Abstract: This invention provides a reciprocating pump system having means for determining the cylinder head pressure of at least one cylinder of each pump in the system. A control circuit continually determines the average cylinder head pressure, estimates the pump bearing life that has been consumed and the remaining pump bearing life from the pressure head information. The control circuit also controls the operation of the pumps as a function of cylinder head pressure. A temperature sensor coupled to the pump system provides temperature of the pump oil. The control circuit controls the operation of the pump as function of the pump oil temperature. The pump speed is decrease when the pump oil temperature exceeds a predetermined value. A vibration sensor coupled to the pump provides vibration level to the control circuit, which controls the pump operation in response thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drilling system for drilling a borehole. A motor continuously coupled to the drawworks may be utilized to raise and lower a drill stem to continuously control the weight on bit at a desired value. A second motor rotates the drill stem. A control circuit is coupled to both the motors and receives information from various sensors which includes information about the rate of penetration, weight on bit; hook load, and rotational speed of the drill bit. The control circuit controls the drawworks motor to control the drill stem motion in both directions. In one mode the a desired rate of penetration is maintained by controlling the weight on bit. In another mode, the control circuit causes the drilling to start at an initial rate of penetration and then it starts to vary the rate of penetration according to programmed instructions to optimize the drilling efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for pumping a fluid into a common pressure outlet. The system contains a plurality of reciprocating pumps. A separate sensor coupled to one cylinder of each pump provides an electrical signal each time the piston in that cylinder is at a predetermined position. A speed control circuit is provided to independently adjust the speed of each pump. Manual speed control for each pump is provided through a separate throttle for each pump. A pump control circuit coupled to each of the throttles, sensors and speed control circuit controls the operation of the system. An operator determines which of the pumps to operate by closing appropriate bypass switches provided at the pump control circuit, turns on the first (master) pump and adjusts its associated throttle to operate the pump at a desired speed. The operator then turns on each of the remaining (slave) pumps.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a motor used for rotating a drill stem is disclosed. Silicon control rectifier based system regulates the power to the motor. A control unit coupled to the SCR regulator and the motor monitors the motor input current, voltage and speed levels. If during operation the motor current exceeds a predetermined value and at the same time the motor voltage or speed falls below a predetermined value, the control unit activates an alarm condition and causes the SCR regulator to controllably ramp down the current supply to the motor and then reduces the motor speed reference.