U.S. patent application number 12/056815 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-01 for coated cylinder for walking beam compressor.
This patent application is currently assigned to Oil Flow USA, Inc.. Invention is credited to Ward S. Merrick, III.
Application Number | 20090246049 12/056815 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41114219 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090246049 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Merrick, III; Ward S. |
October 1, 2009 |
COATED CYLINDER FOR WALKING BEAM COMPRESSOR
Abstract
Various methods and device are provided for use in a walking
beam compressor used in an oil well pump. In one embodiment, a
walking beam compressor assembly is provided having a compressor
configured to receive and compress gas. The compressor can be
positioned around a piston rod movably disposed therethrough and
can include a cylindrical housing having an interior surface that
is coated with a self-lubricating composite material. The
self-lubricating composite material can be impervious to gas such
that it protects the interior surface of the cylindrical housing
from corrosion by the gas. In one embodiment, the self-lubricating
composite material can be a nickel ceramic composite. The
cylindrical housing can be formed of any suitable material known in
the art able to withstand pressure and heat within the housing, for
example, a metallic material.
Inventors: |
Merrick, III; Ward S.;
(Edmond, OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NUTTER MCCLENNEN & FISH LLP
WORLD TRADE CENTER WEST, 155 SEAPORT BOULEVARD
BOSTON
MA
02210-2604
US
|
Assignee: |
Oil Flow USA, Inc.
Harrisonburg
VA
|
Family ID: |
41114219 |
Appl. No.: |
12/056815 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/437 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 47/00 20130101;
F04B 35/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/437 |
International
Class: |
F04B 47/00 20060101
F04B047/00 |
Claims
1. A walking beam compressor assembly, comprising: a compressor
configured to receive and compress gas, the compressor being
positioned around a piston rod movably disposed therethrough and
including a metallic cylindrical housing having an interior surface
that is coated with a self-lubricating composite material that is
impervious to gas such that the self-lubricating composite material
protects the interior surface of the metallic cylindrical housing
from corrosion by the gas.
2. The walking beam compressor assembly of claim 1, wherein the
self-lubricating composite material comprises a nickel ceramic
composite.
3. The walking beam compressor assembly of claim 1, wherein the
metallic cylindrical housing is formed from steel.
4. The walking beam compressor assembly of claim 1, wherein the
coating of the self-lubricating composite material disposed on the
interior surface of the metallic cylindrical housing has a
thickness in the range of about 0.003 inches and 0.006 inches.
5. The walking beam compressor assembly of claim 1, wherein an
inner diameter of the coated interior surface of the metallic
cylindrical housing is about 12 inches.
6. The walking beam compressor assembly of claim 1, wherein an
inner diameter of the coated interior surface of the metallic
cylindrical housing is about 14 inches.
7. The walking beam compressor assembly of claim 1, wherein the
metallic cylindrical housing includes proximal and distal
cylindrical rims coupled to top and bottom end plates.
8. The walking beam compressor assembly of claim 7, wherein the top
and bottom end plates include circumferential grooves for receiving
top and bottom o-rings therein to form a seal within the metallic
cylindrical housing.
9. An oil well pump, comprising: a walking beam configured for
driving a rod and plunger system to pump oil out of the ground; a
piston rod mated to the walking beam and extending vertically
therefrom; and a compressor mounted on the piston rod and having a
cylindrical housing defining an interior surface, the interior
surface having a coating disposed thereon and configured to prevent
the metallic cylindrical housing from excessive frictional wear and
corrosion.
10. The oil well pump of claim 9, wherein the coating is a nickel
ceramic composite.
11. The oil well pump of claim 9, wherein the coating is a
self-lubricating material.
12. The oil well pump of claim 9, wherein the cylindrical housing
is metallic.
13. The oil well pump of claim 12, wherein the metallic cylindrical
housing is formed from steel.
14. The walking beam compressor assembly of claim 9, wherein the
coating of the self-lubricating composite material disposed on the
interior surface of the cylindrical housing has a thickness of
between about 0.003 inches and 0.006 inches.
15. The walking beam compressor assembly of claim 9, wherein an
inner diameter of the coated interior surface of the cylindrical
housing is selected from the group consisting of about 12 inches,
13 inches, and 14 inches.
