An automatic air lock release device for a diaphragm pump

Abstract

The present invention discloses a diaphragm pump air lock automatic release device, belonging to the technical field of oil and gas production technology. A diaphragm pump air lock automatic release device includes a housing. An upper cavity and a lower cavity are formed inside the housing, and the upper cavity and the lower cavity are communicated with each other. A check valve assembly is arranged between the upper cavity and the lower cavity. The check valve assembly includes a support, a connecting column, a round bead and a spring. The support column is inserted inside the support, and the round bead and the spring are arranged inside the connecting column. An installation seat is arranged on the support, and the outer side of the installation seat is threadedly connected with the inner wall of the housing. The installation seat is hollow. It can automatically release the air lock through the check valve assembly and the ceramic nozzle when the downhole pump generates an air lock, so that the downhole pump resumes normal operation. The whole device adopts a split assembly structure, and is provided with a plurality of seals to ensure convenient maintenance and overall sealing performance at the same time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of oil and gas production technology, and more specifically, to an automatic air lock release device for a diaphragm pump. Background Art

[0002] In the production process of conventional and unconventional oil and gas, downhole pumps for drainage and oil production are essential. A large part of these downhole pumps, like diaphragm pumps, are pumps with chambers. These pumps have a common problem of air lock. Since there are inevitably associated gases in the production process, whether it is drainage or oil production, most of these associated gases will be discharged from the working chamber along with the production liquid, but there are still a small part of the gases that will accumulate in the working chamber until the working chamber is completely filled. At this time, the downhole pump will not be able to work properly, which is the air lock.

[0003] Once the air lock occurs, these downhole pumps will not be able to work properly, and the surface production personnel have to perform related operations such as well workover to eliminate the air lock. Since the air lock is a frequently occurring problem, eliminating the air lock will waste a large amount of manpower, material resources and time. Summary of the Invention

[0004] 1. Technical Problem to be Solved

[0005] Aiming at the problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic air lock release device for a diaphragm pump, which can realize automatically releasing the air lock through a one-way valve assembly and a ceramic nozzle when the downhole pump generates an air lock, so that the downhole pump can resume normal operation. The whole device adopts a split assembly structure, and is provided with a plurality of seals to ensure convenient maintenance while also ensuring the overall sealing performance.

[0006] 2. Technical Solution

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions.

[0008] A diaphragm pump air lock automatic release device, including a housing, an upper cavity and a lower cavity are provided inside the housing, the upper cavity and the lower cavity are communicated with each other, a one-way valve assembly is arranged between the upper cavity and the lower cavity, the one-way valve assembly includes a support, a connecting column, a ball and a spring, the support column is inserted into the inside of the support, the ball and the spring are arranged inside the connecting column, an installation seat is arranged on the support, the outer side of the installation seat is threadedly connected with the inner wall of the housing, the installation seat is hollow, an installation groove communicated with the lower cavity is provided on the outer surface of the housing, a ceramic nozzle and a plug are installed inside the installation groove, the ceramic nozzle is communicated with the lower cavity through the installation groove, the plug is arranged on the side of the ceramic nozzle away from the lower cavity, air discharge holes are provided inside both the ceramic nozzle and the plug, and two linkage components used in cooperation with the support are arranged inside the installation seat.

[0009] Further, a protective cover is threadedly connected to the outside of the housing, the protective cover is annular, the position of the protective cover is opposite to the position of the installation groove, and the height of the protective cover is greater than the diameter of the installation groove, and a certain distance is provided between the lower end surface of the inner side of the protective cover and the surface of the housing.

[0010] Further, limiting columns are fixedly installed on both sides inside the connecting column, the surfaces of the opposite sides of the two limiting columns are in contact with the surface of the ball, and arc surfaces adapted to the surface curvature of the ball are provided.

[0011] Further, a sealing gasket is arranged between the ceramic nozzle and the plug, and a first sealing ring used in cooperation with the plug is also arranged inside the installation groove.

[0012] Further, the linkage component includes a connecting rod, both ends of the connecting rod are L-shaped, one side of the upper end of the connecting rod penetrates through the installation seat and is in contact with the inner wall of the housing, the lower end of the connecting rod is arranged inside the support, an L-shaped groove used in cooperation with the connecting rod is arranged inside the support, reset components are installed on the opposite sides of the two connecting rods, and the sides of the reset components away from the connecting rods are connected to the inner wall of the installation seat.

[0013] Further, a barrier ring is fixedly installed at the bottom of the installation seat, the whole of the barrier ring is inserted into the upper end of the support, a second sealing ring used in cooperation with the installation seat is installed on the upper end surface of the support, and the outer side of the second sealing ring is closely attached to the inner cavity surface of the installation seat.

