Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L33/00—Arrangements for connecting hoses to rigid members; Rigid hose connectors, i.e. single members engaging both hoses
  • F16L33/01—Arrangements for connecting hoses to rigid members; Rigid hose connectors, i.e. single members engaging both hoses adapted for hoses having a multi-layer wall
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
  • G01M3/005—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures using pigs or moles
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
  • G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
  • G01M3/04—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
  • G01M3/24—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations
  • G01M3/243—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations for pipes
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
  • G01M3/38—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using light
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L2201/00—Special arrangements for pipe couplings
  • F16L2201/30—Detecting leaks

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a connecting end of a flexible fluid transport pipe, the flexible pipe comprising at least one tubular sheath and at least one layer of tensile armor disposed externally with respect to the tubular sheath, the layer of armor comprising a plurality of threadlike armor elements, the tip comprising:
• a sensor for detecting at least one piece of information representative of a medium located in the flexible pipe.
• the pipe is in particular but not exclusively a flexible pipe of unbonded type, intended for the transport of hydrocarbons through an expanse of water, such as an ocean, a sea, a lake or a river. .
• Such a flexible pipe is for example made according to the normative documents API 17J (Specification for Unbonded Flexible Pipe) and API RP 17B (Recommended Practice for Flexible Pipe) established by the American Petroleum Institute and / or their equivalent ISO 13628 established by the International Organization for Standardization.
• the pipe is generally formed of a set of concentric and superimposed layers. It is considered as "unbound" in the sense of the present invention since at least one of the layers of the pipe is able to move longitudinally relative to the adjacent layers during bending of the pipe.
• an unbonded pipe is a pipe devoid of binding materials connecting layers forming the pipe.
• the conduit is generally disposed across an expanse of water between a bottom assembly for collecting fluid operated in the bottom of the body of water and a floating surface assembly for collecting and delivering fluid.
• the surface assembly may be a semi-submersible platform, an FPSO or other floating assembly.
• the flexible pipe has a length greater than 800 m.
• the ends of the pipe have tips for connection to the bottom assembly and the entire surface and intermediate ends for connecting the different pipe sections together.
• external parameters such as fluid temperature, internal pressure, and gas composition become critical. It is therefore necessary to continuously monitor the integrity of the pipe.
• the representative information is for example chosen from the temperature of the medium, its pressure, its moisture content, its water content, especially seawater, and the chemical composition of the gases present in the medium.
• the spectroscope is connected to at least two optical fibers extending through the tip, to bring an optical supply signal of the spectroscope, able to generate an acoustic wave passing through the medium to be measured and to recover an optical signal formed from of the acoustic wave and return it to the surface.
• the spectroscope is an active sensor powered electrically by an electric power supply wire, a battery, or by a device for converting a light power transmitted through an optical fiber into an electrical power.
• An object of the invention is to obtain a device for monitoring the integrity of a flexible pipe, which is simple and effective to use, while not requiring substantial modifications of the structure of the tip and / or of driving.
• the invention relates to a tip of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the detection sensor is a passive sensor, activatable from outside the tip by a wireless transmission.
• the tip according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in any technically possible combination: - It defines a gas evacuation pipe out of the nozzle, the detection sensor being placed in the gas exhaust duct;
• the detection sensor comprises at least one surface acoustic wave detector
• the detection sensor comprises an antenna for receiving a wireless electromagnetic interrogation signal, and an upstream translator capable of converting the interrogation electromagnetic signal into an acoustic detection signal circulating in the surface acoustic wave detector;
• the detection sensor comprises a reflector capable of redirecting the acoustic detection signal towards the upstream translator in order to convert the acoustic detection signal into an electromagnetic signal bearing representative information, the reception antenna being able to emit wirelessly outwardly the electromagnetic carrier signal;
• the detection sensor comprises a downstream translator and a transmitting antenna, the surface acoustic wave detector being arranged between the upstream translator and the downstream translator, the downstream translator being able to convert the acoustic detection signal into an electromagnetic signal; bearer of representative information, the transmitting antenna being able to emit wirelessly the carrier electromagnetic signal;
• the detection sensor comprises at least two surface acoustic wave detectors, each detector being able to modify an acoustic detection signal as a function of a distinct representative information;
• the detection sensor comprises a reception antenna common to at least two detectors
• the receiving antenna is a microstrip antenna
• the representative information is chosen from the medium temperature, the medium pressure, the humidity of the medium, and / or the composition of a given compound, such as seawater or a hydrocarbon gas such as for example, methane, butane, hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S), carbon dioxide (C0 2 ) or a combination of these gases.
• a given compound such as seawater or a hydrocarbon gas such as for example, methane, butane, hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S), carbon dioxide (C0 2 ) or a combination of these gases.
• the invention also relates to a flexible pipe, comprising at least one tubular sheath and at least one layer of tensile armor disposed externally with respect to the tubular sheath, the layer of armor comprising a plurality of armor elements threadlike,
• the flexible pipe according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:
• It comprises at least one ring located externally with respect to the tubular sheath, the nozzle defining a gas evacuation pipe out of the ring, the sensor being placed in the gas evacuation conduit.
• the subject of the invention is also a kit for monitoring the integrity of a flexible pipe, comprising:
• an interrogation device located outside the mouthpiece, the interrogation device comprising an antenna for transmitting a wireless interrogation signal intended to be received by the detection sensor through the interrogation device; end-piece, and an antenna for receiving a wireless signal carrying representative information, received from the detection sensor through the end-piece.
• kit according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken separately or in any technically possible combination:
• the interrogation device is carried by a remotely operated vehicle and / or by a plunger;
• the interrogation device is able to interrogate several detectors within the same sensor and / or several sensors,
• the interrogation device being capable of generating a multiplexed interrogation signal, advantageously by orthogonal frequency-code multiplexing.
• the subject of the invention is also a method for monitoring the integrity of a flexible pipe, comprising the following steps:
• the method according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in any technically possible combination:
• the detection sensor comprises a surface acoustic wave detector, the method comprising the generation of an acoustic detection signal circulating on the surface acoustic wave detector from the wireless interrogation signal, and the generation of the signal wireless representative information carrier, from the acoustic detection signal having circulated on the detector.
• FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a section of a flexible pipe on which is mounted a nozzle according to the invention
• FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic view, taken in section along a median axial plane, of the relevant parts of a first nozzle of a flexible pipe according to the invention
• FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the relevant parts of a first tracking kit according to the invention.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a detection sensor used in the first tracking kit
• FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a detection sensor used in a second tracking kit according to the invention.
• FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a detection sensor used in a third tracking kit according to the invention.
• FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an example of a temperature detector
• FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an example of a pressure detector
• FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an exemplary detector of a gaseous compound
• FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the sensor of the first tracking kit according to the invention.
• FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a fluid exploitation installation comprising a tracking kit according to the invention.
• FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an installation variant comprising a tracking kit according to the invention.
• FIG. 13 is a view similar to Figure 1 1 of another installation variant comprising a tracking kit according to the invention
• - Figure 14 is a simplified schematic view, taken in section along a median axial plane, of the relevant parts of a second nozzle according to another embodiment of the flexible pipe according to the invention.
• FIG. 15 is a simplified schematic view, taken in section along a median axial plane, of the relevant parts of a variant of the first flexible pipe end according to the invention.
• the terms “outside” and “inside” generally mean radially with respect to an axis AA 'of the pipe, the term “outside” meaning relatively more radially distant from the axis. AA 'and the term “inner” extending as relatively closer radially to the axis AA' of the pipe.
• forward and “rear” are axially related to an AA 'axis of the line, with the word “before” meaning relatively farther from the middle of the line and closer to one of its extremities, the term “rear” meaning relatively closer to the middle of the pipe and further away from one of its ends.
• the middle of the pipe is the point of the pipe situated equidistant from the two extremities of the latter.
• a first necessary 1 1 monitoring the integrity of a flexible pipe is illustrated schematically in Figure 3.
• the flexible pipe 10 comprises a central section 12 illustrated in part in FIG. It comprises, at each of the axial ends of the central section 12, an end tip 14 (not visible in FIG. 1), the relevant parts of which are shown in FIG.
• the pipe 10 defines a central passage 16 for circulation of a fluid, preferably a petroleum fluid.
• the central passage 16 extends along an axis A-A 'between the upstream end and the downstream end of the pipe 10. It opens through the endpieces 14.
• the flexible pipe 10 is intended to be disposed through a body of water 15 for the production of a fluid exploitation installation 17, in particular of hydrocarbons, examples of which are illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 13.
• the body of water 15 is, for example, a sea, a lake or an ocean.
• the depth of the water extent 15 to the right of the fluid operating installation is for example between 5 m and 4000 m.
• the fluid operating installation 17 advantageously comprises a set of surface 18, in particular floating, and a bottom assembly 19 which are generally interconnected by the flexible pipe 10 (see FIGS. 11 and 12).
• the conduit 10 of the fluid operating system 17 is located between two bottom assemblies 19 below the surface of the body of water 15, preferably resting on the bottom of the body of water 15 .
• the flexible pipe 10 is preferably an "unbonded” pipe (referred to as "unbonded”).
• At least two adjacent layers of the flexible pipe 10 are free to move longitudinally with respect to each other during bending of the pipe.
• all the layers of the flexible pipe are free to move relative to each other.
• Such conduct is for example described in the normative documents published by the American Petroleum Institute (API), API 17J, and API RP17B.
• the pipe 10 defines a plurality of concentric layers around the axis A-A ', which extend continuously along the central section 12 to the ends 14 at the ends of the pipe.
• the pipe 10 comprises at least a first tubular sheath 20 based on polymeric material advantageously constituting a pressure sheath.
• the pipe 10 further comprises at least one layer of tensile armor 24, 25 arranged externally with respect to the first sheath 20.
• the pipe 10 further comprises an internal carcass 26 disposed inside the pressure sheath 20, a pressure vault 28 interposed between the pressure sheath 20 and the layer or layers of pressure.
• the pressure sheath 20 is intended to seal the fluid transported in the passage 16. It is formed of a polymer material, for example based on a polyolefin such as polyethylene, based on a polyamide such as PA1 1 or PA12, or based on a fluorinated polymer such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).
• a polyolefin such as polyethylene
• a polyamide such as PA1 1 or PA12
• PVDF polyvinylidene fluoride
• the thickness of the pressure sheath 20 is for example between 5 mm and 20 mm.
• the carcass 26, when present, is formed for example of a profiled metal strip, wound in a spiral.
• the turns of the strip are advantageously stapled to each other, which makes it possible to take up the radial forces of crushing.
• the carcass 26 is disposed inside the pressure sheath 20.
• the pipe is then designated by the term “rough bore” because of the geometry of the carcass 26.
• the flexible pipe 10 is devoid of internal carcass 26, it is then designated by the term “smooth bore”.
• the helical winding of the profiled metal strip forming the carcass 26 is short pitch, that is to say it has a helix angle of absolute value close to 90 °, typically between 75 ° and 90 °.
• the pressure vault 28 is intended to take up the forces related to the pressure prevailing inside the pressure sheath 20. It is for example formed of a metallic profiled wire surrounded in a helix around the sheath 20 The profiled wire generally has a complex geometry, especially in the form of Z, T, U, K, X or l.
• the pressure vault 28 is helically wound in a short pitch around the pressure sheath 20, that is to say with a helix angle of absolute value close to 90 °, typically between 75 ° and 90 °.
• the flexible pipe 10 comprises at least one armor layer 24, 25 formed of a helical winding of at least one elongate armor element 29.
• the flexible pipe 10 comprises a plurality of armor layers 24, 25, in particular an inner armor layer 24, applied to the pressure vault 28 (or to the sheath 20 when the vault 28 is absent) and an outer armor layer 25 around which outer sheath 30 is disposed.
• Each layer of armor 24, 25 comprises longitudinal armor elements 29 wound with a long pitch around the axis A-A 'of the pipe.
• wrapped with a long pitch is meant that the absolute value of the helix angle is less than 60 °, and is typically between 25 ° and 55 °.
• the armor elements 29 of a first layer 24 are generally wound at an opposite angle to the armor elements 29 of a second layer 25.
• the winding angle of the armor elements 29 of the first layer 24 is equal to + a, a being between 25 ° and 55 °
• the winding angle of the armor elements 29 of the second armor layer 25 disposed in contact with the first layer of armor 24 is for example equal to - a.
• the armor elements 29 are for example formed by metal wires, especially steel wires, or by ribbons made of composite material, for example carbon fiber-reinforced tapes.
• the armor elements 29 each have an end portion 32 inserted into the endpiece 14.
• the end portion 32 extends to a free end 34 disposed in the tip 14. It advantageously has a helical or pseudo-helical path AA 'axis in the tip 14.
• the outer sheath 30 is intended to prevent the permeation of fluid from outside the flexible pipe inwardly. It is advantageously made of a polymer material, in particular based on a polyolefin, such as polyethylene, based on a polyamide, such as PA1 1 or PA12, or based on a fluorinated polymer such as polyfluoride. vinylidene (PVDF).