16. The oil well pump of claim 9, wherein the piston rod is
configured for reciprocal longitudinal movement within the
compressor.
17. The oil well pump of claim 9, wherein the compressor is
configured to receive and compress gas.
18. The oil well pump of claim 9, wherein the metallic cylindrical
housing includes proximal and distal cylindrical rims coupled to
top and bottom end plates.
19. The oil well pump of claim 18, wherein the top and bottom end
plates include circumferential grooves for receiving top and bottom
o-rings therein to form a seal within the cylindrical housing.
20. A method of manufacturing a walking beam compressor,
comprising: coating an interior surface of a cylindrical casing
with a self-lubricating composite material that is impervious to
gas; truing the coating on the interior surface such the metallic
cylindrical casing has a predetermined inner diameter; and coupling
the coated metallic cylindrical casing to a walking beam
compressor.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising positioning the
coated cylindrical casing around a compressing mechanism.
22. The method of claim 20, further comprising coupling top and
bottom end plates to top and bottom rims of the cylindrical
casing.
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising positioning o-rings
between the top and bottom end plates and the interior surface of
the cylindrical casing to provide a gas tight seal
therebetween.
24. The method of claim 20, further comprising positioning the
assembled walking beam compressor around a piston rod extending
from a walking beam.
25. The method of claim 20, wherein the self-lubricating composite
material is a nickel ceramic composite that protects the interior
surface of the cylindrical casing from corrosion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to gas compressors to be used
with oil wells, and in particular to a housing for use in a walking
beam compressor and methods for manufacturing the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A common oil well pumping system includes a walking beam
mounted upon a horizontally-axised, transverse pivot at the top of
a Samson post. One end of the walking beam is connected to a pump
rod and the other end is connected to the crank of a drive motor
through a connecting rod. Rotation of the crank causes the walking
beam to rock or oscillate in a vertical plane to raise and lower
the pump rod. The rod-connected end of the walking beam is provided
with the familiar "horse head" to keep the pump rod in alignment
with the well axis. The opposite end of the walking beam carries a
counterbalance weight to offset the weight of the pump rod and
minimize the stress on the motor.
[0003] When pumping an oil well, both oil and gas may be produced
and the capture of the gas is both profitable and better for the
environment. Thus, an oil well pumping system can include a
compressor unit mounted between the walking beam and a stationary
part of the pumping unit for compressing the natural gas produced
during the pumping of the oil. Such a compressor unit is called a
walking beam compressor because it is activated by engaging a
piston rod coupled to the walking beam. The rocking of the walking
beam reciprocates the piston to effect intake and compression
strokes. As a compressing mechanism compresses the gas, high
pressure and frictional heat are created inside the compressor
housing. Traditionally, the compressor housing has been formed from
a composite wound fiberglass material that is insensitive to sour
gas received into the housing. This fiberglass material, however,
is unable to withstand the pressure and frictional heat for
extended periods of time without failure, thus requiring frequent
replacement of the compressor housing. Accordingly, there is a need
for an improved housing for a walking beam compressor that is able
to withstand high pressure, heat, and corrosive gas effects to
eliminate the need for frequent and costly replacement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention generally provides a housing for use
in a walking beam compressor and methods for manufacturing the
same. In one embodiment, a walking beam compressor assembly is
provided having a compressor configured to receive and compress
gas. The compressor can be positioned around a piston rod movably
disposed therethrough and can include a metallic cylindrical
housing having an interior surface that is coated with a
self-lubricating composite material. The self-lubricating composite
material can be impervious to gas such that it protects the
interior surface of the metallic cylindrical housing from corrosion
by the gas. In one embodiment, the self-lubricating composite
material can be a nickel ceramic composite. The metallic
cylindrical housing can be formed of any suitable metallic material
known in the art able to withstand pressure and frictional heat
within the housing, for example, steel and titanium.
[0005] The metallic cylindrical housing can have various shapes. In
one embodiment, the housing can include proximal and distal
cylindrical rims coupled to top and bottom end plates. In an
exemplary embodiment, the top and bottom end plates can include
circumferential grooves for receiving top and bottom o-rings
therein to form a seal within the metallic cylindrical housing.