[0014] Furthermore, a fixing ring is fixedly installed on the surface of the lower cavity. A sealing ring is installed on the fixing ring and is used in cooperation with the support. The cross-section of the lower single edge of the support is L-shaped. The sealing ring surrounds the outside of the lower end of the support, and the diameter of the fixing ring is larger than that of the sealing ring. The inner side of the upper end surface of the fixing ring is in close contact with the lower end surface of the support.

[0015] Furthermore, the side surface of the connecting rod in contact with the housing is arc-shaped, and the distance between the side surface of the connecting rod away from the reset member and the inner wall of the mounting seat is less than the arc length of the side surface of the connecting rod.

[0016] 3. Beneficial Effects

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows:

[0018] (1) By setting the one-way valve assembly and the ceramic nozzle, when the downhole pump generates an air lock, the liquid static pressure of the production string can be cut off through the one-way valve assembly, so that the air in the downhole pump cavity is discharged from the ceramic nozzle, achieving the effect of automatically and quickly relieving the air lock, reducing labor and improving production efficiency.

[0019] (2) The whole of this solution is a split assembly structure, which is convenient for overhauling the parts inside the housing. At the same time, a linkage assembly is set so that the mounting seat and the one-way valve assembly can be taken out simultaneously, which is more convenient. And multiple sealing parts are provided in the whole, which can ensure the overall sealing performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the main body of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional sectional view of the main body of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the limit post, the ball and the spring of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the support of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 2 the enlarged view at A;

[0025] Figure 6 For the present invention Figure 2 the enlarged view at B;

[0026] Figure 7 For the present invention Figure 2 the enlarged view at C;

[0027] Figure 8 For the present invention Figure 2Enlarged view at position D in China.

[0028] Description of reference numerals in the figure:

[0029] 1. Housing; 2. Upper cavity; 3. Lower cavity; 4. Support; 5. Connecting column; 6. Spherical bead; 7. Spring; 8. Mounting seat; 9. Mounting groove; 10. Ceramic nozzle; 11. Plug; 12. Vent hole; 13. Protective cover; 14. Limit post; 15. Arc surface; 16. Sealing gasket; 17. First sealing ring; 18. Link rod; 19. L-shaped groove; 20. Reset part; 21. Barrier ring; 22. Second sealing ring; 23. Fixed ring; 24. Sealing ring. Specific implementation mode

[0030] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention; obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0031] Embodiment 1:

[0032] Please refer to Figure 1-8 , a diaphragm pump air lock automatic release device, including a housing 1. An upper cavity 2 and a lower cavity 3 are provided inside the housing 1. The upper cavity 2 and the lower cavity 3 are communicated with each other. A one-way valve assembly is arranged between the upper cavity 2 and the lower cavity 3. The one-way valve assembly includes a support 4, a connecting column 5, a spherical bead 6 and a spring 7. The column is inserted into the inside of the support 4. The spherical bead 6 and the spring 7 are arranged inside the connecting column 5. An installation seat 8 is arranged on the support 4. The outer side of the installation seat 8 is threadedly connected with the inner wall of the housing 1. The installation seat 8 is hollow. An installation groove 9 communicated with the lower cavity 3 is provided on the outer surface of the housing 1. A ceramic nozzle 10 and a plug 11 are installed inside the installation groove 9. The ceramic nozzle 10 is communicated with the lower cavity 3 through the installation groove 9. The plug 11 is arranged on the side of the ceramic nozzle 10 away from the lower cavity 3. Vent holes 12 are provided inside both the ceramic nozzle 10 and the plug 11. Two linkage components cooperating with the support 4 are arranged inside the installation seat 8. During use, the upper cavity 2 of the housing 1 is communicated with the production string, and the lower cavity 3 is communicated with the downhole pump. When an air lock occurs in the working chamber of the downhole pump, the one-way valve assembly can cut off the liquid column static pressure in the production string. After eliminating the liquid column static pressure, the gas in the working chamber of the downhole pump is discharged from the pressure relief hole of the ceramic nozzle which is communicated with the side of the lower cavity 3 of the housing 1 under the continuous operation of the downhole pump, thereby contacting the air lock, achieving the effect of automatically contacting the air lock, saving time and effort compared with manual contact, and improving production efficiency.

[0033] Refer to Figure 1, a protective cover 13 is connected to the outside of the housing 1 by means of a thread. The protective cover 13 is annular. The position of the protective cover 13 is opposite to that of the installation groove 9, and the height of the protective cover 13 is greater than the diameter of the installation groove 9. There is a certain distance between the lower end face of the inner side of the protective cover 13 and the surface of the housing 1. The protective cover 13 is used to isolate the high-pressure liquid ejected by the ceramic nozzle 10 to prevent it from spraying on the casing and causing the casing to perforate, thereby playing a role in protecting the casing. The ejected water flows back into the wellbore along the protective cover 13.

