CA2272269A1 - Flow responsive time delay pump motor control logic - Google Patents
Flow responsive time delay pump motor control logic Download PDFInfo
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- CA2272269A1 CA2272269A1 CA 2272269 CA2272269A CA2272269A1 CA 2272269 A1 CA2272269 A1 CA 2272269A1 CA 2272269 CA2272269 CA 2272269 CA 2272269 A CA2272269 A CA 2272269A CA 2272269 A1 CA2272269 A1 CA 2272269A1
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Abstract
An automatically controlled fluid flow responsive method and apparatus for achieving speed control or de-energization of an electric motor operatively connected with a downhole pump being connected to a production tubing string of a well when flow from the downhole pump becomes abnormally low. A selective electronic motor control signal is programmed, representing a selected minimum acceptable rate of discharge flow from the downhole pump. A flow transducer measuring flow through a pump discharge line provides an electronic flow related signal to the logic circuitry, representing actual pump discharge flow, which if below a predetermined value, initiates a preset timing sequence of the logic circuitry. When the flow related signal remains less than the motor speed adjustment setting for the duration of the time delay period the control circuitry will alter the electrical power supply to the pump motor and cause the motor to operate at any one of a number of lower speeds. The time delay motor control logic is provided with an adjustable "set flow" logic and an adjustable "motor control or cut-off delay" logic which establish parameters of allowable minimum pump discharge flow and the time period that the pump will be allowed to operate below a preset minimum allowable flow rate. When the preset "minimum flow" and "time period" settings are met the control logic will provide a control signal to alter or de-energize the electrical power circuit of the pump motor, thus slowing the pump to any of a number of lower speeds or shutting down the pump. The pump motor control logic incorporates a start-up delay which maintains the pump control logic in a deactivated state for a period of time which is selected to permit the well production system to reach its optimum flow rate.
Description
APPLICATION FOR PATENT
INVENTORS: GORDON L. RASMUSON
PAUL PIGUE
ZAKI D. HUSAIN
TITLE: FLOW RESPONSIVE TIME DELAY
PUMP MOTOR CONTROL LOGIC
This invention relates generally to pumps that are located downhole within wells for pumping well fluid, typically petroleum products and water, which enter the wells from oil or gas bearing subsurface formations. This invention also concerns an electronic protective system for changing or deenergizing the speed of the rotary motor operated drive system of a downhole pump in the event that an abnormally low pump discharge flow exists, which might indicate a temporary or permanent cha.~ge in v:~e:l productivity er might indicate pump wear, damage or any other pump or pump motor abnormality. More specifically, the present invention concerns a time delay motor control circuit which can cause pump slow down or shut down by changing or deenergizing the electrical circuit of a pump motor in the event abnormally low pump discharge flow is sensed by a flow transducer that continuously measures pump discharge flow at any location in the fluid flow system and transmits electrical signals representing pump flow. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a time delay motor control logic that is responsive to a low pump discharge fluid flow condition for slowing or shutting down a downhole pump and motor assembly and yet permits pump operation for a predetermined period of time under a condition of abnormally low flow to prevent premature pump shut-down when the low flow condition is temporary. The time delay motor control logic is designed to prevent the loss of pump productivity under circumstances where the pump driven by the motor is subject to fluctuations in discharge flow because of variations in the gas content of the fluid passing through the pump or because of the existence of other well anomalies of short duration. The present invention also concerns a fluid flow responsive time delay pump motor control logic that permits the pumping capability of a well pump to be automatically matched 1 p with the production rate of a well and to change pumping speed automatically in response to changes in the production rate of the well.
Although the present invention is discussed herein particularly as it relates to progressive cavity pumps for production of well fluids from wells, particularly oil wells, it should be borne in mind that this invention is also applicable to the control of other rotary well pumps, ~~.!ch zs electrically energized submersible pumps, and is also applicable to the control of various other electric motor operated equipment. Thus, the terms "pump", "downhole pump", etc. are intended to encompass various types of rotary surface and subsurface pumps that may be used for motorized production of liquid petroleum products and associated Liquids from wells and is also intended to encompass rotary electric motor driven apparatus other than pumps. The term pump is therefore intended only as an example and is not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the present invention.
In cases where crude oil production wells are to be pumped, it has been the practice to install a production tubing string within a well, with a prog~rGSSing cavity fluid lift pump being located in the downhole environment at or near the lower end of the production tubing string and below the standing fluid level of the well, when the well is producing. A rotary drive mechanism, powered by LO a rotary electric motor is typically mounted to the well head and drives a sucker rod string which in tum drives the progressive cavity pump.
It is well known that the potential flow conditions of some oil wells tend to fluctuate significantly and sometimes rapidly. Thus, well pumps that are located in the downhole environment are often subject to temporary low liquid discharge. Under such conditions the pump will ordinarily be restored to its proper rate of liquid discharge as soon as the anomaly is dissipated (typically only a few seconds at a time).
Conditions of low liquid discharge of the pump can also occur for reasons that have little to do with the production characteristics of the subsurface formation or the presence of gas in the well fluid. In some cases, because of the contaminated or abrasive characteristics of the well fluid being ZO pumped, including the volume of entrained solids therein, the pump can become worn so that its liquid discharge capability is reduced. Before pump wear becomes excessive, the discharge flow fiom the pump is reduced below a pre-selected value, the pump should be stopped. When conditions occur that impair the rotational capability of the pump mechanism, regardless of the cause thereof, diminished pump discharge flow will occur. Thus, according to the present invention it is desirable to continuously sense pump discharge flow and to deenergize the pump or controllably slow pump operation in the event pump discharge flow rate should fall below a predetermined set point for any of a number of reasons. It is desirable that the pump system have the capability of accommodating inherent fluctuations in flow measurement without permanently shutting down the pumping operation in response to a flow measurement anomaly that is only temporary.
If automatic pump shut down should occur as the result of a temporary well condition or pump condition, then valuable production fiom the well can be lost. It is desirable to provide a flow responsive pump cut-off system that effectively overcomes this problem. The pump cut-ofl'system of the present invention ensures that the well is shut-in under circumstances where the pump could become irreparably damaged if pumping should continue at the existing operating speed, but also insures that the well is not shut-in under circumstances where temporary anomalies occur, such as temporary lower pump discharge flow that quickly passes.
When pump start or restart occurs it is necessary to disable low flow responsive pump cut-off logic to provide for filling of the production tubing and for pump discharge flow to exist within the flow sensitive transducer. Thus the pump control system of the present invention is provided with a startup delay period that can be adjusted according to various well parameters such as standing fluid depth, tubing size, etc. to provide a field selectable time delay period which must expire after a start-up before the pump cut off logic circuitry is activated Typically, when pump shut down is caused by conventional pump control equipmPnr_, the pump remains out of service until such time as well servicing personnel can inspect the well and place the pump back on line. Since many wells are located in remote areas and are seldom visited by well service personnel, a deactivated downhole pump can remain deactivated for long periods of time thereby causing the production of the well during that period of time to be lost. This is of course an undesirable condition which finds its solution in the present invention.
In accordance with the present invention, for detection of pump discharge flow conditions, a flow responsive transducer is located in the flow line, preferably in the discharge line from the well and continuously transmits a flow related electronic signal in the nature of a voltage, a current, a frequency, etc., via electronic control conductors to electronic control equipment that is located at the surface. These flow related electrical signals can be generated by any suitable flow transducer, such as an ultrasonic flaw meter, orifice type flow meter with a differential pressure sensor, a turbine type flow meter, thermal dispersion flow sensor, and the like which develop electronic signals representing flow of fluid through a flow line . In the event abnormally low pump discharge flow condition is detected that could cause damage to the pump or to the pump motor assembly, and remains beyond an allowable period of time, the control system at the surface will deactivate or 1 S adjust the power circuit of the pump motor in a manner causing the pump to shut down or causing the pump to operate at a lower speed.
SUMMARY OF THE 1NVF~1TI0~
It is a principal feature of the present invention to provide a novel flow rate responsive time delay motor control logic for an electric motor, such as a pump motor for well production for example, which has the automatic electronic capability for determining the production rate of a v, ell, periodically setting itself for the production rate of the well, determining changes in the production rate of the well and resetting itself responsive to changes in the production rate of the well.
It is another feature of the present invention to provide a novel flow rate responsive time delay motor control logic for an electric motor which permits motor operation of predetermined duration following detection of an abnormal flow rate condition under circumstances where the abnormal flow rate condition does not continue beyond an electronically preset period of time.
It is also a feature of this invention to provide a novel electronic flow responsive time delay pump motor control logic that is responsive to the output voltage signals of a suitable flow responsive transducer, such as an ultrasonic flow meter, for example, which detects pump discharge fluid flow conditions and which accomplishes shutdown of the motor drive of a downhole pump under circumstances where abnormally low pump discharge flow conditions are indicated beyond a predetermined maximum period of time.
It also a feature of the present invention to provide a novel downhole pump control system having an automatic time delay motor control circuit that is electronically adjustable for a wide range of time delay without necessitating the presence of or control by field personnel and having the capability of automatically and electronically controlling well production according to the flow parameters of the well even under circumstances where well flow parameters change after initial installation of the well pumping and flow controlling equipment.
It is another feature of the present invention to provide a novel time delayed motor control logic for a downhole pump system which incorporates a start-up timer circuit that sets the time interval for activation of the motor control logic and thus permits the puma system tc become stabilized at the production rate of the well before the time delay motor control logic circuit becomes fully operational.
It also a feature of the present invention to provide a novel downhole pump system having an automatic time delay motor control logic that provides a digital readout of the flow condition of the pump and which incorporates a set level switch that can be manually positioned to indicate the set level position of the time delay circuitry, thus enabling field personnel to quickly determine the parameters for which the circuitry has been set.
