Optical Alignment System for Beam Pumping Unit

Abstract

An optical alignment system is configured to determine lateral and longitudinal offset between a pump jack and a wellhead. The optical alignment system includes a target assembly that is configured to be secured to the pump jack. The target assembly includes a target that faces the wellhead. The optical alignment system further includes an emitter assembly that is configured to be secured directly or indirectly to the wellhead. The emitter assembly includes an emitter that is configured to project one or more visible lines onto the target.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An optical alignment system configured to determine lateral and longitudinal alignment between a pump jack and a wellhead, wherein the pump jack includes a base, the optical alignment system comprising:
 a target assembly, wherein the target assembly is configured to be secured to the pump jack, wherein the target reference markings indicative of the longitudinal and lateral alignment between the pump jack base and the wellhead; and   an emitter assembly, wherein the emitter assembly is directly or indirectly to the wellhead.   
     
     
         2 . The optical alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the emitter assembly is rotatably mounted to the wellhead and configured for rotation between a first position used to evaluate the lateral alignment between the pump jack base and the wellhead and a second position used to evaluate the longitudinal position between the pump jack base and the wellhead. 
     
     
         3 . The optical alignment system of  claim 2 , wherein the emitter assembly is configured to emit a first beam of light to project a first line on the target assembly when the emitter assembly is secured to the wellhead in the first position, wherein the first line is indicative of a lateral alignment between the pump jack and the wellhead, and wherein the emitter assembly is configured to project a second beam of light from the emitter assembly to project a second line on the target assembly when the emitter assembly is rotated about the wellhead to the second position, wherein the second line is indicative of a longitudinal alignment between the pump jack and the wellhead. 
     
     
         4 . The optical alignment system of  claim 3 , wherein a lower portion of a polish rod is retained within the wellhead and wherein the emitter assembly is configured to be secured to an upper portion of the polish rod. 
     
     
         5 . The optical alignment system of  claim 3 , wherein the emitter assembly comprises a chain clamp configured to secure the emitter assembly to the wellhead. 
     
     
         6 . The optical alignment system of  claim 3 , wherein the emitter assembly comprises:
 a base; and   an emitter supported by the base.   
     
     
         7 . The optical alignment system of  claim 3 , wherein the target assembly comprises:
 a body;   a pair of opposable and adjustable clamps connected to the body; and   a target supported by the body.   
     
     
         8 . The optical alignment system of  claim 7 , wherein the pump jack includes a horsehead and the target assembly is configured to be secured to the horsehead. 
     
     
         9 . The optical alignment system of  claim 8 , wherein the horsehead includes an arcuate front face and the target assembly is configured to be secured to the horsehead below an apex of the arcuate front face. 
     
     
         10 . An optical alignment system configured to determine lateral and longitudinal offset between a pump jack and a wellhead, wherein the pump jack includes a pump jack base, the optical alignment system comprising:
 a target assembly, wherein the target assembly is configured to be secured to the pump jack; and   an emitter assembly, wherein the emitter assembly is configured to be secured directly or indirectly to the wellhead.   
     
     
         11 . The optical alignment system of  claim 10 , wherein the target assembly comprises:
 a body;   a pair of opposable and adjustable clamps connected to the body; and   a target supported by the body.   
     
     
         12 . The optical alignment system of  claim 10 , wherein the emitter assembly comprises:
 a base; and   an emitter supported by the base.   
     
     
         13 . The optical alignment system of  claim 12 , wherein the emitter assembly is rotatably mounted to the wellhead and configured for rotation between a first position used to evaluate the lateral alignment between the pump jack base and the wellhead and a second position used to evaluate the longitudinal position between the pump jack base and the wellhead. 
     
     
         14 . The optical alignment system of  claim 13 , wherein the emitter assembly is configured to emit a first beam of light to project a first line on the target assembly when the emitter assembly is secured to the wellhead in the first position, wherein the first line is indicative of a lateral alignment between the pump jack and the wellhead, and wherein the emitter assembly is configured to project a second beam of light from the emitter assembly to project a second line on the target assembly when the emitter assembly is rotated about the wellhead to the second position, wherein the second line is indicative of a longitudinal alignment between the pump jack and the wellhead. 
     
     
         15 . The optical alignment system of  claim 14 , wherein a lower portion of a polish rod is retained within the wellhead and wherein the emitter assembly is configured to be secured to an upper portion of the polish rod. 
     
     
         16 . The optical alignment system of  claim 14 , wherein the emitter assembly comprises a chain clamp configured to secure the emitter assembly to the wellhead. 
     
     
         17 . An optical alignment system configured to determine lateral and longitudinal offset between a pump jack and a wellhead, wherein the pump jack includes a pump jack base, the optical alignment system comprising:
 a target assembly, wherein the target assembly is configured to be secured to the pump jack; and   means for displaying visual indicators on the target assembly that are indicative of the lateral and longitudinal alignment of the pump jack base with the wellhead.   
     
     
         18 . The optical alignment system of  claim 17 , wherein the means for displaying visual indicators is configured to emit a first beam of light to project a first line on the target assembly when the emitter assembly is secured to the wellhead in the first position, wherein the first line is indicative of a lateral alignment between the pump jack and the wellhead, and wherein the emitter assembly is configured to project a second beam of light from the emitter assembly to project a second line on the target assembly when the emitter assembly is rotated about the wellhead to the second position, wherein the second line is indicative of a longitudinal alignment between the pump jack and the wellhead. 
     
     
         19 . The optical alignment system of  claim 18 , wherein the target assembly comprises:
 a body;   a pair of opposable and adjustable clamps connected to the body; and   a target supported by the body.   
     
     
         20 . The optical alignment system of  claim 19 , wherein the pump jack includes a horsehead and the target assembly is configured to be secured to the horsehead.