Abstract: To detect the occurrence of slippage, a transmission health monitor integrates speed measurements for an engine shaft and a transmission shaft to determine a number of revolutions for each shaft. The monitor then uses a ratio of the revolutions adjusted for a transmission gear ratio to determine whether slippage has occurred. Based on the slippage, the monitor can determine a cumulative amount of wear on a clutch for each gear and track the rate of change of slippage over time to determine a rate at which wear is occurring. The monitor can also correlate slippage calculations with torque measurements to identify operating conditions at which slippage is occurring. The monitor uses the cumulative amount of slippage, the rate of change of slippage, and the operating conditions at which slippage is occurring to estimate a remaining lifespan for a clutch or indicate that a clutch should be repaired or replaced.

Abstract: An active accumulator system which automatically adjusts or adapts the charge pressure or volume of an accumulator to maintain an optimal charge pressure or volume of the accumulator may provide optimal operation of a pump. An active accumulator system may comprise a flow line coupled to a pump, wherein a fluid flows through the flow line to the pump, an accumulator coupled to the flow line, a transducer coupled to the pump, wherein the transducer detects a parameter of the pump at an inlet of the pump, and a controller coupled to the transducer and the accumulator, wherein the controller receives the parameter, and wherein the controller regulates air flow to the accumulator such that the accumulator is adjusted to an optimal charge pressure based at least in part on the parameter.

Abstract: One or more wellbore servicing operations may require the pulsed delivery of a wellbore servicing fluid. To optimize efficiency and effectives of a given wellbore servicing operation a concentrated proppant stimulation fluid may be pumped downhole at a predetermined time interval from dedicated pumping units or positive displacement pumps. The flow rate of proppant in the concentrated proppant stimulation fluid pumped from these dedicated pumps may simulate a square-wave. The desired or determined square-wave or output may be predetermined and any one or more dedicated pumps may be associated with a given time interval and pumping cycle or phasing such that the overall flow of proppant from all of the dedicated pumps simulates a square-wave. Clean fluid from one or more clean fluid pumps may be combined with the concentrated proppant stimulation fluid to maintain a target flow rate of fluid downhole.

Abstract: An active accumulator system which automatically adjusts or adapts the charge pressure or volume of an accumulator to maintain an optimal charge pressure or volume of the accumulator may provide optimal operation of a pump. An active accumulator system may comprise a flow line coupled to a pump, wherein a fluid flows through the flow line to the pump, an accumulator coupled to the flow line, a transducer coupled to the pump, wherein the transducer detects a parameter of the pump at an inlet of the pump, and a controller coupled to the transducer and the accumulator, wherein the controller receives the parameter, and wherein the controller regulates air flow to the accumulator such that the accumulator is adjusted to an optimal charge pressure based at least in part on the parameter.

Abstract: To detect the occurrence of slippage, a transmission health monitor integrates speed measurements for an engine shaft and a transmission shaft to determine a number of revolutions for each shaft. The monitor then uses a ratio of the revolutions adjusted for a transmission gear ratio to determine whether slippage has occurred. Based on the slippage, the monitor can determine a cumulative amount of wear on a clutch for each gear and track the rate of change of slippage over time to determine a rate at which wear is occurring. The monitor can also correlate slippage calculations with torque measurements to identify operating conditions at which slippage is occurring. The monitor uses the cumulative amount of slippage, the rate of change of slippage, and the operating conditions at which slippage is occurring to estimate a remaining lifespan for a clutch or indicate that a clutch should be repaired or replaced.

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 distributing electrical or other forms of power, fluids, data, fuel, and combinations thereof for performing hydraulic well stimulation treatments is provided. The disclosed distribution unit may include an arrangement of distribution lines (e.g., cables or fluid conduits) disposed within a body of the distribution unit for routing various resources between connection points used to connect the distribution unit to nearby stimulation equipment. The manifolded distribution unit provides convenient and efficient routing of power, fuel, data, and other items needed by equipment disposed about a well site.

Abstract: Provided is a plug valve. The plug valve, in one example, includes a valve body having inlet and outlet seal inserts disposed within a central chamber thereof, a plug member disposed, in the central chamber, and a bonnet disposed at least partially within the central chamber and removably coupled to the valve body. The plug valve, in this example, further includes one or more substantially axial compression members positioned between the bonnet and the inlet and outlet seal inserts.

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: One or more wellbore servicing operations may require the pulsed delivery of a wellbore servicing fluid. To optimize efficiency and effectives of a given wellbore servicing operation a concentrated proppant stimulation fluid may be pumped downhole at a predetermined time interval from dedicated pumping units or positive displacement pumps. The flow rate of proppant in the concentrated proppant stimulation fluid pumped from these dedicated pumps may simulate a square-wave. The desired or determined square-wave or output may be predetermined and any one or more dedicated pumps may be associated with a given time interval and pumping cycle or phasing such that the overall flow of proppant from all of the dedicated pumps simulates a square-wave. Clean fluid from one or more clean fluid pumps may be combined with the concentrated proppant stimulation fluid to maintain a target flow rate of fluid downhole.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, a system and method for distributing electrical or other forms of power, fluids, data, fuel, and combinations thereof for performing hydraulic well stimulation treatments is provided. The disclosed distribution unit may include an arrangement of distribution lines (e.g., cables or fluid conduits) disposed within a body of the distribution unit for routing various resources between connection points used to connect the distribution unit to nearby stimulation equipment. The manifolded distribution unit provides convenient and efficient routing of power, fuel, data, and other items needed by equipment disposed about a well site.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved coupling for cement heads. One exemplary cement head includes a first module comprising a first end, a first outer surface, and a plurality of first protrusions extending radially outward from the first outer surface, each of the plurality of first protrusions comprising a first profile in which (i) a first engagement surface faces axially away from the first end and (ii) a first support surface forms a first oblique angle relative to an axis; and a bridge configured to engage the plurality of first protrusions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved coupling for cement heads. One exemplary cement head includes a first module comprising a first end, a first outer surface, and a plurality of first protrusions extending radially outward from the first outer surface, each of the plurality of first protrusions comprising a first profile in which (i) a first engagement surface faces axially away from the first end and (ii) a first support surface forms a first oblique angle relative to an axis; and a bridge configured to engage the plurality of first protrusions.