HYDRAULIC DRIVEN PISTON PUMP
United States Patent 3779671
Apumping system utilizing drive means activating a top pump and a ratchet drive rotary control valve selectively switching fluid pressure to a double acting dual piston dual cylinder bottom pump. The two pumps are interconnected by dual pipes through a rotary valve and a multiplicity of check valves causing the dual pipes to alternatively function as a pressure power line or a delivery line depending on the relative position of the control valve. An alternative spool valve control may be employed in conjunction with any source of fluid pressure to activate the bottom pump.
US Patent References:
Hydraulic pump
Emmons - January 1940 - 2185727
Fluid pressure-driven multiplex pump
Potts - January 1968 - 3363575
Pumping apparatus
Hollander - April 1941 - 2239715
Hydraulic pump
Bailey - August 1960 - 2948224
/1790982.html
Gamer - February 1931 - 1790982
Hydraulic pump
Emmons - January 1940 - 2185727
Fluid pressure-driven multiplex pump
Potts - January 1968 - 3363575
Pumping apparatus
Hollander - April 1941 - 2239715
Hydraulic pump
Bailey - August 1960 - 2948224
/1790982.html
Gamer - February 1931 - 1790982
Inventors:
Lybecker, Robert W. (San Antonio, TX)
Wahrmund, Kermit A. (Gatesville, TX)
Wahrmund, Kermit A. (Gatesville, TX)
Application Number:
05/221622
Publication Date:
12/18/1973
Filing Date:
01/28/1972
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
417/397
International Classes:
F03C1/08; F03C1/12; F04B47/08; F03C1/00; F04B47/00; F04B35/00
Field of Search:
417/35,245,393,397,404
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Freeh, William L.
Claims:
I claim
1. A hydraulic pumping system comprising:
2. a cylinder,
3. a top cylinder head enclosing the first end of said cylinder,
4. a piston having a top side and a bottom side mounted for reciprocal movement in said cylinder,
5. a rotary valve first well line port,
6. a rotary valve second well line port,
7. a rotary valve drive port, and
8. a rotary valve tank port,
9. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a return spring encircling said ratchet push rod, said spring being stressed to retain said top pump piston adjacent the said bottom cylinder head.
10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said bottom pump comprises:
11. The invention of claim 3 further comprising:
12. The invention of claim 1 wherein said control means in association with said rotary valve further comprising:
13. The invention of claim 3 wherein said drive means comprises:
1. A hydraulic pumping system comprising:
2. a cylinder,
3. a top cylinder head enclosing the first end of said cylinder,
4. a piston having a top side and a bottom side mounted for reciprocal movement in said cylinder,
5. a rotary valve first well line port,
6. a rotary valve second well line port,
7. a rotary valve drive port, and
8. a rotary valve tank port,
9. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a return spring encircling said ratchet push rod, said spring being stressed to retain said top pump piston adjacent the said bottom cylinder head.
10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said bottom pump comprises:
11. The invention of claim 3 further comprising:
12. The invention of claim 1 wherein said control means in association with said rotary valve further comprising:
13. The invention of claim 3 wherein said drive means comprises:
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally pertains to a hydraulic well pumping mechanism more particularly utilizing a top pump driving through a control valve, a dual piston, dual cylinder bottom pump.
2. DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Pumps and pumping methods adapted to water wells or oil wells is a highly developed art. This invention falls in the field of hydraulic pumps or fluid driven pumps. Among the most pertinent examples of prior art patents are U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,162,748. 2,185,727. 2,287,709. 2,918,974.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention employs a power driven top pump which may be windmill driven. Alternatively, any power driven top pump may be employed. The top pump supplied fluid under pressure through a control valve alternatively switching to a first well line and a second well line. The well line to which pressure is applied drives either the top piston or bottom piston in the top or bottom cylinder of the bottom pump. The bottom pump through suitable porting and check valves employes a volume of one to drive a piston which, in turn, delivers a volume of two to the discharge end of the system. The preferred embodiment employed a plunger driven ratchet rotary valve to selectively power or discharge the flow to and from the bottom pump. The alternative valving system utilizes a spool pilot valve hydraulically positioning a spool control valve to interconnect and control the function of the pumping system.
