Subsea Pipeline Thickness Measurement Adapter for Full-Circumference Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea pipeline thickness measurement tools are limited in accessing regions opposite to the position of remotely operated robots (ROVs), leading to incomplete inspections and potential integrity risks due to restricted access.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a manipulator, impact absorber, turning devices, and a magnetic system with a mini camera support, allowing ROV-based measurements without docking, adaptable to various pipe diameters and shapes, including non-straight piping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If commercially available tools are used for thickness measurement, then frontal regions of pipelines can be measured, but opposite and lateral regions remain inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components: a manipulator interface for ROV coupling, an impact absorber for shock mitigation, turning devices for rotational movement, and a measurement adapter with magnetic system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling access to opposite pipeline regions while maintaining manageable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic elements including the impact absorber that responds to collision forces, turning devices that enable rotational movement to different orientations, and a magnetic system that adapts to various pipe surfaces. These dynamic features allow the device to reach opposite and lateral regions that static devices cannot access.
2Reliability
If ROV docking is required for thickness measurements, then measurement stability can be achieved, but inspection efficiency and coverage are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The impact absorber is designed to cushion the device against collision impacts during ROV manipulation and positioning. This beforehand cushioning protects the sensitive measurement equipment from damage while allowing the ROV to maneuver freely without requiring docking for stability, thereby maintaining both measurement reliability and inspection efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional measurement tools are used, then equipment weight and size are manageable, but access to restricted locations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into lightweight modular components connected through the manipulator interface, the overall weight is distributed and managed. Each module (impact absorber, turning devices, measurement adapter) can be optimized independently, allowing access to restricted locations while keeping the total moving weight manageable for ROV deployment.
4Reliability
If only partial regions are measured, then inspection time is reduced, but integrity management risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic turning devices and magnetic measurement system enable the device to quickly reposition and measure multiple pipeline regions including opposite and lateral areas in a single deployment. This dynamic capability allows comprehensive inspection of all programmed regions without requiring multiple separate operations, thereby improving integrity management while minimizing inspection time loss.
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
Enhances the percentage of inspected regions, providing comprehensive thickness measurements with increased safety, flexibility, and reduced weight, enabling remote operation and improved structural integrity management.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet prism (20), at least one pair of rectangular magnets (18), and at least two pairs of circular magnets (19)
Implementation Method 2
an impact absorber (120), configured to absorb the horizontal impact of the device (100)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is part of the field of inspection technologies, materials, equipment and corrosion, more specifically, of the field of equipment for measuring thickness in subsea pipelines. For this purpose, the present invention describes a device for measuring thickness of pipelines comprising: a manipulator, configured to be the contact region with an ROV; an impact absorber, configured to absorb the horizontal impact of the device; at least two turning devices, configured to be the devices that enable the rotation of the device; a “c” shaped joint; a measurement adapter, comprising: a support, a base of the prism, a magnet prism, at least one pair of rectangular magnets, and at least two pairs of circular magnets; a “T” shaped support; and a mini camera support. Thus, the invention, as it does not require an electrical or hydraulic system, is considered more robust and less prone to failure, in addition to being safer for the environment. In addition, it generates greater ease of manufacture, maintenance, transportation, handling by the ROV and flexibility of general use, in addition to providing greater safety in the operations.