Well pumping control system

Abstract

A system for automatically opening and closing a valve located in a fluid delivery line of a gas well for starting and stopping the pumping action of the well when the pressure in the well is sufficient to enable gas and oil to be pumped therefrom. A pivotally mounted beam is engaged at opposite ends by a pair of pistons which are operatively connected to and actuated by the pressure in the well casing and in the well delivery tube, respectively. One end of the beam operates a first valve which is located in a pressure line communicating with the delivery line control valve for opening and closing the control valve. The beam opens the first valve when the pressure differential between the well casing and delivery tube reaches a preset, predetermined amount through the action of the pistons on the beam. Opening of the first valve also operates a third piston which sets a mechanical timer for a predetermined time period. A timer stop link is pivotally mounted on the first valve and is actuated by the beam upon moving the first valve to open position to disengage the link from the timer. A second valve deactuates the second piston immediately after the well pumping action has started to enable the timer to begin movement through its timing period, during which period the first valve and delivery tube control valve are open. The stop link engages a notch formed in a camming plate of the timer upon completion of the timing cycle. Movement of the stop link into the camming plate notch simultaneously closes the first valve, which in turn closes the delivery tube control valve and stops the well pumping action.