Tulsa: wireless load-cell adapter for oil wells

The challenge

In oil extraction, the sucker-rod pump has a load cell wired to a control panel. Constant movement fatigues the cable until it breaks, forcing repairs that mean production losses and safety risks. The client needed to eliminate that failure point by replacing the cable with robust wireless communication fit for the environment.

The solution

• A wireless adapter with a transmitter next to the load cell and a receiver in the panel, linked over LoRa.
• Powered by solar panel and battery, with battery, panel and signal-status indicators.
• The system emulates the wiring: it is transparent to the load cell and its controller, so it is compatible with any existing system without modifying it.

The result

We reached a working prototype that solves the cable problem in an environment as demanding as an oil well, non-invasively and compatibly with the installed infrastructure. Development is on hold pending certification (a client decision). The project demonstrates our ability to design robust wireless communications for severe industrial conditions.