Wireless auxiliary monitoring and control system for an underwater installation
First Claim
1. A wireless auxiliary monitoring system for an underwater installation comprising:
- a first transceiver attached to said remote underwater installation comprising a data processor and powered by a local power supply;
at least one sensor for sensing data of said underwater installation and connected to said data processor of said first transceiver;
a second transceiver attached to a riser assembly, said riser assembly being detachable from said underwater installation;
wherein, during the detachment of said riser assembly from said underwater installation, said first transceiver becomes active, transmits data from said at least one sensor by electromagnetic signals through the water to said second transceiver and subsequently becomes inactive to conserve power.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a wireless auxiliary system for monitoring and control of an underwater installation. The auxiliary system of the present invention sends data and control signals between an underwater installation—for example, a lower stack 26 in a hydrocarbon drilling or production facility—and an associated riser assembly 23. Data is collected by sensor network 208A, 208B and is transmitted from a first transceiver 201 to a second transceiver 203 by electromagnetic signals. First transceiver 201 is powered by a local power supply 205. To conserve power consumption, the first transceiver is designed to become active for a short time and then to switch to an inactive mode. For example, wireless data transfer may occur after the detachment or just prior to the reattachment of riser assembly 23 to the underwater installation. Wireless data transfer may also occur on receipt of a handshaking signal from second transceiver 203. Thus, the system of the present invention is capable of providing soft shut-down mode for the underwater installation on detachment of riser assembly 23 and can also safeguard potential risks of reattaching riser 23 when the underwater installation in an unknown state.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A wireless auxiliary monitoring system for an underwater installation comprising:
-
a first transceiver attached to said remote underwater installation comprising a data processor and powered by a local power supply; at least one sensor for sensing data of said underwater installation and connected to said data processor of said first transceiver; a second transceiver attached to a riser assembly, said riser assembly being detachable from said underwater installation; wherein, during the detachment of said riser assembly from said underwater installation, said first transceiver becomes active, transmits data from said at least one sensor by electromagnetic signals through the water to said second transceiver and subsequently becomes inactive to conserve power. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A wireless auxiliary control system for an underwater installation comprising:
-
a receiver attached to said remote underwater installation comprising a data processor and powered by a local power supply; at least one actuator for altering the state of said underwater installation and connected to said data processor; a transmitter attached to a riser assembly, said riser assembly being detachable from said underwater installation; wherein, during the detachment of said riser assembly from said underwater installation, said transmitter becomes active, transmits control commands for said at least one actuator by electromagnetic signals through the water to said receiver and subsequently becomes inactive to conserve power. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification