IP Library Granted Patent US 11,339,643
Granted Patent B2
US 11,339,643 · App. 16/993,240 · Granted May 24, 2022

Pumping unit inspection sensor assembly, system and method

Inventors: Clark E. Robison (Tomball, TX); Bryan A. Paulet (Spring, TX)
Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
E21B47/008G08B21/182
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,339,643
App. No.
16/993,240
Granted
May 24, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sensor assembly can include a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a housing assembly containing the gyroscope and the accelerometer. An axis of the gyroscope can be collinear with an axis of the accelerometer. A method of inspecting a well pumping unit can include attaching a sensor assembly to the pumping unit, recording acceleration versus time data, and in response to an amplitude of the acceleration versus time data exceeding a predetermined threshold, transforming the data to acceleration versus frequency data. A method of balancing a well pumping unit can include comparing peaks of acceleration versus rotational orientation data to peaks of acceleration due to circular motion, and adjusting a position of a counterweight, thereby reducing a difference between the peaks of acceleration due to circular motion and the peaks of the acceleration versus rotational orientation data for subsequent operation of the pumping unit.

Claims (14)

1. A method of balancing a well pumping unit, the method comprising:

attaching a sensor assembly to the pumping unit;

recording acceleration versus rotational orientation data while the pumping unit is in operation;

comparing peaks of the acceleration versus rotational orientation data to peaks of acceleration due to circular motion; and

adjusting a position of a counterweight on a crank arm of the pumping unit, thereby reducing a difference between the peaks of acceleration due to circular motion and the peaks of the acceleration versus rotational orientation data for subsequent operation of the pumping unit.

2. The method of claim 1 ,

further comprising normalizing the acceleration versus rotational orientation data prior to the comparing,

in which the acceleration due to circular motion comprises normalized acceleration due to circular motion,

in which the comparing comprises comparing peaks of the normalized acceleration versus rotational orientation data to peaks of the normalized acceleration due to circular motion, and

in which the reducing comprises reducing the difference between the peaks of normalized acceleration due to circular motion and the peaks of the normalized acceleration versus rotational orientation data for subsequent operation of the pumping unit.

3. The method of claim 1 , in which the recording comprises receiving data output by a gyroscope and an accelerometer of the sensor assembly.

4. The method of claim 3 , in which the attaching comprises the gyroscope and the accelerometer having a same axis of rotation while the pumping unit is in operation.

5. The method of claim 1 , in which the attaching comprises temporarily attaching the sensor assembly with a magnet device to the pumping unit.

6. The method of claim 1 , in which the adjusting comprises aligning the peaks of acceleration due to circular motion with the peaks of the acceleration versus rotational orientation data for subsequent operation of the pumping unit.

Assignments (4)
SUPPLEMENT NO. 2 TO CONFIRMATORY GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN UNITED STATES PATENTS Recorded Jan 13, 2023
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 062389/0239 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2021
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 057683/0423 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2021
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 057683/0706 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 6, 2020
From: ROBISON, CLARK E.; PAULET, BRYAN
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 053982/0560 →
Continuity (1)
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