Monitor and control circuit for electric surface controlled subsurface valve system
US5293551A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 24, 1992 |
| Grant date | Mar 8, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 24, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01F2007/185
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A control system for applying power to a solenoid operated valve in a well completion within a borehole. The control system includes a programmable power supply for selectively applying electric power to a solenoid coil of the valve. The control system operates to apply a higher value of current to the solenoid to open the valve and a second lower value of current to maintain the operation of the solenoid in an open state and also to interrupt all current to the solenoid to close the valve. A timer controls the length of time the higher current value can be applied to the solenoid if the valve does not open and the length of delay time which must be included before again attempting to open the valve. The control system continuously monitors the state of actuation of the valve by means of an inductance monitor for determining the position of the armature of the solenoid and, thus, the state of the valve.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.