Abstract: A mobile service rig for wells includes a hoist powered by an internal combustion engine. In response to the hoist exerting a predetermined lifting force, the lifting force is limited by automatically limiting or reducing the speed of the engine.

Abstract: A flood prevention system includes a double-latching solenoid valve that shuts off a water supply line in response to a moisture sensor detecting a leak in a plumbing system. The double-latching feature provides the solenoid's plunger with two positions of equilibrium. This minimizes electrical power consumption so that the flood prevention system can be battery operated. To minimize a buildup of hard water deposits, the valve includes a flexible diaphragm and is cycled periodically regardless of whether flooding occurs. The sensor includes multiple methods of mounting to a floor.

Abstract: A method monitors servicing operations of a vehicle capable for example of pumping various fluid treatments down into a well being serviced at a well site. The method records the vehicle's engine speed and the values of one or more service-related variables, such as pressure, temperature, flow rate, and pump strokes per minute. These variables are recorded as a function of the time of day in accordance with when they were sensed, and are associated with a well site identifier to form a data record. Global Positioning System data associated with the service vehicle assists in determining the well site identifier or can constitute the well site identifier. In some embodiments, the data record is communicated over a wireless communication link from a remote well site to a central office.

Abstract: A tongs monitor for monitoring the tightening of tubing, casings, and sucker rods of a well is selectively operable in a learning mode and a monitoring mode. A target tightness value is determined during the learning mode. Subsequent tightness values are then compared to the target value. For example, a first connection is tightened in a conventional manner, while its tightness is monitored during the learning mode. If the tightening process went well, then an operator pushes a button that tells the monitor to remember how tight the first connection was tightened. The tightness value of that first joint then becomes the target tightness value for any subsequent joints. As additional joints are tightened, their tightness are monitored and compared to the first one to ensure that all the joints are as good as the first one within an allowable tolerance.

Abstract: A well servicing system includes a computer-based system that monitors pumping or other service operations at a well site and monitors deliveries and withdrawals of chemicals at a bulk storage station. A GPS device or other location identifier provides a location value that identifies the location of the service vehicle. A GPS reading is triggered by actuation of the vehicle's parking brake, and the location value is recorded in association with a process-related transducer value. The transducer value is based on the service vehicle performing some type of service operation either at the well site or at the bulk storage station.

Abstract: A method monitors pumping operations of a vehicle that pumps various fluid treatments down into a well being serviced at a well site. The method records the vehicle's engine speed and the values of one or more fluid-related variables, such as pressure, temperature, flow rate, and pump strokes per minute. The values are recorded as a function of the time of day that the variables and engine speed were sensed. In some embodiments, the recorded values are communicated over a wireless communication link from a remote well site to a central office.

Abstract: A method monitors pumping operations of a vehicle that pumps various fluid treatments down into a well being serviced at a well site. The method records the vehicle's engine speed and the values of one or more fluid-related variables, such as pressure, temperature, flow rate, and pump strokes per minute. The values are recorded as a function of the time of day that the variables and engine speed were sensed. In some embodiments, the recorded values are communicated over a wireless communication link from a remote well site to a central office.

Abstract: A method that enables an owner or an operator of a well to manage workers that are performing various service operations at a remote well site. The method involves a wireless communication link that allows one computer at a home base location to communicate with a mobile computer associated with a service vehicle at the well site. Workers of several independent contractors enter employee data into the same mobile computer to indicate who is at the well site. Transducers associated with various service operations feed electrical signals into the computer along with a time stamp, which helps confirm that a worker is actually working at the well site. An owner or operator of the well can then access the information using the home base computer and the wireless communication link to help determine who is working at well site, what they are doing, and when they are doing it.

Abstract: A method of managing work orders that well companies issue to contractors working at remote well sites, involves a wireless communication link between two computers. Work orders specifying work to be done to a well are stored on a home base computer. Using the wireless communication link, the work orders are communicated to a mobile computer at the well site. This allows a contractor to refer to the work order while the work is being performed, and allows the contractor to immediately notify the well company when the job is done. The mobile computer can be transported between well sites by carrying the computer on a service vehicle, which the contractor uses in performing service operations specified in work orders. While the service vehicle is at a well site, other independent contractors can share the same computer, thus creating a central station for collecting and displaying work order related information.

Abstract: A method of managing invoices for goods services provided by several contractors working at a remote well site involves entering invoice data into a mobile computer at the well site and transmitting the data over a wireless communication link to a home base computer. In some forms of the invention, the invoice data is validated by transducer-generated data, which is produced by a transducer that senses a service operation (e.g., replacing sucker rods) being performed at the well site. Passwords prevent unauthorized use. Some information displayed on the computer at the well site reassures the contractors that the computers are communicating. The method is particularly useful when the contactors are independent contractors using different service vehicles in performing significantly different service operations.

Abstract: A method of monitoring service operations performed on a well involves creating, directly at the well site, a cohesive report of what work was done to the well and which of several contractors did the work. The report includes supporting data generated by one or more transducers. The transducers sense various conditions of a process or service operation, which is being performed by a contractor with the assistance of a special service vehicle. The report is computer generated and can be conveyed from a remote well site to a home base location using two computers communicating across a wireless communication link. The method is particularly useful when the work at the well involves several independent contractors using different service vehicles to perform different service operations.

