Patent Application
20070044652
This application is not based upon any pending domestic or international patent applications.
This application is not referenced in any microfiche appendix.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to remote monitor systems for control bars having position indicating indicia thereon.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the operation of refineries, chemical manufacturing facilities, storage facilities and so forth, it is occasionally necessary to penetrate the wall of a pipe or a pipeline for repair and maintenance purposes. In many instances such pipelines are under pressure, and frequently high pressure, or carry contents that are at a high temperature that would result in severe burns if contact is made with a workman, or in some instances the liquids within such pipelines are hazardous to health, such as ammonia or similar vapors and even more particularly, wherein liquids or gases flowing through the pipelines being tapped are explosive. Therefore tapping a pipeline can be hazardous. For this reason it is sometimes important that the operator of equipment, such as equipment for hot tapping a pipeline, be operated from a remote location so that in the event of a failure or accident, the operator will be safe from serious injury.
The essence of the invention herein described is a system that enables an operator to observe the position of a control bar that is typically part of pipeline plugging equipment by enabling the operator to read marking indicia on a plugging cylinder control bar. Further, the invention herein is concerned with a remote monitor system for a longitudinally positionable control bar that enables the operator to be constantly aware of the control bar's position but wherein the operator is remotely positioned to avoid the possibility of injury.
An example of the type of equipment for which the remote monitor system of this invention can be effectively employed is illustrated in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/132,773, filed May 19, 2005 entitled High Temperature Completion Plug, Charles D. Calkins and Jack E. Miller, Applicants.
The invention herein is a remote monitor system for a longitudinally positionable control bar. The monitoring system includes a housing having the control bar therein and having an aperture in a sidewall that communicates between the control bar and the exterior of the housing.
An explosion proof enclosure is mounted exteriorly of the housing. The explosion proof enclosure has a transparent window in alignment with the aperture.
A video camera is positioned within the explosion proof housing having a lens with a visual path through the window and in alignment with the housing aperture. A radio transmitter within the explosion proof enclosure is connected to the camera and is configured to transmit the signal of video images produced by the camera. The radio transmitter can be integral with the camera.
In addition, a light source, which can be in the form of light emitting diodes, is positioned within the explosion proof housing adjacent to but slightly rearwardly of the camera lens. The light source is placed to transmit light from within the explosion proof housing through the transparent window and through the aperture leading to the control bar so that sufficient light is reflected from the control bar to accurately reveal indicia passing in view through the aperture.
A battery power voltage source within the explosion proof enclosure provides energy to the camera, light source and transmitter for providing remotely receivable control bar position indicating images.
A transmitting antenna is affixed to an exterior surface of the explosion proof housing and sealably communicates with the camera and transmitter positioned within the housing.
A magnetically actuatable switch is mounted within the explosion proof housing and connected between the battery powered voltage source, the camera and light source so that by means of an actuator in the form of a magnet that is positioned adjacent the exterior of the explosion proof housing the camera and light source may be turned on or off without having to provide direct contact through the wall of the housing.
For background information relating to the basic subject matter of the invention herein, reference may be had to the following previously issued United States patents:
A better understanding of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and claims, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.
It is to be understood that the invention that is now to be described is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and arrangement of the parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. The phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and not limitation.
Elements illustrated in the drawings are identified by the following numbers:
Referring first to
Positioned within hydraulic cylinder 10 is a piston (not seen) that is actuated by hydraulic pressure. Secured to the piston is a cylindrical control bar 18 as seen in
Affixed on the exterior surface of control bar 18, as shown in
The lower end of hydraulic cylinder 10 includes a flange 22 and in like manner, the upper end of lower adapter 14 has a flange 24. Positioned between and secured to flanges 22 and 24 is the cylinder mounting flange 12. Typically flanges 22 and 24 are secured to cylinder mounting flange 12 by bolts, the bolts not being shown.
Still referring to
Shown within hydraulic cylinder 10 are spaced apart guide bars 32 that are used to control rotation of the piston within hydraulic cylinder 10 and are not related to the invention herein.
As seen in
In
Referring back to
Positioned within the explosion proof enclosure 42 is a wireless network capable camera 50 having a lens 52 that is in alignment with aperture 34 in cylinder mounting flange 12. Also enclosed within the interior of explosion proof enclosure 42 is a battery pack 52 and a magnetically actuated switch 54 (See
Mounted in the top surface of explosion proof enclosure 42 are a pair of insulators 62 that support a pair of camera antennas 64.
The function of the light source 60 is to provide illumination that passes out of the housing 42, through transparent enclosure window 64 and through view window 34 to illumines the exterior surface of control bar 18, including specifically indicia 20. As control bar 18 is longitudinally positioned during the installation or removal of a plugging tool or completion plug various indicia 20 pass the view window 34 and are illuminated by light emitting diodes to produce pictures picked up by wireless network camera 50. Video images from camera 50 are transmitted over antenna 64 and can be received in a variety of ways including by the use of a wireless personal digital assistant or a personal computer. An operator can therefore be located at a safe distance away from the equipment that includes hydraulic cylinder 10 while nevertheless the operator can by remote controls (not shown) control the cylinder and therefore the position of control bar 18. If for any reason high temperature, poisonous or explosive gases or liquids should escape as the control bar is being actuated an operator can be located a safe distance away so as to remove the possibility of physical injury.
The system can employ wireless networks, including a wireless router (not shown) for routing the video signal transmitted from camera antennas 64 so as to enable a plurality of monitors, such as personal computers (PCs) or personal data assistants (PDAs), to receive signals providing a pictorial indication of the position of control bar 18. Such wireless router can typically be mounted in a weather-tight plastic enclosure and could be secured to the hydraulic power unit such as to hydraulic cylinder 10.
As previously stated, there is positioned within the interior of explosion proof enclosure 42 a magnetically actuated switch 54. By using a magnet that can be passed adjacent to the exterior of explosion proof enclosure 42 the camera system, including the lights, can be turned on without the need to provide access to the interior of the housing. In like manner, when the camera and lights are not needed, a magnet can be used to turn off these elements. By the use of a magnetic switch the necessity of providing physical communication between the interior and exterior of explosion proof housing 42 is eliminated to thereby further help secure the integrity of the housing.
Light required to illuminate indicia 20 can be supplied by light source 60 as described, however the term “light emitting diodes” is inclusive of any miniature light generating device that uses battery power.
While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claim or claims, including the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.
