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US 10,704,938 B2Granted
Pumpjack production well including fluid sensor having 2-dimensional venturi and capacitive flow sensor
AssigneeHydroacoustics Inc.
InventorsRobert D. Valtierra, Ricardo P. Quintanilla, Frederick J. Cookhouse
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid sensor, and associated monitoring and control system, employing a 2-dimensional venturi to eliminate stratification of fluid passing therethrough, and a capacitive sensor operatively coupled with the 2-dimensional venturi to facilitate the sensing of the fluid while in the venturi.
Claims14
A fluid sensor comprising:
- a 2-dimensional venturi producing a controlled thickness of non-stratified fluid flow therethrough;
- a first fluid sensor located on an inlet to the venturi to measure at least an input fluid pressure;
- a second fluid sensor located on an outlet of the venturi to measure at least an output fluid pressure, wherein a fluid flow rate is determined as a function of the input fluid pressure and output fluid pressure;
- a capacitive sensor located adjacent the 2-dimensional venturi, the capacitive sensor including a pair of parallel conductive plates located on each side of the 2-dimensional venturi for detecting a dielectric strength of the fluid flowing through the venturi.
1 more element
A pumpjack monitoring and control system for a well, including:
- an in-line fluid sensor, including a 2-dimensional venturi producing a controlled thickness of non-stratified fluid flow therethrough, operatively coupled to receive the fluid output of a pumpjack connected to a wellhead of the well, and to generate at least pressure and capacitance signals in response to the fluid output, said fluid sensor comprising:
- a) a first fluid pressure sensor located on an inlet to the 2-dimensional venturi;
- b) a second fluid pressure sensor located on an outlet of the 2-dimensional venturi;
- c) a capacitive sensor located adjacent the 2-dimensional venturi, the capacitive sensor including a pair of parallel conductive metal plates located on each side of the 2-dimensional venturi;
- and
- a controller, operating in accordance with a set of pre-programmed instructions, said controller receiving output from said fluid sensor, said controller processing the output and using said output to monitor the pumpjack output and to report the performance of the pumpjack, and totalize the amount of liquid pumped from the wellhead.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.