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A system and method for detecting a position of a blowout preventer's closure members makes use of an indicator rod connected to a piston of the operator system and an electronic position sensor located entirely outside of a pressurized chamber of the operator system and arranged to detect a linear

A system and method for detecting a position of a blowout preventer's closure members makes use of an indicator rod connected to a piston of the operator system and an electronic position sensor located entirely outside of a pressurized chamber of the operator system and arranged to detect a linear movement of the indicator rod.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for detecting a position of a closure member of a blowout preventer, the method comprising the step of: monitoring a linear position of an indicator rod having a first end in communication with the closure member housed by the operator system and a second end located outside of an operat

1. A method for detecting a position of a closure member of a blowout preventer, the method comprising the step of: monitoring a linear position of an indicator rod having a first end in communication with the closure member housed by the operator system and a second end located outside of an operator system housing of the blowout preventer and another, the monitoring step being performed by an electronic position sensor arranged to detect a linear movement of the indicator rod; andinferring a position of the closure member based upon the detected linear movement of the indicator rod;wherein the second end of the indicator rod is extended farthest out of the operator system housing when the closure member is in a ready-to-deploy position and least extended out of the operator system housing when the closure member is in a fully deployed closed position. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the detected linear movement is visually detected. 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the electronic position sensor is located entirely outside of a pressurized chamber the blowout preventer. 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the electronic position sensor is located on the indicator rod. 5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first end of the indicator rod is connected to a piston of an operator system for the closure member. 6. A method according to claim 1 wherein a portion of the indicator rod is received by a clearance groove of the operator system housing. 7. A method for detecting a position of a closure member of a blowout preventer, the method comprising the step of: monitoring a linear position of an indicator rod having a first end in communication with the closure member, the monitoring step being performed by an electronic interface arranged entirely outside of a pressurized chamber of the blowout preventer to visually detect a linear movement of the indicator rod; andinferring a position of the closure member based upon the visually detected linear movement of the indicator rod;a second end of the indicator rod located outside of the operator system housing being in a fully extended position when the closure member is in a ready-to-deploy position and in a fully retracted position when the closure member is in a fully deployed closed position. 8. A blowout preventer comprising: an indicator rod arranged in sliding sealed relationship to an operator system housing of the blowout preventer,a first end of the indicator rod being in communication with a closure member housed by the operator system housing, a second end of the indicator rod being located outside of the operator system housing;the second end of the indicator rod being extended farthest out of the operator system housing when the closure member is in a ready-to-deploy position and least extended out of the operator system housing when the closure member is in a fully deployed closed position; andan electronic position sensor positioned relative to the second end of the indicator rod to detect a linear movement of the indicator rod. 9. A blowout preventer according to claim 8 wherein the electronic position sensor is located entirely outside of a pressurized chamber of the blowout preventer. 10. A blowout preventer according to claim 8 wherein the electronic position sensor is located on the indicator rod. 11. A blowout preventer according to claim 8 wherein the first end of the indicator rod is connected to a piston of an operator system for the closure member. 12. A blowout preventer according to claim 8 further comprising a clearance groove in the operator system housing, the clearance groove being arranged to receive a portion of the indicator rod. 13. A blowout preventer comprising: an indicator rod having a first end in communication with a closure member housed by an operator system housing of the blowout preventer; andan electronic position sensor positioned relative to a second end of the indicator rod to detect a linear movement of the indicator rod, the electronic position sensor being located entirely outside of a pressurized chamber of the blowout preventer;a second end of the indicator rod located outside of the operator system housing being extended farthest out of the operator system housing when the closure member is in a ready-to-deploy position and least extended out of the operator system housing when the closure member is in a fully deployed closed position.