VELOCITY SENSOR FOR A PLUNGER LIFT SYSTEM

摘要

A velocity sensor, a controller, a plunger lift system and method for controlling a plunger lift system is provided. The velocity sensor can use a first magnetic field sensor and a second magnetic field sensor spaced a sensor distance to determine a velocity of a plunger as it passes the velocity sensor. The controller can use information received from the velocity sensor to both control the operation of the plunger lift system using the measured plunger velocity obtained from the velocity sensor and shut down the well if the plunger is measured travelling to fast.

主权项

1. A velocity sensor for sensing the velocity of a plunger arriving at a top of a well, the velocity sensor comprising:
a circuit board; a processing unit; a first magnetic field sensor; a second magnetic field sensor spaced a sensor distance from the first magnetic field sensor on the circuit board; at least one memory containing program instructions, the processing unit responsive to the program instructions and operative to: obtain measurements of the magnetic field surrounding the first magnetic field sensor from the first magnetic field sensor; obtain measurements of the magnetic field surrounding the second magnetic field sensor from the second magnetic field sensor; when the plunger passes the first magnetic field sensor and the second magnetic field sensor, determine the pass time for the plunger to pass between the first magnetic field sensor and the second magnetic field sensor; and calculate the velocity of the plunger by dividing the sensor distance by the pass time.