Position and seal wear indicator for valves and blowout preventers

Abstract

A position and seal or packing wear indicator for mechanical flow controlling devices such as valves and blowout preventers. For blowout preventers the system includes ultrasonic sensors for each ram and annular blowout preventer of a blowout preventer stack. Each of the ultrasonic sensors is positioned within the wall structure of the valve or blowout preventer and is recessed with respect to the inner wall surface such that a desired echo thereof occurs at the plane of the inner wall surface, thereby rendering the electronic signal processing system capable of accurately and positively sensing the precise positions of the flow controlling devices at all times. Electrical signals from the ultrasonic sensors are converted by an electronic signal conditioner to a usable interface format for transmission through a multi-conductor cable system to a remotely located computer. The computer includes software which generates on its CRT a graphical display of the respective positions of the flow controlling devices. The position detection capability provided by precision spacing of the ultrasonic sensors from the inner wall surface develops sufficient position indicating accuracy that detection of seal or packing wear can be identified. The computer also includes a printer for printing out data such as position indicating data or the graphical display of the CRT and also includes a data port for transmission of data to remote locations via microwave.