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US 9,068,443 B2Granted
Plunger lift apparatus
AssigneeEpic Lift Systems
InventorsJames Allen Jefferies, Schuyler Kuykendall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved bypass valve assembly for a plunger lift apparatus comprises a bypass valve cage having improved flow characteristics and a simplified clutch assembly having enhanced durability and low cost.
Claims36
A clutch assembly for a plunger lift bypass valve, comprising:
- a split bobbin configured to be disposed around at least a portion of a valve stem of the plunger lift bypass valve;
- and
- at least one tension band surrounding the split bobbin and configured to press the split bobbin into engagement with the valve stem, wherein the split bobbin defines one or more grooves in an inner surface thereof, the one or more grooves at least partially defining a fluid flowpath between the split bobbin and the valve stem when the inner surface of the split bobbin engages the valve stem.
A bypass valve assembly for a plunger lift apparatus, comprising:
- a bypass valve cage defining a bore;
- a valve stem disposed at least partially through the bore of the valve cage;
- and
- a split bobbin clutch assembly including a split bobbin surrounded by at least one tension band, wherein the split bobbin clutch assembly is disposed around the valve stem and is coupled with the valve cage, and wherein the tension band presses the split bobbin into engagement with the valve stem,
- wherein the valve cage comprises a sidewall defining a first and second openings therethrough, and wherein the first opening defines a ramp extending at an acute angle to a longitudinal axis of the valve cage.
2 more elements
A bypass valve assembly for a plunger lift apparatus, comprising:
- a bypass valve cage defining a bore;
- a valve stem disposed at least partially through the bore of the valve cage;
- and
- a split bobbin clutch assembly including a split bobbin surrounded by at least one tension band, wherein the split bobbin clutch assembly is disposed around the valve stem and is coupled with the valve cage, and wherein the tension band presses the split bobbin into engagement with the valve stem,
- wherein an outer surface of the valve stem defines a groove inscribed at least partially around the valve stem and extending axially along at least a portion of a length of the valve stem, wherein the split bobbin engages the outer surface proximal to the groove.
2 more elements
A bypass valve assembly for a plunger lift apparatus, comprising:
- a bypass valve cage defining a bore;
- a valve stem disposed at least partially through the bore of the valve cage;
- and
- a split bobbin clutch assembly including a split bobbin surrounded by at least one tension band, wherein the split bobbin clutch assembly is disposed around the valve stem and is coupled with the valve cage, and wherein the tension band presses the split bobbin into engagement with the valve stem,
- wherein the valve cage comprises a sidewall defining first and second openings therethrough, and wherein the first and second openings each extend along a helical path around the valve cage.
2 more elements
A plunger lift apparatus, comprising:
- a plunger body defining a flow passage therethrough;
- and
- a bypass valve assembly coupled with the plunger body and in fluid communication with the flow passage, the bypass valve assembly comprising a valve cage defining a bore, a valve stem, and a clutch assembly disposed at least partially around the valve stem and retained in the valve cage, the valve stem being disposed at least partially within the bore of the valve cage,
- wherein the clutch assembly comprises a split bobbin and at least one tension band disposed around the split bobbin, and wherein the tension band presses the split bobbin into engagement with the valve stem, and
- wherein the valve stem defines a groove inscribed at least partially around the valve stem and along at least a portion of a length of the valve stem, wherein the split bobbin engages the valve stem proximal to the groove.
2 more elements
A bypass valve assembly for a plunger lift apparatus, comprising:
- a bypass valve cage defining a bore;
- a valve stem disposed at least partially through the bore of the valve cage;
- and
- a split bobbin clutch assembly including a split bobbin surrounded by at least one tension band, wherein the split bobbin clutch assembly is disposed around the valve stem and is coupled with the valve cage, and wherein the tension band presses the split bobbin into engagement with the valve stem,
- wherein the valve cage comprises a sidewall defining a first and second openings therethrough, and wherein the first opening and the second opening define two angular intervals therebetween, wherein the two angular intervals are substantially equal.
2 more elements
A clutch assembly for a plunger lift bypass valve, comprising:
- a valve stem configured to be disposed at least partially through a bore of a valve cage of the plunger lift bypass valve, the valve stem comprising an outer surface, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface has a predetermined surface roughness of 500 to 550 micro inches;
- a split bobbin configured to be disposed around at least a portion of the valve stem;
- and
- at least one tension band surrounding the split bobbin and configured to press the split bobbin into engagement with the outer surface of the valve stem.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.