Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01D11/00—Component parts of measuring arrangements not specially adapted for a specific variable
  • G01D11/30—Supports specially adapted for an instrument; Supports specially adapted for a set of instruments
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01K1/00—Details of thermometers not specially adapted for particular types of thermometer
  • G01K1/14—Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations
  • G01K1/143—Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations for measuring surface temperatures
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
  • G01N29/22—Details, e.g. general constructional or apparatus details
  • G01N29/223—Supports, positioning or alignment in fixed situation
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N2291/00—Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
  • G01N2291/26—Scanned objects
  • G01N2291/263—Surfaces
  • G01N2291/2634—Surfaces cylindrical from outside

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a sensor system and, in particular, to a sensor system for mounting upon a pipe in a secure, removable, manner.
• a sensor system for mounting upon a pipe in a secure, removable, manner.
• the fluid flowing through the pipeline is very often higher than the ambient temperature surrounding the pipe.
• the fluid flowing through the pipeline may vary in temperature significantly. Over time, it has become apparent that changes in temperature acting upon the pipeline can limit the pipe lifetime. Overheating of the pipe either internally or externally can cause the pipe to expand and buckle, whereas temperatures which are very low can cause the pipe to contract and it may burst.
• New pipeline systems typically have integrally fitted temperature sensors so that the temperature of fluid flowing through the pipe can be monitored effectively.
• a sensor system for mounting on a pipe, the sensor system comprising a sensor unit having at least one sensor for sensing criteria associated with the pipe, a securing mechanism for securing the system to the pipe, an isolation mechanism for isolating the at least one sensor from an ambient environment surrounding the pipe.
• the senor By isolating the sensor from the ambient environment surrounding the pipe, the sensor can record data relating to the measurable criteria which is clearly indicative of the measure of criteria relating directly to the pipeline without any inference from the ambient environment.
• the sensor system further comprises a resilient biasing member operable to act upon the at least one sensor wherein the at least one sensor is resiliently biased against the pipe.
• a resilient biasing member operable to act upon the at least one sensor wherein the at least one sensor is resiliently biased against the pipe.
• the sensor system is secured against a pipeline such that at least one sensor is in direct contact with an outer surface of the pipe.
• the securing mechanism is a magnetic securing means.
• the sensor system can be easily attached and detached from the pipe which will typically be formed of a ferrous material.
• the securing mechanism is a strapping mechanism.
• a strapping mechanism enables the sensor system to be secured effectively to non-ferrous pipes.
• the isolation mechanism may be housing having one open side around which is provided a gasket, wherein the sensor unit is located within the housing and the gasket forms a seal between the housing and the pipe such that the at least one sensor is operable to sit directly against the pipe within the sealed housing.
• a gasket will enable the sensor system to be securely retained directly against the pipeline whilst isolating the sensor unit from the ambient environment surrounding the pipe.
• the sensor unit may further comprise a data logger.
• a data logger will enable storage of data relating to the sensed criteria.
• the sensor unit may further comprise a wireless transceiver.
• a wireless transceiver will enable the provision of sensed data to remote transceivers.
• each transceiver has an electrically insulated magnetic coupled antenna.
• each transceiver has an electric field coupled antenna.
• the antenna may be a wire loop, coil or similar arrangement.
• Such antenna create both magnetic and electromagnetic fields.
• the magnetic or magneto-inductive field is generally considered to comprise two components of different magnitude that, along with other factors, attenuate with distance (r), at rates proportional to l/r2 and l/r3 respectively. Together they are often termed the near field components.
• the electromagnetic field has a still different magnitude and, along with other factors, attenuates with distance at a rate proportional to 1/r. It is often termed the far field or propagating component.
• the data is transmitted as an electromagnetic and/ or magneto-inductive signal.
• Signals based on electrical and electromagnetic fields are rapidly attenuated in water due to its partially electrically conductive nature.
• Propagating radio or electromagnetic waves are a result of an interaction between the electric and magnetic fields.
• the at least one sensor may be one of a selection from a temperature sensor, an acoustic sensor and a vibration monitor.
• the sensor unit is provided with at least two sensors.
• the provision of more than one sensor in the sensor unit enables multiple criteria to be monitored.
• the data can be transferred with the mobile apparatus at a greater distance from the sensor than that required for power transfer.
