Fmc Corporation

Automated Controls Inc.

Rangasami S Chandra

Franklin P Orlando

Donald E Eineichner

Jorge E Lastra

Louis S McTamaney

Clyde D Watson

James M Tucci

Yue Min Wong

Joseph S Goulart

Uma K Sharma

Jose F Reyes

Stephen G Quen

Robert A Walker

Paul A Wagner

An autonomous vehicle for operating in a predetermined work area while avoiding both fixed and moving obstacles. A plurality of laser, sonic and optical sensors detect targets and obstacles in the work area and provide coded signals to processors and controllers which direct the vehicle over a most expedient route to a target while avoiding any obstacles. The vehicle is especially useful in moving around the deck of an aircraft carrier to deliver ammunition to aircraft from an ammunition magazine.

Multi-purpose autonomous vehicle with path plotting

A portable terminal for plugging into a well production control system for displaying data from the control system and for entering data into the control system. A liquid crystal display module on the terminal displays both graphic and printed data. A keyboard on the terminal provides a means for entering data and control signals into the control system. A temperature compensating circuit adjusts the brightness contrast on the display module so the terminal can be used outdoors over a wide range of temperatures.

Portable display and control terminal for wells

Apparatus for detecting fluid pound in a sucker-rod oil well, using values of sucker-rod position and of sucker-rod load to calculate a reference position and a selected load value. The apparatus continually updates the reference positions and selected load values to compensate for drift in characteristics of transducers used in determining rod load and rod position and for a gradual change in well characteristics. When the sucker-rod moves downward to the updated reference position, the actual rod load is checked against the updated selected value and a warning signal develops when the amount of load exceeds the updated selected value.

Well production control system

Apparatus for detecting changes in inclination or acceleration is disclosed. In its preferred environment the apparatus is used to determine the position of the sucker-rod of a sucker-rod pump. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a magnetic-field sensor such as a linear output transducer which provides a linear output signal, and a cantilever spring having a counterweight and magnet on its free end disposed adjacent the linear transducer. Oscillation of the walking beam of the pump causes the spring supported magnet to move relative to the sensor producing linear output signals which are processed by other means to determine the position of the sucker-rod at all times. The apparatus may be used in other environments to determine either changes in inclination or changes in acceleration.

Apparatus for detecting changes in inclination or acceleration

Structure for mounting a load cell enclosure on a bending beam is disclosed, wherein the load cell enclosure has a pair of mounting flanges extending from the enclosure and the flanges each have opposed mounting and exposed surfaces. A swivel footed clamp is provided for contacting each flange exposed surface and a beam surface in a manner to firmly secure the flange mounting surfaces to the beam.

Load cell clamping apparatus

Method and apparatus for checking a sucker-rod pumped well for defects by weighing the well. A load cell connected between the sucker-rod and a power unit develops a signal representative of the load on the sucker-rod. The sucker-rod load is checked with the rod and an associated downhole pump plunger in a stationary position. The load readings are corrected for load cell drift by a computer, and a corrected load value displayed on a digital display unit. The load readings are updated periodically and any changes in load reading can be used to determine the presence of a defect and to ascertain the type of defect in the pumping apparatus.

Growing community of inventors

Walnut Creek, CA, United States of America

Rangasami S Chandra