US20170107800A1 - Plunger impact sensor - Google Patents

Plunger impact sensor Download PDF

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Publication number
US20170107800A1
US20170107800A1 US15/292,567 US201615292567A US2017107800A1 US 20170107800 A1 US20170107800 A1 US 20170107800A1 US 201615292567 A US201615292567 A US 201615292567A US 2017107800 A1 US2017107800 A1 US 2017107800A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
spring
switch
lubricator
actuator
plunger
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US15/292,567
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English (en)
Inventor
Murray R. TOWNSEND
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fourth Dimension Designs Ltd
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Fourth Dimension Designs Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fourth Dimension Designs Ltd filed Critical Fourth Dimension Designs Ltd
Assigned to FOURTH DIMENSION DESIGNS LTD. reassignment FOURTH DIMENSION DESIGNS LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TOWNSEND, MURRAY R.
Publication of US20170107800A1 publication Critical patent/US20170107800A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/12—Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
    • E21B43/121—Lifting well fluids
    • E21B47/0007—
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
    • E21B47/008—Monitoring of down-hole pump systems, e.g. for the detection of "pumped-off" conditions
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B47/00—Pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for raising fluids from great depths, e.g. well pumps
    • F04B47/12—Pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for raising fluids from great depths, e.g. well pumps having free plunger lifting the fluid to the surface
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B53/00—Component parts, details or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B23/00 or F04B39/00 - F04B47/00
    • F04B53/18—Lubricating

Definitions

  • This relates to an impact sensor for use with a plunger in a hydrocarbon well.
  • one system used to assist production involves the use of a plunger, which acts as a piston to lift accumulated liquids.
  • a lubricator assembly comprising a lubricator body having a bottom end in communication with a well, a top end, and one or more production flow ports, a spring within the lubricator body and above the one or more production flow ports, the spring having a movable end and a fixed end above the movable end, the spring being compressible in a longitudinal direction, the spring compressing in response to a plunger return force, a switch above the movable end of the spring, the switch generating a signal when actuated, and an actuator carried by the movable end of the spring, the actuator actuating the switch when the movable end reaches a predetermined position within the lubricator, the predetermined position being reached when the plunger return force is equal to or greater than a predetermined plunger return force.
  • the actuator may comprise a disc carried by the movable end of the spring.
  • the switch may be attached at the top end of the lubricator body and may be in axial alignment with the lubricator body.
  • the switch may be actuated by metal to metal contact between the actuator and the top end of the lubricator body.
  • the predetermined plunger return force may be indicative of an alarm condition.
  • the lubricator assembly may further comprise a controller that receives the signal generated by the switch, and the controller may be programmed to shut in the well upon receiving the signal from the switch.
  • the actuator may actuate the switch when the spring is fully compressed.
  • the actuator may actuate the switch when the spring is partially compressed.
  • a method of shutting in a well having a wellbore, a lubricator assembly, and a plunger the lubricator assembly comprising a lubricator body having a bottom end in communication with a well, a top end and one or more production flow ports, the method comprising the steps of placing the plunger in the wellbore of the well, the plunger travelling through the wellbore in response to the pressure in the well, such that in response to sufficient pressure, the plunger travels from the well into the lubricator assembly, the plunger returning to the lubricator assembly with a plunger return force, fixing a spring within the lubricator body and above the one or more flow production ports, the spring having a movable end and a fixed end above the movable end, the spring being compressible in a longitudinal direction, the spring compressing in response to the plunger return force, attaching an actuator to the movable end of the spring, determining a predetermined plunger return force, positioning a switch above
  • the actuator may comprise a disc carried by the movable end of the spring.
  • the switch may be attached at the top end of the lubricator body and may be in axial alignment with the lubricator body.
  • the switch may be actuated by metal to metal contact between the actuator and the top end of the lubricator body.
  • the predetermined plunger return force may be indicative of an alarm condition.
  • the method may further comprise the step of providing a controller that receives the signal generated by the switch, the controller being programmed to shut in the well upon receiving the signal from the switch.
  • the actuator may actuate the switch when the spring is fully compressed.
  • the actuator may actuate the switch when the spring is partially compressed.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevation view in section of a lubricator assembly with a plunger at a lower position.
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevation view in section of a lubricator assembly with a plunger at an intermediate position.
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevation view in section of a lubricator assembly with a plunger at an upper position.
  • Lubricator assembly 10 is part of a system with a plunger 34 that may be used with a hydrocarbon producing well 16 , such as a gas well, in order to assist with production of fluids from well 16 .
  • lubricator assembly 10 has a lubricator body 12 with a bottom end 14 in communication with well 16 , a top end 18 , and one or more production flow ports 20 .
  • lubricator body 12 has two production flow ports 20 .
  • the number of production flow ports 20 may vary depending on the application and the type of lubricator and well.
  • Lubricator body 12 has a spring 22 carried within lubricator body 12 above the one or more production flow ports 20 .
  • Spring 22 has a movable end 24 and a fixed end 26 above the movable end 24 .
  • Spring 22 is compressible in a longitudinal direction, and compresses in response to a plunger return force, as shown in FIG. 2 .
  • spring 22 is a longitudinal coil spring. While the advantages of using such a spring in the described example are apparent, it will be understood that other types of springs also be used.
  • Lubricator body 12 has a switch 28 that detects when plunger 34 arrives at a high rate of speed.
  • switch 28 is used to detect with spring 22 is compressed to a particular point by the kinetic energy of plunger 34 . In the depicted example, this is done by placing switch 28 at a point above movable end 24 of spring 22 to be actuated by an actuator 30 when spring 22 is sufficiently compressed.
  • Switch 28 may be positioned at various points on lubricator body 12 above movable end 24 of spring 22 . In the depicted example, referring to FIG. 1 , switch 28 is located at the top end of lubricator body 12 in axial alignment with lubricator body 12 .
  • switch 28 may be located at various positions spaced down from the top end of lubricator body 12 , and may be attached along the sidewall of lubricator body 12 .
  • Switch 28 generates a signal when actuated, such as a sound, a visual signal, a signal to a computer monitoring system, or the like. While the signal generated may be intended to notify an operator, it may also be used to cause a computer processor to record an event, or both, depending on the requirements and preferences of the user.
  • switch 28 may be a contact switch, or a proximity sensor, such as a reed switch that is actuated based on the present of a magnet. It will be understood that switch 28 acts to identify an alarm condition, and that other types of switches or sensors may be used, such as a sensor that is designed or programmed to send a signal when a particular condition is reached.
  • Spring 22 carries an actuator 30 at movable end 24 that actuates switch 28 when movable end 24 of spring 22 reaches a predetermined position within lubricator body 12 .
  • the predetermined position is reached when the plunger return force is equal to or greater than a predetermined force, indicative of an alarm condition.
  • Actuator 30 may take a variety of forms, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
  • actuator 30 may be a disc carried by movable end 24 of spring 22 that triggers a switch or acts as a switch when in the predetermined position.
  • the predetermined position may be determined by the dimensions of actuator 30 . As shown, actuator 30 may contact top end 18 of lubricator body 12 .
  • Switch 28 may be actuated by metal to metal contact between actuator 30 and top end 18 of lubricator body 12 .
  • Switch 28 may also be actuated by direct contact between actuator 30 and a component of switch 28 .
  • Switch 28 may also be actuated, for example, by actuator 30 passing a certain height in lubricator body 12 .
  • Switch 28 may be designed in a variety of ways as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. For example, switch 28 may be a physical switch, a proximity switch, etc. In some cases, switch 28 may be actuated before spring 22 is fully compressed, where switch 28 is actuated at any point along the compression path of spring 22 that is desired. This may provide an extra safety area with further compression available, or may serve other purposes.
  • lubricator body 12 may have two switches 28 , the first being placed at a midpoint along the compression path of spring 22 , and when movable end 24 of spring 22 passes the first switch 28 , actuator 30 actuates the first switch 28 , and the first switch 28 communicates with a data recording device to record the impact for review.
  • a second switch 28 may be placed at a higher point along the compression path of spring 22 , for example, at or near the top 18 of lubricator body 12 . When actuator 30 actuates second switch 28 , second switch 28 may generate an alarm condition and shut in the well.
  • movable end 24 of spring 22 may reach the predetermined position when the predetermined plunger return force exceeds a given value.
  • predetermined plunger return force may be indicative of an alarm condition requiring the well to be shut in for repair or diagnosis.
  • Lubricator assembly 10 may have a controller 32 that receives the signal generated by switch 28 , and controller 32 may be programmed to shut in well 16 upon receiving the signal from switch 28 , or send an alarm to an operator to initiate the shut in. It will be understood that well 16 may be shut in using a variety of methods known in the art.
  • the alarm condition could be determined using a variety of safety thresholds.
  • the alarm condition could be determined by the compressibility and strength of spring 22 , in order to prevent a failure condition in spring 22 .
  • actuator 30 may actuate switch 28 when spring 22 is fully compressed. Alternatively, actuator 30 may actuate switch 28 without having to fully compress spring 22
  • lubricator body 12 may also have a catcher assembly 38 for holding plunger 34 above port 20 .
  • Lubricator body 12 may also have a pressure gauge 40 for measuring pressure within lubricator body 12 .
  • Other accessories and apparatus may also be included in lubricator boy 12 , depending on the needs of the user and the application for the plunger assembly.
  • plunger 34 is placed in wellbore 36 of well 16 , and plunger 34 travels through wellbore 36 in response to the pressure in well 16 .
  • plunger 34 travels up through well 16 and into lubricator assembly 12 .
  • the speed of plunger 34 will determine the force with which it returns.
  • the system is designed to trigger a switch when plunger 34 returns with a force greater than a predetermined value and compresses spring 22 sufficiently.
  • Actuator 30 is attached to spring 22 , and is calibrated such that actuator 30 actuates switch 28 when a predetermined position is reached by movable end 24 of spring 22 .
  • the predetermined position is determined by the predetermined plunger return force, and is achieved when the plunger return force is equal to or greater than the predetermined plunger return force.
  • Activating switch 28 may cause well 16 to be shut in and an alarm condition generated so that well 16 may be diagnosed and repaired as necessary.
  • the compression of spring 22 is directly related to the force applied to spring 22 by plunger 34 , and thereby indicates the force with which the plunger is returning to the surface.
  • Controller 32 may be programmed to respond differently in response to different scenarios. For example, controller 32 may trigger an alarm for review by maintenance personnel in response to a single high impact that activates switch 28 , and may close in well 16 only in response to a second high impact that equals or exceeds the predetermined plunger return force. Different responses to activation of switch 28 will be understood by those skilled in the ar.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Geophysics (AREA)
  • Measuring Fluid Pressure (AREA)
US15/292,567 2015-10-14 2016-10-13 Plunger impact sensor Abandoned US20170107800A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2908289A CA2908289A1 (fr) 2015-10-14 2015-10-14 Detecteur d'impact de piston
CA2908289 2015-10-14

