Smart-control PLC based touch screen driven remote control panel for BOP control unit

• US 7,539,548 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2006
• Issued: 05/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sara Sae Private Limited
• Original Assignee: Sara Services & Engineers (Pvt) Ltd.
• Inventors: Dhawan, Samir
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartman, Jr.; Ronald D
• Application Number:
  US11/359,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20060212134A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 700/17, 700/83, 700/9, 700 19- 20, 700/282, 700/301, 731/520.1, 702/6, 340/853.1, 340/870.03, 166/338, 166/53, 166/250.15, 175 24- 25, 175/40, 175/230
• US Class Current: 700/19
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/16 Control means therefor being outside the borehole control systems for submerged well heads E21B33/0355
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/00 Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for controlling the Blow out preventer (BOP) used in well drilling operations comprising: BOP control unit, master control panel connected to the BOP unit for acquisition of data and processing the said data, comprising an input module, an output module and analog I/P module; a plurality of slave panels connected to master panel through the connecting means comprising input module, output module for controlling the BOP control unit; wherein the said slave panel is a programmable logic controller(PLC) for controlling BOP control unit.

Claims

1. In a device controlling an accumulator unit which controls a blow out preventer in a well drilling operation, the accumulator unit having selector valves with open/close positions, the improvements of the device comprising:

a master control panel for connection to the accumulator unit, acquisition of data and processing of the data, the master control panel comprising a master input module, a master output module and an analog input module;

slave panels respectively comprising slave input modules and slave output modules, the slave panels being programmable logic controllers for controlling the open/close positions of the selector valves of the accumulator unit; and

connecting means for connecting the master control panel to the slave panels, the connecting means comprising a wireless modem.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the master input module is connected to at least one amplifier for amplifying thereto signals received from at least one proximity sensor for sensing the open/close positions of at least one of the selector valves.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the amplifier is triggered by the signals received from the proximity sensor.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the master output module is connected to a solenoid through at least one relay, the solenoid controlling an air cylinder that actuates the open/close positions of the at least one of the selector valves.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the analog input module is connected to at least one pressure transducer for sending a signal corresponding to a hydraulic pressure to the analog input module.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the hydraulic pressure is an accumulator pressure, manifold pressure, annular pressure or combination of at least two thereof.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the slave panels has a push button for providing input of a user.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the slave panels has a light indication in event of at least one of hydraulic pressure or level of hydraulic fluid falling below a predetermined value or failure of the at least one of the selector valves.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the slave panels is provided with a touch screen for entering user input and displaying data.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein a wireless link of the wireless modem connects the master control panel directly to at least one of the slave panels.

11. The device according to claim 2, wherein a wireless link of the wireless modem connects the master control panel to at least one of the slave panels.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the master output module is connected to at least one relay pneumatically controlling the open/close positions of at least one of the selector valves.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein a wireless link of the wireless modem connects the master control panel to at least one of the slave panels.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the analog input module is connected to at least one pressure transducer for sending a signal corresponding to a hydraulic pressure to the analog input module.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the hydraulic pressure is accumulator pressure or manifold pressure or annular pressure or a combination thereof.

16. The device according to claim 14, wherein a wireless link of the wireless modem connects the master control panel to at least one of the slave panels.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the slave panels has the slave input module connected to a push button for providing input of a user.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the slave panels has a glowing light indication in event of at least one of hydraulic pressure or level of hydraulic fluid falling below predetermined value or failure of at least one of the selector valves.

19. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the slave panels is provided with a touch screen to display the data.

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein a wireless link of the wireless modem connects the master control panel to at least one of the slave panels.