US5222867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for controlling a mechanical pump to monitor and optimize both reservoir and equipment performance
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-10-15
•
Granted: 1993-06-29
•
Expires: 2011-10-15
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for optimizing the overall production efficiency of any pumping well based on accurate measurements of the time-averaged rate that fluid exists the wellhead. The improved apparatus includes temperature compensated, hermetically sealed electronic sensors that accurately measure the instantaneous rate of both pulsating and steady-state flow, and devices for processing measured flow-rate information to ascertain the performance of downhole equipment and fluid reservoirs. The apparatus is self-calibrating on any well, and automatically compensates for normal changes in both downhole equipment and reservoir performance that typically limit the operation of conventional well-control devices. The apparatus may be easily installed at ground level without major changes to existing wellhead equipment, and readily adapts to the efficient control of pumping equipment utilized with any other type of fluid reservoir.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank J. Walker, Sr.
- 👤 Frank J. Walker, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:41
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/008; E21B47/009; F; F02; F02B; F02B75/00; F02B75/02; F02B2075/022; F02B2075/027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
Apparatus for detecting an undesired pumping condition in a fluid reservoir having a variable liquid level, said apparatus comprising: means for measuring a parameter that is variable with a change in the liquid level of the reservoir during pumping operation; means for generating a first control signal representative of said measured parameter; first processing means for integrating said first control signal over a first time-base that is long enough to average out pumping transients below a prescribed magnitude to produce a second control signal that is representative of a short-term moving average of said first control signal; second processing means for integrating said first control signal over a second time-base that is greater than said first time-baser to produce a third baseline reference control signal that is representative of a long-term moving average of said first control signal; means for comparing the magnitude of said second control signal with the magnitude of said third control signal to determine when the relative magnitude of said second and third signals changes to a prescribed ratio that is indicative of an undesired pumping condition; and means for generating a fourth control signal whenever the relative magnitude of said second and third control signals remains indicative of said undesired pumping condition for a prescribed period of time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
Apparatus for detecting an undesired pumping condition in a fluid reservoir having a variable liquid level, said apparatus comprising: means for measuring a parameter that is variable with a change in the liquid level of the reservoir during pumping operation; means for generating a first control signal representative of said measured parameter; first processing means for integrating said first control signal over a first time-base that is long enough to average out pumping transients below a prescribed magnitude to produce a second control signal that is representative of a short-term moving average of said first control signal; second processing means for integrating said first control signal over a second time-base that is greater than said first time-baser to produce a third baseline reference control signal that is representative of a long-term moving average of said first control signal; means for comparing the magnitude of said second control signal with the magnitude of said third control signal to determine when the relative magnitude of said second and third signals changes to a prescribed ratio that is indicative of an undesired pumping condition; and means for generating a fourth control signal whenever the relative magnitude of said second and third control signals remains indicative of said undesired pumping condition for a prescribed period of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fourth control signal is a pump-off detection signal for controlling a pump.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means responsive to said fourth control signal for controlling a pump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said undesired pumping condition is pump-off.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said undesired pumping condition is an undesired pumping transient of at least a minimum predetermined magnitude.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said measured parameter is the actual instantaneous flow rate of liquid produced by a pump from said fluid reservoir.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for operating said first and second processing means simultaneously.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said prescribed period of time is sufficiently long to allow the relative magnitude of said second and third control signals to return to a normal operating ratio after detection and clearance of any pumping transient that would not normally be of concern.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first time-base is less than said second time-base.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said prescribed period of time is less than said second time-base.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the relative magnitude of said second and third control signals during continuous steady state pump operation under conditions of full inlet fluid head stabilizes at a ratio that is less than unity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second processing means further comprises means for lowering the value of said third baseline reference control signal by a prescribed scaling factor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said first processing means further comprises means for altering the value of said second control signal by a prescribed second scaling factor that is greater than said baseline reference control signal scaling factor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said predetermined amount of change occurs when the magnitude of said second control signal decreases to a value that is lower than the value of said scaled baseline reference control signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
236 words
Self-calibrating apparatus for detecting pump-off of a liquid in a fluid reservoir having a variable fluid level, said apparatus comprising: means for measuring a parameter that is variable with a change in the liquid level of the reservoir during pump operation; means for generating a first control signal representative of the instantaneous measured value of said parameter; first processing means for integrating said first control signal over a first time-base that is long enough to average out pumping transients below a prescribed magnitude to produce a second control signal that is representative of a short-term moving average of said first control signal; second processing means for integrating said first control signal over a second time-base that is greater than said first time-base to produce a third baseline reference control signal that is representative of a long-term moving average of said first control signal; means for comparing the magnitude of said second control signal with the magnitude of said third control signal to determine when the relative magnitude of said second and third control signals changes to a prescribed ratio that is indicative of either the passage of pumping transients or the depletion of inventoried fluid from said reservoir; and means for generating a fourth control signal that is indicative of fluid pump-off whenever the relative magnitude of said second and third control signals remains indicative of an undesired pumping condition for a prescribed period of time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
236 words
