Apparatus, system and process for regulating a control mechanism of a well

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, a system and a process for regulating a wellhead control mechanism. The apparatus is configured to control actuation of a wellhead control mechanism by moving a moveable body of the apparatus between a first position and a second position. When the apparatus is in the first position a valve actuator is actuatable and when the apparatus is in the second position the valve actuator is physically interfered from actuating. When the apparatus is in the second position, the wellhead control mechanism cannot be actuated and is held in either an open, a partially open or a closed position. Other embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system that directly controls actuation of a wellhead actuation mechanism.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A valve assembly that comprises:
 (i) a valve body for housing a valve that is configured to move between an open position, a closed position and therebeween for controlling a fluid flow therepast,   (ii) an actuator that is configured to move between a first position, a second position and therebetween for controlling the position of the valve; and   (iii) a controlled actuator that is configured to receive commands for moving the actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the controlled actuator comprises one of a motor, a linear actuator or a rotary actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The valve assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the motor is one of electrically powered, pneumatically powered or hydraulically powered. 
     
     
         4 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the linear actuator and the rotary actuator are each one of electrically powered, pneumatically powered or hydraulically powered. 
     
     
         5 . The valve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is one of a butterfly valve, a plug valve, a ball valve, a low-torque valve, a low-torque plug valve, a gate valve, and a disc and stem valve. 
     
     
         6 . The valve assembly of claim of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is one of a lever or a wheel. 
     
     
         7 . A system for controlling the orientation of a valve, the system comprising:
 (a) a valve assembly that comprises:
 (i) a valve body for housing the valve that is configured to move between an open position, a closed position and therebeween for controlling a fluid flow therepast, 
 (ii) an actuator that is configured to move between a first position, a second position and therebetween for controlling the position of the valve; and 
 (iii) a controlled actuator that is configured to receive commands for moving the actuator, 
   (b) a controller that is configured to send commands to the controlled actuator.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to receive one or more of fluid-based information, object-based information or valve-position information from a sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor is a pressure-sensor that is configured to detect a fluid pressure within a conduit. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor is a sensor assembly that is configured to detect a presence of an object within a wellhead to which the valve assembly is operatively connected.