Publications (1)

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US20170107800A1 true US20170107800A1 (en) 2017-04-20

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US15/292,567 Abandoned US20170107800A1 (en) 2015-10-14 2016-10-13 Plunger impact sensor

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US (1) US20170107800A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2908289A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20210054839A1 (en) * 2019-08-22 2021-02-25 Tri-Lift Services, Inc. Lubricator for bypass plunger
US20220372853A1 (en) * 2021-05-20 2022-11-24 Antelope Developments, Llc Lubricator cap assembly for plunger recharging including sensor for plunger arrival detection

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120032349A1 (en) * 2007-08-09 2012-02-09 Tessera, Inc. Method of fabricating stacked assembly including plurality of stacked microelectronic elements
US20120323496A1 (en) * 2011-02-17 2012-12-20 Nike, Inc. Tracking of User Performance Metrics During a Workout Session
US20140305636A1 (en) * 2013-04-12 2014-10-16 Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. Sensing in artificial lift systems

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120032349A1 (en) * 2007-08-09 2012-02-09 Tessera, Inc. Method of fabricating stacked assembly including plurality of stacked microelectronic elements
US20120323496A1 (en) * 2011-02-17 2012-12-20 Nike, Inc. Tracking of User Performance Metrics During a Workout Session
US20140305636A1 (en) * 2013-04-12 2014-10-16 Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. Sensing in artificial lift systems

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20210054839A1 (en) * 2019-08-22 2021-02-25 Tri-Lift Services, Inc. Lubricator for bypass plunger
US11754069B2 (en) * 2019-08-22 2023-09-12 Tri-Lift Services, Inc. Lubricator for bypass plunger
US20220372853A1 (en) * 2021-05-20 2022-11-24 Antelope Developments, Llc Lubricator cap assembly for plunger recharging including sensor for plunger arrival detection
US11879315B2 (en) * 2021-05-20 2024-01-23 Antelope Developments, Llc Lubricator cap assembly for plunger recharging including sensor for plunger arrival detection

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2908289A1 (fr) 2017-04-14

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