Solar battery wireless load cell

Abstract

A load cell for transmitting load data of a polished rod in a rod pump system includes an outer shell having a u-shaped structure with two protrusions, the u-shaped structure configured to receive the polished rod, and the outer shell configured to be positioned between a rod clamp and a clamping bar of the rod pump system. Internal to the outer shell is a load sensor, a load signal processor, a modulator, a battery, and a charger, whereby the load cell measures a load on the polished rod and wirelessly transmits load signal data via a wireless transmitter internal to the outer shell but with an antenna that protrudes from the outer shell. Also internal to the outer shell is a battery which is charged by an external solar panel via the charger. The battery, charger, and solar panel provide power to the load cell.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A load cell for a rod pump system having a rod clamp fixed to a top of a polished rod and a clamping bar fixed to a hanger harness attached to a horsehead, the load cell comprising:
 an outer shell including a u-shaped structure having two protrusions, the u-shaped structure configured to receive the polished rod;   a load sensor configured to output a load signal based on a load experienced by the load sensor;   a processor configured to receive the load signal and to output load signal data representative of the load experienced by the load sensor based on the load signal;   a wireless transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the load signal data;   a solar battery configured to provide power to the load cell, the solar battery including a battery and a solar panel configured to charge the battery   
     
     
         3 . The load cell of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the load sensor includes two load sensors, each of the two load sensors having a bottom that protrudes from a bottom of the load sensor to thereby physically contact a clamping bar of the rod pump system.   
     
     
         4 . The load cell of  claim 3 , wherein
 the bottoms of each of the two load sensors are planar; and   the two load sensors are diametrically opposed to each other across the u-shaped portion of the load cell relative to a position of the polished rod when the load sensor is installed in the rod pump system.   
     
     
         5 . The load cell of  claim 2 , the load cell further comprising a bolt inserted from a top of the load cell and positioned to center the load sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The load cell of  claim 2 , wherein the outer shell of the load cell includes a hole in each of the two protrusions of the u-shaped portion, the holes configured to receive a fixing bar that thereby secures the load cell to the polished rod.