Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
  • G01L5/00—Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes
  • G01L5/04—Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring tension in flexible members, e.g. ropes, cables, wires, threads, belts or bands
  • G01L5/08—Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring tension in flexible members, e.g. ropes, cables, wires, threads, belts or bands using fluid means
• • 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
  • F16G—BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR
  • F16G15/00—Chain couplings, Shackles; Chain joints; Chain links; Chain bushes
• • 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
  • F16G—BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR
  • F16G15/00—Chain couplings, Shackles; Chain joints; Chain links; Chain bushes
  • F16G15/08—Swivels
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N19/00—Investigating materials by mechanical methods
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N3/00—Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress
  • G01N3/02—Details
  • G01N3/06—Special adaptations of indicating or recording means
  • G01N3/064—Special adaptations of indicating or recording means with hydraulic indicating or recording means

Definitions

• the present invention finds its field of application among the equipment and methods for determining the tensile strength of the various anchor lines whose function is to keep stabilized in a given positioning, platforms or floating units for offshore oil prospecting or production. More particularly equipment that is independent of the anchor line, that is, is not an integral part of the latter. More specifically, equipment that employs a real-time monitoring system.
• Breakage of one or more anchor lines may cause the floating unit to shift in position beyond the safety margin and may cause very serious problems, particularly with respect to the production pipes attached to it, which may rupture. leading to major environmental disasters as well as risk of death to the staff on board.
• the primary guarantee of the integrity of the entire anchor system, which keeps a particular floating unit in safe operation, is based on the traction monitoring to which each anchor line is subjected.
• the platforms When under construction, the platforms have integrated traction monitoring systems for the anchor lines that will be connected to it in the future. These integrated systems are subjected to the action of the marine environment, which over time begin to have mechanical and electrical failures and compromise safety as a whole. It is almost mandatory to use alternative equipment for traction monitoring on these anchor lines.
• GB 532 772 A from 1941 is a good example of this type of concern and means of prevention.
• a link-shaped device that becomes an integral part of an anchor line, constructed with a sectioned central element, is described. Electrical contacts are fixed at each of the sectioned ends of this central element, being spaced apart from each other. These contacts are connected to a module that is attached laterally to the link and houses batteries and a lamp. When traction is excessive, the tendency is for the chain link to be elongated and the two branches of the central element come into contact closing the electrical circuit that turns on the lamp and catches the attention of the personnel involved.
• the technique has evolved into more sophisticated devices based on calculations made from data extracted from correlations with phenomena suffered by a tie, for example, the existence of a relationship between the vibration frequency of a given line and the acting traction.
• the device measures the natural frequency of vibration of a line and the traction on the line can be calculated by the specific weight of the line and its free length between two points of support or attachment.
• the document PI 0401668-8 A illustrates yet another mode of tension or breakage monitoring in submerged lines in general, among them the anchor lines. It comprises a device fixed to a region of a particular line with a sensor that is relative to some parameter that indicates a variation in the position of this device and a communication unit for transmitting to a control base a variation in said parameter.
• This method is positional and based on the fact that an anchor line assumes a certain inclination in relation to the water line and the inclination is a function of the traction acting on the line. Actuating pulls are obtained by calculations based on the measurement of angles that are recorded by the sensor.
• US 2013/0067881 A1 shows an assembly of a clevis-like device with a body in which one side is in the form of a fixed axis with arms extending parallel to each other. each end of this fixed axis. At the other ends of each arm an axis is interposed. In at least one arm, a recess is formed within which is housed a pressure sensor which acts as a tensile gauge.
• An object of the invention is an equipment for measuring and or monitoring the traction in the anchor lines of any floating platform engaged in offshore oil exploration and production activities.
• the equipment is mounted at one point on an anchor line without becoming an integral part of the anchor line so that once the necessary data has been collected, this equipment is disassembled from the first line and mounted on another line where a traction measurement without any special maneuver.
• this equipment basically comprises: an upper bar and a lower horizontal bar, which are interconnected at one end by a hydraulic cylinder and at the other end by a solid vertical bar, optionally with an extensometer. adapted in this vertical bar and in another possibility the solid vertical bar is replaced by a second hydraulic cylinder.
• Figure 1 is a perspective representation of the equipment of the present invention in operation, secured and adapted to an anchor line.
• Figure 2 is a perspective representation of the equipment of the present invention adapted to an anchor line with a second profile of the first disassembled horizontal bar.
• Figure 3 is a front view representation of the equipment of Figure 1 adapted to a single vertical bar anchor line.
• Figure 4 is a front view representation of the equipment of Figure 1 adapted to a vertical bar anchor line to which an extensometer is fitted.
• Figure 5 is a front view representation of the equipment of Figure 1 adapted to an anchor line with a second hydraulic cylinder in place of the single vertical bar.
• the present invention relates to equipment for measuring and or monitoring traction on an anchor line of any floating platform engaged in offshore oil exploration and production activities, which is mounted at a point on this anchor line without that becomes an integral part of the latter. Once the required data has been collected, this equipment can be disassembled from the first line and mounted on another line where a tensile measurement is required without any special maneuvering.
• the anchor line (LA) mentioned throughout this report is formed by a plurality of links (W).
• the equipment (A) for monitoring the traction on an anchor line can be viewed with the help of Figures 1 and 2 and comprises: - an upper bar (1), composed of a first profile (11) which is rigidly connected near at each of its ends: a first axis (E1) and a second axis (E2) and in its most central region a lock (T) against sliding; and a second profile (12) ( Figure 2 disassembled) which, in the same regions of the axes (E1, E2) and the lock (T) has holes (F) so that these elements can be fixed, serves as the first support point. of stretch between the anchor line (LA) and the floating platform (not shown in the figures);
• a solid lower bar (2) ( Figures 1 and 2) has recesses (21) near its ends with holes (F) to which a third axis (E3) and a fourth axis (E4) are fixed and serves as a second point of traction support of the stretch between the anchor line (LA) and the seabed;
• a hydraulic cylinder (CH1) ( Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) is connected by an eye (O) integrated with its body to the first axis (E1) of the upper bar (1) and by the end of its rod ( 3) the third axis (E3) of the lower bar (2) has the function, when activated, to retract this rod (3) and, through the calibrated hydraulic pressure reading, to register the acting traction in the anchor line ( LA) when acting as a moment transmitter element between the horizontal bars (1 and 2).
• Said vertical bar (4) may be chosen from the following configurations:
• a hydraulic power unit (5) located on the floating platform is responsible for supplying, maintaining and reading the hydraulic pressure that feeds the cylinders. (CH1, CH2), which are connected to it by oil supply lines (LO), while the extensometer signals
• Assembly of equipment involves the occupation of at least four links (W) of an anchor line (LA) which are parallel to the hydraulic cylinder (CH1) and the vertical bar (4). ), where a first link (W1) is traversed by the lower bar (2), a second link (W2) and a third link (W3), both free above the first link (W1), and a fourth link (W4) where the first and second profiles (11 and 12) and the lock (T), which crosses the interior of the link (W4) and prevent the sliding of the upper bar (1), are fixed.
• the cylinder rod (3) retracts, making the side of the hydraulic cylinder (CH1) the same length as the vertical bar (4), the second link (W2). ) and the third link (W3) loosen and the traction acting on the anchor line is transferred to the equipment (A).
• the equipment (A) when in operation, the upper bar (1) and the lower bar (2) are parallel to each other.
• the upper rod When assembling or disassembling, the upper rod is oblique to the lower rod (2) due to the hydraulic cylinder (3) being extended.
• the measurement of traction transferred from the anchor line (LA) to the equipment (A) can be chosen from:
• e may be kept permanently mounted on an anchor line (LA) and be actuated only when the tensile value is to be obtained on the line, or be disassembled from one line and mounted on another to measure traction on all lines.
• anchor line LA
• LA floating platform anchor lines
• the main concept underlying the present invention is equipment for monitoring the traction on an anchor line of a floating offshore oil drilling and production platform which is mounted at one point on this anchor line without becoming an integral part of it so that once the necessary data has been collected, this equipment can be disassembled from the first line and mounted on another line where a measurement of the traction without any special maneuver remains preserved as to its innovative character, where those usually Those skilled in the art may envisage and practice appropriate variations, modifications, alterations, adaptations and equivalents compatible with the working environment in question, without, however, departing from the scope and scope of the invention, which are represented by the following claims.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
• Biochemistry (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Immunology (AREA)
• Pathology (AREA)
• Force Measurement Appropriate To Specific Purposes (AREA)
• Testing Or Calibration Of Command Recording Devices (AREA)

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• 2014
  • 2014-03-26 US US15/126,753 patent/US10078025B2/en active Active
  • 2014-03-26 BR BR112016021783-7A patent/BR112016021783B1/pt active IP Right Grant
  • 2014-03-26 WO PCT/BR2014/000097 patent/WO2015157830A1/pt not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (4)

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