Anti-clogging device for barrel assembly of a downhole pump

Abstract

An anti-clogging device for a barrel assembly of a downhole pump inserted in a well is provided. The anti-clogging device includes an upper shank portion having means for removably securing the anti-clogging device to a lower end of the barrel assembly, and a lower functional portion extending from a lower end of the upper shank portion,. The lower functional portion includes means for creating turbulence in a mixture of liquid, sand and dirt mixture in the well as the barrel assembly moves up and down. An outer surface of the upper shank portion of the anti-clogging device may be provided with male threads which threadabtly engage corresponding female threads in the lower end of the barrel assembly. A plurality of grooves are formed in an outer surface of the lower functional section at an angle relative to a vertical axis of the device. Also provided as part of the turbulence creating means is a plurality of teeth extending downwardly from a lower end of the lower functional portion of the anti-clogging device.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An anti-clogging device for a barrel assembly of a downhole pump inserted in a well comprising:
 an upper shank portion having means for removably securing the anti-clogging device to a lower end of the barrel assembly;   a lower functional portion extending from a lower end of the upper shank portion, said lower functional portion including means for creating turbulence in a mixture of liquid, sand and dirt mixture in the well as the barrel assembly moves up and down.   
     
     
         2 . The anti-clogging device according to  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the upper shank portion of the anti-clogging device is provided with male threads which threadabtly engage corresponding female threads in the lower end of the barrel assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The anti-clogging device according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbulence creating means comprises a plurality of grooves formed in an outer surface of the lower section functional section at an angle relative to a vertical axis of the device. 
     
     
         4 . The anti-clogging device according to  claim 3 , wherein each groove is oriented at an angle of 40 degrees from the vertical axis. 
     
     
         5 . The anti-clogging device according to  claim 3 , wherein nine angled grooves are provided in the outer surface of the lower functional section. 
     
     
         6 . The anti-clogging device according to  claim 5 , wherein each groove is oriented at an angle of 40 degrees from the vertical axis. 
     
     
         7 . The anti-clogging device according to  claim 6 , wherein the turbulence creating means further comprises a plurality of teeth extending downwardly from a lower end of the lower functional portion of the anti-clogging device. 
     
     
         8 . The anti-clogging device according to  claim 7 , wherein faces of the teeth are oriented at an angle of 15 degrees relative to the horizontal axis of the lower end of the lower functional portion of the anti-clogging device. 
     
     
         9 . The anti-clogging device according to  claim 8 , wherein nine teeth are provided, said nine teeth extending from the lower end of the lower functional position of the anti-clogging device at locations between each corresponding one of the nine grooves. 
     
     
         10 . The anti-clogging device according to  claim 3 , wherein the turbulence creating means further comprises a plurality of teeth extending downwardly from a lower end of the lower functional portion of the anti-clogging device. 
     
     
         11 . The anti-clogging device according to  claim 10 , wherein faces of the teeth are oriented at an angle of 15 degrees relative to the horizontal axis of the lower end of the lower functional portion of the anti-clogging device. 
     
     
         12 . The anti-clogging device according to  claim 1 , wherein the turbulence creating means further comprises a plurality of teeth extending downwardly from a lower end of the lower functional portion of the anti-clogging device. 
     
     
         13 . The anti-clogging device according to  claim 12 , wherein faces of the teeth are oriented at an angle of 15 degrees relative to the horizontal axis of the lower end of the lower functional portion of the anti-clogging device. 
     
     
         14 . The anti-clogging device according to  claim 3  wherein each groove has an open first end at the lower end of the lower functional portion of the anti-clogging device and a closed second end at a point near an upper end of the lower functional portion of the anti-clogging device. 
     
     
         15 . The anti-clogging device according to  claim 1  wherein the anti-clogging device is made from a strong, anti-corrosive material. 
     
     
         16 . The anti-clogging device according to  claim 15 , wherein the anti-clog device is formed from 316 Stainless Steel. 
     
     
         17 . An anti-clogging device for a barrel assembly of a downhole pump inserted in a well comprising:
 a plurality of grooves formed in an outer surface of a lower region of the barrel assembly, each of said grooves formed at an angle relative to a vertical axis of the device; and   a plurality of teeth extending downwardly from a lower end of the lower region of the barrel assembly.   
     
     
         18 . The anti-clogging device according to  claim 17 , wherein each groove is oriented at an angle of 40 degrees from the vertical axis. 
     
     
         19 . The anti-clogging device according to  claim 18 , wherein faces of the teeth are oriented at an angle of 15 degrees relative to the horizontal axis of the lower end of the barrel assembly.