Apparatus and method for monitoring valve operation
AssigneeCameron International Corporation
InventorsSalvador Reyes, III, Mark Saunders, Kody Carrillo, Andrew Jaffrey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for monitoring valve operation. In one embodiment, an apparatus for monitoring valve operation includes a first acoustic sensor and a monitoring system. The first acoustic sensor is to couple to a valve to detect vibration of the valve. The monitoring system is communicatively coupled to the first acoustic sensor. The monitoring system is configured to receive a signal generated by the first acoustic sensor. The signal is representative of vibration of the valve. The monitoring system is also configured to identify leakage in the valve based on the signal.
Claims22
An apparatus for monitoring valve operation, comprising:
- a first acoustic sensor to couple to a valve to detect vibration of the valve;
- a second acoustic sensor to detect ambient vibration proximate the valve;
- a monitoring system communicatively coupled to the first acoustic sensor and to the second acoustic sensor, the monitoring system configured to:
- receive a signal generated by the first acoustic sensor, the signal representative of vibration of the valve;
- receive a signal generated by the second acoustic sensor, the signal representative of ambient vibration;
- filter the ambient vibration from the signal generated by the first acoustic sensor based on the signal generated by the second acoustic sensor;
- and
- identify a band of frequencies in the signal indicative of leakage;
- and
- identify leakage in the valve based on the signal.
A well control system,
- comprising:
- a blowout preventer;
- a hydraulics module comprising:
- a first valve configured to provide hydraulic pressure to the blow out preventer;
- a first acoustic sensor coupled to the first valve to detect vibration of the first valve;
- a second acoustic sensor to detect ambient vibration;
- and
- a monitoring system communicatively coupled to the first acoustic sensor and the second acoustic sensor, the monitoring system configured to:
- receive a first signal generated by the first acoustic sensor, the first signal representative of vibration of the first valve;
- receive a second signal generated by the second acoustic sensor, the second signal representative of ambient vibration;
- filter the ambient vibration from the first signal generated by the first acoustic sensor based on the second signal generated by the second acoustic sensor;
- and
- identify a condition of the first valve based on the first signal.
A fluid control assembly,
- comprising:
- a first valve to control flow of fluid;
- a second valve to control flow of fluid;
- a first acoustic sensor coupled to the first valve to detect vibration of the first valve;
- a second acoustic sensor coupled to the second valve to detect vibration of the second valve;
- a third acoustic sensor to detect ambient vibration;
- and
- a monitoring system communicatively coupled to the first acoustic sensor, the second acoustic sensor, and the third acoustic sensor, the monitoring system configured to:
- receive signals generated by the first acoustic sensor and the second acoustic sensor that are representative of vibration of the first valve and the second valve;
- receive a signal generated by the third acoustic sensor that is representative of ambient vibration;
- identify a condition of each of the first valve and the second valve based on the signals received from the first acoustic sensor, the second acoustic sensor, and the third acoustic sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.