[0006] In certain exemplary embodiments, the coating of the
self-lubricating composite material disposed on the interior
surface of the metallic cylindrical housing can have a thickness of
between about 0.003 inches and 0.006 inches. The coated interior
surface of the metallic cylindrical housing can have any inner
diameter that is needed in a specific assembly or application. For
example, in certain applications the inner diameter can be about 12
inches or about 14 inches. A person skilled in the art will
appreciate that the cylinder can have any diameter, large or small,
and the coating can have any thickness as needed.
[0007] In another embodiment, an oil well pump is provided having a
walking beam configured for driving a rod and plunger system to
pump oil out of the ground. A piston rod can be mated to the
walking beam and can extend vertically therefrom. A compressor can
be mounted on the piston rod, which can be configured for
reciprocal longitudinal movement within the compressor. The
compressor can be configured to receive and compress gas and can
have a cylindrical housing defining an interior surface that can
have a coating disposed thereon configured to prevent the
cylindrical housing from excessive frictional wear and corrosion.
In one embodiment, the coating can be a nickel ceramic composite
and/or the coating can be self-lubricating. The cylindrical housing
can be formed of any suitable material known in the art and able to
withstand pressure and heat within the housing, such as a metallic
material, e.g., steel or titanium.
[0008] In one embodiment, the coating of the self-lubricating
composite material disposed on the interior surface of the metallic
cylindrical housing can have a thickness of between about 0.003
inches and 0.006 inches. The coated interior surface of the
metallic cylindrical housing can have any inner diameter that is
needed in a specific assembly or application. For example, the
inner diameter can be about 12 inches, 13 inches, and 14 inches. A
kit containing housings of various sizes can also be provided. A
person skilled in the art will appreciate that the cylinder can
have any diameter, large or small, and the coating can have any
thickness as needed.
[0009] Methods for manufacturing a walking beam compressor are also
provided and can include coating an interior surface of a
cylindrical casing with a self-lubricating composite material that
is impervious to gas. The method can further include truing the
coating on the interior surface such the cylindrical casing has a
predetermined inner diameter, and coupling the coated cylindrical
casing to a walking beam compressor. The self-lubricating composite
material can be, for example, a nickel ceramic composite and can
protect the interior surface of the metallic cylindrical casing
from corrosion.
[0010] In one embodiment, the method can include positioning the
coated cylindrical casing around a compressing mechanism. Top and
bottom end plates can be coupled to top and bottom rims of the
cylindrical casing. The method can further include positioning
o-rings between the top and bottom end plates and the interior
surface of the cylindrical casing to provide a fluid tight seal
therebetween. The assembled walking beam compressor can be
positioned around a piston rod extending from a walking beam for
pumping oil.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention will be more fully understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of an oil well pump, having one
embodiment of a compressor coupled thereto;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cylindrical housing of
the compressor of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3A is a perspective transparent view of the cylindrical
housing of FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 3B is a top view of the cylindrical housing of FIG. 3A,
having a coating disposed on an interior surface thereof;
[0016] FIG. 4A is a photograph of a failed cylindrical housing
formed from wound fiberglass;
[0017] FIG. 4B is a photograph of another failed cylindrical
housing formed from wound fiberglass; and
[0018] FIG. 4C is a photograph of another failed cylindrical
housing formed from wound fiberglass.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to
provide an overall understanding of the principles of the
structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices and
methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments
are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the
art will understand that the devices and methods specifically
described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are
non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the
present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features
illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary
embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments.
Such modifications and variations are intended to be included
within the scope of the present invention.