Abstract: A method of managing well file records includes storing a well file on a first computer at a home base location and communicating the well file to a second computer at a remote well site. The well file serves as a blueprint that describes the well and its various components, and can be a valuable a reference tool for crews doing repair or service work on the well. When the work involves replacing or changing any of the well components, the crew can immediately update the well file using the computer at the well site. In some cases, part numbers and other information are scanned into the computer to minimize human error. Information between the two computers is accomplished by way of a wireless communication link and the Internet.

Abstract: A well servicing system includes a vehicle that travels to perform a service operation at several well sites while monitoring and recording data that reflects the performance of the operation at each site, and then associates that data with unique well site identifiers. The information is stored and secured against tampering to provide a reliable record of what work was done at each particular well site.

Abstract: Tongs for assembling sucker rods of oil wells include a switch that senses movement of the tong's backup wrench relative to the tong's housing. When screwing two sucker rods into a threaded coupling, an upper jaw of the tongs rotates an upper sucker rod relative to a lower sucker rod, while the backup wrench holds the lower rod relatively stationary. When the tongs apply a torque that indicates that the threaded connection is beyond hand tight (i.e., at the shoulder point), a torque reaction force kicks the backup wrench to a position that trips the switch. A control responsive to the switch and a rotation sensor monitors and/or controls the threaded connection's circumferential displacement past the shoulder point. By sensing the position of the backup wrench directly, the switch can consistently identify the shoulder point independent of the tong's. hydraulic pressure, thus avoiding oil viscosity related errors.

Abstract: A mobile service rig for servicing an oil well includes a variable speed engine and a multi-speed transmission that selectively powers a drive wheel for transport, a hoist for lifting and lowering well-related components, and a hydraulic circuit for a tong used in tightening and loosening sucker rods or tubing. A speed adjuster operatively coupled to the engine limits the speed of the engine when the tong is operating, while a flow restriction limits the rate of hydraulic fluid flowing through the tong. Such an arrangement reduces power consumption, reduces heat, and avoids over tightening a sucker rod connection.

Abstract: A self-contained mobile repair unit for repairing wells includes the hydraulic and pneumatic tooling required to do a variety of jobs including the installation and removal of an inner pipe string, sucker rods and a pump. The repair unit, hydraulic tooling and pneumatic tooling share a common engine and a common process monitor. Access to data gathered by the monitor is restricted at the job site itself. Instead, the data is transmitted to a remote home base for the purpose of monitoring operations form a central location.

Abstract: A self-contained mobile repair unit for repairing wells includes the hydraulic and pneumatic tooling required to do a variety of jobs including the installation and removal of an inner pipe string, sucker rods and a pump. The repair unit, hydraulic tooling and pneumatic tooling share a common engine and a common process monitor. Access to data gathered by the monitor is restricted at the job site itself. Instead, the data is transmitted to a remote home base for the purpose of monitoring operations form a central location.

Abstract: A sucker rod tool system for oil wells monitors both torque and angular displacement of a three-element sucker rod connection. The tool system engages two sucker rods that are at least partially screwed into opposite ends of a sucker rod coupling. The system, however, does not engage the coupling adjoining both rods. The system determines whether a connection has been properly tightened by sensing the torque and angular displacement of the connection as it is being tightened, and comparing the data to a stored reference set of data or curves. In some embodiments, a properly tightened connection is based upon the number of straight lines that are needed to adequately approximate a plotted curve of the sensed torque versus angular displacement. Tightness of each connection of a string of sucker rods is recorded with reference to each connection's depth within a well to later serve as an aide in diagnosing connection failures. In some cases, the energy required to unscrew a connection is also recorded.

Abstract: A sucker rod tool system for oil wells monitors both torque and angular displacement of a three-element sucker rod connection. The tool system engages two sucker rods that are at least partially screwed into opposite ends of a sucker rod coupling. The system, however, does not engage the coupling adjoining both rods. The system determines whether a connection has been properly tightened by sensing the torque and angular displacement of the connection as it is being tightened, and comparing the data to a stored reference set of data or curves. In some embodiments, a properly tightened connection is based upon the number of straight lines that are needed to adequately approximate a plotted curve of the sensed torque versus angular displacement. Tightness of each connection of a string of sucker rods is recorded with reference to each connection's depth within a well to later serve as an aide in diagnosing connection failures. In some cases, the energy required to unscrew a connection is also recorded.

Abstract: A sucker rod tool system for oil wells monitors both torque and angular displacement of a three-element sucker rod connection. The tool system engages two sucker rods that are at least partially screwed into opposite ends of a sucker rod coupling. The system, however, does not engage the coupling adjoining both rods. The system determines whether a connection has been properly tightened by sensing the torque and angular displacement of the connection as it is being tightened, and comparing the data to a stored reference set of data or curves. In some embodiments, a properly tightened connection is based upon the number of straight lines that are needed to adequately approximate a plotted curve of the sensed torque versus angular displacement. Tightness of each connection of a string of sucker rods is recorded with reference to each connection's depth within a well to later serve as an aide in diagnosing connection failures. In some cases, the energy required to unscrew a connection is also recorded.