DOWNHOLE GAS RELEASE APPARATUS

摘要

The present invention provides for an apparatus for use with a traveling valve assembly of a downhole pump for releasing gas and thereby breaking gas locks. The apparatus comprises a piston slidably disposed within a cylindrical housing, the piston being driven by an attached plunger element. On the down stroke of the pump, the piston protrudes through end of the cylindrical housing engaging and opening the adjacent valve. On the up stroke of the pump, the piston retracts into the cylindrical housing, disengaging from the valve allowing it to close. Fluid flows along the outer surface of the apparatus by means of fluid ports connected by defined fluid passages.

主权项

1. A gas release apparatus for use with a reciprocating downhole pump having a traveling valve assembly having a valve, the apparatus comprising;
a. a substantially hollow cylindrical housing having an interior surface and an outer surface, the cylindrical housing having at least one fluid port extending from the interior surface to the outer surface of the cylindrical housing and the cylindrical housing being releasably attached to the traveling valve assembly; b. a piston moveable within the housing between a first position whereby the first end of the piston engages the valve of the traveling valve assembly during a downstroke of the pump, and a second position whereby the first end of the piston retracts into the cylindrical housing such that it does not engage the valve of the traveling valve assembly during an upstroke of the pump; c. a plunger element attached to the second end of the piston, the plunger element having an outer surface, an inner passage and the plunger element having at least one fluid port extending from the inner passage to the outer surface; and d. wherein the outer surfaces of the cylindrical housing and the plunger element each define a fluid passage which align such that fluid may flow from the at least one fluid port of the plunger to the at least one fluid port of the cylindrical housing substantially bypassing the piston.