage, a valveV and valve casing below the plungers, and a plurality of airpipes leading into said discharge pipe between the discharge pipe valve and the plunger, said airl pipes having valve controlled connections with the' compresse air'supply. 2. In an apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a Well, a fixed casing in said well, a discharge ipe leading out of said well, a plurality of p ungers supported within said discharge pipe and hav'- ing'a limited downward movement, each of said plungers having a central valve controlled opening therethrough, a valve in said discharge pipe below each of said plungers and adapted to be opened by upward pressure from below, an air pipe connected with said discharge pipe between each pair of said plungers ann discharge pipe valves, a nor-f mally spring closed valve in the connectionbetween each of said air pipes and discharge pipe, said air pipes having valve controlled connections with a common head or inaniy' man' 'old havin@ a connection with fold, said ir .g a compressed air supply.

ln testimony whereof l ax my, signature in presence of two witnesses.

WLLEAM C. HGLLlDAY.

Witnesses:

A.. L. Peintre,

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