Robust Downhole Pump Barrel
AssigneeQ2 Artificial Lift Services LLC
InventorSanthosh RAMASWAMY
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A downhole pump barrel is nickel plated to a predefined thickness followed by Boronizing a portion of nickel matrix to create Nickel Boride layer and leaving a layer of nickel between the newly formed Nickel Boride and the barrel metal surface. The top layer of Nickel Boride provides a hard surface like chrome plating which increases the wear/abrasion resistance during the sucker rod pump production. The nickel matrix disposed beneath the Nickel Boride acts as a barrier from any corrosion attacks reaching the barrel metal surface.
Claims18
A barrel for use in a sucker-rod pump assembly, comprising:
- a tubular core element defining an interior surface and a longitudinal axis;
- an interior layer formed on at least a portion of the interior surface, the interior layer including:
- a first region comprising Nickel Boride;
- and
- a second region substantially free of Boron;
- and
- wherein the second region is closer to the interior surface of the tubular core element than the first region, when considered in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
A barrel for use in a sucker-rod pump assembly, the barrel comprising a tubular member having an inner exposed surface comprising:
- an exposed surface layer formed by subjecting a base material to a diffusion process, the exposed surface layer including a diffused element and having:
- (a) a first relative hardness, and (b) a first relative resistance to corrosion;
- an intermediate layer comprising the base material, the intermediate layer being substantially free of the diffused element and having:
- (a) a second relative hardness, and (b) a second relative resistance to corrosion;
- and
- a core layer to which the intermediate layer was applied.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.