Fluid level monitoring and control system
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring and controlling the level of fluid in a vessel, comprising:
- a plurality of sensors supported at selected levels in the vessel, wherein each such sensor is capable of inputting an electrical signal and, in response thereto, outputting a first electrical signal if the sensor is submerged in fluid and a second electrical signal if the sensor is not submerged, and wherein the input and output of each sensor is independent of each other sensor;
means for transmitting an electrical signal to each of the sensors;
means for converting the electrical signals output by the sensors into digital signals;
means for receiving the digital signals from the electrical signal converter means and converting the digital signals to a humanly perceivable form; and
means responsive to the digital signals for adjusting the fluid level in the vessel to a preselected fluid level.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring and controlling the level of a fluid in a vessel, particularly applicable to controlling the pump operation at an oil well. The system includes a fluid level sensing unit having a plurality of sensors positioned at selected levels in the well casing outside the tubing string. The sensors operate independently to detect the presence of fluid and emit electrical signals which are received by a data conversion and sending unit immediately above the fluid level sensing unit in the well casing. The data conversion and sending unit converts the signals into discreet digital data bits which can be transmitted sequentially in one conductive wire to a data management and pump control unit at a convenient location nearby, usually at the well site. Thus, there is no need for a wire extending from each sensor. The data bits received by the data management and pump control unit are converted to a visual display in a light emitting diode panel. A pump flip-flop automatically operates the pump operating assembly in responsae to the rise and fall of oil or fluid in the well. The data from the sensors also is fed to a computer which stores the data for later retrieval. The computer also calculates other useful information and generates graphics which assist in the management of the oil recovery process.
48 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring and controlling the level of fluid in a vessel, comprising:
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a plurality of sensors supported at selected levels in the vessel, wherein each such sensor is capable of inputting an electrical signal and, in response thereto, outputting a first electrical signal if the sensor is submerged in fluid and a second electrical signal if the sensor is not submerged, and wherein the input and output of each sensor is independent of each other sensor; means for transmitting an electrical signal to each of the sensors; means for converting the electrical signals output by the sensors into digital signals; means for receiving the digital signals from the electrical signal converter means and converting the digital signals to a humanly perceivable form; and means responsive to the digital signals for adjusting the fluid level in the vessel to a preselected fluid level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for monitoring and controlling the level of fluid in a vessel, comprising:
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a plurality of sensors supported at selected levels in the vessel; means in each sensor for measuring electrical resistance in the vessel, such means capable of receiving an electrical signal and, in response thereto, outputting a first electrical signal if the sensor is submerged in fluid, a second electrical signal if the sensor is not submerged; means in each sensor for measuring light transmission in the vessel at the level of the sensor, such means capable of receiving an electrical signal and, in response thereto, outputting a first electrical signal if the light transmission is high and a second electrical signal if the light transmission is low; means for transmitting an electrical signal to each of the sensors; means for controlling the operation of the light transmission measuring means and the electrical resistance measuring means so that the sensor outputs the electrical signals from a selected one of the light transmission measuring means and the electrical resistance measuring means; means converting the electrical signals output by the sensors into digital signals; means for converting digital signals from the electrical signal converter means into a humanly perceivable; and means responsive to the signals for adjusting the fluid level in the vessel to a preselected fluid level. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for monitoring and controlling the level of fluid in a vessel, comprising:
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a plurality of sensors supported at selected levels in the vessel; means in each sensor for measuring electrical resistance in the vessel, such means capable of receiving an electrical signal and, in response thereto, outputting a first electrical signal if the sensor is submerged in fluid, and a second electrical signal if the sensor is not submerged; means for transmitting an electrical signal independently to each of the sensors; means for converting the electrical signals output by the sensors into digital signals; means for converting digital signals from the electrical signal converter means into a humanly perceivable; and means responsive to the signals for adjusting the fluid level in the vessel to a preselected fluid level. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification