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Title: Well production control system

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5484571

An apparatus is described for monitoring the operation of a well pumping unit having a sucker-rod string and a power unit to reciprocate the rod string to produce fluid from an underground location, the apparatus having means for continuously compensating for a drift in characteristics of transducers used in monitoring the operation. The apparatus consists of: first transducer means for generating a signal representative of a load on the rod string; second transducer means for generating a signal representative of a position of the rod string; means for using the load signal and the position signal to generate a dynagraph of load vs. position of the sucker-rod string; means for calculating the area of the dynagraph; means for comparing the calculated area of the dynagraph with a predetermined set of area limits; means for comparing a maximum value of load signal against an acceptable maximum value of load signal; means for comparing a minimum value of load signal against an acceptable minimum value of load signal; means for combining current values of load signals with previous values of load signals to establish a selected value, and for combining a current value of rod position signal with previous values of rod position signals to establish a reference position of the rod string when the maximum value of the load, the minimum value of the load and the dynagraph area are each within acceptable limits; means for monitoring the load signal when the rod string reaches the reference position; and means for disabling the power unit when the value of the load signal exceeds the selected value at the reference position.

Assignee:
FMC Corp., Chicago, IL
Patent Number(s):
US 4594665
OSTI ID:
5484571
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 13 Feb 1984
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English