Self-calibrating apparatus for detecting pump-off of a liquid in a fluid reservoir having a variable fluid level, said apparatus comprising: means for measuring a parameter that is variable with a change in the liquid level of the reservoir during pump operation; means for generating a first control signal representative of the instantaneous measured value of said parameter; first processing means for integrating said first control signal over a first time-base that is long enough to average out pumping transients below a prescribed magnitude to produce a second control signal that is representative of a short-term moving average of said first control signal; second processing means for integrating said first control signal over a second time-base that is greater than said first time-base to produce a third baseline reference control signal that is representative of a long-term moving average of said first control signal; means for comparing the magnitude of said second control signal with the magnitude of said third control signal to determine when the relative magnitude of said second and third control signals changes to a prescribed ratio that is indicative of either the passage of pumping transients or the depletion of inventoried fluid from said reservoir; and means for generating a fourth control signal that is indicative of fluid pump-off whenever the relative magnitude of said second and third control signals remains indicative of an undesired pumping condition for a prescribed period of time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said fourth signal is a pump-off detection signal for controlling said pump.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means responsive to said fourth signal for controlling said pump.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for operating said first and second processing means simultaneously.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said prescribed period of time is sufficiently long to allow the relative magnitude of said second and third control signals to return to a normal operating ratio after detection and clearance of any pumping transient that is not normally indicative of fluid pump-off.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said first time-base is less than said second time-base.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said prescribed period of time is less than said second time-base.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the relative magnitude of said second and third control signals during continuous steady state pump operation under conditions of full inlet fluid head stabilizes at a ratio that is less than unity.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said measured parameter is the actual instantaneous flow rate of liquid produced by a pump from said fluid reservoir.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said second processing means further comprises means for lowering the value of said third baseline reference control signal by a prescribed scaling factor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said first processing means further comprises means for altering the value of said second control signal by a prescribed second scaling factor that is greater than said baseline reference control signal scaling factor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said prescribed amount of change occurs when the magnitude of said second control signal decreases to a value that is lower than the value of said scaled baseline reference control signal.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
206 words
A method for detecting an undesired pumping condition in a fluid reservoir having a variable liquid level, said method comprising the steps of: measuring a parameter that is variable with a change in the liquid level of the reservoir during pump operation; generating a first control signal representative of the instantaneous value of said measured parameter; integrating said first control signal over a first time-base that is long enough to average out pumping transients below a predetermined magnitude to produce a second control signal that is representative of a short-term moving average of said first control signal; integrating said first control signal over a second time-base that is greater than said first time-base to produce a third baseline reference control signal that is representative of a long-term moving average of said first control signal; comparing the magnitude of said second control signal with the magnitude of said third control signal to determine when the relative magnitude of said second and third control signals changes to a prescribed ratio that is indicative of an undesired pumping condition; and generating a fourth control signal whenever the relative magnitude of said second and third control signals remain indicative of said undesired pumping condition for a prescribed period of time.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
206 words
A method for detecting an undesired pumping condition in a fluid reservoir having a variable liquid level, said method comprising the steps of: measuring a parameter that is variable with a change in the liquid level of the reservoir during pump operation; generating a first control signal representative of the instantaneous value of said measured parameter; integrating said first control signal over a first time-base that is long enough to average out pumping transients below a predetermined magnitude to produce a second control signal that is representative of a short-term moving average of said first control signal; integrating said first control signal over a second time-base that is greater than said first time-base to produce a third baseline reference control signal that is representative of a long-term moving average of said first control signal; comparing the magnitude of said second control signal with the magnitude of said third control signal to determine when the relative magnitude of said second and third control signals changes to a prescribed ratio that is indicative of an undesired pumping condition; and generating a fourth control signal whenever the relative magnitude of said second and third control signals remain indicative of said undesired pumping condition for a prescribed period of time.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said undesired pumping condition is pump-off.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said undesired pumping condition is an undesired pumping transient of predetermined magnitude.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said prescribed period of time is sufficiently long to allow the relative magnitude of said second and third control signals to return to a normal operating ratio after detection and clearance of any pumping transient that would not normally be of concern.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said first time-base is less than said second time-base.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said prescribed period of time is less than said second time-base.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the relative magnitude of said second and third control signals during continuous steady-state pump operation under conditions of a full inlet fluid head stabilizes at a ratio that is less than unity.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said measured parameter is the actual instantaneous flow rate of liquid produced by a pump from said fluid reservoir.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of lowering the value of said third baseline reference control signal by a prescribed scaling factor.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said first processing means further comprises means for altering the value of said second control signal by a prescribed second scaling factor that is greater than said baseline reference control signal scaling factor.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 36, wherein said prescribed amount of change occurs when the magnitude of said second control signal decreases to a value that is lower than the value of said scaled baseline reference control signal.
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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) | 1996-06-28 | 1996-12-28 | 1997-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-28 | 2000-12-28 | 2001-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-28 | 2004-12-28 | 2005-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |