MULTI-FUNCTION VALVE

1 . A multi-function valve, comprising:

a housing having an internal bore therein;

a spool valve positioned in the internal bore, the spool valve configured to seal and direct a flow of compressed air and exhaust; and

a spring operably connected to the spool valve, the spring biasing the spool valve in a normally open exhausting position.

2 . The multi-function valve of claim 1 , further comprising a check valve positioned in the internal bore at an anterior end of the spool valve, the check valve preventing contaminates from flowing through a compressed air exit of the spool valve.

3 . The multi-function valve of claim 1 , further comprising:

a compressed supply air inlet connected to the housing;

a vent connected to the housing; and

a compressed pilot air inlet connected to the housing.

4 . The multi-function valve of claim 1 , wherein the multi-function valve is mounted in or on top of a well pump.

5 . The multi-function valve of claim 1 , wherein the spool valve includes a first end and an opposing second end, the first end having an area greater than an area of the second end.

6 . The multi-function valve of claim 5 , wherein the spring biases against the second end of the spool valve.

7 . The multi-function valve of claim 5 , wherein compressed pilot air is supplied to the first end of the spool valve to move the spool valve to an actuated state.

8 . A method of operating a pump, comprising the steps of:

operably connecting a multi-function valve to a pump, the multi-function valve having:

a spool valve positioned in an internal bore of a housing;

a check valve positioned at an anterior end of the spool valve; and

a spring operably connected to the spool valve; and

placing the pump into a well bore;

moving the spool valve into a normally open state where a vent of the multi-function valve is open and fluid enters a casing of the pump;

moving the spool valve into a normally off state, closing the vent and opening an air inlet;

using the air inlet to provide compressed air into the casing, causing the fluid in the casing to discharge out a discharge tube.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of moving the spool to the normally off state includes the step of supplying compressed pilot air through a pilot air inlet, the compressed pilot air actuating the spool valve from the normally open state to the normally off state.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the pilot air acts upon a piston end of the spool valve to actuate the spool valve.

11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the pump includes a lower float check valve and an upper float check valve.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein as the fluid enters the casing of the pump, the upper float check valve moves from an unseated position to a seated position.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein when the upper float check valve reaches the seated position, the fluid stops entering the casing of the pump and the spool moves to the normally off state.

14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the lower float check valve moves from an unseated position to a seated position as the fluid is discharged out of the casing of the pump.