Latch Assembly for Pumping System Gas Lock Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oil pumping systems experience gas lock issues due to air accumulation between the traveling valve and the standing valve when the insert pump is lowered into the well tubing, leading to inefficient fluid filling and reduced pumping performance.
Innovation Solution
A latch assembly is introduced that fixes the traveling valve at the southern position of the insert pump, comprising a top latch portion with prongs and a spring, and a valve rod guide with notches and hooks, allowing the pump to be filled with fluid instead of air by preventing air collection between the valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the valve rod is fully extended out of the insert pump during insertion, then the traveling valve is positioned at the north end away from the standing valve, but air accumulates between the valves causing gas lock
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly is engaged before the pump is lowered into the well, preliminarily securing the valve rod in a retracted position to prevent air accumulation. This preliminary action ensures that when the pump is inserted, the traveling valve remains positioned near the standing valve, allowing fluid to fill the pump barrel immediately and preventing gas lock conditions that would compromise pumping performance.
2Strength
If the traveling valve is positioned away from the standing valve, then the valve rod can be fully extended, but air is trapped within the pump causing gas lock
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly provides a dynamic solution where the valve rod can be extended for maintenance or replacement, but during normal insertion operations, the latch secures the valve rod in a retracted position. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt between operational modes: during insertion, the valve rod is held retracted to maintain the traveling valve near the standing valve for efficient fluid filling, while allowing extension when needed for valve maintenance or replacement.
3Length of moving object
If the pump is lowered with the traveling valve away from the standing valve, then the valve rod is fully extended, but fluid cannot properly fill the pump due to air accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the valve rod and the pump body, controlling the position of the valve rod during insertion operations. By engaging the latch, the valve rod is held in a retracted position, which serves as an intermediate state that prevents the traveling valve from being positioned too far from the standing valve, thereby enabling proper fluid filling while still allowing for valve rod extension when needed for maintenance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The latch assembly ensures that the pump is filled with fluid rather than air, preventing gas lock and enhancing the efficiency of the pumping process by maintaining fluid flow without interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a spring mechanism that fixes the traveling valve at the southern position of the insert pump
Data Source
AI summary
A latch assembly comprises a top latch portion, a spring, and a valve rod guide. The top latch portion has two prongs with the spring positioned therebetween. The valve rod guide has two corresponding notches to receive the two prongs. When the top latch portion is lowered toward the valve rod guide, the spring compresses against the northern end of the valve rod guide and the prongs engage the notches on the valve rod guide, thus firmly coupling the top latch portion to the valve rod guide. The latch assembly may also have a stabilizer, such as a collet adapter, coupled to a northern end of the top latch portion. The latch assembly may be used with a valve rod or a hollow valve rod.