• a polyolefin such as polyethylene
• a polyamide such as PA1 1 or PA12
• PVDF vinylidene
• the thickness of the outer sheath 30 is for example between 5 mm and 15 mm.
• the first sheath 20 and the outer sheath 30 define between them an annular
• the fluid present in the ring 40 forms a medium intended to be analyzed by the tracking kit 11. This medium is able to migrate in the tip 14.
• each endpiece 14 has an end vault
• the cover 51 delimits, with the end vault 50, a chamber 52 for receiving the free ends 34 of the armor elements 29 .
• the tip 14 further comprises a front assembly 54 sealing around the pressure sheath 20, shown schematically in Figure 2, and a rear assembly
• the tip 14 further comprises an annular member 60 for supporting the end sections 32.
• the nozzle 14 defines at least one gas evacuation duct 62 connecting the annulus 40 to the outside of the nozzle 14.
• the duct 62 is advantageously formed through the arch 50. More specifically, in the variant of FIG. 15, the gas evacuation duct 62 connects the outside of the nozzle 14 to a clamping collar 86 at which the gases that have migrated through the first sheath 20 concentrate.
• the end vault 50 is intended to connect the pipe 10 to another connection end 14 or to terminal equipment, advantageously via an end flange (not shown).
• the roof 50 has a central bore intended to receive the end of the first sheath 20 and to allow the flow of the fluid flowing through the central passage 16 towards the outside of the pipe 10.
• the cover 51 has a tubular peripheral wall 70 extending around the axis A-A '.
• the peripheral wall 70 has a leading edge 72 fixed to the end vault 50, radially spaced from the armor layers 24, 25 and a rear edge 74 extending axially rearward beyond the arch. 50 end.
• the cover 51 delimits the chamber 52 radially outwardly.
• a rear face of the end vault 50 axially defines the chamber 52 forwards.
• the front sealing assembly 54 is advantageously located at the front of the nozzle 14, in contact with the arch 50, being axially offset forwards with respect to the rear sealing assembly 56.
• a front ring 76 for crimping intended to engage the pressure sheath 20.
• the front assembly 54 further comprises an intermediate ring 78 for stopping the pressure vault 28, and a holding block 80 axial axis of the vault 28, interposed between the crimping front ring 76 and the intermediate ring 78.
• the rear sealing assembly 56 is disposed at the rear of the annular retaining member 60. It comprises at least one rear crimping ring 82 crimping the outer sheath 30.
• the rear sealing assembly 56 further comprises a cannula 84 for supporting the sealing sheath 30, in order to insert the end of the sheath 30 between the rear crimping ring 82 and the cannula 84.
• the assembly 56 further comprises a rear locking ring 88.
• the tip 14 also advantageously comprises a solid filler material 90, such as an epoxy type thermosetting polymeric resin, disposed in the chamber 52 around the roof 50 and around the end sections 34 of the armor elements 29.
• a solid filler material 90 such as an epoxy type thermosetting polymeric resin
• the material 90 substantially completely fills the chamber 52. It is preferably fluidly injected into the chamber 52 and solidifies therein, by binding the end sections 34 of the armor members 29 to the vault 50 and / or hood 51.
• the gas evacuation duct 62 comprises an axial rear section 92 opening towards the rear in the chamber 52, and fluidly connected to the annular portion 40, and a radial front section 94 opening outwardly. by a port 96 of gas evacuation.
• the tip 14 comprises a plug closure of the conduit 62 (not shown).
• the duct 62 extends at least partly through the filling material 90, outside the end sections 32.
• the second annulus 40 comprises, for example, a thermal insulation layer, preferably made from an extruded thermoplastic foam containing blowing agents or from an extruded syntactic foam containing glass microspheres.
• the necessary 1 1 for monitoring the integrity of the pipe 10 comprises at least one end 14 of the pipe 10, and a sensor 100 for detecting at least one representative piece of information. of the medium present in the annulus 40, disposed in the tip 14.
• the necessary 1 1 further comprises an interrogation device 102 able to interrogate the sensor 100 from the outside of the tip 14 via a wireless transmission.
• the representative information is for example the temperature of the medium analyzed, the pressure of the medium, the humidity of the medium, the composition of a given compound in the medium, such as seawater or a hydrocarbon gas such as for example, methane, butane, hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S), carbon dioxide (C0 2 ) or a combination of these gases.
