U.S. patent application number 09/060766 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-08 for well production enhancing device.
Invention is credited to BRECHEISEN, MARION.
Application Number | 20010037881 09/060766 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22031613 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010037881 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BRECHEISEN, MARION |
November 8, 2001 |
WELL PRODUCTION ENHANCING DEVICE
Abstract
A device insertable into a cased well consisting of an elastic
tube, a pipe having an inner bore, the pipe extending through the
elastic tube, the elastic tube annularly surrounding an expansion
space; tube clamps capable of fixedly attaching the upper and lower
ends of the elastic tube to the outer surface of the pipe; and
fluid transfer apertures capable of carrying fluids from the inner
bore of the pipe to the expansion space, the fluid transfer
apertures interconnecting the expansion space and the inner bore of
the pipe so that, upon extension of the device into the cased well,
and upon introduction of a pressurized water into the inner bore of
the pipe, the water may flow from the inner bore of the pipe into
the expansion space, causing the outer surface of the elastic tube
to expand radially outward into is contact with the well's
casing.
Inventors: |
BRECHEISEN, MARION;
(HOLCOMB, KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KENNETH H JACK
DAVIS & JACK
2121 W MAPLE
WICHITA
KS
67213
|
Family ID: |
22031613 |
Appl. No.: |
09/060766 |
Filed: |
April 15, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/106 ;
166/122; 166/187 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 33/127
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/106 ;
166/187; 166/122 |
International
Class: |
E21B 033/126 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A device, the device being insertable into a well, the well
having a casing, the device comprising: A) an elastic tube, the
elastic tube having an upper end, a lower end, an outer surface,
and an inner surface; B) a pipe, the pipe having an upper end, a
lower end, an outer surface, and an inner surface annularly
surrounding a bore, the pipe extending through the elastic tube,
the inner surface of the elastic tube annularly surrounding an
expansion space, the expansion space extending inwardly from the
inner surface of the elastic tube to the outer surface of the pipe;
C) tube attaching means capable of fixedly attaching the upper and
lower ends of the elastic tube to the outer surface of the pipe,
the tube attaching means fixedly attaching the upper and lower ends
of the elastic tube to the outer surface of the pipe; and D) fluid
transfer means capable of carrying fluids from the bore of the pipe
to the expansion space, the fluid transfer means interconnecting
the expansion space and the bore of the pipe so that, upon the
insertion of the device into the well, and upon introduction of a
pressurized fluid into the bore, the pressurized fluid may flow
from the bore into the expansion space, expanding the expansion
space, and causing the outer surface of the elastic tube to extend
radially outward and into contact with the casing.
2. The device of claim 2 wherein the fluid transfer means comprises
a first aperture extending from the inner surface of the pipe to
its outer surface, the first aperture being positioned so that
fluids flowing outwardly therethrough may enter the expansion
space.
3. The device of claim 3 wherein the fluid transfer means further
comprises a second aperture extending from the inner surface of the
pipe to its outer surface, the second aperture being positioned so
that fluids flowing outwardly therefrom may enter the expansion
space, the second aperture being further positioned below the first
aperture.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the tube attaching means comprises
an upper flange, a lower flange, an upper clamp ring, a lower clamp
ring, the upper and lower flanges extending radially outward from
and being fixedly attached to or homogeneously fused with the outer
surface of the pipe, the upper and lower flanges each having an
outer facing tube clamping surface, the upper and lower clamp rings
each having an inner tube clamping surface, the upper and lower
ends of the elastic tube being respectively positioned between the
tube clamping surfaces of the upper flange and clamp ring and the
lower flange and clamp ring, the upper and lower clamp rings being
respectively fixedly attached to the upper and lower flanges so
that the upper and lower ends of the elastic tube are respectively
pressed between their tube clamping surfaces.
5. The device of claim 3 wherein the tube attaching means comprises
an upper flange, a lower flange, an upper clamp ring, a lower clamp
ring, the upper and lower flanges extending radially outward from
and being fixedly attached to or homogeneously fused with the outer
surface of the pipe, the upper and lower flanges each having an
outer facing tube clamping surface, the upper and lower clamp rings
each having an inner tube clamping surface, the upper and lower
ends of the elastic tube being respectively positioned between the
tube clamping surfaces of the upper flange and clamp ring and the
lower flange and clamp ring, the upper and lower clamp rings being
respectively fixedly attached to the upper and lower flanges so
that the upper and lower ends of the elastic tube are respectively
pressed between their tube clamping surfaces.