One of the difficulties encountered in powering hydraulic driven pumps with windmills arises on the down stroke. Windmill towers are normally stressed for a compression load from the top. The inventor's preferred embodiment employs a top pump performing work only on the up stroke. The fluid load by-passes the piston on the down stroke thus avoiding intolerable stresses on the windmill tower. The foregoing was one object of the invention. A second object was to provide a pump capable of operating without heavy sucker rods. This is accomplished by utilization of hydraulic pistons interconnected by two light plastic well lines. The bottom pump may be placed in position and removed by hand with one man performing the task. The invention of this device is also highly suitable for employment in slant wells or pumping from streams which have been heretofore extremely difficult employing windmill as the motive force.
Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a study of the following views and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
For a description of the construction of the preferred embodiment as well as the alternative valving system, your attention is invited to the attached views wherein identical reference characters are utilized for referring to the same or equivalent components throughout several views and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially fragmented, of the top pump.
FIG. 2 is a partially sectionalized view of the rotary valve comprising a portion of the top pump.
FIG. 3 is a partially sectionalized, partially fragmented, view illustrating the ratchet rotary valve cam of the top pump.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view partially illustrating the operation of the combination.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view partially fragmented illustrating principally the bottom pump.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the bottom pump with the piston powered in the up stroke as indicated by the large double arrows.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the bottom pump with the pistons powered in the down stroke as indicated by the large double arrows.
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an alternative spool valve control mechanism illustrating the bottom pump on a down stroke.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an alternative spool valve control mechanism illustrating bottom pump on the up stroke.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
For a detailed description of the construction of the preferred embodiment, reference is particularly invited to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5. The top pump 14 has its various components secured to the frame 10 which is preferably constructed of a non-corrosive metal such as anodized aluminum. To secure and stabilize the top pump 14 and base 11 a base bracket 12 is employed to which frame 10 is securely attached. Projecting through the center for the entire length of the top pump 14 is pull rod 13 adapted to be secured to a windmill crank not shown or other suitable actuating means. Top pump 14 was constructed with a 2-inch interior diameter acrylic plastic cylinder 15. Secured in the frame 10 mounted in and sealing the top end of cylinder 15 is top cylinder head 16. This component as well as bottom cylinder head 17 and piston 18 may be constructed of plastic such as high density polyethylene. It should be understood that other plastics or metals could be employed as construction material without departing from the intended scope of this disclosure. Neoprene rubber piston "O" ring 19 mounted in a suitable "O" ring groove encircles piston 18 for sealing the piston 18 against the interior walls of cylinder 15. Piston 18 should be constructed with a piston check valve 21 which would permit passage of fluid through the piston 18 on the down stroke and seal and pump on the up stroke. Such a construction and operating characteristics are particularly desirable in employing a windmill configuration as a source of power. The top pump cylinder 15 is secured to a frame 10 and retained in position by cylinder bracket 22. Projecting through the center of cylinder 15 and the cylinder heads 16, 17, and the piston 18 is piston rod 23. The upper extremity is referred to as pull rod 13 with its lower extremity designated as ratchet push rod 25. A return spring 24 may encircle rod 25 to urge the piston 18 to the bottom of the cylinder 15. Mounted on frame 10 below cylinder 15 is ratchet bracket 26. The center section of bracket 26 comprises a ratchet track 27 into which is mounted forreciprocal movement ratchet arm 28 which is pivotally attached at its upper end to ratchet pivot 29. Ratchet arm 28 is tensionally stressed to a center line by means of ratchet spring 30. Mounted on the end of ratchet push rod 25 is ratchet drive cap 31 which may be of high density polyethylene or other suitable metal or plastic. In elongation of the top pump 14 structure, there is mounted on the frame 10 rotary valve 35. This valve 35 is secured to the frame 10 and retained in position by rotary valve bracket 34. Valve 35 comprises a valve housing 36 in which is rotatably mounted a rotary valve cylinder 37. Secured to cylinder 37 and projecting through the housing 34 is rotary valve shaft 38. Secured to the shaft 38 is rotary valve cam 39 which is mounted in position spaced from and in prolongation of ratchet arm 28. Rotary valve housing 36 has constructed in this peripheral surface rotary valve first well port 40 and rotary valve second well port 41. The porting also includes a rotary valve drive port 42 and tank port 43. Constructed in top cylinder head 16 is drive passage 44 which communicates with top portion of cylinder 15 to receive fluid placed under pressure by piston 18. Interconnection drive passage 44 and rotary valve 35 is drive conduit 45 conductively connected to drive port 42. Constructed in the bottom cylinder head 17 communicating with the interior of cylinder 15 is charge passage 46. This charge passage 46 is interconnected to tank port 43 of the rotary valve 45 by tank conduit 47. Fluid flow through this tank conduit is a work product of this system as well as providing the required fluid loading of cylinder 15 through charge passage 46. The foregoing described structure principally comprises the components of the preferred embodiment mounted on the surface of the ground at the well head.
