US2638110A - Valve control apparatus - Google Patents

Description

y 2, 1953 A. s. PARKS 2,638,110

VALVE CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Oct. 16, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l 54 49 55 5 48b; 48a 40 s 48 50w 45 4/ 45 2 2 57 46 Q Q O 44 Asbu ry 5 Parks 3% fivZi/W y 1953 A. s. PARKS 2,638,110

VALVE CONTROL AP fARATU-S Filed Oct. 16, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 O I 53 ll O 4 5 fvg'z :JWUQ/WDM/ Asburs 5. Parks Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE VALVE CONTROL APPARATUS 1 Asbury S. Parks, Houston, Tex. Application October 16, 1947, Serial no; 780,177

7 Claims.- (01. ism-155) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in control apparatus.

As is Well known, the use of auxiliary lifting mediums, such as gas or air, for lifting well fluids to the surface has become general practice in the petroleum industry. Usually the admission of the lifting medium into the well liquid column is controlled by a flow valve which is actuated by the differential in pressures acting on opposite sides thereof, or by an intermitter valve which is operated at predetermined intervals, in accordance with the entrance of the well liquids into the well tubing or flow string. Ordinarily, the intermitter type of valve is actuated solely by an increase in pressure of the lifting medium in the annular space outside the well tubing or flow string and this pressure is controlled by a timing mechanism at the surface. The timing mechanism must necessarily be capable of properly timing the pressure increase required to actuate the intermitter valve and to accurately control said pressure under all conditions.

- It is one object of the present invention to provide an improved surface control apparatus which is particularly adapted for use in controlling the pressure of a lifting medium, such as gas or air, which is utilized for lifting well fluids to the surface through a well tubing or flow string.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved surface control apparatus which is constructed so as to accurately control the timing cycle of operation of an intermitter valve unit; said apparatus also having means for controlling the pressure of the lifting medium which is normally present in the annular space outside the flow string and which is utilized to actu ate said valve unit, whereby efiicient operation of the unit under all conditions is assured.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved surface control apparatus, of the character described, which combines a timing mechanism with a pressure regulating device, with the timing mechanism functioning to operate the main inlet valve in accordance with a desired time cycle; the arrangement being such that the regulating device is inactive when the timing mechanism is holding the main valve closed and being rendered operative to control the pressure when the main valve is opened by actuation of said mechanism, whereby accurate timing of operation, together with control of pressure, is had.

- Still another object of the invention is to provide a surface control apparatus for admitting a lifting medium to a well conductor and having an improved timing mechanism for controlling the timing cycle, wherein said mechanism is first actuated by a clock-controlled element to begin the timing cycle and is rendered inactive to end the timing cycle by means entirely independent of the clock-controlled element, whereby the timing cycle may be accurately controlled separately of said element; the means which ends the timing cycle being either a manually adjustable element forming part of the timing mechanism or being a pressure-actuated member operated by the lifting medium pressure.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved surface controller wherein the timing mechanism for controlling the timing cycle includes a pivotally mounted arm adapted to be actuated by a clock controlled element and being arranged to be moved into engagement with the outer end of a pivoted control member to start the timing cycle; the control member having means pivoted thereto and arranged to co-act with a fixed stop member for disengaging the control member at any desired time to end the timing cycle, said control member and its co-acting means being entirely independent of the clock controlled element, whereby the length of the timing cycle is controlled solely by the adjustment of the co-acting means.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of the character described I wherein a pivoted arm is movable by a clock controlled element and wherein a second arm is pivoted above and opposite to the first arm so that the outer end of the second arm overhangs said first arm; the second arm having a pivoted actuator connected to its outer end so that when the firstarm is moved upwardly, it will engage said actuator to swing the second arm, whereby a valve means connected with said second arm is operated to control the operation of a main valve device.

The construction designed to carry out the inventionwill be hereinafter describedtogether with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a well bore having a fluid conductor and an intermitter valve therein and showing a control apparatus, constructed in accordance with the invention connected thereto,

Figure 2 is a viewpartly in section and partly 2,ecs,1 1o

in elevation of a control aparatus constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 3 a partial sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the operating elements of the timing mechanism and illustrating their position at the start of the timing cycle,

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the parts in position at the end of the timing cycle.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional detail of the pilot valve.

