Device for monitoring strain of an elongate underwater member
AssigneesChevron U.S.A. Inc., Advanced Innergy Ltd.
InventorsAntonio Critsinelis, Yiannis Constantinides, Will Twelvetrees, Sid Mebarkia, Austin Harbison
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device (10) for monitoring strain of an elongate member (12) is deployed underwater. The device (10) comprises a first clamp (14) configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member (12) at a first axial location, a second clamp (16) configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member at a second axial location separated from the first axial location, and a sensor which is responsive to an angle between the first clamp and the second clamp.
Claims18
A device configured for monitoring strain of an elongate member deployed underwater, the device comprising:
- a first clamp configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member at a first axial location,
- a second clamp configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member at a second axial location separated from the first axial location,
- a sensor actuator member coupled to the first clamp and the second clamp, wherein the sensor actuator member is coupled to the first clamp through a first coupling that comprises a ball and socket and that permits the sensor actuator member to move angularly with respect to the first clamp, and
- a sensor which is responsive to an angle between the first clamp and the second clamp.
A device configured for monitoring strain of an elongate member deployed underwater, the device comprising:
- a first clamp configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member at a first axial location,
- a second clamp configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member at a second axial location separated from the first axial location,
- a sensor actuator member coupled to the first clamp and the second clamp, and
- a sensor which is responsive to an angle between the first clamp and the second clamp, wherein the sensor comprises (a) a magnetometer coupled to one of the first clamp and the sensor actuator member, and (b) a magnet coupled to the other of the first clamp and the sensor actuator member.
A device configured for monitoring strain of an elongate member deployed underwater, the device comprising:
- a first clamp configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member at a first axial location,
- a second clamp configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member at a second axial location separated from the first axial location,
- a sensor actuator member coupled to the device by a gimbal mounting, and
- a sensor responsive to rotational position of a part of the gimbal mounting.
A device configured for monitoring strain of an elongate member deployed underwater, the device comprising:
- a first clamp configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member at a first axial location,
- a second clamp configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member at a second axial location separated from the first axial location, and
- a sensor which is responsive to an angle between the first clamp and the second clamp, wherein at least one of the first and second clamps comprises a pair of jaws that are spring biased toward the closed configuration and that are pivotally coupled to one another to be movable between open and closed configurations.
A device configured for monitoring strain of an elongate member deployed underwater, the device comprising:
- a first clamp configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member at a first axial location,
- a second clamp configured to embrace and couple to the elongate member at a second axial location separated from the first axial location, and
- a sensor which is responsive to an angle between the first clamp and the second clamp, wherein the sensor is housed in a sealable pressure vessel that is removable from a remainder of the device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.