US2645900A - Hydraulic type fluid transmission - Google Patents

Description

y 1953 L. E. HUTCHISON HYDRAULIC TYPE FLUID TRANSMISSION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 5, 1947 y 1953 E. HUTCHISON HYDRAULIC TYPE FLUID TRANSMISSION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill/, r 4

Filed April 5, 1947 Patented July 21, 1953 2,645,900 HYDRAULIC TYPE FLUID TRANSMISSION Loyd" E. Hutchison, Houston, Tex; I Application April 5, 1947, Serial No; 739,601

1 This invention relates to hydraulic type fluid transmission.

An object of the invention isto provide a novel type of pumping unit for reciprocating the sucker rod of a deep well pump.

Another object of the invention is toprovi-dex a well pumping. unit which will be substantially balanced by fluid pressure thus eliminating the cumbersome counterbalancing weights now commonly employed in connection with the walking beam for reciprocating the pumpsucker rod now in common use.

Wells, particularly oil wells, vary in depth from a few hundred feet to many thousands of feet;

and in pumping wells the load to be lifted includingthe Sucker rods andtheliquid columns vary from a few hundred pounds to many thou,-

sands of pounds depending on the depth of the 1 well and the diameter ofthepump plunger.

The liquid is pumped from these wells, at the present time, by the use of a pumping unit which includes a walking beam connected to the pump Sucker rod andthis walking beam is counterbalanced by heavy count'erweights so as to balance the sucker rod upon down stroke thereof. This type of pumping unit is heavy and cumbersomea'nd requires special equipment and skill to properly operate the same and to keep the load on the walking beam properly balanced. Changing conditions in the well also readily throw this type of pumpingunit out of balance thus causing extra-vibration andw'e'ar.

It is one of the main objects of the present invention to overcome the" disadvantages referred to by providing a pumping unit wherein the Sucker rods and a majorpercentage of the weight features of construction, operation and arrange- .ment of parts, 'an example of which is given in this specification and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is aside elevation of the complete unit installed on a well.

Figure 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, elevational view taken at right angles to the view shown in Figure 1. g

Figure 3 is aplan view, partly in section, of

the pressure controlling assembly shown in,Fig-

Figure lis a plan view of the unit taken on the line 4 4io fFigure 1.

Figure 5- is an enlarged, verticalsectional view of the power cylinder and the pressure controlling unit associated therewith.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken.

onthe line 66 of Figure 3, and

.Figure lis a fragmentary, side elevation illus: trating the mounting of the power cylinder on the well head Structure.

Referring now'more particularly'to the drawings wherein-like numerals of reference designate the same parts in each of the figures, the numeral l designates the upper end of the welltubing which may have a tubing head 2 connected thereto. In the present illustration this tubing head is in the form of a T-connection thus providing alateral flow line 3 for the liquid being pumped. Mounted on this tubing head, and secured thereto, there is the tubular section 4 whose upper end is provided with a conventional stufling box a construction 5 through which the upper end of the Well'sucker rods 6 reciprocate.

- 1 This Sucker rod extends downin to thewell of the load being lifted are balanced by air under pressure and the pump'is actuated hydraulically. Thepumping unit herein described is comparatively light since the walking beam, reduction gearing and counterbalancing weights of the conventional type of pumping unit are eliminated thus requiring less material for the foundation andsupporting structure for the unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pumping unit of the character de- I scribed whereby the-unit canbe easily and quickly brought back to normalbalance; Should it become unbalanced, without. stopping the operation of the unit. 7

The invention also embodies means'whereby. the speed of operation of the Well pump may easily varied and controlled.

Another feature of the'invention resides in the provision of a pumping unit which may be'readily adjusted to a position to allow the pulling of the sucker rods and well'pump from the well without dismantling or disturbing the pumping unit itself. Withthe above and other objects in view the invention has particular relation to certain novel tubin I there is a frame 1.

I Pivoted, at one end, to the frame there are the and is connected, at its lower end, to the pump plunger which recip'rocates in the conventional pump barrel connected to the lower end of the,

well tubing.

