Patents by Inventor Andrew J. Hilgers
Andrew J. Hilgers has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11221002Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2018Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Unico, LLCInventors: Andrew J. Hilgers, Michael A. MacDonald, Benjamin J. Gregory, Ronald G. Peterson
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Patent number: 10968904Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Unico, LLCInventors: Andrew J. Hilgers, Michael A. MacDonald, Benjamin J. Gregory, Ronald G. Peterson
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Publication number: 20190120217Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicant: Unico, Inc.Inventors: Andrew J. Hilgers, Michael A. MacDonald, Benjamin J. Gregory, Ronald G. Peterson
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Publication number: 20190120218Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicant: Unico, Inc.Inventors: Andrew J. Hilgers, Michael A. MacDonald, Benjamin J. Gregory, Ronald G. Peterson
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Patent number: 10197048Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Unico, LLCInventors: Andrew J. Hilgers, Michael A. Macdonald, Benjamin J. Gregory, Ronald G. Peterson
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Publication number: 20170107979Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Applicant: Unico, Inc.Inventors: Andrew J. Hilgers, Michael A. Macdonald, Benjamin J. Gregory, Ronald G. Peterson