초록 ▼

A downhole bladder pump for pumping ligher-than-water liquids. The pump includes an outer tube closed at its bottom and top, but having slots adjacent its upper end to admit the liquid to be pumped. Positioned concentrically within the outer tube is a cylindrical bladder chamber. A cylindrical bladd

A downhole bladder pump for pumping ligher-than-water liquids. The pump includes an outer tube closed at its bottom and top, but having slots adjacent its upper end to admit the liquid to be pumped. Positioned concentrically within the outer tube is a cylindrical bladder chamber. A cylindrical bladder is mounted within the bladder chamber and registers with the internal surface of such chamber. A cyclically-operated pneumatic control system periodically delivers pressurized air to the space between the bladder and the bladder chamber to collapse the bladder and pump liquid which has flowed into the bladder. At other times during the cycle, the control system draws the bladder outwardly against the internal surface of the bladder housing by the application of vacuum. The liquid to be pumped is then forced into the bladder through a check valve subassembly positioned in the lower end of the bladder housing. This liquid is next expressed or discharged through an upper check valve system located in the upper end of the bladder housing.

대표청구항 ▼

A bladder pump assembly comprising: an external skimmer tube having a closed bottom, and an upper end; means for admitting liquid to the interior of the skimmer tube from a location near the upper end thereof; a cylindrical bladder support chamber positioned concentrically within the external skimme

A bladder pump assembly comprising: an external skimmer tube having a closed bottom, and an upper end; means for admitting liquid to the interior of the skimmer tube from a location near the upper end thereof; a cylindrical bladder support chamber positioned concentrically within the external skimmer tube, and defining an annular space therewith, said bladder support chamber having a lower end spaced upwardly from the closed bottom of said skimmer tube and having an upper end; a flexible, two-part bladder positioned within said cylindrical support chamber, said two-part bladder comprising a pair of superimposed sheets of flexible material having opposite side edges secured together to form a fluid tight enclosure between said sheets, said flexible bladder being positioned relatively near to the inner wall of at least a major portion of said support chamber at one time during the operation of said bladder pump as compared to the bladder\s position at a different time during the operation of the bladder pump, and capable of flexing radially inwardly from its position relatively near to said inner wall toward the axis of said cylindrical support chamber; a lower check valve assembly pressed into the lower end of the bladder support chamber and having the lower end of said bladder positioned therearound and sealed therearound so that said lower check valve assembly communicates with the interior of said bladder said lower check valve assembly functioning to open to admit liquid into said bladder from said annular space, and from said space between said support chamber lower end and said skimmer tube lower end when no pressure is applied to the outer side of said flexible chamber; an upper check valve assembly pressed into the upper end of the bladder support chamber and having the upper end of said bladder extending therearound and sealed therearound, and said upper check valve assembly communicating with the interior of the bladder, said upper check valve assembly functioning to open to permit the discharge of liquid therethrough from the interior of said bladder when air under pressure is introduced between said bladder and said bladder support chamber; a liquid discharge pipe connected to said upper check valve assembly for receiving liquid pumped through said upper check valve assembly from the interior of the bladder; and a remote pneumatic pump cycle control system connected to the bladder support chamber for delivering air under pressure to the space between said bladder and said bladder support chamber, and for evacuating the space between the bladder and the bladder support chamber following the radially inward collapse of the bladder by air under pressure.