Abstract:
A system and method for monitoring bending curvature of a flexible pipe structure, including at least one conduit configured to conform to a profile of a bend stiffener of a flexible pipe structure, and the at least one conduit including one or more sensors, wherein each sensor is configured for measuring a bending curvature of the bend stiffener.
Abstract:
A flexible pipe fatigue monitoring system (30) comprising a pipe monitoring system (32, 40, 42) adapted to be provided on a flexible pipe (10) having a bend stiff ener (18). The pipe monitoring system (40, 42) is provided on the pipe (10) below the bend stiffener (18). The monitoring system (32) measures one or more of bending, tension and torsion of the pipe (10). The pipe monitoring system (30) comprises sensor carrier members (40, 42) adapted to be coupled to the pipe (10) and at least one fibre Bragg grating strain sensor embedded in a carrier member (40, 42). An inclinometer (34) is provided on one carrier member (40) to measure the incline of the pipe (10) relative to earth. A central processor (38) is provided to receive bending, tension and torsion information and incline information, and is operable to determine pipe fatigue from said information. A method of flexible pipe fatigue monitoring is also provided.
Abstract:
An apparatus for monitoring physical parameters of a structure, comprises a clamp that in use is placed to embrace the structure to be monitored; and a strain sensor attached to the clamp an arranged so as to detect strain in the direction of the perimeter of the structure. A method of monitoring a structure, comprises placing a clamp to embrace the structure to be monitored, the clamp having a strain sensor attached thereto; and collecting information from the strain sensor attached to the clamp placed in order to detect strain in the direction of the perimeter of the structure.
Abstract:
A system and method for measuring loads on a pipe, including a pair of collars that can be secured around the outer surface of the pipe to be monitored in an axially spaced relationship; and a connecting element having a strain gauge is fixed to the collars such that when the collars are secured to the pipe, the connecting element is arranged to measure distortion of the pipe due to applied loads, wherein the ends of the connecting element are attached to the collars such that when the collars are secured to the pipe, the ends of the connecting element are fixed against axial and circumferential movement relative to the pipe. The system includes the apparatus mounted on a pipe, such as a flexible pipe, in a subsea oil or gas installation.
Abstract:
An apparatus for monitoring physical parameters of a structure, comprises a clamp that in use is placed to embrace the structure to be monitored; and a strain sensor attached to the clamp an arranged so as to detect strain in the direction of the perimeter of the structure. A method of monitoring a structure, comprises placing a clamp to embrace the structure to be monitored, the clamp having a strain sensor attached thereto; and collecting information from the strain sensor attached to the clamp placed in order to detect strain in the direction of the perimeter of the structure.
Abstract:
A system and method are provided for determining wall thickness of a structure such as a metallic pressurized pipe. The system includes an optical fiber having a plurality of Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs), and a mounting for securing the FBGs over discrete portions of the exterior surface of the pipe such that strain in the pressurized pipe wall is transmitted to the FBGs. The system further includes a light source and a light sensor coupled to an end of the optical fiber. The light sensor converts light reflected back from the FBGs into electrical signals that a digital processor converts into strain measurements. The FBGs are mounted around portions of the pipe expected to have significant metal loss as well as portions of the pipe expected to have negligible metal loss. The method includes at least one of comparing relative strains at locations with negligible metal loss to those with significant metal loss to accurately determine the thickness of the wall with metal loss; compensating for temperature effects by considering relative strains at areas of the pipe with and without metal loss; and measuring axial strain on the pipe with one or more of the FBGs to correct for at least one of bending and torsion effects on hoop strain.
Abstract:
A terminal end-attachment device (10) for a flexible pipe (12) comprising an attachment body (14) adapted to receive a terminal end of a flexible pipe (12) and to couple the said flexible pipe to a hydrocarbon production installation structure. The device (10) further comprising a strain sensor (16) coupled to a sensor carrier (18), at least part of the sensor carrier (18) and the strain sensor (16) being at least partially incorporated within the attachment body (14). A method of manufacturing a terminal end-attachment device (10) for a flexible pipe (12) is also provided.