# US 10,370,962 B2 · Systems and methods for real-time monitoring of a line > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,370,962 B2 - Document ID: US10370962B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/806,533 - Filed: 2017-11-08 - Published: 2018-06-14 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-08 - Assignees: ExxonMobile Research and Engineering Company - Applicants: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company - Inventors: Yibing Zhang; Limin Song; Zhen Li - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10370962B2 ## CPC - E21B 47/14: using acoustic waves - B63B 21/50: Anchoring arrangements {or methods} for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers - E21B 17/01: Risers - E21B 47/00: Survey of boreholes or wells (monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid E21B21/08) - E21B 47/001: for underwater installation - B63B 2021/003: {Mooring or anchoring equipment, not otherwise provided for} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) ## Abstract A system for monitoring a line comprising a line, such as a mooring line, umbilical, pipeline, or riser. connected to an offshore structure including a control processor located on the offshore structure, a wireless network comprising a plurality of communication nodes positioned along the line, and a plurality of measurement devices embedded within the communication nodes. When the line is being monitored, the output of each of the measurement devices is in continuous wireless communication with the wireless network via at least one of the communication nodes positioned along the line and the wireless network is in continuous communication with the control processor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for monitoring a line, comprising: a line connected to an offshore structure; wherein the offshore structure includes a control processor; a wireless network comprising a plurality of communication nodes positioned along the line; a plurality of measurement devices positioned along the line; wherein the measurement devices are embedded within the communication nodes; wherein, when the line is being monitored, the output of each of the measurement devices is in continuous wireless communication with the wireless network via at least one of the communication nodes positioned along the line; wherein, when the line is being monitored, the wireless network is in continuous communication with the control processor located on the offshore structure; wherein the wireless network is an ultrasonic wireless network: wherein each measurement device comprises at least one of a temperature gauge, a pressure gauge, a strain gauge, a 3D accelerometer, a 3D gyroscope, a video camera. an acoustic emission testing, or combinations thereof; and wherein monitoring the line via the wireless network includes displaying a real-time visual representation of the shape of the line on a display in communication with the control processor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the line is one of a mooring line, umbilical, pipeline, and riser. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein each communication node is spaced at a distance on the mooring line between 500-1000 meters. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein each communication node is paired with its closest neighbor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein each communication node is paired with any communication node within 1000 meters as measured by length of the line. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the communication node comprises a top communication node that is connected to the control processor via wired, RF wireless, ultrasonic wireless, or acoustic wireless communication. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising an actuator in communication with the wireless network, the actuator designed to perform a control function on the line. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the control function is opening or closing a valve. ### Claim 9 A method for monitoring a line, comprising: providing a line connected to an offshore structure; wherein the offshore structure includes a control processor; providing a wireless network comprising a plurality of communication nodes positioned along the line; providing a plurality of measurement devices positioned along the line; wherein the measurement devices are embedded within the communication nodes; wherein, when the line is being monitored, the output of each of the measurement devices is in continuous wireless communication with the wireless network via at least one of the communication nodes positioned along the line; monitoring the line via the wireless network which is in continuous communication with the control processor located on the offshore structure; wherein the wireless network is an ultrasonic wireless network; wherein each measurement device comprises at least one of a temperature gauge, a pressure gauge, a strain gauge, 3D accelerometer, a 3D gyroscope, a video camera, an acoustic emission testing, or combinations thereof; and wherein monitoring the line via the wireless network includes displaying a real-time visual representation of the shape of the line on a display in communication with the control processor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the line is one of a mooring line, umbilical, pipeline, and riser. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein each communication node is spaced at a distance on the mooring line between 500-1000 meters. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein each communication node is paired with its closest neighbor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein each communication node is paired with any communication node within 1000 meters as measured by length of the line. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the communication node comprises a top communication node that is connected to the control processor via wired, RF wireless, ultrasonic wireless, or acoustic wireless communication. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein monitoring the line via the wireless network includes displaying a real-time location of the offshore structure on a display in communication with the control processor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the monitoring the line via the wireless network further includes monitoring deformation of the line, stress on the line, or corrosion at a specific point on the line.