[0034] Refer to Figure 3 , on both sides inside the connecting column 5, limiting columns 14 are fixedly installed. The surfaces of the opposite sides of the two limiting columns 14 are in contact with the surface of the ball 6, and arc-shaped surfaces 15 adapted to the surface curvature of the ball 6 are provided. The limiting columns 14 can ensure that the ball 6 moves in an accurate straight line during movement, prevent dislocation, and can also limit the deformation of the spring 7.

[0035] Refer to Figure 5 , a sealing gasket 16 is provided between the ceramic nozzle 10 and the plug 11. A first sealing ring 17 used in cooperation with the plug 11 is also provided inside the installation groove 9. The main functions of the sealing gasket 16 and the first sealing ring 17 are to ensure the sealing performance between the ceramic nozzle 10 and the plug 11 and the installation groove 9, and prevent the liquid in the lower cavity 3 from flowing out of the installation groove 9 during normal use.

[0036] Refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the linkage assembly includes a connecting rod 18. Both ends of the connecting rod 18 are L-shaped. One side of the upper end of the connecting rod 18 penetrates through the mounting seat 8 and contacts the inner wall of the housing 1. The lower end of the connecting rod 18 is arranged inside the support 4. An L-shaped groove 19 used in cooperation with the connecting rod 18 is provided inside the support 4. On the opposite sides of the two connecting rods 18, a reset member 20 is installed. The side of the reset member 20 away from the connecting rod 18 is connected to the inner wall of the mounting seat 8. When disassembling the mounting seat 8, as the mounting seat 8 moves upward, the connecting rod 18 is not restricted and the reset member 20 drives the connecting rod 18 to move, and its lower end is caught in the L-shaped groove 19, so that while the mounting seat 8 moves upward, the one-way valve assembly as a whole is also driven, improving the disassembly and assembly efficiency and facilitating maintenance.

[0037] Refer to Figure 6 , a barrier ring 21 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the mounting seat 8. The whole of the barrier ring 21 is inserted into the upper end of the support 4. A second sealing ring 22 used in cooperation with the mounting seat 8 is installed on the upper end face of the support 4. The outer side of the second sealing ring 22 is closely attached to the inner cavity surface of the mounting seat 8. The barrier ring 21 and the second sealing ring 22 can seal the upper end of the support 4 and the inner cavity of the mounting seat 8 to prevent the liquid from passing through the edge of the gap and affecting the normal use of the linkage assembly.

[0038] Refer to Figure 8A fixing ring 23 is fixedly installed on the surface of the lower cavity 3, and a sealing ring 24 is installed on the fixing ring 23 for use with the support 4. The cross-section of the single edge of the support 4 is L-shaped, and the sealing ring 24 surrounds the outer side of the lower end of the support 4, and the diameter of the fixing ring 23 is larger than the diameter of the sealing ring 24. The inner side of the upper end surface of the fixing ring 23 is in contact with the lower end surface of the support 4. By setting the fixing ring 23 and the sealing ring 24, the gap between the support 4 and the lower cavity 3 can be sealed to avoid affecting the connectivity between the mounting seat 8 and the inner cavity of the shell 1.

[0039] See Figure 7 The side of the connecting rod 18 that contacts the housing 1 is arc-shaped, and the distance between the side of the connecting rod 18 away from the reset member 20 and the inner wall of the mounting seat 8 is less than the arc length of the side of the connecting rod 18, making it more convenient for the user to install the mounting seat 8 and the one-way valve assembly into the housing 1. The support 4 can be installed into the housing 1 first, and then the mounting seat 8 can be installed into the housing 1 and screwed to fix it. The connecting rod 18 can be squeezed and automatically enter the L-shaped groove 19.

[0040] During use: When the working chamber of the pump is filled with gas and generates an air lock, the one-way valve assembly inside the housing 1 can isolate the static pressure of the liquid column in the production string. After the static pressure of the liquid column is eliminated, the gas in the working chamber of the downhole pump is discharged from the pressure relief hole connected to the ceramic nozzle 10 on the side of the lower chamber 3 of the housing 1 while the downhole pump continues to work, and the liquid re-enters the working chamber from the liquid inlet of the downhole pump, thereby releasing the air lock. After the air lock is released, the downhole pump returns to normal. When the pump displacement exceeds the reflux rate of the pressure relief hole, the one-way valve assembly above the pressure relief hole is opened, and the pump begins to lift the well fluid normally.

