Inventors:
Mark Barnes - Houston TX, US
John C. Bergmann - Alvin TX, US
Ken G. Booth - Houston TX, US
Alan Paine - La Verne CA, US
Mike Guillotte - Sierra Vista AZ, US
Gregg Hurst - Humble TX, US
Assignee:
Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. - Houston TX
International Classification:
E21B 44/00
US Classification:
166 66, 166 53, 166104, 417 18, 417 22
Abstract:
The present invention generally provides apparatus and methods of operating a pumping system. The pump control apparatus includes a first sensor for measuring strain on a structure of the well pumping system and a second sensor for measuring a position of the structure. The apparatus also has a controller configured to control the well unit by receiving output signals from the first and second sensors and generating control signals according to a motor control sequence. This controller may be mounted to the structure of the pumping system to measure the strain experienced by the structure. The control signals may be transmitted to a motor control panel using a cable-less communications system. Preferably, the first sensor, the second sensor, and the controller are integrated into a single unit. In another embodiment, the pump control apparatus may be self-powered.