US2296053A - Shutdown device - Google Patents

Description

E. D. PORTER ETAL SHUTDOWN DEVICE Filed Feb. 13, 1941 Sept. l5, 1942.

L :Ln:

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENT RJ n Orff/Ing fmes Dewey 5mm/el Baron ls/e, BY 3.' MMM/i4.

A TORNEY Patented Sept. 15, 1942 UNITED ySTATES PATENT OFFICE SHUTDOWN DEVICE'` Delaware Application February 13, 1941,k Serial No. 378,758

(Cl. 20o- 52) 9 Claims.

This invention relates to shutdown devices, f

and more particularly to devices tor shutting down or stopping a prime mover for an apparatus such as well pumping equipment in response to an accident to parts or change o f l load on such equipment; the principal objects of the present invention being to provide a convenient, economical and ellcient device of this character.

In oil iield practice, especially in deep well elds, where counterweights opposing the weight of a rod line are relatively heavy, parting of the rods or extreme change in the load causes the prime mover to race and throws an extremely heavy load on the belts, chains or other Vparts of machinery employed for actuating the rods and considerable damage is sometimes encountered due to burning up the belts and breaking the chains, for example, as an incident to such rod parting. There is also considerable danger of ire or damage to the well when equipment of this type breaks down and suflicient power or other devices are not readily available to counteract such breaks.

Further objects of the present invention are, e

therefore, to provide a switch responsive to excessive or accelerated movement of an oscillating support therefor such as a walking beam; to so arrange the switch that it is responsive to irregular motion of the support regardless of the point of damage to the equipment with which it is associated relative to the switch support; to provide for setting the switch in accordance with expected motion of its support in such a manner as to actuate the switch upon the occurrence of abnormal motion of the switch support; and. to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in a shutdown device of the character and for the purpose specified.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, we have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of well pumping equipment showing my improved shutdown device applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of my improved switch, the housing therefor being shown in Cross section and parts of the switch being broken away to better illustrate its construction.

Fig. 3 is a detail vertical longitudinal cross section through the switch housing and one of the switches, illustrating the construction of the 55 switch and showing the switch in operative condition.

Fig. 4 is a detail vertical transverse cross section through one of the switch barrels substantiallyon the line 4-4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical cross rsection through the switch housing showing the opposed relation of thev switches.

Fig. 6 isa detail perspective view of our improved switch showing the relation oi the parts thereof.

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of one of the switches, the parts thereof being shown in spaced disassembled relation.

Fig. 8 is a detail horizontal cross section through one of the switch barrels substantially on the line 8 8, Fig. 7.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a shutdown device embodying the l features of the present invention, which device is preferably associated with and supported by `a Walking beam 2 oscillatably mounted, as at 3, on a Samson post 4, rwhich post may be-suitably supported on a foundation, as indicated at 5- and 6. In an apparatus of this type, a rod line I is ordinarily applied to one end 8 of the walking beam, the rod line leading to a pump in an oil or like pocket below a wellhead 9 for transferring uids from the well pocket through a Well outlet I0 to a suitable point of disposal. The walking beam is sometimes Oscillated by a pitman II yconnected at one end, as at I2, with the walking beam and at its other end with a crank arm I3, which, together with its counterweight I4, may be rotated y'by suitable devices I5 actuated, as by a beltv I6, from the drive shaft I1 of a prime mover I8. The walking beam 2 is also usually provided at its end I9 opposite the rod line with a counterweight2l1.

In vthe event of breakage of the rod line 1, a portion of the pitman II, or displacement of the counterweights I4 or 20, actuation of the prime mover remaining substantially constant, an irregular-movement is imparted to the walking beam 2.

This irregular motion may be taken advantage of by employment of the present invention to the end that a magneto 2| controlling the ignition system of the prime mover I8, for example, may be grounded to eliminate sparks or other actuating media, thus causing ther prime mover to close in its operation andthus save the equipment from further damage,

In accomplishing this desideratum, we preferably arrange a pair of oppositely disposed switches 22 and 23, as indicated in Fig. 6, on a bracket or the like 24, secured, as by bars 25 and 26 arranged transversely relative to the walking beam, in superimposed position relative to the axis of the walking beam fulcrum 3. The bars 25 and 26 may be suitably secured to the walking beam, as by welding, and the bracket 24 may be secured to the plates by fastening devices 2'1. The switches 22 and 23 are, preferably substantially as shown, arranged longitudinally of the walking beam and move in ac.

cordance with the motion of the walking beam.

