Well pump control

Claim 1

Apparatus for controlling the application of electric power to a well pump motor in accordance with the productivity limits of a well as determined by the availability of a sufficient quantity of liquid to be pumped from the well, comprising: a liquid passage conduit; an adjustable variable-area-orifice restricted section in said liquid passage conduit; a pressure switch responsive to conditions of pressure in said liquid passage conduit and said adjustable variable-area-orifice restricted section thereof, said conditions of pressure being directly related to the ratio of the cross sections of said liquid passage conduit and said adjustable variable-area-orifice thereof and to the fluid velocity in said liquid passage conduit whereby said conditions of pressure may be set by adjusting said adjustable variable-area-orifice; a timer responsive to said pressure switch so that the timer will continue to operate as long as said pressure switch is closed, responsive to said conditions of pressure and fluid flow; an electric motor control switch responsive to said timer so that the electric motor control switch will be closed for at least one condition of said timer so as to drive said well pump motor.

Claim 6

A method, employing a timer, a source of electric power and a well pump motor control switch for controlling an electric pump motor for a well in accordance with the productivity limits of that well, wherein a pipe from the well is connected to a water passage conduit, comprising the steps of: inserting an adjustable variable-area-orifice restriction in said water passage conduit; adjusting said variable-area orifice in accordance with the productivity limits of the well so as to select a desired rate of fluid flow within said limits; connecting a pressure switch responsive to conditions set up by adjustment of said adjustable orifice; connecting said timer to said pressure switch and said electric power source so that the operation of the timer is controlled by said pressure switch; operating said well pump motor control switch by said timer so as to control application of electric power from said electric power source to said well pump motor.

Claim 7

A method, employing a timer, a source of electric power and a well pump motor control switch for controlling an electric pump motor for a well in accordance with the productivity limits of that well, wherein a pipe from the well is connected to a water passage conduit, comprising the steps of: inserting an adjustable variable-area-orifice restriction in said water passage conduit; adjusting said variable-area orifice in accordance with the productivity limits of the well so as to select a desired rate of fluid flow within said limits; connecting a pressure switch responsive to conditions set up by adjustment of said adjustable orifice; connecting said timer to said pressure switch and said electric power source so that the operation of the timer is controlled by said pressure switch; operating said well pump motor control switch by said timer so as to control application of electric power from said electric power source to said well pump motor.