Patent ID: 9617837
Date: 2017-04-11
CPC Classifications: E21B

Claim:
1. A method of controlling a hydraulic oil well pumping apparatus mounted to a wellhead above an oil well, wherein the hydraulic oil well pumping apparatus comprises at least two modes of operation, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a hydraulic cylinder having a hydraulic cylinder rod that is movable between an upper rod position and a lower rod position, wherein the hydraulic cylinder rod is connected to a sucker rod that extends into the oil well; b) providing a control system that controls movement of the hydraulic cylinder rod as it moves between the upper and lower rod positions, wherein the control system includes a proportional valve that controls the rate of flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the hydraulic cylinder and wherein the control system further includes a directional valve that diverts hydraulic fluid to and from the hydraulic cylinder; c) operating the hydraulic oil well pumping apparatus according to a normal pumping mode of operation comprising the steps of: d) operating the hydraulic oil well pumping apparatus according to a cleaning cycle mode of operation comprising the steps of: