Patent ID: 9388679
Filing Date: 2016-07-12
CPC Classification: E21B

Claim Text:
1. A separator for separating gas from a production fluid produced from an oil well extending into a subterranean formation, the separator connectable to a pump motor for flowing the production fluid through the separator, the separator comprising: a housing sized to be insertable into the oil well and defining an internal cavity, the housing having an inlet at one end defining a passage for entry of the production fluid into the cavity, the housing having an internal diameter of the same dimension throughout the length thereof; a first pumping stage in the housing pressurizing the production fluid from the inlet to flow in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing; a first fluid flow restrictor in the housing downstream of the first pumping stage, the first fluid flow restrictor defining a passage limiting the production fluid from the first pumping stage to a selected first flow rate; a first separation chamber in the housing downstream of the first fluid flow restrictor in which some of the gas separates from the production fluid, the separated gas directed to the oil well; a second pumping stage in the housing further pressurizing the production fluid from the first separation chamber; a second fluid flow restrictor in the housing downstream of the second pumping stage, the second fluid flow restrictor defining a passage limiting the production fluid flow from the second pumping stage to a selected second flow rate, wherein the second flow rate is less than the first flow rate of the first fluid flow restrictor; a second separation chamber in the housing downstream of the second fluid flow restrictor in which additional gas separates from the production fluid, the gas separated from the production fluid directed to the oil well; and a drive shaft extending the length of the housing and connected to and rotated by the pump motor; wherein the first fluid flow restrictor comprises: an extension cylinder having an internal chamber; and a support member disposed in the internal chamber and having a central block defining a bore through which the drive shaft extends, a plurality of stanchions extending from the central block, the stanchions having longitudinally extending planar surfaces against which the turbulent flow of the production fluid impinges and is straightened; wherein the central block has an angled surface whereby debris of the straightened fluid flow impacts the angled surface, the impacted debris directed in an angular path away from the angled surface.