Patent Application
20190120217
This invention generally relates to systems and methods for the pumping of fluids, such as water and/or hydrocarbons, from subterranean formations or reservoirs, and more particularly to a pumping apparatus and method for use in such pumping applications.
In many conventional types of pumping systems used in a drilling apparatus, controlling and optimizing the performance of a sucker-rod pumping apparatus involves inherent difficulties. One factor which must be taken into account is the stretching of the rod string, which occurs during the upward portion of each pump stroke, and the corresponding contraction of the rod string which occurs during the downward portion of each pump stroke. The rod string, which may be 1000 feet or more long, acts much like an extension spring, which is stretched during the portion of the pump stroke in which the rod string is drawing the fluid upward within the well, and which then contracts back to an essentially un-stretched state as the rod string moves downward during a return portion of the pump stroke. As a result of the rod stretch, an above-ground upward stroke of 32 inches, for a well approximately 1300 feet deep, may only result in a down-hole stroke in the range of 24 to 26 inches, for example. The difference between the magnitude and direction of movement of the pump rod at the top of the well and the corresponding reaction of the rod string and down-hole stroke of the pump involves other complicating factors, including inherent damping within the rod string, fluid damping which occurs during the pump stroke and longitudinal vibrations and natural frequencies of the rod string.
The problems associated with effectively and efficiently operating a sucker-rod pump apparatus are addressed in significantly greater detail in a commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,168,924 B2, to Beck et al., titled “Rod Pump Control System Including Parameter Estimator”, the entire teachings and disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. The Beck et al. patent also discloses a rod pump control system, which includes a parameter estimator that determines, from motor data, parameters relating to operation of the rod pump and/or generating a down-hole dynamometer card, without the need for external instrumentation such as down-hole sensors, rod load sensors, flow sensors, acoustic fluid level sensors, etc. In some embodiments disclosed by Beck et al., having a pumping apparatus driven by an electric motor, instantaneous current and voltage, together with pump parameters estimated through the use of a computer model of the sucker-rod pump, are used in determining rod position and load. The rod position and load are used to control the operation of the rod pump to optimize operation of the pump. Beck et al. also discloses a pump-stroke amplifier that is capable of increasing pump stroke without changing the overall pumping speed, or in the alternative, maintaining the well output with decreased overall pumping speed.
The inherent difficulties of operating a sucker-rod pump apparatus may also be compounded by the type of pumping apparatus, such as the typical walking-beam-type apparatus. The problems encountered when using these conventional pumping systems serve as ample evidence of the desirability of providing a new and improved pumping apparatus for use with a sucker-rod pump.
For example, conventional walking beam-type pumping mechanisms must typically be mounted on a heavy concrete foundation, which may be poured in place or pre-cast, located adjacent the well head. Construction of a walking beam pumping mechanism, together with its foundation, typically involves the efforts of several construction workers, over a period which may be a week or more, to prepare the site, lay the foundation, and allow time for the foundation to cure, in addition to the time required for assembling the various components of the walking beam mechanism onto the foundation and operatively connecting the mechanism to the pump rod.
Because of the costs of transporting the apparatus and the concrete or pre-cast foundation to what may be a remote site and the complexity of the site preparation and assembly process, walking beam-type pumping mechanisms are generally only utilized in long-term pumping installations. Further, the large size and massive weight of the walking beam pumping mechanism and its foundation may also problematic when the well is decommissioned. Economic and contractual obligations may require complete removal of the walking beam mechanism and its foundation.
Linear rod pumping systems have been developed to address a number of the above-described problems with conventional pumping systems. Linear rod pumping systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,152,492 and 8,641,390 both issued to Beck et al., and both titled “Linear Rod Pump Apparatus and Method”, the entire teachings and disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
Embodiments of the present invention represent an advancement over the state of the art in pumping systems. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein.
In one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a tandem motor linear rod pumping apparatus for imparting reciprocating substantially vertical motion to a pump rod for a sucker-rod pump. The tandem motor linear rod pumping apparatus includes first and second linear mechanical actuator systems for imparting and controlling vertical motion of the pump rod. The first and second linear mechanical actuator systems are constructed to operate with a single housing. The first linear mechanical actuator system includes a first rack and pinion gearing arrangement with a first rack configured to impart a reciprocating motion along a pumping axis. The first rack is operatively connected in a first gear-mesh relationship with a first pinion. The first pinion is operatively connected to a rotating output of a first motor, such that rotation of the first motor in a first direction results in an upward motion of the first rack along the pumping axis, and rotation of the first motor in a second direction opposite the first direction results in a downward motion of the first rack along the pumping axis. The first rack is also operatively connected to the pump rod such that vertically-upward motion of the first rack imparts a vertically upward motion to the pump rod, and such that the pump rod exerts a substantially vertically downward directed force along the pumping axis, during a portion of a pump stroke. The second linear mechanical actuator system includes a second rack and pinion gearing arrangement with a second rack configured to impart reciprocating motion along the pumping axis. The second rack is operatively connected in a second gear-mesh relationship with a second pinion. The second pinion is operatively connected to a rotating output of a second motor, such that rotation of the second motor in the first direction results in an upward motion of the second rack along the pumping axis, and rotation of the second motor in the second direction opposite the first direction results in a downward motion of the second rack along the pumping axis. The second rack is also operatively connected to the pump rod such that vertically-upward motion of the second rack imparts a vertically upward motion to the pump rod, and such that the pump rod exerts a substantially vertically downward directed force along the pumping axis, during the portion of the pump stroke. The first motor has a reversibly rotatable element operatively connected to the first pinion which engages the first rack to establish a fixed relationship between the rotational position of the first pinion and the vertical position of the first rack. The second motor has a reversibly rotatable element operatively connected to the second pinion which engages the second rack to establish a fixed relationship between the rotational position of the second pinion and the vertical position of the second rack. An electronic controller is operatively connected to at least one of the first and second motors, for controlling the first and second motors. The electronic controller operates each motor in a driving mode to urge upward movement of its respective rack and of the pump rod, and operates each motor in a driving or braking mode during downward movement of its respective rack on a downward portion of the stroke of the pump rod.
In particular embodiments, the electronic controller includes two or more sensors for sensing at least one of a linear position of the first and second racks along the pumping axis, a rotational position of each of the two pinions about a respective pinion axis, a motor torque for each of the two motors, a motor speed for each of the two motors, a motor acceleration for each of the two motors, and a motor input power for each of the two motors. Further, the tandem motor arrangement may be configured to equalize the torque placed on the pump rod via operation of the controller or through the use of motors designed to provide equal outputs, thus synchronizing a rotational position of the rotatable elements of the two motors. More specifically, the electronic controller may be configured to control the first and second motors to equalize the torque placed on the pump rod. In alternate embodiments, the first and second motors are of the same size so as to substantially equalize the torque placed on the pump rod. In yet another embodiment, a first electronic controller controls the first motor and a second electronic controller controls the second motor to substantially equalize the torque placed on the pump rod.
In some embodiments, the first and second racks comprise a single member with a first set of teeth disposed on a first side of the member, and a second set of teeth disposed on a second side of the member different from the first side, and wherein the first pinion engages the first set of teeth and the second pinion engages the second set of teeth. In a particular embodiment, the first set of teeth faces a first direction, and the second set of teeth face a second direction 180 degrees from the first direction. In alternate embodiments, the first rack has a first set of teeth and second rack has a second set of teeth, and the first and second racks are separate members that are fixedly connected together.
In certain embodiments, the rack of the first linear mechanical actuator system extends vertically, and the rack of the second linear mechanical actuator system extends vertically. The two racks are parallel within the housing and parallel with a pumping axis. In some embodiments, the motor of the first linear mechanical actuator system is disposed on a first exterior side of the housing, and the motor of the second linear mechanical actuator system is disposed on a second exterior side of the housing opposite the first exterior side.
In another aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method for operating a tandem motor linear rod pumping apparatus that includes first and second linear mechanical actuator systems each having a motor, and also includes a rod for a sucker rod pump. The method calls for constructing the first and second linear mechanical actuator systems to operate within a single housing, and simultaneously operating each of the two motors in a manner that imparts reciprocating vertical motion to respective-vertically movable members of the first and second linear mechanical actuator systems. Each motor has a reversibly rotatable element that is operatively connected to the vertically-movable member of its respective linear mechanical actuator system, thus establishing a fixed relationship between the rotational position of the rotatable element and the vertical position of its respective vertically-movable member. The simultaneous operation of the two motors imparts a reciprocating vertical motion to the pump rod of the sucker-rod pump.