To complete an operable system, a bottom pump 50 best illustrated in FIG. 5 is required. Bottom pump 50 and top pump 14 are interconnected by first well line 51 and second well line 52. The bottom pump 50 is constructed utilizing dimensions and materials of the type utilized in construction of top pump 14. Bottom pump 50 comprises a dual cylinder structure which includes bottom cylinder 56 and upper cylinder 57. For compactness and ease of placing in the well and removing from the well bottom pump 50 has made an integral structure without utilizing a frame member 10. Bottom cylinder 56 is enclosed at its lower extremity by bottom block 58. The two cylinders are secured by intermediate block 59. The upper most portion of upper cylinder 57 has secured to it a top block 60. In the preferred embodiment, the cylinder blocks are formed or shaped to snuggly fit into the interior of cylinders 56 and 57. They well might be glued into position or secured by pins (not shown) or sealed by "0" ring (not shown). The method of interconnecting the components could utilize a wide variety of accepted securing means. The bottom pump 50 which employs a dual cylinder piston mechanism functioning as driven or pumping components depending upon the position of rotary valve 35 and whether or not the first well line 51 or second well line 52 is powered or placed under pressure to operate bottom pump 50. To control the fluid flow, a suitable system of check valves must be employed. In the preferred embodiment, a spring loaded ball check valve structure was employed. Mounted in the bottom block 58 is lower discharge check valves 61 and lower intake check valve 62. Comparably, mounted in the top block 60 was upper discharge check valve 63 and upper intake check valve 64. Slidably mounted and sealed by means such as intermediate "0" rings 54 projecting through the center of intermediate block 59 is piston rod 65. Secured adjacent the lower portion of rod 65 is bottom piston 66 which is sealed against the interior wall of bottom cylinder 56 by bottom piston "0" ring 67. The upper extremity of the piston rod 65 is upper piston 68 which is likewise sealed to upper cylinder wall 57 by upper piston "0" ring 69.
Again referring to FIG. 5, extending along the entire length of the bottom cylinder 56 is intake line 70. This line 70 communicates with bottom inlet passage 71 which is interconnected through lower intake check valve 62 to the interior of the bottom cylinder 56. Likewise, the top intake passage 72 is interconnected to the interior of upper cylinder 57 through upper intake check valve 64. The structure is illustrated on the right hand side of FIG. 5 illustrates an interconnection of first well line 51 through first well line power port 75 communicating through intermediate block 59 to the lower portion of upper cylinder 57 against the lower face of upper piston 68. This internal conduit is illustrated as first well line power passage 76. When the first well line 51 is being powered, driving upper piston 68, flow into the bottom cylinder 56 is blocked by lower discharge check valve 61. In the reverse mode of operation, fluid could pass through lower discharge check valve 61 and flow through first well line discharge passage 77 into first well line 51. To interconnecting second well line 52 and bottom cylinder 56 there is constructed in intermediate block 59 a second well line power passage 78. This passage 78 would admit fluid under pressure to the upper extremities of bottom cylinder 56 and the upper surface of bottom piston 66. The moving of this fluid under pressure from second well line 52 is blocked from flowing into the upper cylinder 57 by upper discharge check valve 63. The foregoing description is designed to describe the preferred embodiment which was actually reduced to practice and proved successful in operation in a windmill powered configuration. Other means of motive power were, however, successfully employed. The device operates successfully under field conditions.
