Cathodic test lead and pig monitoring system

• US 6,965,320 B1
• Filed: 10/31/2001
• Issued: 11/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Star Trak Pigging Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Star Trak Pigging Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Casey, Ian D., Casey, Ernest D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr., Timothy
• Application Number:
  US09/999,714
• Time in Patent Office: 1,476 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.07, 340/870.11, 340/686.1, 340/686.4, 73/495, 73/40, 73/405.R, 702/187, 702/188, 324/71.2, 346/33.P
• US Class Current: 340/870.07
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/48 Indicating the position of the pig or mole in the pipe or conduit

Abstract

A pipeline monitoring system includes a series of monitoring stations (20), each having a computer (68), magnetic pig position detector (24), one or more input/output modules (90) and communications module (86). The communications module is operable to transmit data over a communications network from a remotely located monitoring stations (20) to a central monitoring facility (50). Commands transmitted from the central monitoring facility or events generated by the passage of a magnetic pig cause the monitoring station to automatically perform selected processes. The central monitoring facility may also use preprogrammed commands to effect reporting at pre-selected times and dates, and may forward pipe/soil potentials or pipeline damage signals to the central monitoring facility.

Claims

1. A pipeline monitoring system, comprising:

a plurality of monitoring stations positioned along a pipeline;

a central monitoring facility for generating command signals to operate each of the plurality of monitoring stations;

a satellite communications module at each of the plurality of monitoring stations for interfacing with the central monitoring facility; and

a magnetic pig position detector at each of the plurality of monitoring stations for detecting the passage of a magnetic pig and outputting a pig position signal to the central monitoring facility;

cathodic test leads for detecting pipe/soil potentials for outputting a voltage signal to the satellite communications module; and

a pipeline damage detector including at least one of a pipeline vibration sensor and a geophone for outputting a potential pipeline damage signal to the satellite communications module.

2. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 1, wherein the central monitoring facility includes a control station to output command signals to the plurality of monitoring stations.

3. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of monitoring stations includes a computer for outputting an activity signal to operate the monitoring station.

4. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 1, wherein said satellite communications module outputs a time signal in response to the magnetic pig position detector.

5. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a pipeline marker for housing the satellite communications module.

6. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a buoy for supporting the satellite communications module above water; and

transmission means for transmitting a signal from the magnetic pig position detector from subsea to the satellite communications module.

7. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a CPR sensor for sensing one or more of CPR current, CPR voltage, and CPR meter reading and outputting a CPR signal to the satellite communications module.

8. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a valve actuator responsive to the satellite communications module for controlling operation of a valve.

9. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a valve position sensor for outputting a valve position signal to the satellite communications module.

10. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one of a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor for outputting a pressure signal and a temperature signal, respectively, to the satellite communications module.

11. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a flow meter sensor for outputting a fluid flow rate signal to the satellite communications module indicative of fluid flow rate through the pipeline.

12. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

an input/output module for outputting an activity signal to operate the monitoring station in response to the magnetic pig position detector.

13. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 12, further comprising:

a digital to analog converter for providing signals to the input/output module; and

an analog to digital converter for outputting signals from the input/output module to the satellite communications module.

14. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 12, further comprising:

a digital to analog converter for providing signals to the input/output module; and

an analog to digital converter for outputting signals from the input/output module to the satellite communications module.

15. A pipeline monitoring system, comprising:

a plurality of monitoring stations positioned along a pipeline;

a central monitoring facility for generating command signals to operate each of the plurality of monitoring stations;

a satellite communications module at each of the plurality of monitoring stations for interfacing with the central monitoring facility;

a pipeline marker for housing the satellite communications module; and

a pipeline damage detector for outputting a potential pipeline damage signal to the satellite communications module.

16. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 15, wherein the central monitoring facility includes a control station to output command signals to the plurality of monitoring stations.

17. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 15, further comprising:

an input/output module for outputting an activity signal to operate the monitoring station in response to the magnetic pig position detector.

18. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 15, wherein the pipeline damage detector includes a pipeline vibration sensor.

19. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 15, wherein the pipeline damage detector includes a geophone.

20. A method of monitoring a pipeline having a plurality of monitoring stations, comprising:

passing a magnetic pig through the pipeline;

detecting the passage of a magnetic pig at each of a plurality of monitoring stations;

providing a satellite communications module at each of the plurality of monitoring stations for communicating with a central monitoring facility;

outputting a signal from the satellite communications module to the central monitoring facility in response to the passage of the magnetic pig; and

generating command signals at the central monitoring facility and forwarding the command signals to the satellite communications module to operate each of the plurality of monitoring stations;

detecting potential pipeline damage and outputting a pipeline damage signal to the satellite communications module in response thereto; and

actuating a valve in response to the detection of the passage of the magnetic pig.

21. The method as defined in claim 20, further comprising:

each monitoring station transmitting data collected at the monitoring station to the central monitoring facility in response to a command signal.

22. The method as defined in claim 20, further comprising:

providing a station identification and event time to the central monitoring facility when the magnetic pig is detected;

determining the speed of the magnetic pig moving through the pipeline; and

estimating the time of arrival of the magnetic pig at another monitoring station.

23. The method as defined in claim 20, further comprising:

detecting pipe/soil potentials and outputting a voltage signal to the satellite communications module in response thereto.

24. The method as defined in claim 20, further comprising:

providing an input/output module for outputting an activity signal to operate the monitoring station in response to the passage of the magnetic pig.

25. A pipeline monitoring system, comprising:

a plurality of monitoring stations positioned along a pipeline;

a central monitoring facility for generating command signals to operate each of the plurality of monitoring stations;

a satellite communications module at each of the plurality of monitoring stations for interfacing with the central monitoring facility; and

upwardly extending generally tubular pipeline marker for housing the satellite communications module.

26. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 25, wherein each of the plurality of monitoring stations includes a computer for outputting an activity signal to operate the monitoring station.

27. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 25, wherein said satellite communications module outputs a time signal in response to a magnetic pig position detector.

28. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 25, further comprising:

an input/output module for outputting an activity signal to operate the monitoring station in response to the magnetic pig position detector.

29. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 25, further comprising:

a flow meter sensor for outputting a fluid flow rate signal to the satellite communications module indicative of fluid flow rate through the pipeline.

30. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 25, further comprising:

a magnetic pig position detector at each of the plurality of monitoring stations for detecting the passage of a magnetic pig and outputting a pig position signal to the central monitoring facility.

31. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 25, further comprising:

a valve position sensor for outputting a valve position signal to the satellite communications module.

32. The pipeline monitoring system as defined in claim 25, wherein the pipeline marker also houses one or more battery packs.