In some embodiments, each vertically-movable member includes a rack, and each rotatable element includes a pinion. In a further embodiment, the racks of the first and second linear mechanical actuator systems each have a plurality of vertically-adjacent teeth along one side of the rack. The teeth of one rack face away from the other rack, and face 180 degrees from the direction faced by the gears of the other rack. The method may also include aligning the two racks such that they are parallel to each other, and such that the teeth of one rack faces a first direction, and the teeth of the other rack faces a second direction 180 degrees from the first direction.
The method may further include disposing the rack of the first linear mechanical actuator system on a first side of the pump rod, and disposing the rack of the second linear mechanical actuator system on a second side of the pump rod opposite the first side of the pump rod. Embodiments of the method may also include sensing at least one of a linear position of each of the two racks along the pumping axis, a rotational position of each of the two pinions about a respective pinion axis, a motor torque for each of the two motors, a motor speed for each of the two motors, a motor acceleration for each of the two motors, and a motor input power for each of the two motors.
The method may include synchronizing the positions of the two rotatable elements to equalize the torque placed on the pump rod. Synchronization may be aided by using two motors designed to produce equal torques to their respective rotational elements. Embodiments of the method include sensing a vertical position of each of the two racks along a pumping axis, and synchronizing control of the respective motors according to the sensed vertical positions so as to minimize a moment on the pump rod and well casing. The method may further include disposing the motor of the first linear mechanical actuator system on a first exterior side of the housing, while disposing the motor of the second linear mechanical actuator system on a second exterior side of the housing opposite the first exterior side.
In yet another aspect, embodiments of the invention provide an oil pumping system that includes an oil return line configured to carry oil from an oil sump in a first portion of a pump housing to an internal oil reservoir in a second portion of the pump housing. A top plate is attached to a portion of a pump rod such that the top plate moves up and down in accordance with a reciprocating motion of the pump rod. A bottom plate is located below the top plate. A pump mechanism is disposed between the top plate and bottom plate. The pump mechanism includes a valve seat with a bottom portion configured to contact the bottom plate, and an upper portion configured to contact the top plate. A first biasing element is configured to urge the valve seat upward away from the bottom plate. A plunger is configured to seat within the upper portion of the valve seat creating a seal therebetween. A second biasing element is configured to urge the plunger upward away from the valve seat. Upward movement of the pump rod and attached top plate allows oil to flow into an interior portion of the pump mechanism that is in fluid communication with the oil return line. Downward movement of the pump rod and attached top plate causes the plunger to seat within the valve seat and causes the bottom portion of the valve seat to seal against the bottom plate such that oil flows into the oil return line and up towards the internal oil reservoir.
In a particular embodiment, the first and second biasing elements include first and second springs, respectively. The bottom portion of the valve seat may be cylindrical, while the upper portion of the valve seat may be annular. Additionally, the upper portion may have a rim that seats against a top end of the first spring.
In certain embodiments, the oil return line includes a check valve that only allows the oil to flow upward to the oil reservoir. Furthermore, the oil return line may include a filter to filter out solid contaminants from the oil.
Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
As shown schematically in
A longitudinally directed channel 130 in the rack 106 extends along the pumping axis 120 from a lower end 134 of the rack 106 to a top end 136 of the rack 106, with the upper end 136 of the rack 106 being adapted for operative attachment thereto of the pump rod 52. Specifically, as shown in
The linear mechanical actuator apparatus 104 of the linear rod pumping apparatus 100 includes an actuator rod 142, having a lower end 144 thereof fixedly attached to the top end of the pump rod 52 by a threaded joint or other appropriate type of coupling. The actuator rod 142 extends upward from the lower end 144, through the channel 130 in the rack 106 and the hole 140 in the top plate 138 of the rack 106, and terminates at and upper end 146 of the actuator rod 142 which is disposed above the bearing surface 141 on the upper surface of the top plate 138 of the rack 136. A rod clamp 148 is fixedly attached below the upper end 146 of the actuator rod 142 and above the upper end 136 of the rack 106. The clamp 148 has a lower load bearing surface thereof adapted for bearing contact with the upper load bearing surface 141 of the upper end 136 of the rack 106, for transferring force between the actuator rod 142 and the upper end 136 of the rack 106 when the lower load bearing surface of the clamp 148 is in contact with the upper load bearing surface 141 on the upper end 136 of the rack 106.