This well pump has not been shown in the;-

drawings for the reason that its construction is well known to those familiar with the pumping art. Upon upstroke of the sucker rods 6 and the pump plunger a column of liquid will be elevated and a portion-of it discharged through the line 3' and upon down stroke of the pump plunger an additionalload'of liquid'will be accumulated above the plunger to b moved upwardly upon the next upstroke of the sucker rods.

The unit hereinafter described has been-spe-' cially designed for balancing the sucker rods and a portion of the liquid load and for hydraulically actuating the un-itto reciprocate the suckererods.

Suitably secured to the upper end'of the well side supports 8, 8- andthe other ends of these side supportsare'secured'to the frame 1 by means of a removablerod 9.

Mounted on the supports 8 are the upstanding tubular supporting legs l0, l8, four being shown. Supported on the upper ends of these legs there is a platform I I. Rods, as I2, extend downwardly through the corners of the platform The upper ends of these rods are formed with heads I3 which engage the platform and the lowerends of the rods are secured to the side supports 6. a

There is a vertical power cylinder I4 whose lower end extends through the platform H and is secured thereto, preferably by welding;

Screwed onto the lower end of the power cylinder beneath the platform there is a closure cap l5 and fitted upwardly through said cap and, preferably welded thereto, there is a lower pressure cylinder l6 whose lower end is formed with a conventional stuffing box H which surrounds and forms a fluid tight seal with the rod 6.

Screwed onto the upper end of the power cylinder there is a cap l8 and an upper pressure cylinder I9 is fitted downwardly through said cap and secured thereto preferably by welding. The upper end of the cylinder I9 is closed.

Within the power cylinder I4 there is a close fitting piston 2|] and formed integrally with said piston there are the lower and upper plungers 2| and 22 of a size to fit snugly into the corresponding lower and upper cylinders l6 and I9.

It will be noted from an inspection of Figure 5 that the cylinders I6, I9 extend inwardly a distance beyond the caps through which they extend.

There is a pressure controlling unit associated with the power cylinder which includes an outer jacket 23 and an inner cylinder 24 fitted therein, both enclosed, at the ends, by the end plates 25 and 26 bolted, or otherwise secured, to the respective ends of the unit.

Leading from the cylinder |6 beneath the cap I5 there is a pressure line 21 which enters the upper end of the cylinder 24 through the upper end plate 25 and leading from the upper cylinder l9 above the cap |8 there is a pressure'line 28 which enters the lower end of the cylinder 24 through the lower end cap 26.

Formed on one side of the jacket 23 there is a manifold 29 provided with the ducts 3D and 3| which lead from the respective lower and upper ends thereof inwardly and whose inner ends are inwardly turned through the wall of, and enter, the cylinder 24.

A conducting line 32 leads from within the lower end of the power cylinder |4 opposite the cylinder l6 and enters the lower end of the duct 30 and a conducting line 33 leads from the upper end of the power cylinder, opposite the cylinder 19 and is connected into the upper end of th duct 3|.

Also formed on one side of the jacket 23 there is a manifold 34 having a duct 35 leading from its lower to its upper end and which is connected by the lower and upper ports 36 and 31 into the cylinder 24.

There is a main pressure tank 38 which is equipped with a valve controlled connection 39 for the attachment of a filling hose thereto.

A pressure line 40 leads from the bottom of the tank and is connected into the intake 4| of a hydraulic pump 42. This pump may be driven in any suitable manner. As shown it is operatively connected with and driven by an electric motor 43. Leading from the discharge side of the pump 42 there is a pressure line 44 which enters the cylinder through the side port 45. This side 4 port is located approximately midway between the ends of the cylinder 24.

A return line 46 leads from the lower end of the duct 35 and is connected into the pump intake 4|, as shown in Figure 4. The upper end of duct 35 is closed by a plug 35a.

Sections of the pressure line 44 and return line 1 46 are formed flexible as more accurately indicated in Figure 1 so that when it may be desired to pull the pump sucker rods and pump from the well the rod 9 may be removed and the power cylinder I4, its support and appendants may be swung over to one side out of the way as indicated in Figure '7 without dismantling or otherwise disturbing the pumping unit. The power line 44 and the return line 46 are connected by means of a by-pass connection 41 which is equipped with a valve 48 that may be normally opened or closed by a grip member 48 with which the valve is equipped. By opening the valve 48 the operating fiuid from the pump may be caused to wholly, or partly, by-pass the cylinder 24 and enter the return line 46.

