Unibody bypass plunger with centralized helix and crimple feature
AssigneeFlowco Production Solutions, LLC
InventorsGarrett S. Boyd, Mitchell A. Boyd
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bypass plunger combines a unitary or one-piece hollow body-and-valve cage, retains a dart valve within the valve cage portion of the hollow body using a threaded retaining nut secured by crimple detents. A series of helical grooves surround the central portion of the outer surface of the hollow body of the plunger to control spin during descent. A canted-coil-spring disposed within the retaining nut functions as a clutch. The valve cage includes ports that may be configured to control flow through the plunger during ascent. Other embodiments include clutch assemblies using canted-coil springs with split bobbins, and valve stems surfaced to achieve specific functions.
Claims16
A bypass plunger, comprising:
- a unitary hollow plunger body and valve cage formed in one integrated piece having first and second ends, the valve cage formed at the second end, and the valve cage having internal threads at the distal end thereof for receiving a retaining nut having external threads at one end thereof;
- a poppet valve having a valve head connected to a downward-extending valve stem, the poppet valve reciprocatingly disposed within the valve cage such that the valve head is oriented toward a valve seat formed within the hollow plunger body;
- a partition nut having external threads formed in the outer surface thereof and corresponding to the internal threads of the valve cage, wherein the partition nut is disposed on the valve stem within the valve cage for locating a clutch in position within the valve cage;
- wherein
- the clutch is disposed within the valve cage and formed of a split bobbin having cylindrical bobbin halves secured around the valve stem by at least one garter spring surrounding the split bobbin;
- and
- the retaining nut having external threads formed in the outer surface thereof and corresponding to the internal threads formed in the distal end of the valve cage to retain the poppet valve and the clutch within the valve cage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.