[0041] When inspection and maintenance are required, the user screws the mounting seat 8, and the mounting seat 8 moves upward under the influence of the thread while rotating. When the connecting rod 18 is in the upper cavity 2, it is no longer squeezed, and the reset member 20 drives the connecting rod 18 to move quickly. The lower end of the connecting rod 18 is stuck in the L-shaped groove 19, which can move the mounting seat 8 upward and lift the one-way valve assembly upward. Both are taken out together for inspection and maintenance.

[0042] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention; however, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who, within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, makes equivalent substitutions or modifications based on the technical solutions and improved concepts of the present invention shall be covered by the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic air lock release device for a diaphragm pump, comprising a housing (1), characterized in that: An upper cavity (2) and a lower cavity (3) are formed inside the housing (1). The upper cavity (2) and the lower cavity (3) are in communication with each other. A one-way valve assembly is arranged between the upper cavity (2) and the lower cavity (3). The one-way valve assembly includes a support (4), a connecting column (5), a ball (6) and a spring (7). The column is inserted into the support (4). The ball (6) and the spring (7) are arranged inside the connecting column (5). An installation seat (8) is arranged on the support (4). The outer side of the installation seat (8) is threadedly connected to the inner wall of the housing (1). The installation seat (8) is hollow. An installation groove (9) communicating with the lower cavity (3) is formed on the outer surface of the housing (1). A ceramic nozzle (10) and a plug (11) are installed inside the installation groove (9). The ceramic nozzle (10) communicates with the lower cavity (3) through the installation groove (9). The plug (11) is arranged on the side of the ceramic nozzle (10) away from the lower cavity (3). Air leakage holes (12) are formed inside both the ceramic nozzle (10) and the plug (11). Two linkage components used in cooperation with the support (4) are arranged inside the installation seat (8); The linkage component includes a connecting rod (18). Both ends of the connecting rod (18) are L-shaped. One side of the upper end of the connecting rod (18) penetrates through the installation seat (8) and contacts the inner wall of the housing (1). The lower end of the connecting rod (18) is arranged inside the support (4). An L-shaped groove (19) used in cooperation with the connecting rod (18) is arranged inside the support (4). A resetting member (20) is installed on one side of each of the two connecting rods (18) facing each other. The side of the resetting member (20) away from the connecting rod (18) is connected to the inner wall of the installation seat (8); A protective cover (13) is threadedly connected to the outside of the housing (1). The protective cover (13) is annular. The position of the protective cover (13) corresponds to the position of the installation groove (9), and the height of the protective cover (13) is greater than the diameter of the installation groove (9). A certain distance is provided between the lower end surface of the inner side of the protective cover (13) and the surface of the housing (1).

2. The air lock automatic release device of a diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein: Limit columns (14) are fixedly installed on both sides inside the connecting column (5). The surfaces of the two limit columns (14) facing each other are in contact with the surface of the ball (6), and arc surfaces (15) adapted to the surface curvature of the ball (6) are formed; 3. The air-lock automatic release device of a diaphragm pump according to claim 2, characterized in that: A sealing gasket (16) is arranged between the ceramic nozzle (10) and the plug (11). A first sealing ring (17) used in cooperation with the plug (11) is also arranged inside the installation groove (9).

4. The air-lock automatic release device of a diaphragm pump according to claim 3, characterized in that: A barrier ring (21) is fixedly installed at the bottom of the mounting base (8). The whole of the barrier ring (21) is inserted into the upper end of the support (4). A second sealing ring (22) used in cooperation with the mounting base (8) is installed on the upper end surface of the support (4). The outer side of the second sealing ring (22) is closely attached to the inner cavity surface of the mounting base (8).

5. The automatic air lock release device for a diaphragm pump according to claim 4, characterized in that: A fixing ring (23) is fixedly installed on the surface of the lower cavity (3). A sealing ring (24) used in cooperation with the support (4) is installed on the fixing ring (23). The cross-section of the lower single edge of the support (4) is L-shaped. The sealing ring (24) surrounds the outer side of the lower end of the support (4), and the diameter of the fixing ring (23) is larger than the diameter of the sealing ring (24). The inner side of the upper end surface of the fixing ring (23) is in contact with the lower end surface of the support (4).

6. The air lock automatic release device of a diaphragm pump according to claim 5, characterized in that: The side surface of the connecting rod (18) in contact with the housing (1) is arc-shaped, and the distance between the side surface of the connecting rod (18) far from the reset member (20) and the inner wall of the mounting base (8) is less than the arc length of the side surface of the connecting rod (18).

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