Blowout preventer status assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9957771-B2
Application number	US-201514618430-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 10, 2015
Priority date	Sep 7, 2012
Publication date	May 1, 2018
Grant date	May 1, 2018

Abstract

A status assembly to provide visual and electronic indication of the position (open, closed, in-between) of the ram of a ram-type blowout preventer (BOP). The assembly is capable of coupling with a hydraulic motor that can be used to open and close the ram locks. The status assembly includes a rotatable element protruding from the BOP, a gear rotatable by the rotatable element, and an indicator that indicates the rotation position of the rotatable element and thus the linear position of the BOP ram. Some embodiments can also include a sensor that outputs an electronic signal to the system operator and can be incorporated into the main display for the BOP control system. This device is able to give immediate feedback to operators and to indicate whether each ram has achieved its intended travel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A status assembly for a blowout preventor (BOP) assembly that includes a rotating shaft of a motor of a locking mechanism protruding from the BOP and coupled to a ram of the BOP, the locking mechanism movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the status assembly comprising:
a gear comprising an opening to receive the rotating shaft and configured to be rotated with the rotating shaft; and
an indicator coupled to the gear and configured to rotate on a plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation for the rotating shaft to indicate the position of the locking mechanism based upon a rotation position of the rotating shaft.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rotating shaft is capable of being manually rotated by an ROV.

3. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
more than one gear linked together for rotation; and
the indicator being adjustable by a gear other than the gear for receiving the rotating shaft.

4. The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the gears comprise at least one reduction gear.

5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the indicator is a visual indicator mechanically linked with the gear.

6. The assembly of claim 5 , wherein the indicator is visible to a remotely operated vehicle pilot outside the assembly.

7. The assembly of claim 5 , wherein the indicator is visible to any other device, including one mounted on the BOP assembly.

Assignees

• Cameron Int Corp

Inventors

• Jaffrey Andrew
• Kroesen Gerrit M
• Mangan John

Classifications

• E21B33/076 Primary

  specially adapted for underwater installations · CPC title

• E21B33/061 Primary

  Ram-type blow-out preventers, e.g. with pivoting rams · CPC title

• Y10T137/8175

  Plural · CPC title

• Y10T137/8225

  Position or extent of motion indicator · CPC title

• Y10T137/8242

  Electrical · CPC title