• a hydrocarbon gas such as for example, methane, butane, hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S), carbon dioxide (C0 2 ) or a combination of these gases.
• the detection sensor 100 is advantageously placed in the gas evacuation duct 62, in order to be in contact with the fluid present in the duct 62. It is preferably connected to the gas evacuation orifice 96, visible in FIG. 2.
• the detection sensor 100 is of small dimensions. It has for example a maximum dimension less than 50 mm in diameter, especially less than 35 mm in diameter.
• the detection sensor 100 is disposed in the nozzle 14, on land or at sea, before the installation of the flexible pipe 10 on hydrocarbon fluid production site.
• a posteriori can be obtained information representative of the medium present in the annular.
• the dimensions of the sensors 100 allow such an operation.
• the detection sensor 100 is a passive sensor that can be interrogated from the outside of the tip 14 by a wireless transmission.
• passive sensor is meant that the detection sensor 100 is devoid of any external energy source, such as a battery, and / or such that a power supply wire, in particular electrical, thermal or optical, from outside the tip 14.
• the detection sensor 100 is thus able to operate without external energy input other than that provided by the wireless transmission, in particular by the transmitted signal.
• the detection sensor 100 comprises at least one passive detector 104 capable of collecting information representative of the medium to be analyzed.
• the detection sensor 100 further comprises an antenna 106 for receiving an electromagnetic wireless interrogation signal.
• the antenna 106 is here also an antenna for transmitting a wireless electromagnetic signal carrying information representative of the medium.
• the detection sensor 100 furthermore comprises, for each detector 104, a translator 108, suitable for converting the electromagnetic wireless interrogation signal, into an acoustic detection signal intended to pass into the detector 104.
• the translator 108 is here also adapted to convert the acoustic detection signal after passing through the detector 104 into an electromagnetic signal carrying representative information.
• the detection sensor 100 further comprises, for each detector 104, a reflector 1 10 capable of redirecting the acoustic detection signal coming from the detector 104 to the translator 108.
• the acoustic detection signal is preferably carried by a surface acoustic wave moving along the surface of the detector 104.
• the surface acoustic wave is for example a "Love wave” type wave that propagates transversely, without vertical displacement. Such a wave is particularly adapted to a sensor 100 placed in a liquid medium.
• the surface acoustic wave is a "Rayleigh wave” type wave which presents a vertical displacement and a very efficient coupling with the surface on which it propagates.
• the detection sensor 100 has a plurality of detectors 104 connected in parallel with each other for measuring at least two distinct representative information. As illustrated by FIG. 10, the detectors 104 connected in parallel are all connected to one and the same antenna 106, via a clean translator 108 associated with each detector 104.
• Each detector 104 is of suitable structure to obtain the measured representative information.
• the detector 104 comprises a carrier plate 11, at least one intermediate reflector 1 12 interposed between the reflector 1 10 and the translator 108. , to return to the translator 108 an intermediate detection signal offset temporally with respect to the detection signal returned by the reflector 1 10.
• the volume of the carrier plate 1 1 1 and its length vary according to the temperature, which modifies the time shift between the intermediate detection signal and the detection signal returned respectively by the reflectors 1 12, 1 10.
• the temperature can then be calculated from the time offset measurement by calibration.
• the detector 104 comprises at least one hollow wall 11 defining a chamber 1 16 for receiving the medium.
• the hollow wall 1 14 has an upper partition 1 18 deformable under the effect of the pressure of the medium.
• the translator 108 and the reflector 1 10 are arranged on the upper partition 1 18 opposite the chamber 1 16.
• the stress on the partition 1 18 resulting from the pressure of the gas influences the acoustic detection signal. This allows the measurement of information representative of the pressure prevailing in the chamber 1 16.
• the pressure detector 104 illustrated in FIG. 8 is associated with a temperature detector 104 as described in FIG. 7.
• the detector 104 comprises a carrier plate 111 carrying the translator 108 and a reflector 110.
• the detector 104 further comprises a substrate 120 suitable for absorbing selectively a detected compound, such as water, or another chemical compound such as a hydrocarbon gas, for example methane, butane, hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), carbon dioxide (C0 2 ) or a combination of these gases.
• the detector 104 is positioned at an outlet port 96 'as shown in FIG. 14, so as to detect whether the annulus 40' comprising the thermal insulation layer is flooded following a tear in the outer sheath 30 '.
