Rod rotator assembly for an artificial lift system

Abstract

A rod rotator assembly for an artificial lift system includes a housing configured to be supported by a carrier of the artificial lift system. The rod rotator assembly also includes a top cap configured to rotate relative to the housing, in which the top cap is configured to support a polish rod of the artificial lift system. In addition, the rod rotator assembly includes a load cell disposed within the housing. The load cell is configured to support the top cap, and the load cell is configured to output a sensor signal indicative of a load applied by the polish rod to the housing.

1 . A rod rotator assembly for an artificial lift system, comprising:
 a housing configured to be supported by a carrier of the artificial lift system;   a top cap configured to rotate relative to the housing, wherein the top cap is configured to support a polish rod of the artificial lift system; and   a load cell disposed within the housing, wherein the load cell is configured to support the top cap, and the load cell is configured to output a sensor signal indicative of a load applied by the polish rod to the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The rod rotator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the load cell is configured to output the sensor signal via a wired connection. 
     
     
         3 . The rod rotator assembly of  claim 1 , comprising a main gear non-rotatably coupled to the top cap, wherein the main gear is configured to be driven to rotate by a worm gear. 
     
     
         4 . The rod rotator assembly of  claim 3 , comprising a bearing disposed between the load cell and the main gear. 
     
     
         5 . The rod rotator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the load cell is disposed between the top plate and a base of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The rod rotator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a set of alignment plates is not disposed within the housing. 
     
     
         7 . A rod rotator assembly for an artificial lift system, comprising:
 a housing configured to be supported by a carrier of the artificial lift system, wherein the housing has a base and a body extending upwardly from the base along a longitudinal axis of the rod rotator assembly, the body forms an opening on an opposite longitudinal side of the housing from the base, and the opening provides access to an interior of the housing;   a top cap configured to rotate relative to the housing, wherein the top cap is configured to support a polish rod of the artificial lift system, the top cap has an engagement surface configured to engage a polish rod clamp to support the polish rod, and the top cap has a body extending through the opening in the housing; and   a load cell disposed within the interior of the housing between the body of the top cap and the base of the housing along the longitudinal axis of the rod rotator assembly, wherein the load cell is configured to support the top cap, and the load cell is configured to output a sensor signal indicative of a load applied by the polish rod to the housing.   
     
     
         8 . The rod rotator assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the load cell is configured to output the sensor signal via a wired connection. 
     
     
         9 . The rod rotator assembly of  claim 8 , comprising a connector coupled to the body of the housing and configured to establish the wired connection to the load cell. 
     
     
         10 . The rod rotator assembly of  claim 7 , comprising a main gear non-rotatably coupled to the body of the top cap, wherein the main gear is configured to be driven to rotate by a worm gear. 
     
     
         11 . The rod rotator assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the body of the top cap has a ledge engaged with the main gear, and the main gear is disposed between the ledge of the body of the top cap and the load cell along the longitudinal axis of the rod rotator assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The rod rotator assembly of  claim 10 , comprising a bearing disposed between the load cell and the main gear along the longitudinal axis of the rod rotator assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The rod rotator assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the bearing comprises a ball bearing. 
     
     
         14 . The rod rotator assembly of  claim 7 , wherein a set of alignment plates is not disposed within the interior of the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The rod rotator assembly of  claim 7 , comprising an adapter ring disposed between the body of the top cap and the load cell along a radial axis of the rod rotator assembly. 
     
     
         16 . An artificial lift system, comprising:
 a polish rod configured to drive a pump disposed within a reservoir;   a carrier configured to be coupled to a pump jack of the artificial lift system; and   a rod rotator assembly, comprising:
 a housing supported by the carrier; 
 a top cap configured to rotate relative to the housing, wherein the top cap is configured to support the polish rod; and 
 a load cell disposed within the housing, wherein the load cell is configured to support the top cap, and the load cell is configured to output a sensor signal indicative of a load applied by the polish rod to the housing. 
   
     
     
         17 . The artificial lift system of  claim 16 , wherein the rod rotator assembly comprises a main gear non-rotatably coupled to the top cap, and the main gear is configured to be driven to rotate by a worm gear. 
     
     
         18 . The artificial lift system of  claim 17 , wherein the rod rotator assembly comprises a bearing disposed between the load cell and the main gear. 
     
     
         19 . The artificial lift system of  claim 16 , wherein the load cell is disposed between the top plate and a base of the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The artificial lift system of  claim 16 , wherein a set of alignment plates is not disposed within the housing.