Solar battery wireless inclinometer

Abstract

An inclinometer that provides inclination data of a walking beam in a rod pumping system includes a cover including an indented portion external to the inclinometer. The cover is attached to a chassis which together provide an internal area. Magnets are attached to a bottom of the chassis to magnetically attach the inclinometer to the walking beam. A power supply within the internal area includes a power storage and a charger. A solar panel is disposed in the indented portion of the cover and electrically connects to the power supply through a hole in the cover. Beam angle sensor circuitry measures an inclination of the walking beam and transmits corresponding inclination measurement data via an antenna in the internal area. The power supply is configured to supply power to this beam angle sensor circuitry.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . An inclinometer for providing inclination data of a walking beam in a rod pumping system, the inclinometer comprising:
 a cover;   a chassis, the cover configured to attach to the chassis to thereby provide an internal area of the inclinometer;   a power supply within the internal area of the inclinometer;   a solar panel on the cover and electrically connected to the power supply;   an antenna; and   circuitry configured to measure an inclination of the walking beam and transmit corresponding inclination measurement data via the antenna,   wherein the power supply is configured to supply power to the circuitry.   
     
     
         10 . The inclinometer of  claim 9 , wherein the cover includes an indented portion external to the inclinometer, and the solar panel is disposed in the intended portion of the cover. 
     
     
         11 . The inclinometer of  claim 10 , wherein the solar panel is electrically connected to the power supply through a hole in the cover, and the hole in the cover is circular and disposed in the center of the indented portion. 
     
     
         12 . The inclinometer of  claim 9 , wherein the power supply includes a power storage and a charger. 
     
     
         13 . The inclinometer of  claim 10 , wherein the antenna is located within the internal area of the inclinometer. 
     
     
         14 . The inclinometer of  claim 13 , wherein the indented portion is absent at a location where the antenna is located internal to the inclinometer. 
     
     
         15 . The inclinometer of  claim 9 , wherein the cover is made of plastic. 
     
     
         16 . The inclinometer of  claim 9 , wherein the chassis includes a rim interior to and flush with the cover. 
     
     
         17 . The inclinometer of  claim 16 , wherein the rim includes four waved portions relative to each of four corners of the chassis, the four waved portions internal to four fastening members securing the chassis to the cover. 
     
     
         18 . The inclinometer of  claim 9 , wherein the cover includes an arrow marking to indicate proper orientation of the inclinometer on the walking beam. 
     
     
         19 . The inclinometer of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a magnetic switch within the internal area of the inclinometer and configured such that the power supply is connected or disconnected to the circuitry by placement of a magnet at a location exterior to the inclinometer corresponding to the location of the magnetic switch.   
     
     
         20 . The inclinometer of  claim 19 , wherein the magnetic switch is disposed at a side of the cover. 
     
     
         21 . The inclinometer of  claim 9 , wherein the chassis includes a groove corresponding to an outline of a bottom edge of the cover, the bottom edge of the cover disposed in the groove with a gasket disposed therebetween. 
     
     
         22 . The inclinometer of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 one or more magnets attached to an exterior of the chassis and configured to magnetically attach the inclinometer to the walking beam.   
     
     
         23 . The inclinometer of  claim 22 , wherein the inclinometer comprises four magnets attached to the exterior portion of the chassis that is configured to be placed against the walking beam. 
     
     
         24 . A method of manufacturing an inclinometer to provide inclination data of a walking beam in a rod pumping system, the method comprising:
 providing a cover;   providing a chassis, the cover configured to attach to the chassis to thereby provide an internal area of the inclinometer;   providing a power supply within the internal area of the inclinometer;   providing a solar panel on the cover and electrically connected to the power supply;   providing an antenna; and   providing circuitry configured to measure an inclination of the walking beam and transmit corresponding inclination measurement data via the antenna,   wherein the power supply is configured to supply power to the circuitry.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the method further comprises:
 providing a magnetic switch within the internal area of the inclinometer and configured such that the power supply is connected or disconnected to the circuitry by placement of a magnet at a location exterior to the inclinometer corresponding to the location of the magnetic switch.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the magnetic switch is disposed at a side of the cover.