Gas restrictor for horizontally oriented pump
A downhole pumping system includes a submersible pump assembly having a pump and a motor, and an inlet apparatus operably coupled to the submersible pump assembly. The inlet apparatus includes a tubular housing for connection to an intake of the pump, the housing having an axis and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart apertures, a plurality of valve members, each valve member positioned within a corresponding aperture, and a plurality of spring members coupled to the housing, each spring member coupled to a corresponding valve member. At least a portion of one or more of the spring members and the valve members extend above the outer surfaces of the housing.
1. A downhole pumping system, comprising:
a submersible pump assembly comprising a pump and a motor; and
an inlet apparatus operably coupled to the submersible pump assembly, the inlet apparatus comprising:
a tubular housing for connection to an intake of the pump, the housing having an axis and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart apertures;
a plurality of valve members, each valve member positioned within a corresponding aperture; and
a plurality of spring members coupled to the housing, each spring member coupled to a corresponding valve member;
wherein at least a portion of one or more of the spring members and the valve members extend above the outer surfaces of the housing.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the apertures are elongated in a direction parallel to the axis.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the apertures are elongated in a direction perpendicular to the axis.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the apertures are staggered in a direction parallel to the axis.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the apertures are tapered in a radial direction.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the apertures comprise one or more edge surfaces comprising a radius for engaging the corresponding valve member.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein first ends of the spring members are connected to the housing.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein second ends of the spring members are not connected to the housing.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the housing defines a plurality of radial passages; and wherein the second ends of the spring members are received within corresponding radial passages.
10. A downhole pumping system, comprising:
a submersible pump assembly comprising a pump and a motor; and
an inlet apparatus operably coupled to the submersible pump assembly, the inlet apparatus comprising:
a tubular housing for connection to an intake of the pump, the housing having an axis and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart apertures;
a plurality of valve members, each valve member positioned within a corresponding aperture; and
a plurality of spring members coupled to the housing, each spring member coupled to a corresponding valve member;
wherein at least a portion of one or more of the spring members and the valve members extend above the outer surfaces of the housing; and
wherein one or more of the valve members are pivotally coupled to the spring members.
11. A downhole pumping system, comprising:
a submersible pump assembly comprising a pump and a motor; and
an inlet apparatus operably coupled to the submersible pump assembly, the inlet apparatus comprising:
a tubular housing for connection to an intake of the pump, the housing having an axis and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart apertures;
a plurality of valve members, each valve member positioned within a corresponding aperture; and
a plurality of spring members coupled to the housing, each spring member coupled to a corresponding valve member;
wherein at least a portion of one or more of the spring members and the valve members extend above the outer surfaces of the housing; and
wherein one or more of the valve members are pivotally coupled to the housing.
12. A downhole pumping system, comprising:
a submersible pump assembly comprising a pump and a motor; and
an inlet apparatus operably coupled to the submersible pump assembly, the inlet apparatus comprising:
a tubular housing for connection to an intake of the pump, the housing having an axis and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart apertures;
a plurality of valve members, each valve member positioned within a corresponding aperture; and
a plurality of spring members coupled to the housing, each spring member coupled to a corresponding valve member;
wherein at least a portion of one or more of the spring members and the valve members extend above the outer surfaces of the housing;
wherein the first ends of the spring members are pivotally coupled to the housing.
13. A downhole pumping system, comprising:
a submersible pump assembly comprising a pump and a motor; and
an inlet apparatus operably coupled to the submersible pump assembly, the inlet apparatus comprising:
a tubular housing for connection to an intake of the pump, the housing having an axis and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart apertures;
a plurality of valve members, each valve member positioned within a corresponding aperture; and
a plurality of spring members coupled to the housing, each spring member coupled to a corresponding valve member;
wherein at least a portion of one or more of the spring members and the valve members extend above the outer surfaces of the housing; and
wherein the spring members comprise a curved portion that is coupled to corresponding valve members.
14. A downhole pumping system, comprising:
a submersible pump assembly comprising a pump and a motor; and
an inlet apparatus operably coupled to the submersible pump assembly, the inlet apparatus comprising:
a tubular housing for connection to an intake of the pump, the housing having an axis and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart apertures;
a plurality of valve members, each valve member positioned within a corresponding aperture; and
a plurality of spring members coupled to the housing, each spring member coupled to a corresponding valve member;
wherein at least a portion of one or more of the spring members and the valve members extend above the outer surfaces of the housing;
wherein the spring members comprise a curved portion that is coupled to corresponding valve members; and
wherein the spring members further comprise a first straight portion coupled to an end of the curved portion that extends in a direction parallel to the axis that is coupled to the housing.
15. A downhole pumping system, comprising:
a submersible pump assembly comprising a pump and a motor; and
an inlet apparatus operably coupled to the submersible pump assembly, the inlet apparatus comprising:
a tubular housing for connection to an intake of the pump, the housing having an axis and defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart apertures;
a plurality of valve members, each valve member positioned within a corresponding aperture; and
a plurality of spring members coupled to the housing, each spring member coupled to a corresponding valve member;
wherein at least a portion of one or more of the spring members and the valve members extend above the outer surfaces of the housing;
wherein the spring members comprise a curved portion that is coupled to corresponding valve members;
wherein the spring members further comprise a first straight portion coupled to an end of the curved portion that extends in a direction parallel to the axis that is coupled to the housing; and
wherein the spring members further comprise a second straight portion coupled to another end of the curved portion that extends in a direction parallel to the axis that is not coupled to the housing.