Pipeline Weld Tracking Using Marked Pipe-End Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assessing the criticality of weld defects in pipelines are inaccurate due to unpredictable rotation and angular position changes during fabrication and installation, leading to potential over-conservatism in fatigue life predictions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving marking a pattern on a pipe end, recording weld information and spatial characteristics, and using imaging equipment to track the pipeline's orientation and position during fabrication and installation, enabling accurate documentation of weld flaws and defects in real-time or post-processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional methods are used to assess weld defect criticality without tracking pipeline orientation, then the assessment process is simpler, but the accuracy of criticality assessment deteriorates due to unpredictable rotation and angular position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by marking the pipeline with identifiable patterns (such as arrows or codes) at predetermined angular positions before fabrication and installation. These markings are placed at known orientations relative to the pipeline axis, enabling later determination of the pipeline's rotational position during installation and service. This pre-established reference system allows accurate tracking of weld defect orientations without requiring complex real-time measurement equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses imaging equipment to capture visual copies (photographs or videos) of the marked pipeline at various stages. These image copies serve as permanent records that can be analyzed later to determine the pipeline's orientation and the angular position of weld defects. By creating these visual replicas, the system avoids the need for continuous complex sensor arrays while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Productivity
If pipeline rotation and angular position changes are not tracked, then the fabrication and installation processes are faster, but the fatigue life predictions become overly conservative
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical tracking systems with an optical/imaging-based solution. Instead of using encoders, resolvers, or other mechanical sensors to continuously monitor pipeline rotation, the system uses photographs or videos of marked features combined with image processing algorithms. This substitution maintains measurement capability while eliminating mechanical complexity and maintaining installation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from measuring physical rotation parameters mechanically to deriving orientation information from visual parameters in images. By capturing images at different stages (fabrication, installation, in-service) and analyzing the orientation of marked features in these images, the system determines angular position changes without mechanical sensors, thus maintaining productivity while improving prediction accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If detailed spatial tracking of welds is implemented, then the fatigue life evaluation becomes more accurate, but the data collection and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a reference coordinate system during fabrication by marking the pipeline with identifiable patterns at known angular positions. Weld defects are recorded with their angular positions relative to these marks during non-destructive testing. This preliminary establishment of references enables later determination of weld orientations in the installed configuration without requiring continuous data collection, thus reducing data management burden while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates visual copies (photographs or videos) of the marked pipeline sections at key stages. These image records serve as permanent spatial references that can be revisited and analyzed. By storing these visual copies rather than continuous sensor data, the system maintains precise spatial information while significantly reducing data volume and processing requirements compared to continuous mechanical tracking systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of tracking pipeline weld information comprises recording weld information, such as weld flaw data or a unique weld identifier, associated with a weld made at a pipe end during fabrication of a subsea pipeline. As the pipeline is advanced longitudinally in post-fabrication operations such as spooling or installation, time- stamped images of a pattern marked on the pipe end are recorded. One or more spatial characteristics of the pipeline at the weld, such as angular orientation of the pipeline about a longitudinal axis, are determined from the recorded images.