1. An optical amplifier comprising:
an input port and an output port which are coupled together via a data signal line;
an amplifier circuit;
a gain control circuit coupled to said data signal line and operative for detecting the power level of a burst signal input into said optical amplifier at said input port; and
a dummy laser generation circuit having an output coupled to said data signal line and an input coupled to said gain control circuit;
wherein said gain control circuit is operative for controlling the power level output by said dummy laser generation circuit so as to maintain the power level of a signal input into said amplifier circuit at a substantially constant level.
2. The optical amplifier according to claim 1, further comprising:
a first coupler connected to said data signal line and operative for coupling at least a portion of said burst signal input to said gain control circuit;
a second coupler connected to said data signal line and operative for coupling said output of said dummy laser generation circuit to said data signal line; and
a third coupler connected to said data signal line and operative for coupling at least a portion of a signal output by said second coupler to said gain control circuit,
wherein said gain control circuit utilized the power level of the signal provided by said first coupler and the power level of the signal provided by said second coupler to determine the power level to be output by said dummy laser generation circuit.
3. The optical amplifier according to claim 1, wherein said gain control circuit controls said output power level of said dummy laser generation circuit such that the amplifier circuit operates in a saturation mode.
4. The optical amplifier according to claim 3, wherein said output power level of said dummy laser generation circuit is set at a predetermined level which is greater than power level of the burst signal input to the optical amplifier.
5. The optical amplifier according to claim 1, wherein said gain control circuit controls said dummy laser generation circuit so as to pulse-width modulate the output of said dummy laser generation circuit.
6. The optical amplifier according to claim 5, wherein said output of said dummy laser generation circuit is set to a predetermined maximum modulation level when no burst signal is present at said input port.
7. The optical amplifier according to claim 5, wherein when said power level of said burst signal is greater than zero, the gain control circuit controls the modulation applied to the output power level of said dummy laser generation circuit such that the combination of the output of the dummy laser signal and the burst signal forms a signal having a power level which is equal to said substantially constant level.
8. The optical amplifier according to claim 2, further comprising a delay element coupled between an output of said first coupler and an input of said second coupler.
9. The optical amplifier according to claim 1, wherein said amplifier circuit comprises:
at least one pump laser coupled to said data signal line; and
an amplifier control unit coupled to said at least one pump laser, said amplifier control circuit operative for controlling the output power of the at least one pump laser so as to maintain an output power level of said optical amplifier at a predetermined level.
10. The optical amplifier according to claim 1, wherein said amplifier circuit forms an erbium-doped fiber amplifier.
11. The optical amplifier according to claim 1, wherein said amplifier circuit forms a rare earth-doped fiber amplifier.
12. The optical amplifier according to claim 1, wherein said amplifier circuit forms a praesodymium doped fiber amplifier.
13. A method for controlling the power level input into an optical amplifier, said method comprising:
detecting the power level of a burst signal to be input to an amplifier circuit of said optical amplifier, said burst signal being detected at an input port of said optical amplifier;
coupling a dummy laser generation signal to said input port of said optical amplifier; and
controlling the power level of a signal output by said dummy laser generation circuit so as to maintain the power level of a signal formed by the combination of said burst signal and said dummy laser generation signal at a substantially constant level, said combination signal being input to said amplifier circuit.
14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising:
coupling at least a portion of said burst signal to a gain control circuit which is operative for controlling the power level of said signal output by said dummy laser generation circuit;
coupling said output of said dummy laser generation circuit with said burst signal so as to form said combination signal; and
coupling at least a portion of said combination signal to said gain control circuit.
15. The method according to claim 13, wherein said gain control circuit controls said output power level of said dummy laser generation circuit such that the amplifier circuit operates in a saturation mode.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said output power level of said dummy laser generation circuit is set at a predetermined level which is greater than the power level of the burst signal input to the optical amplifier.
17. The method according to claim 13, wherein said gain control circuit controls said dummy laser generation circuit so as to pulse-width modulate the output of said dummy laser generation circuit.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said output of said dummy laser generation circuit is set to a predetermined maximum modulation level when said burst signal is not present at said input port.
