The first DARTT Valve was sold in 1995 to Axelson Pump Shop in Caldwell, Texas. As time passed, the DARTT Valve's reputation spread globally, with installations in Canada, China, Colombia, Egypt, Sumatra, Trinidad, and Venezuela. Within the United States, DARTT Valves are leveraged in states such as Alabama, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Meet our leaders: the Visionary Owner and Founder, the driving force behind DARTT Valve, alongside our Head of Sales. Their exceptional leadership has steered the valve's global impact.
The inventor of the DARTT Valve, a groundbreaking innovation in plunger pumps, is a proud Texan and received a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Houston. With a strong engineering foundation, he excelled in aluminum welding and shared his expertise through teaching. His diverse career spanned designing wave panels for oil containment test tanks, working on intricate details of global ammonia plants, and overseeing the manufacturing of the first 48" pipe in the US. Furthermore, he contributed to innovations such as an oil production barge and noise reduction in refinery crude heaters, emphasizing safety and excellence in every endeavor. In the mid-1980s, while working in the oil patch, he identified challenges in plunger pumps and, drawing on his extensive background, conceived the DARTT Valve to address gas lock and fluid pound issues. The valve has remained robust and unchanged — a testament to the enduring impact of this inventive Texan.
Sam Nelson holds an Engineering degree from the University of Arkansas and a Master's degree in Engineering from SMU. Drawing from his engineering background and collaboration with the Owner/Founder, Sam showcases the technical expertise of the DARTT valve, highlighting its functional superiority in the industry.
Swipe to review our history
The DARTT Valve is groundbreaking invention that marked a pivotal moment in the world of downhole oil pumping. The first patent, issued as #5,533,876 on July 9, 1996, laid the foundation for this remarkable innovation. This patent, a testament to visionary engineering and hydraulic principles, represented the inception of a device that would revolutionize the industry. It was the brainchild of dedicated individuals who recognized the pressing need for enhanced downhole pump efficiency and reliability.
Building on the foundation of the initial patent, the DARTT Valve underwent significant evolution with the issuance of its second patent, #5,628,624, on May 13, 1997. We introduced transformative changes to its design, specifically focusing on enhancing flow area and stop improvement. The expanded flow area optimized fluid movement, ensuring the seamless operation of the valve even in the most challenging conditions. Simultaneously, stop improvements contributed to its reliability, mitigating potential operational challenges.
The DARTT Valve reached another milestone with the issuance of its third patent, #5,893,708, on April 13, 1999. This patent brought about another enhancement by incorporating spin-style fins into the internal design of the DARTT Valve. These spin-style fins represented a leap forward in optimizing fluid flow and operational efficiency. By introducing this innovative feature, the founders harnessed the power of hydraulic principles to further refine the valve's performance.
A significant enhancement was introduced with the fourth patent granted on May 30, 1999. Marked by the patent number 5,992,452, this iteration showcased a notable innovation: the integration of a sand scraper at the valve's apex. This addition proved to be a crucial advancement, addressing challenges related to sand accumulation and further optimizing the valve's efficiency.
Patent 5 (#5,007,314) was issued on December 28, 1999. This patent introduced a new standing valve and incorporated a mini plunger at the valve's base. This innovative modification aimed to enhance the valve's functionality, addressing specific challenges associated with standing valve dynamics. The integration of a mini plunger at the bottom represented a strategic engineering advancement, contributing to the overall efficiency and reliability of the DARTT Valve in downhole applications.
The latest patent (#11,454,089) issued on September 27, 2022 introduced a revolutionary feature: the incorporation of a pump under packer, enabling the pumping of gas through both the pump and tubing pumps. This innovative design not only expanded the capabilities of the DARTT Valve but also marked a significant advancement in the oil extraction landscape. By allowing the efficient handling of gas through the pump under packer, the DARTT Valve solidified its position as a versatile and adaptive solution, offering unprecedented flexibility in downhole applications and reinforcing its commitment to pushing the boundaries of pump technology.
As we reflect on the remarkable journey of the DARTT Valve, it stands today as a testament to relentless innovation and unwavering dedication to excellence. From its inception in 1996 to the latest breakthroughs witnessed in recent patents, the DARTT Valve has continuously evolved to meet the dynamic challenges of the oil extraction industry. With a commitment to customer satisfaction, the journey doesn't end here; it extends into the future. The DARTT Valve remains at the forefront of progress, shaping the future of oil extraction by embracing cutting-edge solutions and ensuring optimal performance even in the most demanding environments.
