Viscous Material Mitigating Signal Attenuation in Subsea Fiber Optic Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional monitoring systems for elongated tubular members in subsea environments, such as pipelines and tension legs, face challenges due to signal attenuation and early failure from harsh environmental conditions, leading to unreliable operation and potential shutdowns of drilling and production systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of fiber optic sensors integrated into sensor housing assemblies, which are mounted on the exterior surface of tubular members and embedded in a viscous material composition, allowing for real-time monitoring of strain, temperature, and pressure without invasive installation, and communicating data through optical fibers to a data acquisition system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional monitoring systems are used in subsea environments, then monitoring capability is provided, but signal attenuation occurs and system reliability decreases due to harsh environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a viscous material composition as an intermediary substance between the optical fiber and the external environment. This material acts as a mediator that transmits mechanical strains and temperature changes to the optical fiber while protecting it from direct exposure to harsh subsea conditions, thereby reducing signal attenuation and improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the photoelastic effect, which is a parameter change in the optical properties of the optical fiber material when subjected to mechanical stress. By embedding the optical fiber in the viscous material, changes in strain and temperature (physical parameters) are converted into changes in light polarization (optical parameter), enabling reliable monitoring despite harsh environmental conditions
2Reliability
If invasive installation methods are used for monitoring systems, then sensor attachment is achieved, but system complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor housing assembly with the optical fiber sensor, creating an integrated monitoring system. The sensor housing contains the optical fiber and embedding material as a single assembly that can be non-invasively attached to the tubular member surface, simplifying installation while maintaining reliable monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The viscous material composition serves multiple functions simultaneously: it anchors the optical fiber to the tubular member, protects the fiber from environmental damage, and transmits mechanical and thermal stimuli to the fiber. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate mounting hardware and protective coatings, reducing installation complexity
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 approach provides reliable and efficient monitoring of operating conditions along elongated tubular members, reducing signal attenuation and extending system lifespan, enabling safe and efficient operation of offshore drilling and production systems.
Implementation Method 1
At least a portion of the length of the optical fiber is disposed within a layer of a viscous material composition
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique new approach to generating operating condition information used for assessing flow assurance and structural integrity. More specifically, apparatuses, systems and sensor housing assemblies configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention utilize fiber optic sensors for enabling monitoring of operating condition information within one or more elongated tubular members within a subsea environment. To this end, such fiber optic sensors connected by lengths of optical fiber are strategically placed at a plurality of locations along a length of each elongated tubular member thereby allowing critical operating conditions such as strain, temperature and pressure of the elongated tubular member and/or a fluid therein to be monitored. A viscous media is used for mitigating attenuation associated with exposure of optical fiber exposed to forces generated by pressure within the subsea environment.