Choke calibration, position, and/or time display

• US 10,030,997 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2013
• Issued: 07/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smith International Incorporated (SLB)
• Original Assignee: M-I LLC (SLB)
• Inventors: Burkhard, Alan, Balli, Donovan
• Primary Examiner(s): Paquette, Ian
• Application Number:
  US14/758,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20150369630A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,666 Days
• Field of Search: 175218, 175 24, 175 38, 175 40
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/00 Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/142 using Hall-effect devices measuring magnetic variables using Hall-effect or other galvanomagnetic devices G01R33/06
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 29/08 using magnetic effect devices, e.g. Hall-plates, magneto-resistors H02K29/12 takes precedence

Abstract

This disclosure is generally drawn to systems, devices, apparatus, and/or methods related to choke systems for drilling environments. Specifically, the disclosed systems, devices, apparatus, and/or methods relate to choke calibration, position, and time display systems for drilling environments. In some examples, a choke display for providing choke status, position, time, and/or calibration information is provided, in some examples, an apparatus may include a circuit board having a right side and a left side, a first set of sensors disposed adjacent the right side of the circuit board, a second set of sensors disposed adjacent the left side of the circuit board, and a display portion configured to display a first mode and/or a second mode based on an actuation of the first set of sensors and an actuation of the second set of sensors.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a circuit board having a right side and a left side;

a first set of sensors mounted near the right side of the circuit board;

a second set of sensors mounted near the left side of the circuit board;

and

a display portion disposed between the first set of sensors and the second set of sensors and configured to display at least one of a first mode and a second mode based, at least in part, on an actuation of the first set of sensors and an actuation of the second set of sensors, wherein

the first set of sensors and the second set of sensors are configured to cause the display portion to display at least one of the first mode and the second mode,

at least one set of sensors selected from the first set of sensors and the second set of sensors comprises at least one Hall effect sensor, and

the at least one Hall effect sensor toggles the display of the first mode and the second mode based on a change in a magnetic field.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit board houses at least one selected from the display portion, the first set of sensors and the second set of sensors.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display portion displays the first mode based upon an actuation of the first set of sensors.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first mode is a position information mode.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

a position sensor adapted to sense a position of a choke, and adapted to transmit a position signal representative of the position of the choke to the circuit board.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display portion displays the second mode based upon an actuation of the second set of sensors.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second mode is a time information mode.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a time sensor adapted to sense a time period associated with a choke, and adapted transmit a time signal to the circuit board.

9. An apparatus, comprising:

a controller portion configured to receive one or more position signals, and further configured to receive one or more time signals;

a display portion configured to display at least one of position information associated with the one or more position signals and time information associated with the one or more time signals; and

at least one first switch and at least one second switch configured to cause the display portion to display at least one of the position information and the time information, wherein

the display portion is disposed between the at least one first switch and the at least one second switch,

the at least one selected from the at least one first switch and at least one second switch comprises at least one Hall effect sensor, and

the at least one Hall effect sensor toggles the display of the position information and the time information based on a change in a magnetic field.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more position signals comprises a voltage provided from a choke position sensor that comprises a potentiometer.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising memory for storing setup setting or accumulated time configured to retain the setup settings or the accumulated time on the memory if power is not provided to the apparatus.