Self-regulating heat source for subsea equipment
US6564011B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 30, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B2214/03
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A heating device for a subsea oil and gas production equipment component comprises at least one heating cable which includes first and second generally parallel electrical conductors that are positioned in heat exchange relation with respect to a flow path through the component, a source of electrical power which is connected to the first and second electrical conductors and which when activated conducts a current between the conductors to generate heat, and an insulation layer which is disposed over the heating cable and the component. When the temperature of a well fluid in the component drops to a point below its flow temperature, the heating cable will generate heat that is transferred to the well fluid to maintain the temperature of the well fluid above its hydrate formation temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.