Patents Assigned to Unico, Inc.
-
Publication number: 20110106452Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a fluid level and/or output flow during operation of a centrifugal pump, are provided, which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well, and include a vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives, from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters, an estimated value of fluid level and other pumping system parameters. Controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input, near an optimum level, or within a safe operating range and/or output flow from the pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2011Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: UNICO, INC.Inventors: Robb G. Anderson, Thomas L. Beck
-
Patent number: 7921689Abstract: An improved method and apparatus are provided for constructing and operating a linear actuator, and equipment incorporating a linear actuator, by operatively connecting a pressure biasing pneumatic arrangement between the driving member and the driven member of a mechanical linear actuator for applying a unidirectional biasing force between the driving and driven members, along an axis of motion, regardless of the location or movement of the driving and driven elements with respect to one another along the axis of motion. The pneumatic biasing arrangement is also configured, connected and operated to reduce the force which must be exerted by the driving and driven members in extending and retracting the linear actuator. The pneumatic biasing arrangement may further be configured for preferentially aiding extension or retraction of the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Unico, Inc.Inventors: Robb G. Anderson, James P. McCrickard, Thomas L. Beck
-
Patent number: 7869978Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a fluid level and/or output flow during operation of a centrifugal pump, are provided, which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well, and include a vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives, from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters, an estimated value of fluid level and other pumping system parameters. Controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input, near an optimum level, or within a safe operating range and/or output flow from the pump.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2010Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Unico, Inc.Inventors: Robb G. Anderson, Thmas L. Beck
-
Publication number: 20100269560Abstract: An improved method and apparatus are provided for constructing and operating a linear actuator, and equipment incorporating a linear actuator, by operatively connecting a pressure biasing pneumatic arrangement between the driving member and the driven member of a mechanical linear actuator for applying a unidirectional biasing force between the driving and driven members, along an axis of motion, regardless of the location or movement of the driving and driven elements with respect to one another along the axis of motion. The pneumatic biasing arrangement is also configured, connected and operated to reduce the force which must be exerted by the driving and driven members in extending and retracting the linear actuator. The pneumatic biasing arrangement may further be configured for preferentially aiding extension or retraction of the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: UNICO, INC.Inventors: Robb G. Anderson, James P. McCrickard, Thomas L. Beck
-
Publication number: 20100231146Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling the speed of a motor driving a load that is electrically connected to a generator driven by an engine, through use of a first control feedback loop configured to control the rotor flux of the motor by controlling the field excitation of the generator, and a second control feedback loop configured to control the speed of the motor by controlling the throttle position of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: UNICO, INC.Inventors: Thomas L. Beck, Michael D. Dry, Mark E. Garlow, Michael O. Lucas, Michael A. MacDonald, Ronald G. Peterson
-
Patent number: 7786691Abstract: Presented is a harmonic regulator that regulates a plurality of individual harmonics in a system having periodic torque disturbances to commanded values, including zero. For each harmonic being regulated, a feedback signal having at least one harmonic component due to the harmonic being regulated is transformed from a source reference frame to a harmonic reference frame of the harmonic being regulated to form a qd feedback signal. The qd feedback signal is subtracted from the commanded value to form a qd signal and regulated. The regulated qd signal is transformed to a destination reference frame to form a compensation signal and the compensation signal is added to a control signal to form a qd control signal that drives each harmonic being regulated towards the commanded value.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Unico, Inc.Inventors: Mark E. Garlow, William S. Hammel
-
Patent number: 7748308Abstract: An improved method and apparatus are provided for constructing and operating a linear actuator, and equipment incorporating a linear actuator, by operatively connecting a pressure biasing pneumatic arrangement between the driving member and the driven member of a mechanical linear actuator for applying a unidirectional biasing force between the driving and driven members, along an axis of motion, regardless of the location or movement of the driving and driven elements with respect to one another along the axis of motion. The pneumatic biasing arrangement is also configured, connected and operated to reduce the force which must be exerted by the driving and driven members in extending and retracting the linear actuator. The pneumatic biasing arrangement may further be configured for preferentially aiding extension or retraction of the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2006Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Unico, Inc.Inventors: Robb G. Anderson, James P. McCrickard, Thomas L. Beck
