# US 2017/0285668 A1 · Pressure relief valve apparatus and an electronic system for controlling the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0285668 A1 - Document ID: US20170285668A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/474,567 - Filed: 2017-03-30 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-30 - Assignees: KLX, Inc. - Applicants: Klx Inc. - Inventors: Lorne Randall Moseley; Brandon Carlton Wilkins - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170285668A1 ## CPC - F16K 37/005: {for measuring fluid parameters (F16K37/0033 takes precedence)} - F16K 3/02: with flat sealing faces; Packings therefor - F16K 17/00: Safety valves; Equalising valves, {e.g. pressure relief valves} - F16K 31/122: the fluid acting on a piston (F16K31/143, F16K31/163, F16K31/363, F16K31/383 take precedence) - F16K 37/0041: {for measuring valve parameters (F16K37/0033 takes precedence)} - F16K 37/0083: {by measuring valve parameters} - F16K 37/0091: {by measuring fluid parameters} - G05D 16/2093: {with combination of electric and non-electric auxiliary power} - E21B 43/2607: {Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations} - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract Provided are methods and systems for controlling a pressure relief valve. An electronic control unit monitors pressure being supplied from a source. If the control unit determines that the monitored pressure is above a threshold pressure, the control unit controls an actuator to move the pressure relief valve to an open position, thereby releasing the pressure from within the system. If the control unit determines that the monitored pressure is at or below the threshold value, the control unit controls the actuator to move the pressure relief valve to a closed position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for controlling a pressure relief valve, the system comprising: an actuator that operates to move the pressure relief valve between an open position and a closed position; and a control unit that controls operation of the actuator; wherein the control unit is configured to: monitor hydraulic pressure being supplied from a source, and responsive to determining that the pressure is above a threshold pressure, control the actuator to move the pressure relief valve to the open position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to: responsive to determining that the hydraulic pressure satisfies a predetermined reset value, control the actuator to move the pressure relief valve to the closed position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to monitor the pressure being supplied from the source based on measurements received from a plurality of sensors. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of sensors communicatively connected to the control unit, wherein the plurality of sensors measure the hydraulic pressure being supplied from the source. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: an accumulator that stores pressurized hydraulic fluid for activating the actuator; and a hydraulic power unit that supplies pressure to the accumulator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the hydraulic power unit comprises a motor coupled to a hydraulic pump, and wherein the control unit is configured to: control the motor and the hydraulic pump of the hydraulic power unit to supply pressure to the actuator. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a double-acting actuator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a single-acting actuator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: a skid having a cross bracing welded to a frame of the skid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: at least one visual signaling device configured to generate a visual indicator based on a determined status of the system. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises: a display screen; and a plurality of LED lights, wherein the display screen is configured to display data associated with the pressure relief valve system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the data associated with the pressure relief valve system includes one or more of: data associated with hydraulic pressure measurements obtained by the plurality of sensors; data associated with system pressure measurements obtained by the plurality of sensors; and an operating status of the actuator. ### Claim 13 A method for controlling a pressure relief valve, the method comprising: monitoring, using one or more sensors, hydraulic pressure supplied from a source; responsive to determining that the monitored pressure is greater than a threshold value, controlling an actuator to move the pressure relief valve to an open position; and responsive to determining that the monitored pressure is less than or equal to the threshold value, controlling the actuator to move the pressure relief valve to a closed position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein controlling the actuator to move the pressure relief valve to the open position includes: supplying pressure to the actuator to cause the actuator to open the pressure relief valve. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein supplying pressure to the actuator includes: controlling a motor and a hydraulic pump to supply the pressure to the actuator. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: generating a visual signal to indicate whether the pressure relief valve is in the open position or the closed position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the actuator is a double-acting hydraulic actuator. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the actuator is a single-acting hydraulic actuator.