Rotating control head leak detection systems
A system and method to detect leaks in the rotating control head and a latching system to latch the rotating control head to a housing is disclosed.
1. A method for comparing fluid to and from a latch assembly for latching a rotating control head, comprising the steps of:
delivering a fluid to a first side of a piston for moving the piston from a first position to a second position;
measuring a volume of fluid delivered to the first side of the piston to produce a measured first fluid volume value;
communicating the fluid from a second side of the piston;
measuring a volume of fluid from the second side of the piston to produce a measured second fluid volume value; and
comparing the measured first fluid volume value to the measured second fluid volume value.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of measuring a volume of fluid to the first side of the piston comprising the steps of:
measuring the fluid with a totalizing flow meter; and
reading the totalizing flow meter to produce the measured fluid volume value.
3. A method for comparing fluid to and from a latch assembly for latching a rotating control head, comprising the steps of:
delivering a fluid to a first side of a piston for moving the piston from a first position to a second position;
measuring a volume of fluid delivered to the first side of the piston with a first totalizing flow meter to produce a measured first fluid volume value;
communicating the fluid from a second side of the piston;
measuring a volume of fluid from the second side of the piston with a second totalizing flow meter to produce a measured second fluid volume value; and
comparing the measured first fluid volume value to the measured second fluid volume value.
4. A method for use of a rotating control head having a bearing assembly for rotating while drilling, comprising the steps of:
positioning a chamber in the bearing assembly;
forming a first opening into the chamber;
forming a second opening into the chamber;
delivering a fluid to the first opening;
communicating the fluid from the second opening;
measuring a flow value of the fluid to the first opening;
measuring a flow value of the fluid from the second opening; and
comparing the measured flow value to the first opening to the measured flow value from the second opening.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of measuring a flow value of the fluid to the first opening comprising the steps of:
measuring the flow rate to the first opening with a first flow meter; and
reading the first flow meter to produce a measured first flow rate value.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of measuring a flow value of the fluid to the first opening comprising the steps of:
measuring the flow rate from the second opening with a second flow meter; and
reading the second flow meter to produce a measured second flow rate value.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of comparing the measured flow value comprising the step of:
comparing the measured first flow rate value to the first opening to the measured second flow rate value from the second opening.
8. The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of measuring a flow value of the fluid to the first opening comprising the steps of:
measuring the flow volume with a first flow meter; and
reading the first flow meter to produce a measured first flow volume value.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of measuring a flow value of the fluid from the second opening comprising the steps of:
measuring the flow volume with a second flow meter; and
reading the second flow meter to produce a measured second flow volume value.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of comparing the measured flow value comprising the step of:
comparing the measured first flow volume value to the measured second flow volume value.
11. The method of claim 4 , further comprising the step of:
determining if the measured flow value to the first opening is in a predetermined tolerance to the measured flow value from the second opening.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of:
activating an alarm if the measured flow value is determined to be out of a predetermined tolerance to the measured flow value from the second opening.
13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of:
displaying a text message on a monitor if the measured flow value is determined to be out of a predetermined tolerance to the measured flow value from the second opening.
14. A method for use in a drilling operation, comprising the steps of:
positioning a chamber in a housing;
forming a first opening into the chamber;
forming a second opening into the chamber;
delivering a fluid to the first opening;
communicating the fluid from the second opening;
measuring a flow value of the fluid to the first opening;
measuring a flow value of the fluid from the second opening; and
comparing the measured flow value to the first opening to the measured flow value from the second opening.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of measuring a flow value of the fluid to the first opening comprising the steps of:
measuring the flow rate to the first opening with a first flow meter; and
reading the first flow meter to produce a measured first flow rate value.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of measuring a flow value of the fluid to the first opening comprising the steps of:
measuring the flow rate from the second opening with a second flow meter; and
reading the second flow meter to produce a measured flow rate value.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the step of comprising the measured flow value comprising the step of:
comparing the measured first flow rate value to the first opening to the measured second flow rate value from the second opening.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of measuring a flow value of the fluid to the first opening comprising the steps of:
measuring the flow volume with a first flow meter; and
reading the first flow meter to produce a measured first flow volume value.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the step of measuring a flow value of the fluid from the second opening comprising the steps of:
measuring the flow volume with a second flow meter; and
reading the second flow meter to produce a measured second flow volume value.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the step of comparing the measured flow value comprising the step of:
comparing the measured first flow volume value to the measured second flow volume value.