• the first and the second range may be approximately equal.
• data and power transfer can be simultaneous.
• the data may be compressed prior to transmission from the system. In this way the occupied transmission bandwidth can be reduced. This allows use of a lower carrier frequency which leads to lower attenuation. This in turn allows data transfer through fluids over greater transmission distances. In this way, the first range can be increased by lowering the carrier frequency.
• the data transmission is bi-directional.
• command and control signals can be transferred to the sensor system.
• a sensor system for a pipeline comprising at least one sensor unit, a data processor unit, and a transceiver unit, wherein the sensor system is secured to the pipeline by a layer of pipeline insulation within which the sensor is embedded such that the at least one sensor unit is adjacent an outer surface of the pipeline.
• the sensor system is secured to the pipeline in an easy to install manner and is operable to sense direct data in real time thus improving accuracy and reducing time constant.
• the sensor is in direct contact with an outer surface of the pipeline.
• the senor is in indirect contact with an outer surface of the pipeline.
• a fluid cushion is disposed between the sensor and the outer surface of the pipeline. A fluid cushion between the sensor and outer surface of the pipeline enables the components to be in indirect contact.
• Figure 1 A is a perspective view of a sensor system according to an embodiment of the present invention
• Figure IB is a cross section view of a sensor system of Figure 1 A;
• Figure 2 is a cross section view of a sensor system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a sensor system secured against a pipeline in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 4 is a cross section view of a sensor system of the present invention secured against a pipeline
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a transceiver for use in a sensor system of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an antenna for use in the transmitter or receiver of the transceiver of Figure 5.
• a sensor system generally indicated by reference numeral 10
• the sensor system 10 comprising a housing 14 having a sensor unit 20 attached to a skirt arrangement 21 which is shaped to generally conform with the surface of a pipe 12.
• the sensor unit includes a temperature sensor 22.
• one of more additional sensors including, but not limited to temperature sensors, cathodic protection sensors, ultrasonic thickness sensors, ultrasonic flow sensor, acoustic sensors, vibration sensors and capacitive sensors may further be included within the sensor unit 20.
• a sensor in this case a temperature sensor 22, a resilient biasing member, in this case a spring 24, is arranged to act upon the upper surface 22a of sensor 22 so that the sensor 22 is resiliently biased against the outer surface of pipe 12.
• a thermometer sensor to be applied directly against the pipe surface.
• the sensor may be biased against the pipe surface by a spring as described or, alternatively, by rubber straps, interference fit, a screw deployment mechanism or the like.
• transceiver 28 which is in
• the housing 14 is further provided with a gasket 16 formed of compressible foam sealing material, which fills the space between the housing skirt 21 and the pipe surface 12 and when under compression which acts as a mechanical seal thus preventing leakage of the air or fluid of the ambient environment 30 into the housing 14.
• the gasket material may, in this case, be a neoprene plate with a hold cut to receive the pipe logger components, the use of a neoprene plate overcomes issues with traditional gaskets in that it conforms to the pipe surface and provides a more effect seal in the arrangement which enables the local ambient environment to be sealed.
• the thermal insulation constant of the gasket material and skirt material is more significant than the thickness of the material in that, ideally, the material should have a thermal insulation constant more than 5 times that of the material from which the pipe is formed.
• the housing 14 is retained against the pipe 12 by magnets 26 which are the securing mechanism that enables the system 10 to be secured to the pipe 12 in an easily removable manner.
• the placement and removal of the system 10 is facilitated further by the provision of grab handles 27 which can be held by an ROV (not shown) and used to manoeuvre the system 10 into the desirable position for measurements to be taken.
• the sensor system will be deploy able and/ or recoverable by means of an ROV, a diver, an AUV or the like.
• the sensor system 10 is further provided with a battery 29 which can be recharged wirelessly by inductive transfer of power to transceiver 28.
• a battery 29 which can be recharged wirelessly by inductive transfer of power to transceiver 28.
• Figure 1 which illustrates an embodiment of the sensor system generally indicated by reference numeral 10, removably attached to a pipeline, in this case subsea pipe 12, which is formed of an inner pipe 30 and an outer pipe insulating layer 32.
• the outer pipe insulating layer 32 has a thickness a.
