US 12,247,850 B2
Obstruction detector assemblies, systems, and related methods for detecting obstructions along oil and gas equipment
David Lymberopoulos, Houston, TX (US); Andrew Allen Kadavy, Houston, TX (US); Peter Lanh Ly, Houston, TX (US); James Eric Amberg, Cleveland, TX (US); George F. Sullivan, III, Houston, TX (US); and Michael J. Pry, El Lago, TX (US)
Assigned to SAFOCO, INC., Houston, TX (US)
Filed by SAFOCO, INC., Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Feb. 1, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/430,252.
Application 18/430,252 is a division of application No. 17/592,076, filed on Feb. 3, 2022, granted, now 11,920,956.
Prior Publication US 2024/0175720 A1, May 30, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 33/03 (2006.01); E21B 47/00 (2012.01); G01D 5/14 (2006.01)
CPC G01D 5/14 (2013.01) [E21B 33/03 (2013.01); E21B 47/00 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An obstruction detector assembly for valves, comprising:
a driver housing comprising:
a sleeve having a plurality of fastener openings;
a first end ring coupled to one end of the sleeve;
a second end ring coupled to an opposite end of the sleeve;
an internal chamber formed within the sleeve and between the first and second end rings; and
a plurality of fastener openings disposed through the sleeve from the first end ring to the second end ring;
a driver stem disposed at least partially in the internal chamber, wherein the driver stem extends through the second end ring and is movable relative to the driver housing;
a driver head disposed outside of the driver housing and coupled to the driver stem;
a detector stem disposed at least partially in the internal chamber and coupled to the driver stem, wherein the detector stem extends through the first end ring and movable relative to the drive housing;
a mount plate coupled to and disposed outside of the driver housing;
a first switch coupled to the mount plate;
a second switch coupled to the mount plate and spaced from the first switch; and
a target coupled to the detector stem outside of the driver housing, wherein the target is movable with the detector stem between the first switch and the second switch.