Abstract: A fully programmable system for controlling the operation of one or more gas or oil production wells by controlling the intermittent operation of the wells in response to either programmed information or monitored and measured criteria related to the wells themselves. The system includes battery powered solid state circuitry comprising a keyboard, a programmable memory, a microprocessor, control circuitry, means for inputting measured parameters from a plurality of transducers and a liquid crystal display system for displaying information contained within the memory, or one of the measured parameters. In one embodiment, the system monitors pressure, flow, and other parameters of a plurality of wells drawing petroleum products from a common reservoir to control the intermittent operation of either gas injection to the well, outflow of fluids from the well, or shutting in of the well to maximize the overall output of the entire array of wells drawing from the common reservoir.

Abstract: An electro/hydraulic system for controlling remotely located valves or other types of hydraulically powered equipment. The electrical system uses multiple microprocessors to send, validate, and execute commands. Microprocessors at the central control station constantly communicate with and monitor similar microprocessors at remote locations. The validation of commands increases safety and reliability of the present invention as compared to direct electrical control systems. The electrical components of the present invention greatly decrease the lapse time between initiating a command at the central location and equipment response at the remote location. The system also monitors and displays temperature, pressure, and valve position.

Abstract: A fully programmable system for controlling the operation of one or more gas or oil production wells by controlling the intermittent operation of the wells in response to either programmed information or monitored and measured criteria related to the wells themselves. The system includes battery powered solid state circuitry comprising a keyboard, a programmable memory, a microprocessor, control circuitry, means for inputting measured parameters from a plurality of transducers and a liquid crystal display system for displaying information contained within the memory, or one of the measured parameters. In one embodiment, the system monitors pressure, flow, and other parameters of a plurality of wells drawing petroleum products from a common reservoir to control the intermittent operation of either gas injection to the well, outflow of fluids from the well, or shutting in of the well to maximize the overall output of the entire array of wells drawing from the common reservoir.

Abstract: An electronic recording device and multiple sensors for measuring various parameters at locations remote from the recording device. The multiple sensors can be joined together to comprise a downhole tool for measuring various parameters within a well bore and transmitting information concerning each parameter to the recording device via a single conductor electrical wireline. The embodiment disclosed within this patent measures the parameters of pressure, temperature, flow rate plus direction, and collar location. A wide variety of sensors can be included within the downhole tool to measure additional parameters as desired. This invention allows the multiple sensors to measure various parameters at any location remote from the recording device and to transmit information concerning each parameter to the recording device on single conductor electrical line as a composite signal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a temperature sensor which has a very rapid response to changes in fluid temperature. The configuration of the sensor is especially adapted for use in oil and gas wells to protect electrical components from mechanical damage. The electrical circuit provides a wide range of temperature readings with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: A programmable system for controlling the cyclic intermittent operation of a device, such as a flowing gas well. The system comprises battery powered, solid state circuitry including a programmable memory, an up/down counter and a liquid crystal display for the contents of either the memory or the counter. Programming and control information is introduced into the system through a plurality of touch actuated membrane switches under control of logic circuitry. The memory is first programmed with the desired "on" time and "off" time with which the controlled device is to be cyclicly operated. Once started, the system loads the time for the selected starting condition into the counter, establishes that condition in the device and begins counting down toward zero. When zero is reached, the opposite condition is established in the device, and the time for the duration of that condition is loaded from the memory into the counter which begins the down counting cycle again.

Abstract: A safety device for sensing and monitoring pressure in oil or gas wellheads, flow lines, manifolds, pipelines, and the like, as well as other pressure vessels or apparatus requiring pressure sensing and monitoring, includes a pilot device having a transducer in operative communication with the source of pressure to be sensed or monitored; the transducer producing an electrical signal proportional to the magnitude of the pressure sensed. The pilot device further includes an electronic circuit which is adjustable to provide predetermined upper and lower values representing a range of magnitudes of pressure. The electronic circuit includes a memory circuit which permits the pilot device to indicate that an out-of-range pressure has been or is being sensed. The safety device also includes a means for visibly indicating the present value of pressure being sensed as well as out-of-range pressure conditions that may have occurred previously.

Abstract: A down-hole temperature, pressure and time measuring and digital data storage tool, utilizing self-contained microprocessor-based data taking and data reduction, with power conservation realized by processor controlled powering of data transducers only during sample periods and control of the rate at which samples are taken as an inverse function of dynamically calculated data rate of change. Data storage is effected only for data samples representing a significant change in data magnitude as established by a processor program-defined significant-data criteria.

Abstract: An instrument for recordation and time monitoring of pressure, as at a remote wellhead site. The instrument is battery powered, and means for conservation of battery power include powering the device intermittently under control of low power-drain CMOS clock timing circuits. Relatively higher power-drain calibration and display modes are continuously powered only on operator demand. In any operating mode, only those elements necessary to effect the mode are powered, either on an intermittent or continuous basis, as appropriate to realize the mode objective.

Abstract: A .[.down-hole.]. temperature, pressure and time measuring and digital data storage tool, utilizing self-contained microprocessor-based data taking and data reduction, with power conservation realized by processor controlled powering of data transducers only during sample periods and control of the rate at which samples are taken as an inverse function of dynamically calculated data rate of change. Data storage is effected only for data samples representing a significant change in data magnitude as established by a processor program-defined significant-data criteria.