• the sensor system 10 comprises a housing 14 having a sensor unit 20 attached to a skirt arrangement which is shaped to generally conform with the surface of a pipe 12.
• the skirt arrangement may be formed, for example, from a rubber or similar type material.
• a temperature sensor 22a Within sensor unit 20, and thus isolated from the external ambient environment 30, is, in this case, a temperature sensor 22a.
• the skirt arrangement 21 is provided with an insulation layer 23, which may be formed of a neoprene type or similar type of material.
• the insulation layer 23 which has a thickness b where b is as thick as, or thicker than a.
• the skirt insulation layer 23 enables the area under the skirt 21 to retain the heat of the oil in the pipeline.
• the thermal insulation constant is the important factor so choice of material to maximise thermal insulation constant for a given thickness is a key factor in selection of the skirt material.
• the thermal insulation of the skirt is greater than five times the thermal insulation constant of the pipe.
• the ambient environment is prevented from acting as a coolant in the isolated area where the temperature sensor 22a is located. Instead, the temperature gradient occurs at the outer edges of the skirt 21. Providing the sensor 22a with an insulation layer, the air around the sensor 22a is able to heat up even when the pipe itself is insulated by the pipe insulation layer 32.
• the thermal resistance function of the skirt insulation layer 23 on a system with a pipe having an insulation layer 32 is comparable to the function of a potential divider in an electrical circuit.
• the sensor 22a is able to measure a temperature which is exactly half the temperature of the oil in the inner pipe 30.
• Increasing the thickness of skirt insulation layer 32 can further provide increased thermal resistance to the isolated environment for sensor 22a.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a sensor system similar to that of Figure 1 with like components referred to with the same reference numerals for ease of understanding.
• a bubble of fluid 25 in this case a bubble of water, but it will be appreciated that the fluid may be air, gas or a liquid which is the same as, or different to, that being carried within the pipe.
• the fluid caught between the sensor and the pipe surface works in a manner similar that to fluid caught below a wetsuit in that the temperature of the fluid 25 rises to correspond with the temperature of the pipe and thus assists in providing an accurate
• the sensor system 110 comprises a sensor device 120 embedded within by a thermal insulation shell 130.
• the sensor device 120 comprises a sensor unit 122 which is held such that the sensor detectors (not shown) are secured directly against pipeline surface 114.
• the sensor device 120 further comprises a data processor unit, in this case data logger 124 and a transceiver system including a wireless antenna 126 for transmission and reception of wireless data to and from the sensor device 120.
• the sensor device 120 is embedded within the thermal insulation 130 such that the sensor unit 122 is in direct contact with the pipe surface 114. Recesses are formed within the insulation 130 which receive the sensor device components 122, 124, 126.
• the sensor unit 122 may be a multi parameter or multi-sensor device and with the sensor device 120 being embedded in thermal insulation 130, the integrated sensor system 110 will have an inherent buoyancy prior to being secured around the pipelinell2.
• Use of industry standard systems in deploying and recovering the sensor system 110 means that no new clamping or securing mechanism is required beyond what is commonplace for thermal insulation.
• the sensor unit 122 may include sensors such as a temperature sensor and by having this deployed next to pipe improved accuracy of temperature measurement is achieved and, in addition, there is a reduced time constant.
• any other sensor as deemed appropriate, such as those suitable for determining corrosion and flow can be incorporated within the system.
• the flow monitor arrangement may measure flow in two phases.
• Each sensor system 110 may incorporate multiple sensor devices embedded within the insulation 130 and in this way it is possible to configure an arrangement which obtained sensed data at opposing sides of the pipeline 112.
• the antenna may transmit data using electromagnetic signals. It will be appreciated that acoustic and optical sensors may also be integrated into the system 120.
• Figure 5 of the drawings illustrates the parts of transceiver 28 and it will be appreciated it similarly illustrates the components used in transceiver 128.
• the sensor interface 56 receives data from the measurement systems in the sensor 22 which is forwarded to data processor 58. Data is then passed to signal processor 60 which generates a modulated signal which is modulated onto a carrier signal by modulator 62. Transmit amplifier 64 then generates the desired signal amplitude required by transmit transducer 66.
