Low profile rod pumping unit with pneumatic counterbalance for the active control of the rod string
AssigneeLufkin Industries, Inc.
InventorDavid W. Doyle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Adaptable systems for a surface pumping unit that includes a low inertia pumping unit mechanism having a pneumatic counterbalance assembly are described, as well as methods for the use of such systems for subterranean fluid recovery. The system is capable of being integrated with well management automation systems, thereby allowing for response to active control commands, and automatically altering and/or maintaining a counterbalance force in the pumping unit by adding or removing air mass from a containment vessel associated with the pumping unit.
Claims20
A device for actuating a rod of a sucker rod pump assembly, the device comprising:
- a motor;
- a linear actuator assembly operatively connected to the motor,
- wherein the linear actuator assembly is not a fixed geometry linkage system;
- and
- a counterbalance assembly operatively connected to the linear actuator assembly capable of alleviating a load imposed on the linear actuator assembly by the rod and a column of a first fluid to be pumped,
- wherein the counterbalance assembly includes a containment vessel.
A method of pumping a fluid utilizing a sucker rod assembly, the sucker rod assembly comprising a rod, a pumping unit, and a counterbalance assembly, the method comprising:
- positioning the pumping unit such that a linear axis of operation is substantially parallel with the axis of movement of the sucker rod;
- providing the counterbalance assembly that includes at least one pressure vessel positioned such that the at least one pressure vessel substantially alleviates the load imposed on the pumping unit by the sucker rod and a column of fluid to be pumped;
- wherein the at least one pressure vessel contains a substance;
- and
- adjusting the stroke length of the rod.
A device for lifting of a fluid, the device comprising:
- a pumping unit,
- wherein the pumping unit includes a linear actuator assembly,
- wherein the pumping unit is not a fixed geometry linkage system;
- and
- a counterbalance assembly operatively connected to the pumping unit capable of alleviating the load imposed on a rod of a sucker rod pump assembly and a column of fluid to be pumped from a subterranean well,
- wherein the counterbalance assembly includes a containment vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.