IP Library Granted Patent US 11,728,709
Granted Patent B2
US 11,728,709 · App. 16/873,583 · Granted Aug 15, 2023

Encoderless vector control for VFD in hydraulic fracturing applications

Inventors: Lon Robinson (Houston, TX); Jared Oehring (Houston, TX); Brandon N. Hinderliter (Houston, TX)
Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
H02K7/1823H02K7/14H02K11/33E21B43/2607E21B43/283F01D15/10F04B17/03F05D2220/32F05D2260/83H02P21/05H02P23/0004
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,728,709
App. No.
16/873,583
Granted
Aug 15, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and a method for use of electric motors in fracturing operations are disclosed. The system includes an electric motor, a turbine generator, an encoderless vector control subsystem, and at least one pump. The turbine generator is adapted to generate electric power for the system. The encoderless vector control subsystem is coupled between the turbine generator and the electric motor to control the electric motor using determined parameters that are based in part on vibration induced in a feature associated with the turbine generator. The at least one pump is adapted to receive torque input from the electric motor.

Claims (37)

1. A system for use in fracturing operations, the system comprising:

an electric motor;

a turbine generator to generate electric power;

an encoderless vector control subsystem to receive the electric power from the turbine generator and to control the electric motor using determined parameters provided to the encoderless vector control subsystem, wherein the determined parameters represent vibration in at least a portion of a body associated with the turbine generator, for a period of time and that is measured by monitoring oscillation alarm values; and

at least one pump to receive torque input from the electric motor.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a vibration sensor for monitoring the vibration induced in a feature associated with a turbine of the turbine generator and providing input for the determined parameters based in part on the vibration.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

the vibration sensor associated with the body of the turbine generator for monitoring the vibration induced in the body of the turbine of the turbine generator, in part, due to a feedback resonance received to the turbine.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

an encoderless variable frequency drive (VFD) functioning as the encoderless vector control subsystem.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a machine interface to receive the determined parameters for the encoderless vector control subsystem; and

at least one processor to apply the determined parameters to the electric motor prior to engagement of a load with the electric motor.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the determined parameters for the encoderless vector control subsystem are determined based in part on the oscillation alarm values for the vibration that occurs over a period of time and within a predetermined range of the oscillation alarm values, upon engagement of the motor with a load.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the determined parameters for the encoderless vector control subsystem are determined based in part on the oscillation alarm values for the vibration that occurs over a period of time and within a predetermined number of the oscillation alarm values, upon engagement of the motor with a load.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the determined parameters for the encoderless vector control subsystem are selected from at least speed values, motor values, and proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control values.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

one or more triplex, quintuplex, novemplex, or septuplex plunger pumps adapted to receive the torque input from the electric motor.

10. A method for using electric pumps in fracturing operations comprising:

engaging an electric motor with a turbine generator;

enabling an encoderless vector control subsystem to receive electric power from the turbine generator;

controlling the electric motor using determined parameters input to the encoderless vector control subsystem, wherein the determined parameters represent vibration in at least a portion of a body associated with the turbine generator, for a period of time and that is measured by monitoring oscillation alarm values; and

engaging at least one pump with the torque input from the electric motor.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the determined parameters are based in part on the vibration induced in a feature associated with the turbine generator.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

monitoring the vibration induced in the body of a turbine associated with the turbine generator, the determined parameters based in part on the vibration induced in the body, in part, due to a feedback resonance received to the turbine generator.

13. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

using an encoderless variable frequency drive (VFD) as the encoderless vector control subsystem.

14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

enabling a machine interface to receive the determined parameters for the encoderless vector control subsystem; and

applying, using at least one processor, the determined parameters to the electric motor prior to engagement of a load with the electric motor.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the determined parameters for the encoderless vector control subsystem are determined based in part on the oscillation alarm values for the vibration that is over a period of time and within a predetermined range of the oscillation alarm values, upon engagement of the motor with a load.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the determined parameters for the encoderless vector control subsystem are determined based in part on the oscillation alarm values for the vibration that occurs over a period of time and within a predetermined number of the oscillation alarm values, upon engagement of the motor with a load.

17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the determined parameters for the encoderless vector control subsystem are selected from at least speed values, motor values, and proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control values.

18. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

engaging one or more triplex, quintuplex, novemplex, or septuplex plunger pumps with the electric motor to receive the torque out from the electric motor.

Assignments (6)
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 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 20, 2023
From: ROBINSON, LON; OEHRING, JARED; HINDERLITER, BRANDON N.
To: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
Reel/Frame 064000/0194 →
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 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2021
From: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
Reel/Frame 057434/0429 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62847022 · May 13, 2019
Related Publication 20200362681A1 · Nov 19, 2020