The clamp 148 forms an expanded upper end of the actuator rod 142 having a configuration that is incapable of entry into or passage through the hole 140 in the upper end 136 of the rack 106. It will be further appreciated that, to facilitate installation of the linear rod pumping apparatus 100 on a well head 54, the actuator rod 142 may be allowed to extend some distance beyond the collar 148, to thereby provide some measure of adjustment to accommodate variations in the positioning of the upper end of the pump rod 52, with respect to the lower end of the lower section 118 of the housing of the linear mechanical actuator system 104. The upper section 114, of the housing of the linear mechanical actuator system 104 includes sufficient head space to accommodate a portion of the actuator rod 142 extending above the clamp 148.
To further reduce the size of the linear rod pumping apparatus 100, the gearbox 110 is a right angle gear box having input element 166. In some embodiments, the input element 166 of gearbox 110 and the rotatable shaft 122 of motor 112 are oriented substantially parallel to the pumping axis 120. It will be understood that, in other embodiments of the invention, the motor 112 may be operatively attached to the pinion 108 by a variety of other means and in other relative orientations.
As best seen in
As shown in
It will be noted, however, that in other embodiments of the invention, other arrangements for providing lubrication of the rack 106 in the oil sump 168 may be utilized, wherein it would be desirable to provide a packing between the rod 52, 142 and the lower end of the lower section 118 of the housing of the linear mechanical actuator system 104. In particular embodiments of the invention, it may be desirable to have the cross-sectional area of the oil sump 168 match the cross-sectional area of the rack 106, or a lower end plate 176 closely enough so that immersion of the rack 106 into the oil sump 168 generates hydraulic damping of the movement of the rack 106.
As shown in
A pump valve mechanism 310 is located in the bottom section 304. The pump valve mechanism 310 feeds oil to the oil return line 306, which may include a filter 308 disposed in the oil sump 168 in the lower section 118 of the housing. The filter 308 acts to filter out solid contaminants from the oil in the oil return line 306. In some embodiments, the filter 308 has a replaceable cartridge to simplify filter maintenance. The oil return line 306 may also include a check valve 309 so that only a flow of oil from the oil sump 168 in the lower section 118 of the housing to the oil-filled pinion box 216.
Referring again to
In certain embodiments, the urethane bumpers 178, 180 are configured for engaging and applying an upwardly-directed force to the lower end 134 of the rack 106 only when the lower end 134 of the rack 106 has moved beyond a normal lower position of the rack 106 during a pump stroke. Such an arrangement provides a safety cushion to safely bring the rack 106 and rod string 82 (shown in
In other embodiments of the invention, however, the urethane bumpers 178, 180 may be configured in such a manner that they engage and apply an upwardly-directed force to the lower end 134 of the rack 106 during a portion of each pump stroke 84 (shown in
In conventional single-motor downhole pumping systems, when seeking to increase the pumping capacity of the downhole pumping system, there are practical limits to how much one can increase the size of the motor. In single-motor systems, the torque from rotational movement of the motor generates a bending moment on the pump rod, rack, and well casing. As the size of the motor increases, the bending moment on the rack, well casing, and pump rod can cause premature wear of the rack, and in extreme cases failure of the rack. As will be explained below, embodiments of the present invention disclose a tandem motor arrangement which can reduce or eliminate the bending moment on the rack, well casing, and pump rod.
As in the embodiment described above, the first linear mechanical actuator system 214 has a first pinion 208 operatively connected through a first gearbox 210, which is driven by a first reversible electric motor 212. The second linear mechanical actuator system 215 has a second pinion 209 operatively connected through a second gearbox 211, which is driven by a second reversible electric motor 213. The first pinion 208 engages gears, in the form of a vertically-extending set of teeth 217, on the vertically-extending first rack 206, while the second pinion 209 engages gears, in the form of a similarly vertically-extending set of teeth 218, located on different sides of a vertically-extending second rack 207. The first and second racks 206, 207 may be constructed from a single piece of material, such as steel or a similar metal for example.
