Mechanically actuated diaphragm pumping system

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for well pumping utilizing a submersible system comprising a pump body having a pump chamber and a hydraulic chamber. A diaphragm is disposed within the pump chamber and divides the pump chamber into a pumped fluid chamber and a hydraulic fluid chamber. A piston is disposed within the hydraulic chamber such that movement of the piston within the hydraulic chamber creates a differential pressure across the diaphragm. A coupling is connected to the piston and operable to connect the piston to a rod extending from the top of the well.

1 . A well pumping system comprising: 
 a pump body comprising a pump chamber and a hydraulic chamber, wherein said pump body is disposable within a well;    a diaphragm disposed within the pump chamber, wherein said diaphragm divides the pump chamber into a pumped fluid chamber and a hydraulic fluid chamber;    a piston disposed within the hydraulic chamber, wherein movement of said piston within the hydraulic chamber creates a differential pressure across said diaphragm; and    a coupling connected to said piston and operable to connect said piston to a rod extending from the top of the well.    
   
   
       2 . The well pumping system of  claim 1  further comprising a hold down system that is operable to attach said pump body to a tubing string disposed within the well.  
   
   
       3 . The well pumping system of  claim 1  wherein said piston has a first portion disposed within the hydraulic chamber and a second portion extending outside of said pump body.  
   
   
       4 . The well pumping system of  claim 3  further comprising a seal member sealingly engaged with said piston and said pump body, wherein said seal member forms a barrier between the hydraulic chamber and the well.  
   
   
       5 . The well pumping system of  claim 4  wherein said seal member is a static seal.  
   
   
       6 . The well pumping system of  claim 5  wherein said seal is a boot seal.  
   
   
       7 . The well pumping system of  claim 5  wherein said seal is a wiper seal.  
   
   
       8 . The well pumping system of  claim 1  wherein the rod extending from the top of the well reciprocates.  
   
   
       9 . The well pumping system of  claim 1  wherein the rod extending from the top of the well rotates.  
   
   
       10 . The well pumping system of  claim 9  further comprising a cam that converts rotation of the rod into movement of said piston within the hydraulic chamber.  
   
   
       11 . The well pumping system of  claim 1  further comprising a check valve selectively providing fluid communication across said piston so as to limit the differential pressure across said diaphragm.  
   
   
       12 . A well pumping system comprising: 
 a rod extending into a tubing string disposed in a well; and    a submersible pump disposed in a well and coupled to said rod, wherein said submersible pump comprises:    a pump body comprising a pump chamber and a hydraulic chamber;    a diaphragm disposed within the pump chamber, wherein said diaphragm divides the pump chamber into a pumped fluid chamber and a hydraulic fluid chamber;    a piston disposed within the hydraulic chamber, wherein movement of said piston within the hydraulic chamber creates a differential pressure across said diaphragm;    an inlet valve that selectively controls the flow of fluid from the well into the pumped fluid chamber; and    an outlet valve that selectively controls the flow of fluid from the pumped fluid chamber into an annular region between said rod and the tubing string.    
   
   
       13 . The well pumping system of  claim 12  further comprising a hold down system that connects said pump body to the tubing string.  
   
   
       14 . The well pumping system of  claim 12  wherein said piston has a first portion disposed within the hydraulic chamber and a second portion extending from said pump body into the tubing string.  
   
   
       15 . The well pumping system of  claim 14  further comprising a seal member sealingly engaged with said piston and said pump body, wherein said seal member forms a barrier between the hydraulic chamber and the annular region between said rod and the tubing string.  
   
   
       16 . The well pumping system of  claim 15  wherein said seal member is a static seal.  
   
   
       17 . The well pumping system of  claim 16  wherein said seal is a boot seal.  
   
   
       18 . The well pumping system of  claim 16  wherein said seal is a wiper seal.  
   
   
       19 . The well pumping system of  claim 12  wherein the rod reciprocates.  
   
   
       20 . The well pumping system of  claim 12  wherein the rod rotates.  
   
   
       21 . The well pumping system of  claim 20  further comprising a cam that converts rotation of the rod into movement of said piston within the hydraulic chamber.  
   
   
       22 . The well pumping system of  claim 12  further comprising a check valve selectively providing fluid communication across said piston so as to limit the differential pressure across said diaphragm.  
   
   
       23 . A method for installing an operating a well pumping system comprising: 
 connecting a submersible pump to a rod;    extending the rod into a tubing string disposed in a ell;    connecting the submersible pump to the tubing string;    reciprocating a piston disposed within a hydraulic chamber of the submersible pump, wherein the piston is reciprocated by actuating the rod; and    transferring fluid pressure from the hydraulic chamber to a pump chamber of the submersible pump, wherein a diaphragm divides the pump chamber into a pumped fluid chamber and a hydraulic fluid chamber so that as pressure within the hydraulic fluid chamber decreases, fluid is pulled into the pumped fluid chamber from the well and as pressure within the hydraulic fluid chamber increases fluid is moved from the pumped fluid chamber into an annular area between the rod and the tubing string.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the submersible pump is connected to the tubing string by a hold down system.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the piston has a first portion disposed within the hydraulic chamber and a second portion extending into the tubing string.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising a seal member engaged with the piston and forming a barrier between the hydraulic chamber and the annular region between the rod and the tubing string.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein said seal member is a static seal.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein said seal is a boot seal.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27  wherein said seal is a wiper seal.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 23  wherein actuating the rod comprises reciprocating the rod.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 23  wherein actuating the rod comprises rotating the rod.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the submersible pump comprises a cam that converts rotation of the rod into reciprocation of the piston within the hydraulic chamber.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising providing fluid communication across the piston so as to limit the pressure within the hydraulic fluid chamber.