For a description of an alternative valving arrangement powering the bottom pump 50, your attention is particularly invited to FIGS. 8 and 9. This alternative structure employs a spool pilot valve 85 which may be constructed internal or integral with intermediate block 59. In this alternative structure, construction valving arrangement of bottom pump 50 is as has been previously described. The only variation in this alternative construction is spool pilot valve 85 being contacted and in turn, controlling the system by the reciprocation of the bottom piston 66 and upper piston 68 of bottom pump 50. The system is controlled by piston position in the bottom pump 50 rather than reciprocation of top pump 14 as heretofore described. This alternative system employs a well pressure line 87 and a well pressure line 87 and a well return line 88 in lieu of the first well line 51 and second well line 52. These lines are identical structurally, but vary functionally in this alternative configuration. A pressure pilot line 89 interconnects well pressure line 87 to the center section of spool pilot valve 85. Top control line 90 andbottom control 91 interconnect spool pilot valve 85 and spool control valve 86. The top section of pilot valve 85 is vented through top relief line 92. A similar structure, bottom relief line 93, vents the bottom of spool pilot valve 85. As previously was stated, the spool pilot valve 85 may be constructed integral with intermediate block 59. In any configuration, however, this spool pilot valve must include a pilot valve cylinder 100. Slidably mounted in cylinder 100 is pilot spool 101. To control and position spool 101, lower plunger 102 projects into bottom cylinder 86 where it may be contacted by bottom piston 66. To position the pilot spool 101 reciprocally, upper plunger 103 projects into upper cylinder 57 where it is contacted by upper piston 68 to shift pilot spool 101. A frictional collar 104 such as neoprene "0" ring or a spring loaded teflon collar encircles these plungers 102, 103 to insure that pilot spool 101 is positioned by contact of the respective pistons rather than drifting by gravity. Spool control valve 86 is constructed with a control valve cylinder 105 and is normally positioned above and external of the bottom pump 50. This spool control valve 86 comprises a control valve cylinder 105 including a top control chamber 106 and a bottom control chamber 107 which are respectively connected to top 90 and bottom 91 control lines. Control valve spool 108 is reciprocally mounted in control valve cylinder 105. Structurally, control spool 108 comprises a spindle 109, upper piston 110, center piston 111, and lower piston 112. The valve cylinder 105 is constructed with a pressure inlet port 113, an upper return port 114, and a lower return port 115 positioned in the control valve cylinder 105 intermediate pressure inlet port 113 and the upper 114 and lower 115 return ports is a first well line port 116 and a second well line port 117. In this alternative system, the lines interconnecting the spool control valve 86 and the bottom pump 50 are identical structurally and functionally to first well line 51 and second well line 52 initially described as communicating with the bottom pump 50.
OPERATION
In placing the device of this invention in operation, the top pump 14 is secured in position by fixing base 11 to a stable means. Pull rod 13 is attached to an external motive force such as a windmill (not shown), bottom pump 50 is immersed in the fluid to be pumped. First well line 51 and second well line 52 are connected. Initially, it is necessary to prime the system through the tank line 47. As piston rod 23 reciprocates fluid is delivered through drive conduit 45 into rotary valve 35. As illustrated in FIG. 4, rotary valve 35 is so positioned as to deliver fluid to the bottom pump 50 through first well line 51. This fluid pressure drives upper piston 68 to the top of its stroke. This action discharged fluid through upper discharge check valve 63 as well as fluid from the upper portion of bottom cylinder 65. This fluid proceeds through well line 52 through the passage in rotary valve 35 through tank line 47. A portion of the fluid is diverted to re-charge bottom section of top pump cylinder 15. The remainder of the fluid is the work product of the system and is discharged through the tank line 47. As piston 18 returns to the bottom of its stroke, fluid below piston 18 passes through piston check valve 21 into the top of cylinder 15. Ratchet drive cap 31 moves ratchet arm 28 rotating rotary valve cam 39 by 90° re-routing the flow channels through the valve 35. In the mode of operation previously described, rotary valve drive port 42 was common with rotary valve first well port 40. When rotated 90°, rotary valve second well port 41 will be common with rotary valve drive port 42. Following this sequence as piston 18 returns toward top cylinder head 16, fluid under pressure through drive conduit 45 would proceed through second well line 52 driving bottom piston 66 of bottom pump 50 down. Fluid from bottom cylinder 56 would be discharged through lower discharge check valve 61 into first well line 51. Similarly fluid from the lower part of upper cylinder 57 would be discharged into first well line 51. This fluid would proceed through rotary valve first well port 40 through the valve and be discharged through rotary valve tank port 43 into tank line 47. As piston 18 reciprocates, the cycle is repeated.