Mounted on the upper end of the pump pressure line 44 there is a suitable pressure gauge 50 by means of which the pressure of the operating fiuid will, at all times, be revealed.

There is a pressure operable electric switch 5| which is wired in circuit with the motor, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Connected into the pressure line 44 there is a nipple 52, screwed into the outer end of which there is a T fitting 53. The inner end of the nipple 52 is formed with a valve seat 54 and co-opcrating with said seat there is an outwardly opening valve 55.

Screwed into the other end of the fitting 53 there is a plug 56 Whose inner end is formed with a deep socket 51 and the valve is provided with the stem 58 which works in said socket. Surrounding said stem and interposed between the inner end of the plug 56 and the valve there is a strong coil spring 59 which normally holds the valve closed. The outer end of the plug 56 has an opening 60 therethrough to receive a handle 6| by means of which the plug may be turned.

The switch 5| is mounted on a T fitting 62 which is connected with the fitting 53 by means 'of a cross pipe 63 which may be opened and closed at will by means of a valve 64. The fitting 62 may be open for drainage purposes, or to release the pressure therein, by means of a suitable cock 65 connected to the lower end of the fitting 62.

When the pressureflat which the unit will operate has been determined the plug 56 may be screwed outwardly to permit such pressure to enter the fitting 62 and the switch 5| will be set to remain closed at such pressure. The plug 56 may then be screwed inwardly to apply additional compressive force to the spring 59 so that the valve 55 will not open unless an excessive pressure is reached and in case of such excessive pressure the valve 55 will be opened and the pressure in the fitting 62 will be increased and under'the influence of said increased pressure the switch 5| will be opened and the motor stopped.

Within the cylinder 24 of the controlling assembly there is a controlling piston assembly that will now be described.

This assembly includes a reduced piston body 66 fixed on which are the intermediate spaced pistons 61 and 68. There are also the end pisbly is inbalanced position with the intermedi-- ate pistons 61 and 68 between the ports 36 and 31.

The entire system including the-cylinders I4,

I6 and I9, the pressure lines 21 and 28, the conducting lines 32 and 33, the controlling assembly, the pressure line and return line 44,. 46,-

as well as the bypass connection 41 and the cross-pipe 63 will be filled with a suitableoperating liquid, such as a suitable oil. The pump,

42 and the pressure line 40 leading, from the tank 38 are also filled with this liquid; The tank 38 is only partly filled with liquid and sufficient fluid pressure is then introduced into said tank and applied to the liquid therein andthis pressure is transmitted to, the operating liquid filling the system. The amount of pressure in the tank 38 is only slightly less than the pressure required to sustain the operating load, that is the load of the sucker rods and the column of liquid in the well pipe being pumped. The electric motor 43 and pump 42 will supply the additional power required'to operate the well pump while pumping the well.

As is illustrated in Figure the operating fluid has been applied through the pressure line 44 and theconducting line 32 into the lower end of the power cylinder I4 and the piston '20 has been elevated, that is a power stroke of the well pump has just been completed. The plunger 22 enter ing the cylinder I9 places the liquid in said last mentioned cylinder under. additional pressure which is transmitted through the pressure line 28 into the lower end of the cylinder 24 thus forcing the piston assembly in said cylinder upwardly and closing the duct 30, that is cutting it off from the pressure line 44 and'opening the duct III to the pressure line 33. At the same time the lower end of the power cylinder I4 will be connected, through said conducting line 32 and duct 36 with the return line 46, through the port 36. The piston will now be forced downwardly in the cylinder I4.

The plungers 2| and 22 are provided with channels, as 2Ia and 220. leading from the outer ends thereof longitudinally through said plungers with the other ends of said channels laterally turned through the corresponding plungers.

The outer ends of these channels are closedby the outwardly opening flap valves 2 lb, 22b'so that on upward movement of a plunger the channel 2211 through said plunger will be closed by the valve 22?) but upon reverse movement of the plunger the valve 22b may open and vice versa. Provision is thus madeso that there will be no vacuum created behind the piston as it moves forwardly in either direction.

