Abstract: Complete protection of a three-phase submersible pump motor, such as the type used downhole in an oil well, is obtained with a solid state digital logic control system that monitors each of the three phase currents and shuts the pump motor down if any of those phase currents indicates either an underload or overload condition. Time delays are introduced before shutdown to avoid undesired nuisance shutdowns otherwise caused by transient or momentary conditions. When the pump motor is de-energized in response to an underload condition, it is automatically restarted after a predetermined time delay. All of the delay functions are precisely determined by division of the power line frequency. Downhole pressure and temperature are also sensed and if they become excessive the motor is automatically de-energized to prevent overheating. The presence of an auxiliary physical condition, such as filling up a retaining tank, also causes the pump motor to be turned off.

Abstract: Overload protection of a three-phase submersible pump motor, such as the type used downhole in an oil well, is obtained with a solid state digital logic control system that monitors each of the three phase currents and shuts the pump motor down if any of those phase currents indicates an overload condition. A time delay is introduced before shutdown to avoid undesired nuisance shutdowns otherwise caused by transient or momentary conditions. The shutdown time delay is variable and is inversely proportional to the amount of overload in order that greater overloads result in faster shutdowns.

Abstract: The phase sequence of the phase currents supplied by a three-phase AC power supply to a phase-sensitive load (such as a three-phase AC motor) is monitored by developing three phase-displaced, rectangular shaped logic signals, respectively representing the three phase currents, and applying these logic signals to respective ones of the J, C and K inputs of a J-K flip-flop. When the load is correctly connected to the power supply, the phase relationship of the three logic signals will be appropriate to trigger the flip-flop to its set operating state. Any other sequence actuates the flip-flop to its reset state which, in turn, disconnects the load from the power supply.