Well pumping systems
AssigneeAtlantic Richfield Company
InventorWilliam M. Bohon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for eliminating at least a portion of the energy losses in a well pumping system which are due to "regeneration" (i.e. those periods during the pumping cycle in which the pumping system experiences negative net torque). This is accomplished by positioning a clutch means in the driving connection between the prime mover and the pumping unit of the well pumping system so that the clutch means forms a driving connection between said prime mover and said pumping unit during periods when said pumping unit experiences positive net torque and effectively disengages the driving connection between said prime mover and said pumping unit to allow freewheeling therebetween during periods when said pumping unit experiences negative net torque.
Claims13
A well pumping system comprising:
- a pumping unit for reciprocating a string of rods upward and downward in a well;
- a prime mover;
- and
- clutch means for forming a driving connection between said prime mover and said pumping unit during periods when said pumping unit experiences positive net torque and for effectively disengaging the driving connection between said prime mover and said pumping unit during periods when said pumping unit experiences negative net torque.
A well pumping system comprising;
- a pumping unit comprising:
- a support;
- a walking beam pivotally mounted on said support;
- a string of sucker rods supported from one end of said walking beam;
- a gearbox having an input shaft and an output shaft;
- a crankarm mounted on said output shaft of said gearbox;
- a pitman arm connecting said crankarm to the other end of said walking beam;
- a counterweight mounted on said crankarm;
- a prime mover having an output shaft;
- and
- drive means for connecting said output shaft of said prime mover to said input shaft of said gearbox;
- said drive means including:
- clutch means for forming a driving connection between said output shaft of said prime mover and said input shaft of said gearbox unit during periods when said pumping unit experiences positive net torque and for effectively disengaging the driving connection between said output shaft of said prime mover and said input shaft of said gearbox during periods when said pumping unit experiences negative net torque.
A method of eliminating regeneration in the pumping cycle of a well pumping system having a pumping unit and a continuously-running prime mover, the method comprising:
- providing a driving connection between said continuously-running prime mover and said pumping unit only during those periods of said pumping cycle in which said pumping unit experiences positive net torque;
- and
- effectively disengaging the driving connection between said continuously-running prime mover and said pumping unit only during those periods of said pumping cycle in which said pumping unit experiences negative net torque.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.