It is also a feature of the present invention to provide an electronic time delay motor control logic system for downhoIe rotary pumps which accomplishes pump shut down or changes the speed of the pump responsive to the existence of an abnormally low pump discharge flow that has a duration exceeding a selected time period for which the electronic logic system is set and having the capability for restarting the pump motor for operation at the same or a dif~'erent motor speed according to the character and sequence of the pump discharge flow condition that is detected.
t5 BEZIEF DESC tPTION OF THE DEZA~:n"1C'TS
The various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon an understanding of the following detailed description of the invention, considered in light of the accompanying drawings which are made a part of this specification and in which:
Fig. I is a diagrammatic illustration of a progressive cavity well pumping system according '.0 to the present invention, having an electric motor energized downhole pump driven by a rotary sucker rod string for pumping well fluid fiom the well bore through a production ~sbss:g string and with pumped fluid flow being detected by sensor means developing flow responsive electronic signals which are transmitted to a control logic for use in motor control according to well production capability; and Fig. 2 is block diagram illustration of an electronic circuit board being constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and showing features for selective adjustment of operating parameters of the time dzlay motor control logic which is automatically operative responsive to flow parameters of the downhole pump discharge.
Referring now to the drawings and first to Fig. 1, a progressing cavity type rotary pump shown generally at 10 is secured by an anchor 11 at a desired depth within a production tubing string 12 that is located within a well casing 14 intersecting a subsurface production zone 16 containing liquid petroleum products to be produced. The liquid petroleum products, typically crude oil, typically accompanied by water and natural gas, migrate from the subsurface formation and enter the well casing 14 that lines the well bore 1 S via perforations 18 in the well casing and typically rise within the casing to a standing level well above the depth of the producing formation. The standing level of fluid within the well casing is determined by the character of the producing formation. The pump is located within the casing below the standing level of the well fluid.
Its location depth within the casing is determined by the producing characteristics of the subsurface formation and various other parameters of the well and the pumping equipment. The progressive cavity pump defines a fluid inlet 20 in communication with the liquid standing within the casing and has a fluid discharge 22 which is open to the production tubing string 12. The pump 10 is energized by a rotating sucker rod string 23 which extends through the production tubing 12 and which is driven by a rotary electric motor 24 of a drive head 25 which is mounted to the wellhead 26. The rotary electric pump motor has a motor circuit 28 which receives its electrical energy from a suitable source "S" of electrical power supplying the electrical requirements of the oil field being produced.
The production tubing string of the well is in communication with a flow tee 27 having a flow line 29 connected thereto and arranged for delivery of petroleum products to sales. Adjacent to or mounted to the flow line 29 is a flow transducer having an electrical signal processor output at 31 representing the rate of fluid flow through the flow line, with the electrical signals thus evidencing the condition of pump discharge flow at any point in time. Any, of several types of flow transducers, such as ultrasonic flow meters, head type devices, turbine meters or any of a number of other types of flow meters may be employed for this purpose. As an example, the flow transducer 30 of Fig. 1 is illustrated as an ultrasonic type flow transducer which is attached externally of the flow line 29 for measuring discharge flow of the pump by measuring the volume of fluid flowing through the flow line. The flow transducer 30 generates a flow responsive electrical signal in the form of a voltage or electrical current output at 31. This pump discharge responsive electrical signal t ~ is conducted via power and control conductors 43 and 44 to a control console 46, to be discussed in detail hereinbelow, and which is typically located adjacent the well being produced or mounted to the wellhead equipment in a position for visual inspection by well service personnel. The fluid flow related electrical signal is electronically processed by the microprocessor circuitry of the control console to provide an electrical signal output that represents the flow rate of the fluid being ?0 discharged by the pump. The flow sensitive transducer 30 can be powered by a 24- volt power supply if needed or may be powered by any other suitable power source from the control conso~ 46 via the power and control conductors 43 and 44. During normal operation of the downhole pump the flow transducer 30 wilt sense fluid flow through the flow line 29, with the fluid flow being sensed representing the actual rate of pumped fluid flow being discharged by the rotary downhole progressing cavity pump 10. Electrical signals representing the rate of flow within the flow line at any point in time will be supplied to the electronic logic of the control console 46 in the manner and 5 for the purpose discussed in detail hereinbelow. If the rate of Quid flow is unusually low, evidencing a pump discharge flow abnormality, this abnomlal condition is immediately displayed by the control console and if the abnormality continues beyond a preset period of time which is considered safe for the pump and pump drive mechanism, the logic of the control console will deenergize or alter, typically lower, the operational speed of the pump motor by appropriately energizing or deenergizing 10 power and control conductors 26 and 28 of the driveled/motor mechanism 24 -25. Thus, the pump system is controlled so that the pump motor and pump will not become damaged by heat build-up, erosion, excessive wear, etc.
Referring now to Fig. 2, the control console, shown in partial section generally at 46, is provided with control circuitry which is housed within a console housing 48 having a door 49 which is normally sealed to the housing. The door 49 is provided with an inspection window typically comprising a glass plate 50. If desired, the closure can be wire sealed, locked or otherwise secured to prevent its opening by unauthorized persons. Circuit boards 52 incorporating the time delay motor control logic can be mounted within the enclosure. If desired, the control console 46 may be constructed with the monitoring and control logic being provided by a single circuit board or multiple circuit boards depending upon the design characteristics that are desired.
To manually change any setting or manually re-start the motor control logic circuit, Lh housing closure must be opened to gain access to the outer circuit board 52 by opening the closure i0 door 49. The circuit board 52 of the present invention has visible references and adjustment controls to enable users to easily set or reset the control parameters of the control circuitry. In cases where the well pump control system is to be used in exceptionally cold conditions that might influence the operational characteristics of the solid state circuitry, a temperature sensor 54 may be mounted within the housing cavity in position for sensing the temperature of the housing. At a preselected low temperature an electrically energized heater 55, supported by an intermediate heat conductive mounting plate 56, may be automatically energized for ensuring that the temperature of the electronics cavity and circuit board or boards is sufficiently high that the electronic circuitry will not be impaired by extremely cold ambient temperature conditions. It should be home in mind that control console heating systems of this nature are not of necessity unless the ambient temperature is sufficiently low that the operational characteristics of the control logic can be impaired.
Referring now to Fig. 3 the front or display face 58 of the circuit board 52 is visible to service personnel and provides a visual display of the operational characteristics of the downhole pump.
The outer face of the circuit board will provide a display of five operational conditions which will l~ be visible to personnel upon inspection. The circuit board is provided with a "SET FLOW/READ
FLOW" switch 60 that is a toggle switch which allows selection of "READ FLOW ' or "SET
FLOW ' circuit parameters. This switch 60 controls a light emitting diode (LED) or liquid crystal display (LCD) 62 having a digital display that is visible to service personnel and provides a visual display of the conditions of discharge flow of the downhole pump. At the "READ
FLOW ' position of the toggle switch, the actual output voltage of the flow meter is displayed, which represents the volume of flow through the flow meter. When the toggle switch 60 is moved to flee "SET FLO~~~' position, the digital voltmeter of the display 62 will indicate the preselected threshold voltage of the flow meter actuated motor control logic for pump motor cut-off or pump motor speed adjustment.
When the pump control logic incorporates a microprocessor the display 62 will display actual flow rates in any engineering unit instead of voltage.
The circuit board 52 is provided with "STOP SET" and "LOW SET" potentiometers 64 and 65 each having manually positioned adjustment elements 66 and 67 which allows setting the threshold voltage for the low flow set point and the threshold limit to stop the pump motor completely. The actual voltage range is from approximately 1 volt to about 5 volts for the circuitry that is shown, but may be provided in any voltage range that is suitable for the intended purpose.
With microprocessor circuitry these set points could be the actual flow rate in any designated engineering unit. The "low set" potentiometer 65 adjusts the set point for the desired flow rate below which, if the flow remains for longer than a selected period of time, typically measured in seconds, the pump motor is to be shifted to a low speed condition by control circuit activation.
To adjust the flow adjustment set point, the momentary toggle switch is held at its "SET
FLOW ' position as shown in Fig. 3 while the "LOW SET" potentiometer is adjusted manually by moving it to the desired voltage setting as indicated by potentiometer reference marks and as confirmed by the digital voltmeter display 62. This display could also be in desired engineering unit of flow rate.
The display Face of the circuit board 52 is also provided with a cut-off delay adjustment in the form of a cut-off delay pin-socket jumper 68 being connected across jumper contacts for the purpose of selecting one of a number of time delay periods of a "LOW DELAY"
timer circuit 69.
Adjacent to or on the "LOW DELAY" potentiometer 69 are spaced u'dicia 1-10 wh~c?: are reforen~e indicia typically indicating a selected cut-off delay in terms of seconds or other preselected range.
INVENTORS: GORDON L. RASMUSON
PAUL PIGUE
ZAKI D. HUSAIN
TITLE: FLOW RESPONSIVE TIME DELAY
PUMP MOTOR CONTROL LOGIC
This invention relates generally to pumps that are located downhole within wells for pumping well fluid, typically petroleum products and water, which enter the wells from oil or gas bearing subsurface formations. This invention also concerns an electronic protective system for changing or deenergizing the speed of the rotary motor operated drive system of a downhole pump in the event that an abnormally low pump discharge flow exists, which might indicate a temporary or permanent cha.~ge in v:~e:l productivity er might indicate pump wear, damage or any other pump or pump motor abnormality. More specifically, the present invention concerns a time delay motor control circuit which can cause pump slow down or shut down by changing or deenergizing the electrical circuit of a pump motor in the event abnormally low pump discharge flow is sensed by a flow transducer that continuously measures pump discharge flow at any location in the fluid flow system and transmits electrical signals representing pump flow. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a time delay motor control logic that is responsive to a low pump discharge fluid flow condition for slowing or shutting down a downhole pump and motor assembly and yet permits pump operation for a predetermined period of time under a condition of abnormally low flow to prevent premature pump shut-down when the low flow condition is temporary. The time delay motor control logic is designed to prevent the loss of pump productivity under circumstances where the pump driven by the motor is subject to fluctuations in discharge flow because of variations in the gas content of the fluid passing through the pump or because of the existence of other well anomalies of short duration. The present invention also concerns a fluid flow responsive time delay pump motor control logic that permits the pumping capability of a well pump to be automatically matched 1 p with the production rate of a well and to change pumping speed automatically in response to changes in the production rate of the well.
Although the present invention is discussed herein particularly as it relates to progressive cavity pumps for production of well fluids from wells, particularly oil wells, it should be borne in mind that this invention is also applicable to the control of other rotary well pumps, ~~.!ch zs electrically energized submersible pumps, and is also applicable to the control of various other electric motor operated equipment. Thus, the terms "pump", "downhole pump", etc. are intended to encompass various types of rotary surface and subsurface pumps that may be used for motorized production of liquid petroleum products and associated Liquids from wells and is also intended to encompass rotary electric motor driven apparatus other than pumps. The term pump is therefore intended only as an example and is not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the present invention.
In cases where crude oil production wells are to be pumped, it has been the practice to install a production tubing string within a well, with a prog~rGSSing cavity fluid lift pump being located in the downhole environment at or near the lower end of the production tubing string and below the standing fluid level of the well, when the well is producing. A rotary drive mechanism, powered by LO a rotary electric motor is typically mounted to the well head and drives a sucker rod string which in tum drives the progressive cavity pump.
It is well known that the potential flow conditions of some oil wells tend to fluctuate significantly and sometimes rapidly. Thus, well pumps that are located in the downhole environment are often subject to temporary low liquid discharge. Under such conditions the pump will ordinarily be restored to its proper rate of liquid discharge as soon as the anomaly is dissipated (typically only a few seconds at a time).
Conditions of low liquid discharge of the pump can also occur for reasons that have little to do with the production characteristics of the subsurface formation or the presence of gas in the well fluid. In some cases, because of the contaminated or abrasive characteristics of the well fluid being ZO pumped, including the volume of entrained solids therein, the pump can become worn so that its liquid discharge capability is reduced. Before pump wear becomes excessive, the discharge flow fiom the pump is reduced below a pre-selected value, the pump should be stopped. When conditions occur that impair the rotational capability of the pump mechanism, regardless of the cause thereof, diminished pump discharge flow will occur. Thus, according to the present invention it is desirable to continuously sense pump discharge flow and to deenergize the pump or controllably slow pump operation in the event pump discharge flow rate should fall below a predetermined set point for any of a number of reasons. It is desirable that the pump system have the capability of accommodating inherent fluctuations in flow measurement without permanently shutting down the pumping operation in response to a flow measurement anomaly that is only temporary.
If automatic pump shut down should occur as the result of a temporary well condition or pump condition, then valuable production fiom the well can be lost. It is desirable to provide a flow responsive pump cut-off system that effectively overcomes this problem. The pump cut-ofl'system of the present invention ensures that the well is shut-in under circumstances where the pump could become irreparably damaged if pumping should continue at the existing operating speed, but also insures that the well is not shut-in under circumstances where temporary anomalies occur, such as temporary lower pump discharge flow that quickly passes.
When pump start or restart occurs it is necessary to disable low flow responsive pump cut-off logic to provide for filling of the production tubing and for pump discharge flow to exist within the flow sensitive transducer. Thus the pump control system of the present invention is provided with a startup delay period that can be adjusted according to various well parameters such as standing fluid depth, tubing size, etc. to provide a field selectable time delay period which must expire after a start-up before the pump cut off logic circuitry is activated Typically, when pump shut down is caused by conventional pump control equipmPnr_, the pump remains out of service until such time as well servicing personnel can inspect the well and place the pump back on line. Since many wells are located in remote areas and are seldom visited by well service personnel, a deactivated downhole pump can remain deactivated for long periods of time thereby causing the production of the well during that period of time to be lost. This is of course an undesirable condition which finds its solution in the present invention.
In accordance with the present invention, for detection of pump discharge flow conditions, a flow responsive transducer is located in the flow line, preferably in the discharge line from the well and continuously transmits a flow related electronic signal in the nature of a voltage, a current, a frequency, etc., via electronic control conductors to electronic control equipment that is located at the surface. These flow related electrical signals can be generated by any suitable flow transducer, such as an ultrasonic flaw meter, orifice type flow meter with a differential pressure sensor, a turbine type flow meter, thermal dispersion flow sensor, and the like which develop electronic signals representing flow of fluid through a flow line . In the event abnormally low pump discharge flow condition is detected that could cause damage to the pump or to the pump motor assembly, and remains beyond an allowable period of time, the control system at the surface will deactivate or 1 S adjust the power circuit of the pump motor in a manner causing the pump to shut down or causing the pump to operate at a lower speed.
SUMMARY OF THE 1NVF~1TI0~
It is a principal feature of the present invention to provide a novel flow rate responsive time delay motor control logic for an electric motor, such as a pump motor for well production for example, which has the automatic electronic capability for determining the production rate of a v, ell, periodically setting itself for the production rate of the well, determining changes in the production rate of the well and resetting itself responsive to changes in the production rate of the well.
It is another feature of the present invention to provide a novel flow rate responsive time delay motor control logic for an electric motor which permits motor operation of predetermined duration following detection of an abnormal flow rate condition under circumstances where the abnormal flow rate condition does not continue beyond an electronically preset period of time.
It is also a feature of this invention to provide a novel electronic flow responsive time delay pump motor control logic that is responsive to the output voltage signals of a suitable flow responsive transducer, such as an ultrasonic flow meter, for example, which detects pump discharge fluid flow conditions and which accomplishes shutdown of the motor drive of a downhole pump under circumstances where abnormally low pump discharge flow conditions are indicated beyond a predetermined maximum period of time.
It also a feature of the present invention to provide a novel downhole pump control system having an automatic time delay motor control circuit that is electronically adjustable for a wide range of time delay without necessitating the presence of or control by field personnel and having the capability of automatically and electronically controlling well production according to the flow parameters of the well even under circumstances where well flow parameters change after initial installation of the well pumping and flow controlling equipment.
It is another feature of the present invention to provide a novel time delayed motor control logic for a downhole pump system which incorporates a start-up timer circuit that sets the time interval for activation of the motor control logic and thus permits the puma system tc become stabilized at the production rate of the well before the time delay motor control logic circuit becomes fully operational.
It also a feature of the present invention to provide a novel downhole pump system having an automatic time delay motor control logic that provides a digital readout of the flow condition of the pump and which incorporates a set level switch that can be manually positioned to indicate the set level position of the time delay circuitry, thus enabling field personnel to quickly determine the parameters for which the circuitry has been set.
It is also a feature of the present invention to provide an electronic time delay motor control logic system for downhoIe rotary pumps which accomplishes pump shut down or changes the speed of the pump responsive to the existence of an abnormally low pump discharge flow that has a duration exceeding a selected time period for which the electronic logic system is set and having the capability for restarting the pump motor for operation at the same or a dif~'erent motor speed according to the character and sequence of the pump discharge flow condition that is detected.
t5 BEZIEF DESC tPTION OF THE DEZA~:n"1C'TS
The various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon an understanding of the following detailed description of the invention, considered in light of the accompanying drawings which are made a part of this specification and in which:
Fig. I is a diagrammatic illustration of a progressive cavity well pumping system according '.0 to the present invention, having an electric motor energized downhole pump driven by a rotary sucker rod string for pumping well fluid fiom the well bore through a production ~sbss:g string and with pumped fluid flow being detected by sensor means developing flow responsive electronic signals which are transmitted to a control logic for use in motor control according to well production capability; and Fig. 2 is block diagram illustration of an electronic circuit board being constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and showing features for selective adjustment of operating parameters of the time dzlay motor control logic which is automatically operative responsive to flow parameters of the downhole pump discharge.
Referring now to the drawings and first to Fig. 1, a progressing cavity type rotary pump shown generally at 10 is secured by an anchor 11 at a desired depth within a production tubing string 12 that is located within a well casing 14 intersecting a subsurface production zone 16 containing liquid petroleum products to be produced. The liquid petroleum products, typically crude oil, typically accompanied by water and natural gas, migrate from the subsurface formation and enter the well casing 14 that lines the well bore 1 S via perforations 18 in the well casing and typically rise within the casing to a standing level well above the depth of the producing formation. The standing level of fluid within the well casing is determined by the character of the producing formation. The pump is located within the casing below the standing level of the well fluid.
Its location depth within the casing is determined by the producing characteristics of the subsurface formation and various other parameters of the well and the pumping equipment. The progressive cavity pump defines a fluid inlet 20 in communication with the liquid standing within the casing and has a fluid discharge 22 which is open to the production tubing string 12. The pump 10 is energized by a rotating sucker rod string 23 which extends through the production tubing 12 and which is driven by a rotary electric motor 24 of a drive head 25 which is mounted to the wellhead 26. The rotary electric pump motor has a motor circuit 28 which receives its electrical energy from a suitable source "S" of electrical power supplying the electrical requirements of the oil field being produced.