In the drawings (Figure l), the numeral i0 designates a well bore having a well casing l I extending therethrough. A well fluid conductor or tubing l2 extends axially through the well casing in the usual manner and the annular space A between said tubing and the casing is packed ofi nearer the lower end of the well bore by a suitable well packer l3. The well .fluids entering the extreme'lower end of the well bore enter the well tubing or conductor (2' and flow upwardly therein to a predetermined level, in accordance with the particular well conditions, the level being presumed to be at the dotted line L. An interrnitter or control device it is mounted in the conductor 82 and is arranged to control the admission of a lifting medium, which is in the annular space between the casing and the tubing. into the well tubing, whereby the well liquid within the tubing above the device It is lifted to the surface.

The lifting medium, such as gas or air, is adinitted to the annular space through an inlet conductor or pipe it which connects to a casing head It mounted on the upper end of the well casing id. The conductor or pipe it has a main valve ll mounted therein and the. control. apparatus, constructed in accordance. with the present invention, is utilized to control operation of the valve ll, whereby the lifting medium under pressure is admitted to the annular space at the proper and predeterminedintervals. It might be.

noted that the pressure of the lifting medium which will be presumed to be gas, is. maintained at a predetermined amount within the annular space.- The particular predetermined. pressure of the normally present lifting mediumis dependent upon the particular adjustment of the inter- Initter device id and said pressure is just insuflicient to actuate the intermitter and admit the lifting gas to the 'well tubing. At predetermined intervals, the main control valve 1"! is opened to admit additional lifting" gas under pressure to the annular space and this admission of additional gas raises the pressure in the annular space to actuate the intermitter' device M and'thereby inject-the lifting" gas into the well liquid column within said tublng. The main control valve l1 remains'open for a predetermined time and then closes so that the intermitter device it is again shutofi, upon the reduction of pressure in the annular space tov a predetermined point. The apparatus remains inactive until such time as the well liquids have again entered the well tubing to approximately the level L, at which time the main valve IT is again opened to repeat the operation. This particular method of lifting well liquids to the surface is in generaluse and the present invention relates primarily to the control mechanism which is associated with the main valve H. v

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the mainvalve H which controls flow through the conductor or line it comprises a valve housing lla having a downwardly opening valve member l8 therein. The valve member is carried by a stem i9 which extends upwardly into a diaphragm housing 26. An enlarged disk 2% is secured to the upper end of the valve stem and engages the underside of a diaphragm 22, being held in engagement therewith by a coil spring 23. It will be evident that the spring normally urges the valve stem and valve memberit to a raised or closedposition.

The diaphragm 22 is disposed within a diaphragm chamber 24 which has communication through a port 25 with a second diaphragm I chamber 2Et.- A. second diaphragm .2? is mounted aphragm 29 normally engages the upper end of the follower 23 and it might be noted that the relationship in the area between the smaller diaphragm 2S and the intermediate diaphragm 27 may be of any desired ratio. The upper surface of the smaller diaphragm 29- is exposed through a'co-nduetor or line 3E9 to the pressure on the downstream-side of the valve element l8,.-said conductor being suitably connected into the main supply pipe 55. A suitable pressure gauge 35 is connected to the conductor 56, said gauge being supported upon a base or supporting plate 36 which is mounted on suitable brackets 31 extending upwardly from the diaphragm housing 29. The intermediate diaphragm has its opposite sides exposed through passages E-l and 32, respectivelmto a regulated pressure which is nor-- mally exactly the same, whereby the diaphragm 2i is in balance. Thev regulated pressure may he referred to as the pilot pressure and is always less than the pressure. being controlled. in the main supply pipe #5. Under such a. condition with pressures equalized, across the diaphragm, ill the pressure acting through the. line 39 on the upper diaphragm 28 forces the intermediate diaphragm Zl over the communicating opening 25 to seal said opening. Any pressure above the lowermost diaphragm 22 which co-acts with the valve stem may escape through a bleeder port or passag 33 which is adiustahly regulated by a suitable, bleedervalve 34.

