Optical Leak Detection for Offshore Double-Carcass Hoses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hose leak detection systems in offshore oil load and discharge terminals are unreliable, pose electrical safety risks, are costly, cumbersome, and prone to operational failures due to magnetic interferences and incorrect sensor positioning, especially in dynamic seawater conditions.
Innovation Solution
A fluid leak detector system using an optical sensor with an optical fiber that is electrically isolated from power sources, mounted externally to the hose line segment, which detects fluid presence by analyzing changes in signal propagation characteristics through the fiber, and communicates leak status via ultrasonic or RF signals to remote receivers, ensuring safety and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing leak detection systems with active power components are mounted in the oil collection space, then leak detection capability is provided, but electrical safety risk increases creating fire or explosion hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the active power components (electronic circuitry, power sources) from the oil collection space and relocates them to a safe external location. Only passive optical elements (optical fibers, waveguides) remain in the hazardous environment, eliminating the fire/explosion risk while preserving leak detection capability through optical sensing of fluid presence in the collection space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as an intermediary medium that transmits sensing information from the oil collection space to external detectors without requiring electrical components in the hazardous zone. The optical fiber acts as a safe mediator that carries light signals through the oil environment without creating ignition risks.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are positioned within the hose line assembly, then leak detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and deployment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible optical fibers that can be easily routed through or along the hose structure without rigid positioning requirements. The optical fiber's flexibility allows it to conform to the hose geometry and movement, maintaining sensing accuracy while simplifying installation and reducing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber sensing system is designed to be self-aligning and tolerant of positioning variations. The distributed nature of the optical sensing along the fiber length provides leak detection capability without requiring precise mechanical positioning, allowing the system to accommodate hose movement and assembly variations automatically.
3Reliability
If traditional electronic sensors are used in the leak detection system, then detection function is achieved, but susceptibility to magnetic interference increases causing operational failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic sensing mechanisms with optical sensing mechanisms. Instead of using electronic sensors that are susceptible to magnetic interference, the system uses optical fibers to detect fluid presence through changes in light propagation characteristics, eliminating vulnerability to electromagnetic and magnetic interference while maintaining reliable detection functionality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If hose lines are made flexible for seawater conditions, then adaptability to dynamic environment is improved, but sensor positioning stability deteriorates causing sensor failure or communication failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible optical fibers that can move with the hose without creating stress concentrations or positioning failures. The optical fiber's flexibility matches the hose's movement characteristics, maintaining stable optical coupling and signal transmission even during dynamic seawater operations, thereby preserving both hose flexibility and sensor positioning stability.
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 system provides a reliable, safe, and cost-effective means to detect leaks in double carcass hoses, minimizing environmental damage by preventing oil leakage into the sea, with reduced risk of electrical hazards and improved maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor mounted through at least one sensor housing sidewall and positions an optical sensing element means within the sensor housing chamber for detecting a presence of fluid in the hose collection space. The optical sensor further includes analysis element means connecting to the optical sensing element means and positioned outside of the sensor housing one wall, the analysis means generating data indicative of the fluid status within the hose collection space
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid leak detector is provided for a double carcass hose line segment and includes a sensor housing defined by sidewalls externally mounted to the hose line segment and having an internal housing chamber in communication with the collection space. An optical sensor is mounted through at least one sensor housing sidewall and positions an optical sensing element means within the sensor housing chamber for detecting a presence of fluid in the hose collection space. The optical sensor further includes analysis element means connecting to the optical sensing element means and positioned outside of the sensor housing one, wall, the analysis means generating data indicative of the fluid status within the hose collection space; and transmitter element means connecting to the analysis means for receiving data from the analysis element means and transmitting the data to at least one remote receiver. T optical sensing element means is electrically isolated from the analysis means and comprises at least one optical fiber positioned to make contact with fluid leaking into a collection space between the two carcasses of the hose.