Valveless free plunger and system for well pumping

• US 4,502,843 A
• Filed: 06/28/1982
• Issued: 03/05/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1980
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stanley Ray Brown
• Original Assignee: Noodle Corporation
• Inventors: Martin, Jack E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Look, Edward K.
• Application Number:
  US06/392,601
• Time in Patent Office: 981 Days
• Field of Search: 417/56-60, 417/555 R, 417/555 A, 417/556, 417/DIG. 1, 92/162 R, 92/222
• US Class Current: 417/56
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/121 Lifting well fluids monitoring of down-hole pump systems E21B47/008
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 47/12 having free plunger lifting the fluid to the surface

Abstract

A rugged lightweight valveless plunger (38) is provided for use in a well pumping system of the free plunger type. The plunger (38) comprises an elongated cylindrical integral aluminum body (42) having a rigid sealing section (44) formed by a plurality of circumferential grooves (46) defining a plurality of annular sealing flanges (48). The flanges (48) and grooves (46) are uniform and closely spaced. A pair of annular steel collars (50, 52) are secured to the aluminum body (42) on opposite longitudinal sides of the sealing section (44) and have an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the annular sealing flanges (48). The aluminum body provides lightweight and ease of machinability. The collars (50, 52) protect the annular aluminum sealing flanges (48) from frictional wear against the well tubing (20), such that sealing tolerances are maintained over an extended life rating. The plunger (38) is simple in construction and virtually indestructable. There is further provided a simple and efficient overall well pumping system ( 10) having a minimum of parts and operationally controlled by a singular valve (34).

Claims

1. A rugged lightweight valveless plunger for free plunger well pumping comprising;

(a) an elongated cylindrical aluminum body comprising;

(i) a sealing section extending substantially the length of the body and formed by a plurality of circumferential grooves defining a plurality of annular aluminum sealing flanges;

said grooves having the same width as the flanges and being closely spaced to increase the number thereof per unit of longitudinal length of the aluminum body, said grooves having curved inner surfaces each characterized by a radius equal to one-half the groove width;

(ii) a fishing neck section having a smaller diameter than said annular sealing flanges; and

(iii) a curved transition section of increasing diameter from said fishing neck section to said sealing section;

(b) a pair of steel collars secured to said aluminum body on opposite longitudinal ends of said sealing section and having the same outer diameter as said annular sealing flanges;

(c) one of said collars having a main section proximate said annular sealing flanges and also having a curved transition section of decreasing outer diameter to meet said curved transition section of said aluminum body in smooth profile; and

(d) a steel neck cap secured to the end of said fishing neck section opposite said one collar and having a greater outer diameter than said fishing neck section;

whereby the steel collars provide wear resistance and protection for the annular aluminum sealing flanges.

2. The plunger according to claim 1 wherein the neck cap, the upper collar and the lower collar are curved inwardly from an outer diameter.