US4997346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Well pumping systems
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
•
Filing: 1990-04-12
•
Granted: 1991-03-05
•
Expires: 2010-04-12
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a method and apparatus for eliminating at least a portion of the energy losses in a well pumping system which are due to "regeneration" (i.e. those periods during the pumping cycle in which the pumping system experiences negative net torque). This is accomplished by positioning a clutch means in the driving connection between the prime mover and the pumping unit of the well pumping system so that the clutch means forms a driving connection between said prime mover and said pumping unit during periods when said pumping unit experiences positive net torque and effectively disengages the driving connection between said prime mover and said pumping unit to allow freewheeling therebetween during periods when said pumping unit experiences negative net torque.
Inventors
- 👤 William M. Bohon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:07
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04B; F04B9/00; F04B9/02; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/12; E21B43/121; E21B43/126; E21B43/127; F04B47/00; F04B47/02; F04B47/022; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18056; Y10T74/18176; Y10T74/18182
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A well pumping system comprising: a pumping unit for reciprocating a string of rods upward and downward in a well; a prime mover; and clutch means for forming a driving connection between said prime mover and said pumping unit during periods when said pumping unit experiences positive net torque and for effectively disengaging the driving connection between said prime mover and said pumping unit during periods when said pumping unit experiences negative net torque.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A well pumping system comprising: a pumping unit for reciprocating a string of rods upward and downward in a well; a prime mover; and clutch means for forming a driving connection between said prime mover and said pumping unit during periods when said pumping unit experiences positive net torque and for effectively disengaging the driving connection between said prime mover and said pumping unit during periods when said pumping unit experiences negative net torque.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The well pumping system of claim 1 wherein said clutch comprises: an overrunning clutch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The well pumping system of claim 1 wherein said pumping unit includes: a gearbox having an input shaft; said prime mover having a output shaft; drive means for connecting said output shaft of said prime mover to said input shaft of said gearbox; said drive means including said clutch means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The well pumping system of claim 3 wherein said drive means comprises: a sheave mounted on said input shaft of said gearbox; a sheave positioned on said output shaft of said prime mover; a belt positioned around said sheaves; and said clutch means positioned between said output shaft of said prime mover and said sheave positioned on said output shaft of said prime mover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The well pumping system of claim 4 wherein said prime mover is an electric motor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The well pumping system of claim 4 wherein said prime mover is an internal combustion engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
167 words
A well pumping system comprising; a pumping unit comprising: a support; a walking beam pivotally mounted on said support; a string of sucker rods supported from one end of said walking beam; a gearbox having an input shaft and an output shaft; a crankarm mounted on said output shaft of said gearbox; a pitman arm connecting said crankarm to the other end of said walking beam; a counterweight mounted on said crankarm; a prime mover having an output shaft; and drive means for connecting said output shaft of said prime mover to said input shaft of said gearbox; said drive means including: clutch means for forming a driving connection between said output shaft of said prime mover and said input shaft of said gearbox unit during periods when said pumping unit experiences positive net torque and for effectively disengaging the driving connection between said output shaft of said prime mover and said input shaft of said gearbox during periods when said pumping unit experiences negative net torque.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
167 words
A well pumping system comprising; a pumping unit comprising: a support; a walking beam pivotally mounted on said support; a string of sucker rods supported from one end of said walking beam; a gearbox having an input shaft and an output shaft; a crankarm mounted on said output shaft of said gearbox; a pitman arm connecting said crankarm to the other end of said walking beam; a counterweight mounted on said crankarm; a prime mover having an output shaft; and drive means for connecting said output shaft of said prime mover to said input shaft of said gearbox; said drive means including: clutch means for forming a driving connection between said output shaft of said prime mover and said input shaft of said gearbox unit during periods when said pumping unit experiences positive net torque and for effectively disengaging the driving connection between said output shaft of said prime mover and said input shaft of said gearbox during periods when said pumping unit experiences negative net torque.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The well pumping system of claim 7 wherein said clutch means comprises: an overrunning clutch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The well pumping system of claim 7 wherein said drive means comprises: a sheave mounted on said input shaft of said gearbox; a sheave positioned on said output shaft of said prime mover; a belt positioned around said sheaves; and said clutch means positioned between said output shaft of said prime mover and said sheave positioned on said output shaft of said prime mover.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The well pumping system of claim 9 wherein said prime mover is an electric motor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The well pumping system of claim 9 wherein said prime mover is an internal combustion engine.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of eliminating regeneration in the pumping cycle of a well pumping system having a pumping unit and a continuously-running prime mover, the method comprising: providing a driving connection between said continuously-running prime mover and said pumping unit only during those periods of said pumping cycle in which said pumping unit experiences positive net torque; and effectively disengaging the driving connection between said continuously-running prime mover and said pumping unit only during those periods of said pumping cycle in which said pumping unit experiences negative net torque.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of eliminating regeneration in the pumping cycle of a well pumping system having a pumping unit and a continuously-running prime mover, the method comprising: providing a driving connection between said continuously-running prime mover and said pumping unit only during those periods of said pumping cycle in which said pumping unit experiences positive net torque; and effectively disengaging the driving connection between said continuously-running prime mover and said pumping unit only during those periods of said pumping cycle in which said pumping unit experiences negative net torque.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said prime mover includes an output shaft and a shave positioned on said output shaft and wherein said step of effectively disengaging the driving connection comprises: allowing said sheave to freewheel on said output shaft during said periods of negative net torque.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-03-04 | 1994-09-03 | 1995-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-04 | 1998-09-03 | 1999-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-04 | 2002-09-03 | 2003-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |