Check valve

Abstract

The invention relates to petroleum engineering, and more particularly to the design of a check valve that can be used in conjunction with downhole sucker-rod pumps or electric centrifugal pumps primarily intended for pumping fluids with a high solid particle content. A ball check valve comprises: a hollow cylindrical housing having an internal annular protrusion; a valve pair mounted inside said housing and being in the form of an annular seat and a ball locking member; and a means for limiting the movement of the closure member, which is in the form of a cage with through holes for fluid flow. Between the seat and the cage there is mounted an annular elastic member, the inner diameter of which is not greater than the diameter of the ball locking member. The annular elastic element performs a dual function: when closing the valve provides additional pressing of the ball locking element to the seat due to the arising elastic forces; and provides additional sealing. Also, in the open position, additional forces do not act on the ball locking element, which reduces the hydraulic resistance of the valve. Thus, the use of an annular elastic element in the design of the check valve increases the valve life and increases its energy efficiency during operation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.