Robb C Anderson

US Patent:

7668694, Feb 23, 2010

Filed:

Apr 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/741412

Inventors:

Robb G. Anderson - Eden Prairie MN, US
Thomas L. Beck - Union Grove WI, US

Assignee:

Unico, Inc. - Franksville WI

International Classification:

G06F 11/30
G05D 9/00
G01F 15/00

US Classification:

702182, 700281, 73290 R

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for determining a fluid level and/or output flow during operation of a centrifugal pump, are provided, which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well, and include a vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives, from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters, an estimated value of fluid level and other pumping system parameters. Controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input, near an optimum level, or within a safe operating range and/or output flow from the pump.

US Patent:

7869978, Jan 11, 2011

Filed:

Feb 18, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/707713

Inventors:

Robb G. Anderson - Eden Prairie MN, US
Thmas L. Beck - Union Grove WI, US

Assignee:

Unico, Inc. - Franksville WI

International Classification:

G06F 11/30
F04B 49/06
F01B 25/00

US Classification:

702182, 417 442, 415 17

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for determining a fluid level and/or output flow during operation of a centrifugal pump, are provided, which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well, and include a vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives, from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters, an estimated value of fluid level and other pumping system parameters. Controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input, near an optimum level, or within a safe operating range and/or output flow from the pump.

US Patent:

7921689, Apr 12, 2011

Filed:

Jul 2, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/829990

Inventors:

Robb G. Anderson - Eden Prairie MN, US
James P. McCrickard - Racine WI, US
Thomas L. Beck - Union Grove WI, US

Assignee:

Unico, Inc. - Franksville WI

International Classification:

F01B 13/00
F01B 9/00

US Classification:

7245301, 7245302, 7245306, 7245308, 7245313, 91 61, 91451, 74 8936, 92136

Abstract:

An improved method and apparatus are provided for constructing and operating a linear actuator, and equipment incorporating a linear actuator, by operatively connecting a pressure biasing pneumatic arrangement between the driving member and the driven member of a mechanical linear actuator for applying a unidirectional biasing force between the driving and driven members, along an axis of motion, regardless of the location or movement of the driving and driven elements with respect to one another along the axis of motion. The pneumatic biasing arrangement is also configured, connected and operated to reduce the force which must be exerted by the driving and driven members in extending and retracting the linear actuator. The pneumatic biasing arrangement may further be configured for preferentially aiding extension or retraction of the actuator.

US Patent:

8180593, May 15, 2012

Filed:

Jan 10, 2011

Appl. No.:

12/987706

Inventors:

Robb G. Anderson - Eden Prairie MN, US
Thomas L. Beck - Union Grove WI, US

Assignee:

Unico, Inc. - Franksville WI

International Classification:

G06F 11/30
E21B 47/10
F04B 49/06

US Classification:

702182, 7315229, 417 442

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for determining a fluid level and/or output flow during operation of a centrifugal pump, are provided, which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well, and include a vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives, from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters, an estimated value of fluid level and other pumping system parameters. Controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input, near an optimum level, or within a safe operating range and/or output flow from the pump.

US Patent:

8249826, Aug 21, 2012

Filed:

Apr 12, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/445046

Inventors:

Robb G. Anderson - Eden Prairie MN, US
Thomas L. Beck - Union Grove WI, US

Assignee:

Unico, Inc. - Franksville WI

International Classification:

G06F 11/30
F04B 49/06
F01B 25/00

US Classification:

702182, 417 442, 415 17

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for determining a fluid level and/or output flow during operation of a centrifugal pump, are provided, which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well, and include a vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives, from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters, an estimated value of fluid level and other pumping system parameters. Controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input, near an optimum level, or within a safe operating range and/or output flow from the pump.

US Patent:

8417483, Apr 9, 2013

Filed:

Jul 17, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/550778

Inventors:

Robb G. Anderson - Eden Prairie MN, US
Thomas L. Beck - Union Grove WI, US

Assignee:

Unico, Inc. - Franksville WI

International Classification:

G06F 11/30
G05D 9/00
G01F 23/00

US Classification:

702182, 700281, 73290 R

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for determining a fluid level and/or output flow during operation of a centrifugal pump, are provided, which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well, and include a vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives, from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters, an estimated value of fluid level and other pumping system parameters. Controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input, near an optimum level, or within a safe operating range and/or output flow from the pump.

US Patent:

20130068309, Mar 21, 2013

Filed:

Sep 13, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/614116

Inventors:

Robb Gary Anderson - Eden Prairie MN, US

International Classification:

F17D 3/00

US Classification:

137 1

Abstract:

A flow control valve includes a housing that includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a first work port and a second work port. The housing defines a spool bore and a pilot spool bore. A main stage spool is disposed in the spool bore. A pilot stage spool is disposed in the pilot spool bore. The pilot stage spool is in selective fluid communication with the main stage spool. A microprocessor includes a controller having a position controller module, a velocity transform module, and a dynamic offset module. The controller is configured to implement a training process, and to compensate for viscosity changes in the working fluid based on data obtained during the training process. Outputs of the controller are communicated to the pilot stage spool.