초록 ▼

Sensors, including fiber optic sensors and their umbilicals, are mounted on support structures designed to be retro-fitted to in-place structures, including subsea structures. The sensor support structures are designed to monitor structure conditions, including strain, temperature, and in the instan

Sensors, including fiber optic sensors and their umbilicals, are mounted on support structures designed to be retro-fitted to in-place structures, including subsea structures. The sensor support structures are designed to monitor structure conditions, including strain, temperature, and in the instance of pipelines, the existence of production slugs. Moreover the support structures are designed for installation in harsh environments, such as deep water conditions using remotely operated vehicles.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A system for retroactively fitting a sensor and sensor communication system for monitoring an installed structural element, comprising: at least one subsea support member comprising a clamshell device; at least one sensor and sensor communication system adapted to be mo

The invention claimed is: 1. A system for retroactively fitting a sensor and sensor communication system for monitoring an installed structural element, comprising: at least one subsea support member comprising a clamshell device; at least one sensor and sensor communication system adapted to be mounted on said at least one support member, said sensor communication system in communication with said sensor monitoring system; means for remotely mounting said at least one support member on said structural element wherein physical changes in said structural element are transmitted to said sensor through said support member; and a recording system to record physical changes in said structural element. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor and sensor communication system is comprised of at least one fiber optic sensor and at least one fiber optic transmission cable. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said at least one fiber optic transmission cable is a cable having multiple fiber optic strands therein. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein said at least one fiber optic sensor comprises a fiber Bragg grating sensor. 5. The system of claim 2, wherein said at least one fiber optic sensor comprises a Fabry Perot sensor. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor further comprises: a non-fiber optic transducer for producing a signal measuring physical changes in said structural element; and a signal conversion means to convert said signal for transmission on said at least fiber optic transmission cable. 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising multiple fiber optic sensors wherein each of said sensors measures the direction of the strain, both circumferentially, longitudinally and hoop strain, and the magnitude of the strain. 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising multiple fiber optic sensors wherein said sensors measure temperature of said structural element. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein said structural element comprises: a pipeline structural element; and a plurality of fiber optic sensors arrayed along said pipeline, wherein said fiber optic sensors measure the relative density of the production passing through said pipeline. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein said recording system is comprised of a computer for recording and analyzing the measurements received from said at least one sensor. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein said support member is comprised of a clamshell device designed to close about said structural member. 12. The system of claim 11, further comprising: a second support member supported within said first support member, said at least one fiber optic sensor being mounted on said second support member; means for advancing said second support member once said clamshell device has been closed about said structural member, to bring said at least one fiber optic sensor into direct contact with said structural member. 13. The system of claim 11, further comprising: a support plate mounted within said support member, said fiber optic sensor being mounted on said support plate; an inflatable bladder; means for remotely inflating said bladder to advance said support plate toward said structural member to bring said fiber optic sensor in contact with said structural element. 14. The system of claim 11, further comprising: a support piston mounted within said support member, said fiber optic sensor being mounted on the end of said piston disposed toward said structural member; and means for advancing said support piston toward said structural member to bring said fiber optic sensor in contact with said structural element. 15. The system of claim 1, wherein said support member further comprises: a shroud supporting said at least one fiber optic sensor, said shroud being lowered over said structural support member; means for securing said shroud about said structural element. 16. The system of claim 11, further comprising: multiple clamshell devices secured about said structural member; multiple fiber optic sensors and multiple fiber optic transmission cables, wherein said multiple fiber optic transmission cables are secured to said multiple clamshell devices to form a helix about said structural member, wherein said helix is used to reduce vortex induced vibration. 17. The system of claim 1, wherein said structural element further comprises a coating surrounding said structural element; means for creating a passageway through the outside of said coating to said structural element; and means for mounting and securing said at least one fiber optic sensor and a least one fiber optic transmission cable within said passageway. 18. A method for monitoring physical changes on a subsea element, comprising: providing a clamshell support element; mounting at least one sensor and at least one sensor communication means on said clamshell device; lowering said clamshell support element to said structural element; securing said clamshell support element to said structural element, wherein physical changes in said structural element are transmitted to said at least one said sensor through said clamshell support element, said sensor generating an output signal; and recording said sensor output signals. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: mounting a second support member within said clamshell support member, said at least one sensor and at least one fiber optic transmission cable being mounted on said second support member; and advancing said second support member to bring said at least one sensor into contact with said structural element following securing of said clamshell support device about said structural element.