How undersea valves use sensors Today we look at submersible position sensors. From those used on jet ski and water powered boats to sensors are able to withstand submersion up to 3,500 metres and the vibration of oil drilling. In oil pipelines, drilling rigs and even in water treatment works submersible valves are used to regulate the flow of air or liquid through a pipe or within a piece of machinery. As with any operational valve there must be some element of control over the position of the valve, and because underwater valves are operated remotely the sensor technology used must be virtually infallible, as it cannot be visually checked with any ease.Submersible position sensors are used to determine the position of a valve at any given time as they are sealed against any water ingress and can operate when submersed at great depth. Positek manufacture a range of submersible position sensors made from marine grade stainless steel, a material which withstands submersion in both fresh and salt water very well and reduces the chance of rust or other corrosion building up over the lifespan of the sensor. As with all our position sensors these submersible ones use non-contact technology, which eliminates the issues of contamination from plant life and small marine animals, as well as other matter that is present in the water. This technology also means there is no wear and tear on any parts of the sensor, improving the lifespan of the sensor exponentially and lengthening the time needed between replacements.The sensors are able to withstand submersion up to 3,500 metres, so can be used for a very wide range of underwater applications including in the oil drilling industry. Naturally, the rating of these sensors is IP68, and we have tested these sensors extensively to be able to guarantee proper functioning at the extreme depths of up to 3,500 metres. If you require a sensor that can withstand more water pressure than this, or that has a different measurement range than our off the shelf solutions we are able to work with you to design and build a custom submersible position sensor that will meet your needs exactly.As these rugged submersible linear position sensors are often used in heavy industrial processes we have engineered some to be sturdier than others, meaning there is a sensor for any underwater application, and at every price point, right up to oil drilling where vibrations would pose a problem for less well built sensors. The LIPS X125 sensor is the most robust of the submersible position sensors we offer, and is also an intrinsically safe sensor, meaning it is safe for use in oil and gas drilling applications as it cannot produce an ignition spark. This feature is vital for sensors and any other electrical equipment that is used around potentially hazardous materials such as oil and gas, as the risk of ignition or explosion is high in these industries.The applications of these submersible linear position sensors include regulating and determining the position of valves and other equipment used underwater, and are responsible for ensuring that the flow of oil or gas is controlled and tanks or other vessels are not overfilled, causing a leak. The feedback from the sensors shows the operational control team exactly which valves are open or closed at any one time, and can even provide real time feedback about how the valves are moving when the system is engineered to be automated. At Positek, we understand how important reliable sensors are in these applications, which is why we have worked hard to create a range of submersible position sensors that meet the wide ranging needs of our clients involved in subsea industries. Of course, heavy marine industry is a large part of what we do in this area, but our submersible position sensors are used on valves in the leisure and recreation industry as well.The water jet propulsion system on a jet ski or a water powered boat uses valves to control the direction of the water flow through the propulsion system, ensuring that the water is being channelled in the right direction. Where solenoid valves are used to effect fluid flow in two directions, with a large degree of control required over this process, our submersible position sensors are ideal to regulate the opening and closing of the valve and in which direction it is operating. Obviously, very robust sensors like the LIPS G115 are too highly specialised for these applications, as there is no need to spend extra money on an intrinsically safe sensor when there is no risk of ignition. That does not mean that our other submersible linear position sensors are not as well engineered, far from it. We take pride in the design and manufacture of all our products, and ensure that safety is at the forefront of every sensor we supply. Our technical team are on hand to advise on the most suitable sensor for any given purpose and with years of experience in the non-contact sensor industry we believe we have an extensive knowledge base within our organisation, and we can use that to help you make the right choice. Article published on: 21/04/2017 Article last updated on: 21/04/2017