US 11,988,087 B2
Apparatus, system, and method for indicating a position of valve of wellsite equipment
Robert Duncan, Calgary (CA); Murad Mohammad, Airdrie (CA); and Lindsey William Harper, Calgary (CA)
Assigned to Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc., Calgary (CA)
Filed by Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc., Calgary (CA)
Filed on Nov. 4, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/519,247.
Application 17/519,247 is a continuation of application No. 17/359,416, filed on Jun. 25, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0412208 A1, Dec. 29, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F16K 37/00 (2006.01); E21B 34/06 (2006.01); E21B 47/002 (2012.01); E21B 47/09 (2012.01); G01S 15/08 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 47/09 (2013.01) [E21B 34/06 (2013.01); E21B 47/002 (2020.05); F16K 37/00 (2013.01); G01S 15/08 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for detecting and indicating an operational position of a valve for controlling a flow of fluids upstream or downstream of wellsite equipment, the apparatus comprising:
a first end that is configured to operably couple to the valve or associated equipment and a second end; and
a sensor housed between the first end and the second end, the sensor configured to be in communication with a target surface for contactless detecting of a detected distance between the sensor and the target surface over an entire range of motion of the target surface between:
a first position wherein the valve is open for the flow of fluids to or from the wellsite equipment, and
a second position wherein the valve is closed for the flow of fluids to or from the wellsite equipment, and
wherein the operational position of the valve and a percentage the valve is open or closed over the entire range of motion is determined based on the detected distance.