Fallback Preventer System and Associated Methods

Abstract

A method, system and apparatus are disclosed for preventing fallback into a sucker rod pump. In an embodiment, a sucker rod fallback preventer filter includes a body, wherein the body comprises a plurality of slots. The sucker rod fallback preventer filter also includes a check valve disposed within a cavity of the body, wherein the check valve is openable and closeable within the cavity. The fluid flow opens and closes the check valve. In addition, sucker rod fallback preventer filter includes a seat disposed within the cavity. Further, the fallback preventer filter is disposed between a sucker rod coupling and a sucker rod pump. In addition, the body comprises a plurality of slots, wherein the plurality of slots are of a sufficient size to allow fluid to flow therethrough but not allow particulate matter to pass therethrough. Moreover, the check valve forms a seal when in contact with the seat to prevent particulate matter from moving passed the seat in a direction of the sucker rod pump.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fallback preventer for a sucker rod pump, comprising:
 a particle trap body comprising a generally tubular body; an inner body comprising a generally tubular body;   an upper bushing assembly comprising an upper bushing assembly central bore and one or more apertures surrounding the central bore;   a lower bushing assembly comprising a lower bushing assembly central bore and one or more apertures surrounding the central bore; and   a flexible valve comprising a flexible valve central bore and one or more flaps surrounding the central bore;   wherein the upper bushing assembly central bore, the lower bushing assembly central bore, and the flexible valve central bore are each configured to slidably engage a rod assembly of a sucker rod pump;   wherein the inner body is secured within the particle trap body between the upper bushing assembly and the lower bushing assembly, thereby forming an annulus between the inner body and the particle trap body; and   wherein the flexible valve is secured between the inner body and the lower bushing assembly such that each of the one or more flaps of the flexible valve are radially aligned with each of the one or more apertures of the lower bushing assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The fallback preventer of  claim 1 , wherein the fallback preventer is located above a plunger assembly secured to an end of the rod assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The fallback preventer of  claim 2 , wherein the fallback preventer is run in hole with the rod assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The fallback preventer of  claim 2 , wherein the upper bushing assembly and lower bushing assembly centralize the rod assembly within a tubing assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The fallback preventer of  claim 1 , wherein the each of the one or more flaps of the flexible valve are biased to close each of the one or more apertures of the lower bushing assembly when a flow of a fluid through the fallback preventer is slowed or suspended. 
     
     
         6 . The fallback preventer of  claim 5 , wherein particulate matter included in the fluid is collected within the inner body when the flow is slowed or suspended. 
     
     
         7 . The fallback preventer of  claim 6 , wherein particulate matter collected within the inner body is cleared from the inner body when the flow is restored. 
     
     
         8 . The fallback preventer of  claim 6 , further comprising one or more axially-oriented series of apertures disposed radially about the inner body, wherein the particulate matter collected within the inner body is at least partially cleared when the flow is restored by directing at least a portion of the fluid through the annulus an into the inner body via the one or more axially-oriented series of apertures. 
     
     
         9 . A sucker rod fallback preventer filter, comprising:
 a body, wherein the body comprises a plurality of slots;   a check valve disposed within a cavity of the body, wherein the check valve is moveable longitudinally within the cavity, wherein fluid flow moves the check valve;   a seat disposed within the cavity;   wherein the fallback preventer filter is disposed between a sucker rod coupling and a sucker rod pump;   wherein the plurality of slots are of a sufficient size to allow fluid to flow therethrough but not allow particulate matter to pass therethrough;   wherein the check valve forms a seal when in a closed position to prevent particulate matter from moving passed the seat in a direction of the sucker rod pump.   
     
     
         10 . The sucker rod fallback preventer filter of  claim 9 , wherein the check valve is in contact with the seat after the sucker rod pump is turned off. 
     
     
         11 . The sucker rod fallback preventer filter of  claim 10 , wherein particulate matter falls into the fallback preventer filter when the sucker rod pump is off. 
     
     
         12 . The sucker rod fallback preventer filter of  claim 11 , wherein when the sucker rod pump is turned back on, the fluid flow is flowing around the check valve into an annulus and through the plurality of slots to remove particulate matter from the sucker rod fallback preventer filter. 
     
     
         13 . The sucker rod fallback preventer filter of  claim 12 , wherein a sufficient amount of the particulate matter is removed from the sucker rod fallback preventer filter to open the check valve and allow fluid flow to pass thereby and into the body and remove the remainder of the particulate matter. 
     
     
         14 . A sucker rod fallback preventer filter, comprising:
 a check valve;   a pump, wherein the sucker rod fallback preventer filter is disposed above the pump; and   wherein the check valve prevents sand from falling into the pump.   
     
     
         15 . The sucker rod fallback preventer filter of  claim 14 , wherein the check valve is disposed within a cavity of the body. 
     
     
         16 . The sucker rod fallback preventer filter of  claim 15 , wherein the check valve is openable and closeable within the cavity. 
     
     
         17 . The sucker rod fallback preventer filter of  claim 16 , wherein fluid flow opens and closes the check valve. 
     
     
         18 . The sucker rod fallback preventer filter of  claim 16 , further comprising a seat disposed within the cavity. 
     
     
         19 . The sucker rod fallback preventer filter of  claim 14 , wherein the fallback preventer filter is disposed between a sucker rod coupling and a sucker rod pump. 
     
     
         20 . The sucker rod fallback preventer filter of  claim 14 , wherein the check valve is in a closed position after the sucker rod pump is turned off.