For a description of the operation of the alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, reference is first made to FIG. 8. In this configuration, the lower plunger 102 has been contacted by piston 66 moving the pilot valve 85 to the up position as illustrated in FIG. 8. Fluid through pressure pilot line 89 proceeds through the valve 85 through top control line 90 forcing spool control valve 86 to the position illustrated. When this is accomplished, pressure from well pressure line 87 proceeds through valve 86 down second well line 52 driving bottom piston 66 downward. This results in discharge of fluid through lower discharge check valve 61 as well as the fluid in the bottom of upper cylinder 67. This fluid proceeds up through first well line 51 through valve 86 and into lower return port 115 into well return line 88. For the opposite cycle, reference is made to FIG. 9. As upper piston 68 strikes upper plunger 103, pilot valve 85 is moved to position illustrated in FIG. 9. Pressure from pilot line 89 moves through pilot valve 85 through bottom control line 91 shifting spool control valve 86 into position illustrated in FIG. 9. This results in fluid from well pressure line 87 moving through pressure inlet 113 through valve 86 out first well line port 116 down first well line 51 into bottom part of upper cylinder 57 driving upper piston 68 up. This action discharges fluid through upper discharge check valve 63 as well as fluid from bottom cylinder 56 through second well line 52. This fluid moves through second well line port 117 through passage between upper piston 110 and center piston 111 of spool control valve 86 through upper return port 114 into well return line 88. When bottom piston 66 again strikes lower plunger 102, pilot spool valve 85 is again shifted and the cycle repeated.
In the configuration of the device as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, any source of positive water pressure might be utilized in the combination. A windmill driven pump such as illustrated in FIG. 1 would be a satisfactory source of positive pressure; however, there would be no necessity for employing rotary valve 35 and its drive and control mechanism in such a configuration. Tank conduit 47 could communicate directly with passage 46 and be connected to well return line 88 and drive conduit 45 would be connected directly to well pressure line 87.
The construction and operation of the preferred embodiment and an alternative valve control system for bottom pump 50 have been described in detail. What is desired to be claimed is all embodiments not departing from the scope or equivalents of the appended claims.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally pertains to a hydraulic well pumping mechanism more particularly utilizing a top pump driving through a control valve, a dual piston, dual cylinder bottom pump.
2. DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Pumps and pumping methods adapted to water wells or oil wells is a highly developed art. This invention falls in the field of hydraulic pumps or fluid driven pumps. Among the most pertinent examples of prior art patents are U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,162,748. 2,185,727. 2,287,709. 2,918,974.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention employs a power driven top pump which may be windmill driven. Alternatively, any power driven top pump may be employed. The top pump supplied fluid under pressure through a control valve alternatively switching to a first well line and a second well line. The well line to which pressure is applied drives either the top piston or bottom piston in the top or bottom cylinder of the bottom pump. The bottom pump through suitable porting and check valves employes a volume of one to drive a piston which, in turn, delivers a volume of two to the discharge end of the system. The preferred embodiment employed a plunger driven ratchet rotary valve to selectively power or discharge the flow to and from the bottom pump. The alternative valving system utilizes a spool pilot valve hydraulically positioning a spool control valve to interconnect and control the function of the pumping system.
One of the difficulties encountered in powering hydraulic driven pumps with windmills arises on the down stroke. Windmill towers are normally stressed for a compression load from the top. The inventor's preferred embodiment employs a top pump performing work only on the up stroke. The fluid load by-passes the piston on the down stroke thus avoiding intolerable stresses on the windmill tower. The foregoing was one object of the invention. A second object was to provide a pump capable of operating without heavy sucker rods. This is accomplished by utilization of hydraulic pistons interconnected by two light plastic well lines. The bottom pump may be placed in position and removed by hand with one man performing the task. The invention of this device is also highly suitable for employment in slant wells or pumping from streams which have been heretofore extremely difficult employing windmill as the motive force.
Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a study of the following views and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
For a description of the construction of the preferred embodiment as well as the alternative valving system, your attention is invited to the attached views wherein identical reference characters are utilized for referring to the same or equivalent components throughout several views and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially fragmented, of the top pump.
FIG. 2 is a partially sectionalized view of the rotary valve comprising a portion of the top pump.
FIG. 3 is a partially sectionalized, partially fragmented, view illustrating the ratchet rotary valve cam of the top pump.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view partially illustrating the operation of the combination.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view partially fragmented illustrating principally the bottom pump.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the bottom pump with the piston powered in the up stroke as indicated by the large double arrows.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the bottom pump with the pistons powered in the down stroke as indicated by the large double arrows.