The production tubing string of the well is in communication with a flow tee 27 having a flow line 29 connected thereto and arranged for delivery of petroleum products to sales. Adjacent to or mounted to the flow line 29 is a flow transducer having an electrical signal processor output at 31 representing the rate of fluid flow through the flow line, with the electrical signals thus evidencing the condition of pump discharge flow at any point in time. Any, of several types of flow transducers, such as ultrasonic flow meters, head type devices, turbine meters or any of a number of other types of flow meters may be employed for this purpose. As an example, the flow transducer 30 of Fig. 1 is illustrated as an ultrasonic type flow transducer which is attached externally of the flow line 29 for measuring discharge flow of the pump by measuring the volume of fluid flowing through the flow line. The flow transducer 30 generates a flow responsive electrical signal in the form of a voltage or electrical current output at 31. This pump discharge responsive electrical signal t ~ is conducted via power and control conductors 43 and 44 to a control console 46, to be discussed in detail hereinbelow, and which is typically located adjacent the well being produced or mounted to the wellhead equipment in a position for visual inspection by well service personnel. The fluid flow related electrical signal is electronically processed by the microprocessor circuitry of the control console to provide an electrical signal output that represents the flow rate of the fluid being ?0 discharged by the pump. The flow sensitive transducer 30 can be powered by a 24- volt power supply if needed or may be powered by any other suitable power source from the control conso~ 46 via the power and control conductors 43 and 44. During normal operation of the downhole pump the flow transducer 30 wilt sense fluid flow through the flow line 29, with the fluid flow being sensed representing the actual rate of pumped fluid flow being discharged by the rotary downhole progressing cavity pump 10. Electrical signals representing the rate of flow within the flow line at any point in time will be supplied to the electronic logic of the control console 46 in the manner and 5 for the purpose discussed in detail hereinbelow. If the rate of Quid flow is unusually low, evidencing a pump discharge flow abnormality, this abnomlal condition is immediately displayed by the control console and if the abnormality continues beyond a preset period of time which is considered safe for the pump and pump drive mechanism, the logic of the control console will deenergize or alter, typically lower, the operational speed of the pump motor by appropriately energizing or deenergizing 10 power and control conductors 26 and 28 of the driveled/motor mechanism 24 -25. Thus, the pump system is controlled so that the pump motor and pump will not become damaged by heat build-up, erosion, excessive wear, etc.
Referring now to Fig. 2, the control console, shown in partial section generally at 46, is provided with control circuitry which is housed within a console housing 48 having a door 49 which is normally sealed to the housing. The door 49 is provided with an inspection window typically comprising a glass plate 50. If desired, the closure can be wire sealed, locked or otherwise secured to prevent its opening by unauthorized persons. Circuit boards 52 incorporating the time delay motor control logic can be mounted within the enclosure. If desired, the control console 46 may be constructed with the monitoring and control logic being provided by a single circuit board or multiple circuit boards depending upon the design characteristics that are desired.
To manually change any setting or manually re-start the motor control logic circuit, Lh housing closure must be opened to gain access to the outer circuit board 52 by opening the closure i0 door 49. The circuit board 52 of the present invention has visible references and adjustment controls to enable users to easily set or reset the control parameters of the control circuitry. In cases where the well pump control system is to be used in exceptionally cold conditions that might influence the operational characteristics of the solid state circuitry, a temperature sensor 54 may be mounted within the housing cavity in position for sensing the temperature of the housing. At a preselected low temperature an electrically energized heater 55, supported by an intermediate heat conductive mounting plate 56, may be automatically energized for ensuring that the temperature of the electronics cavity and circuit board or boards is sufficiently high that the electronic circuitry will not be impaired by extremely cold ambient temperature conditions. It should be home in mind that control console heating systems of this nature are not of necessity unless the ambient temperature is sufficiently low that the operational characteristics of the control logic can be impaired.
Referring now to Fig. 3 the front or display face 58 of the circuit board 52 is visible to service personnel and provides a visual display of the operational characteristics of the downhole pump.
The outer face of the circuit board will provide a display of five operational conditions which will l~ be visible to personnel upon inspection. The circuit board is provided with a "SET FLOW/READ
FLOW" switch 60 that is a toggle switch which allows selection of "READ FLOW ' or "SET
FLOW ' circuit parameters. This switch 60 controls a light emitting diode (LED) or liquid crystal display (LCD) 62 having a digital display that is visible to service personnel and provides a visual display of the conditions of discharge flow of the downhole pump. At the "READ
FLOW ' position of the toggle switch, the actual output voltage of the flow meter is displayed, which represents the volume of flow through the flow meter. When the toggle switch 60 is moved to flee "SET FLO~~~' position, the digital voltmeter of the display 62 will indicate the preselected threshold voltage of the flow meter actuated motor control logic for pump motor cut-off or pump motor speed adjustment.
When the pump control logic incorporates a microprocessor the display 62 will display actual flow rates in any engineering unit instead of voltage.
The circuit board 52 is provided with "STOP SET" and "LOW SET" potentiometers 64 and 65 each having manually positioned adjustment elements 66 and 67 which allows setting the threshold voltage for the low flow set point and the threshold limit to stop the pump motor completely. The actual voltage range is from approximately 1 volt to about 5 volts for the circuitry that is shown, but may be provided in any voltage range that is suitable for the intended purpose.
With microprocessor circuitry these set points could be the actual flow rate in any designated engineering unit. The "low set" potentiometer 65 adjusts the set point for the desired flow rate below which, if the flow remains for longer than a selected period of time, typically measured in seconds, the pump motor is to be shifted to a low speed condition by control circuit activation.
To adjust the flow adjustment set point, the momentary toggle switch is held at its "SET
FLOW ' position as shown in Fig. 3 while the "LOW SET" potentiometer is adjusted manually by moving it to the desired voltage setting as indicated by potentiometer reference marks and as confirmed by the digital voltmeter display 62. This display could also be in desired engineering unit of flow rate.
The display Face of the circuit board 52 is also provided with a cut-off delay adjustment in the form of a cut-off delay pin-socket jumper 68 being connected across jumper contacts for the purpose of selecting one of a number of time delay periods of a "LOW DELAY"
timer circuit 69.
Adjacent to or on the "LOW DELAY" potentiometer 69 are spaced u'dicia 1-10 wh~c?: are reforen~e indicia typically indicating a selected cut-off delay in terms of seconds or other preselected range.
The delay time of the prefen ed embodiment can be adjusted between one second and to a maximum of about 10 seconds but it should be borne in mind that other time delay period selection is within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For microprocessor based circuitry this time delay can be confirmed by front panel, keyboard or other communicating devices to the circuit board. During actual operation when the flow rate drops below the pre-selective cut-off race and remains below that flow rate for a period of time equal to or greater than the delay period that is defined by the cut-off delay potentiometer, the motor adjustment switch or other control actuator of the pump motor will be activated. When this occurs, the motor adjustment switch will either disconnect the power switch of the motor for pump cut-off or select the appropriate motor control circuit for pump operation at a reduced speed. The desired cut-off or motor speed change delay is typically dependent on the amount of gas that is entrained in the well production fluid and thus flows through the flow line for detection by the flow transducer and should be adjusted accordingly. This adjustment can be optimized in the field by observing the combined effect of "set flow" and "low speed delay". For example, when a well has a low gas content flow stream, the low speed delay setting may be as low t 5 as one second. In that case, the flow rate through the flow meter must remain below the low speed flow rate delay set point for a continuous period of one second as defined by this setting for the motor speed change circuit to be activated. If the flow rate signal fluctuates above and below the "set flow" rate but does not remain above the time delay threshold for at least one second, the time delay threshold will not have been exceeded because it is reset each time the flow rate exceeds the ?0 low speed flow rate set point.
Also shown on the circeit board 52 is a start-up timer circuit sr'.o~~
gererally at i2 which is provided in the form of a piNsocket connector having a plurality of pairs of jumper pins such as shown at 73, each being connections for a timer circuit having a specific time period. For selection of a time delay period that is defined by one of the timer circuits a jumper element 74 is connected to a selected pair of contact pins thus completing the selected timing circuit. Each pair of jumper pins of the preferred embodiment are arranged in approximate 10 minute increments of time with the upper pair of jumper pins setting a start-up time period of 10 minutes, the second pair of jumper pins 20 minutes, the third pair 30 minutes, and so on, for a maximum of 90 minutes when the jumper 74 is connected across the bottom pair_of pins. When microprocessor based circuitry is employed any of the timing periods can be arbitrarily preset, thus enabling the pump control logic to be "tailored" precisely to the production characteristics of the individual well that is being controlled.
As shown in Fig. 3, the start-up delay time period is set at 50 minutes since the 50 minute pair of pins has the jumper 74 while the remaining pairs of pins are open. The start-up delay timer sets the timer interval for the activation of the motor control logic. Only one pair of pins 73 will be active at any point in time. The time period that is established by the time delay setting prevents motor control logic activation until the pump has operated for a sufficient period of time to fill the flow line and thus provide an accurate fluid flow signal from the fluid flow transducer.
The length of time interval should be field estimated based on the depth of the well, pump capacity, etc. which determine the approximate time it takes for the liquid to fill the meter line.
At the center of the circuit board 52 is provided a start button 76 which starts the motor and initializes the motor control logic circuitry and thus initializes the timing sequence that is selected ZO by the jumper position of the "start-up" delay timer 72. For initiation of the start-up timer, the start button is depressed. An extended remote switch rt-may he ~_n_stalled in pa~-aliei connection wiil: tre circuitry of the START button 76 which may also accomplish the initialization sequence of the controller. If at any time during normal operation the "start" button is pressed, the timed delay motor control logic will be initialized and the "start-up timer" delay will be reset in accordance with the jumper setting in the "start-up" timer 72.
