US2263565A - Flow intermitter - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 25, 1941.

A. BOYNTON v 2,263,565

FLOW INTERMITTER Filed Nov. 2a, 1938 4 Shets-Sheet 1 ALEXA N DER BOYN TON,

ATTORNEYSL' Nov. 25, 1941.

A. BMOYNTQN 2,263,565

FLOW INTERMITTER Filed Nov. 28, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ALEXANDER BOYNTON,

., BY E 'gj g ATTOIQNEYS.

Nov. 25, 1941.

A. BOYNTON 2,263,565

FLow INTERMITTER Filed Nov. 28, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 J so 66 5o I ' l2o 36A 55 Fig. 10.

ALEXANDER BOYNTON, INVENTOR,

A TTORNEYS.

, Nov. 25, 1941. A. BOYNTON- 2,263,565

FLOW INTERMITTER ALEXANDER BOYNTON,

I/NE/vgoR,- BY Z ATTORNEYS factory production if flowed and, the flow tubing, as from the annular space between the pressure Patented Nov. 25 1941 UNITED STATE s PATENT OFFICE FLOW INTERMITTER Alexander Boynton, San Antonio, Tex. Application November 28, 1938, Serial No. 242,773

16 Claims.

My invention relates to flowing liquid from wells, particularly oil from. deep wells, by means of intermittent flow using compressed air or gas as the lifting force. The flowing operation coin- Some wells, herein termed high pressure wells, will yield their production satisfactorily if air or gas at high pressure is applied above the liquid in the-annular space between the well casing and the flow tubing. Other wells, herein termed low pressure wells, will not yield satisby compressed air or gas unless the same is prevented from exerting its force upon the producing formations of the wells. In such a well, a string of pressure tubing having the flow tubing within it and a bottom seal between them may be employed to con-. tain the pressure fluid, and thus prevent it from retarding inflow ofwell liquid. Such installations are shown in my Patents Nos. 1,968,633, 2,006,909, 2,010,135, 2,042,583.

This invention will function equally well whether the pressure fluid to operate it comes from the annular space between the well casing inhigh pressure wells, or

tubing and the flow tubing, as in low 'pressure wells.

This specification will describe and the draw? lngs will illustrate the device as installed upon a high pressure well employing pressure fluid from the annular space between the'well casing and the flow tubing to operate the-same. It is understood that the installation may be also made upon low pressure wells. by using pressure fluid to operate the device froni th'eannular space between the pressure; j bing and the flow tubing; There is; a so-caIIedFc -itical point inthepres sure, that is the pressure at which a; wellwlll' yield its productionby use of the least amount of pressure nui This relation between the amount of wellliquid pri'lduc'e'dv and the ,"amount of gas used to produce it 'is commonlyrei'erred to as, the gas-oil ratio} device may be adjusted tcl open at any pressure and to close at ton which is moved any lesser pressure, allowing some difference, of course, for friction which in this mechanism, is slight.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide automatic means for flowing oil wells at as near as possible to the critical point, as defined in the preceding paragraph. If, for example, the critical point is 300 pounds, this device may be set to open the valve in the flow tubing to initiate flow at 320 pounds, and to close at 280 pounds- 20 pounds on either side of the critical point.

A further object of the invention is to regulate the pressure at which-gas wells orstorage reservoirs of gas 'or liquids can be made to discharge gas or liquids into a line or other receptacle at a predetermined relatively low pressure existing in the line or receptacle, and to cut off the discharge into same at a relatively higher pressure obtaining therein by slightly changing the installation plan as will be later explained.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for closing valves to prevent wastage from bursted pipe lines.

, Other objects of this invention are to provide means to propel a solid or liquid body' of material by intermittently discharging hi h pressure air or other fluid substance behind them.

\ In accomplishing the foregoing objects, a cased well, having a flowtubing extending to proximate the bottom thereof and with a hermetic seal provided between them proximatethe ground sur-- face, has a valve in casing head witha shell having oppositely inclined spiral openings on opposite sides fitting over the valve stem with a transverse pin through it engaged with the spiral openings of the shell, the'shell actuating the valve by means of a pisto open the valve by pressure exterior of the flow.

later moved to close it by weight or spring after the pressure inuthewell, has decreased to a predetermined value below that which obtainedv when the valve opened.. t

Many other than .herein enumerated can be, made of this ventive skill to apply it, as be more apparent man an examination of the accompanying draw-- ings in which:

g, I lean eleyation of the devil and I section 01 th upper end well. v

Fig. 2 is a plan view or the device shown'inm. a is a partial sectional elevation of the agvice-shownin l 'ig.l.'" 1

Flags is'a "section en the flow tubing above the.

tubing within the well and.

invention without requirin in--'-" the'lineH, m. s.

actuating finger in Figs. 1 and 3.

