US 2002/0113435 A1Published application

Method and apparatus for monitoring pipeline expansion joint conditions

AssigneeSenior Flexonics, Inc.

InventorDavid F. McGrath

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for monitoring a pipeline expansion joint, in particular the conditions of a pressure-balanced expansion joint. A sensor is positioned so as to sense one or more physical characteristics of a pipeline fluid flow. A signal generated by the sensor(s) is received by a suitably configured electronic controller. The controller, in turn, is connected to a flow control valve, that is movable between at least an “off” or “no-flow” position, and a flow permitting position, connecting a source of compressible medium and the volume confined between the two (or more) balancing bellows of a pressure-balanced expansion joint. An accumulator may also be provided, that may be connectable via the flow control valve, to the confined volume. The controller will be operably configured to cause the valve to be moved, in response to signals received from the sensor(s) that correspond to stored numerical data in the controller that represent different potential operating conditions. In an alternative embodiment, the controller may also be suitably connected to various external communication devices, for communication of a signal representative of, e.g., a failure condition, to a predesignated recipient.

Claims6

Dependent claims

An apparatus for monitoring pipeline expansion joint conditions, for use with a pressure-balanced expansion joint of the type incorporating a flow path bellows connecting first and second pipe ends in fluid communication with one another and at least first and second balancing bellows defining a variable enclosed volume, the apparatus comprising:

at least one sensor operably configured to sense and respond to environmental conditions existing within a pipeline fluid flow through a pressure-balanced expansion joint;
the at least one sensor being further operably configured to generate a first signal corresponding to a particular value of at least one quantifiable characteristic of the environment existing within a pipeline fluid flow through a pressure-balanced expansion joint;
a control apparatus, operably connected to the sensor and configured to receive the first signal corresponding to a particular value of at least one quantifiable characteristic of the environment existing within a pipeline fluid flow through a pressure-balanced expansion joint,
the control apparatus being further operably configured to compare the first signal received from the sensor with numerical values stored in memory corresponding to various potential environmental conditions of a pipeline fluid flow through a pressure-balanced expansion joint and determine the environmental condition to which the received first signal corresponds,
the control apparatus further being operably configured, upon determination of the environmental condition to which the first signal corresponds, to generate a second signal;
a source of compressible medium;
a flow control valve, operably connected to at least the source of compressible medium and the volume defined by first and second balancing bellows of a pressure-balanced expansion joint,
the flow control valve being further operable configured to have at least two operating positions, a first operating position preventing flow through the flow control valve, and a second operating position permitting flow between the source of compressible medium, and the volume defined by first and second balancing bellows of a pressure-balanced expansion joint;
the second signal being configured to direct the flow control valve to one of the at least two operating positions, depending upon the environmental condition to which the first signal corresponds, to, in turn, add compressible medium, remove compressible medium and/or maintain the mass of compressible medium within the defined volume.

6 more elements

A method for monitoring pipeline expansion joint conditions, for use with a pressure-balanced expansion joint of the type incorporating a flow path bellows connecting first and second pipe ends in fluid communication with one another and at least first and second balancing bellows defining a variable enclosed volume, the method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one sensor operably configured to sense and respond to environmental conditions existing within a pipeline fluid flow through a pressure-balanced expansion joint;
the at least one sensor being further operably configured to generate a first signal corresponding to a particular value of at least one quantifiable characteristic of the environment existing within a pipeline fluid flow through a pressure-balanced expansion joint;
operably connecting a control apparatus to the sensor, the control apparatus being operably configured to receive the first signal corresponding to a particular value of at least one quantifiable characteristic of the environment existing within a pipeline fluid flow through a pressure-balanced expansion joint,
further operably configuring the control apparatus to compare the first signal received from the sensor with numerical values stored in memory corresponding to various potential environmental conditions of a pipeline fluid flow through a pressure-balanced expansion joint and determine the environmental condition to which the received first signal corresponds,
generating a second signal with the control apparatus, upon determination of the environmental condition to which the first signal corresponds;
providing a source of compressible medium;
operably connecting a flow control valve to at least the source of compressible medium and the volume defined by first and second balancing bellows of a pressure-balanced expansion joint,
operably configuring the flow control valve to have at least two operating positions, a first operating position preventing flow through the flow control valve, and a second operating position permitting flow between the source of compressible medium, and the volume defined by first and second balancing bellows of a pressure-balanced expansion joint;
the second signal directing the flow control valve to one of the at least two operating positions, depending upon the environmental condition to which the first signal corresponds, to, in turn, add compressible medium, remove compressible medium and/or maintain the mass of compressible medium within the defined volume.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.