System and method for sensing displacement of subsea structures
US9810613B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 24, 2013 |
| Grant date | Nov 7, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 30, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01M5/0083
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Systems and methods are described for monitoring displacement on structural elements of subsea systems such as on components of a subsea pipeline network used to transport production fluid from a subsurface wellhead to surface facilities. The described techniques sense changes in displacement using a sensing blade, for example made of crystalline material such as sapphire, that is anchored to the structural element such that it is approximately perpendicular to the direction of sensed displacement. Displacement is sensed as bending of the sensing blade using one or more instruments fabricated on the blade. Robustness of design is in part provided by additional flexible non-sensing blades mounted in parallel to the sensing blade.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.