• the transceiver 28 can send data or command signals to the data processor 58 of the remote transceiver (not shown) which are transmitted by the above described path. These command signals can be used by the remote receiver (not shown) which is likely to be mounted on an AUV, to detect the location of a wireless transceiver 22 to determine if the transceiver 28 is within proximity or range to transmit data and/ or power.
• Transceivers 28 also has a receive transducer 70 which receives a modulated signal which is amplified by receive amplifier 72.
• De modulator 74 mixes the received signal to base band and detects symbol transitions. The signal is then passed to signal processor 76 which processes the received signal to extract data. Data is then passed to data processor 58 which in turn forwards the data to control interface 68.
• Transceiver 28 can also be provided with a memory 78 which can store data for onward transfer.
• Figure 6 shows an example of an antenna that can be used in the transmitter and receiver of Figure 5.
• This has a high permeability ferrite core 80. Wound round the core are multiple loops 82 of an insulated wire. The number of turns of the wire and length to diameter ratio of the core 80 can be selected depending on the application. However, for operation at 125 kHz, one thousand turns and a 10:1 length to diameter ratio is suitable.
• the antenna is connected to the relevant transmitter/ receiver assembly parts described in Figure 2 and is included in a sealed housing 84. Within the housing the antenna may be surrounded by air or some other suitable insulator 86, for example, low conductivity medium such as distilled water that is impedance matched to the propagating medium which in this case is ambient environment 30.
• the antenna can also be used to magnetically couple energy between the
• the housing acts as a magnetic flux guide and the multiple loops 82 with the ferrite core 80 provide a transformer when a pair of transceivers are brought together.
• the two transceivers In order for successful energy transfer the two transceivers must be arranged close together, there being an acceptable gap of only l-2cm.
• Coupling efficiency reduces as frequency increases because of leakage inductance effects. Eddy current losses increase with frequency so also act to reduce the bandwidth available for data transmission. Data and power transmission can be separated in frequency to allow simultaneous operation of the two functions. Transfer efficiency is more critical for power transfer than for data communication applications so a higher frequency will usually be assigned to the data
• transceiver 28 is described with a common antenna for transmit and receive, separate antennas may be used. Additionally, a separate transmitter coil arrangement can be provided solely for power transfer.
• the sensor system 10 is retrofittable to pipe 10 and enables the sensor 22 to be held in an environment protected from the ambient environment 30 such that the temperature of the fluid flowing through the pipe 12 can be measured without the temperature of the environment affecting the sensed value.
• other sensors such as acoustic sensors and vibration sensors can be isolated from the ambient environment 30 in order to measure the necessary criteria required of pipe 12.
• the sensed criteria can be recorded as data and subsequently the transceiver 28 may provide the recorded data to a remote receiver such as an ROV, either upon interrogation or by emitting an output at a regular predetermined interval.
• the principle advantage of the present invention is that it provides a sensor system for retrofitting to a pipe and which can be isolated from the ambient environment in order to record true data relating to a criteria of the pipe such as the temperature of the fluid flowing within.
• the data can be harvested and the sensors recharged wirelessly.
• a further advantage of at least one embodiment of the present invention is that it provides a sensor system which can be simply and effectively, yet securely, attached and detached from a pipe thus enabling short, medium or long term depending on the site requirements.
• Another advantage of an embodiment of the invention is a pipeline sensor system is securely and safely provided with no additional installation costs above those associated with pipeline insulation installation.
• a further advantage of the invention is that by having sensor units able to be in direct contact with the pipeline, the accuracy of measured data can be increased.
• the sensor system may be secured to a pipe using magnets as detailed above, however, alternatively a strap or clip arrangement may be used to secure the system 10 to the pipe 12.
• the ultrasonic flow meter which may be included in the sensor unit 20 may be utilised to detect flow rate of fluid through the pipe being monitored so that any localised or general silting of the pipeline may be determined.
• a vibration monitor may be included in sensor unit 20 and may be utilised to determine if vibration is occurring, whether it is intermittent,
• An acoustic sensor can be included in the sensor unit 20 and may be used to detect noise occurrence from within or acting upon the pipe.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
• Biochemistry (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Immunology (AREA)
• Pathology (AREA)
• Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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• 2017
  • 2017-06-06 GB GBGB1709009.3A patent/GB201709009D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2018
  • 2018-04-09 EP EP18737150.5A patent/EP3701228A1/de not_active Withdrawn

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