Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An oil pumping system to carry oil from an oil sump in a pump housing to an internal oil reservoir in another portion of the pump housing. A top plate is attached to a pump rod and moves in accordance with a reciprocating motion of the pump rod. A bottom plate is below the top plate. A pump mechanism, disposed between the top plate and bottom plate, includes a valve seat that contacts the bottom plate, and an upper portion that contacts the top plate. A first biasing element is configured to urge the valve seat upward away from the bottom plate. A second biasing element is configured to urge the plunger upward away from the valve seat. Upward movement of the pump rod allows oil to flow into the pump mechanism. Downward movement of the pump rod causes the bottom of the valve seat to seal against the bottom plate.

Abstract: A method of operating an electric induction motor with a variable-speed drive includes determining a voltage level on a DC bus for the drive, and measuring a first magnitude of magnetic flux from a stator of the normally-operating electric motor, determining a normal flux level. The method includes disabling a first output to the drive when the DC bus voltage is less than a first threshold level. The method includes measuring a magnetic flux feedback signal having a phase and second magnitude, estimating a speed of the electric motor, and configuring a second output signal for the drive when the DC bus voltage is greater than a second threshold level. The second output signal matches a signal from the second magnitude and a phase of magnetic flux. The method includes enabling the drive output to restart the electric motor when the magnetic flux is greater than a third threshold value.

Abstract: A method to dislodge debris from a pump system in which the pump system includes a down-hole pump coupled by a rod string to an above-ground pump actuator, which is coupled to a controller configured to operate the pump system. The method also includes determining that the pump system should begin operating in a pump clean mode, and implementing the pump clean mode configured in the controller. The method also includes impressing a preset vibration frequency during a portion of a pump stroke of at least one pump cycle. Further, the method calls for determining that the pump clean mode is complete, and returning the pump system to a normal operation mode.

Abstract: A method to dislodge debris from a pump system in which the pump system includes a down-hole pump coupled by a rod string to an above-ground pump actuator, which is coupled to a controller configured to operate the pump system, and where the actuator has an adjustable stroke length. The method also includes determining that the pump system should begin operating in a pump clean mode, implementing the pump clean mode configured in the controller, and cycling the pump actuator at a preset command speed using a preset starting stroke length, preset acceleration rate and a preset deceleration rate. The method also includes continuing to cycle the pump actuator while incrementally decreasing the stroke length by a preset stroke length increment resulting in increased pump cycling frequencies. Further, the method calls for determining that the pump clean mode is complete, and returning the pump system to a normal operation mode.

Abstract: 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 disposed in a single housing. These linear mechanical actuator systems impart and control vertical motion of the pump rod. Each linear mechanical actuator system includes a rack and pinion gearing arrangement. Each rack is operatively connected with two pinions. Each pinion is operatively connected to a motor. Rotation of the two motors in a first direction results in an upward motion of the rack and connected sucker rod pump. Rotation of the two motors in a second direction, opposite the first direction, results in a downward motion of the rack and sucker rod pump. The tandem motor linear rod pumping apparatus includes at least one electronic controller to control the operation of the two motors.

Abstract: A method to dislodge debris from a pump system in which the pump system includes a down-hole pump coupled by a rod string to an above-ground pump actuator, which is coupled to a controller configured to operate the pump system. The method also includes determining that the pump system should begin operating in a pump clean mode, and implementing the pump clean mode configured in the controller. The method also includes impressing a preset vibration frequency during a portion of a pump stroke of at least one pump cycle. Further, the method calls for determining that the pump clean mode is complete, and returning the pump system to a normal operation mode.

Abstract: There is provided a system for producing oil from a well bore extending through a fossil fuel reservoir. The system includes a plurality of perforations defined in the casing proximate the fossil fuel reservoir. A gas flow tube is in communication with the annulus volume of the casing proximate the wellhead. A gas valve is coupled to the gas flow tube, with the gas valve configured to selectively open and close the gas flow tube. A controller, is coupled to the gas valve, with the controller configured to control the opening and closing of the gas valve. The opening and closing of the gas valve maximizes the volumetric rate of oil flow into the annulus volume through the perforations from the reservoir by displacing liquid in the annulus volume with a gas volume between the gas valve and the perforations.

Abstract: A dual completion linear rod pumping apparatus for imparting reciprocating vertical motion to a pair of rods for respective sucker-rod pumps. The dual completion linear rod pumping apparatus includes first and second linear mechanical actuator systems disposed in a single housing. These linear mechanical actuator systems impart and control vertical motion of the pair of rods. Each linear mechanical actuator system includes a rack and pinion gearing arrangement. The rack is operatively connected in a gear-mesh relationship with the pinion. The pinion is operatively connected to a rotating output of a motor. Rotation of the motor in a first direction results in an upward motion of the rack and connected sucker rod pump. Rotation of the motor in a second direction opposite the first direction results in a downward motion of the rack and connected sucker rod pump. An electronic controller is operatively connected to the motor.

