MCMILES, Barry, J. (4527 Brittmoore, Katy, TX, 77041, US)
| CLAIMS What is claimed is ■ i , A siibsea apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature comprising; A fluid supply; A first pressure line coupled to the fluid supply, A second pressure line coupled to the fluid supply; mid A pressure recording device operaϋvely coupled to both the first pressure line and the second pressure hne; Storage of pr.e-deιemύned pressure data representative of said pressure hnes; Wherein the firsi pressure line functions at a lower pressure than {he second pressure line; and Wherein said pressure recording device records data and compares actual pressure data on said Hues with said stored data. 2, The apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature of claim 1. further comprising a gauging device coupled to the first pressure I me. 3. The apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature of claim 1. further comprising a processor for comparing data recorded by said recording device. 4. "The apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature of claim 1 , further comprising a regulating mechanism operatively disposed between the fluid supply and the first pressure line coupled to the fluid supply. 5. The apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature of claim I . further comprising a regulating mechanism operatively disposed between the fluid supply and the second pressure line coupled to the fluid supply. 6. The apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature of claim 1 further comprising a control for maintaining constant fluid flow regardless of pressure and temperature changes 7 Fhe apparatus foi testing a hydrauhc signature of claim 1 , fuither compπsmg a communicating dex ice for translating a piessuie reading mto an eiectuc signatiue H The apparatus for testing a h>diauhc mgnatuie of claim I fujthei comprising <Ϊ pressure relief opeiatn ei) coupled to the first piessuie line *) ϊ he apparatus for testing a hy draulic signatme of claim i . ftjrther comprising a processoi fot comparing s>aid stoied data w itli said presume data to deteimme potential fasiusc of pressure lines 10 The apparatus foi testing a hydiaulic signature of claim K further compitsmg a gauge coupled to the first pressure hue 1 1 Hie apparatus for testing a hvdrauiic signatme of claim L fortlier conipnsmg an isolation operain eK associated with the gauge saving sah e foj i.solatmg pressuiε between the gauge sav ing vah e and the pressure recotdmg deΛiee 12 The appaiatus foi testing a huhauhc signature of claim i , fυtthei comprising a % ah e operatrvely coupled to an appaiatus foi recen mg pressure 13 The apparatus, of claim 12, \\ herctn the apparatus for recesv mg ps es^υre I-. a SOP 14 A method for testing a hy draυuc sjgnatiue corøpusmg Recen ing and recording a first set of flow rate p rc^ttic ox er a specified tune penod io determine an existing bydiaulic signatuie of a sy stem. Receiving er α subsequent Cornpaiing ihc addsUonai flow iatc pjtessuie v alues to the fust set of How rate pressure to detect m the hydraulic signamre 15 The method of claim 14 further cfnipststng C'ommuntcatmg the additional How rate \ alues to a mεcbanism so that a i 0 compensaling \ alues 16 The method of clami 14 further compusing the step of operably connecting said comparison data to a signal Tor operating one or more in said system 1 ^ The method of claim 14 further cnmpπsmg a processor for analy/mg How rate values and said additional flow iate \ alues 15 18 The method of claim 14 further comprising a % ent tor rehe\ mg flow rate pressures 1 (> The nieihod of claim 14 ilmher couipTismg the step of releasing said fiov. iate pressures w hile inonrtoung ihe hvdraulsc sfgnatυie ox ef time 20 The method of claim [1J. fuπhct compπ^mg the step comparing a real time hj drauhc signature to theoretical hydiauhc signature* So idermfj discrepanc\ |
Field of Invention
The present invention relates in general Io the field of subsea equipment.
Background Art
The present invention relates to methods and systems for subsea energy extraction.
In particular, the present invention relates to a hydraulic signature tester for assessment and monitoring of pressure .systems.
Various mechanisms have been employed to prevent failure of subsea components due in pan to maintenance being performed normally on a time related basis rather than a condition based scenario. This not only adds needless costs, it aiso opens the system up for infant mortality of critical equipment due to needless repairs.
Thus there exists a need for an apparatus thai is capable of dynamically measuring fluid flow anomalies via pressure and time constraints during normal maintenance checks to fully analyze the condition of the equipment to determine if a repair is required. After repairs, the system of a preferred embodiment of the invention is used not only to confirm the quality of the repair, but also provide a new birth certificate for the repaired equipment to be used as a base line for future tests, in the case of new equipment, analysis with this system would be the initial birth certificate.
Summary of the invention
The present invention provides a subsea apparatus for monitoring and testing of a hydraulic signature having a fluid supply, a first pressure line coupled to the Ωuid supply, a second pressure line coupled to the fluid supply: and a pressure recording device operatively coupled to both the first pressure line and the second pressure line. Storage of pre-determined pressure data is representative of the aforementioned pressure lines. The first pressure line can function at a lower pressure than the second pressure iiae. A pressure recording device records data to allow comparison of actual pressure data on said lines with said stored data. Brief Description of the Drawings
Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of various embodiments, that are giv en by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 represents a schematic view of a hydraulic signature tester according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Description of the Invention
While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detai 1 below, it should be appreciated that the present inv ention prov tdes many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. Hie specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrativ e of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention.
To facilitate the understanding of this invention, a number of terms are defined below. Terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as "a", "an" and "the" are not intended to refer to onh a Singular entity, but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit the invention, except as outlined in the claims.
Referring now to the figure. Figure I illustrates a schematic \ tew of an apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature 10. Apparatus for Sesling a hydraulic signature 10 includes fluid supply 12, first pressure line 14, second pressure line 16, and pressure recording device 18. Pressure recording device I H couples to first pressure line 14 and second pressure line 16. First pressure line 14 functions at a lower pressure than second pressure line 16 Pressure recording device I S records data to allow interpretation of both real time and theoretical pressure rates. As pressurized fluid is conveyed from a source such as fluid supply 12, after passing through optional vah es. it is dispensed into first pressure line 14 and second pressure line 16 First pressure line 14 is intended to withstand lower pressures. Second pressure line 16 is intended to w ithstand higher pressures.
First pressure Sine 14 ultimately conveys lower pressure readings into pressure recording deuce I S. Second pressure line 16 also ultimately conveys a pressure reading mto piessisie recording see 18 Pressure teeoiding dex iee 18 ieeenes pressure inputs from fπst ptessuie hne 14 and second pressure lme 16 and eompaies pressure \ alues iecen ed to theoteliuil piessuie \ aluus de\ doped thtαugh lab testmu in \ aπυus conditions or through calculation As pressure s ecoidmg deΛ ice I H monitors real time pressures tt compares them to numeioυs inputs Ptessυre recording dev ice I H can aisu momtoi teal tune ptessuies when coupled to othei ;Λ stems, such as a blow out v BOP" pιc\ enter Aftei piessuie recording dex iee 18 has recen ed pressure \ aloes, pressure nu^ be reliev ed ftom fust ptesvαte line 14 and second pressure line K> Hrsi piessαtie lme 14 max ielease pressure \ ia tehef iebef 26 A fit st pjesstue gauge 20 operam ek couples to fttst piessure line 14 to provide teal lime pressure, second piessute gauge 22 operatn eh couples k> second pressure line 1 (> to pto\ ide real time pxessuie
In certain embodiments pressysc gauge 20 may opeiam ch associate w ith lltst pte^uie Ii tie 14 \dduionall> piessure gauge 22 ma> operate eK associate w ith second piessiHe line 16 Tn st ptessuie hne 14 also include a iehef ineUiantsin 24 for releasing pressute from ifissi ptessiue hue 14 Second pressute lme 16 ma\ also include a relief mechanism 26 foi releasing piessure from second ptessute lme 16
Regulating mechanism 28 røav be opera in elv disposed between Ωttid s«ppl> 12 and fiist pressure line 14 Similarly, iegulanng mechanism 2S rna\ be operatπ eK disposed bem εen fluid supph, 12 and second piessute line Ui Ttausducet 30, oi similat comniuincaung dev ice, ma> opeiain eK couple to first pressure lme 14 second hne 1 (\ or both lines to transmit piesMUC ieadings to an oiTsne souϊce First ptessme lme 14 ma> υptionαlly include gauge sauny \ ake ^2 in αidet to contiol fluid flow Addttionalh isolation fluid (low from reaching pressure tetoidmg de\ ice ! 8 so ccttαm msiances Such instances attse when greatet piesstues ate being transmitted to piessure iecuiding second pressure line I d ϊn cenain enibodniients, an appatatus ma\ be coupled to fluid supph' \2 thai maintains a constant fhud flow iegaidleis of pressure and iempetatuic x aiiaLυns
AdduionaSl} , numerous hvdrauhc about \ aπoυs pot lions of appaiatus foi testing a hydraulic signatuie K ) For example. h>diaulic \ ah e 38 may be oπenled to pjevent ptessuie from line 14 and second pressute line 16 Disposing hλdrauhc x ah e 38 m a position that allows pressure to enter fu st piessme hne 14 and second pressure lme 16 without accumulating, and allow s for apparatus for testing a h\ drauhc signature 10 io be oriented in a steady Mate condition so that fluid enter rug (torn fluid suppiv 12 is constant throughout the o stein In the e\ent of ait ernetgency fluid contained withm appaiaius foi testing a hvdiauhc signature IO may be immediately ieleased by opening hydraulic \ aKe 3 ( J
S initial H , sake 38 mav be deposed pπoi in sequence tot fiist pressure line 14 and second pressure line K> io prev ent fluid ftom entering first pressuie hue 14 and second pressure lme 16 in the e\enf thai burets of high pies&ure or 5o% pressure fluids are required to be implemented low aids ptessuie reeotding 18 pressuie ma> bmld aftes emeπng thtough fluid supph 12 and be sohsequenth teleased through e 3H \n initial pressure gauge 39 mas he disposed pnoi to icgulaiing mechanism 28 m otdei k> measure lliud presume emanating fiom Oiπd supply 12 Piessuie gauge 40 may be disposed puof to enteimg in older to measure piessuie the fiufd hne, to rneasuie piessuie e vetted on hydraulic vaϊse W to dcteiiiunc pie^suse drop OΛ CI Hrst pressure lme 14 and second pressure hne 16, and to compate teai time piessuie exeition of other pressure gauges Additionally, a piessuie i educing røechaiusin 41 regulating mechanism 2h and \ ahe 3S
In opciatiπn, fluid ing hvdiauhc xahc 3X closed After sufticieni fluid has accumulated w ithin one or more fluid Imes and piessuie has reached steads state, a tead ing roav be taken fiom pressuie gauge 40 After a reading has been taken and assuming x al\ e 30 is m a closed position \ aK e ^S may be opened m oider to allow fluid to reacli first piessuie line 14 and second pressure line 16 \s pressure rs ieleased into fust pressure line 14 and second ptessiue hne 16, and assuming ielief s alve 24 and tehef 26 ate m closed portions. pr«ssuie recording de\ ice 18 may take real uroe pressiue \ a lues At the same time, presume \ alues aie being leeorded, in readings taken fiom first piessure gauge 20 second piessme gauge 22, and leadings taken ptessute gauge 40, rnav all be compared to ensure that first piessme hne 14 and second pressure lme 16 are maintaining piessurc It is plausible that a small drop may be noted, but the drop should be minimal Once pressure recording deuce I K has pet formed its function piessun/ed fluid held vuthm first piessure line 14 and second pressure hne 16 \ e 24 and relief \ ah e 26
Regulating mechanism 28 may be implemented ahead of pressure gauge 40 in ordei to control the amount of fluid entering apparatus foi testing a ln diaiiifc signatuie 10 Regulating mechanism 28 be implemented in oider to establish a iammai or steady state fluid enfeπng apparatus 10 Simiiatl> regulating mechanism 28 be implemented to eυutiol fluid input into apparatus for testing hydiauhc signature ! 0
In certain embodiments piessiuc recording deuce 18 can be used to illustrate flow iate and pressuie trends For example, apparatus foi testing hydiauhc sjgnatuie 10 can be uuttallv employed to lecerv c miual piessute \ aiues> Pt essure values which are tiansmitted through apparatus (or testing a h>dιaulic signatrue i0 i na\ be imtiallv iecoided a gπ en time interval Λ.s-.iiming that all components of apparatus for testing a lix diauhe Mgnature H) ate piopeih functioning and that an associated appaiatus that it couples w ith is piopεrK m Sine, appaiatus fυi testing hydiaithc signature IO can be used to tecυid pressure valuer Apparatus for testing a hydraulic signatuie KJ can be used to iecoid both steady time peπods
Fojt example, if one desiies to coufiim that ptessute is being maintained w ithin the s\stem ot an associated appaiatus, piessure mav be ramped «p to a desired pressure \ alue m w hich lndrauhc \ ahe 26 are closed During this tune period duai pressuie iecorder 18 may iecord such pressure a peiωd of time As piessiue is tncteased withtu αppatatυs for testing a h>diaol!c signatute 10 the increasing pressures mas be recorded Once a dcsiied pressure is attained, piessurc cease being input and hydraulic c 38 ma> be closed For a specified period of time, piesNUte shυuid continue to be tecoided \ ia pi essute recording ice 18 Ptessute should be maintained m the system foi a period of tune so that one can detcimme if all components aie properh functioning These components can include -various seals, sealing mechanisms, and transmission mechanisms Pressure recording ιce I S ma> then ttansπut data to another location such as an onboaid computer ot a ptocessor, oi olΪMte data ccmei In alternatn c embodiments pjesMite iccordmg device IS may tumsrmt data to an mtegiated onboard ptocessor data \Λ irelessiv oi trnough data lines to anotbej pujcεssoi OJ data stoiage device Λs»sutuιng that all components are ptopeih functiortmg these v alues mav be recoided as "good" values Once "good " values h<ne been attained, such tests can be repeated to ensure that apparatus for iesting a hy draulic signature 10 and associated components are proper K Umctionmg Λs tests aie peifoimed using apparatus foi teMmg a hydiauhc signature 10, lecerved pιess»urc v alues can be recorded and compared to the imtiailv obtamed "'good " v alues In the event that subsequent pressure \ allies do not result tn substantiall) similar values to "good" \ ahies previously achieved, one may be alerted that an associated component may be near failure. An example, which is illustrative of such behavior, occurs when hydraulic valves are not fully sealing, perhaps due to additives jammed in their path. Another example which can. allow for pressure lossage is pipe joints which can wear down due to excessive coupling or over torque.
Additionally, apparatus for testing hydraulic signature 10 can dynamically compare hydraulic signatures. Hydraulic valve 30 may be opened to release pressure which will eventually reach an associated component. Pressure can reach an associated component most often via hydraulic valve 30, vent 24, vein 26, or any additional pressure releasing mechanism associated with apparatus for testing hydraulic signature 10. As pressure is disposed within apparatus for testing hydraulic signature 10 and measurements are taken over time, via pressure recording device .18 a hydraulic signature can be obtained. Assuming that at! components are properly functioning, this hydraulic signature may be deemed a "good" hydraulic signature, without having to close any valves. Apparatus for testing hydraulic signature may continue to function, over time while data is gathered via pressure recording device 18. As pressure is gathered over a period of time and various How rates are implemented according to the desired task, each subsequent flow rale can be compared to the initially achieved "good" hydraulic signature and various trends can be observed. In the event that sufficient wear and tear has occurred on various components of apparatus for testing hydraulic signature 10 or an associated component, and the hydraulic signature begins to shift, the associated component or valves contained within and/or associated with apparatus for testing hydraulic signature 10 can be closed, ahead of time in order to prevent failure.
In certain embodiments, predetermined hydraulic signatures can be loaded onto pressure recording device .18. Once apparatus for testing hydraulic signature 10 begins functioning, existing Hows and pressures can be compared to predetermined values and functionality of both apparatus for testing hydraulic signature 10 and/or associated components can be determined. In the event that .flows and pressures are not attaining predetermined hydraulic signature levels, pressure and flow can. be increased or decreased as necessary. For example, lower flow rate data can be preloaded onto pressure recording device 1 S prior to slatting apparatus for testing hydraulic signature MX Once apparatus for testing hydraulic signature .10 begins functioning any components that are improperly functioning would not ordinarily be picked up, but rather would be used to determine the initial nvdraitlie signature. Pre-stored data is beneficial because if a component of apparatus for testing hydraulic signature is not properly functioning at the onset the failure can be unmεdiaieiy detected, the coinpouent jepatied. and the machines functionality restored Although the present invention and its advantages have been described m detail it should he understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification, but OΪΪ!> by the claims.