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 1-1, Fig. 3.

r Fig. 8 is a partial sectional elevation of the 1,

first modified form of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 99, Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a quarter turn partial section and partial elevation of a portion of the device shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a partial sectional elevation of the second modified form of the invention.

Fig. 12 is a section on the line l2l2, Figs. 11 and 13.

Fig. 13 is a quarter turn elevation of a portion of the invention as shown in Fig. 11, showing a partial section of the valve operating mechanism.

Identical characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The first form of the invention is shown in Fig. 1, in which well casing I has a flow tubing 2 extending central thereof to proximate the bottom of the well. The nipple 2a is welded at 2' to plate and is threadedly joined with nipple 2b by coupling 2d.

The casing head assembly composed of base 3, cap 4, plate 5, and packing 6 afiord well known means for accomplishing a hermetic seal between the well casing and flow tubing proximate ground surface G. Bull plug 1 may be used to close the unused opening of the casing head.

' Upon the'upper end of nipple 2b, valve 8 is uireadedly engaged. The bent nipple 2c engaged upon the other end of the valve has connection with a line leading to a tank or other storage.

Valve stem 3a, rotatable in one direction to open valve 8 and to close it by'rotation in the opposite direction, is secured within extension 9 by a pin Ill. The lower end of extension 9, slidable within shell l2 and through internal flange l3b, has pin H tightly engaged within it. The ends of this pin protrude equally on opposite sides of extension 9 so as to be flush with the outside of shell l2. Over the ends of pin H, rollers Ha have free rotatable engagement and have slight clearance within the slots l2a of shell I2 which is firmly secured upon its carrier I 6 by.

nut I5 which looks the finger I 4 between it and carrier l6. Slot 16a serves to allow shell 12 to be moved away from nipple 2b as may be necessary to cause it to register with the valve stem extension 9 if a larger valve than the one shown at 9 should be employed. A hood I 3 has threaded engagement. upon the upper end of shell I 2, the unthreaded portion having slight clearance over the other portion of the shell in order to hold house the mechanism. The sloping internal circular shoulder 13a oi the internal flange I 3b engages the upper end of shell 12 so as to force the mating threads infirm contact with each other, thereby preventing distortion oi! the slotted shell as is apparent in Figs. 3, 8 and 11.

It will be noted that slots |2a (Fig. 3) are oppositely inclined and positioned exactly opposite each other in the shell l2 so that pin II and rollers Ila will impart rotation to valve stem extension 9 as the shell 12 is moved upward or downward.

Cylinder bracket 36, having bolts 39 rigidly engaging teeth 36a upon the nipple 2b, supports cylinder 35 to which it is locked in a fixed position by nut 31. Bracket 36 and nipple 11, re-

spectively, provide means for supporting the mechanism and holding it parallel with nipple 2b, as shown in Fig. 1.

Nipple I1 threadedly connected within an opening in the casing head, stop cook or valve l8, nipple l9, elbow 26, nipple 20, T 2|, nipple 25, elbow 26a, nipple 21, union 28, nipple 29, and lubricator shell base 36, all threadedly joined together, afford a hermetically sealed tubular communication between the annular space S within the casing and the interior of lubricator shell 32, base 30 and shell 3| being hermetically joined together by weld 30a. Central of, and extending downward from the upper end of shell 3| is a cylindrical extension 31c (Figs. 3 and 10) having threaded engagement with cylinder 35 within which piston is freely movable.

The latch spacer bolts 66, secured upon bracket 36 and upon latch housing holder 54 by nuts 61,

serve to support latch housing holder 54 which receives through a central opening the lower threaded extension 5la of latch housing 5| secured upon the holder 54 by latch lock cap 52. The upper latch housing cover 59, closed at its upper end by cap 65, is threadedly engaged over the upper end of latch housing 5| and secured in proper position by lock ring 60.

Rocker arms 13 are hinged upon arms 36b of I bracket 36 by bolt 14 and hinged upon prongs 68a of the weight lever 68 by bolts 15. Bolt 68 has a close fit through piston 40 and the member I6 and has a free fit through the prongs 68a, thus providing a fulcrum for the lever 68. Extension rod 69 is threadedly engaged with the member 68, the engagement being secured by lock nut 10.

Weight 1| is engaged over the other end of rod 69 by threads adapted, to allow the weight to be moved inward or outward to exert more or less force upon piston 40, as will be later explained. Lock nut 12 obviously serves to secure the weight 1| in a fixed position.

Over the lower end extension 40a of the piston, cups 4| are fitted and spaced apart by cup spacer 42, nut 43 serving to lock them in position as shown in Fig. 3. The nut 43 is of such length as will not allow the end cup to strike the landing below. The tubular extension 32a holds the base 36 spaced apart from the lower end of shell 32, a hermetic closure between base 30 and inner shell 32 being provided by threads and weld,

, vents possible leakage of fluid past 'the external the rollers within the slots 12a and otherwise threads on lower end of cylinder 35.

Pressure fluid communication between the lower end of cylinder 35 and the annular space S within the well is provided through opening 31d, the space interior of shell 32, the openings 320, the annular space 32d, the openings 32b, the nipple 29 appearing in Fig. 3, and the lower connections shown in Fig. 1. The pressure gauge 24, having communication with the pressure fluid within the T 2|, via valve 23 and bushing 22, obviously indicates the operating pressures.

Within the shell 32 is placed a liquid lubricant that will freely pass through the opening 3ld, the level of which lubricant is shown at 32'. Plug 33 and packing 34 within boss 3lb provides means for replenishing the lubricant and producing a hermetic seal.

' actuatethe valve 5.

travel should be accurately adjusted to, land shaft 50 on. plate 59a as soon as the valve is open, and

over piston 40. The cap may be locked in position to produce proper compression of the spring by lock ring 45. The balls 51 are adapted to become engaged with a portion of reduced diameter 40b of the piston when the piston is in its lower position as shown in Fig. 3.

Latch housing contains another latch assembly consisting of ball floor 55, balls 51a, ball roof 56, the latter being slidable within the housing, and spring 58, free all around. This latch engages the turned down portion 50a-of shaft 50 spring rider 6|. Spring compression nut 64 may,

therefore, be raised'or lowered to cause proper compression of spring 58 upon ball roof 55 as appears in Fig. 3..

It will be understood that the ball roof and ball floor of each latch are formed adjacent to the balls with arcuate surfaces adapted to urge the latch balls inwardlyas is apparent in Figs. 3, 8 and 10. It will also be understood that piston 40 and shaft 50 are freely movable through all associated parts in their indicated path of travel except through shell carrier IE to which piston 40 is fastened by bolt 68'. v

The chamber 59b may be filled with a lubricant which will cushion the upward stroke of piston 40 by the lubricant being forced through the opening of restricted diameter 59d in plate section 59a by latch shaft50. The opening 651: provides air circulation in and out of thechamber 59c. Baille tube 65', closed proximate its upper end and above the closure having a perforated tubular portion 65", prevents the lubricant from wasting through the opening 65a as it is forced under pressure by shaft 50 through the opening 59d. Packing 53.,prevents the lubricant from escaping downward. I

The piston travel is determined at its upper end bythe engagement of shaft 50 upon plate section 59a. screwing the cover 59 upwardor downward and looking it in correct position with ring 60 provides the necessary stroke to operate the valve 8. Manifestly, the assembly must be positioned by U bolts 39 and bracket 36 so that valve 8 will be closed when the piston is at the lower end of its travel as shown in Fig. 3.

The oppositely inclined slots lZa are of such pitch andleng'th as will actuate valve 8 so as to open it on the up-stroke of shell l2 and close it on the down stroke. The vertical ends l2b and I20 of the slotsprovide that the-piston travel may bemore than enough to actuatethe. valve without imparting unnecessary strain upon the valve. The vertical portions |2b and 120 may, however, be omitted and the slots I20. may be compression upon spring 58 that the weight H will quickly drop to the dotted. position shown in Fig. 1 when this latch is sprung.

The weight and position of member H on rod 69 manifestly governs the pressure at which the mechanism will operate. Moving the weight outward increases this pressure, and vice versa, as

is apparent. The rod 69 should preferably be approximately horizontal when the piston is midway of its stroke.

In explaining the operation, it will be assumed: That valve I 8 (Fig. 1) is closed with gas at a pressure of 320 pounds (all pressures being per square inch) confined within the annular space S; that weight 1| is in the lower position and will resist rising by 300 pounds pressure under the piston; that the lower latch is adjusted to hold .against 20 pounds under the piston independent of weight 'II; and that the upper latch will hold by the equivalent of 20pounds pressure under the piston.

Valve I8 is now opened. Pressure builds up on top of the oil or other lubricant having its level at 32' within shell 32 (Fig. 3). This pressure transmits through opening 3ld to the piston and cups. At 320 pounds pressure the lower latch is sprung- The piston rises until shaft strikes plate 59a. The shell 12 is at the same time raised from its lower position and opens valve 8 (Fig. 1). The lubricant in shell 32 follows the piston, lowering the lubricant level in shell 32 to the horizon 32" (Fig. 10), thus affording lubrication for the cups ll in their return movement. The pressure fluid in the annular space S forces the well liquid out through the flow tubing. When thepressure drops in space S to 280 pounds the upper latch is sprung by weight II and the piston returns to the position shown in Fig. 3, restoring the oil level to the horizon 32'. This completes the operating cycle. The lower end extension llla of the piston partly closes the passage 3ld slightly before the piston reaches its lowermost position longer and have more pitch than is required to Insuch case the piston The upper and thereby further aids said comparatively small passage to further cushion th impact, Manifestly, the annular spaces may be supplied with pressure fluid from an outside source by means of a connection replacing the, bull plug 1.

In the foregoing example, the grip or freeze of the cups against the cylinder wall was not vtaken into-account; because in this construction the piston should beof comparatively. small diameter, 2' being ample for the installation upon an oil well as illustrated. Whatever the force of this freeze may be,will aid the lower latch and impede the upper latch. Both latches can readily be adjusted accordingly.

If the well will not how at the pressures available, aerating devices may bev installed at intervals in the'flow tubing, Such devices are described in my Patents Nos. 1,470,053, 1,517,611,

A counter, such as shown at 16, many types thereof being manufactured, may be engaged upon the nipple 21) by clamp 16b, secured by clamp bolt 160. The counter actuator 16a is adapted to 'be engaged by the finger l4 proximate the extremeupper end of the valve opening upward stroke-of piston III. for the obvious purpose of recording the number ofeach valve opening or flowing operation.

The first modified form of the inventionis shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10. In this modificatioii a coiled spring I8 is substituted for weight II in the first form. Uv bolts 39 serve to secure the bracket 36A upon nipple 2b in proper position to actuate valve 8, as was explained in connection with Figs. 1 and 3. Bracket 36A, having openings registering with similar openings of latch housing holder 54A, space these members apart by means of bolts 66 extending through the openings and secured by nuts 61. Arms of spiral shell carrier or crosshead IBA, registering with similar arms of spring base 19, are spaced apart by bolts 80 and nuts 80a, these bolts passing through shell carrier 16A as appears in Fig. 10. The coiled spring I8, free over nipple 29A, is engaged between lubricator shell base 30 and spring base 19, slidable over nipple 29A. Nipple 29A (Figs. 8 and 10) is longer than nipple 29 in Fig. 3 but otherwise the same. Set screw 11 secures the shell carrier ISA upon piston 40A which operates the same as piston 40 in Fig. 3, with which it is identical except that it is somewhat longer and has no'transverse opening for the bolt 68' as in Fig. 3.

All other parts are the same and operate the same as was described for the first form of the invention. It is apparent that the spring 18 will be compressed when the piston moves upward; this compressed spring functions to oppose the upward movement of the piston 40A in the lower position and-to urge it downward from its upper position in the same manner as weight 1| functions in the preceding form of the invention.

In order that this spring will not build up too much resistance during the upward ,stroke of the piston, and corollarily that it will .not lose,

too much force during the downward stroke of the piston, it is important. that the free length of the spring should be comparatively great and that it be installed under'considerable compression. If the pistonstroke is 4", the spring should preferably have approximately 4 feet free length and be installed under approximately 2 feet of compression. The above is especially true if small difl'erence between the pressures at which valve 8 will open and close is desired. Adjustments of the springcompression may be made by turning lower nuts 80a upward or downward as is apparent. central opening through it and slidable over the nipple 29A could be substituted for the spring I8 if sufficient space be provided between the weight and shell base 30 to allow for proper travel of the shaft 50.

The second modified form of the invention is shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, wherein spring 18', somewhat differently installed, serves the same purpose as spring 18 in Figs. 8 and 10. Shell carrier IBB has a two pronged portion within which the lower threaded extension of shell member I2 is engaged as in the preceding forms. The other end of shell carrier 16B is formed into an arm having an enlarged circular portionwhich receives through a central vertical opening the latch shaft 50A, somewhat longer than the shaft 50 in the other forms of the invention, but otherwise the same.

A slotted ring 8| with its slots receiving the arm of the shell carrier ISB on either side of .its enlarged circular portion rests upon the circular portion to form a base for spring 18'. The lower end of spring adjuster guide pipe 82 has slots 82a with clearanceover the arm of shell carrier I6B on either side of its enlarged portion, and the lower end of pipe 82 has slight clearance within Manifestly, a weight having a.

the spring base 8| so that pipe 82 is vertically movable as can be seen in Figs. 11, 12 and 13. Spring 18' has free clearance over pipe 82 and may have its compression adjusted by nut 88 locked by nut 83, both nuts having threaded engagement over the upper end of pipe 82. Latch lock cap 52A, otherwise the same as lock cap 52 in the preceding forms, has tongue like extensions 52Aa which engage with mating slots within the upper end .of pipe 82, co-acting with slots 82a over the arm of shell carrier IGB. in order to prevent rotation of the shell carrier IGB due to the rotary thrust transmitted by shell l2 as its spiral slots cause valve actuation. Cylinder bracket 363, having no extensions or bolt connections as had the corresponding part in Figs. 1 and 3, and 36A in Figs. 8 and 10, serves only to support the cylinder 35. Cylinder bracket 363', secured upon nipple 20 by U bolts 39a, serves as an upper support for the assembly corresponding to members 54 and 54A respectively in the preceding forms. Piston 40A is the same in all respects as the piston employed in the first modified form except that it is somewhat shorter. To avoid needless repetition,.all parts bearing the same reference characters, being substantially the same in construction and purpose throughout all forms of the invention, are discussed with reference to the first form only.

If, by way of illustrating other uses of this invention, it should be desired to augment the supply of gas discharged from a reservoir into a pipe line, for example, and hold the pressure in the line constant between a predetermined high' p and low value, the mechanism, herein shown and described, may be installed to=actuate a valve 8 such as shown, the high pressure or intake end 01' the valve being toward the reservoir and the low pressure and discharging into the pipe line. In such installation the valve must open at a predetermined low pressure under the piston 48 and close at a predetermined high pressure under it, this being the reverse order of pressures from that hereinbefore described. To accomplish such result, it is merely necessary to reverse the direction of oppositely inclined slots IZa.

It will be understood that the foregoing draw-.

ings and specifications are illustrative, and are not intended to limit the construction or uses of this invention, which may be greatly varied within its contemplated scope and p poses.

I claim: v

1. A flow control for wells having a casing and tubing, a valve to control the discharge of producedfiuid from said tubing, and means to control the operation of said valve including a differentially pressure actuated mechanism wherein the force to open is a source of fluid under pressure and the force to close is mechanical in combination with means for causing the opening and closing movements of said valve to be quickly completed.

2. A flow controlfor wells having-a casing and tubing, a valve to control the discharge 01 produced fluid from said tubing, and means to control the operation of said valve including a differentially pressure actuated mechanism wherein the force to open is a source of fluid under pressure and the force to close is mechanical, said pressures being opposed to each other so that when said fluid pressure drops below a predetermined value said mechanical pressure will close the valve, in combination with latching means for causing the opening and closing movements of said valve to be quickly completed.

3. A flow control for wells having a casing and tubing, a valve to control the discharge of produced fluid from said tubing, and means to control the operation of said valve including a differentially pressure actuated mechanism wherein the force to open is a source of fluid under pressure and the force to close is mechanical, said:

means including a fluid pressure connection to said casing, a piston within a cylinder, and means for causing the opening and closing movements of said valve to be responsive to the movements of said piston. s

4. A flow control for wells having a casing and tubing, a valve to control the discharge oi control the operation of said valve including a differentially pressure actuated mechanism wherein the force to open is a source of fluid under pressure and the force to close is mechanical, said pressures being opposed to each other so that when said fluid force drops below a predetermined value said mechanical pressure will close the valve, said means including a weight upon one end of a fulcrumed lever to create said mechanical force, the other end of said lever being hinged upon a rocker arm.

5. A flow control for wells having a casing and tubing, a valve to control the discharge of produced fluid from said tubing, and means to control the operation of said valve including a differentially pressure actuated mechanism wherein the force to open is a source of fluid under pressure and the force to close is mechanical, said forces being opposed to each other so that when said fluid pressure decreases below a predetermined value said mechanical force will close the valve, by means including a spring to create the mechanical force.

6. A flow control for wells having a casing and tubing, a valve to control the discharge of produced fluid from said tubing, and means to control the operation of said valve including a differentially pressure actuated mechanism wherein the force to open is a source of fluid under pressure and the force to close is mechanical, said forces being opposed to each other so that when said fluid pressure drops below a predetermined value said mechanical force will close the valve, by means including a spring to create the mechanical force, in combination with latching means to cause said force to be applied suddenly.

I '7. A flow control for wells having a casing and tubing, a valve to control the discharge of produced fluid from said tubing, and means to controlthe operation of said valve including a differentially pressure actuated mechanism wherein the force to open is a source of fluid under presproduced fluid from said tubing, and means ing and valve, pressure fluid to move said piston sure and the pressure to close is mechanical,

said forces being opposed to each other so that when said fluid pressure drops below a predetermined value said mechanical force will close the valve, by means including a spring to create the mechanical pressure disposed with latching means to cause said force to be applied suddenly, and means for cushioning the impact of said differentially operated mechanism when it opens and closes said valve.

8. A flow intermitter for wells'having a casing and tubing therein, sealing means between said casing and tubing proximately above said casing, an annular space within said casing, a valve in said tubing above said sealing means, a conduit connected to said sealing means and having communication withsaid annular space,

a cylinder communicating with said conduit, a piston slidable in said cylinder and having an extension outward thereof, means, for lubricating said piston. means for opening and closing said valve, said means being operable by said piston; a shell surrounding said piston extension above said cylinder, a spring loaded latch assembly within said shell,-said latch being to force balls inwardly into engagement with said piston; an annular recess around said piston, said recess being for latching engagement with said balls when said piston is in its lowermost position; a latch housing surrounding said piston above said flrst latch and containing another spring loaded latch assembly having other balls adapted to move into latching engagement within another recess around said piston when the same is in its uppermost position, a dashpot secured above and independent of said piston to limit its upstroke and to cushion the impact thereof, meansfor securing said piston and extension thereof upon said tubing and in spaced relation to said tubing and valve, pressure fluid to move said piston in one direction to open said valve at a predetermined value of said fluid, and a weight to move said piston in the other direction to close'said valve at a predetermined different value of said fluid.

9. A flow intermitter for wells having a casing and tubing therein, sealing means between said casing and tubing proximately above said casing, an annular space within said casing,'a valve ,in said tubing above said sealing means, a conduit connected to said sealing means and having communication with said annular space, a cylinder communicating with said conduit, a piston slidable in said cylinder and having an extension outward thereof, means for lubricating said piston, means for opening and closing said valve, said means being operable by said piston; a shell surrounding said piston extension above said cylinder, a spring loaded latch assembly within said shell,said latch being to force balls inwardly into engagement with said piston; an annular recess around said piston, said recess being for latching engagement with said balls when said piston is in its lowermost position; a latch housing surrounding saidpiston above said first latch and containing another spring loaded latchassembly having other balls adapted to move into latching engagement -within another recess around said piston when the same is in its uppermost position, a dashpot secured above and independent of said piston to limit its upstroke and to cushion the impact thereof, means for securing said piston and extension thereof upon said tubing and in spaced relation to said tubin one direction to open said valve at a predetermined value of said fluid, and a spring to move said piston in the other direction to close said valve at a predetermined difierent value of said 10. A flow intermitterfor wells having a casing and tubing therein, sealing means between said casing and tubing proximately abovesaid casing, a space for fluid within said casing, a valve in said tubing exterior of said casing, a conduit having communication with said space, a cylinder communicating with said conduit, a piston slidable in said cylinder and having an extension outward thereof, means for lubricating said piston, means for opening and closing said valve, said means being operable by said piston; a shell surrounding said piston extension beyond said cylinder, a spring loaded latch assembly within said shell, said latch being to force balls inwardly into engagement with said piston; an annular recess around said piston, said recessbeing for latching engagement with said balls when said piston is in its lowermost position, means for securing said piston and extension thereof upon said tubing and in spaced relation to said tubing and valve, pressure fluid to move said piston in one direction to open said valve at a predetermined value of said fluid, and means to move said piston in the other direction to close said valve at a predetermined different value of said fluid.

11. A flow intermitter for wells having a casing and tubing therein, sealing means between said casing and tubing proximately above said casing, a space for fluid within said casing, a valve in said tubing exterior of said sealing means, a tubular conduit having communication with said space, a cylinder communicating with said conduit, a piston slidable in said cylinder and having an extension outward thereof, means for lubricating said piston, means for opening and closing said valve, said means being operable by said piston; pressure fluid to move said piston in one direction to open said valve at a predetermined value of said fluid, and a Spring to move said piston in the other direction to close said valve at a predetermined different value of said fluid.

12. In a flow intermitter for wells, the combination of a casing and tubing, sealing means between said casing and tubing exterior of said casing, a space for fluid within said casing, a valve in said tubing exterior of said sealing means, a tubular conduit having communication with said sealing means and with said space, a

reservoir connected to said conduit, a shell within said reservoir, said shell having side and bottom clearance with said reservoir; openings for pressure fluid proximate the upper end of said shell, a lubricant within said shell, a cylinder secured upon said reservoir, a piston slidable within said cylinder and having an extension beyond the same, means for securing said piston and extension thereof upon said tubing and in spaced relation to said tubing and valve, and means for opening and closing said valve, said means being controlled by said piston responsive to the differential force exerted thereon from said an- 7 111.113,! space.

13. In a flow intermitter for wells, a valve opening and closing means consisting. of a shaft pin secured transversely through said shaft and having ends extending therefrom, a shell having oppositely disposed spiral slots engageable over the ends 01' said pins, said shell being longitudinally movable over said shaft to impart such limited rotation to said shaft when said shell is moved telescopically over same a predetermined distance in one direction and to impart similarly limited rotation thereto in the other direction when said shell has equal movement over said shaft in the opposite direction.

14. In a flow intermitter for wells, a valve opening and closing means consisting of a shaft adapted to open a valve'by limited rotation in one direction and to close said valve by similarly limited rotation in the other direction, a pin secured transversely through said shaft and having ends extending therefrom, a shell having oppositely disposed spiral slots engageable over the ends of said pins, said shell being longitudinally movable over said shaft to impart such limited rotation to said shaft when said shell is moved telescopically over same a predetermined distance in one direction and to impart similarly limited rotation thereto in the other direction when said shell has equal movement over said shaft in the opposite direction, and a mechanical counter for numerically recording the operations of said valves.

15. In a flow intermitter for wells, the combination of a cylinder having communication with the interior of a well, a piston in said cylinder, a valve on a tube having communication with the interior of said well, means for securing said piston relative to said valve, means for operating said valve by movement of said piston, tubular means connecting said cylinder to the interior of said well, pressure fluid in said well 'to move said piston in one direction and to operate said valve in one direction, and pressure means acting upon said piston to force it in the reverse direction to operate said valves in the reverse direction when said pressure fluid force changes to another predetermined value.

16. In a flow intermitter for wells, the combination of a cylinder having communication with the interior of a well, a piston in said cylinder, a valve on a tube having communication with the interior of said well, means for securing said piston relative to said valve, means for operating said valve by movement of said piston, tubular means connecting said cylinder to the interior of said well, pressure fluid in said well to move said piston in one direction and to operate said valve in one direction, pressure means .acting upon said piston to force it in the reverse direction to operate said valve in the reverse direction when said pressure fluid force changes to another predetermined value, a second valve and a pressure gauge in said tubular means, and a mechanical counter to numerically record the operations of said first valve, said counter being operable by means attached to said piston.

ALEXANDER BOYNT'ON.

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