Abstract: A shift lock-out device is used with a gearbox containing one or more gears and a clutch mechanism that is operable to selectively engage the one or more gears to provide first and second gear ratios. The shift lock-out device includes a housing having an inlet port that communicates with a source of pressurized fluid and an outlet port that communicates with the clutch mechanism. A valve element is supported within the housing for movement between an opened position, wherein fluid communication is permitted from the inlet port to the outlet port, and a closed position, wherein fluid communication is prevented from the inlet port and an outlet port. A pilot control valve selectively permits and prevents the application of pressurized fluid from a pilot fluid source against the valve element to selectively move the valve element between the opened and closed positions.

Abstract: An actuator system and method (10) includes a blow out preventer (11), a hydraulic motor (12), a gear box (13) intermediate hydraulic motor (12) and blow out preventer (11), and a position indicator (14). Gear box (13) has an input (19), an output (20), and a gear set (23). Gear set (23) is biased by a spring (33) acting on a piston (31) to a default high range gear ratio when blow out preventer (11) is open, to provide maximum closure/lock speed. Gear set (23) is moved by a hydraulic command signal acting on piston (31) to a low range gear ratio when blow out preventer (11) is closed/locked, to provide maximum torque to move blow out preventer (11) toward its open position. Position indicator (14) shows the actual position of blow out preventer (11) independent of the number of turns of input (19) to move the blow out preventer.

Abstract: A shift lock-out device is used with a gearbox containing one or more gears and a clutch mechanism that is operable to selectively engage the one or more gears to provide first and second gear ratios. The shift lock-out device includes a housing having an inlet port that communicates with a source of pressurized fluid and an outlet port that communicates with the clutch mechanism. A valve element is supported within the housing for movement between an opened position, wherein fluid communication is permitted from the inlet port to the outlet port, and a closed position, wherein fluid communication is prevented from the inlet port and an outlet port. A pilot control valve selectively permits and prevents the application of pressurized fluid from a pilot fluid source against the valve element to selectively move the valve element between the opened and closed positions.

Abstract: An actuator system and method (10) includes a blow out preventer (11), a hydraulic motor (12), a gear box (13) intermediate hydraulic motor (12) and blow out preventer (11), and a position indicator (14). Gear box (13) has an input (19), an output (20), and a gear set (23). Gear set (23) is biased by a spring (33) acting on a piston (31) to a default high range gear ratio when blow out preventer (11) is open, to provide maximum closure/lock speed. Gear set (23) is moved by a hydraulic command signal acting on piston (31) to a low range gear ratio when blow out preventer (11) is closed/locked, to provide maximum torque to move blow out preventer (11) toward its open position. Position indicator (14) shows the actual position of blow out preventer (11) independent of the number of turns of input (19) to move the blow out preventer.