Counterbalanced Cylinder Pump Jack for Deep Well Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional walking beam pump jacks face challenges with high power requirements, rod speed control, and stroke interference in deep wells, necessitating a low-profile, adjustable, and energy-efficient pumping system.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of counterbalanced well head cylinders using nitrogen gas or hydraulic fluid to reduce horsepower needs, with adjustable cylinder connections for precise stroke control and the ability to operate above or below ground, allowing for solar energy use and remote monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional walking beam pump jacks are used to lift heavy fluids from deep wells, then fluid extraction is achieved, but power requirements become excessively high (exceeding 8,000 lbs load)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterbalancing cylinders filled with nitrogen gas that generate upward force to counterbalance the weight of the sucker rod string and fluid load. This counterweight mechanism reduces the net force requirement on the motor drive source from over 8,000 lbs to a manageable level, directly resolving the high power requirement contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic counterbalancing cylinders filled with nitrogen gas to provide the counterbalancing force. The gas pressure in the cylinders generates the necessary upward force to counterbalance the downward weight of the sucker rod and fluid, enabling the system to operate with significantly reduced mechanical power requirements.
2Productivity
If the sucker rod string is raised and lowered to extract fluid, then fluid is drawn out of the well, but rod speed and stroke control become difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable counterbalancing cylinders that can dynamically adjust their stroke length and speed. The cylinders are connected via crossbars with adjustable connections, allowing the system to adapt the pump rod's movement characteristics to match different well conditions and extraction requirements, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes in rod speed and stroke length by adjusting the counterbalancing cylinder configuration. The adjustable crossbar connections and cylinder positioning allow operators to modify the pump rod's motion parameters to optimize fluid extraction under varying conditions, directly addressing the control difficulty contradiction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pump rod stroke length is reduced to avoid interfering with ground-level operations, then compatibility with mobile irrigation systems is improved, but pumping capacity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamically adjustable counterbalancing cylinders that can vary their stroke length to match the reduced pump rod travel required for compatibility with ground-level operations. The adjustable crossbar connections enable the system to optimize the cylinder stroke within the constrained space, maintaining pumping capacity while adapting to the shortened rod movement requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution results in a more energy-efficient, low-maintenance pumping system with reduced power requirements, enabling continuous operation without interfering with other ground-level activities, and allowing for remote control and monitoring capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
each of the cylinders is counterbalanced either by a combination of nitrogen gas over hydraulic fluid or nitrogen gas alone with substantially lower horsepower requirements due to cylinder efficiency and counterbalancing of the load or weight of the sucker rod string, the amount of fluid being lifted and inertia of the load following each downward stroke
Implementation Method 2
fluid under pressure is selectively introduced into the cylinder assemblies to reversibly drive each of the pistons in unison to reciprocate the pump rod string
Implementation Method 3
the cylinders have the ability to closely control the pump cycle rate and length of stroke of the pump rod over a wide range by regulating the pressure and direction of fluid flow to the cylinders
Data Source
AI summary
A pump jack system for reciprocating a pump rod string is made up of a base frame and piston drive cylinders mounted on the base frame with the upper end of the pump rod connected to the cylinder assemblies, the cylinder assemblies being operated in unison by a fluid control circuit communicating with inner and outer concentric fluid passages, and the pump rod string is counterbalanced by a fluid circuit which supplies pressure in an upward direction to each of the pistons on each upstroke and substantially reduces the pressure on each downstroke, the fluid circuit being selected from an inert gas alone or an inert gas pressurizing a hydraulic fluid.