Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring rotation and position of a rod-string in a pumpjack by monitoring RF signal characteristics of wireless transmissions. A wireless device, such as a wireless load cell, is positioned to move relative to a stationary receiver during pumpjack operation. As the wireless device moves (through rotation above a rod rotator and/or linear motion during pumping strokes), RF signal characteristics vary predictably. Monitored characteristics may include signal strength, link quality, attenuation, RSSI, SNR, bit error rate, packet error rate, packet loss rate, communication interruption rate, and other RF parameters. The rod-string acts as an RF obstruction, creating periodic variations when the wireless device rotates. Rotational status, rate, and direction are determined from variation patterns. Position within the stroke cycle may also be determined. Rotator failure is detected through absence of expected variation patterns.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a rotation monitoring sensing device to a rod lift system. The apparatus comprises an enclosure housing a rotation sensor and accompanying electronic processor. The sensing device optionally further comprises a radio transmitter or a wired connection. In some configurations, sensing device may further include a battery and is contained by the housing/enclosure. The sensing device housing resides on or near the rod string of the rod lift system and is configured to minimize height and lateral distance from the rod string. Additionally, an optionally placed magnet may be included in conjunction with the sensing device for installations in which the inherent magnetic field of the rod lift system is not sufficiently detectable. The enclosure may, in this case, contain only a magnet and is configured to hold the magnet safely on the rod lift system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring position and magnitude of downhole mechanical friction. The apparatus comprises sensors that reside along, or in-line with, a section of equipment that is installed or removed from a wellbore. The sensing device is configured to measure friction relative to the wellbore during a work-over or other well intervention procedures where said section of equipment (tubing, rods, cable/wireline, etc.) is installed in, or removed from, the wellbore. Recorded measurements are processed to correct for dynamic forces to provide a measure of friction through the wellbore. Additionally, a method for applying the map of wellbore friction to the design and analysis of a rod actuated pump is presented. The method and apparatus presented herein pertain specifically to the handling of continuous rod, continuous tubing, or wireline/cable passing through the wellbore as measured at surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a rotation monitoring sensing device to a rod lift system. The apparatus comprises an enclosure housing a rotation sensor and accompanying electronic processor. The sensing device optionally further comprises a radio transmitter or a wired connection. In some configurations, sensing device may further include a battery and is contained by the housing/enclosure. The sensing device housing resides on or near the rod string of the rod lift system and is configured to minimize height and lateral distance from said rod string. The size and type of material for the housing are disclosed, as well as a range of general shapes in which the housing may take to optimize the placement of the sensing device on the rod lift system. Additionally, an optionally placed magnet may be included in conjunction with the sensing device for installations in which the inherent magnetic field of the rod lift system is not sufficiently detectable.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring rod rotation in a rod lift system. The apparatus comprises one or more sensors that reside on the rod string of the rod lift system. The sensor is configured via a processor to generate a signal indicative of radial position of the sensor relative to an external frame of reference. The signal may be sent to a wireless I/O module, with the signals being indicative of at least partial rotation or, alternatively, a lack of rotation, of the rod-string. The processor is configured to generate an alarm if an absence of rod rotation is detected while the rod lift system is running and transmit this signal to the nearby wireless I/O module. A method for monitoring a reciprocating rod lift system is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring rod rotation in a rod lift system. The apparatus comprises one or more sensors that reside on the rod string of the rod lift system. The sensor is configured via a processor to generate a signal indicative of radial position of the sensor relative to an external frame of reference. The signal may be sent to a wireless I/O module, with the signals being indicative of at least partial rotation or, alternatively, a lack of rotation, of the rod-string. The processor is configured to generate an alarm if an absence of rod rotation is detected while the rod lift system is running and transmit this signal to the nearby wireless I/O module. A method for monitoring a reciprocating rod lift system is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring position and magnitude of downhole mechanical friction. The apparatus comprises sensors that reside along, or in-line with, a section of equipment that is installed or removed from a wellbore. The sensing device is configured to measure friction relative to the wellbore during a work-over or other well intervention procedures where said section of equipment (tubing, rods, cable/wireline, etc.) is installed in, or removed from, the wellbore. Recorded measurements are processed to correct for dynamic forces to provide a measure of friction through the wellbore. Additionally, a method for applying the map of wellbore friction to the design and analysis of a rod actuated pump is presented. The method and apparatus presented herein pertain specifically to the handling of continuous rod, continuous tubing, or wireline/cable passing through the wellbore as measured at surface.