It will be evident that when the. pressures across. the intermediate. diaphragm 2? are balanced or equal, the pressure: from the-downstream side of the supply pipe it will move the upper and intermediate diaphragms downwardly to close the communicating opening or port 25 because as stated, the control pressure in the main line always greater than the pilot or regulated pressure in passages 3i and 32. Thus, even though the regulated pressure is acting against the under side of the upperdiaphragm 29 the controlled pressure in line 30 overcomes the same to hold upper diaphragm 29 and the intermediate diaphragm 2? in a lowered position. Whenthis condition exists, the coil spring 23 maintains the valve member it in a closed position. If the pressure acting on the upper surface of the intermediate diaphragm H is relieved, the pressure normally present and acting against the underside of the intermediate diaphragm will lift said diaphragm and uncover the communicating port 25, whereby this pressure may act against the lowermost or actuating diaphragm 22. This is possible because the area of intermediate diaphragm 21 is greater than the area of the upper diaphragm 29 and a lesser pressure will function to move both diaphragms upwardly. The bleeder Valve 34 is adjusted so thatthe pressure entering the intermediate '-port is admitted more rapidly than it can escape through said bleeder valve with the result that said pressure acting on the diaphragm 22 moves the valve stem and valve member Ill downwardly. against the tension of the spring .23 to thereby open the main valve and admit the lifting gas into the supply pipe i i and thenceinto theannular space between the well casing andlthe well tubing.

So long as the pressure on the downstream side of'the valve 18. does not exceed a pressure which would be sufficient to overcome the normal regulated pressure acting below the intermediate diaphragm, the valve will remain open. It is obvious that by maintaining the pressure which acts against the underside of the intermediate diaphragm at a predetermined point, the pres sure which must be reached in line in order to close the valve is accurately controlled. As the pressure on the down stream side of the valve member it exceeds apredetermined amount in accordance with the ratio between. the upper diaphragm 29 and the intermediate diaphragm 2?, and also in accordance with the controlled pressure acting on said diaphragm 23, then in that event this excessive pressure acting on the upper diaphragm forces the intermediate diaphragm to close the communicating port or opening When this occurs the pressure above the actuating diaphragm 22 escapes through the bleeder passage 33 and allows the spring to close the main valve. Closing of the main valve may also be accomplished if the pressures acting on opposite sides of the intermediate diaphragm are again equal so as to balance said diaphragm. In such case it is evident that the pressure acting on the upper diaphragm 29 would move the intermediate diaphragm downwardly to close opening or port 25.

It thus becomes obvious that the particular de vice illustrated may be opened by reducing the pressure which is normally acting above the intermediate diaphragm Zl'. Closing of the main valve may be accomplished either by again equa izing pressures across the intermediate diaphragm 2"! or by an excessive increase in the pressure on the downstream side the supply pipe t5, the particular increase in pressure at this point necessary to close the valve being in accordance with the particular construction of the device and the ratio between the areas of the diaphragms 29 and 27. It is pointed out that the regulating device and main valve shown and described herein is fully disclosed and claimed in applicants co-pending application. Serial No. 637,272 filed December 26, 19%. It is described herein to more fully explain the specific opera tion of applicants improved timing mechanism. and also to disclose the combination of the re ulation device and valve, with a timing mechanism which combination is not shown in co-pending application.

The timing mechanism which is generally indicated at T is arranged to control the pressure which is acting on the upper end of the intermediate diaphragm 2 1.. This timing mechanism is mounted upon the supporting or base plate 36 and includes a clock-controlled timing wheel The timing wheel is rotatable and is provided with a plurality of outwardly extending timing pins 39 which may be properly placed in the openings in the wheel to control the timing cycles. As is the usual case with timing wheels, said wheel is rotated at a predetermined speed by a clock mechanism (not shown).

Anupright supporting plateau is securedto the base36 and extends upwardly behind the timing element or wheel 38. An actuating arm M has one end pivoted at 12 to the upri ht sup porting plate so and a suitable spacer 43 which is interposed between the arm and the plate locates the arm in a position overhanging the outwardly extending timing pins Downward movement of the arm is limited by an outwardly extending stop member td which is secured to the upright plate M. The outer end of the actuator arm M has a freely rotatable bearing roller 55 pivoted thereto and as is clearly shown in Figure 3 the roller overlies the timing pins all and is adapted to be engaged thereby. The tim ing wheel rotates in a clockwise direction in Figure 2 and obviously as each timing pin moves beneath the roller 45 the actuator arm ill is lifted upwardly; as the timing pin moves from beneath said roller, the actuator rm returns to its nor-- mal or substantially horizontal position, with the downward movement of said arm being arrested by the stop id.

The extreme outer or free end of the pivoted arm M is provided with a lug lit and this lug is arranged to engage the vertical depending leg ll of a generally T-shaped element til. The element 48 is also formed with a relatively short horizontal arm 43a and a longer horizontal arm tab and said element is pivoted on a pin as to the outer end of a valve operating bar 5%. The Ell is pivoted on a screw iii which is secured to the upright plate is and a suitable spacer 52 properly locates the bar iii} and its pivoted hanger ll; in a position overlying the lug S6 at the free end of the actuating arm. 7

An adjusting screw 53 is threaded downwardly through a supporting bracket which has one end secured to the upright supporting plate with its opposite end overhanging the element so that the arm itle of said element may engage the screw. The arms ids; and are of such weightwith respect to the pivot point 55 that normally the member 28 assumes the position shown in Figure 2 in such position, the leg t1 depends vertically in a position overlying the lug all of the actuating arm Ill.

In the operation of the timing mechanism, the parts are normally in the position shown in Figure 2, in which position the roller of the actuating arm fill has just one of the timing pins 38. At this time the valve operating bar 5c is substantially horizontal and has vertical extension or leg sea which is adapted to co-act with the fluted valve stem or member 555 of a pilot valve 55. The pilot valve 555 suitably mounted on the upright supporting plate l8 and when the operating bar till is substa 'lally horizontal with its leg vertical. the valve member 5i; is in a seated or closed position. A suitable adjustable screw 5'! is threaded through the leg 53c engages the end of the valve member 56 to normall hold s id valve against seat 58 formed in an. angular assage in the valve body. With the operat bar a horizontal position, the hanger member at is in position with its leg All substantially vertical and overlying the lug is of the actuatin ll.

As the clock mechanism operates to rotate the timing wheel 38, the next timing pin (til the roller d5 of the actuator ll swings said actuator upwardly to the position shown in Figure 4:. Upward movement of the outer end of the actuator it results in the 1L1? All of said actuator engaging the lower end of the vertical leg Moi the hanger element 48. The weight of the said diaphragm 27 as controlled by the regulator 6|, the diaphragm 29 will move downwardly to again seat the intermediate diaphragmover the opening 25 which as explained, willpermit closing of the valve.- Thus, it is possible for the mechanism to open or begin the time cycle in accordance with the clock mechanism or rather,

the clock controlledtiming wheel and to close the main valve inaccordance with the pressure which occurs on the downstream sid in the supply pipel;- Y In the event that the pressure on the downstream side of the valve in pipe i5 does not exceed the predetermined pressure for which the mechanism is adjusted, then the valve i8 will remain open until the arm 48a of the pivoted connecting element 48 engages the stop screw 53. When this occurs, the element 48 is swung to disengage the lug 46 of the actuator so that the pivoted operating bar may drop to its original position to cause the leg 50a to move the valve element 58 inwardly to close the pilot valve. When the pilot valve closes, the pressure in the lines 62 and 64 will again be built up to the same pressure as that in the line 65 and this will result in an equalization of pressures across the intermediate diaphragm, whereby the upper diaphragm 29 may again function to lower the intermediate diaphragm and close the communicating opening or port 25. As explained, this results in permitting the coil spring 23 to again close the main valve. In this instance, the time cycle or the period during which the main valve remains open is controlled solely by the timing mechanism '1 and in accordance with the adjustment of the limiting screw 53.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A timing mechanism for a control apparatus including, a. pilot valve, a clock-controlled actuator arm having one end pivoted to a support whereby its outerend is adapted to swing in a vertical plane, an operating bar pivotally mounted at one end with its free outer end overhanging the outer movable end of said arm, means for connecting the arm to the pilot valve whereby swinging of the arm opens and closes said valve, and a connecting member pivoted to the outer end of the actuating bar and adapted to be engaged by the operating arm, whereby movement of the arm is transmitted to the actuating bar to open the valve, and means associated with the connectin member for swinging said member to disengage the same from the operating arm after said member and the bar have moved a predetermined distance, whereby said member and bar connected therewith may return to a position closing the valve even though upward movement of the operating arm is continued.