-
Publication number: 20100150737Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a fluid level and/or output flow during operation of a centrifugal pump, are provided, which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well, and include a vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives, from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters, an estimated value of fluid level and other pumping system parameters. Controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input, near an optimum level, or within a safe operating range and/or output flow from the pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2010Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: Unico, Inc.Inventors: Robb G. Anderson, Thomas L. Beck
-
Patent number: 7668694Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a fluid level and/or output flow during operation of a centrifugal pump, are provided, which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well, and include a vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives, from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters, an estimated value of fluid level and other pumping system parameters. Controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input, near an optimum level, or within a safe operating range and/or output flow from the pump.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Unico, Inc.Inventors: Robb G. Anderson, Thomas L. Beck
-
Patent number: 7645124Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for estimating and/or precluding stick-slip, or other oscillatory or resonant behavior, through use of a virtual transducer, which precludes the need for having sensors located adjacent to a driven element of the system, or adjacent contact surfaces at which the stick-slip relative motion may occur. Parameters measurable at a drive mechanism are utilized for controlling a system in a manner which precludes stick-slip, or other oscillatory or resonant behavior, of the driven element. Relative motion between contacting surfaces in the driven element, prone to stick-slip behavior, is controlled such that, after sufficient force is applied by the drive element to overcome static friction forces between the contacting surfaces and break them free from one another, relative motion between the surfaces is maintained at a high enough relative speed that the surfaces are precluded from statically contacting one another, so that stick-slip behavior is precluded.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2006Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Unico, Inc.Inventor: Mark E. Garlow
-
Publication number: 20090274551Abstract: An air distribution blower housing has an adjustable restriction in the interior of the blower housing. The adjustable restriction has the configuration of a rectangular plate. One edge of the plate is connected by a pivoting connection to an interior wall of the blower housing in the air flow path from the blower housing. The plate can be pivoted about the pivot connection through a plurality of adjusted angular positions of the plate in the air flow path. In each adjusted position of the plate, the length of the plate extends from the pivot connection in the air flow direction. A sliding connection is provided between the plate and at least one side wall of the blower housing. The sliding connection selectively holds the plate in its adjusted angular position and also provides a visual indication on the exterior of the blower housing of the adjusted angular position of the plate inside the blower housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: UNICO, INC.Inventor: Craig S. Messmer
-
Patent number: 7558699Abstract: A control system for the operation of a centrifugal pump which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well. The control system includes vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters an estimated value of a pumping system parameter and controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters to control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input near an optimum level.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2006Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Unico, Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. Beck, Robb G. Anderson, Steven J. Olson
-
Patent number: 7545113Abstract: Presented is a harmonic regulator that regulates a plurality of individual harmonics in a system having periodic torque disturbances to commanded values, including zero. For each harmonic being regulated, a feedback signal having at least one harmonic component due to the harmonic being regulated is transformed from a source reference frame to a harmonic reference frame of the harmonic being regulated to form a qd feedback signal. The qd feedback signal is subtracted from the commanded value to form a qd signal and regulated. The regulated qd signal is transformed to a destination reference frame to form a compensation signal and the compensation signal is added to a control signal to form a qd control signal that drives each harmonic being regulated towards the commanded value.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Unico, Inc.Inventors: Mark E. Garlow, William S. Hammel, David R. Seidl
-