'The circuit board 52 is also provided with four light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are indicated at 78, 80, 82 and 84 and which respectively indicate conditions of the pump, flow through the flow sensor, the condition of the start-up delay circuit and the low pump speed. The LEDs 78, 80, 82 and 84 are each bi-color (red and green) LEDs which show no color in the respective "off' positions thereof. If all of the LEDs are off, there is provided an indication that there is no power to the circuit board or an indication that all of the LEDs are damaged. If only one or two LEDs are off, there is provided an indication that the circuit board is operative but the LEDs that are offmay be damaged.
:-When the pump LED 78 is showing green, the pump circuit is on and the pump motor is operating at either its normal pumping speed or at a pumping speed that is slower than the normal pumping speed. Conversely, when the pump LED is showing red, the pump motor circuit is off, and pump stoppage has been activated by the time delay motor control logic. Absence of either of the colors red or green provides an indication that the logic circuitry is not properly operative or the LED is defective. If pump cut-off has occurred, before reactivating the time delay motor control logic circuit, service personnel should ascertain the cause of the pump shut-off because indication has been provided to the circuitry that the pump flow condition was abnormally low and remained at this abnormally low condition for a time period equaling or exceeding the preset time period for motor shut-off. In other words, the preset valises of the low pow rate set by the vendor have been exceeded and low flow induced automatic logic controlled pump slow down has not corrected the low flow condition either because of a mechanical problem with the downhole pump or a temporary problem with the well (excess gas for example) which influences the flow of well fluid into the well. Obviously, if the problem is of mechanical nature, involving the pump, then service personnel will need to determine if appropriate adjustments can be made to resume normal pumping.
Flow: If the LED 80 is showing green, the flow rate through the pump discharge line 29 monitored by the flow transducer 30 is_above the STOP point that is established by the adjustment position of the potentiometer 64. If the flow LED is showing red, then the flow rate through the line monitored by the flow transducer is below the STOP set point. In this case, the pump may be operating at a lower pumping speed, responsive to the low speed potentiometer 69, in which case the low speed LED 84 will be showing green and the particular slow speed that has been automatically selected by the pump control logic will be displayed by the digital volt meter 62. If the LED 80 is flickering red and green, then there is provided an indication that the flow through the flow meter is fluctuating above and below the STOP set point. In this case, the pump will be permitted to continue its normal operation until such time as the cut-off delay period that is established by the setting of potentiometer 64 has been exceeded. The time delay motor control logic will operate to slow or de-energized the pump motor only under circumstances where the Qow rate through the pump discharge line remains below the cut-off flow rate set point for a period exceeding the time delay period that is pre-set by the low speed and cut-off timing circuit 68.
Start-u~: When the LED 82 for the start up circuit is showing red, the circuit is in operation but the initial "start-up" delay period that is established by the position of jumper ?4 of ti:e start-up delay circuit 72 assuming the selected start-up delay period of the start-up delay timer 72 has not expired. In this case the operator should check the "pump" LED 78 to confirm that the pump is in operations. If the "pump" LED is Been, the circuit will be active after the preselected START-UP
delay period has expired. If the "start-up" LED 82 is green, but the "pump"
motor is not running and the motor was deactivated during the start-up time delay period by the time delay motor cut-og S logic. The circuit must then be reset by depressing the "start" button so that a start-up holding circuit component of the start-up circuitry will be initiated and will remain active when the start buttoa is released. As a caution, if the "pump" LED 78 is red, the cause of the deactivation must be ascertained before resetting the circuit.
If the start-up LED is showing GREEN, the START-UP time delay period has expired and the time delay motor cut-off logic is active and will be immediately responsive to conditions of flow through the pump discharge line that is monitored by the flow transducer.
The condition shown in Figure 3A is a normal condition indicating pump operation and flow through the flow line that is detected by the flow transducer assuming that the normal pump operation LED 78 is showing green and the low speed pump operation LED 84 is showing either red or green. When the start-up LED 82 is showing RED the start-up circuit is energized but the initial start-up time delay has not expired and the flow responsive time delay is nvt operative. If LED 82 is showing GREEN, then initial time delay set by the START-UP delay jumper has expired and the circuit is armed. In this case, pump slow-down or shut-off will occur automatically when the particular settings of the potentiometer 64 and 65 have been exceeded.
When all of the LED's 78, 80, 82 and 84 are GREEN, this would normally indicate that the time delay motor control logic is operative and initial start-up d;,lay period has expired. The bree..
LEDs also indicate that flow in the flow line is above the set point for pump slow-down or cut-off and that the pump is running. Ln this position, the adjustment element 66 of the potentiometer 64 will be adjusted to provide appropriate flow rate data, i.e., 2.00 volts in the digital flow meter display 62 corresponds to a specific flow rate which is optimized for a particular well, based on well equipment, meter size, meter selection, gas content of the well fluid, meter sizing parameters, secondary instruments of the meter, etc.
When the circuit board 52 is shown with the pump and flow LEDs 78 and 80 green and the start-up LED 82 is green an indication is provided that the initial time delay period for start-up has expired and the time delay circuit is operational. There is also provided an indication that the flow being detected is above the pump slow-down or cut-off set point of the potentiometer 65 and the (0 pump is operating.
It should be noted that when the toggle switch 60 is in its "read flow"
position, opposite the position shown in Figure 3, the actual flow condition through the flow line sensed by the flow transducer is represented by a numerical read-out on the display panel of the digital volt meter 62.
When this actual flow condition is below the STOP-SET limit set by the potentiometer 64 and for a period below the preset time limit established by the pin located of the low speed and cut-off delay jumper 68, then the motor drive for the downhole pump will be de-energized by the time delay motor control logic. In this case the "flow" LED 80 will be showing red because the condition of pump flow is below the preset limits established by the STOP SET and LOW-FLOW
potentiometers 64 and 65. The pump flow LED 80 in this case is green, indicating that, although flow is being the set flow rate, the time delay period set by the low speed and cut-off switch 68 has not been exceeded.
Also in Lhis condition, the start-up circuit LED 82 is red, i_~dicating that Lhe i.~,itial st:~.rt uelay period, as set by the selected time period switch of the multiple timer switch 72, has been exceeded and the pump speed control and cut-off circuit logic has been activated.
The pump motor control logic has the capability for controlling operation of the pump motor at a normal pumping speed, which is referred to herein as "high speed", or for setting the operating speed of the pump at any one of numerous operating speeds that are determined by the productivity and changes in productivity of the well being produced. When an anomaly occurs in the rate of flow and persists for a time period equaling or exceeding a time period that is preset in the control logic, the control logic will automatically decrease the motor spced by a predetermined increment. If operation of the pump motor at the decreased speed causes the low flow condition to become corrected, motor operation will be continued by the control logic at the low speed for a period of time. The control logic will periodically reset the pump motor speed to its high speed to determine if the flow anomaly is temporary and has become corrected. If the low flow condition then subsequently occurs, indicating that the low flow condition is beyond temporary nature, then the motor control logic will return the motor speed to a lower incremental speed.
If the low flow condition remains prevalent at the selected lower incremental speed, then the flow responsive motor control logic will further reduce pump motor speed, and so on, until the speed of the pump has matched the productivity flow of the well being produced. Logically, if the productivity of the well should then increase or decrease the motor control logic will respond to the changed flow that is sensed by the transducer and will then increase or decrease the pump speed to accommodate the changed condition.
The LED display of Fig. 3 ca.~ also indicate the possibility that a condition of ab:~rormally low' flow exists through the flow line monitored by the flow transducer, indicating a pump or motor problem or indicating that more than the usual quantity of gas is passing through the meter along with the fluid. Under this condition the start-up delay LED 82 will show red while the "Pump 78", "Flow 80" and "Low speed 84" LEDs will each show green. If this condition persists for a period of time equaling the preset timing sequence of the low speed delay timer circuit 68, the flow responsive motor control logic will actuate the motor control circuit and reduce the speed of the rotary pump. Typically, a condition of excess gas induced low flow will exist for a short period of time and, after the excess gas has been dissipated, the well will then return to its normal productive capacity. Periodically, the timing sequence of the logic circuitry will return the pump motor to its normal operating speed so that well production can be resumed at its normal rate. If the normal pump speed cannot yet be maintained, the pump motor will be returned to a lower incremental speed.
If, at any time the pump is operating at a speed lower than its normal operating speed, the logic circuitry, again responding to a condition of low pump discharge flow, will further reduce the speed of the pump motor by increments until the pump speed will have become matched with the fluid production rate of the well at that time. Thus, as the well increases or decreased in fluid productivity, the logic system will match the pump speed with well productivity.
When the LEDs 78, 80 and 82 are each shown to be in their normal operating condition, showing "green", while the momentary toggle switch 60 is in its "read flow"
position, the circuitry will be operating with the flow rate above the slow-down or cut-ofI'condition set by switch 64. The circuit is now activated as initial start up delay has been exceeded which is indicated by red start up LED 82. When all LED's are red there is provided an indication that the pump circuit is energized and the pump has been deactivated because the Ilow rate rer?rained below the "set flow" condition over a period exceeding the switch setting 68.
As a general caution, after a power failure to the time delay motor cut-off board, the cut-off logic will activate upon power resumption, and the "start-up timer" will be initiated in accordance with the setting of the switches 74 of the start-up timer 72.
In view of the foregoing, it is evident that the present invention is one well adapted to attain all of the objects and features that are hereinabove set forth, together with other objects and features which are inherent in the apparatus disclosed herein.