[0020] The present invention generally provides a housing for use
in a walking beam compressor of an oil well pump. In particular, an
improved housing for a walking beam compressor is provided having a
coating disposed therein that is substantially impervious to gas,
thus allowing the housing to be formed from a durable, more
wear-resistant material, such as a metallic material. As a result,
the housing is less susceptible to failure and can withstand the
high pressure and frictional heater generated during operation. The
coating can also be lubricating to facilitate movement of a piston
through the compressor. In one embodiment, a walking beam
compressor assembly is provided having a compressor configured to
receive and compress gas. The compressor can be positioned around a
piston rod movably disposed therethrough and can include a
cylindrical housing having an interior surface that is coated with
a self-lubricating composite material. The self-lubricating
composite material can be impervious to gas such that it protects
the interior surface of the cylindrical housing from corrosion by
the gas. The cylindrical housing can be formed of any suitable
metallic material known in the art able to withstand pressure and
frictional heat within the housing. Exemplary materials include, by
way of non-limiting example, steel and/or titanium.
[0021] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an oil well pump P having a
compressor C mounted thereon. As shown, the oil well pump P
generally includes a walking beam 10 pivotally mounted to a top of
a Samson post 12 by a bearing 11. A horsehead 14 on one end of the
walking beam 10 can be connected to a rod 16 for operating a
downhole pumping system as is well understood in the oil production
industry. A connecting rod 18 can be connected through a linkage 20
to a gear box 22 which drives the pump P. The compressor C can have
a piston rod 24 attached at its upper end to a coupling 26 that is
pivotally mounted in a bracket 28 and attached to the walking beam
10 by another bracket 30. The compressor C can also have a lower
cover plate 34 with a lower support leg 32 coupled thereto and
extending therebetween. A bottom portion of the support leg 32 can
be pivotally connected to a bracket 38 attached to a leg of the
Samson post 12 by a clamp 40. Additional clamps 42 can be provided
at each end of clamp 40, as shown, to minimize possible movement of
the clamp 40 along the leg of Samson post 12 during the pumping
operation. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
the lower cover plate 34, and hence the bottom portion of the
compressor, can be coupled to any stationary portion of the oil
well pump P as needed. For example, the lower cover plate 34 can
also be attached to a base 44, if desired. Exemplary oil well pumps
and compressors are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No.
6,572,116 of Turiansky, U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,935 of Turiansky, and
U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,918 of Turiansky, incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties.
[0022] As further shown in FIG. 1, the compressor C can include a
cylindrical housing 36 extending between the lower cover plate 34
and an upper cover plate or cap 46. As shown in more detail in FIG.
2, the cap 46 and the lower cover plate 34 can each have a circular
shape with smaller diameter portions 25a, 25b that extend into open
top and bottom ends of the cylindrical housing 36. The cap 46 and
the lower cover plate 34 can also have larger diameter portions
such that peripheral flanges 29a, 29b are formed to rest against
top and bottom rims 41, 43 of the cylindrical housing 36. The cap
46 can be attached to the cylindrical housing 36 by one or more
plurality of bolts 48 spaced about the peripheral flange 29a of the
cap 46 and extending through the peripheral flange 29b of lower
cover plate 34, as shown. Both the cap 46 and the lower cover plate
34 can also include peripheral recesses 53a, 53b formed in the
smaller diameter portions 25a, 25b for receiving o-rings 50, 52 to
form a fluid-tight seal between the smaller diameter portions 25a,
25b and the inner surface of cylindrical housing 36. As further
shown, the cap 46 can include can include a central bore 55 formed
therein for receiving a piston rod 24 that extends into the
cylindrical housing. A piston rod seal 90 can be disposed within
the central bore 55 and around the piston rod 24 for forming a seal
between an interior chamber of the compressor and the piston rod
24. While not shown, it is well understood in the art that the
cylindrical housing surrounds a compressing mechanism coupled to
the piston rod 24 that is effective to use the longitudinal
reciprocal motion of the piston rod 24 to receive and compress
gas.
[0023] The cylindrical housing 36 is illustrated in more detail in
FIG. 3A. The cylindrical housing 36 can have a generally tube-like
structure with top and bottom rims 41, 43 that can be configured to
mate with the lower cover plate 34 and the cap 46 as described
above. The cylindrical housing thus has a sidewall 37 extending
between the top and bottom rims 41, 43 and having an exterior
surface 47 and an interior surface 45 defining a sidewall thickness
t. The sidewall 47 can have any thickness t as needed for
structural integrity and strength, and specific thicknesses will be
described in more detail below. The tube-like structure allows the
cylindrical housing 36 to be positioned concentrically around the
piston rod 24.
