Hydraulic Signature Tester

• US 20110259095A1
• Filed: 12/15/2009
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 4Subsea AS (Subsea 7 SA)
• Original Assignee: 4Subsea AS (Subsea 7 SA)
• Inventors: McMiles, Barry J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,240,199 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/152.53
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/001 for underwater installation
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 20/00 Safety arrangements for fluid actuator systems; Applications of safety devices in fluid actuator systems; Emergency measures for fluid actuator systems

Abstract

The present invention provides a subsea apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature which has a fluid supply, a first pressure line coupled to the fluid supply, a second pressure line coupled to the fluid supply; and a pressure recording device operatively coupled to both the first pressure line and the second pressure line. A pressure recording device is capable of storing pre-determined pressure data representative of said pressure lines. The first pressure line functions at a lower pressure than the second pressure line while a pressure recording device records data to allow comparison of actual pressure data on the first and second pressure lines with said stored data.

Claims

1. A subsea apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature comprising:

A fluid supply;

A first pressure line coupled to the fluid supply;

A second pressure line coupled to the fluid supply; and

A pressure recording device operatively coupled to both the first pressure line and the second pressure line;

Storage of pre-determined pressure data representative of said pressure lines;

Wherein the first pressure line functions at a lower pressure than the second pressure line; and

Wherein said pressure recording device records data and compares actual pressure data on said lines with said stored data.

2. The apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature of claim 1, further comprising a gauging device coupled to the first pressure line.

3. The apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature of claim 1, further comprising a processor for comparing data recorded by said recording device.

4. The apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature of claim 1, further comprising a regulating mechanism operatively disposed between the fluid supply and the first pressure line coupled to the fluid supply.

5. The apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature of claim 1, further comprising a regulating mechanism operatively disposed between the fluid supply and the second pressure line coupled to the fluid supply.

6. The apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature of claim 1 further comprising a control for maintaining constant fluid flow regardless of pressure and temperature changes.

7. The apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature of claim 1, further comprising a communicating device for translating a pressure reading into an electric signature.

8. The apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature of claim 1, further comprising a pressure relief operatively coupled to the first pressure line.

9. The apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature of claim 1, further comprising a processor for comparing said stored data with said pressure data to determine potential failure of pressure lines.

10. The apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature of claim 1, further comprising a gauge saving valve operatively coupled to the first pressure line.

11. The apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature of claim 1, further comprising an isolation valve operatively associated with the gauge saving valve for isolating pressure between the gauge saving valve and the pressure recording device.

12. The apparatus for testing a hydraulic signature of claim 1, further comprising a valve operatively coupled to an apparatus for receiving pressure.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus for receiving pressure is a BOP.

14. A method for testing a hydraulic signature comprising:

Receiving and recording a first set of flow rate pressure values over a specified time period to determine an existing hydraulic signature of a system;

Receiving and recording additional flow rate pressure values over a subsequent period of time; and

Comparing the additional flow rate pressure values to the first set of flow rate pressure values to detect variances in the hydraulic signature.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

Communicating the additional flow rate values to a mechanism so that a compensating device may adjust flow rate values to desired pressure values.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of operably connecting said comparison data to a signal for operating one or more valves in said system.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising a processor for analyzing flow rate values and said additional flow rate values.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising a vent for relieving flow rate pressures.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of releasing said flow rate pressures while monitoring the hydraulic signature over time.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step comparing a real time hydraulic signature to theoretical hydraulic signatures to identify discrepancy.