US3854846A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil well pumpoff control system utilizing integration timer
Assignee: Dresser Industries Inc
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Filing: 1973-06-01
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1993-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A valve in the production flow line of an oil well closes a reed switch indicative of fluid being pumped through the line. The switch closure activates a first oscillator whose count is compared with a variable frequency oscillator having a frequency of approximately one-half that of the first oscillator. The comparison is made over a given period of time to ascertain the percentage of time the valve has been open and passing fluid. Theoretically, the valve should be open fifty percent of the time because fifty percent of the time is taken on the downstroke of the pumping assembly when no production is occurring. In response to the integration timer producing a signal, a shutdown timer is turned on which restarts the cycle after a preselected amount of time. When the system is restarted by the shutdown timer, a pumpup timer is turned on which is adjusted to allow for a desired pump-up time. As the pump-up timer is allowing the system to recycle, the integration timer is reset and the recycling is completed if the requirements of the integration timer are met. Otherwise, the unit is shut down again and the system recycled. A variable electronic scaler is connected to the output of the integration timer which monitors the output signals from the integrator timer. After the preset number of times the integration timer produces a signal, the scaler turns off the whole system.
Inventors
- 👤 B Douglas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:45
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B37/00; E21B37/06; E21B47/00; E21B47/008; E21B47/009; F; F04; F04B; F04B49/00; F04B49/02; F04B2201/00; F04B2201/02; F04B2201/0207; F04B2201/02071; F04B2205/00; F04B2205/13; F04B2205/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A system for controlling the operation of a well pumping installation including a pump, a motor for operating said pump, and a pumped fluid flowpipe, comprising: means responsive to the flow of fluid through said flowpipe; signal means for generating signals indicative of said response; means to determine whether said signals are occurring less than a predetermined percentage of time during a given time interval; and means to terminate the pumping operation in the event of said lesser determination.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
79 words
A system for controlling the operation of a well pumping installation including a pump, a motor for operating said pump, and a pumped fluid flowpipe, comprising: means responsive to the flow of fluid through said flowpipe; signal means for generating signals indicative of said response; means to determine whether said signals are occurring less than a predetermined percentage of time during a given time interval; and means to terminate the pumping operation in the event of said lesser determination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said signal means comprises a first oscillator having a preset frequency wavetrain output.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 2 including in addition thereto, a second oscillator having a preset frequency output.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said means for determination comprises means for comparing the outputs of said oscillators during a given time interval and wherein the frequency of one of said oscillators is approximately twice the frequency of said other oscillator.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
79 words
A system for controlling the operation of a well pumping installation including a pump, a motor for operating said pump and a pumped fluid flowpipe, comprising: valve means responsive to the flow of fluid through said flowpipe; means to generate signals indicative of said response; means to determine whether said signals are occurring less than a predetermined percentage of time during a given time interval; and means to terminate the pumping operation in the event of said lesser determination.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
79 words
A system for controlling the operation of a well pumping installation including a pump, a motor for operating said pump and a pumped fluid flowpipe, comprising: valve means responsive to the flow of fluid through said flowpipe; means to generate signals indicative of said response; means to determine whether said signals are occurring less than a predetermined percentage of time during a given time interval; and means to terminate the pumping operation in the event of said lesser determination.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
63 words
A system for controlling the operation of a well pumping installation including a pump, a motor for operating said pump and a pumped fluid flowpipe, comprising: means to determine whether fluid is flowing through said flowpipe for less than a predetermined percentage of time during a given time interval; and means to terminate the pumping operation in the event of said lesser determination.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
63 words
A system for controlling the operation of a well pumping installation including a pump, a motor for operating said pump and a pumped fluid flowpipe, comprising: means to determine whether fluid is flowing through said flowpipe for less than a predetermined percentage of time during a given time interval; and means to terminate the pumping operation in the event of said lesser determination.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 6, including in addition thereto, means for recycling the operation after a predetermined time following the termination of the operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 7, including in addition thereto, means for preventing recycling of the operation after such operation has been recycled a predetermined number of times.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for controlling the operation of a well pumping installation including a pump, a motor for operating said pump and a pumped fluid flowpipe, comprising: valve means responsive to the flow of fluid through said flowpipe, said valve means including a magnet; a valve housing assembled between sections of said flowpipe for housing said valve; a proximity switch arranged on said housing for activation by said magnet; means to generate signals in response to the closure of said switch; means to determine whether said signals are occurring less than a predetermined percentage of time during a given time interval; and means to terminate the pumping operation in the event of said lesser determination.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for controlling the operation of a well pumping installation including a pump, a motor for operating said pump and a pumped fluid flowpipe, comprising: valve means responsive to the flow of fluid through said flowpipe, said valve means including a magnet; a valve housing assembled between sections of said flowpipe for housing said valve; a proximity switch arranged on said housing for activation by said magnet; means to generate signals in response to the closure of said switch; means to determine whether said signals are occurring less than a predetermined percentage of time during a given time interval; and means to terminate the pumping operation in the event of said lesser determination.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 9, wherein said means to generate signals comprises a first oscillator having a preset frequency wavetrain output.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 10, including in addition thereto, a second oscillator having a preset frequency output.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 11, wherein said means for determination comprises means for comparing the outputs of said oscillators during a given time interval.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 11, wherein the frequency of one of said oscillators is approximately twice the frequency of said other oscillator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |