초록 ▼

Embodiments of a method of operating a safety valve and a safety valve system are provided. The valve system includes a valve, an actuator, a mechanical override, and an indicator. The actuator includes a fail-safe mechanism and the indicator is configured to indicate whether the fail-safe mechanism

Embodiments of a method of operating a safety valve and a safety valve system are provided. The valve system includes a valve, an actuator, a mechanical override, and an indicator. The actuator includes a fail-safe mechanism and the indicator is configured to indicate whether the fail-safe mechanism is operable during use of at least one of the actuator and the mechanical override. In one embodiment, a method of operating the safety valve includes actuating the valve into an open position and sending a signal to indicate that the fail-safe mechanism is operable to move the valve to the closed position, while the valve is in the open position.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A valve system, comprising: a valve;an actuator for actuating the valve using fluid pressure and having a fail-safe mechanism;a mechanical override for actuating the valve using mechanical force and overriding the fail-safe mechanism; andan indicator for indicating whether the fail-safe mechanism

1. A valve system, comprising: a valve;an actuator for actuating the valve using fluid pressure and having a fail-safe mechanism;a mechanical override for actuating the valve using mechanical force and overriding the fail-safe mechanism; andan indicator for indicating whether the fail-safe mechanism is operable during use of at least one of the actuator and the mechanical override, wherein the mechanical override includes a first chamber and the actuator includes a second chamber, and wherein the indicator indicates that the fail-safe mechanism is operable when the first and second chambers are in fluid communication. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the fail-safe mechanism is a spring that biases the valve toward a closed position. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicator provides a visual signal communicating whether the fail-safe mechanism is operable. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the visual signal is at least one of a colored marker and a colored light. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicator is in fluid communication with the first chamber of the mechanical override. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the indicator is a pressure sensor that senses a change in pressure in the first chamber. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the pressure sensor provides a visual signal when sensing the change in pressure in the first chamber. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve is moveable between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the fail-safe mechanism is biased to move the valve to the closed position. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the mechanical override is positioned to move the valve to the open position and prevent the valve from being moved to the closed position by the fail-safe mechanism, thereby overriding the fail-safe mechanism. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the actuator is positioned to move the valve to the open position, and wherein the indicator is positioned to send a visual signal when the valve is moved to the open position by the actuator and when the valve is movable to the closed position by the fail-safe mechanism without interference from the mechanical override. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the mechanical override includes a shaft having a bore disposed therethrough and a valve in communication with the bore for controlling fluid communication through the bore. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the valve allows fluid flow through the bore in a first direction and prevents fluid flow through the bore in an opposite direction. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicator includes an indication device, a housing coupled to the mechanical override, a piston seal movable within the housing, and a contact member operable to move the piston seal within the housing, wherein a portion of the contact member extends from the housing for contact with a drive sleeve of the mechanical override. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the drive sleeve is movable into contact with the contact member to move the contact member and the piston seal into a position where the piston seal closes fluid communication between the indication device and the actuator. 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a biasing member positioned to bias the piston seal and the contact member into a position where the piston seal opens fluid communication between the indication device and the actuator when the drive sleeve is moved from contacting the contact member. 16. A valve system, comprising: a valve;an actuator for actuating the valve using fluid pressure and having a fail-safe mechanism;a mechanical override for actuating the valve using mechanical force and overriding the fail-safe mechanism; andan indicator for indicating whether the fail-safe mechanism is operable during use of at least one of the actuator and the mechanical override, wherein the indicator includes an indication device, a housing coupled to the mechanical override, a piston seal movable within the housing, and a contact member operable to move the piston seal within the housing, and wherein a portion of the contact member extends from the housing for contact with a drive sleeve of the mechanical override. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the drive sleeve is movable into contact with the contact member to move the contact member and the piston seal into a position where the piston seal closes fluid communication between the indication device and the actuator. 18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a biasing member positioned to bias the piston seal and the contact member into a position where the piston seal opens fluid communication between the indication device and the actuator when the drive sleeve is moved from contacting the contact member.