Abstract: A properly calibrated load-cell is critical for the safe operation of a rod-pumping system. Load readings are utilized for shutdown thresholds, and incorrect measurements can cause those safe load limits to be exceeded. Correct surface load, combined with position measurement, is also important for the diagnosis of the complete pumping system. The diagnostic method for calculating down-hole conditions presents an interesting opportunity to validate surface load measurements, even from the incorrect load measurements themselves. The calculated down-hole dynamometer card will be transposed on a distinct diagonal with respect to both load and position, if the input surface load measurements are incorrect. A load offset can then be identified from this shifting and the surface load measurements can be corrected.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring position and magnitude of downhole mechanical friction. The apparatus comprises sensors that reside along, or in-line with, a section of equipment that is installed or removed from a wellbore. The sensing device is configured measure relative to the wellbore during a work-over or other well intervention procedures where said section of equipment (tubing, rods, drill pipe, etc.) is installed in, or removed from, the wellbore. Recorded measurements are then processed to correct for dynamic forces to provide a measure of friction through the portions of the wellbore where said equipment travels. The sensing can be done near the source of friction, or at some distance through a mechanical connection. A method for determining depth and magnitude of downhole friction is also provided. Additionally, a method for applying the map of wellbore friction to the design and analysis of a rod actuated pump is presented.

Abstract: A properly calibrated load-cell is critical for the safe operation of a rod-pumping system. Load readings are utilized for shutdown thresholds, and incorrect measurements can cause those safe load limits to be exceeded. Correct surface load, combined with position measurement, is also important for the diagnosis of the complete pumping system. The diagnostic method for calculating down-hole conditions presents an interesting opportunity to validate surface load measurements, even from the incorrect load measurements themselves. The calculated down-hole dynamometer card will be transposed on a distinct diagonal with respect to both load and position, if the input surface load measurements are incorrect. A load offset can then be identified from this shifting and the surface load measurements can be corrected.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring position and magnitude of downhole mechanical friction. The apparatus comprises sensors that reside along, or in-line with, a section of equipment that is installed or removed from a wellbore. The sensing device is configured measure relative to the wellbore during a work-over or other well intervention procedures where said section of equipment (tubing, rods, drill pipe, etc.) is installed in, or removed from, the wellbore. Recorded measurements are then processed to correct for dynamic forces to provide a measure of friction through the portions of the wellbore where said equipment travels. The sensing can be done near the source of friction, or at some distance through a mechanical connection. A method for determining depth and magnitude of downhole friction is also provided. Additionally, a method for applying the map of wellbore friction to the design and analysis of a rod actuated pump is presented.

Abstract: A hydraulic oil well pumping system is provided. The system uses a pump to exert hydraulic pressure against a reciprocating piston over a wellbore. The piston is connected to a rod string and downhole pump for pumping oil from a wellbore. The system includes an electronic control system that controls movement of the piston as it moves between the upper and lower rod positions by cycling the hydraulic system between (i) an “upstroke” condition wherein the pump is pumping oil through the oil line into the hydraulic cylinder to move the piston to its upper rod position, and (ii) a “neutral” condition wherein the pump is no longer pumping oil into the hydraulic cylinder, but is allowing oil to flow back through the oil line in response to gravitational fall of the piston. The control system is programmed to cycle based upon a volumetric calculation of hydraulic oil in the cylinder without reference to position sensors along the wellhead.

Abstract: A hydraulic oil well pumping system is provided. The system uses a pump to exert hydraulic pressure against a reciprocating piston over a wellbore. The piston is connected to a rod string and downhole pump for pumping oil from a wellbore. The system includes an electronic control system that controls movement of the piston as it moves between the upper and lower rod positions by cycling the hydraulic system between (i) an “upstroke” condition wherein the pump is pumping oil through the oil line into the hydraulic cylinder to move the piston to its upper rod position, and (ii) a “neutral” condition wherein the pump is no longer pumping oil into the hydraulic cylinder, but is allowing oil to flow back through the oil line in response to gravitational fall of the piston. The control system is programmed to cycle based upon a volumetric calculation of hydraulic oil in the cylinder without reference to position sensors along the wellhead.

Abstract: Unauthorized code may be stored as data in a data volume of a firmware volume. To prevent or block execution of the unauthorized code, the firmware file system (FFS) file that includes the unauthorized code may be tagged, marked or deleted according to a system bios policy. These corrupted FFS files are thus blocked from execution during initialization or a boot process of a basic input/output system (BIOS) firmware as they are not published or enumerated to an execution list of the BIOS firmware.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring rod rotation in a rod lift system. The apparatus comprises one or more sensors that reside on the rod string of the rod lift system. The sensor is configured via a processor to generate a signal indicative of radial position of the sensor relative to an external frame of reference. The signal may be sent to a wireless I/O module, with the signals being indicative of at least partial rotation or, alternatively, a lack of rotation, of the rod-string. The processor is configured to generate an alarm if an absence of rod rotation is detected while the rod lift system is running and transmit this signal to the nearby wireless I/O module. A method for monitoring a reciprocating rod lift system is also provided.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for distributing firmware updates to groups of IHSs (Information Handling Systems) managed by an organization. The organization managing the IHSs specifies categorizations for each IHS that are used to separate the managed IHSs into firmware update groups. A GUID (Global Unique Identifier) is assigned to each IHS, in some scenarios during the manufacture of the IHS. The assigned GUID specifies one or more firmware update groups to which an IHS has been assigned. The organization, or other technical support entity, utilizes a firmware distribution system for delivery of firmware updates to supported IHSs. The organization signals the delivery of updates to a firmware update group by specifying the group's GUID to the firmware distribution service. The IHS, identified by its assigned GUID, queries a firmware distribution services in order to determine whether new firmware updates have been made available to its assigned firmware update group.

Abstract: A hydraulic oil well pumping system is provided. The system uses a pump to exert hydraulic pressure against a reciprocating piston over a wellbore. The piston is connected to a rod string and downhole pump for pumping oil from a wellbore. The system includes an electronic control system that controls movement of the piston as it moves between the upper and lower rod positions by cycling the hydraulic system between (i) an “upstroke” condition wherein the pump is pumping oil through the oil line into the hydraulic cylinder to move the piston to its upper rod position, and (ii) a “neutral” condition wherein the pump is no longer pumping oil into the hydraulic cylinder, but is allowing oil to flow back through the oil line in response to gravitational fall of the piston. The control system is programmed to cycle based upon a volumetric calculation of hydraulic oil in the cylinder without reference to position sensors along the wellhead.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for distributing firmware updates to groups of IHSs (Information Handling Systems) managed by an organization. The organization managing the IHSs specifies categorizations for each IHS that are used to separate the managed IHSs into firmware update groups. A GUID (Global Unique Identifier) is assigned to each IHS, in some scenarios during the manufacture of the IHS. The assigned GUID specifies one or more firmware update groups to which an IHS has been assigned. The organization, or other technical support entity, utilizes a firmware distribution system for delivery of firmware updates to supported IHSs. The organization signals the delivery of updates to a firmware update group by specifying the group's GUID to the firmware distribution service. The IHS, identified by its assigned GUID, queries a firmware distribution services in order to determine whether new firmware updates have been made available to its assigned firmware update group.

Abstract: Unauthorized code may be stored as data in a data volume of a firmware volume. To prevent or block execution of the unauthorized code, the firmware file system (FFS) file that includes the unauthorized code may be tagged, marked or deleted according to a system bios policy. These corrupted FFS files are thus blocked from execution during initialization or a boot process of a basic input/output system (BIOS) firmware as they are not published or enumerated to an execution list of the BIOS firmware.

Abstract: A basic input/output system (BIOS) may be automatically updated by a BIOS distribution service. In certain environments such automatic updates may not be desirable as the update may not have been tested or may cause interruptions in one or more information handling systems or applications. Updating an extensible firmware interface system resource table (ESRT) with one or more values may disable such automatic updates. A BIOS version control policy may be utilized to determine the one or more values for the ESRT such that BIOS updates are not automatic or that only predetermined, tested, or otherwise approved BIOS updates are permitted. One or more values of the BIOS version control policy may be set or determined and may be protected, for example, password protected so that all information handling systems within a given environment or network maintain the proper BIOS version.