Subsea Electronic Data System for Hydraulic Accumulator Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
In offshore drilling operations, the common control system for hydraulic fluid used in BOP stacks and LMRP can become inoperable, leading to a loss of ability to control well equipment, and there is a need to monitor the volume of hydraulic fluid in accumulators to manage operations and detect leaks.
Innovation Solution
An electronic data collection and control system is implemented, including sensors to measure the position and temperature of pistons within hydraulic accumulators, and a network of sensor interface boxes that collect, store, and retransmit data, allowing for wireless data and power communication between BOP stack and LMRP, and multiple redundancy paths for data access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic fluid accumulators are used as backup or primary means of operation, then the ability to operate BOP stack and LMRP is maintained, but the need to monitor hydraulic fluid volume and detect leaks arises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical monitoring methods with electronic sensors and wireless communication systems. Electronic sensors measure piston position and temperature, while wireless transmitters send data to surface systems, eliminating the need for complex mechanical monitoring apparatus and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless communication as an intermediary between the subsea accumulator system and surface monitoring systems. This intermediary enables remote monitoring of hydraulic fluid volume and temperature without requiring direct physical connection or complex wired infrastructure, simplifying the monitoring system.
2Measurement precision
If sensors and wireless communication systems are added to monitor accumulator status, then leak detection and volume monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electronic sensors instead of mechanical measurement devices to detect piston position and temperature. These electronic sensors provide precise measurements and communicate wirelessly, reducing the mechanical complexity while improving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The accumulator system monitors its own status through integrated sensors that automatically detect piston position, temperature, and hydraulic fluid volume. The system self-diagnoses potential leaks and communicates status without external intervention, reducing the need for complex external monitoring infrastructure.
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 system ensures continuous monitoring and control of well equipment, enabling timely detection of hydraulic fluid leaks and maintaining operational integrity by providing real-time data and historical records, even if primary communication paths fail.
Implementation Method 1
The hydraulic fluid is placed into a fluid section of the accumulator and pressurized by injecting gas (typically Nitrogen) into the gas section. As the fluid is discharged, the piston moves within the accumulator under pressure from the gas to maintain pressure on the remaining hydraulic fluid until full discharge.
Data Source
AI summary
A subsea electronic information system for managing data related to a characteristic of subsea equipment locatable subsea. The system includes sensors locatable subsea and in communication with and capable of measuring a characteristic of the subsea equipment. A sensor interface box (SIB) separate from the sensors and locatable subsea includes a processor and a memory device capable of receiving and storing sensor measurement data. Additionally, the SIB is in data and power communication with the sensors.The system further includes a subsea retrievable data capsule capable of recording all system data over a long period. The capsule may be recovered from subsea (independently of the other elements of the information system) for forensic analysis of the recorded data.