Drilling fluid pump providing a uniform controlled pressure and flow rate

Patent · Tue Jul 09 00:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:5812842

Whiteman, M E

A pump is provided for circulating drilling fluid and the like into a well during a well drilling process. The pump comprises a pair of double-ended piston assemblies hydraulically reciprocated in opposite directions by a common hydraulic drive arrangement, wherein each piston assembly has a relatively large piston at one end and a relatively small piston at an opposite end. The various pistons reciprocate within appropriately sized cylinders each having a working end with a one-way intake valve through which drilling fluid is drawn from a supply tank and a one-way discharge valve through which drilling fluid is discharged to the well. These intake and discharge valves, or other flow control valves in an alternative form of the invention, can be set appropriately for pumping drilling fluid at a relatively high pressure and low flow rate using only the smaller pistons or for pumping drilling fluid at a comparatively lower pressure and higher flow rate using only the larger pistons, wherein drilling fluid is continuously circulated by the unused pistons through the unused cylinders to maintain fluid flow thereby preventing settling of particulate entrained in the drilling fluid within unused cylinders. STill further, the various valves can be set for pumping drilling fluid at a further reduced pressure and still higher flow rate using the large and small pistons in combination. In other alternative embodiments of the invention, the discharge pressure of the drilling fluid can be intensified by appropriate routing of a portion of the drilling fluid in a manner to assist driving either the large or small pistons.

• Assignee: Whiteman Manufacturing Company
• Patent Number(s): US 4527959
• OSTI ID: 5812842
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 10 May 1983; Other Information: PAT-APPL-493351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
DRILLING FLUIDS
PUMPS
DESIGN
FLOW RATE
HYDRAULICS
PRESSURE CONTROL
PUMPING
VALVES
WELL INJECTION EQUIPMENT
CONTROL
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FIELD PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUID MECHANICS
FLUIDS
MECHANICS
420206* - Engineering- Mining & Drilling Equipment & Facilities- (1980-1989)