Downhole gas release apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides for an apparatus for use with a traveling valve assembly of a downhole pump for releasing gas and thereby breaking gas locks. The apparatus comprises a piston slidably disposed within a cylindrical housing, the piston being driven by an attached plunger element. On the down stroke of the pump, the piston protrudes through end of the cylindrical housing engaging and opening the adjacent valve. On the up stroke of the pump, the piston retracts into the cylindrical housing, disengaging from t he valve allowing it to close. Fluid flows along the outer surface of the apparatus by means of fluid ports connected by defined fluid passages.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gas release apparatus for use with a reciprocating downhole pump having a traveling valve assembly having a valve, the apparatus comprising;
 a. a substantially hollow cylindrical housing having an interior surface and an outer surface, the cylindrical housing having at least one fluid port extending from the interior surface to the outer surface of the cylindrical housing and the cylindrical housing being releasably attached to the traveling valve assembly;   b. a piston moveable within the housing between a first position whereby the first end of the piston engages the valve of the traveling valve assembly during a downstroke of the pump, and a second position whereby the first end of the piston retracts into the cylindrical housing such that it does not engage the valve of the traveling valve assembly during an upstroke of the pump;   c. a plunger element attached to the second end of the piston, the plunger element having an outer surface, an inner passage and the plunger element having at least one fluid port extending from the inner passage to the outer surface; and   d. wherein the outer surfaces of the cylindrical housing and the plunger element each define a fluid passage which align such that fluid may flow from the at least one fluid port of the plunger to the at least one fluid port of the cylindrical housing substantially bypassing the piston.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the valve comprises a ball and seat valve and the first end of the piston engages the ball and lifts the ball from the seat during down stroke of the pump. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the valve comprises a flapper valve and the first end of the piston engages and opens the flapper valve during down stroke of the pump. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the plunger element further comprises a frictional element which slideably engages a surface of the pump. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the frictional element comprises at least one sealing ring disposed around the outer surface of the plunger element. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cylindrical housing is attached at its first end to the traveling valve assembly by means of complementary male and female threads. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cylindrical housing defines two or more ports, the plunger element defines two or more ports and the outer surfaces of the cylindrical housing and the plunger element define two or more separate fluid passages. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the depth, width and number of fluid passages are configured such that the cross-sectional flow area of fluid around the outside of the apparatus is less restricted than the valve opening. 
     
     
         9 . A gas release apparatus for use with a reciprocating downhole pump having a traveling valve assembly having a valve, the apparatus comprising:
 a. a cylindrical housing having first and second ends, an outer surface, and a central passageway, the central passageway extending between the first and second ends, the first end being adapted to attach directly to the traveling valve assembly, the cylindrical housing having at least fluid one port proximate to the first end extending from the central passageway to the outer surface of the cylindrical housing, the outer surface of the cylindrical housing defining at least one fluid passage extending from the fluid port to the second end of the cylindrical housing;   b. an elongate piston having a first end and a second end, the piston being slidably disposed in the central passageway of the cylindrical housing and the piston being movable between;
 i. a first position whereby the first end of the piston protrudes through the first end of the cylindrical housing and engages the valve of the traveling valve assembly; and 
 ii. a second position whereby the first end of the piston is retracted into the central passageway such that it does not engage the valve of the traveling valve assembly; 
   c. a cylindrical plunger element having a first end, a second end and an outer surface, the first end of the cylindrical plunger element being releasably attached to the second end of the piston, the cylindrical plunger element comprising;
 i. a frictional element which slideably engages a surface of the pump; 
 ii. a central bore extending through the plunger element from its second end to a point proximate to the first end; 
 iii. at least one fluid port extending from the central bore to the outer surface of the cylindrical plunger, and 
 iv. the outer surface of the cylindrical plunger element defining at least one fluid passage extending from the at least one fluid port to the first end of the plunger element; 
   
       whereby the at least one fluid passage in the plunger element and the at least one fluid passage on the outer surface of the cylindrical housing are aligned such that fluid may flow from the at least one fluid port in the plunger element to the at least one fluid port in the cylindrical housing when the piston is in its first position. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the valve is a ball and seat valve and the first end of the piston engages the ball and lifts the ball from the seat during down stroke of the pump. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the valve is a flapper valve and the first end of the piston engages and opens the flapper valve during down stroke of the pump. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the frictional element comprises at least one sealing ring disposed around the outer surface of the plunger element. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a bushing ring that is releasably attached to the second end of the cylindrical housing, for retaining the piston within cylindrical housing. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the plunger element and the outer surface of the cylindrical housing each define two or more fluid passages. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the plunger element and the outer surface of the cylindrical housing each define three fluid passages. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the depth, width and number of fluid passages are configured such that the cross-sectional flow area of fluid around the outside of the apparatus is less restricted than the valve opening. 
     
     
         17 . A gas release apparatus for use with a reciprocating downhole pump having a pump barrel and a traveling valve assembly having a valve, the apparatus comprising:
 (a) a plunger configured to be disposed within and frictionally engage the pump barrel, wherein the plunger is configured to redirect fluid from an inner passage to an outer passage;   (b) a cylindrical housing attached to the traveling valve assembly, the cylindrical housing configured to redirect fluid from an outer passage to an inner passage;   (b) an elongate piston slidably disposed within the cylindrical housing and movable between a first position whereby one end of the piston protrudes from the cylindrical housing and opens the valve of the traveling valve assembly, and a second position whereby the first end of the piston is retracted into the cylindrical such that it does not engage the valve of the traveling valve assembly;   
       whereby the outer passage of the plunger and the outer passage of the cylindrical housing cooperate to allow fluid to flow around the apparatus thereby bypassing the piston.