Each switch preferably consists of a tubular barrel 28, Fig. 7, of suitably electrically insulated material, the interior of the tube being of a diameter sufficient to loosely receive a ball 29 which, in eifect, constitutes the switch. The tube 28 is provided with a recess 36, Fig. 8, into which contacts 3l and 32 project. The contacts 3l of each switch barrel 28 are joined, as at 33 and 34, Fig. 6, and lead in current conducting relation from the switch generally, Fig. 1, through a line 35, to the magneto 2l. The contacts 32 lead to an end cap 36 of current conducting material, Figs. 6 and 7, from the end post 3l of which current passes to an adjusting device 33, which in turn contacts the plate 24, bars 25 and 26, the walking beam, walking beam bearing and Samson post and is thus grounded to deenergize the magneto and cause cessation of operation of the prime mover.

The end cap 36 is suitably secured to the end 39 of the barrel 28 as by fastening devices 40, passing through alignable openings 4| and 42 in the barrel and cap respectively.

The adjusting device 38 may consist of a threaded post, as shown, the shank of which extends through a threaded passage 43 in the end cap post 37, the threaded post being provided with .a nut 44, or similar adjustable fastening device, to hold the tubular barrel 26 in desired angular relation to the plate 24, and consequently the plane of the walking beam.

The other end 45 of the tubular barrel 28, is provided with a cap 46, preferably similar to the cap 36 and engageable over the end 45 of the barrel 28. In this instance, the end cap 45 is grounded.

provided with a transverse horizontally arranged passage 4l in the end post 48 of the cap 46, which passage receives a pivot pin 49, the ends of which are mounted in suitable bearings in upstanding arms of spaced, aligned bearing brackets 5l.

As above indicated, the switches 22 and 23 are similar, but oppositely arranged, the purpose of which arrangement is to cause the switches to react to irregularities in motion of the walking beam caused by unexpected situations affecting opposite ends or portions of the walking beam.

A suitable hood or cover 52 may be and preferably is mounted over the oppositely arranged switches, which cover may be secured in desired position by engagement of end walls 53 thereof in sleeved relation to upstanding flanges 54 and 55 of the plate 24, fastening devices 56 also being provided for passage through alignable openings in the flanges and cover walls.

The operation of a shutdown device constructed as described is as follows:

Assuming the switches to be assembled and arranged as shown in Figs. l to 3, 5 and 6, the length of the arc traversed by the ends of the walking beam in actual well pumping operations may be determined, together with the speed with which the walking beam ordinarily moves in opposite directions. 'I'he adjusting devices 38 are then manipulated to place the switch barrels 28 at such an angle relative to the plane of the upper surface of the walking beam that the ball 29 in each barrel rests against the end walls of the end caps 46 as shown in Fig. 2, when the Walking beam is level, as shown in Fig. 1, and in such a manner that the balls 29 ride outwardly in the barrels 28 upon oscillation of the walking beam in opposite directions and to points short of the distance between the end caps 45 and the recesses 30 in the tubular barrels.

The result of this arrangement is that should the rod line 1 break, or should the counterweight 20 be displaced, or one of the pitman arms break, or the counterweight I4 on the crank become dislodged, or should some other similar defect develop in the well pumping apparatus, an irregular motion of the walking beam occurs that effects an acceleration of the movement of the walking beam in one of its directions of movement depending upon the end adjacent which the defect in the equipment develops. Responsive to such irregular motion of the walking beam, the balls 29 travel farther than is customary and up to the points in the barrels 26 at which the recesses 30 are arranged. The balls thus become lodged in the recesses and act as a switch to complete circuits between the contacts 3| and 32 and the magneto 2i is thus The prime mover I8 is thus deenergized and the well equipment shut down.