[0024] It is known in the art to form compressor cylindrical
housings of the type described herein from a composite wound
fiberglass material. This wound fiberglass material, however, is
unable to reliably withstand the high pressures inside the
compressor chamber. Further, the pressure in combination with the
frictional heat caused by the compressing mechanism causes the
fiberglass walls to break down and ultimately fail over time. Thus,
the cylindrical housing 36 disclosed herein can be formed of any
suitable metallic material known in the art, including steel and
titanium. Both steel and titanium are able to withstand the
pressure within the compressor without failing. Further, both
materials are able to withstand heat much greater than the heat
caused by the friction of the compressing mechanism. A person
skilled in the art will appreciate that any metallic material known
in the art that is able to withstand high pressures, as well as
frictional heat, can be used to form the cylindrical housing.
[0025] In one embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, the cylindrical housing
36 can have a coating 39 disposed on the interior surface 37
thereof that is effective to protect the cylindrical housing 36
from corrosive effects caused by sour gas or gas containing
significant amounts of hydrogen sulfide. The coating 39 can be
self-lubricating to reduce friction between the compressing
mechanism and the interior surface of the metallic cylindrical
housing. Thus, the coating 39 can be formed of any material able to
withstand the effects of a corrosive environment while protecting
the interior surface 37 of the metallic cylindrical housing 36 from
excessive friction and corrosive gas. For example, the coating 39
can be a nickel ceramic composite, such as NCC Coating.RTM.
manufactured by Nickel Composite Coatings, Inc. The nickel ceramic
composite can be layered onto the interior surface 37 of the
cylindrical housing 36 to provide an impervious barrier between the
gaseous environment inside the compressor and the interior surface
of the cylindrical housing. Further, the nickel ceramic composite
coating is self-lubricating and able to prevent excessive
frictional wear. Thus, the metallic cylindrical housing in
combination with the nickel ceramic coating prevents frequent
repair and replacement of the cylindrical housing, as was the case
with previous cylindrical housings formed of a wound fiberglass
material.
[0026] The cylindrical housing and the layered coating can have any
size and thickness needed for a specific assembly and/or
application. In general, an inner diameter of the cylindrical
housing will be smaller than an outer diameter, defining a sidewall
thickness t. The sidewall thickness t can vary depending on the
strength and weight requirements of the system as well as the
required length. The inner diameter and length of the cylindrical
housing need only be large enough to contain the piston and enable
the compressing mechanism to effectively compress the gas. The
cylindrical housing in combination with the compressing mechanism
can be made larger to effectively deal with larger quantities of
gas or smaller to deal smaller quantities. Inner and outer
diameters and lengths of the cylindrical housing can vary depending
on the requirements needed, and a cylindrical housing made to one
specific inner and outer diameter and/or length can be changed and
adjusted in the field or in the shop as needed. Moreover, a kit of
cylinders of differing sizes can be provided for selective use as
desired. Further, the coating thickness can vary depending on the
application and depending on the concentration of sour gas within a
system. The coating can be made thicker and machined down to the
required thickness and the interior surface can also be recoated
with additional material to increase the thickness of the coating
if needed.
[0027] In certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments, the
cylindrical housing can be formed from steel machined to have an
outer diameter of 12.355 inches and an inner, uncoated diameter of
11.998 inches. The inner diameter can receive a layer of coating
and then be machined down such that the interior surface with the
coating provides for an inner diameter of 12 inches. A cylindrical
housing having a 12 inch interior diameter can have a length of 29
inches or a length of 45 inches. In another embodiment, the
cylindrical housing can be formed of steel machined to have an
outer diameter of 14.355 inches and an inner, uncoated diameter of
13.998 inches. The inner diameter can receive a layer of coating
and then be machined down such that the coating provides for an
inner diameter of 14 inches. A cylindrical housing having a 14 inch
inner diameter can have a length of 45 inches or a length of 57
inches. The coating thickness can be between about 0.003 inches and
0.006 inches, and more preferably between about 0.004 inches and
0.005 inches. The coating can initially be layered with a thickness
greater than that required and machined or trued down to the needed
inner diameter. The sidewall thickness of the cylindrical housing
can be between 0.349 inches and 0.352 inches and more preferably
between about 0.350 inches and 0.351 inches. A person skilled in
the art will appreciate that these dimensions are only exemplary in
nature and the cylindrical housing can have any outer diameter,
inner diameter, wall thickness, length, and coating thickness that
is needed.
[0028] Methods for manufacturing a walking beam compressor are also
provided. In one embodiment, an interior surface of a metallic
cylindrical housing or casing can be coated with a self-lubricating
composite material that is impervious to gas, such as a nickel
ceramic composite material. A metallic cylindrical casing can be
prepared having an inner diameter greater than that needed in the
assembled compressor. The metal can be machined down to receive the
coating over the entire interior surface thereof. Once applied, the
coating can be machined down or trued such that the metallic
cylindrical casing has a predetermined inner diameter, as well as a
predetermined coating thickness. The coated metallic cylindrical
casing can be coupled to a walking beam compressor such that the
cylindrical casing concentrically surrounds a compressing
mechanism. As explained above, top and bottom end plates can be
coupled to top and bottom rims of the metallic cylindrical casing.
Connecting rods can be placed between the top and bottom end plates
to secure the plates to the cylindrical housing. In one embodiment,
o-rings can be positioned between the top and bottom end plates and
the interior surface of the metallic cylindrical casing to provide
a fluid tight seal therebetween. The assembled walking beam
compressor can be positioned around a piston rod extending from a
walking beam to receive and compress gas.
[0029] Once assembled, the coated cylindrical housing will have
lubrication effective to reduce friction within the chamber and
withstand heat created by any remaining friction produced by the
piston. Further, the coating with protect the cylinder walls from
corrosion or other negative effects from the sour gas within the
chamber. The coated cylindrical housing formed from a metallic
material will be able to withstand the high pressures within the
chamber over long periods of time. All of these advantages will
increase the useful life of the compressor as compared to typical
walking beam compressors formed from wound fiberglass
materials.
[0030] FIGS. 3A-3C show photographs of compressor cylindrical
housings formed of wound fiberglass material that failed in use and
were replaced. As can be seen from the pictures, the pressure
inside the chamber in combination with heat and friction from the
compressing mechanism caused significant damage to both exterior
and interior surfaces of the cylindrical housing. In particular,
FIG. 3A illustrates an exterior surface of the wound fiberglass
cylindrical housing that has failed due to pressure and frictional
heat. The picture shows that the wound fiberglass is disintegrating
from an interior surface through the wall thickness to the exterior
surface. FIGS. 3B and 3C shows the damaged interior surface of the
wound fiberglass cylinders. In particular, the break down and
failure of the interior wall surface from frictional wear and
pressure can be seen in the streaking and the wide gash.
[0031] As an example of the statistics and rate of failure, out of
131 wound fiberglass compressor cylinders installed in oil well
pumps, over 20 cylinders failed to the point of requiring a new
cylinder be installed. Each time this occurs, the compressor does
not function until the cylinder is replaced and the compressor is
rebuilt, costing valuable time and money, as well as wasting gas
that is not extracted because of the failure. The failures often
occur soon after the woven fiberglass cylinder is installed,
sometimes in less than 2 months from the date of installation.
Substituting a nickel ceramic coated metallic cylindrical housing,
such as those disclosed herein, for the woven fiberglass
cylindrical housings prevents this type of failure and allows for
prolonged use in the field. The metal cylindrical housing is able
to withstand the frictional heat and high pressures associated with
conditions in the compressor. The nickel ceramic composite coating
is able to protect the interior surface of the metallic cylinder
from the corrosive effects of sour gas as well as reduce excessive
friction. Thus far, there have been no signs of corrosion or
possible failure of a coated metallic cylindrical housing when it
is used in place of the wound fiberglass cylinder. Accordingly, a
novel cylindrical housing and method of assembling a walking beam
compressor has been shown that will prevent the costly and time
consuming task of repairing and replacing traditional fiberglass
cylinders.
[0032] One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and
advantages of the invention based on the above-described
embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by
what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated
by the appended claims. All publications and references cited
herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
* * * * *