US3791444A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid gas separator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-01-29
•
Granted: 1974-02-12
•
Expires: 1993-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A float operated separator valve attached at the bottom of an oil-gas well including a delivery pipe with ports therein, a valve sleeve slidable on the pipe with openings therethrough which when the valve is open align with the ports in the pipe, the sleeve being positioned inside and connected to a cylindrical float with its top open for receipt of fluid. The ports and openings being in alignment to provide a passage up the delivery pipe when the float is full of fluid, but as the fluid in the float drains the float lifts due to buoyancy, thereby closing off the passage.
Inventors
- 👤 W Hickey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:46
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/34; E21B43/38; E21B34/00; E21B34/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A device for separating oil and gas accumulated in a producing well attached to the bottom of a pack-off placed in the tubing, the separator comprises: a delivery pipe with a closed lower end extending down through the pack-off, the lower portion of the delivery pipe having ports therein; a slidable valve sleeve member surrounding the delivery tube and its ports, the sleeve having a plurality of openings therein, all of which are joined by a circumferential groove on the inside of the sleeve; stop means limiting the downward movement of the sleeve at a point where the ports and openings are in alignment providing an open passage into the delivery tube; and float means having an open top surrounding the sleeve and attached thereto, whereby as sufficient fluid overflows the open top, the float means sinks, aligning the ports and openings allowing the fluid in the float to pass up through the delivery pipe until sufficient fluid is removed to raise the float.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
164 words
A device for separating oil and gas accumulated in a producing well attached to the bottom of a pack-off placed in the tubing, the separator comprises: a delivery pipe with a closed lower end extending down through the pack-off, the lower portion of the delivery pipe having ports therein; a slidable valve sleeve member surrounding the delivery tube and its ports, the sleeve having a plurality of openings therein, all of which are joined by a circumferential groove on the inside of the sleeve; stop means limiting the downward movement of the sleeve at a point where the ports and openings are in alignment providing an open passage into the delivery tube; and float means having an open top surrounding the sleeve and attached thereto, whereby as sufficient fluid overflows the open top, the float means sinks, aligning the ports and openings allowing the fluid in the float to pass up through the delivery pipe until sufficient fluid is removed to raise the float.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device for separating oil and gas as set forth in claim 1, wherein the ports in the delivery tube are circumferentially spaced so as to be in communication with the circumferential groove when the sleeve is in its downward position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A device for separating oil and gas as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sleeve member is attached to the bottom of the float means with the openings being spaced upward therefrom whereby fluid carried sediment entering the float means will settle to the bottom of the float rather than flow through the openings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device for separating oil and gas as set forth in claim 1, wherein the float means defines a fluid chamber with the sleeve member contained therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
A device for separating oil and gas as set forth in claim 1, wherein the ports in the delivery tube are circumferentially and quandrantally spaced so as to be in communication with the circumferential groove when the sleeve is in itS downward position, and float means surrounding the sleeve and attached thereto with an open top, whereby as fluid overflows the top, the float means sinks to the downward position, aligning the ports and openings, allowing the fluid in the float to pass up through the delivery tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device for separating oil and gas as set forth in claim 1, wherein the stop means is a conical guide shoe closing the lower end of the delivery tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device for separating oil and gas as set forth in claim 1, wherein the float means is a cylindrical chamber with its bottom connected concentrically with the bottom of the sleeve member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device for separating oil and gas as set forth in claim 1, wherein the stop means also limits the upward movement of the sleeve member in a position blocking the ports in the delivery tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2128475A
Cited
US2142376A
Cited
US2291902A
Cited
US2844206A
Cited
US2810352A
Cited
US2905246A
Cited
US3045751A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |