IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,085,069
Granted Patent B1
US 12,085,069 · App. 17/512,541 · Granted Sep 10, 2024

For CPA pumping unit with end return for positioning drive

Inventor: George Dreher (Midland, TX)
F04B47/022E21B43/127F04B47/028
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,085,069
App. No.
17/512,541
Granted
Sep 10, 2024
Kind
B1
Abstract

There are several methods to propel moving force points on a pumping unit. One of the embodiments is propulsion utilizing permanent magnets. This invention can aid the several methods and provides the push start that allows initiating permanent magnet propulsion. This invention relates to an end return device for assisting positioning drives to actuate the continuous movement by mechanical means of moving force points to a desired advantageous position at a desired advantageous moment to achieve reduced net torque when lifting or lowering an unbalanced load with a beam with a fulcrum and connected to a load and an effort. In one embodiment, a walking beam well pumping unit, the lifting and lowering of the well load can be caused by the reciprocating motion of a beam tipping on a fulcrum and with moving effort force point, moving crank shaft force point, and moving beam weight force point.

Claims (43)

1. A well pump, comprising:

a walking beam;

a pair of end return devices, a first one of the end return devices disposed at a first end of the walking beam, a second one of the end return devices disposed at a second opposite end of the walking beam; and

a propulsion device disposed on the walking beam, the propulsion device configured for lateral movement along a length of the walking beam;

wherein lateral movement of the propulsion device along the length of the walking beam laterally moves: (1) an effort force point disposed on a tail bearing of the well pump; (2) a crank shaft force point connected with a crank pin of a speed reducer disposed on the well pump; and (3) a force point of a counterweight disposed on the walking beam and configured for lateral movement along the length of the walking beam;

wherein the effort force point, the crank shaft force point, and the force point of the counterweight are arranged in a structural vertical relationship on the well pump to thereby reduce an amount of torque required by the well pump for its pumping operations; and

wherein each one of end return devices is configured to perform at least one of: (1) initiate forward lateral movement of the propulsion device along the length of the walking beam; (2) initiate reverse lateral movement of the propulsion device along the length of the walking beam; (3) decelerate lateral movement of the propulsion device along the length of the walking beam; or (4) stop lateral movement of the propulsion device along the length of the walking beam.

2. The well pump of claim 1 , wherein the propulsion device includes a permanent magnet, and wherein each one of the end return devices is configured to change a direction of the lateral movement of the propulsion device along the length of the walking beam by applying magnetic force or magnetic resistance to the permanent magnet.

3. The well pump of claim 1 , wherein the propulsion device comprises a linear motor.

4. The well pump of claim 1 , wherein each one of the end return devices is configured to change a direction of the lateral movement of the propulsion device along the length of the walking beam by applying to the propulsion device one of a spring force, a hydraulic force, a pneumatic force, an elastic force, or a regenerative force.

5. The well pump of claim 1 , wherein each one of the end return devices is configured to adjust the torque factor of a speed reducer crank arm.

6. The well pump of claim 1 , wherein the well pump comprises one of a class 1 level geometry, a class 2 lever geometry, or a class 3 lever geometry.

7. A well pump, comprising:

a walking beam;

a pair of end return devices, a first one of the end return devices disposed at a first end of the walking beam, a second one of the end return devices disposed at a second opposite end of the walking beam; and

a propulsion device disposed on the walking beam, the propulsion device configured for lateral movement along a length of the walking beam;

wherein each one of the end return devices comprises:

means for one or more of starting and stopping lateral movement of the propulsion device along the length of the walking beam; and

means for one or more of push starting and braking and stopping lateral movement of the propulsion device along the length of the walking beam; and

wherein the propulsion device is configured to laterally move: (1) an effort force point disposed on a tail bearing of the well pump; (2) a crank shaft force point connected with a crank pin of a speed reducer disposed on the well pump; and (3) a force point of a counterweight disposed on the walking beam; and

wherein the effort force point, the crank shaft force point, and the force point of the counterweight are arranged in a structural vertical relationship on the well pump to thereby reduce an amount of torque required by the well pump for its pumping operations.

8. The well pump of claim 7 , further comprising:

means for utilizing each one of the end return devices with class 1 lever geometry;

means for utilizing each one of the end return devices with class 2 lever geometry; and

means for utilizing each one of the end return devices with class 3 lever geometry.

9. The well pump of claim 7 , wherein the force propulsion device comprises a permanent magnet, and wherein each one of the end return devices further comprises one or more of:

means for urging the permanent magnet for lateral movement along the length of the walking beam;

means for reversing lateral movement of the permanent magnet along the length of the walking beam;

means for decelerating lateral movement of the permanent magnet along the length of the walking beam; and

means for accelerating lateral movement of the permanent magnet along the length of the walking beam.

10. The well pump of claim 7 , wherein each one of the end return devices further comprises at least one of:

means for propelling and push starting a permanent magnet for movement along the length of the walking beam;

means for halting and stopping movement of the permanent magnet along the length of the walking beam;

means for propelling and push starting a linear motor for movement along the length of the walking beam;

means for halting and stopping movement of the linear motor along the length of the walking beam;

means for propelling and push starting the propulsion device for movement along a length of the walking beam; and

means for halting and stopping movement of the propulsion device along the length of the walking beam.

11. The well pump of claim 7 , wherein each one of the end return devices further comprises one or more of:

a spring absorber, a spring cushioner, a spring repeller, a spring push starter, a hydraulic absorber, a hydraulic cushioner, a hydraulic repeller, a hydraulic push starter, a pneumatic absorber, a pneumatic cushioner, a pneumatic repeller, a pneumatic push starter, a magnetic absorber, a magnetic cushioner, a magnetic repeller, a magnetic push starter, an elastomer absorber, an elastomer cushioner, an elastomer repeller, an elastomer push starter, an eddy current brake, an eddy current cushioner, an eddy current push starter, and a regenerative brake.

12. The well pump of claim 7 , wherein each one of the end return devices further comprises one or more of:

means for adjusting one or more of force and strength whereby torque is reduced;

means for adjusting one or more of position and placement whereby torque is reduced; and

means for adjusting one or more of speed and velocity whereby torque is reduced.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 24, 2024
From: JOHNSON, KELSEY DREHER; DREHER, JENNIEFER LEE
To: IRON HORSE PATENTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 069388/0907 →
Continuity (1)
Continuation 17140031 · Jan 1, 2021