6. The device of claim 4 wherein the upper clamp ring has a
plurality of upper bolt extension apertures therethrough, wherein
the upper flange has a plurality of upper spirally threaded
apertures positioned for registered alignment with the upper bolt
extension apertures, and further comprising a first plurality of
spirally threaded bolts, such bolts extending through the upper
bolt extension apertures and such bolts being threadedly mounted
within the upper spirally threaded apertures.
7. The device of claim 5 wherein the upper clamp ring has a
plurality of upper bolt extension apertures therethrough, wherein
the upper flange has a plurality of upper spirally threaded
apertures positioned for registered alignment with the upper bolt
extension apertures, and further comprising a first plurality of
spirally threaded bolts, such bolts extending through the upper
bolt extension apertures and such bolts being threadedly mounted
within the upper spirally threaded apertures.
8. The device of claim 6 wherein the upper clamp ring has a
plurality of upper bolt extension apertures therethrough, wherein
the lower flange has a plurality of lower spirally threaded
apertures positioned for registered alignment with the lower bolt
extension apertures, and further comprising a second plurality of
spirally threaded bolts, such bolts extending through the lower
bolt extension apertures and such bolts being threadedly mounted
within the lower spirally threaded apertures.
9. The device of claim 7 wherein the upper clamp ring has a
plurality of lower bolt extension apertures therethrough, wherein
the lower flange has a plurality of lower spirally threaded
apertures positioned for registered alignment with the lower bolt
extension apertures, and further comprising a second plurality of
spirally threaded bolts, such bolts extending through the lower
bolt extension apertures and such bolts being threadedly mounted
within the lower spirally threaded apertures.
10. The device of claim 8 wherein the expansion space has an upper
end and a lower end, wherein the first aperture is positioned at
the upper end of the expansion space, and wherein the second
aperture is positioned at the lower end of the expansion space.
11. The device of claim 9 wherein the expansion space has an upper
end and a lower end, wherein the first aperture is positioned at
the upper end of the expansion space, and wherein the second
aperture is positioned at the lower end of the expansion space.
12. The device of claim 10 wherein the pipe comprises an irrigation
well column pipe section.
13. The device of claim 11 wherein the pipe comprises an irrigation
well column pipe section.
14. The device of claim 12 wherein the elastic tube comprises a
material selected from the group of vulcanized rubber or synthetic
rubber.
15. The device of claim 13 wherein the elastic tube comprises a
material selected from the group of vulcanized rubber or synthetic
rubber.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to mechanisms and apparatus
applicable to water wells and water pumps installed therein. In
particular, this invention relates such apparatus applicable to
cased water wells having installed therein a submersible
centrifugal pump or line shaft impeller pumps.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Two common types of pumps utilized within agricultural
irrigation wells are line shaft impeller pumps and submersible
electric motor driven centrifugal pumps. Such pumps operate through
transmission of kinetic energy from their spinning blades to water
which comes into contact with the blades. Water which comes into
contact with the spinning impeller blades of an impeller pump is
accelerated in the direction of the axis of rotation of the blades.
Water flowing within channels formed by the spinning vanes of a
centrifugal pump is outwardly centrifugally accelerated. In both
cases, work performed upon the water by the vanes or blades, as the
case may be, lifts the water from a subterranean level through the
bore of the well to ground level. Typically, the blades of an
impeller pump or the vanes of a centrifugal pump installed within a
water irrigation well perform no function other than driving water
upwardly through the well.
[0003] The instant inventive device enhances the function of such
impeller or centrifugal pumps installed within water wells,
allowing such pumps perform at least two functions in addition to
the water lifting function; such additional functions including:
(1) inflation of an inflatable well packer; (2) creating a pressure
differential or vacuum effect at the water inlet ports of the well
without drawing down the water level within the well. Through use
of the instant inventive device, a pump within an irrigation well
becomes capable of simultaneously lifting water, inflating a well
packer, and creating a vacuum at the well's water inlet ports,
enhancing the water production capacity of the well.
