Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and apparatus structured to pump material, where such material is difficult to pump. In an embodiment, an apparatus can include an injector device capable of self-injecting material into a high pressure line. The apparatus may include multiple valves to control recharge of material into the injector device and to control reinjection of the material into the high pressure line. In an embodiment at a well site, a portion of fluid being injected into a wellbore can be diverted from one or more high pressure pumps to an injector device, where the diverted portion of the fluid can be used to power the injector device to inject material from a mixing tank to add material to the wellbore in addition to the non-diverted portion of the fluid injected into the wellbore. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods can be implemented in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A system and method for the early detection of connecting rod bearing failures in pump power ends using temperature measurements is provided. The system may include a housing enclosing the pump power end, and a crankshaft, connecting rod, and crosshead all disposed within the housing, with the connecting rod coupled between the crankshaft and the crosshead. The system also includes a temperature sensor assembly at least partially disposed on the housing. The temperature sensor assembly is communicatively coupled to a controller located outside the housing, and the temperature sensor assembly is positioned such that the temperature sensor assembly detects a temperature of the connecting rod or the crosshead. A controller may read, store, and monitor temperature data received from the temperature sensor, and output an alert to an operator or shut down the pump upon detecting a temperature that exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and apparatus structured to pump material, where such material is difficult to pump. In an embodiment, an apparatus can include an injector device capable of self-injecting material into a high pressure line. The apparatus may include multiple valves to control recharge of material into the injector device and to control reinjection of the material into the high pressure line. In an embodiment at a well site, a portion of fluid being injected into a wellbore can be diverted from one or more high pressure pumps to an injector device, where the diverted portion of the fluid can be used to power the injector device to inject material from a mixing tank to add material to the wellbore in addition to the non-diverted portion of the fluid injected into the wellbore. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods can be implemented in a variety of applications.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, a system and method for using a central electric power generating system on a well stimulation location to drive the lower powered auxiliary systems on one or more mobile well stimulation equipment units is provided. The disclosed system may include an external electric power generating system for generating and outputting electric power, and a separate well stimulation equipment unit coupled to the external electric power generating system. The well stimulation equipment unit may include an on-board engine which provides motive energy to a high power component of the well stimulation equipment unit. The well stimulation equipment unit also includes a low power auxiliary system, which can be electrically coupled to the central electric power generating system. The central electric power generating system provides electric power for operating the low power auxiliary system.

Abstract: The speed of a pump may be controlled to reduce cavitation and to reduce flow and pressure fluctuation in the pumped fluid. A system for pumping a fluid may comprise a pump, a primary mover coupled to the pump, and a controller coupled to the primary mover wherein the controller is programmed to control the primary mover so as to optimize a characteristic of the system. Pumping a fluid may comprise providing a pumping apparatus that comprises a pump, a primary mover which actuates the pump, and a controller which sends commands to the primary mover. One or more characteristics of the pumping apparatus may be utilized to modify the speed of the pump.

Abstract: A system and method for the early detection of connecting rod bearing failures in pump power ends using temperature measurements is provided. The system may include a housing enclosing the pump power end, and a crankshaft, connecting rod, and crosshead all disposed within the housing, with the connecting rod coupled between the crankshaft and the crosshead. The system also includes a temperature sensor assembly at least partially disposed on the housing. The temperature sensor assembly is communicatively coupled to a controller located outside the housing, and the temperature sensor assembly is positioned such that the temperature sensor assembly detects a temperature of the connecting rod or the crosshead. A controller may read, store, and monitor temperature data received from the temperature sensor, and output an alert to an operator or shut down the pump upon detecting a temperature that exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, a system and method for using a central electric power generating system on a well stimulation location to drive the lower powered auxiliary systems on one or more mobile well stimulation equipment units is provided. The disclosed system may include an external electric power generating system for generating and outputting electric power, and a separate well stimulation equipment unit coupled to the external electric power generating system. The well stimulation equipment unit may include an on-board engine which provides motive energy to a high power component of the well stimulation equipment unit. The well stimulation equipment unit also includes a low power auxiliary system, which can be electrically coupled to the central electric power generating system. The central electric power generating system provides electric power for operating the low power auxiliary system.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump comprising a lubricant manifold comprising a first fluid pathway, a housing comprising a second fluid pathway in fluid communication with the first pathway, a crosshead slide within the housing and comprising a third fluid pathway in fluid communication with the second pathway; a crosshead configured to reciprocate within the crosshead slide, the crosshead comprising a fourth fluid pathway in fluid communication with the third pathway, the crosshead further comprising a wrist-pin having a fifth fluid pathway in fluid communication with the fourth pathway, a crankshaft within the housing, and a connecting rod disposed between the crosshead and the crankshaft and connected thereto, wherein the connecting rod comprises a sixth fluid pathway displaced from the connecting rod centerline and in fluid communication with the fifth pathway, and wherein the crankshaft end of the connecting rod comprises a seventh fluid pathway in fluid communication with the sixth pathway.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump comprising a lubricant manifold comprising a first fluid pathway, a housing comprising a second fluid pathway in fluid communication with the first pathway, a crosshead slide within the housing and comprising a third fluid pathway in fluid communication with the second pathway; a crosshead configured to reciprocate within the crosshead slide, the crosshead comprising a fourth fluid pathway in fluid communication with the third pathway, the crosshead further comprising a wrist-pin having a fifth fluid pathway in fluid communication with the fourth pathway, a crankshaft within the housing, and a connecting rod disposed between the crosshead and the crankshaft and connected thereto, wherein the connecting rod comprises a sixth fluid pathway displaced from the connecting rod centerline and in fluid communication with the fifth pathway, and wherein the crankshaft end of the connecting rod comprises a seventh fluid pathway in fluid communication with the sixth pathway.