Patents by Inventor Benson Thomas
Benson Thomas 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: 12637929Abstract: A variable frequency drive to drive an electric motor for a reciprocating pumping unit includes a rectifier, a filter, an inverter, and a capacitor bank. The rectifier converts AC power to DC power for filtering by the filter. The inverter converts the DC power to three-phase AC power for output to the electric motor. The capacitor bank has one or more capacitors connected to the DC bus. The capacitor bank can store regenerative power passed from the motor through the inverter and can supply the stored DC power to the DC bus to drive the electric motor. Control circuitry can control the speed of the electric motor provided by the variable frequency drive during strokes of the pumping unit. The control circuitry can pre-charge the capacitor bank from AC power. The control circuitry can detect any fault condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2024Date of Patent: May 26, 2026Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Benson Thomas, Mohammed S. Arefeen
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Publication number: 20260098459Abstract: A variable frequency drive to drive an electric motor for a reciprocating pumping unit includes a rectifier, a filter, an inverter, and a capacitor bank. The rectifier converts AC power to DC power for filtering by the filter. The inverter converts the DC power to three-phase AC power for output to the electric motor. The capacitor bank has one or more capacitors connected to the DC bus. The capacitor bank can store regenerative power passed from the motor through the inverter and can supply the stored DC power to the DC bus to drive the electric motor. Control circuitry can control the speed of the electric motor provided by the variable frequency drive during strokes of the pumping unit. The control circuitry can pre-charge the capacitor bank from AC power. The control circuitry can detect any fault condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2024Publication date: April 9, 2026Inventors: Benson Thomas, Mohammed S. Arefeen
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Patent number: 12429046Abstract: A long-stroke pumping unit includes a tower; a counterweight assembly movable along the tower; a crown mounted atop the tower; a sprocket supported by the crown and rotatable relative thereto; and a belt. The unit further includes a motor having a stator mounted to the crown and a rotor torsionally connected to the sprocket; and a sensor for detecting position of the counterweight assembly. The pumping unit may include a dynamic control system for controlling a speed of a motor.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2024Date of Patent: September 30, 2025Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Clark E. Robison, Jeffrey John Lembcke, Victoria M. Pons, William Kevin Hall, John Edward Stachowiak, Jr., Benson Thomas, Sean M. Christian, Bryan A. Paulet, Hermann Basler
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Publication number: 20250012268Abstract: A long-stroke pumping unit includes a tower; a counterweight assembly movable along the tower; a crown mounted atop the tower; a sprocket supported by the crown and rotatable relative thereto; and a belt. The unit further includes a motor having a stator mounted to the crown and a rotor torsionally connected to the sprocket; and a sensor for detecting position of the counterweight assembly. The pumping unit may include a dynamic control system for controlling a speed of a motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2024Publication date: January 9, 2025Inventors: Clark E. ROBISON, Jeffrey John LEMBCKE, Victoria M. PONS, William Kevin HALL, John Edward STACHOWIAK, JR., Benson THOMAS, Sean M. CHRISTIAN, Bryan A. PAULET, Hermann BASLER
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Patent number: 12116992Abstract: A long-stroke pumping unit includes a tower; a counterweight assembly movable along the tower; a crown mounted atop the tower; a sprocket supported by the crown and rotatable relative thereto; and a belt. The unit further includes a motor having a stator mounted to the crown and a rotor torsionally connected to the sprocket; and a sensor for detecting position of the counterweight assembly. The pumping unit may include a dynamic control system for controlling a speed of a motor.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2023Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Clark E. Robison, Jeffrey John Lembcke, Victoria M. Pons, William Kevin Hall, John Edward Stachowiak, Jr., Benson Thomas, Sean M. Christian, Bryan A Paulet, Hermann Basler
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Publication number: 20230407862Abstract: A long-stroke pumping unit includes a tower; a counterweight assembly movable along the tower; a crown mounted atop the tower; a sprocket supported by the crown and rotatable relative thereto; and a belt. The unit further includes a motor having a stator mounted to the crown and a rotor torsionally connected to the sprocket; and a sensor for detecting position of the counterweight assembly. The pumping unit may include a dynamic control system for controlling a speed of a motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Clark E. ROBISON, Jeffrey John LEMBCKE, Victoria M. PONS, William Kevin HALL, John Edward STACHOWIAK, JR., Benson THOMAS, Sean M. CHRISTIAN, Bryan A. PAULET, Hermann BASLER
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Patent number: 11781543Abstract: A long-stroke pumping unit includes a tower; a counterweight assembly movable along the tower; a crown mounted atop the tower; a sprocket supported by the crown and rotatable relative thereto; and a belt. The unit further includes a motor having a stator mounted to the crown and a rotor torsionally connected to the sprocket; and a sensor for detecting position of the counterweight assembly. The pumping unit may include a dynamic control system for controlling a speed of a motor.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Clark E. Robison, Jeffrey John Lembcke, Victoria M. Pons, William Kevin Hall, John Edward Stachowiak, Jr., Benson Thomas, Sean M. Christian, Bryan A. Paulet, Hermann Basler