PRIOR ART PATENTS
[0004] The following U.S. Patents disclose or relate to well
packers or well packing methods:
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,039,533 issued Jun. 19, 1962, to Lacy
discloses an artisan well control device.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 672,475 issued Apr. 23, 1901 to Cavallaro
discloses an expandable packing attachment for artisan wells.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,853 issued Feb. 28, 1995, to Toon
discloses a plugging system for bore holes utilizing expansible
packers.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,485 issued Jul. 13, 1993, to Dobscha
discloses a process for utilizing packers for isolating zones in
multiple zone wells.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,626 issued Nov. 27, 1984, to Kerfoot
discloses a pneumatic packer.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,493,045 issued Feb. 3, 1970, to Bassani
discloses a fluid pressurized packer.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 3,392,785 issued Jul. 16, 1968, to King
discloses a retractable mechanical packer.
[0012] None of the above disclosed U.S. Patents discloses or
teaches the novel, inventive and useful attributes and aspects of
the present inventive well production enhancing device.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] A preferred embodiment of the instant inventive well
production enhancing device comprises a section of irrigation well
column pipe, such section serving as the major structural support
of the device. A pair of circular apertures are cut or drilled
through the side wall of the column pipe, so that the apertures
extend from the column pipe's outer radial surface to its interior
bore. Preferably, the apertures are spaced apart along the length
of the column pipe so that one aperture may serve as an upper air
bleeding aperture, and the other aperture may serve as a lower
water inlet aperture.
[0014] Preferably, an upper flange ring is slidably mounted over
and welded upon the outer surface of the column pipe at an
elevation immediately above the upper aperture. The upper flange
ring preferably has an annular inwardly facing surface which is
closely fitted for mounting over the outside diameter of the column
pipe. Also, preferably, the upper flange ring is welded to the
column pipe to form an occlusive seal at the annular joint.
[0015] Preferably, the upper flange ring has at least three annular
surfaces in addition to its inwardly facing surface; such surfaces
being an upwardly facing surface, an outwardly facing surface, and
a downwardly facing surface. Preferably, the upwardly facing
surface of the upper flange ring has eight upwardly opening
spirally threaded apertures which are evenly spaced therearound;
preferably, the outwardly facing surface extends conically outward
and downward from the level of the upwardly facing surface to form
an outwardly facing tube clamping surface; and preferably, the
entire flange ring is positioned upon the column pipe so that its
downwardly facing surface ring lies immediately above the column
pipe section's air bleeding aperture.
[0016] A lower flange ring is similarly fixedly attached to the
column pipe immediately below the lower water inlet aperture, the
lower flange ring preferably being a mirror image of the upper
flange ring.
[0017] The section of column pipe having such upper and lower
flange rings occlusively welded thereto is preferably extended
through an elastic tube, the elastic tube preferably being fitted
so that its inside diameter approximately equals the outside
diameters of the upper and lower flange rings and so that the
elastic tube spans between the upwardly facing surface of the upper
flange ring and the downwardly facing surface of the lower flange
ring. Preferably, the elastic tube is composed of either vulcanized
or synthetic rubber and is capable of elastically stretching and
contracting.
[0018] Upon such positioning of the elastic tube over the flange
rings, an upper clamp ring is preferably bolted in place over the
upper flange ring, the upper clamp ring functioning to press the
upper end of the elastic tube against the outwardly facing tube
clamping surface of the upper flange ring, forming an upper annular
occlusive seal. Preferably, the upper clamp ring has at least three
surfaces, they being an upwardly facing surface, a downwardly
facing surface, and an inwardly facing tube clamping surface. Also,
preferably, the upper clamp ring has a series of eight bolt
receiving apertures therethrough, each extending from the ring's
upwardly facing surface to its downwardly facing surface, such
apertures being positioned so that they may be aligned to register
with the threaded bolt receiving apertures of the upper flange
ring. Also, preferably, the inwardly facing tube clamping surface
of the upper clamp ring extends conically outward and downward at
an angle matching the outwardly facing tube clamping surface of the
upper flange ring, allowing the upper end of the elastic tube to be
evenly pressed between the two tube clamping surfaces to form an
occlusive seal.
