×

Downhole pressure relief valve for well pump

  • US 5,842,521 A
  • Filed: 01/29/1997
  • Issued: 12/01/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. In a well having a string of tubing within casing, a pump secured to the tubing for pumping fluid through the bore of the tubing, an improved pressure relief valve for the pump, comprising:

  • a valve assembly mounted to the string of tubing downstream of the pump, wherein the tubing string has an axis, the valve assembly positioned substantially in-line with said tubing string axis and having a main flow passage therethrough for conveying fluid being pumped by the pump through the tubing;

    a valve seat in the valve assembly, having an upstream end and a downstream end, said valve seat positioned substantially in line with said tubing string axis and the upstream end being in fluid communication with the bore of the tubing;

    a spring-biased valve element carried by the valve assembly and urged by the spring against the downstream end of the valve seat to maintain the valve seat closed; and

    a discharge passage in the valve assembly, in fluid communication with the downstream end of the valve seat and leading to the exterior of the tubing for discharging into the casing fluid flowing through the valve seat in the event that pressure in the bore of the tubing reaches a level to cause the valve element to open the valve seat.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×