In
Each motor 212, 213 has a reversibly rotatable element operatively connected to the first and second pinions 208, 209 which, together, engage the first and racks 206, 207 to establish a fixed relationship between the rotational position of the first and second pinions 208, 209 and the vertical position of the first and second racks 206, 207 to impart vertical motion to the pump rod 252, which is connected to the downhole pump 68 (shown in
With the tandem motor arrangement shown in
As shown in
The electronic controller 205 operates the first and second motors 212, 213 in a driving mode to urge upward movement of the first and second racks 206, 207 and of the pump rod 252, and operates the first and second motors 212, 213 in a driving or braking mode during downward movement of the first and second racks 206, 207 on a downward portion of the stroke of the pump rod 252. In all forms of the invention, the first and second linear mechanical actuator systems 214, 215 include one or more substantially vertically movable members, such as the first and second racks 206, 207 attached to the pump rod 252 for imparting and controlling vertical motion of the rod string 82 and the sucker-rod pump 68.
In certain embodiments, the electronic controller 205 controls the first and second motors 212, 213 in such a way as to equalize the torque placed on the pump rod 252, for example, by synchronizing the rotatable elements of the first and second motors 212, 213. Specifically, the electronic controller 205 accomplishes this by controlling the rotational positions of the first and second pinions 208, 209 to synchronize the vertical motion imparted to the first and second racks 206, 207, respectively. In alternate embodiments, the electronic controller 205 uses a single connection to control the first and second motors 212, 213. The electronic controller 205 may be configured to control the first and second motors 212, 213 and the rotational positions of the first and second pinions 208, 209 via programming and the use of specially-designed algorithms, or via specialized and dedicated electronic hardware, or via a combination of the two.
When both motors 212, 213 are controlled by the same control signal in this fashion, the first and second motors 212, 213 may be substantially identical, in terms of generated torque, in order to equalize the torque, and thereby reduce or eliminate the net moment, placed on the pump rod 252. Using identical motors allows for a somewhat simplified operation of the tandem motor linear rod pumping system 200. When each motor 212, 213 is capable of producing the same amount of torque, the tandem motor arrangement will optimally produce twice that amount of torque. This arrangement typically prevents damage to the first and second racks 206, 207 and pump rod 252 from overload, because even if the performance of one motor starts to degrade relative to the other motor, the torque outputs of the two motors 212, 213 will be close enough that the net moment on the pump rod 252 and well casing 60 is not sufficient to cause any damage to the system. By reducing the net moment on the pump rod 252 and well casing 60, it may be possible to increase the length of a typical pump stroke 84 of the pumping system 200
In a certain embodiment, the first and second racks 206, 207 extend vertically along the pumping axis 120 such that the first and second racks 206, 207 are substantially parallel with the pumping axis 120. In the embodiments shown, the first rack 206 has the first set of vertically-adjacent teeth 217 along a side of the first rack 206, while the second rack 207 has the second set of vertically-adjacent teeth 218 along a side of the second rack 207 different from the side of the first rack 206. In some embodiments, the set of teeth 217 on the first rack 206 faces away from the set of teeth 218 on the second rack 207, such that the set of teeth 217 on the first rack 206 face a direction that is 180 degrees from the direction faced by the set of teeth 218 on the second rack 207, and where both sets of teeth 218, 218 face directions that are perpendicular to the pumping axis 120.
In a further embodiment, the first motor 212 of the first linear mechanical actuator system 214 is disposed on a first side of the pump rod 252, and the second motor 213 of the second linear mechanical actuator system 215 is disposed on a second side of the pump rod 252 opposite the first side.
In a particular embodiment, the first down-hole pump 68 includes a stationary valve 78, and a traveling valve 80. The traveling valve 80 is attached to a rod string 82 extending upward through the tubing 70 and exiting the well head 54 at the pump rod 52. Those having skill in the art will recognize that the first down-hole pumping apparatus 68, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, forms a traditional sucker-rod pump arrangement for lifting fluid from the bottom of the well 56 as the first pump rod 252 imparts reciprocal motion to first rod string 82, and the first rod string 82 in turn causes reciprocal motion of the traveling valve 80 through the pump stroke 84. In a typical hydrocarbon well, the rod string 82 may be several thousand feet long and the pump stroke 84 may be several feet long.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
This patent application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/283,934, filed Oct. 3, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/241,428, filed Oct. 14, 2015, the entire teachings and disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62241428 | Oct 2015 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15283934 | Oct 2016 | US |
| Child | 16230155 | US |
