Optical Fiber Wear Sensor for Subsea Erosion Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional subsea erosion sensors have limitations, including short lifespan, susceptibility to electromagnetic interference, and reliance on electrical resistance measurements, which can be affected by harsh environments and lead to inaccurate wear monitoring.
Innovation Solution
The development of an intrusive wear sensor using optical fibers mounted in a probe housing, where one end is exposed to the process fluid, and an electronics module separated by a barrier, allowing for real-time measurement of wear by detecting changes in the time of travel of a light beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrical resistance sensors are used for erosion monitoring, then wear detection is possible, but the sensors have short lifespan and are susceptible to electromagnetic interference and harsh environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical resistance measurement systems with optical fiber-based measurement systems. The optical fiber sensor uses light transmission through the fiber to detect wear, eliminating susceptibility to electromagnetic interference while providing long-term reliability in harsh subsea environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fiber as an intermediary medium between the measurement system and the erosion interface. The optical fiber transmits light signals through the eroding material, allowing wear detection without direct electrical contact with the harsh environment, thus improving sensor lifespan and reliability.
2Productivity
If intrusive sensors are placed directly in process fluid flow for real-time monitoring, then real-time wear detection is achieved, but the sensor elements are exposed to harsh environments causing short lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical fiber as an intermediary that can withstand harsh environments while transmitting measurement signals. The optical fiber is exposed to the process fluid for real-time wear detection, but its immune nature to electromagnetic interference and chemical corrosion extends its lifespan significantly compared to conventional electrical sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from electrical resistance to optical transmission time. This parameter change allows the sensor to operate in harsh environments without degradation, as optical properties remain stable despite environmental exposure, enabling both real-time monitoring and extended sensor lifespan.
3Measurement precision
If optical fiber is exposed to process fluid for measurement, then real-time wear measurement is possible, but the measurement system becomes complex with separate electronics module and barrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensor into two segments: an intrusive optical fiber portion exposed to the process fluid for measurement, and a protected electronics module separated by a barrier. This segmentation allows the measurement function to be performed in the harsh environment while keeping the electronics protected, managing complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a barrier as an intermediary element between the optical fiber and the electronics module. This barrier protects the electronics from the harsh environment while allowing optical signals to pass through, enabling real-time measurement without directly exposing sensitive electronic components to damaging conditions.
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
This solution provides a more reliable and longer-lasting wear monitoring system, unaffected by electromagnetic interference, with the ability to measure wear in real-time over the lifespan of the pipeline, reducing maintenance costs and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light transmitter to transmit a light beam along the one or more optical fibres to an interface with the process fluid; and a light detector to receive the reflected light
Implementation Method 2
whereby a change in length of the one or more optical fibres may be determined from a change in detected time of travel of the light beam
Data Source
AI summary
An intrusive wear sensor (1) comprises one or more optical fibres (22, 122, 222) mounted in an intrusive probe housing (20), one end of the one or more optical fibres being adapted to be directly exposed to a process fluid in use. An electronics module (13) is mounted in the wear sensor and separated from the process fluid flow (14) by a barrier (16). The electronics module (13) comprises a light transmitter (27) to transmit a light beam (23) along the one or more optical fibres to an interface (21, 121, 221) with the process fluid; and a light detector (26) to receive the reflected light (24), whereby a change in length of the one or more optical fibres (22, 122, 222) may be determined from a change in detected time of travel of the light beam (23, 24).