Controller for well installations
First Claim
1. A controller for use in conjunction with the control of well installations wherein control components regulating the production of fluid hydrocarbons are selectively actuated in response to control inputs and wherein monitoring devices provide inputs representing operational parameters of said installations, comprising:
- input means responsive to said operational parameter inputs for providing parameter state conditions;
communicators means for providing selectable parameter control conditions;
output means responsive to output control signals for deriving said control inputs;
memory means for retaining a predetermined sequence of values for control state variables, groupings of mask variable selection sequences, pattern control conditions and response data corresponding with said parameter control conditions; and
processor means;
responsive to said parameter state conditions and said parameter control conditions for generating said control state variable values for retention by said memory means,responsive to said control state variable and said mask variable selection sequences to derive corresponding sequences of masked control state variable values,responsive to compare said masked control state variable values with said pattern control conditions and, in the presence of correspondence therebetween, to access said response data; and
responsive to said accessed response data to derive said output control signals.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A controller for gas-oil well installations which is microprocessor driven and compiles a datalog which is accessible locally for operator use. Customized microprocessor control for a given well installation is available on a practical basis by resort to the employment of a program approach utilizing bit-string patterns selected from a relatively large sequence of predefined well installation operational parameters or variables which have been identified. The masking and pattern recognition approach permits the handling of relatively large amounts of data and greatly simplifies the customization of well programming. This programming facility permits remote alteration of programs either by telephonic communication or by networking of a plurality of controllers within a given oil field. The programming feature is complemented by the utilization of a variable opening control over a motor valve.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A controller for use in conjunction with the control of well installations wherein control components regulating the production of fluid hydrocarbons are selectively actuated in response to control inputs and wherein monitoring devices provide inputs representing operational parameters of said installations, comprising:
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input means responsive to said operational parameter inputs for providing parameter state conditions; communicators means for providing selectable parameter control conditions; output means responsive to output control signals for deriving said control inputs; memory means for retaining a predetermined sequence of values for control state variables, groupings of mask variable selection sequences, pattern control conditions and response data corresponding with said parameter control conditions; and processor means; responsive to said parameter state conditions and said parameter control conditions for generating said control state variable values for retention by said memory means, responsive to said control state variable and said mask variable selection sequences to derive corresponding sequences of masked control state variable values, responsive to compare said masked control state variable values with said pattern control conditions and, in the presence of correspondence therebetween, to access said response data; and responsive to said accessed response data to derive said output control signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for controlling the operation of a fluid hydrocarbon producing well having a valve connected between a tubing string and a sales line and monitors providing operating parameter readouts including transducers for monitoring instantaneous values of tubing pressure and casing pressure comprising:
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scanning said monitors on a predetermined periodic basis and recording the values of the readouts thereof in conjunction with a sequence of variables in memory; testing select said readout values with predetermined operational criteria to generate an ordered sequence of binary current status values and recording them as part of said sequence of variables; periodically masking said memory retained values of said sequence of variables to derive a masked status as a binary sequence; comparing said masked status with a predetermined pattern provided as a binary sequence for coincidence therebetween; altering predetermined ones of said binary current status values as a response to a said coincidence to derive revised binary status values; and processing said revised binary status values by altering the state of said valve to conform with said binary status values.
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Specification