US 12,710,141 B1Granted

Method for testing pipelines

AssigneeBlue Sky Construction, LLC

InventorsJodie Carlile, John Beals

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A method for pipeline testing uses an electronics control module to monitor remote sensor data and compare the remote sensor data to control parameter input data that includes data indicating acceptable testing parameter ranges. In response to the comparison of the real time sensor data and the control parameter input data, the electronics control module generates various control signals used to control an automated fluid control system to regulate the pressure in the pipeline being tested and, if necessary, instigate an emergency shutdown of the test and to release all pressure from the section of pipe being tested. All test data is recorded, stored, and made available as needed/desired.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A method for pipeline testing comprising:

providing an electronics control module, the electronics control module generating control signals for automatically initiating corrective actions when needed;
providing a control parameters data input system, the control parameters data input system being in communication with the electronics control module such that control parameter input data entered through the control parameters data input system is provided to the electronics control module;
providing a fluid control system, the fluid control system being in communication with the electronics control module such that control signals generated by the electronics control module are provided to the fluid control system;
coupling a section of pipe to be tested to the fluid control system such that a pressurized test medium is supplied to the section of pipe to be tested by the fluid control system;
providing a pressurized test medium source;
coupling the pressurized test medium source to the fluid control system such that pressurized test medium is provided to the fluid control system by the pressurized test medium source;
using fluid control system to increase or decrease the amount of the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested in response to the control signals generated by the electronics control module, thereby increasing or decreasing an amount of pressure in the section of pipe to be tested;
providing two or more sensors;
positioning the two or more sensors such that the two or more sensors collect sensor data from the section of pipe to be tested, the two or more sensors in communication with the electronics control module such that the sensor data from the two or more sensors is provided to the electronics control module;
using the electronics control module to monitor the sensor data from the two or more sensors and compare the sensor data to control parameter input data a pressure test is conducted;
and
in response to the comparison of the sensor data and the control parameter input data, using the electronics control module to generate the control signals to cause the fluid control system to increase or decrease the amount of the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested and thereby regulate the pressure in the section of pipe being tested.

9 more elements

A method for pipeline testing comprising:

providing a mobile pipeline testing trailer;
housing an electronics control module in the mobile pipeline testing trailer, the electronics control module generating control signals for automatically conducting a pipeline test and automatically initiating corrective actions when needed;
housing a control parameters data input system in the mobile pipeline testing trailer, the control parameters data input system being in communication with the electronics control module such that control parameter input data entered through the control parameters data input system is provided to the electronics control module, the control parameter input data including test control parameter input data used by the electronics control module for conducting a pipeline test in the desired manner and parameters data indicating acceptable testing operations and parameter ranges;
housing a fluid control system in the mobile pipeline testing trailer, the fluid control system being in communication with the electronics control module such that control signals generated by the electronics control module are provided to the fluid control system, the fluid control system including a pressure up sub-system and a pressure down sub-system;
coupling a section of pipe to be tested to the fluid control system such that a pressurized test medium is supplied to the section of pipe to be tested by the fluid control system;
providing a pressurized test medium source, the pressurized test medium source providing pressurized test medium to the fluid control system, the fluid control system using the pressure up sub-system and pressure down sub-system to increase or decrease the amount of the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested in response to the control signals generated by the electronics control module, thereby increasing or decreasing an amount of pressure in the section of pipe to be tested;
providing two or more sensors;
positioning the two or more sensors to collect sensor data from the section of pipe to be tested, the two or more sensors being in communication with the electronics control module such that the sensor data from the two or more sensors is provided to the electronics control module;
using the electronics control module to monitor the sensor data from the two or more sensors and compare the sensor data to control parameter input data;
and
in response to the comparison of the sensor data and the control parameter input data, using the electronics control module to generate the control signals used to control the pressure up sub-system and pressure down sub-system of fluid control system to cause the fluid control system to increase or decrease of the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested and thereby regulate the pressure in the section of pipe being tested.

8 more elements

A method for pipeline testing comprising:

providing an electronics control module, the electronics control module generating control signals for automatically conducting a pipeline test and automatically initiating corrective actions when needed;
providing a control parameters data input system, the control parameters data input system being in communication with the electronics control module such that control parameter input data entered through the control parameters data input system is provided to the electronics control module, the control parameter input data including test control parameter input data used by the electronics control module for conducting a pipeline test in the desired manner and parameters data indicating acceptable testing operations and parameter ranges;
providing a fluid control system, the fluid control system being in communication with the electronics control module such that control signals generated by the electronics control module are provided to the fluid control system, the fluid control system including a pressure up sub-system, the pressure up sub-system including two or more solenoid-controlled pressure up valves, the fluid control system including a pressure down sub-system, the pressure down sub-system including two or more solenoid controlled bleed down valves;
coupling a section of pipe to be tested to the fluid control system such that a pressurized test medium is supplied to the section of pipe to be tested by the fluid control system;
providing a pressurized test medium source;
coupling the pressurized test medium source to the fluid control system such that the pressurized test medium is provided to the fluid control system;
using the pressure up sub-system and pressure down sub-system of fluid control system to increase or decrease the amount of the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested in response to the control signals generated by the electronics control module, thereby increasing or decreasing an amount of pressure in the section of pipe to be tested;
providing two or more sensors;
placing the two or more sensors to collect sensor data from the section of pipe to be tested, the two or more sensors being in communication with the electronics control module such that the sensor data from the two or more sensors is provided to the electronics control module;
using the electronics control module to monitor the sensor data from the two or more sensors and compare the sensor data to control parameter input data as a pipeline test is being conducted by the electronics control module;
and
in response to the comparison of the sensor data and the control parameter input data, using the electronics control module to generate control signals to activate or deactivate the solenoid-controlled pressure up valves of the pressure up sub-system and activate or deactivate the solenoid-controlled bleed down valves of pressure down sub-system of fluid control system to cause the fluid control system to increase or decrease of the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested and thereby regulate the pressure in the section of pipe being tested.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

A method for pipeline testing comprising:

providing an electronics control module, the electronics control module generating control signals for automatically initiating corrective actions when needed;
providing a control parameters data input system, the control parameters data input system being in communication with the electronics control module such that control parameter input data entered through the control parameters data input system is provided to the electronics control module;
providing a fluid control system, the fluid control system being in communication with the electronics control module such that control signals generated by the electronics control module are provided to the fluid control system;
coupling a section of pipe to be tested to the fluid control system such that a pressurized test medium is supplied to the section of pipe to be tested by the fluid control system;
providing a pressurized test medium source;
coupling the pressurized test medium source to the fluid control system such that pressurized test medium is provided to the fluid control system by the pressurized test medium source;
using fluid control system to increase or decrease the amount of the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested in response to the control signals generated by the electronics control module, thereby increasing or decreasing an amount of pressure in the section of pipe to be tested;
providing two or more sensors;
positioning the two or more sensors such that the two or more sensors collect sensor data from the section of pipe to be tested, the two or more sensors in communication with the electronics control module such that the sensor data from the two or more sensors is provided to the electronics control module;
using the electronics control module to monitor the sensor data from the two or more sensors and compare the sensor data to control parameter input data a pressure test is conducted;
and
in response to the comparison of the sensor data and the control parameter input data, using the electronics control module to generate the control signals to cause the fluid control system to increase or decrease the amount of the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested and thereby regulate the pressure in the section of pipe being tested.

9 more elements