Method and apparatus for pneumatic source selection

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and apparatus for pneumatic source selection. The method and apparatus uses a modular approach of having inputs, systems, programming and/or circuit logic, and pneumatic source selection able to operate independently of each other, allowing for different combinations, while achieving the same goal of using inputs to evaluate source selection via systems using programming and/or circuit logic. Inputs, systems, programming/circuit logic can be created in different combinations/configurations based on needs to select the proper source from the pool of sources to send to downstream devices. Sources can be from one to multiple pneumatic sources, such as one or more of well gas, compressed air, and nitrogen tanks to be selected from based on the inputs and logic.

1 . A pneumatic source selection apparatus, comprising:
 a first pneumatic source;   a second pneumatic source; and   a switching apparatus receiving at least one input and, based on the at least one input, selecting between delivering a gas from the first pneumatic source or a gas from the second pneumatic source to an output.   
     
     
         2 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first pneumatic source is a gas well and the gas from the first pneumatic source is well gas. 
     
     
         3 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the second pneumatic source is a compressed gas source and the gas from the second pneumatic source is a gas more ESG friendly than the well gas. 
     
     
         4 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the output includes a pneumatic valve associated with a wellhead. 
     
     
         5 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising a controller that receives at least a first controller input and outputs at least a controller output. 
     
     
         6 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the controller output is the same as the at least one input to the switching apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the controller output is based at least in part on a pressure of the second pneumatic source. 
     
     
         8 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the switching apparatus is a solenoid valve that receives as an input the gas from the first pneumatic source and the gas from the second pneumatic source and outputs either the gas from the first pneumatic source or the gas from the second pneumatic source. 
     
     
         9 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the solenoid valve outputs either the gas from the first pneumatic source or the gas from the second pneumatic source based at least in part on the controller output. 
     
     
         10 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 9  wherein second pneumatic source is a tank for housing compressed gas. 
     
     
         11 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising a compressor coupled to the tank. 
     
     
         12 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the controller is coupled to the compressor to receive or transmit signals between the compressor and the controller. 
     
     
         13 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the controller output is based at least upon data received from the compressor. 
     
     
         14 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the switching apparatus includes a first solenoid valve for receiving and outputting the gas from the first pneumatic source and a second solenoid valve for receiving and outputting the gas from the second pneumatic source. 
     
     
         15 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the at least one input to the switching apparatus includes at least a first state and a second state, wherein the first solenoid valve outputs the gas from the first pneumatic source and the second solenoid valve does not output the gas from the second pneumatic source when the at least one input is in its first state, and wherein the first solenoid valve does not output the gas from the first pneumatic source and the second solenoid valve outputs the gas from the second pneumatic source when the at least one input is in its second state. 
     
     
         16 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the at least one input to the switching apparatus is based at least in part on a pressure of the gas from the second pneumatic source. 
     
     
         17 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the switching apparatus includes a double pole single throw relay. 
     
     
         18 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the at least one input to the switching apparatus controls a state of the double pole single throw relay. 
     
     
         19 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the state of the double pole single throw relay controls a state of the first solenoid valve and a state of the second solenoid valve. 
     
     
         20 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the at least one input to the switching apparatus is based at least in part on a second input to the switching apparatus. 
     
     
         21 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising a hard bypass. 
     
     
         22 . A pneumatic source selection apparatus, comprising:
 a first pneumatic source;   a second pneumatic source; and   a switching apparatus receiving at least one input and, based on the at least one input, selecting between delivering a first gas from the first pneumatic source or a second gas from the second pneumatic source to an output.   
     
     
         23 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the second gas is more ESG friendly than the first gas. 
     
     
         24 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the output includes a pneumatic valve associated with a wellhead. 
     
     
         25 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 24  further comprising a controller that receives at least a first controller input and outputs at least a controller output. 
     
     
         26 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 25  wherein the controller output is the same as the at least one input to the switching apparatus. 
     
     
         27 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the controller output is based at least in part on a pressure of the second pneumatic source. 
     
     
         28 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 27  wherein the switching apparatus is a solenoid valve that receives as an input the first gas from the first pneumatic source and the second gas from the second pneumatic source and outputs either the first gas from the first pneumatic source or the second gas from the second pneumatic source. 
     
     
         29 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the solenoid valve outputs either the first gas from the first pneumatic source or the second gas from the second pneumatic source based at least in part on the controller output. 
     
     
         30 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 29  wherein second pneumatic source is a tank for housing compressed gas. 
     
     
         31 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 30  further comprising a compressor coupled to the tank. 
     
     
         32 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 31  wherein the controller is coupled to the compressor to receive or transmit signals between the compressor and the controller. 
     
     
         33 . The pneumatic source selection apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the controller output is based at least upon data received from the compressor.