[0019] Upon placement of the upper clamp ring over the upper end of
the elastic tube and over the upper flange ring, the bolt receiving
apertures of the upper clamp ring are aligned with the threaded
bolt receiving apertures of the upper flange ring. Threaded bolts
are then extended through said bolt receiving apertures, and the
bolts are threadedly mounted within the threaded bolt receiving
apertures. Upon installation of eight bolts within their respective
apertures, such bolts are tightened, causing the upper clamp ring
to move downwardly toward the upper flange ring, and causing the
tube clamping surfaces of the upper clamp ring and the upper flange
ring to annularly press against the inner and outer surfaces of the
end of the elastic tube; such pressure forming an upper occlusive
seal.
[0020] A lower clamp ring, preferably a mirror image of the upper
clamp ring, is similarly attached over the lower end of the elastic
tube and over the lower flange ring, forming a lower occlusive
seal. The annular space between the column pipe and the elastic
tube serves as an expansion space for hydraulic outward stretching
the elastic tube.
[0021] The column pipe section of the instant inventive device
preferably comprises a single joint within a column pipe string
which is extended downwardly through the casing of a water
irrigation well. Preferably, the device is selectively placed
within the column pipe string so that the elastic tube becomes
completely submerged below the water table level of the well. Upon
immersion of the apparatus, air within the annular expansion space
between the outer surface of the column pipe and the inner surface
of the elastic tube will bleed inwardly into the bore of the column
pipe through the upper air bleeding aperture. As the air within the
expansion space flows into the column pipe, water flows into the
expansion space through the lower water inlet aperture. The air and
water exchange continues until the expansion space is completely
filled with water. Upon filling of the expansion space with water,
the device is ready for use.
[0022] In operation of the present inventive device, a line shaft
impeller pump or electrical submersible centrifugal pump installed
upon the lower end of the column pipe is activated, causing
pressurized water to be driven upwardly through the column pipe. A
portion of the pressurized water emits laterally through the upper
and lower apertures, flowing into the annular expansion space
between the outer surface of the column pipe and the inner surface
of the elastic tube. The flow of water into the expansion space
causes the elastic tube to expand outwardly causing its outer
surface to come into pressurized contact with the inwardly facing
surface of the well's casing. Such pressurized contact forms an
occlusive seal between those surfaces.
[0023] In the absence of such occlusive seal between the column
pipe and casing of an irrigation well, water flow within the column
pipe which exceeds the flow of water into the foot of the well from
the water table undesirably draws down the water level within the
well. The occlusive seal between the outer surface of the elastic
tube of the instant inventive device and the casing of a well in
which it is installed prevents such draw down effect from
occurring, creating a vacuum or pressure differential at the water
inlets of the well. Thus, the instant inventive device allows an
impeller pump or a centrifugal pump to simultaneously drive water
upward within the column pipe, to create an occlusive seal between
the column pipe and the well's casing, and to cause la vacuum
effect at the well's water inlet ports. The three effects, in
combination, enhance the performance of the irrigation well.
[0024] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a device for enhancing the performance of a water well
which simultaneously allows the well's impeller pump or centrifugal
pump to lift water within the water well, to create an occlusive
seal between the well's column pipe and its casing, and to create a
vacuum effect for drawing an additional volume of water into the
well from the water table.
[0025] It is further object of the present invention to provide
such a device which is simply an economically constructed through
utilization of an elastic tube spanning between and interconnecting
upper and lower flange rings and upper and lower clamp rings.
[0026] Other and further objects, benefits and advantages of the
present inventive device for enhancing the performance of a water
well will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review
of the Detailed Description which follows and upon review of the
appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the present inventive well
production enhancing device, the view showing the device,
uninflated, and installed within the casing of water irrigation
well.
[0028] FIG. 2 is identical to the view of FIG. 1, with the
exception that the well production enhancing device is shown in its
inflated configuration.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the device depicted in
FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a magnified detail of the upper end of the device
depicted in FIG. 3.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the device installed within a
well within the ground.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to Drawing
FIG. 1, the present inventive well production enhancing device is
referred to generally as Drawing Element 1. The device 1 is
depicted installed within the steel casing 2 of a water irrigation
well. The major structural support element of the device 1 is a
section of water irrigation well column pipe 4, the column pipe
section 4 extending the full length of the device 1. As depicted in
FIG. 1, an impeller shaft 6 extends through the bore 28 of the
column pipe 4. The device 1 is equally utilizable within water
irrigation wells which have installed therein a submersible
centrifugal pump instead of a shaft driven impeller pump.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 3, a fitted upper flange ring 8 and a
fitted lower flange ring 10 are slidably positioned over the column
pipe 4, and are welded thereto, the welds forming occlusive seals
at the junctures between the column pipe 4 and the inwardly facing
surfaces of the flange rings 8 and 10. Referring simultaneously to
Drawing FIGS. 1 and 3, an upper clamp ring 12 and a lower clamp
ring 14 are respectively bolted to the upper flange ring 8 and the
lower flange ring 10 by threaded bolts 16, the threaded bolts 16
extending through apertures extending vertically through the upper
and lower clamp rings 12 and 14, the bolts 16 being threadedly
mounted within threaded apertures within the upper and lower flange
rings 8 and 10.
[0034] Further referring simultaneously to Drawing FIGS. 1 and 3,
an elastic tube 18, preferably composed of either synthetic rubber
or vulcanized natural rubber, is mounted over the column pipe 4,
the elastic tube 18 being positioned so that its upper and lower
ends extend between, referring to FIG. 4, tube clamping surfaces
20, of the upper and lower flange rings 8 and 10, and of the upper
and lower clamp rings 12 and 14.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, the threaded bolts 16 are tightened,
causing the upper clamp ring 12 to move downwardly and causing the
lower clamp ring 14 to move upwardly, pressing the upper and lower
ends of the elastic tube 18 against the upper and lower flange
rings 8 and 10, forming upper and lower occlusive seals.
[0036] Referring further to FIG. 3, the bore of the elastic tube 18
is bounded radially inward by the column pipe 4, and is bounded in
the upward and downward directions by the upper and lower flange
rings 8 and 10 to form an annular expansion space 22 which
surrounds the column pipe 4. An upper air bleeding aperture 24 and
a lower water inlet aperture 26 allow free passage of air from the
annular expansion space 22 into the interior bore 28 of the column
pipe 4. The lower water inlet aperture 26 allows water to flow from
the interior bore 28 of the column pipe 4 into the expansion space
22 while air bleeds out of the upper air bleeding aperture 24.
[0037] In operation of the well production enhancing device 1,
referring to FIG. 5, such device is installed as a part of a
threadedly linked column pipe string 30, such string being extended
downwardly through the casing 2 of a water irrigation well.
Preferably, the device 1 is positioned within the column pipe
string 30 so that it is completely submerged below the upper level
32 of the water table 34. Water from the water table 34 flows
through water inlet ports 36 at the lower end of the casing 2 to
pass upwardly through the impeller pump 38, and flows further
upwardly through the column pipe 4 until the water level reaches
the upper level 32 of the water table 34. Referring simultaneously
to FIGS. 3 and 5, the water also flows from the bore 28 of the
column pipe 4 through the water inlet port 26, driving any trapped
air within the expansion space 22 upward through the upper air
bleeding aperture 24 and into the bore 28 of the column pipe 4.
When the expansion space 22 is completely filled with water, the
device 1 is ready for use.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 5, upon activation of the irrigation
well's motor 40, pressurized water is driven upwardly through the
column pipe string 30 by the bladder of the impeller pump 38.
Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the pressurized water
also flows into and expands the expansion space 22 causing the
outer surface of the elastic tube 18 to expand outwardly and press
against the inner surface of the casing 2; such pressure forming an
occlusive seal between the elastic tube 18 and the casing 3. The
establishment of an occlusive seal between the elastic tube 18 and
the inner surface of the casing 2 prevents the water level within
the well from being drawn down, allowing a greater volume of water
to be vacuumed by the pump 38 from the water table 34.
[0039] While the principles of the invention have been made clear
in the above illustrative embodiment, those skilled in the art may
make modifications in the structure, arrangement, portions and
components of the invention without departing from those
principles. Accordingly, it is intended that the description and
drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting
sense, and that the invention be given a scope commensurate with
the appended claims.
* * * * *