As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention may be produced in other specific forests without departing from its spirit, scope and essential characteristics. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of this invention being defined by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
Also shown on the circeit board 52 is a start-up timer circuit sr'.o~~
gererally at i2 which is provided in the form of a piNsocket connector having a plurality of pairs of jumper pins such as shown at 73, each being connections for a timer circuit having a specific time period. For selection of a time delay period that is defined by one of the timer circuits a jumper element 74 is connected to a selected pair of contact pins thus completing the selected timing circuit. Each pair of jumper pins of the preferred embodiment are arranged in approximate 10 minute increments of time with the upper pair of jumper pins setting a start-up time period of 10 minutes, the second pair of jumper pins 20 minutes, the third pair 30 minutes, and so on, for a maximum of 90 minutes when the jumper 74 is connected across the bottom pair_of pins. When microprocessor based circuitry is employed any of the timing periods can be arbitrarily preset, thus enabling the pump control logic to be "tailored" precisely to the production characteristics of the individual well that is being controlled.
As shown in Fig. 3, the start-up delay time period is set at 50 minutes since the 50 minute pair of pins has the jumper 74 while the remaining pairs of pins are open. The start-up delay timer sets the timer interval for the activation of the motor control logic. Only one pair of pins 73 will be active at any point in time. The time period that is established by the time delay setting prevents motor control logic activation until the pump has operated for a sufficient period of time to fill the flow line and thus provide an accurate fluid flow signal from the fluid flow transducer.
The length of time interval should be field estimated based on the depth of the well, pump capacity, etc. which determine the approximate time it takes for the liquid to fill the meter line.
At the center of the circuit board 52 is provided a start button 76 which starts the motor and initializes the motor control logic circuitry and thus initializes the timing sequence that is selected ZO by the jumper position of the "start-up" delay timer 72. For initiation of the start-up timer, the start button is depressed. An extended remote switch rt-may he ~_n_stalled in pa~-aliei connection wiil: tre circuitry of the START button 76 which may also accomplish the initialization sequence of the controller. If at any time during normal operation the "start" button is pressed, the timed delay motor control logic will be initialized and the "start-up timer" delay will be reset in accordance with the jumper setting in the "start-up" timer 72.
'The circuit board 52 is also provided with four light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are indicated at 78, 80, 82 and 84 and which respectively indicate conditions of the pump, flow through the flow sensor, the condition of the start-up delay circuit and the low pump speed. The LEDs 78, 80, 82 and 84 are each bi-color (red and green) LEDs which show no color in the respective "off' positions thereof. If all of the LEDs are off, there is provided an indication that there is no power to the circuit board or an indication that all of the LEDs are damaged. If only one or two LEDs are off, there is provided an indication that the circuit board is operative but the LEDs that are offmay be damaged.
:-When the pump LED 78 is showing green, the pump circuit is on and the pump motor is operating at either its normal pumping speed or at a pumping speed that is slower than the normal pumping speed. Conversely, when the pump LED is showing red, the pump motor circuit is off, and pump stoppage has been activated by the time delay motor control logic. Absence of either of the colors red or green provides an indication that the logic circuitry is not properly operative or the LED is defective. If pump cut-off has occurred, before reactivating the time delay motor control logic circuit, service personnel should ascertain the cause of the pump shut-off because indication has been provided to the circuitry that the pump flow condition was abnormally low and remained at this abnormally low condition for a time period equaling or exceeding the preset time period for motor shut-off. In other words, the preset valises of the low pow rate set by the vendor have been exceeded and low flow induced automatic logic controlled pump slow down has not corrected the low flow condition either because of a mechanical problem with the downhole pump or a temporary problem with the well (excess gas for example) which influences the flow of well fluid into the well. Obviously, if the problem is of mechanical nature, involving the pump, then service personnel will need to determine if appropriate adjustments can be made to resume normal pumping.
Flow: If the LED 80 is showing green, the flow rate through the pump discharge line 29 monitored by the flow transducer 30 is_above the STOP point that is established by the adjustment position of the potentiometer 64. If the flow LED is showing red, then the flow rate through the line monitored by the flow transducer is below the STOP set point. In this case, the pump may be operating at a lower pumping speed, responsive to the low speed potentiometer 69, in which case the low speed LED 84 will be showing green and the particular slow speed that has been automatically selected by the pump control logic will be displayed by the digital volt meter 62. If the LED 80 is flickering red and green, then there is provided an indication that the flow through the flow meter is fluctuating above and below the STOP set point. In this case, the pump will be permitted to continue its normal operation until such time as the cut-off delay period that is established by the setting of potentiometer 64 has been exceeded. The time delay motor control logic will operate to slow or de-energized the pump motor only under circumstances where the Qow rate through the pump discharge line remains below the cut-off flow rate set point for a period exceeding the time delay period that is pre-set by the low speed and cut-off timing circuit 68.
Start-u~: When the LED 82 for the start up circuit is showing red, the circuit is in operation but the initial "start-up" delay period that is established by the position of jumper ?4 of ti:e start-up delay circuit 72 assuming the selected start-up delay period of the start-up delay timer 72 has not expired. In this case the operator should check the "pump" LED 78 to confirm that the pump is in operations. If the "pump" LED is Been, the circuit will be active after the preselected START-UP
delay period has expired. If the "start-up" LED 82 is green, but the "pump"
motor is not running and the motor was deactivated during the start-up time delay period by the time delay motor cut-og S logic. The circuit must then be reset by depressing the "start" button so that a start-up holding circuit component of the start-up circuitry will be initiated and will remain active when the start buttoa is released. As a caution, if the "pump" LED 78 is red, the cause of the deactivation must be ascertained before resetting the circuit.
If the start-up LED is showing GREEN, the START-UP time delay period has expired and the time delay motor cut-off logic is active and will be immediately responsive to conditions of flow through the pump discharge line that is monitored by the flow transducer.
The condition shown in Figure 3A is a normal condition indicating pump operation and flow through the flow line that is detected by the flow transducer assuming that the normal pump operation LED 78 is showing green and the low speed pump operation LED 84 is showing either red or green. When the start-up LED 82 is showing RED the start-up circuit is energized but the initial start-up time delay has not expired and the flow responsive time delay is nvt operative. If LED 82 is showing GREEN, then initial time delay set by the START-UP delay jumper has expired and the circuit is armed. In this case, pump slow-down or shut-off will occur automatically when the particular settings of the potentiometer 64 and 65 have been exceeded.
When all of the LED's 78, 80, 82 and 84 are GREEN, this would normally indicate that the time delay motor control logic is operative and initial start-up d;,lay period has expired. The bree..
LEDs also indicate that flow in the flow line is above the set point for pump slow-down or cut-off and that the pump is running. Ln this position, the adjustment element 66 of the potentiometer 64 will be adjusted to provide appropriate flow rate data, i.e., 2.00 volts in the digital flow meter display 62 corresponds to a specific flow rate which is optimized for a particular well, based on well equipment, meter size, meter selection, gas content of the well fluid, meter sizing parameters, secondary instruments of the meter, etc.
When the circuit board 52 is shown with the pump and flow LEDs 78 and 80 green and the start-up LED 82 is green an indication is provided that the initial time delay period for start-up has expired and the time delay circuit is operational. There is also provided an indication that the flow being detected is above the pump slow-down or cut-off set point of the potentiometer 65 and the (0 pump is operating.
It should be noted that when the toggle switch 60 is in its "read flow"
position, opposite the position shown in Figure 3, the actual flow condition through the flow line sensed by the flow transducer is represented by a numerical read-out on the display panel of the digital volt meter 62.
When this actual flow condition is below the STOP-SET limit set by the potentiometer 64 and for a period below the preset time limit established by the pin located of the low speed and cut-off delay jumper 68, then the motor drive for the downhole pump will be de-energized by the time delay motor control logic. In this case the "flow" LED 80 will be showing red because the condition of pump flow is below the preset limits established by the STOP SET and LOW-FLOW
potentiometers 64 and 65. The pump flow LED 80 in this case is green, indicating that, although flow is being the set flow rate, the time delay period set by the low speed and cut-off switch 68 has not been exceeded.
Also in Lhis condition, the start-up circuit LED 82 is red, i_~dicating that Lhe i.~,itial st:~.rt uelay period, as set by the selected time period switch of the multiple timer switch 72, has been exceeded and the pump speed control and cut-off circuit logic has been activated.
The pump motor control logic has the capability for controlling operation of the pump motor at a normal pumping speed, which is referred to herein as "high speed", or for setting the operating speed of the pump at any one of numerous operating speeds that are determined by the productivity and changes in productivity of the well being produced. When an anomaly occurs in the rate of flow and persists for a time period equaling or exceeding a time period that is preset in the control logic, the control logic will automatically decrease the motor spced by a predetermined increment. If operation of the pump motor at the decreased speed causes the low flow condition to become corrected, motor operation will be continued by the control logic at the low speed for a period of time. The control logic will periodically reset the pump motor speed to its high speed to determine if the flow anomaly is temporary and has become corrected. If the low flow condition then subsequently occurs, indicating that the low flow condition is beyond temporary nature, then the motor control logic will return the motor speed to a lower incremental speed.
If the low flow condition remains prevalent at the selected lower incremental speed, then the flow responsive motor control logic will further reduce pump motor speed, and so on, until the speed of the pump has matched the productivity flow of the well being produced. Logically, if the productivity of the well should then increase or decrease the motor control logic will respond to the changed flow that is sensed by the transducer and will then increase or decrease the pump speed to accommodate the changed condition.
