Outer device for universal inspection of risers
View Patent ↗This invention refers to a device that has a direct applicability in the oil industry, detecting on a prevention basis, failures that may be externally visualized on the walls of the risers. Externally coupled to a pipe in free catenary, called riser, the device involves such a pipe in its entire perimeter and allows for the making of non-destructive inspections of several natures concurrently, while the device moves along all its extension. The device moves along the riser downwards and upwards by a combination of gravity, buoyancy, thrusters and action of expansion of gases.
1. An outer device for universal inspection of risers in free catenary, said outer device comprising:
two ring-shaped underframes, namely an upper ring-shaped underframe and a lower ring-shaped underframe, each of said ring-shaped underframes having a rectangular, parallel-shaped profile, two semicircular sections connected by hinges and a means for closing, said two ring-shaped underframes being positioned spacedly apart from and parallel to one another, said upper ring-shaped underframe being fitted on an innerside thereof with a track having a “T”-shaped profile, said track being fitted with a motor-driven trestle adapted to receive and retain a plurality of non-destructive testing sensors, said lower ring-shaped underframe being fitted with two interlocks, having a semicircular shape, which constitute a speed-control device;
at least three beams, positioned equal distance apart from one another, said beams being positioned parallel to an axis of a production collection line, said at least three beams being secured to said two ring-shaped underframes to interconnect the upper and lower ring-shaped underframes and retain said underframes parallel to one another to create resistance to a main body of the outer device for universal inspection of risers, and said at least three beams being fitted with arms positioned in an orthogonal relationship to a main axis of the device, said arms being disposed in an upward orientation, such that a free end of each said arm is remotely disposed from an outer surface of the production collection line, and positioned over the upper ring-shaped underframe; the free ends of said arms being fitted with cameras having foci directed to the outer surface of the production collection line,
at least three hermetic receptacles secured to said ring-shaped underframes by first supports, said hermetic receptacles being positioned spacedly equal distance apart from another, each of said hermetic receptacles having a substantially cylindrical shape and being oriented parallel to the main axis of the device said receptacles being adapted to retain a communications system, an inspection system and a movement and power system; and
at least four sets of equidistantly positioned second supports, fitted with rollers, disposed on an innerside portion of the outer device.
2. The outer device for universal inspection of risers in free catenary, in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the motor-driven trestle, is adapted upon being put into motion to make a translation movement by means of the track thereby making successive rotations around the main axis of the outer device for universal inspection of risers.
3. The outer device for universal inspection of risers in free catenary, in accordance with claim 1 wherein said motor-driven trestle is fitted with a tool for cleaning an outer surface of said production collection line.
4. The outer device for universal inspection of risers in free catenary, in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the distance of the cameras in relation to the main axis of the device is arranged to facilitate the production of a unit panoramic image by said cameras, said outer device further including software to process images produced by said cameras to generate three-dimensional images of the outer surface of the production collection line.
5. The outer device for universal inspection of risers in free catenary, in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said cameras are capable of generating normal or special images.
6. The outer device for universal inspection of risers in free catenary, in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said communications system comprises a communications plate, namely a modem, capable of transmitting and receiving data by means of cables or through an acoustic sonar technology.
7. The outer device for universal inspection of risers in free catenary, in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said inspection system comprises at least one type of non destructive testing equipment.
8. The outer device for universal inspection of risers in free catenary, in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said inspection system comprises accelerometers and gyroscopes for vortex induced vibration measurement.
9. The outer device for universal inspection of risers in free catenary, in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said movement and power system is adapted for providing autonomy and management of energy of the device, said movement and power system comprising set-up batteries for feeding of on-board pieces-of-equipment, illumination, and speed control, said movement and power system further comprising a module for facilitating a return of said device to the surface of a body of water.
10. The outer device for universal inspection of risers in free catenary, in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said module for facilitating a return of said device to the surface of a body of water facilitates an emptying operation of compartments that be initially flooded with water said emptying operation being achieved by pyrolysis or an expansion of compressed gas.
11. The outer device for universal inspection of risers in free catenary, in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said second supports are provided with means for adjusting said device to adapt to a multiplicity of production collection line diameters said second supports being further adapted to establish with precision an alignment of the axis of the device with the axis of the production collection line, thereby maintaining a proper pressure for a free movement of the device along an extension of the production collection line.
12. The outer device for universal inspection of risers in free catenary, in accordance with claim 1 , wherein some of said rollers are fitted with remotely-driven motor traction or thrusters.
13. The outer device for universal inspection of risers in free catenary, in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said speed-control device comprises at least two semicircular interlocks, for creating friction against a surface of the production collection line during an ascent or descent of said device.