Patent number: 7534096Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a progressing cavity pump to maintain the motor operating under power disturbance conditions. For a blackout condition, a backspin controller uses regenerative power to provide controlled deceleration of the pump, counteracting backspin and preventing backspinning freely. For a brownout condition, a power dip controller weakens the motor field to maximize pump production consistent with reduced input power availability. For a phase loss or voltage imbalance condition, a phase loss controller reduces motor power output to keep drive system output power at or below single phase capacity.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2005Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Unico, Inc.Inventor: Harry W. Schulz
-
Publication number: 20090097994Abstract: An improved apparatus and method are provided, for pumping fluids, such as water and/or hydrocarbons, from a subterranean formation or reservoir, through use of a cranked rod pumping (CRP) apparatus for imparting reciprocating substantially vertical motion to a rod of a sucker-rod pump having a pump stroke. The CRP apparatus includes a motor driven cranked mechanical actuator arrangement. The cranked mechanical actuator arrangement includes a substantially vertically moveable member attached to the rod of the sucker-rod pump for imparting and controlling vertical motion of the rod of the sucker-rod pump. The actuator arrangement may include pneumatic counterbalancing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: UNICO, INC.Inventors: Thomas L. Beck, Ronald G. Peterson, Michael A. MacDonald, Michael D. Dry
-
Patent number: 7437215Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a progressing cavity pump to maintain the motor operating under power disturbance conditions. For a blackout condition, a backspin controller uses regenerative power to provide controlled deceleration of the pump, counteracting backspin and preventing backspinning freely. For a brownout condition, a power dip controller weakens the motor field to maximize pump production consistent with reduced input power availability. For a phase loss or voltage imbalance condition, a phase loss controller reduces motor power output to keep drive system output power at or below single phase capacity.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2005Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Unico, Inc.Inventors: Robb G. Anderson, Mark E. Garlow, Harry W. Schulz
-
Publication number: 20080202125Abstract: A packaged small-duct, high-velocity air conditioning and heat pump apparatus has a compact construction that facilitates its incorporation into a building structure and its connection with a small-duct, high-velocity air distribution system. The compact construction of the apparatus is achieved by a novel arrangement of a refrigerant fluid compressor, a condenser coil, an evaporator coil, expansion valves, a reversing valve, a hot water coil, a condenser fan, an evaporator fan, and control systems for the condenser and evaporator in a single enclosure that can be easily mounted in a wall of a structure to provide heating and air conditioning to the interior of the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: UNICO, INC.Inventors: Craig S. Messmer, Henry Philip DeLima
-
Publication number: 20080180975Abstract: Presented is a harmonic regulator that regulates a plurality of individual harmonics in a system having periodic torque disturbances to commanded values, including zero. For each harmonic being regulated, a feedback signal having at least one harmonic component due to the harmonic being regulated is transformed from a source reference frame to a harmonic reference frame of the harmonic being regulated to form a qd feedback signal. The qd feedback signal is subtracted from the commanded value to form a qd signal and regulated. The regulated qd signal is transformed to a destination reference frame to form a compensation signal and the compensation signal is added to a control signal to form a qd control signal that drives each harmonic being regulated towards the commanded value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2006Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: UNICO, INC.Inventors: Mark E. Garlow, William S. Hammel, David R. Seidl
-
Publication number: 20080094020Abstract: Presented is a harmonic regulator that regulates a plurality of individual harmonics in a system having periodic torque disturbances to commanded values, including zero. For each harmonic being regulated, a feedback signal having at least one harmonic component due to the harmonic being regulated is transformed from a source reference frame to a harmonic reference frame of the harmonic being regulated to form a qd feedback signal. The qd feedback signal is subtracted from the commanded value to form a qd signal and regulated. The regulated qd signal is transformed to a destination reference frame to form a compensation signal and the compensation signal is added to a control signal to form a qd control signal that drives each harmonic being regulated towards the commanded value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2007Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: Unico, Inc.Inventors: Mark E. Garlow, William S. Hammel
-
Publication number: 20080078841Abstract: A fire stop apparatus for a small duct, high velocity air distribution system is assembled to a duct opening and includes a cylindrical support wall that supports a cylindrical band of intumescent material that expands and closes the duct opening when subjected to the heat of a fire.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Applicant: UNICO, INC.Inventors: Craig S. Messmer, Joshua J. Riley