Abstract: A dual component density sampler determines at least one of a density of water and a density of oil in a mixture of oil and water extracted from an oil well during production. A three-way valve is coupled to the oil well, with the three-way valve having a first output port and second output port. A dual-in-single-out manifold is coupled to the first output port. A segregation tank separates the water and oil, and has an entrance tank and exit tank. An entrance of the entrance tank is coupled to the second output port, and an exit of the entrance tank is coupled to an entrance end of the exit tank. An exit end of the exit tank is coupled to the dual-in-single-out manifold. A coriolis meter is coupled to the dual-in-single-out manifold, and is configured to selectively measure a density of the fluid mixture, the oil, and the water.

Abstract: A dual component density sampler determines at least one of a density of water and a density of oil in a mixture of oil and water extracted from an oil well during production. A three-way valve is coupled to the oil well, with the three-way valve having a first output port and second output port. A dual-in-single-out manifold is coupled to the first output port. A segregation tank separates the water and oil, and has an entrance tank and exit tank. An entrance of the entrance tank is coupled to the second output port, and an exit of the entrance tank is coupled to an entrance end of the exit tank. An exit end of the exit tank is coupled to the dual-in-single-out manifold. A coriolis meter is coupled to the dual-in-single-out manifold, and is configured to selectively measure a density of the fluid mixture, the oil, and the water.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system to determine the position of a sucker rod pumping system without a position sensing device during production pumping. A pump control system of the sucker rod pumping system includes a controller coupled to a database, with the controller configured to access an rxless torque value in the database. With the stored rxless torque value representative of toggle points of the crank arm during an initial calibration pumping cycle, the controller further is configured to continuously sample the rxless torque value of the system and determine the crank arm position in relation to the sample rxless torque value. The controller adjusts the pumping system for optimal operations, without a crank arm position sensor during production pumping by identifying a toggle point and setting the crank arm position estimate equal to the value corresponding to the crank position at the identified toggle point.

Abstract: A method to dislodge debris from a pump system in which the pump system includes a down-hole pump coupled by a rod string to an above-ground pump actuator, which is coupled to a controller configured to operate the pump system, and where the actuator has an adjustable stroke length. The method also includes determining that the pump system should begin operating in a pump clean mode, implementing the pump clean mode configured in the controller, and cycling the pump actuator at a preset command speed using a preset starting stroke length, preset acceleration rate and a preset deceleration rate. The method also includes continuing to cycle the pump actuator while incrementally decreasing the stroke length by a preset stroke length increment resulting in increased pump cycling frequencies. Further, the method calls for determining that the pump clean mode is complete, and returning the pump system to a normal operation mode.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method to reduce total harmonic distortion input into a 24-pulse autotransformer system and the autotransformer system itself. The 24-pulse autotransformer system is configured to receive an input of a first voltage and produce an output voltage of a second voltage. The system includes a pair of autotransformers coupled to an AC power source. One winding of each phase of the first autotransformer has a turn ratio to effect a decrease in the voltage across said winding over a symmetric voltage value and a second winding of each phase of the first autotransformer has a turn ratio to effect a decrease in the voltage across said winding over a symmetric voltage value, thereby reducing total harmonic distortion (THD) in the input current to the system without a zero sequence blocking transformer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a pumping system includes the following: determining a motor operating parameter of a motor configured to drive a pump in a well; determining a pump operating parameter of the pump based on the motor operating parameter; operating the pump in a first mode to determine pump characteristics at a desired fluid level; generating first mode output data based on operation of the pump in the first mode; operating the pump in a second mode based on the first mode output data; determining an estimated fluid level in the well based on the motor operating parameter, the pump operating parameter and the first mode output data; and adjusting the pump speed based on the estimated fluid level in order to maintain a desired fluid level.

Abstract: A system. The system is a modular multilevel converter system and includes a plurality of series connected two-terminal modular multilevel converter subsystems. The subsystems are magnetically coupled to an AC current source power supply.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method to reduce total harmonic distortion input into a 24-pulse autotransformer system and the autotransformer system itself. The 24-pulse autotransformer system is configured to receive an input of a first voltage and produce an output voltage of a second voltage. The system includes a pair of autotransformers coupled to an AC power source. One winding of each phase of the first autotransformer has a turn ratio to effect a decrease in the voltage across said winding over a symmetric voltage value and a second winding of each phase of the first autotransformer has a turn ratio to effect a decrease in the voltage across said winding over a symmetric voltage value, thereby reducing total harmonic distortion (THD) in the input current to the system without a zero sequence blocking transformer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pumping fluids with a winched rod pumping apparatus for imparting reciprocating substantially vertical motion to a rod of a sucker-rod pump. A winched rod pumping apparatus, includes a motor driven winch drum and cable mechanical actuator arrangement. The winch drum and cable mechanical actuator arrangement includes a substantially vertically moveable member attached to the rod of the sucker-rod pump. The vertical moveable member is coupled to one end of the cable and the other end of the cable is coupled to the winch drum. The winch drum is configured to rotate in one direction to index the rod in a vertical up direction and to index the rod in a vertical down direction, with the winch drum completing at least one full rotation and the rod completing one cycle. The rod cycle is in relation to a pumping cycle for the down hole pump.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method are disclosed, 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.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling operation of an electric motor through use of an additional power storage arrangement connected across the DC busses of a motor drive and controlling the speed of the motor. The additional power storage arrangement includes an additional capacitor arrangement and a rate limiting arrangement in a series circuit relationship with one another.