19. The method according to claim 17, wherein when said power level of said burst signal is greater than zero, the gain control circuit controls the modulation such that said combination signal has a power level which is equal to said substantially constant level.
20. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of providing a delay element so as to delay said burst signal by a predetermined amount prior to combining said burst signal with said output of said dummy laser generation circuit.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A fracturing system for use at a fracturing site, the system comprising:
optionally, at least one tractor unit having multiple axles;
at least one trailer unit, the at least one trailer unit including:
one or more well service pumps;
one or more induction motors, the one or more electric induction motors being coupled to the well service pumps via pulley assemblies or transmissions;
one or more variable frequency drives (VFD), the one or more variable frequency drives being coupled to the induction motors;
a diesel generator coupled to the motors and VFD; and optionally
a cooling radiator coupled to the diesel motor.
2. The fracturing system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more well service pumps is capable of supplying at least 3500 horsepower.
3. The fracturing system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more electric induction motors is capable of supplying at least 2000 horsepower.
4. The fracturing system of claim 1, wherein the combined weight of a single tractor and trailer is less than 127,600 pounds.
5. The fracturing system of claim 1, wherein the one or more electric induction motors are mounted on the one or more well service pumps.
6. The fracturing system in claim 1, wherein the well service pump is a quintuplex plunger-style fluid pump.
7. The fracturing system of claim 1, wherein the well service pump is a triplex plunger-style fluid pump.
8. The fracturing system of claim 1, wherein the at least one trailer includes two well service pumps and each well service pump is coupled to two induction motors.
9. The fracturing system of claim 8, wherein the at least one trailer includes two 3000 horsepower quintuplex plunger-style fluid pumps, two AC induction motors mounted on each fluid pump capable of supplying at least 1600 horsepower, two 4000 horsepower AC VFDs, a VDF cooling system, and optionally an auxiliary diesel generator, wherein said auxiliary diesel generator powers auxiliary equipment, lube pumps, and cooling fans, and wherein said induction motors and fluid pump are coupled via pulley assemblies.
10. The fracturing system of claim 1 wherein the at least one trailer includes one well service pump coupled to one induction motor.
11. The fracturing system of claim 10, wherein the at least one trailer includes one 3500 horsepower quintuplex plunger-style fluid pump, an AC induction motor capable of supplying at least 2000 horsepower, a 4000 horsepower AC VDF drive, and an auxiliary diesel generator, wherein said auxiliary diesel generator powers auxiliary equipment, lube pumps, and cooling fans, and wherein said induction motor and fluid pump are coupled via transmission.
12. The fracturing system of claim 1, wherein electric induction motor function is diagnosed via separate operator interface terminal.
13. The fracturing system of claim 1, wherein the well service pumps and electric induction motors are horizontal.
14. The fracturing system of claim 1, wherein the system is disposed on shore or off-shore.
15. A fracturing system for use at a fracturing site, the system comprising:
optionally, at least one tractor unit having multiple axles;
at least one trailer unit having multiple axles releasably coupled with the at least one tractor unit, the at least one trailer unit including:
one or more well service pumps, wherein said service pumps are quintuplex or triplex plunger-style fluid pumps;
one or more induction motors with cooling fans, the one or more electric induction motors being coupled to the well service pumps via pulley assemblies or transmissions;
one or more variable frequency drives (VFD) with a cooling system, the one or more variable frequency drives being coupled to the induction motors;
a diesel generator coupled to the motors and VFD.
16. The fracturing system of claim 15, wherein the at least one trailer includes two 3000 horsepower quintuplex plunger-style fluid pumps, two AC induction motors mounted on each fluid pump capable of supplying at least 1600 horsepower, two 4000 horsepower AC VFDs, a VDF cooling system, and optionally an auxiliary diesel generator, wherein said auxiliary diesel generator powers auxiliary equipment, lube pumps, and cooling fans, and wherein said induction motors and fluid pump are coupled via pulley assemblies.
17. The fracturing system of claim 15, wherein the at least one trailer includes one 3500 horsepower quintuplex plunger-style fluid pump, an AC induction motor capable of supplying at least 2000 horsepower, a 4000 horsepower AC VDF drive, and an auxiliary diesel generator, wherein said auxiliary diesel generator powers auxiliary equipment, lube pumps, and cooling fans, and wherein said induction motor and fluid pump are coupled via transmission.
18. A method of delivering fracturing fluid to a wellbore, the method comprising:
providing to a wellbore site at least one trailer unit, the at least one trailer unit including:
one or more well service pumps,
one or more induction motors with cooling fans, the one or more electric induction motors being coupled to the well service pumps via pulley assemblies or transmissions,
one or more variable frequency drives (VFD) with a cooling system, the one or more variable frequency drives being coupled to the induction motors,
a diesel generator coupled to the motors and VFD, and optionally
a cooling radiator coupled to the diesel motor; and
operating components in said trailer to pump said fracturing fluid from the surface to the wellbore.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one trailer includes two 3000 horsepower quintuplex plunger-style fluid pumps, two AC induction motors mounted on each fluid pump capable of supplying at least 1600 horsepower, two 4000 horsepower AC VFDs, a VDF cooling system, and optionally an auxiliary diesel generator, wherein said auxiliary diesel generator powers auxiliary equipment, lube pumps, and cooling fans, and wherein said induction motors and fluid pump are coupled via pulley assemblies.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one trailer includes one 3500 horsepower quintuplex plunger-style fluid pump, an AC induction motor capable of supplying at least 2000 horsepower, a 4000 horsepower AC VDF drive, and an auxiliary diesel generator, wherein said auxiliary diesel generator powers auxiliary equipment, lube pumps, and cooling fans, and wherein said induction motor and fluid pump are coupled via transmission.
21. A fracturing system for use at a fracturing site, the system comprising:
optionally, at least one tractor unit having multiple axles;
at least one trailer unit, the at least one trailer unit including:
one or more well service pumps;
one or more horizontal induction motors, the one or more electric induction motors being coupled to the well service pumps via pulley assemblies or transmissions;
one or more variable frequency drives (VFD) with a cooling system, the one or more variable frequency drives being coupled to the induction motors;
a diesel generator coupled to the motors and VFD; and optionally
a cooling radiator coupled to the diesel motor.
22. The fracturing system of claim 21, wherein the at least one trailer includes two triplex plunger-style fluid pumps, two AC induction motors mounted on each fluid pump capable of supplying at least 1600 horsepower, two 4000 horsepower AC VFDs, a VDF cooling system, and optionally an auxiliary diesel generator, wherein said auxiliary diesel generator powers auxiliary equipment, lube pumps, and cooling fans, and wherein said induction motors and fluid pump are coupled via pulley assemblies.
23. The fracturing system of claim 21, wherein the at least one trailer includes one 3500 horsepower quintuplex plunger-style fluid pump, an AC induction motor capable of supplying at least 2000 horsepower, a 4000 horsepower AC VDF drive, and an auxiliary diesel generator, wherein said auxiliary diesel generator powers auxiliary equipment, lube pumps, and cooling fans, and wherein said induction motor and fluid pump are coupled via transmission.
24. The fracturing system of claim 22, wherein the trailer is a 46 foot step deck trailer or a 40 foot step deck trailer.
25. A method of delivering fracturing fluid to a wellbore, the method comprising:
providing to a wellbore site at least one trailer unit, the at least one trailer unit including:
(i) a two triplex plunger-style fluid pumps, two AC induction motors mounted on each fluid pump capable of supplying at least 1600 horsepower, two 4000 horsepower AC VFDs, a VDF cooling system, and optionally an auxiliary diesel generator, wherein said auxiliary diesel generator powers auxiliary equipment, lube pumps, and cooling fans, and wherein said induction motor and fluid pump are coupled via pulley assemblies or
(ii) two quintuplex plunger-style fluid pumps, two AC induction motors mounted on the trailer capable of supplying at least 1600 horsepower, two 4000 horsepower AC VFDs, a VDF cooling system, and optionally an auxiliary diesel generator, wherein said auxiliary diesel generator powers auxiliary equipment, lube pumps, and cooling fans, and wherein said induction motor and fluid pump are coupled via pulley assemblies; and
operating components in said trailer to pump said fracturing fluid from the surface to the wellbore.