Tensioner load measurement system
AssigneeTransocean Sedco Forex Ventures Limited
InventorAaron Barr
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A load and stress of a tensioner may be determined from the change in the strain of the tensioner. The strain of the tensioner may be detected by an optical device having a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) that is attached to the tensioner. An electrical signal may be generated in response to the detected change in the mechanical strain of the tensioner by processing the light reflected from an optical fiber coupled to the optical device. The electrical signal may be processed to calculate a load on the tensioner. The calculated load may be stored and analyzed, along with previously-stored values for the load, to determine the condition of the tensioner system, and whether the tensioner system requires maintenance.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- transmitting a light signal into an optical device attached to a tensioner;
- receiving a reflected signal from the optical device attached to the tensioner;
- determining a change of wavelength in the reflected signal;
- and
- calculating a strain on the tensioner at the optical device based, at least in part, on the change in wavelength.
An apparatus, comprising:
- an optical device configured to attach to a tensioner;
- a light source coupled to the optical device;
- and
- a processing unit coupled to the light source, in which the processing unit is configured to perform the steps comprising:
- transmitting a light signal into an optical device attached to a tensioner;
- receiving a reflected signal from the optical device attached to the tensioner;
- determining a change of wavelength in the reflected signal;
- and
- calculating a strain on the tensioner at the optical device based, at least in part, on the change in wavelength.
The apparatus of claim 9, in which the optical device comprises a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG).
The apparatus of claim 9, in which the light source comprises a laser spectrograph.
An apparatus, comprising:
- first means for measuring strain on a tensioner;
- and
- means for processing the measured strain to predict failure of the tensioner, the processing means coupled to the first measuring means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.