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Publication number: 20230265844Abstract: A long-stroke pumping unit includes a tower; a counterweight assembly movable along the tower; a crown mounted atop the tower; a sprocket supported by the crown and rotatable relative thereto; and a belt. The unit further includes a motor having a stator mounted to the crown and a rotor torsionally connected to the sprocket; and a sensor for detecting position of the counterweight assembly. The pumping unit may include a dynamic control system for controlling a speed of a motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2020Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Clark E. ROBISON, Jeffrey John LEMBCKE, Victoria M. PONS, William Kevin HALL, John Edward STACHOWIAK, Jr., Benson THOMAS, Sean M. CHRISTIAN, Bryan A. PAULET, Hermann BASLER
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Patent number: 11187064Abstract: A well pumping system can include a rod rotator including a torque transfer device, an outer housing and a rotary actuator. The rotary actuator rotates the torque transfer device and a rod relative to the outer housing. The rod reciprocably displaces longitudinally relative to the outer housing. A method of rotating a rod string can include applying a torque from a torque transfer device to a rod connected to the rod string, the torque being maintained in the rod as the rod displaces relative to an outer housing. The torque transfer device is fully enclosed within the outer housing during the torque applying step. Another well pumping system can include a rod rotator with an outer housing connected between a stuffing box and a blowout preventer. The rod rotator rotates a rod string in a well.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Benson Thomas, Patricia L. Vines, Clark E. Robison
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Patent number: 11174856Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatus and methods for counterbalancing a pumping unit. One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for operation a pumping unit. The method includes measuring an orientation of a component and one or more parameters of the pumping unit while running the pumping unit, and determining an imbalance of the pumping unit according to the measured orientation and one or more parameters.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Clark E. Robison, Jeffrey John Lembcke, Ross E. Moffett, Bryan A. Paulet, Phillip Andrew Briggs, Brent Wesley Pickens, Benson Thomas, Robert McDonald
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Publication number: 20210340972Abstract: A hydraulic pumping system can include a hydraulic actuator with a magnet that displaces with a piston, and a sensor that continuously detects a position of the magnet. A ferromagnetic wall of the hydraulic actuator is positioned between the magnet and the sensor. A hydraulic pumping method can include incrementally lowering a lower stroke extent of a rod string reciprocation over multiple reciprocation cycles of the rod string, and automatically varying the lower stroke extent or an upper stroke extent of the rod string reciprocation, in response to a measured vibration. Another hydraulic pumping method can include solving a wave equation in the rod string, and automatically varying a reciprocation speed of the rod string in response to a change in work performed during reciprocation cycles of the hydraulic actuator or a change in detected force versus displacement in different reciprocation cycles of the hydraulic actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventors: Kenneth J. SCHMITT, Clark E. ROBISON, Robert G. MCDONALD, James S. TRAPANI, Benson THOMAS
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Patent number: 11098708Abstract: A hydraulic pumping system can include a hydraulic actuator with a magnet that displaces with a piston, and a sensor that continuously detects a position of the magnet. A ferromagnetic wall of the hydraulic actuator is positioned between the magnet and the sensor. A hydraulic pumping method can include incrementally lowering a lower stroke extent of a rod string reciprocation over multiple reciprocation cycles of the rod string, and automatically varying the lower stroke extent or an upper stroke extent of the rod string reciprocation, in response to a measured vibration. Another hydraulic pumping method can include solving a wave equation in the rod string, and automatically varying a reciprocation speed of the rod string in response to a change in work performed during reciprocation cycles of the hydraulic actuator or a change in detected force versus displacement in different reciprocation cycles of the hydraulic actuator.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2015Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Kenneth J. Schmitt, Clark E. Robison, Robert G. McDonald, James S. Trapani, Benson Thomas
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Publication number: 20210254616Abstract: A long-stroke pumping unit includes a tower; a counterweight assembly movable along the tower; a crown mounted atop the tower; a sprocket supported by the crown and rotatable relative thereto; and a belt. The unit further includes a motor having a stator mounted to the crown and a rotor torsionally connected to the sprocket; and a sensor for detecting position of the counterweight assembly. The pumping unit may include a dynamic control system for controlling a speed of a motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2020Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Clark E. ROBISON, Jeffrey John LEMBCKE, Victoria M. PONS, William Kevin HALL, John Edward STACHOWIAK, Jr., Benson THOMAS, Sean M. CHRISTIAN, Bryan A. PAULET, Hermann BASLER