2. A timing mechanism including, a clockcontrolled element, a valve means, an upright support, a control bar having one end pivoted to the support and overlying the valve means, means for connecting the bar intermediate its end with the valve means, whereby swinging of the outer free end of said bar actuates the valve, an actuating arm having one end pivoted to the support and having its outer free end located below the outer free end of the control bar and being engageable' by the clock-controlled element was to be swung thereby, a' connectingmember pivoted to the outer end of the control bar and having a depending leg which is normally disposed in the path of the operating arm, whereby swinging of the arm imparts a swinging movement to the bar to actuate the valve means, said connecting mem ber having a lateral extension, and an adjustable stop on the upright support disposed in the path of the lateral extension, whereby after the bar, connecting member andcontrol arm have moved apredetermined distance the connecting member is swung to move its depending leg out of the path of the arm, whereby the control bar may return to its original position closing the valve irrespective of whether or not the actuating arm has completed its swinging movement as con trolled by the clock-controlled element.

3. A timing mechanism including, a rotatable clock-controlled element, an upright support, a pair of pivoted actuating arms mounted in opposed relation with their free ends directed toward each other, one of said arms being disposed above the other and located so that its free end overhangs the other, a valve means, means for connecting the upper arm to said valve means whereby swinging of the arm controls opening and closing of said valve means, the lower arm overlying and being operated by the clock-controlled eiement, a connecting member pivoted to the upper arm and adapted to be engaged by the lower arm whereby swinging of the latter imparts a movement to the upper arm, and means independent of the lower arm for disengaging the connecting member from the lower arm, whereby the upper arm may return to its original position to actuate the valve before the lower arm has completed its movement as controlled by the clock-controlled element.

4,. A timing mechanism as set forth in claim 3, wherein the means for disengaging the connecting member from the lower arm is manually adjustable whereby the time of actuation of the valve may be accurately controlled.

5. A timing mechanism as set forth in claim 4, wherein the means for disengaging the connecting member from the lower arm is a fixed stop screw and a lateral extension on the member, which elements co-act to swing said member out of engagement with said lower arm after predetermined movement has been imparted thereto by the lower actuating arm.

,6. A control apparatus for controlling the ad-- mission of fluid into a conductor including, a main inlet valve having a pressure-actuated operating element, means for conducting a pilot pressure to the operating element, a flexible pressure-responsive member functioning as a valve means to control the admission of pressure to the operating element or" the main inlet valve and having its opposite sides normally exposed to a regulated pilot pressure whereby pressures thereacross are balanced, a second pressure-responsive member exposed to the pressure in the conductor, a force transmitting means between said second pressure-responsive member and the first pressure-responsive member, whereby the pressure acting on said second member is transmitted to said first member to move the first member in a direction shutting off pressure fluid.

to the operating element or" the main valve to permit closing of the valve when pressures across said first pressure-responsive member are balanced, and time-controlled pilot means for unbalancing the pressures across said first pressure 11 responsive member .et predetermined time intervals whereby said first member is actuated to die rest pressure fluid to the operating element to open the main inlet valve.

7. An apparatus as set forth in eiaim 6, wherein the cross-sectional area of the first pressureresponsiye member bears a predetermined relationship to the cross-sectional area, of the sec- {md pressure-responsive member and is at. a larger area, whereby in the event that pressure eeting 11 said second. member becomes excessive, the first mem er may be moved into s pe 12 shutting off pressure to the operating element of the-main valve during the period that the time controlled means maintaining the pressures across the first member unbalanced.

5 ASBURY s. PARKS.

'Referenees Cited the file of this patent V UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Number Name Date 2,231,696 Wolfe Feb. 11, .1941 2,339,487 King We"--- Jan. 18 1944

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