Patents by Inventor Clark E. Robison

Clark E. Robison 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).

  • Patent number: 12116992
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20240017715
    Abstract: A motorized vehicle can include a ground-engaging wheel or propeller, an electric motor that rotates the wheel or propeller, an internal combustion engine, and a generator that produces electrical power in response to operation of the internal combustion engine. The motorized vehicle can include a controller that is configured to selectively supply the electrical power from the generator to a battery and/or the electric motor. A method of operating a motorized vehicle can include inputting journey data to a controller, the journey data including a journey distance and/or a journey destination, and the controller selecting a rotational speed of an internal combustion engine of the motorized vehicle based at least in part on the journey data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Clark E. ROBISON, Charles D. PARKER
  • Publication number: 20230407862
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 11781543
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20230311845
    Abstract: A motorized vehicle can include a ground-engaging wheel or propeller, an electric motor that rotates the wheel or propeller, an internal combustion engine, and a generator that produces electrical power in response to operation of the internal combustion engine. The motorized vehicle can include a controller that is configured to selectively supply the electrical power from the generator to a battery and/or the electric motor. A method of operating a motorized vehicle can include inputting journey data to a controller, the journey data including a journey distance and/or a journey destination, and the controller selecting a rotational speed of an internal combustion engine of the motorized vehicle based at least in part on the journey data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Clark E. ROBISON, Charles D. PARKER
  • Patent number: 11753789
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a pumping unit base and methods for operating with the pumping unit base. The pumping unit base may include a plurality of driven piles installed in the ground, and a metal platform fixedly attached to the plurality of driven piles, wherein the metal platform is positioned above the ground. The metal platform may be removed from the driven piles and reinstalled to the driven piles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon Lee Kadrmas, Clark E. Robison, Chuck Robert Bradley, Jordan Gerard Binstock, Travis Rice
  • Publication number: 20230265844
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 11512582
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a rod pumping unit for a wellbore are provided. One example method includes measuring vibration data in the time domain using at least one sensor coupled to a housing for a moving component of the rod pumping unit; converting the vibration data in the time domain to vibration data in the frequency domain; determining that: (1) at least one frequency component of the frequency-domain vibration data in a first frequency band has a power above a first threshold; or (2) a number of frequency components of the frequency-domain vibration data in a second frequency band having power above a second threshold is above a third threshold; and outputting an indication based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Behrouz S. Ebrahimi, Jeffrey John Lembcke, Clark E. Robison
  • Publication number: 20220195863
    Abstract: A sensor assembly can include a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a housing assembly containing the gyroscope and the accelerometer. An axis of the gyroscope can be collinear with an axis of the accelerometer. A method of inspecting a well pumping unit can include attaching a sensor assembly to the pumping unit, recording acceleration versus time data, and in response to an amplitude of the acceleration versus time data exceeding a predetermined threshold, transforming the data to acceleration versus frequency data. A method of balancing a well pumping unit can include comparing peaks of acceleration versus rotational orientation data to peaks of acceleration due to circular motion, and adjusting a position of a counterweight, thereby reducing a difference between the peaks of acceleration due to circular motion and the peaks of the acceleration versus rotational orientation data for subsequent operation of the pumping unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Clark E. ROBISON, Bryan A. PAULET
  • Patent number: 11339643
    Abstract: A sensor assembly can include a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a housing assembly containing the gyroscope and the accelerometer. An axis of the gyroscope can be collinear with an axis of the accelerometer. A method of inspecting a well pumping unit can include attaching a sensor assembly to the pumping unit, recording acceleration versus time data, and in response to an amplitude of the acceleration versus time data exceeding a predetermined threshold, transforming the data to acceleration versus frequency data. A method of balancing a well pumping unit can include comparing peaks of acceleration versus rotational orientation data to peaks of acceleration due to circular motion, and adjusting a position of a counterweight, thereby reducing a difference between the peaks of acceleration due to circular motion and the peaks of the acceleration versus rotational orientation data for subsequent operation of the pumping unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Clark E. Robison, Bryan A. Paulet
  • Publication number: 20220049596
    Abstract: A sensor assembly can include a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a housing assembly containing the gyroscope and the accelerometer. An axis of the gyroscope can be collinear with an axis of the accelerometer. A method of inspecting a well pumping unit can include attaching a sensor assembly to the pumping unit, recording acceleration versus time data, and in response to an amplitude of the acceleration versus time data exceeding a predetermined threshold, transforming the data to acceleration versus frequency data. A method of balancing a well pumping unit can include comparing peaks of acceleration versus rotational orientation data to peaks of acceleration due to circular motion, and adjusting a position of a counterweight, thereby reducing a difference between the peaks of acceleration due to circular motion and the peaks of the acceleration versus rotational orientation data for subsequent operation of the pumping unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Clark E. ROBISON, Bryan A. PAULET
  • Patent number: 11187064
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Benson Thomas, Patricia L. Vines, Clark E. Robison
  • Patent number: 11174856
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Clark E. Robison, Jeffrey John Lembcke, Ross E. Moffett, Bryan A. Paulet, Phillip Andrew Briggs, Brent Wesley Pickens, Benson Thomas, Robert McDonald
  • Publication number: 20210340972
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth J. SCHMITT, Clark E. ROBISON, Robert G. MCDONALD, James S. TRAPANI, Benson THOMAS
  • Patent number: 11098708
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Schmitt, Clark E. Robison, Robert G. McDonald, James S. Trapani, Benson Thomas
  • Publication number: 20210254616
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 11078766
    Abstract: An artificial lift system has a surface pump operated by a prime mover powered by a variable speed drive. A jet pump disposed downhole in tubing receives pressurized power fluid from the surface pump, mixes the power and production fluid and delivers the product uphole. A controller disposed at surface adjusts the artificial lift system relative to a set value based on a measured discharged pressure or a measured flowrate and trends a change in the other of the measured flowrate or the measured discharged pressure over time. The controller can also trend an operating condition (intake pressure vs. production rate) to determine changes relative to cavitation conditions. Based on the trended changes, the controller initiates an operation in the artificial lift system, such as adjusting the discharge pressure, initiating an alarm condition, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Knoeller, Clark E. Robison, Manish Agarwal, Bryan A. Paulet
  • Patent number: 11009022
    Abstract: A method of balancing a beam pumping unit can include securing counterweights to crank arms, thereby counterbalancing a torque applied at a crankshaft at a maximum torque factor position due to a polished rod load and any structural unbalance. A well system can include a beam pumping unit including a gear reducer having a crankshaft, crank arms connected to the crankshaft, a beam connected at one end to the crank arm and at an opposite end to a rod string polished rod, and counterweights secured to the crank arms, and in which a torque applied at the crankshaft at a maximum torque factor position due to weights of the crank arms, the counterweights and wrist pins equals a torque applied at the crankshaft at the maximum torque factor position due to a load applied to the beam via the polished rod and any structural unbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Clark E. Robison, Alexander D. King, Bryan A. Paulet, Behrouz Ebrahimi, Milo B. Woodward, Jeremy M. Gomes
  • Publication number: 20210131056
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a pumping unit base and methods for operating with the pumping unit base. The pumping unit base may include a plurality of driven piles installed in the ground, and a metal platform fixedly attached to the plurality of driven piles, wherein the metal platform is positioned above the ground. The metal platform may be removed from the driven piles and reinstalled to the driven piles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Brandon Lee KADRMAS, Clark E. ROBISON, Chuck Robert BRADLEY, Jordan Gerard BINSTOCK, Travis RICE
  • Patent number: 10962000
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Clark E. Robison, Benson Thomas, Sean M. Christian