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an alternative spool valve control mechanism illustrating the bottom pump on a down stroke.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an alternative spool valve control mechanism illustrating bottom pump on the up stroke.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
For a detailed description of the construction of the preferred embodiment, reference is particularly invited to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5. The top pump 14 has its various components secured to the frame 10 which is preferably constructed of a non-corrosive metal such as anodized aluminum. To secure and stabilize the top pump 14 and base 11 a base bracket 12 is employed to which frame 10 is securely attached. Projecting through the center for the entire length of the top pump 14 is pull rod 13 adapted to be secured to a windmill crank not shown or other suitable actuating means. Top pump 14 was constructed with a 2-inch interior diameter acrylic plastic cylinder 15. Secured in the frame 10 mounted in and sealing the top end of cylinder 15 is top cylinder head 16. This component as well as bottom cylinder head 17 and piston 18 may be constructed of plastic such as high density polyethylene. It should be understood that other plastics or metals could be employed as construction material without departing from the intended scope of this disclosure. Neoprene rubber piston "O" ring 19 mounted in a suitable "O" ring groove encircles piston 18 for sealing the piston 18 against the interior walls of cylinder 15. Piston 18 should be constructed with a piston check valve 21 which would permit passage of fluid through the piston 18 on the down stroke and seal and pump on the up stroke. Such a construction and operating characteristics are particularly desirable in employing a windmill configuration as a source of power. The top pump cylinder 15 is secured to a frame 10 and retained in position by cylinder bracket 22. Projecting through the center of cylinder 15 and the cylinder heads 16, 17, and the piston 18 is piston rod 23. The upper extremity is referred to as pull rod 13 with its lower extremity designated as ratchet push rod 25. A return spring 24 may encircle rod 25 to urge the piston 18 to the bottom of the cylinder 15. Mounted on frame 10 below cylinder 15 is ratchet bracket 26. The center section of bracket 26 comprises a ratchet track 27 into which is mounted forreciprocal movement ratchet arm 28 which is pivotally attached at its upper end to ratchet pivot 29. Ratchet arm 28 is tensionally stressed to a center line by means of ratchet spring 30. Mounted on the end of ratchet push rod 25 is ratchet drive cap 31 which may be of high density polyethylene or other suitable metal or plastic. In elongation of the top pump 14 structure, there is mounted on the frame 10 rotary valve 35. This valve 35 is secured to the frame 10 and retained in position by rotary valve bracket 34. Valve 35 comprises a valve housing 36 in which is rotatably mounted a rotary valve cylinder 37. Secured to cylinder 37 and projecting through the housing 34 is rotary valve shaft 38. Secured to the shaft 38 is rotary valve cam 39 which is mounted in position spaced from and in prolongation of ratchet arm 28. Rotary valve housing 36 has constructed in this peripheral surface rotary valve first well port 40 and rotary valve second well port 41. The porting also includes a rotary valve drive port 42 and tank port 43. Constructed in top cylinder head 16 is drive passage 44 which communicates with top portion of cylinder 15 to receive fluid placed under pressure by piston 18. Interconnection drive passage 44 and rotary valve 35 is drive conduit 45 conductively connected to drive port 42. Constructed in the bottom cylinder head 17 communicating with the interior of cylinder 15 is charge passage 46. This charge passage 46 is interconnected to tank port 43 of the rotary valve 45 by tank conduit 47. Fluid flow through this tank conduit is a work product of this system as well as providing the required fluid loading of cylinder 15 through charge passage 46. The foregoing described structure principally comprises the components of the preferred embodiment mounted on the surface of the ground at the well head.
To complete an operable system, a bottom pump 50 best illustrated in FIG. 5 is required. Bottom pump 50 and top pump 14 are interconnected by first well line 51 and second well line 52. The bottom pump 50 is constructed utilizing dimensions and materials of the type utilized in construction of top pump 14. Bottom pump 50 comprises a dual cylinder structure which includes bottom cylinder 56 and upper cylinder 57. For compactness and ease of placing in the well and removing from the well bottom pump 50 has made an integral structure without utilizing a frame member 10. Bottom cylinder 56 is enclosed at its lower extremity by bottom block 58. The two cylinders are secured by intermediate block 59. The upper most portion of upper cylinder 57 has secured to it a top block 60. In the preferred embodiment, the cylinder blocks are formed or shaped to snuggly fit into the interior of cylinders 56 and 57. They well might be glued into position or secured by pins (not shown) or sealed by "0" ring (not shown). The method of interconnecting the components could utilize a wide variety of accepted securing means. The bottom pump 50 which employs a dual cylinder piston mechanism functioning as driven or pumping components depending upon the position of rotary valve 35 and whether or not the first well line 51 or second well line 52 is powered or placed under pressure to operate bottom pump 50. To control the fluid flow, a suitable system of check valves must be employed. In the preferred embodiment, a spring loaded ball check valve structure was employed. Mounted in the bottom block 58 is lower discharge check valves 61 and lower intake check valve 62. Comparably, mounted in the top block 60 was upper discharge check valve 63 and upper intake check valve 64. Slidably mounted and sealed by means such as intermediate "0" rings 54 projecting through the center of intermediate block 59 is piston rod 65. Secured adjacent the lower portion of rod 65 is bottom piston 66 which is sealed against the interior wall of bottom cylinder 56 by bottom piston "0" ring 67. The upper extremity of the piston rod 65 is upper piston 68 which is likewise sealed to upper cylinder wall 57 by upper piston "0" ring 69.