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Patent number: 10962000Abstract: A long stroke pumping unit includes a tower and a counterweight assembly movable along the tower. A belt includes a first end connected to the counterweight assembly and a second end connectable to a rod string. A prime mover is used to reciprocate the counterweight assembly along the tower. A sensor detects the position of the counterweight assembly, and a load cell measures the force exerted on the rod string. A motor is provided to adjust an effective weight of the counterweight assembly during reciprocation thereof along the tower. A controller communicates data with the sensor and the load cell and controls the adjustment force exerted by the adjustment motor.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Clark E. Robison, Benson Thomas, Sean M. Christian
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Patent number: 10890175Abstract: This disclosure relates to a direct drive pumping unit having a reciprocator for reciprocating a sucker rod string and a sensor for detecting position of a polished rod. The reciprocator includes a tower for surrounding a wellhead. The polished rod is connectable to the sucker rod string and has an inner thread open to a top thereof and extends along at least most of a length thereof. A screw shaft extends into the polished rod and interacts with the inner thread. A motor is mounted to the tower, torsionally connected to the screw shaft, and operable to rotate the screw shaft relative to the polished rod.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2019Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Benson Thomas, Jeffrey John Lembcke, William Kevin Hall, Clark E. Robison, Sean M. Christian
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Patent number: 10844852Abstract: A long-stroke pumping unit includes a tower, a counterweight assembly movable along the tower, and a crown mounted atop the tower. A sprocket is supported by the crown and rotatable relative thereto. The counterweight is coupled to a belt. The pumping unit further includes a motor having a stator mounted to the crown and a rotor torsionally connected to the sprocket. A sensor is used to detect a position of the counterweight assembly. The pumping unit may include a dynamic control system for controlling a speed of a motor.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Clark E. Robison, Jeffrey John Lembcke, Victoria M. Pons, William Kevin Hall, John Edward Stachowiak, Jr., Benson Thomas, Sean M. Christian, Bryan A. Paulet, Hermann Basler
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Patent number: 10626690Abstract: A fill up tool includes a mandrel; a primary sealing member disposed around the mandrel; and a selectively operable secondary sealing member activated by rotation of the mandrel. In another embodiment, the selectively operable secondary sealing member is activated using hydraulic pressure.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Jimmy Duane Wiens, Yury P. Gutsu, Benson Thomas, Karsten Heidecke, Jim Hollingsworth, Doyle Fredric Boutwell, Jr., Rodney Stephens, Russell W. Thompson, Patrick James Zimmerman
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Patent number: 10465494Abstract: A system for controlling a set of tools for hydrocarbon recovery includes a remote controller and a device controller. The remote controller is communicatively coupled to the device controller. The device controller is generally configured to receive a command to operate one of the plurality of tools from the remote controller. Based on the command, the device controller generates one or more instructions executable by a controller associated with the one of the plurality of tools. The device controller transmits the one or more instructions to the one of the plurality of tools.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2015Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Klaus Krems, Michael Wiedecke, Martin Helms, Benson Thomas
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Patent number: 10400761Abstract: A long stroke pumping unit includes a tower, a counterweight assembly movable along the tower, a crown mounted atop the tower, and a drum supported by the crown and rotatable relative thereto. A belt has a first end connected to the counterweight assembly and a second end connectable to a rod string, and the belt extends over the drum. A linear electromagnetic motor is used to reciprocate the counterweight assembly along the tower. The linear electromagnetic motor includes a traveler mounted to an exterior of the counterweight assembly and a stator extending from a base of the tower to the crown and along a guide rail of the tower. The pumping unit further includes a sensor for detecting position of the counterweight assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Clark E. Robison, Benson Thomas, William Kevin Hall, Sean M. Christian
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Publication number: 20190234400Abstract: A direct drive pumping unit having a reciprocator for reciprocating a sucker rod string and a sensor for detecting position of a polished rod. The reciprocator having a tower for surrounding a wellhead; the polished rod connectable to the sucker rod string and having an inner thread open to a top thereof and extending along at least most of a length thereof; a screw shaft for extending into the polished rod and interacting with the inner thread; and a motor mounted to the tower, torsionally connected to the screw shaft, and operable to rotate the screw shaft relative to the polished rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Benson THOMAS, Jeffrey John LEMBCKE, William Kevin HALL, Clark E. ROBISON, Sean M. CHRISTIAN