IP Library Granted Patent US 11,449,018
Granted Patent B2
US 11,449,018 · App. 14/881,535 · Granted Sep 20, 2022

System and method for parallel power and blackout protection for electric powered hydraulic fracturing

Inventors: Jared Oehring (Houston, TX); Robert Kurtz (Houston, TX); Brennan Zaunbrecher (Houston, TX)
Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
G05B15/02E21B43/26H02J3/14H02J9/066Y02B70/3225Y04S20/222
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,449,018
App. No.
14/881,535
Granted
Sep 20, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for powering equipment used in a hydraulic fracturing operation, the system including at least one first generator in electrical communication with a first switchgear for providing power to primary components of a hydraulic fracturing operation, and at least one second generator in electrical communication with a second switchgear for providing power to backup components of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The at least one first generator is independent of the at least one second generator so that if the at least one first generator loses the ability to generate electricity, the at least one second generator can continue to generate electricity.

Claims (22)

1. A system for powering equipment used in a hydraulic fracturing operation, the system comprising:

at least one first generator in electrical communication with a first switchgear for providing power to primary components of a hydraulic fracturing operation;

at least one second generator in electrical communication with a second switchgear for providing power to backup components of a hydraulic fracturing operation; and

the at least one first generator being independent of the at least one second generator so that if the at least one first generator loses the ability to generate electricity, the at least one second generator can continue to generate electricity;

wherein the first and second switchgear channel electrical power from the at least one first generator and the at least one second generator, respectively, to a transformer;

wherein the first and second switchgear channel electrical power from the at least one first generator and the at least one second generator, respectively, to an auxiliary transformer; and

wherein the auxiliary transformer is connected to at least one of a data van, send equipment, and/or a blender.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a load shedding system for monitoring generator overload, the load shedding system having a load shed signal line that detects when a power draw will overload the system, and capable of shutting down electric power to a portion of the system to prevent an overload of the system.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the load shedding system includes a breaker, and is configured to send a signal to open the breaker to cut power to at least one of the primary or backup components.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the primary and backup components are selected from the group consisting of a pump, a data van, sand equipment, a blender, and a hydration unit.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the load shed signal line carries a signal of 4-20 mA to the breaker.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one transformer is connected to at least one pump.

7. A system for preventing failure in a hydraulic fracturing system, the system comprising:

a plurality of generators for transmitting power to a plurality of components of a hydraulic fracturing system, the plurality of generators in electrical communication with a plurality of switchgears;

a load shedding system for monitoring power draw of the plurality of components, the load shedding system including a load shed signal line; and

a breaker configured for activation by the load shed signal line to cut power to one or more of the plurality of components if the one or more of the plurality of components draws more than a predetermined acceptable amount of power to prevent overload of the system;

wherein the plurality of switchgears channel electrical power from the plurality of generators to a transformer

wherein the plurality of switchgears channel electrical power from the plurality of generators to an auxiliary transformer; and

wherein the auxiliary transformer is connected to at least one of a data van, sand equipment, and/or a blender.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of components are selected from the group consisting of a pump, a data van, sand equipment, a blender, and a hydration unit.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the load shed signal line carries a signal of 4-20 mA to the breaker.

Assignments (15)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 3, 2024
From: FTS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES, LLC; U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC; PROFRAC SERVICES, LLC; U.S. WELL SERVICES HOLDINGS, LLC; BEST PUMP AND FLOW, LLC
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066186/0752 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2023
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
Reel/Frame 066091/0133 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2022
From: U.S. WELL SERVICE HOLDINGS, LLC; USWS HOLDINGS LLC; U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC; USWS FLEET 10, LLC; USWS FLEET 11, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 062142/0927 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2022
From: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
To: PIPER SANDLER FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 061875/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME NO. 49111/0583 Recorded Nov 2, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
Reel/Frame 061875/0260 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME NO. 49107/0392 Recorded Nov 1, 2022
From: CLMG CORP.
To: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
Reel/Frame 061835/0778 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2021
From: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
Reel/Frame 057434/0429 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2019
From: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 049111/0583 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED AT REEL 048818/FRAME 0520 Recorded May 7, 2019
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
Reel/Frame 049109/0610 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED AT REEL 048041/FRAME 0605 Recorded May 7, 2019
From: PIPER JAFFRAY FINANCE, LLC
To: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
Reel/Frame 049110/0319 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 7, 2019
From: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
To: CLMG CORP.
Reel/Frame 049107/0392 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 8, 2019
From: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 048818/0520 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2019
From: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
To: PIPER JAFFRAY FINANCE, LLC
Reel/Frame 048041/0605 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 8, 2019
From: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINSTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 049342/0819 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 14, 2018
From: OEHRING, JARED; KURTZ, ROBERT; ZAUNBRECHER, BRENNAN
To: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
Reel/Frame 046091/0219 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62063680 · Oct 14, 2014
Related Publication 20160105022A1 · Apr 14, 2016
Cited By (3)
US 12,209,490 US 12,234,695 US 12,442,338