Again referring to FIG. 5, extending along the entire length of the bottom cylinder 56 is intake line 70. This line 70 communicates with bottom inlet passage 71 which is interconnected through lower intake check valve 62 to the interior of the bottom cylinder 56. Likewise, the top intake passage 72 is interconnected to the interior of upper cylinder 57 through upper intake check valve 64. The structure is illustrated on the right hand side of FIG. 5 illustrates an interconnection of first well line 51 through first well line power port 75 communicating through intermediate block 59 to the lower portion of upper cylinder 57 against the lower face of upper piston 68. This internal conduit is illustrated as first well line power passage 76. When the first well line 51 is being powered, driving upper piston 68, flow into the bottom cylinder 56 is blocked by lower discharge check valve 61. In the reverse mode of operation, fluid could pass through lower discharge check valve 61 and flow through first well line discharge passage 77 into first well line 51. To interconnecting second well line 52 and bottom cylinder 56 there is constructed in intermediate block 59 a second well line power passage 78. This passage 78 would admit fluid under pressure to the upper extremities of bottom cylinder 56 and the upper surface of bottom piston 66. The moving of this fluid under pressure from second well line 52 is blocked from flowing into the upper cylinder 57 by upper discharge check valve 63. The foregoing description is designed to describe the preferred embodiment which was actually reduced to practice and proved successful in operation in a windmill powered configuration. Other means of motive power were, however, successfully employed. The device operates successfully under field conditions.
For a description of an alternative valving arrangement powering the bottom pump 50, your attention is particularly invited to FIGS. 8 and 9. This alternative structure employs a spool pilot valve 85 which may be constructed internal or integral with intermediate block 59. In this alternative structure, construction valving arrangement of bottom pump 50 is as has been previously described. The only variation in this alternative construction is spool pilot valve 85 being contacted and in turn, controlling the system by the reciprocation of the bottom piston 66 and upper piston 68 of bottom pump 50. The system is controlled by piston position in the bottom pump 50 rather than reciprocation of top pump 14 as heretofore described. This alternative system employs a well pressure line 87 and a well pressure line 87 and a well return line 88 in lieu of the first well line 51 and second well line 52. These lines are identical structurally, but vary functionally in this alternative configuration. A pressure pilot line 89 interconnects well pressure line 87 to the center section of spool pilot valve 85. Top control line 90 andbottom control 91 interconnect spool pilot valve 85 and spool control valve 86. The top section of pilot valve 85 is vented through top relief line 92. A similar structure, bottom relief line 93, vents the bottom of spool pilot valve 85. As previously was stated, the spool pilot valve 85 may be constructed integral with intermediate block 59. In any configuration, however, this spool pilot valve must include a pilot valve cylinder 100. Slidably mounted in cylinder 100 is pilot spool 101. To control and position spool 101, lower plunger 102 projects into bottom cylinder 86 where it may be contacted by bottom piston 66. To position the pilot spool 101 reciprocally, upper plunger 103 projects into upper cylinder 57 where it is contacted by upper piston 68 to shift pilot spool 101. A frictional collar 104 such as neoprene "0" ring or a spring loaded teflon collar encircles these plungers 102, 103 to insure that pilot spool 101 is positioned by contact of the respective pistons rather than drifting by gravity. Spool control valve 86 is constructed with a control valve cylinder 105 and is normally positioned above and external of the bottom pump 50. This spool control valve 86 comprises a control valve cylinder 105 including a top control chamber 106 and a bottom control chamber 107 which are respectively connected to top 90 and bottom 91 control lines. Control valve spool 108 is reciprocally mounted in control valve cylinder 105. Structurally, control spool 108 comprises a spindle 109, upper piston 110, center piston 111, and lower piston 112. The valve cylinder 105 is constructed with a pressure inlet port 113, an upper return port 114, and a lower return port 115 positioned in the control valve cylinder 105 intermediate pressure inlet port 113 and the upper 114 and lower 115 return ports is a first well line port 116 and a second well line port 117. In this alternative system, the lines interconnecting the spool control valve 86 and the bottom pump 50 are identical structurally and functionally to first well line 51 and second well line 52 initially described as communicating with the bottom pump 50.
