Fiber Optic Sensor Assembly for Sub-Sea Pipelines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sub-sea pipelines face increased costs and complexities in integrating and maintaining fiber optic sensors due to difficulties in joining optical fibers between pipeline sections, leading to prolonged deployment and maintenance times.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic sensor assembly, or 'sensor pad,' is mounted to the sub-sea pipeline, featuring a housing with a fiber optic waveguide encapsulated in resin and externally-accessible connectors, which is securely attached to the pipeline using shrouds and sealing rings, allowing for efficient deployment and environmental sealing, and connected via sub-sea certified fiber optic cables to remote equipment for temperature and pressure sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fiber optic sensors are integrated into sub-sea pipeline sections, then temperature and pressure sensing capabilities are provided, but integration costs and deployment times increase due to the need to join optical fibers between pipeline sections
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fiber optic sensing function into separate modules (sensor assemblies) that can be independently deployed on pipeline sections. Each sensor assembly contains its own fiber optic waveguide and can be installed independently, eliminating the need to integrate fibers during pipeline assembly. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining sensing capability while reducing integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate coupling mechanisms (such as mechanical couplers or adhesive-based mounting systems) that facilitate the connection of fiber optic sensor assemblies to pipeline sections without requiring direct fiber joining. This intermediary approach allows sensor integration while avoiding the complex and time-consuming fiber splicing operations, thus reducing deployment time and costs.
2Measurement precision
If fiber optic sensors are integrated into pipeline sections, then distributed temperature sensing is achieved, but maintenance times and costs increase due to the need to ensure integrity of fiber optic couplings between section joints
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the sensing system into independent sensor assemblies mounted on individual pipeline sections, the patent enables isolated maintenance of specific sensor modules without affecting the entire pipeline sensing network. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and repair individual sensor assemblies independently, significantly reducing maintenance time and complexity while preserving temperature measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary protective measures such as robust mechanical coupling designs and environmental sealing that are built into the sensor assembly during manufacturing. These preliminary actions ensure the integrity of fiber optic connections without requiring complex field maintenance, thus reducing maintenance difficulty while maintaining measurement precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If optical fiber is placed between the pipe and protective/insulating material during pipeline assembly, then fiber optic sensing is enabled, but deployment times and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fiber optic sensing function into separate, pre-assembled sensor units that can be deployed independently of the pipeline assembly process. This allows the pipeline to be installed at high speed using conventional methods, while sensor assemblies are mounted separately on completed sections, thereby maintaining deployment speed without sacrificing sensing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assemblies are prepared in advance with all necessary fiber optic components, mounting hardware, and protective elements pre-installed. This preliminary action allows for rapid deployment once the pipeline is in place, eliminating the need to perform complex fiber integration operations during the time-critical pipeline installation process, thus maintaining high deployment productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables effective and efficient deployment and maintenance of fiber optic sensors, providing reliable temperature and pressure measurements along the pipeline, predicting gas hydrate formation and leak detection, while reducing integration and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
As the pulse propagates along the fiber optic waveguide 2 its light is scattered through several mechanisms including density and composition fluctuations (Rayleigh scattering)
Implementation Method 2
As the pulse propagates along the fiber optic waveguide 2 its light is scattered through several mechanisms including density and composition fluctuations (Rayleigh scattering) as well as molecular and bulk vibrations (Raman and Brillouin scattering, respectively)
Implementation Method 3
In point sensing, a Bragg grating is etched into a fiber optic waveguide at a desired location. The Bragg grating is designed to reflect light at a particular wavelength.
Implementation Method 4
A pulsed-mode high power laser source 1 launches a pulse of light through a directional coupler 3 and along a fiber optic waveguide 2
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber optic sensor assembly for use on a sub-sea pipeline. The fiber optic sensor assembly is coupled to remotely located equipment by fiber optic cable(s) which extend outside of the pipeline. The fiber optic sensor assembly is affixed to a mounting point on the pipeline. The mounting point is a pipe section having an internal conduit and at least one layer that surrounds the internal conduit for protection and insulation of the internal conduit. A segment of the pipe section has a portion of such layer(s) removed or omitted to define an annular recess. When installed, the assembly has two semi-cylindrical halves that are positioned with the annular recess and coupled together to thereby surround and embrace the segment of the pipe section. The assembly houses a length of optical fiber that is coupled to at least one externally accessible fiber optic connector.