• the adsorption of the particular compound on the substrate 120 modifies for example the mass carried by the carrier plate 1 1 1 and thus influences the acoustic detection signal.
• the acoustic detection signal then carries information representative of the concentration of the compound in the fluid present opposite the substrate 120.
• the receiving antenna 106 is adapted to receive the electromagnetic interrogation signal, emitted from outside the tip 14 and transmitted through the tip 14, to transmit it to the translator 108.
• the receiving antenna 106 is a microstrip antenna.
• Such an antenna comprises for example a dielectric substrate of small thickness (for example less than 5 mm), a printed circuit disposed on a first face of the substrate, and a metal ground plate disposed on a second face of the substrate opposite the first face. .
• the receiving antenna 106 is advantageously housed in the orifice 96 for evacuation of gas.
• the antenna 106 advantageously has a length substantially equal to the radial extent of the plug intended to close the conduit 62. This allows the antenna 106 to provide the translator with sufficient power 108.
• the size of the antenna may vary according to the information to be transmitted / received to / from the interrogation device 102 as well as the distance separating them.
• the antenna 106 is also advantageously adapted to receive a carrier electromagnetic signal from the translator 108, and to transmit this signal to the interrogation device 102, in the form of a wireless transmission.
• the translator 108 is able to receive the electromagnetic interrogation signal coming from the antenna 106, and to generate, from the interrogation electromagnetic signal, an acoustic detection signal transmitted to the detector 104.
• the translator 108 is an interdigital translator.
• It comprises a piezoelectric substrate 130, a first group of metal fingers 132 connected to a first terminal of the antenna 106, and a second group of metal fingers 134 connected to a second terminal of the antenna 106.
• the fingers 132, 134 are carried by the substrate 130.
• the fingers 134 of the second group are interposed between the fingers 132 of the first group, being arranged staggered.
• the application of a variable voltage between the fingers 132, 134 resulting from the reception of an interrogating electromagnetic signal by the antenna 106, causes by piezoelectric effect, the deformation of the substrate 130 and the generation of a surface acoustic wave which constitutes an acoustic detection signal.
• the deformation of the substrate 130 by an acoustic detection signal from the detector 104 and the reflector 1 10 causes, by piezoelectric effect, the generation of an electromagnetic signal carrying a representative information, which is transmitted at the antenna 106 for re-transmission to the interrogation device 102.
• the reflector 1 10 is able to reflect the acoustic detection signal from the detector 104 to redirect it to the detector 104 and to the translator 108.
• the interrogation device 102 comprises a generation and analysis unit 140 capable of generating an interrogating electromagnetic signal, and analyzing the carrier electromagnetic signal received from the sensor 100. It comprises at least one antenna 142 for transmitting the signal electromagnetic interrogation, which in this example also forms an antenna for receiving the electromagnetic carrier signal.
• the device 102 is advantageously carried in one piece by a support 138.
• the support 138 is adapted to be grasped by the hand of an operator, in particular a plunger 290 (see FIG. 12).
• the support 138 is an underwater remote control vehicle 292, designated by the English term "Remotly Operated Vehicle” or "ROV”.
• the generation and analysis unit 140 is able to generate a multiplexed interrogation signal. for example by a frequency orthogonal code multiplexing (OFC) technique.
• OFC frequency orthogonal code multiplexing
• the generation and analysis unit 140 is also able to extract a representative carrier signal corresponding to each detector 104 of each sensor 100, from the carrier electromagnetic signal received by the antenna 142, by demultiplexing.
• the interrogation device 102 is suitable for being placed outside the tip 14, at a distance of for example between a few centimeters and a hundred meters.
• this distance is between 5 cm and 200 m from the tip, in particular between 10 m and 100 m to implement an interrogation of the sensor 100, using a wireless transmission.
• the flexible pipe 10 is installed in the body of water, with at least one end piece 14 provided with a detection sensor 100, advantageously placed in the gas evacuation pipe 62.
• a detection sensor 100 advantageously placed in the gas evacuation pipe 62.
• an interrogation device 102 is brought in the vicinity of a sensor 100, outside the nozzle 14, for example at a distance of between 5 cm and 10 m from the tip 14.
• the generation unit 140 is then activated to generate a wireless interrogation electromagnetic signal. This signal is emitted by the antenna 142 to the sensor 100, to activate the sensor 100.
• the electromagnetic interrogation signal is picked up by the receiving antenna 106. It is transmitted from the antenna 106 to at least one translator 108. Each translator 108 converts the electromagnetic interrogation signal into an acoustic detection signal. For this purpose, the electromagnetic interrogation signal excites the groups of fingers 132, 134, which causes, by piezoelectric effect, the generation of the acoustic detection signal.
• the acoustic detection signal is then transmitted to each detector 104.
• the acoustic detection signal is modified.
• the acoustic detection signal then reaches the reflector 1 10, where it is returned to the detector 104, then to the translator 108.
• the translator 108 converts the modified detection acoustic signal into an electromagnetic signal carrying information representative of the medium, as previously described, by piezoelectric effect.
• the carrier electromagnetic signal is then re-transmitted by the antenna 106 using a wireless transmission, and is transmitted through the tip 14 to the interrogation device 102.
• the operator of the pipe 10 thus obtains information representative of the fluid present in the annulus 40, such as its temperature, its pressure, its water content, and / or its content of hydrocarbon compounds.
• This tracking can be carried out at any time, by a wireless transmission using the device 102, which can be carried by a plunger 290 or by a remote control vehicle 292 when the tip 14 receiving the sensor 100 is located under the water, as shown in Figure 12 or Figure 13.
• the flexible pipe 10 extends through the body of water 15 between a surface assembly 18 and a bottom assembly 19.
• a wave configuration designated by FIG. English expression "lazy wave”
• lazy wave an intermediate connection 300 disposed between a lower section 302 and an upper section 304 of the flexible pipe 10.
• a sensor 100 is disposed in the lower end of the upper section 304, at the connection 300, and another sensor 100 is disposed in the upper end of the lower section 302, level of the connector 300.
• Yet another sensor 100 is located at a lower end of the lower section 302.
• the flexible pipe 10 connects two sets of bottom 19. It is placed on the bottom of the body of water 15. It has a sensor 100 disposed in each end cap.
• the device 102 can also be installed in a dedicated zone or carried by an operator when the tip 14 receiving the sensor 100 is located in the air, at the level of the surface assembly 18 intended to collect and distribute the fluid hydrocarbon, as illustrated in Figure 1 1.
• the upper end pieces 14 of a plurality of flexible conduits 10 are fixed on the surface assembly 18, above the surface of the body of water 15, in a volume air, or slightly below, in the splash zone (designated by the term "splash zone").
• Each endpiece 14 is provided with a sensor 100. As shown in FIG. 11, the sensors 100 of the various endpieces 14 can be interrogated by the same device 102, the device 102 being for example worn by a user or installed in a dedicated area of the surface assembly 17.
• each sensor 100 can be interrogated by separate devices 102.
• the monitoring can also be performed over the lifetime of the pipe, without changing the structure of the tip 14, since the passive sensors 100 have a small footprint and do not require the presence of an external power source brought by a wire, or a battery.
• the energy supplied by the electromagnetic interrogation signal is sufficient to activate the sensor 100, and each detector 104 present within the sensor 100.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a detection sensor 100 of a second set 1 1 according to the invention. Unlike the sensor 100 shown in FIG. 4, the reflector 1 10 is replaced by a downstream translator 160 connected downstream to a transmitting antenna 162.
• the antenna 106 is then a simple receiving antenna.
• the downstream translator 160 has a structure similar to that of the upstream translator 108. Unlike the sensor 100 previously described, once the acoustic detection signal has passed through the detector 104, it is received by the downstream translator 160 to be converted into an electromagnetic signal bearing representative information.
• the carrier electromagnetic signal is then re-transmitted by the antenna 162, before being received by the interrogation device 102, as previously described.
• the operation of the second necessary 1 1 according to the invention is also similar to that of the first necessary 1 1 according to the invention.
• Figure 6 illustrates a sensor 100 having an antenna 106 with an elongate structure.
• the antenna 106 is for example foldable between a folded rest configuration and an active deployed configuration.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)
• Testing Or Calibration Of Command Recording Devices (AREA)

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Citations (4)

• 2014
  • 2014-01-14 FR FR1450280A patent/FR3016422B1/fr active Active
• 2015
  • 2015-01-14 BR BR112016016239-0A patent/BR112016016239B1/pt active IP Right Grant
  • 2015-01-14 WO PCT/EP2015/050579 patent/WO2015107074A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2015-01-14 EP EP15700566.1A patent/EP3094907A1/fr not_active Withdrawn

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