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Sensor system for a positive displacement pump

  • US 8,979,505 B2
  • Filed: 10/17/2006
  • Issued: 03/17/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2005
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A positive displacement pump for pumping fluid into a well, comprising:

  • a pump housing having a pump chamber;

    a plunger mounted in the pump housing for reciprocating motion in the pump chamber;

    a suction valve positioned to allow the fluid to enter the pump chamber upon movement of the plunger in a first direction, wherein the suction valve is movable into and out of contact with a suction valve seat;

    a discharge valve positioned to discharge the fluid from the pump chamber upon movement of the plunger in a second direction, wherein the discharge valve is movable into and out of contact with a discharge valve seat wherein one of the suction valve and the discharge valve comprises a flexible valve insert having a valve insert sensor embedded within that measures a degradation of the valve insert;

    a self-powered sensor located within the pump housing for measuring at least one pump condition operation parameter during an operation of the pump, wherein the self-powered sensor is powered by stress from the fluid within the pump chamber energized from the motion of the plunger and wherein the at least one pump condition operation parameter comprises degradation of one of the suction valve seat and the discharge valve seat; and

    a control system in communication with the self-powered sensor or valve insert sensor or both sensors to process the at least one pump condition operation parameter measured by the self-powered sensor or valve insert sensor or both sensor for evaluating a condition of the pump.

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