The LED display of Fig. 3 ca.~ also indicate the possibility that a condition of ab:~rormally low' flow exists through the flow line monitored by the flow transducer, indicating a pump or motor problem or indicating that more than the usual quantity of gas is passing through the meter along with the fluid. Under this condition the start-up delay LED 82 will show red while the "Pump 78", "Flow 80" and "Low speed 84" LEDs will each show green. If this condition persists for a period of time equaling the preset timing sequence of the low speed delay timer circuit 68, the flow responsive motor control logic will actuate the motor control circuit and reduce the speed of the rotary pump. Typically, a condition of excess gas induced low flow will exist for a short period of time and, after the excess gas has been dissipated, the well will then return to its normal productive capacity. Periodically, the timing sequence of the logic circuitry will return the pump motor to its normal operating speed so that well production can be resumed at its normal rate. If the normal pump speed cannot yet be maintained, the pump motor will be returned to a lower incremental speed.
If, at any time the pump is operating at a speed lower than its normal operating speed, the logic circuitry, again responding to a condition of low pump discharge flow, will further reduce the speed of the pump motor by increments until the pump speed will have become matched with the fluid production rate of the well at that time. Thus, as the well increases or decreased in fluid productivity, the logic system will match the pump speed with well productivity.
When the LEDs 78, 80 and 82 are each shown to be in their normal operating condition, showing "green", while the momentary toggle switch 60 is in its "read flow"
position, the circuitry will be operating with the flow rate above the slow-down or cut-ofI'condition set by switch 64. The circuit is now activated as initial start up delay has been exceeded which is indicated by red start up LED 82. When all LED's are red there is provided an indication that the pump circuit is energized and the pump has been deactivated because the Ilow rate rer?rained below the "set flow" condition over a period exceeding the switch setting 68.
As a general caution, after a power failure to the time delay motor cut-off board, the cut-off logic will activate upon power resumption, and the "start-up timer" will be initiated in accordance with the setting of the switches 74 of the start-up timer 72.
In view of the foregoing, it is evident that the present invention is one well adapted to attain all of the objects and features that are hereinabove set forth, together with other objects and features which are inherent in the apparatus disclosed herein.
As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention may be produced in other specific forests without departing from its spirit, scope and essential characteristics. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of this invention being defined by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
Claims (20)
1. An automatically controlled fluid flow responsive method for controlling energization of an electric motor responsive to conditions of fluid flow through a flow line which causes reduction in rotary speed or deenergization of the motor when the flow through the flow line becomes abnormally low, comprising:
(a) establishing a selective set flow rate condition by an adjustable electronic set level circuit representing a predetermined allowable minimum rate of fluid flow through the flow line;
(b) receiving a flow transducer generated electronic flow signal representing the actual rate of fluid flow through the flow line;
(c) comparing electronic flow signals with said selective set flow rate condition;
(d) establishing a selected electronically controlled time delay period being initiated when said actual rate of fluid flow becomes less than said selective flow rate; and (e) electronically controlling electrical power supply to said rotary electric motor when the actual rate of fluid flow remains less than said selective flow rate condition for the duration of said electronically controlled time delay period.
(a) establishing a selective set flow rate condition by an adjustable electronic set level circuit representing a predetermined allowable minimum rate of fluid flow through the flow line;
(b) receiving a flow transducer generated electronic flow signal representing the actual rate of fluid flow through the flow line;
(c) comparing electronic flow signals with said selective set flow rate condition;
(d) establishing a selected electronically controlled time delay period being initiated when said actual rate of fluid flow becomes less than said selective flow rate; and (e) electronically controlling electrical power supply to said rotary electric motor when the actual rate of fluid flow remains less than said selective flow rate condition for the duration of said electronically controlled time delay period.
2. The automatically controlled fluid flow responsive method of claim 1, wherein said establishing a selective flow rate condition comprises:
(a) providing an adjustable speed control and cut-off set level circuit having a signal output range and being adjustable to provide a selective signal output within said signal output range; and (b) comparing said selective signal output of said speed control and cut-off set level circuit with the flow transducer generated electronic signal.
(a) providing an adjustable speed control and cut-off set level circuit having a signal output range and being adjustable to provide a selective signal output within said signal output range; and (b) comparing said selective signal output of said speed control and cut-off set level circuit with the flow transducer generated electronic signal.
3. The automatically controlled fluid flow responsive method of claim 1, wherein a time delay motor speed control and cut-off logic is provided having a "set-flow"
circuit having a set-flow device for adjustment thereof, said method comprising:
(a) providing a flow responsive signal to said time delay motor speed control and cut-off logic;
(b) adjusting said set-flow device to a "set-flow" circuit signal representing a predetermined minimum rate of speed control and rate of fluid flow of said downhole pump; and (c) providing a motor speed control deenergization signal for motor cut-off when said "set-flow" circuit signal is indicative of a rate of fluid flow below said predetermined minimum rate of fluid flow for a period of time exceeding said predetermined period of time.
circuit having a set-flow device for adjustment thereof, said method comprising:
(a) providing a flow responsive signal to said time delay motor speed control and cut-off logic;
(b) adjusting said set-flow device to a "set-flow" circuit signal representing a predetermined minimum rate of speed control and rate of fluid flow of said downhole pump; and (c) providing a motor speed control deenergization signal for motor cut-off when said "set-flow" circuit signal is indicative of a rate of fluid flow below said predetermined minimum rate of fluid flow for a period of time exceeding said predetermined period of time.
4. The automatically controlled fluid flow responsive method of claim 3, wherein a digital voltmeter is provided in said time delay motor speed control and cut-off logic and has a voltmeter display, said method comprising:
adjusting said set-flow device to a desired value on said voltmeter display representing a desired minimum set voltage.
adjusting said set-flow device to a desired value on said voltmeter display representing a desired minimum set voltage.
5. The automatically controlled fluid flow responsive method of claim 1, wherein a time delay motor speed control and cut-off logic is provided having a speed control circuit and a cut-off timing circuit having a motor speed control and cut-off delay potentiometer for adjustment thereof within a time delay/voltage range, said method comprising:
adjusting said motor speed control and cut-off delay potentiometer to a selected delay value within said time delay/voltage range representing the maximum time period that fluid flow at a continuous low flow condition will be permitted at any selected motor speeds before speed adjustment or de-energization of said motor is caused by said time delay motor cut-off logic.
adjusting said motor speed control and cut-off delay potentiometer to a selected delay value within said time delay/voltage range representing the maximum time period that fluid flow at a continuous low flow condition will be permitted at any selected motor speeds before speed adjustment or de-energization of said motor is caused by said time delay motor cut-off logic.
6. The automatically controlled fluid flow responsive method of claim 5, wherein a digital voltmeter is provided in said time delay motor speed control and cut-off logic and has a voltmeter display, said step of adjusting said time delay circuit comprising:
adjusting said set-flow circuit to achieve a desired value on said voltmeter display representing a selected voltage within said voltage range thereof.
adjusting said set-flow circuit to achieve a desired value on said voltmeter display representing a selected voltage within said voltage range thereof.
7. The automatically controlled fluid flow responsive method of claim 1, wherein said time delay motor speed control and cut-off logic has therein a start-up delay circuit having a plurality of selective timing increments and, after motor start-up, maintaining said time delay motor cut-off logic inoperative until expiration of a selected start-up timing period, said method comprising:
(a) actuating said time delay motor speed control and cut-off logic for starting operation of said motor and for initiation of a selected start up timing period; and (b) upon expiration of said selected start-up timing period, actuating said time delay motor speed control and cut-off logic responsive to a sensed condition of fluid flow below a pre-set limit and which remains below said pre-set limit continuously for a pre-set minimum time period.
(a) actuating said time delay motor speed control and cut-off logic for starting operation of said motor and for initiation of a selected start up timing period; and (b) upon expiration of said selected start-up timing period, actuating said time delay motor speed control and cut-off logic responsive to a sensed condition of fluid flow below a pre-set limit and which remains below said pre-set limit continuously for a pre-set minimum time period.
8. A pump discharge flow responsive electronic time delay motor control system for selectively adjusting the speed of and for de-energizing the motor of a downhole pump in the event the discharge flow from the downhole pump becomes abnormally low and remains abnormally low for a predetermined period of time, comprising:
(a) a flow transducer sensing the discharge flow of the downhole pump and providing a flow transducer voltage representing the discharge flow from the downhole pump;
(b) an adjustable "set-flow" circuit providing a set-flow voltage range and being adjustable to provide a set-flow voltage output within said set-flow voltage range;
(c) logic circuitry for comparing said flow transducer voltage and said set-flow voltage and providing a flow related logic output; and (d) a speed control and cut-off delay circuit receiving said logic output and having a maximum delay timing sequence range, said speed control and cut-off delay circuit being initiated for timing as long as said flow related logic output represents a rate of pump discharge flow below that set by said adjustable "set-flow" circuit and being terminated when said flow related logic output represents a rate of pump discharge above that set by said adjustable "set-flow" circuit and providing a motor speed control and cut-off signal for selectively adjusting the speed of said motor at the completion of said delay timing sequence, said speed control and cut-off delay circuit being reinitiated when said logic output is above said set flow voltage, said flow related logic output providing a motor cut-off signal responsive to the logic output below said set flow voltage when said motor of said downhole pump is operating at a minimum selected speed.
(a) a flow transducer sensing the discharge flow of the downhole pump and providing a flow transducer voltage representing the discharge flow from the downhole pump;
(b) an adjustable "set-flow" circuit providing a set-flow voltage range and being adjustable to provide a set-flow voltage output within said set-flow voltage range;
(c) logic circuitry for comparing said flow transducer voltage and said set-flow voltage and providing a flow related logic output; and (d) a speed control and cut-off delay circuit receiving said logic output and having a maximum delay timing sequence range, said speed control and cut-off delay circuit being initiated for timing as long as said flow related logic output represents a rate of pump discharge flow below that set by said adjustable "set-flow" circuit and being terminated when said flow related logic output represents a rate of pump discharge above that set by said adjustable "set-flow" circuit and providing a motor speed control and cut-off signal for selectively adjusting the speed of said motor at the completion of said delay timing sequence, said speed control and cut-off delay circuit being reinitiated when said logic output is above said set flow voltage, said flow related logic output providing a motor cut-off signal responsive to the logic output below said set flow voltage when said motor of said downhole pump is operating at a minimum selected speed.
9. The pump discharge flow responsive electronic time delay motor control system of claim 8, wherein:
said "set-flow" circuit being adjustable and defining said set-flow voltage range and being selectively positionable for adjustment of said set-flow voltage within said set-flow voltage range.
said "set-flow" circuit being adjustable and defining said set-flow voltage range and being selectively positionable for adjustment of said set-flow voltage within said set-flow voltage range.
10. The pump discharge flow responsive electronic time delay motor control system of claim 8, wherein:
said logic circuitry having flow related voltage comparator circuitry providing flow related logic and providing a flow related logic control signal output only when said flow meter voltage is less than said set-flow voltage output.
said logic circuitry having flow related voltage comparator circuitry providing flow related logic and providing a flow related logic control signal output only when said flow meter voltage is less than said set-flow voltage output.
11. The pump discharge flow responsive electronic time delay motor control system of claim 8, wherein:
(a) said speed control and cut-off delay circuit having a maximum delay timing sequence range; and (b) a speed control and cut-off delay circuit adjustment device being provided in said speed control and cut-off delay circuit and being selectively positionable for adjustment of the duration of said delay timing sequence within said maximum delay timing sequence range.
(a) said speed control and cut-off delay circuit having a maximum delay timing sequence range; and (b) a speed control and cut-off delay circuit adjustment device being provided in said speed control and cut-off delay circuit and being selectively positionable for adjustment of the duration of said delay timing sequence within said maximum delay timing sequence range.
12. The pump discharge flow responsive electronic time delay motor speed control and cut-off control system of claim 8, wherein:
(a) visual display circuitry being provided in said electronic time delay motor cut-off control circuit; and (b) a first LED circuit being provided in said visual display circuitry and showing a first color representing pump operation, a second color representing pump motor de-energization and no color representing inoperative circuitry or damaged LED.
(a) visual display circuitry being provided in said electronic time delay motor cut-off control circuit; and (b) a first LED circuit being provided in said visual display circuitry and showing a first color representing pump operation, a second color representing pump motor de-energization and no color representing inoperative circuitry or damaged LED.
13. The pump discharge flow responsive electronic time delay motor speed control and cut-off control system of claim 12, wherein:
a second LED circuit being provided in said visual display circuitry and showing a first color representing discharge flow from said pump at a rate of flow above said set-flow rate, a second color representing discharge flow from said pump at a rate of flow below said set-flow rate and no color representing inoperative circuitry or damaged LED.
a second LED circuit being provided in said visual display circuitry and showing a first color representing discharge flow from said pump at a rate of flow above said set-flow rate, a second color representing discharge flow from said pump at a rate of flow below said set-flow rate and no color representing inoperative circuitry or damaged LED.
14. The pump discharge flow responsive electronic time delay motor speed control and cut-off control system of claim 13, wherein:
a third LED circuit being provided in said visual display circuitry and showing a color representing operation of said start-up delay circuit and that the start-up delay period has not expired, a second color representing expiration of said start-up delay period and the start-up delay circuit is active and no color representing inoperative start-up delay circuitry or damaged LED.
a third LED circuit being provided in said visual display circuitry and showing a color representing operation of said start-up delay circuit and that the start-up delay period has not expired, a second color representing expiration of said start-up delay period and the start-up delay circuit is active and no color representing inoperative start-up delay circuitry or damaged LED.
15. The pump discharge flow responsive electronic time delay motor sped control and cut-off control system of claim 12, wherein:
a low flow LED being provided in said visual display circuitry and showing a first color representing operation of said motor at a normal operating speed and a second color representing operation of said motor at a speed less than said normal operating speed.
a low flow LED being provided in said visual display circuitry and showing a first color representing operation of said motor at a normal operating speed and a second color representing operation of said motor at a speed less than said normal operating speed.
16. The pump discharge flow responsive electronic time delay motor speed control and cut-off control system of claim 15, wherein:
an electronically energized display being operated by said logic circuitry and displaying the speed of said motor.
an electronically energized display being operated by said logic circuitry and displaying the speed of said motor.
17. An electronic flow rate responsive time delay motor speed control and cut-off system for a rotary downhole pump in a well for production of well fluid being driven by a variable speed rotary electric pump motor having a motor circuit including motor speed selector means for energizing and de-energizing the motor circuit, and for operating said motor at selected speeds, comprising:
(a) a flow transducer being located to sense the rate of discharge flow of said rotary downhole pump and providing electronic flow rate signals indicating the rate of discharge flow from said downhole pump;
(b) control circuitry having controlling connection with said speed selector means for controlling the supply of electrical power to said rotary electric motor;
(c) an electronic "set flow" circuit being connected to receive said electronic flow rate signals and being adjustable to predetermine a low flow signal output arid to compare said low flow signal with the flow rate signals of said transducer and indicate pump discharge flow at or below said set low flow signal; and (d) a speed control and cut-off timer circuit being connected to receive said low flow signal output of said electronic circuit and being adjustable to provide a selected time period being initiated by said low flow signal output and being terminated by absence of said low flow signal output, said cut-off timer circuit being connected to said speed selector means of said rotary electric motor and selectively for reducing the sped of said motor and de-energizing of said rotary electric motor upon completion of a selected time period during which said low flow signal output is continuously present.
(a) a flow transducer being located to sense the rate of discharge flow of said rotary downhole pump and providing electronic flow rate signals indicating the rate of discharge flow from said downhole pump;
(b) control circuitry having controlling connection with said speed selector means for controlling the supply of electrical power to said rotary electric motor;
(c) an electronic "set flow" circuit being connected to receive said electronic flow rate signals and being adjustable to predetermine a low flow signal output arid to compare said low flow signal with the flow rate signals of said transducer and indicate pump discharge flow at or below said set low flow signal; and (d) a speed control and cut-off timer circuit being connected to receive said low flow signal output of said electronic circuit and being adjustable to provide a selected time period being initiated by said low flow signal output and being terminated by absence of said low flow signal output, said cut-off timer circuit being connected to said speed selector means of said rotary electric motor and selectively for reducing the sped of said motor and de-energizing of said rotary electric motor upon completion of a selected time period during which said low flow signal output is continuously present.
18. The electronic flow rate responsive time delay motor cut-off system of claim 17, wherein:
said adjustable "set flow" circuit having a "set flow" device being manually adjustable to provide an electronic signal output representing a predetermined low flow condition of pump discharge flow at or below the pump discharge flow rate that is represented by the setting of said "set flow" device.
said adjustable "set flow" circuit having a "set flow" device being manually adjustable to provide an electronic signal output representing a predetermined low flow condition of pump discharge flow at or below the pump discharge flow rate that is represented by the setting of said "set flow" device.
19. The electronic flow rate responsive time delay motor cut-off system of claim 17, wherein:
a start-up delay circuit being provided in said control circuitry and being adjustable for establishing a selected start-up tune period, said start-up delay circuit rendering said speed control and cut-off timer circuit inoperative during said start-up time period and thus permitting motor and pump operation that is not influenced by said time delay motor cut-off system during said start-up time period.
a start-up delay circuit being provided in said control circuitry and being adjustable for establishing a selected start-up tune period, said start-up delay circuit rendering said speed control and cut-off timer circuit inoperative during said start-up time period and thus permitting motor and pump operation that is not influenced by said time delay motor cut-off system during said start-up time period.
20. The electronic flow rate responsive time delay motor cut-off system of claim 17, wherein:
said "set flow" circuit, said speed control and cut-off delay circuit and said pump motor circuit each having at least one light emitting diode therein to provide visual recognition of the operational characteristics thereof.
said "set flow" circuit, said speed control and cut-off delay circuit and said pump motor circuit each having at least one light emitting diode therein to provide visual recognition of the operational characteristics thereof.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US27625099A | 1999-03-25 | 1999-03-25 | |
| US09/276,250 | 1999-03-25 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2272269A1 true CA2272269A1 (en) | 2000-09-25 |
Family
ID=29711725
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2272269 Abandoned CA2272269A1 (en) | 1999-03-25 | 1999-05-18 | Flow responsive time delay pump motor control logic |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2272269A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU2006347192B2 (en) * | 2006-08-04 | 2014-01-16 | Hengli Cong | A motor direct-drive rod screw pump device |
| CN111411936A (en) * | 2020-05-18 | 2020-07-14 | 新疆润霖新能源技术有限公司 | Device for monitoring and controlling single-well mechanical production operation based on fluid kinetic energy and using method |
-
1999
- 1999-05-18 CA CA 2272269 patent/CA2272269A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU2006347192B2 (en) * | 2006-08-04 | 2014-01-16 | Hengli Cong | A motor direct-drive rod screw pump device |
| US8702400B2 (en) | 2006-08-04 | 2014-04-22 | Millennium Oilflow Systems & Technology Inc. | Surface motor direct-drive sucker-rod screw pump device |
| US9059606B2 (en) | 2006-08-04 | 2015-06-16 | Millennium Oiflow Systems & Technology Inc. | Surface motor direct-drive sucker-rod screw pump device |
| CN111411936A (en) * | 2020-05-18 | 2020-07-14 | 新疆润霖新能源技术有限公司 | Device for monitoring and controlling single-well mechanical production operation based on fluid kinetic energy and using method |
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