Granted Patent B2

US 12,429,049 · App. 18/531,302 · Granted Sep 30, 2025

Inventors: Clinton Buttnor (Sylvan Lake, CA); Mathys Lourens Geldenhuys (Brooks, CA)

Assignee: Tier 1 Energy Solutions, Inc.

F04B53/18F04B47/00

Abstract

Claims (17)

1. A plunger lubricator comprising:

(a) a lubricator body defining an internal longitudinal bore;

(b) an upper lubricator assembly capping an upper end of the lubricator body;

(c) a lower flange or flow block for mounting the lubricator body to a wellhead component, the flange or flow block defining a bore aligned with the lubricator body bore; and

(d) a plunger catcher positioned within the lower flange or flow block.

2. The plunger lubricator of claim 1 wherein the lower flange is the widest and/or lowest portion of the lubricator.

3. The plunger lubricator of claim 1 comprising a one-piece integral lubricator body comprising an upper cylindrical portion and the lower flow block.

4. The plunger lubricator of claim 1 comprising a one-piece integral lubricator body comprising an upper cylindrical portion and the lower flange.

5. The plunger lubricator of claim 3 further comprising a concentric sleeve disposed in the longitudinal bore, and having a lower end disposed within the flow block, wherein the catcher is disposed below the lower end of the concentric sleeve.

6. The plunger lubricator of claim 5 , wherein the concentric sleeve comprises a cylindrical portion and an upper striker pad housing.

7. The plunger lubricator of claim 6 wherein an upper end of the cylindrical portion fits into a beveled guide and seat within the striker pad housing.

8. The plunger lubricator of claim 6 wherein the concentric sleeve abuts the upper striker pad housing.

9. The plunger lubricator of claim 6 wherein the cylindrical portion is produced from stock pipe.

10. A plunger lubricator comprising a catcher installed in a widest and lowest portion of the lubricator used for mounting the lubricator to a wellhead component.

11. The plunger lubricator of claim 2 wherein the lower flange is the widest and lowest portion of the lubricator.

12. The plunger lubricator of claim 1 comprising a flow block for mounting the lubricator body to the wellhead and wherein the plunger catcher is mounted in the flow block.

13. The plunger lubricator of claim 12 further comprising a concentric sleeve disposed in the longitudinal bore, and having a lower end disposed within the flow block, wherein the plunger catcher is disposed below the lower end of the concentric sleeve.

Continuity (3)

References Cited (64)