IP Library Granted Patent US 11,492,886
Granted Patent B2
US 11,492,886 · App. 17/136,913 · Granted Nov 8, 2022

Self-regulating FRAC pump suction stabilizer/dampener

Inventors: Jared Oehring (Houston, TX); Alexander Christinzio (Houston, TX); Lon Robinson (Houston, TX)
Assignee: U.S. Wells Services, LLC
E21B43/2607E21B34/08E21B34/142F04B17/03E21B43/2605
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 11,492,886
App. No.
17/136,913
Granted
Nov 8, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A hydraulic fracturing pump system includes an electric powered hydraulic fracturing pump positioned on a support structure. The system also includes a suction stabilizer/dampener coupled to a suction end of the pump. The system further includes a compressed gas supply, fluidly coupled to the suction stabilizer/dampener, and positioned on the support structure. The system also includes a flow path between the suction stabilizer/dampener and the compressed gas supply, the flow path including at least one valve and at least one regulator configured to control flow from the compressed gas supply to the suction stabilizer/dampener.

Claims (42)

1. A hydraulic fracturing pump system, comprising:

an electric powered hydraulic fracturing pump;

a suction stabilizer/dampener coupled to a suction end of the pump;

a compressed gas supply, fluidly coupled to the suction stabilizer/dampener; and

a control system positioned along a flow path between the suction stabilizer/dampener and the compressed gas supply, the control system comprising:

a valve;

a regulator; and

a sensor.

2. The hydraulic fracturing pump system of claim 1 , wherein the regulator is configured at a set pressure, the set pressure corresponding to an operating pressure for the suction stabilizer/dampener.

3. The hydraulic fracturing pump system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a pressure gauge.

4. The hydraulic fracturing pump system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor configured to transmit a signal, to the valve, to regulate an open position or a closed position of the valve based, at least in part, on a pressure within the flow path.

5. The hydraulic fracturing pump system of claim 1 , wherein the pump, the suction stabilizer/dampener, and the compressed gas supply are positioned on a common support structure.

6. The hydraulic fracturing pump system of claim 5 , wherein the common support structure is one of a trailer, a skid, a platform, or a truck bed.

7. The hydraulic fracturing pump system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second electric powered hydraulic fracturing pump, the second electric powered hydraulic fracturing pump being coupled, at a second suction end, to the suction stabilizer/dampener.

8. A method for controlling a pumping operation, comprising:

charging a suction stabilizer/dampener via a compressed gas supply;

determining a charge pressure of the suction stabilizer/dampener is within a threshold of a target pressure;

setting a pressure control device, along a flow path between the suction stabilizer/dampener and the compressed gas supply; and

operating a hydraulic fracturing pump coupled to the suction stabilizer/dampener.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

positioning the compressed gas supply on a support structure, the support structure including the hydraulic fracturing pump.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

determining the charge pressure is outside of the threshold;

operating a valve to permit flow along the flow path; and

increasing the charge pressure.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the determining and the operating are conducted remotely.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the determining is performed by a pressure sensor configured to transmit a signal to the valve.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the valve is a ball valve with an actuator that, responsive to the determining, moves the ball valve between an open position and a closed position.

14. A hydraulic fracturing pump system, comprising:

an electric powered hydraulic fracturing pump positioned on a support structure;

a suction stabilizer/dampener coupled to a suction end of the pump;

a compressed gas supply, fluidly coupled to the suction stabilizer/dampener, and positioned on the support structure; and

a flow path between the suction stabilizer/dampener and the compressed gas supply, the flow path including at least one valve and at least one regulator configured to control flow from the compressed gas supply to the suction stabilizer/dampener.

15. The hydraulic fracturing pump system of claim 14 , wherein the regulator is configured at a set pressure, the set pressure corresponding to an operating pressure for the suction stabilizer/dampener.

16. The hydraulic fracturing pump system of claim 14 , further comprising:

a blender positioned upstream of the electric powered hydraulic fracturing pump, wherein the suction stabilizer/dampener is positioned in at least one of a downstream position or an upstream position with respect to the blender.

17. The hydraulic fracturing pump system of claim 14 , herein the sensor is a pressure sensor configured to transmit a signal, to the valve, to regulate an open position or a closed position of the valve based, at least in part, on a pressure within the flow path.

18. The hydraulic fracturing pump system of claim 14 , further comprising:

an electric motor configured to drive operation of the pump, the electric motor positioned on the support structure.

19. The hydraulic fracturing pump system of claim 14 , wherein the support structure is one of a trailer, a skid, a platform, or a truck bed.

20. The hydraulic fracturing pump system of claim 14 , wherein the compressed gas within the supply is at least one of air or nitrogen.

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 →
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 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 15, 2022
From: OEHRING, JARED; CHRISTINZIO, ALEXANDER; ROBINSON, LON
To: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
Reel/Frame 062108/0810 →
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 62955763 · Dec 31, 2019
Related Publication 20210198995A1 · Jul 1, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,241,353