OPERATION
In placing the device of this invention in operation, the top pump 14 is secured in position by fixing base 11 to a stable means. Pull rod 13 is attached to an external motive force such as a windmill (not shown), bottom pump 50 is immersed in the fluid to be pumped. First well line 51 and second well line 52 are connected. Initially, it is necessary to prime the system through the tank line 47. As piston rod 23 reciprocates fluid is delivered through drive conduit 45 into rotary valve 35. As illustrated in FIG. 4, rotary valve 35 is so positioned as to deliver fluid to the bottom pump 50 through first well line 51. This fluid pressure drives upper piston 68 to the top of its stroke. This action discharged fluid through upper discharge check valve 63 as well as fluid from the upper portion of bottom cylinder 65. This fluid proceeds through well line 52 through the passage in rotary valve 35 through tank line 47. A portion of the fluid is diverted to re-charge bottom section of top pump cylinder 15. The remainder of the fluid is the work product of the system and is discharged through the tank line 47. As piston 18 returns to the bottom of its stroke, fluid below piston 18 passes through piston check valve 21 into the top of cylinder 15. Ratchet drive cap 31 moves ratchet arm 28 rotating rotary valve cam 39 by 90° re-routing the flow channels through the valve 35. In the mode of operation previously described, rotary valve drive port 42 was common with rotary valve first well port 40. When rotated 90°, rotary valve second well port 41 will be common with rotary valve drive port 42. Following this sequence as piston 18 returns toward top cylinder head 16, fluid under pressure through drive conduit 45 would proceed through second well line 52 driving bottom piston 66 of bottom pump 50 down. Fluid from bottom cylinder 56 would be discharged through lower discharge check valve 61 into first well line 51. Similarly fluid from the lower part of upper cylinder 57 would be discharged into first well line 51. This fluid would proceed through rotary valve first well port 40 through the valve and be discharged through rotary valve tank port 43 into tank line 47. As piston 18 reciprocates, the cycle is repeated.
For a description of the operation of the alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, reference is first made to FIG. 8. In this configuration, the lower plunger 102 has been contacted by piston 66 moving the pilot valve 85 to the up position as illustrated in FIG. 8. Fluid through pressure pilot line 89 proceeds through the valve 85 through top control line 90 forcing spool control valve 86 to the position illustrated. When this is accomplished, pressure from well pressure line 87 proceeds through valve 86 down second well line 52 driving bottom piston 66 downward. This results in discharge of fluid through lower discharge check valve 61 as well as the fluid in the bottom of upper cylinder 67. This fluid proceeds up through first well line 51 through valve 86 and into lower return port 115 into well return line 88. For the opposite cycle, reference is made to FIG. 9. As upper piston 68 strikes upper plunger 103, pilot valve 85 is moved to position illustrated in FIG. 9. Pressure from pilot line 89 moves through pilot valve 85 through bottom control line 91 shifting spool control valve 86 into position illustrated in FIG. 9. This results in fluid from well pressure line 87 moving through pressure inlet 113 through valve 86 out first well line port 116 down first well line 51 into bottom part of upper cylinder 57 driving upper piston 68 up. This action discharges fluid through upper discharge check valve 63 as well as fluid from bottom cylinder 56 through second well line 52. This fluid moves through second well line port 117 through passage between upper piston 110 and center piston 111 of spool control valve 86 through upper return port 114 into well return line 88. When bottom piston 66 again strikes lower plunger 102, pilot spool valve 85 is again shifted and the cycle repeated.
In the configuration of the device as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, any source of positive water pressure might be utilized in the combination. A windmill driven pump such as illustrated in FIG. 1 would be a satisfactory source of positive pressure; however, there would be no necessity for employing rotary valve 35 and its drive and control mechanism in such a configuration. Tank conduit 47 could communicate directly with passage 46 and be connected to well return line 88 and drive conduit 45 would be connected directly to well pressure line 87.
The construction and operation of the preferred embodiment and an alternative valve control system for bottom pump 50 have been described in detail. What is desired to be claimed is all embodiments not departing from the scope or equivalents of the appended claims.