Rod Pump Controller Load Position Pairing via Timer Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inaccurate pairing of polished rod load and position values due to wireless communication delays and timer drift in rod pump controllers leads to inaccuracies in dynamometer card generation, causing maintenance issues and data inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining position values and correlating corresponding load values by accounting for wireless communication delays and timer drift, using a first timer for position measurements and a second timer for load measurements, and periodically synchronizing these timers to ensure accurate pairing of load and position values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used to transmit load values, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to communication delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by recording the time when load values are taken at the load cell, then uses this recorded time information to correctly pair load values with position values despite wireless transmission delays. The time stamping occurs before transmission, allowing accurate correlation at the controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces time values as an intermediary element to bridge the gap between load measurements and position measurements. By assigning and comparing time values, the system can accurately pair corresponding measurements even when they are taken at different moments due to wireless communication delays.
2Measurement precision
If timers are used for synchronization, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple timers and synchronization mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions using the same timer resource: it generates time values for position measurements, receives and processes time values from load measurements, and uses these time values for pairing measurements. This multi-functional use of the timer reduces overall system complexity while maintaining precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus for pairing load and position values are disclosed. An example method includes determining, via a rod pump controller, a first position value of a polished rod of a pumping unit, assigning a first time value to the determined first position value, receiving first load values of the polished rod, assigning second time values to respective ones of the first load values, adjusting each of the second time values to respective third time values based on a wireless communication delay value, and determining a second load value associated with the first position value at the first time value based on the first load values and the third time values.