Upon movement of the plunger 22 from the cylinder I9 the pressure above the piston 26 will pass through the channel 22a so that at all times during the downward movement of the piston 26 there will be sufircient pressure in the cylinder 24 beneath the valve assembly therein to maintain said assembly in elevated position, as is shown in Figure 5, with the duct in communication with the duct 35, through the port .36, to allow the operating fluid beneath the piston 20 to enter the return line 46. v

The pressure controlling unit will remain, in

t I I the positionshowniniFigure 5 duringsaid downward movement of the =piston20.

It may be here stated. that the pistons, 61, 68, 69 and 10 are fixed in relation to the body 66. This is accomplished by providing transverse pins 11 and I6 through the body and through the corresponding stems II and 12, as is indicated in Figure 5, and, if desired, this piston assembly maybe made as a unit.

As the piston 26 approaches the: limit of its downward: movement thev plunger 2| will enter the cylinder I6 applying pressure to the operating'liquid trapped in said. cylinder and this pres"- sure will be transmitted through theline 21 into the upper end of the cylinder 24 of the controlling. assembly thus moving the piston assembly, in said cylinder 24., downwardly andconne'cting the line 33, through the duct 31 and po'rt31 with-th return line 46' and connecting the line 32, through the duct 30, with the pressure line 44, thusinitiating the return movement of the piston 20. The:

pressure of this operating fluidwill move the piston 20 upwardly and the pressure of the operat ing fluid beneath the piston 20 will initially pass" through the the ductlla until the plunger 2 I cleared thecylinder I6 sothat at all times during the upward movement of the piston 20'pre'ssur will be applied: through the line 21 against pleting acycle of movement.

, Should it be desired to vary the speed of opera- I tion of the well pump, this may be done'by the This valvemay' be completely closed valve 48. so that the full pressure generated by the pump 42 may-be applied to the piston 20 or the valve 48 may be partially opened to by-pa'ss a portion of the pressure through the by-pas's ccnnection 4| to the return line 46-whioh will have the effect of slowingupv the operation of the well pump.

When the pump stops the controlling piston assembly in the cylinder 24-willessume an intermediate position with the pistons 61 and 68 between the ports 36, 31, as shown in Figure-6. In order to movethe controlling piston assembly ofl J of center in starting the unit there has been pro-- vvided" a rod I9 having a T head locatedbe-w Fastened to thetween the pistons Bland 68. outer end of the rod I9 there is a handle 6| by means of which said'rod and T head may beinder on opposite sides of the piston, a pressure line entering said assembly'and a return line leading from the assembly, said assemblyincluding controlling means operable to connect one of said conduits with the pressurelin and the other of said conduits with the return line,-pres sure applying conduits, pressure applying means operable by the piston for applying pressure through said conduits, alternately, to opposite sides of the controlling means wherebyapplicawill be effected alternately.

2. A pumping unit comprising, a power cylin der, a piston therein, me'ansfor connecting the piston, to a well pump, pressure cylinders at opposite ends of the power cylinder, plungers on the'piston arranged to enter the pressure cylinders a pressure controlling assembly, pressure conducting lines leading from said assembly and connected into said pressure cylinders on opposite sides of the piston, a pressure supply line leading from a sourc of pressure fluid and connected into said pontrolling assembly, a return line leading from said assembly to said source, said controlling assembly including valve means operable by fluid pressure and movable to one position to connect the pressure line with one of the conducting lines and to simultaneously connect the return line with the other conducting line, said valve means being movable to another position to reverse said connections, whereby fluid, under pressure, will be appli d to opposite sides of the piston, alternately, and relieved from the forward sides of the piston conducting lines through which said fluid pressure may be relieved from the front of the piston, and means for causing a, selected portlon of the operating pressure fluid to by-pass the controlling assembly into the return line.

