GAS ACTUATED VALVE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A remote flow control system comprising:
- a remote terminal unit (RTU) in communication and control of a plurality of solenoid valves;
a choke valve positioned in a main supply line and including a pneumatic actuator for opening and closing the choke valve;
one of the plurality of solenoid valves positioned upstream of the pneumatic actuator;
one of the plurality of solenoid valves positioned downstream of the pneumatic actuator;
a flow meter positioned in the main supply line downstream of the choke valve and in communication with the RTU to report the flow through the main supply line downstream of the choke valve; and
wherein the plurality of solenoid valves are pulse-actuated to control the amount of gas injected into and released from the pneumatic actuator to affect opening and closing the choke valve in response to a signal from the flow meter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system to pulse at least one solenoid valve to regulate the volume of instrument air or other gas (e.g. nitrogen or natural gas) to the supply side or from the discharge side of a diaphragm actuator. The diaphragm actuator operates a primary variable flow/choke control valve in response to process control signals.
34 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A remote flow control system comprising:
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a remote terminal unit (RTU) in communication and control of a plurality of solenoid valves; a choke valve positioned in a main supply line and including a pneumatic actuator for opening and closing the choke valve; one of the plurality of solenoid valves positioned upstream of the pneumatic actuator; one of the plurality of solenoid valves positioned downstream of the pneumatic actuator; a flow meter positioned in the main supply line downstream of the choke valve and in communication with the RTU to report the flow through the main supply line downstream of the choke valve; and wherein the plurality of solenoid valves are pulse-actuated to control the amount of gas injected into and released from the pneumatic actuator to affect opening and closing the choke valve in response to a signal from the flow meter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A gas flow control valve at a well site comprising:
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a controller; a primary valve affecting the flow of the gas; an inlet valve operably associated with the primary valve; an outlet valve operably associated with the primary valve; wherein the controller is in operable communication with each of the inlet and outlet valves; and wherein the controller pulses the inlet valve to open the primary valve and the controller pulses the outlet valve to close the primary valve. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A control system for opening and closing a choke valve positioned in a gas supply line comprising:
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a supply line extending from a primary gas source to a transit line; a choke valve positioned in the supply line, the choke valve having a diaphragm actuator and being operable between at least a closed position and an open position; an input gas line having an input solenoid valve in communication with the control system; an output gas line having an output solenoid valve in communication with the control system; and wherein the control system has a desired flow rate for gas flowing through the supply line and wherein the flow rate is controlled by pulsing either the input solenoid or the output solenoid to maintain the desired flow rate. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of controlling a choke valve in a well, the method comprising the acts of:
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establishing an initial position for the choke valve; determining a flow rate through the choke valve; modulating an inlet solenoid valve coupled to a diaphragm actuator of the choke valve in response to the act of determining the flow rate through the choke valve; and modulating an outlet solenoid valve coupled to the diaphragm actuator of the choke valve in response to the act of determining the flow rate through the choke valve. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification