Seal Engagement Monitoring Through Housing Deformation Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in determining the engagement status of engageable seals in wellheads and monitoring fluid pressures within fluid containment structures, which is time-consuming and expensive, especially in subsea environments.
Innovation Solution
A seal monitoring system with sensors and a controller that determine the degree of engagement of engageable seals and fluid pressure by measuring deformation of the tubing spool, eliminating the need for pressure tests and reducing reliance on underwater ROVs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional pressure testing and visual monitoring methods are used to determine seal engagement and fluid pressure, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but time consumption and operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary seal engagement detection during the sealing process itself using sensors that monitor deformation in real-time. This allows the seal engagement status to be determined before pressure testing is conducted, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-landing verification and enabling immediate detection of improper sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical pressure testing methods and visual monitoring systems with electronic sensors that detect deformation of the housing. This substitution eliminates the need for ROV-based visual inspection and complex pressure testing procedures, significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining measurement accuracy through electronic deformation sensing.
2Productivity
If underwater ROVs and visual monitoring systems are deployed to monitor fluid pressures in subsea environments, then measurement capability is achieved, but operational costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from complex external systems (ROVs, visual monitoring equipment) and integrates it directly into the housing structure itself. Sensors are embedded within the housing to detect deformation caused by fluid pressure and seal engagement, eliminating the need for separate monitoring systems and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves itself by incorporating sensors that monitor its own deformation state. The same housing that contains the fluid also houses the sensors that detect pressure-induced deformation, enabling the system to self-monitor without requiring external monitoring equipment or human intervention.
3Loss of information
If pressure gauges are positioned at remote or difficult-to-access locations to monitor fluid pressure, then measurement coverage is improved, but accessibility and monitoring ease deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it contains the fluid, provides structural support, and houses the sensors for monitoring deformation and pressure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pressure gauge installations at remote locations, as the housing itself becomes the monitoring platform accessible through existing interfaces.
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 efficiently determines seal engagement and monitors fluid pressure remotely, reducing time and costs associated with seal verification and pressure monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor configured to couple to an outer surface of the housing and to output a sensor signal indicative of deformation of the housing
Implementation Method 2
the controller is configured to determine a fluid pressure within the housing based on the deformation of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A seal monitoring system includes at least one sensor configured to couple to an outer surface of a housing and to output a sensor signal indicative of deformation of the housing. The housing is configured to receive an insert within an internal cavity of the housing, and an engageable seal is configured to selectively establish a seal between the insert and the housing. The seal monitoring system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor. The controller includes a memory and a processor, the controller is configured to determine a degree of engagement of the engageable seal based on the deformation of the housing. Additionally or alternatively, the controller is configured to determine a fluid pressure within the housing based on the deformation of the housing.