3. Pumpin equipment comprising, a power cylinder, a piston therein, pressure cylinders at the ends of the power cylinder, plungers on the piston which enter the corresponding pressure cylinders at the ends of the piston stroke means for connecting the piston to a well pump, a pressure controlling assembly, conduits leading from said assembly and connected into said cylinder on opposite sides of the piston, conduits leading from said assembly and connected into each pressure cylinder a pressure tank, a hydraulic pump, a pressure line leading from the tank and connected into the pump intake, a pressure line leading from the discharge side of the pump and connected into the controlling assembly, a return line leading from said assembly and connected into the pump intake, said controlling assembly including pressure controlling means movable to one position to connect the pressure line with one of said conduits and to simultaneously connect the return line with the other conduit, said prespositi to reverse said connections whereby fluid, under ressure, will be applied to opposite sides of the piston alternately and relieved from the forwari sides of the piston.

4. A pumping unit comprising, a power cylinder, a piston therein, means for connecting the piston to a well pump, pressure cylindersat opposite ends of the power cylinder, plungers on the piston arranged to enter the pressure cylinders alternatively to create pressure therein, a pressure controlling assembly provided with a cylinder and a piston assembly mounted therein, pressure lines leading from said pressure cylinders to the controlling assembly and connected into the cylinder thereof on opposite sides of said piston assembly, a pressure supply line leading from a source of fluid pressure and connected into the cylinder of the controlling assembly, a return line leading from said last mentioned cylinder to said source, conducting lines leading from the cylinder of the pressure controlling assembly and connected into the power cylinder adjacent opposite ends thereof, said power piston being arranged to force one plunger into one pressure cylinder and to thereby shift the piston assembly to relieve the other pressure line and connect the supply line, through a conducting line, with the sure cggtrolling means being movable to another.

8 power cylinder to reverse the movement of said piston therein.

5. A pumping unit comprising a main power cylinder, a main piston therein, means for connecting the piston to a well pump, pressure cylinders at opposite ends of the power cylinder and of reduced transverse diameter, plungers on the piston arranged to enter the pressure cylinders alternatively to create pressure therein, a pressure controlling assembly provided with a cylinder and a piston assembly mounted in said cylinder, a pressure line leading from a pressure cylinder, at one end of the power cylinder, to the controlling assembly and connected into the cylinder thereof on one side of said piston assembly, a pressure supply line leading from a source of fluid pressure and connected into the cylinder of the controlling assembly, a return line leading from said last mentioned cylinder to said source, a conducting line leading from the cylinder of the pressure controlling assembly and connected into the other end of the power cylinder, said controlling assembly having passages to connect said pressure line with the return line and to connect the pressure supply line with said conducting line, said piston assembly being arranged to be operated by the pressure in said pressure line to open said passageways and to thereby shift the piston assembly to open said passages and to complete said connections.

6. A pumping unit comprising a main power cylinder, a main piston therein, means for connecting the piston to a well pump, pressure cylinders at opposite ends of the power cylinder and of reduced transverse diameter, plungers on the piston arranged to enter the pressure cylinders alternatively to create pressure therein, a pressure controlling assembly provided with a cylinder and a piston assembly mounted in said cylinder, a pressure line leading from a pressure cylinder, at one end of the power cylinder, to the controlling assembly and connected into the cylinder thereof on one side of said piston assembly, a pressure supply line leading from a source of fluid pressure and connected into the cylinder 7 of the controlling assembly, a return line leading from said last mentioned cylinder to said source, a conducting line leading from the cylinder of the pressure controlling assembly and connected into the other end 'of the power cylinder, said controlling assembly having passages to connect said pressure line with the return line and to connect the pressure supply line with said conducting line, said piston assembly being arranged to be operated by the pressure in said pressure line to open said passageways and to thereby shift the piston assembly to open said passages and to complete said connections, and a valve-controlled relief passageway through said piston and plungers to relieve pressure from the pressure cylinders.

LOYD E. HUTCHISON.

References Cited in the flle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number I Name Date 206,708 Dow Aug. 6, 1878 717,136 Thomas Dec. 30, 1902 1,129,964 Ebeling Mar. 2, 1915 1,273,618 Julien et al July 23, 1919 1,906,965 Hobson May 2, 1933 2,139,101 Spencer Dec. 6, 1938 2,157,240 Keel May 9, 1939 2,292,331 Vertson Aug. 4, 1942 2,394,160 Emmitt Feb. 5, 1946

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