Optical alignment system for beam pumping unit
AssigneeLufkin Industries, Inc.
InventorJustin Heath Whitaker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for aligning a pump with a wellhead begins with the steps of attaching a target assembly to the pump and attaching an emitter assembly to the wellhead. The method continues with the step of emitting a beam of light from the emitter assembly to the target assembly. The method concludes with the step of determining the position of the pump with respect to the wellhead by evaluating the projection of the light beam on the target assembly. Based on this determination, the pump can be accurately aligned with the wellhead.
Claims16
A method for aligning a pump with a wellhead, wherein the pump includes a pump base, the method comprising the following steps:
- attaching a target assembly to the pump, wherein the target assembly includes a target;
- attaching an emitter assembly to the wellhead in a first position;
- emitting a first beam of light from the emitter assembly to the target assembly;
- moving the emitter assembly on the wellhead to a second position, emitting a second beam of light from the emitter assembly to the target assembly, wherein the second beam is angularly offset from the first beam of light;
- determining the position of the pump base with respect to the wellhead by the projection of the first light beam and the second light beam on the target assembly, and
- adjusting the position of the pump base with respect to the wellhead based on the determination of the position of the pump base with respect to the wellhead obtained by the projection of the first light beam and second light beam on the target assembly.
A method for aligning a pump with a wellhead, wherein a polish rod extends upward from the wellhead and wherein the pump includes a pump base, the method comprising the steps of:
- attaching a target assembly to the pump, wherein the target assembly includes a target;
- attaching an emitter assembly to the polish rod in a first position, wherein the emitter assembly is rotatably attached to the polish rod;
- emitting a first beam of light from the emitter assembly to project a first line on the target assembly, wherein the first line is indicative of a lateral alignment between the pump base and the wellhead;
- determining the lateral alignment of the pump base with respect to the wellhead based on the projection of the first line on the target assembly;
- adjusting the position of the pump base based on the lateral alignment of the pump base with respect to the wellhead;
- rotating the emitter assembly to a second position on the polish rod;
- emitting a second beam of light from the emitter assembly to project a second line on the target assembly, wherein the second line is indicative of a longitudinal alignment between the pump base and the wellhead;
- determining the longitudinal alignment of the pump base with respect to the wellhead based on the projection of the second line on the target assembly;
- and
- adjusting the position of the pump base based on the longitudinal alignment of the pump base with respect to the wellhead.
A method for aligning a pump with a wellhead, wherein a polish rod extends upward from the wellhead and wherein the pump includes a pump base, the method comprising the steps of:
- attaching a target assembly to the pump, wherein the target assembly includes a target;
- attaching an emitter assembly to the polish rod in a first position, wherein the emitter assembly is rotatably attached to the polish rod;
- emitting a first beam of light from the emitter assembly to project a first line on the target assembly, wherein the first line is indicative of a longitudinal alignment between the pump base and the wellhead;
- determining the longitudinal alignment of the pump base with respect to the wellhead based on the projection of the first line on the target assembly;
- adjusting the position of the pump base based on the longitudinal alignment of the pump base with respect to the wellhead;
- rotating the emitter assembly to a second position on the polish rod;
- emitting a second beam of light from the emitter assembly to project a second line on the target assembly, wherein the second line is indicative of a lateral alignment between the pump base and the wellhead;
- determining the lateral alignment of the pump base with respect to the wellhead based on the projection of the second line on the target assembly;
- and
- adjusting the position of the pump base based on the lateral alignment of the pump base with respect to the wellhead.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.