Controller for oil wells using a heated probe sensor
US7044715B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF04B2205/11
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A controller for controlling the pump unit of an oil well includes a sensor having a first and second probe for placement in the flow of oil from the well bore. Each of the probes contains a heater. A constant power source is selectively connected to one of the heaters. Each of the probes also include a linear RTD at each of their tips respectively for generating a signal indicative of the temperature measured at each of the first and second probes. A control unit receives signals from the RTD's and determines a flow rate therefrom. A pump control signal is generated in response to the flow rate, wherein pump control signal continuously varies a predetermined parameter of a pumping unit during operation of the pumping unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.