It is apparent therefore, that we have provided by this invention a convenient, economical and efcient shutdown device that works savings in equipment by allowing correction of the defects before material damage results from such defects, and which further acts as a safety factor in well pumping equipment that protects both property and in some cases, possibly, lives.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a circuit controlling device for use on an oscillatable member, a tube having an opening in the wall thereof, contacts arranged around the periphery of the wall opening and adapted to be engaged in a circuit, and a switch member movable in said tube in response to oscillation thereof and adapted to move into the opening in response to irregularity of motion of said member to complete the circuit between the contacts.

2. In a circuit controlling device for use on an oscillatable member, a tube having an opening in the wall thereof, contacts arranged around the periphery of the wall opening and adapted to be engaged in a circuit, and a switch member movable in the tube in response to oscillation thereof and adapted to move into the opening in response to irregularities of motion of said member to complete the circuit between the contacts, the size of the switch member and opening being so proportioned that the switch member lodges in said opening.

3. In a circuit controlling device for use on an oscillatable member, a tube having an opening in the wall thereof, contacts arranged around the periphery of the wall opening and engaged in said circuit, means pivotally mounting one end of the tube on the oscillatable member, means on the opposite end of the tube for ad- `iusting angularity of the tube relative to the oscillatable member, and a switch member movable in the tube in response to oscillation thereof and adapted to move into the opening in response to irregularities of motion of said member to complete the circuit between the contacts, the irregularities of motion required to move the switch member into the opening being adjusted by the angular adjustment of the tube relative to the oscillatable member.

4. In a circuit controlling device for use on an oscillatable member, a tube having an opening in the wall thereof, said tube being adapted for mounting longitudinally of the oscillatable member and at an angle thereto, means for adjusting the angularity of the tube relative to the oscillatable member, a member movable in the tube in response to oscillation of the oscillatable member and adapted to move into the opening in response to irregularities of motion of said member, and means in the opening for controlling the circuit in response to movement of the member thereinto.

5. In a circuit controlling device for use on an oscillatable member, a tube having a lateral recess, means on one end of the tube for pivotally mounting said tube on the oscillatable member, means on the other end of the tube for adjusting the angularity of the tube with the oscillatable member, a contact in the recess of the tube having a connection with the circuit, another contact in the recess engaged with the adjusting means for grounding to the oscillatable member, and a switch member in the tube movable in response to oscillation thereof and adapted to move into the recess in response to irregularities in motion of said member to complete circuit between the contacts.

6. In a circuit controlling device for use on an oscillatable member, a tube having a lateral recess, a contact extended into said recess and adapted for connection in the circuit, another contact extending into said recess and adapted to be grounded to the oscillatable member, and a ball means in the tube movable into said recess and into engagement with said contacts in response to irregular motion of said oscillatable member for completing the circuit.

7. In a circuit controlling device for use on an oscillatable member, a support, a tube pivotally mounted on the support and having a lateral recess, a cont-act extending into said recess adapted to be engaged in the circuit, another contact in the recess adapted to be grounded to the oscillatable member, a ball means in the tube movable into said recess and into engagement with said contacts in response to irregular motion of said oscillatable member for completing the circuit, and means for adjusting the angularity of said tube with the support.

8. In a circuit controlling device for use on an oscillatable member, a support, a tube pivotallyy mounted on the support, said tube having a recess, a contact in the periphery of the recess adapted to be engaged with said circuit, another contact in the recess adapted to be grounded to the oscillatable member, a switch element arranged in the tube engageable with the contacts in said recess to complete a circuit between the contacts in response to irregularities in motion incident to oscillation of the oscillatable member, and means on the end of the tube opposite the pivotal mounting on the support for adjusting angularity of the tube with the support.

9. In a circuit controlling device for use on an oscillatable member, a support, a switch tube pivotally mounted on the support, said tube having a recess, a contact in the periphery of the recess adapted to be engaged with the circuit, another contact in the recess adapted to be grounded to the oscillatable member, a ball switch element arranged in the tube engageable with the contacts in said recess to complete a circuit between the contacts in response to irregularities in motion incident to oscillation of the oscillatable member, a duplicate oppositely arranged tube on the support, and a ball switch element in said oppositely arranged switch tube responsive to irregularities of motion of the oscillatable member different from those to which the first named switch element is responsive for completing said circuit.

ERNEST DEWEY PORTER. SAMUEL BARON LISLE.

Images