Patent ID: 6250392
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: E21B,F04B

Abstract:
A pumping system comprising:a pump barrel that is adapted to be placed into a well casing;a plunger reciprocatably positioned within the pump barrel, wherein the plunger has an open top end with a sharpened edge, a bottom end, and a traveling valve at the bottom end;a connector coupled to the plunger below the top end, wherein the connector is configured to permit fluids to be moved upwardly through the connector and the plunger upon each downstroke of the plunger, and wherein the plunger has an interior that is generally open from the top end to the connector; anda rod coupled to the connector, wherein the rod is translatable to reciprocate the plunger within the pump barrel using an upstroke and a downstroke, and wherein the top end of the plunger is adapted to direct particulate into the plunger and away from the pump barrel upon each upstroke, and wherein the generally open interior permits fluids passing through the connector to travel up through the plunger and out the open top end to expel particulate from the plunger upon each downstroke so that essentially no particulate accumulates on the connector.