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WO2017129741A1 - Hydraulic accumulator monitoring systems - Google Patents

Hydraulic accumulator monitoring systems Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017129741A1
WO2017129741A1 PCT/EP2017/051763 EP2017051763W WO2017129741A1 WO 2017129741 A1 WO2017129741 A1 WO 2017129741A1 EP 2017051763 W EP2017051763 W EP 2017051763W WO 2017129741 A1 WO2017129741 A1 WO 2017129741A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hydraulic
accumulator
flowmeter
processor
pressure
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2017/051763
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Andrew James Mcclure
Original Assignee
Ge Oil & Gas Uk Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ge Oil & Gas Uk Limited filed Critical Ge Oil & Gas Uk Limited
Publication of WO2017129741A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017129741A1/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B1/00—Installations or systems with accumulators; Supply reservoir or sump assemblies
    • F15B1/02—Installations or systems with accumulators
    • F15B1/022—Installations or systems with accumulators used as an emergency power source, e.g. in case of pump failure
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/02—Surface sealing or packing
    • E21B33/03—Well heads; Setting-up thereof
    • E21B33/035—Well heads; Setting-up thereof specially adapted for underwater installations
    • E21B33/0355—Control systems, e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, acoustic, for submerged well heads
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B1/00—Installations or systems with accumulators; Supply reservoir or sump assemblies
    • F15B1/02—Installations or systems with accumulators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B19/00—Testing; Calibrating; Fault detection or monitoring; Simulation or modelling of fluid-pressure systems or apparatus not otherwise provided for
    • F15B19/005—Fault detection or monitoring
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B2201/00—Accumulators
    • F15B2201/50—Monitoring, detection and testing means for accumulators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B2201/00—Accumulators
    • F15B2201/50—Monitoring, detection and testing means for accumulators
    • F15B2201/505—Testing of accumulators, e.g. for testing tightness
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B2211/00—Circuits for servomotor systems
    • F15B2211/60—Circuit components or control therefor
    • F15B2211/63—Electronic controllers
    • F15B2211/6303—Electronic controllers using input signals
    • F15B2211/6306—Electronic controllers using input signals representing a pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B2211/00—Circuits for servomotor systems
    • F15B2211/60—Circuit components or control therefor
    • F15B2211/63—Electronic controllers
    • F15B2211/6303—Electronic controllers using input signals
    • F15B2211/632—Electronic controllers using input signals representing a flow rate
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B2211/00—Circuits for servomotor systems
    • F15B2211/60—Circuit components or control therefor
    • F15B2211/63—Electronic controllers
    • F15B2211/6303—Electronic controllers using input signals
    • F15B2211/6343—Electronic controllers using input signals representing a temperature
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B2211/00—Circuits for servomotor systems
    • F15B2211/80—Other types of control related to particular problems or conditions
    • F15B2211/86—Control during or prevention of abnormal conditions
    • F15B2211/863—Control during or prevention of abnormal conditions the abnormal condition being a hydraulic or pneumatic failure

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a hydraulic accumulator monitoring system, for example for a hydraulic accumulator in an underwater (e.g. subsea) fluid extraction well facility.
  • the invention also relates to a method of monitoring a hydraulic accumulator.
  • Many subsea control systems include hydraulic accumulators. To ensure continued functionality of the system, it is desirable to know the stored volume and pressure of said accumulators, for example, to determine whether an accumulator has leaked hydraulic fluid to the environment.
  • Prior art subsea hydraulic accumulators exist that have means to measure the pressure and / or volume in the accumulators by using sensors on the accumulators (for example, which measure the position of a piston within the accumulator, or measure the weight of the accumulator).
  • sensors on the accumulators for example, which measure the position of a piston within the accumulator, or measure the weight of the accumulator.
  • sensors are generally not suitable for use with smaller, lighter and more cost-effective bladder type accumulators.
  • a hydraulic accumulator monitoring system which can infer the pressure and / or volume of accumulated hydraulic fluid merely by using sensor measurements taken from the hydraulic circuit to which the accumulator is attached, rather than from sensors attached to the accumulator itself. In some subsea control systems this may allow the use of pre-existing local sensors in the hydraulic circuit to measure accumulator fluid pressure / volume.
  • a hydraulic accumulator monitoring system comprising: a hydraulic input; a hydraulic output; at least one hydraulic accumulator connected between the hydraulic input and the hydraulic output; a flowmeter connected between the hydraulic input and the at least one accumulator; and a processor connected to the flowmeter to receive measurements taken by the flowmeter, wherein the processor is operable to infer the stored volume of accumulated hydraulic fluid within the accumulator from the received flowmeter measurements.
  • the system could further comprise a pressure and temperature meter connected between the hydraulic input and the hydraulic output and the processor could be connected to the pressure and temperature meter to receive measurements taken by the pressure and temperature meter.
  • the processor could be operable to infer the pressure of accumulated hydraulic fluid within the accumulator from the received pressure and temperature meter measurements.
  • the system could further comprise multiplexing means to multiplex together measurements taken from the flowmeter with measurements taken from the pressure and temperature meter. Said multiplexing means could be located within a subsea electronics module.
  • the processor could be configured to trigger an alarm when a received measurement is outside a predetermined threshold.
  • the processor could be located within a topside master control station.
  • a method of monitoring a hydraulic accumulator said hydraulic accumulator being connected to a hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulic input, a hydraulic output, with the hydraulic accumulator being connected between the hydraulic input and the hydraulic output, the method comprising the steps of: connecting a flowmeter between the hydraulic input and the at least one accumulator; and connecting a processor to the flowmeter to receive measurements taken by the flowmeter, wherein the processor is operable to infer the stored volume of accumulated hydraulic fluid within the accumulator from the received flowmeter measurements.
  • the method could further comprise the step of connecting a pressure and temperature meter between the hydraulic input and the hydraulic output, and the processor could be connected to the pressure and temperature meter to receive measurements taken by the pressure and temperature meter.
  • the processor could be operable to infer the pressure of accumulated hydraulic fluid within the accumulator from the received pressure and temperature meter measurements.
  • the method could further comprise the step of multiplexing together measurements taken from the flowmeter with measurements taken from the pressure and temperature meter. Said multiplexing could take place within a subsea electronics module.
  • the processor could be configured to trigger an alarm when a received measurement is outside a predetermined threshold.
  • the processor could be located within a topside master control station.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a monitoring system according to the invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the data collection components of a monitoring system according to the invention.
  • Fig. 1 schematically shows part 1 of a subsea control system for a subsea hydrocarbon extraction facility.
  • the subsea control system includes a hydraulic input 2 and a hydraulic output 3. Between the hydraulic input 2 and the hydraulic output 3 there are connected a pair of hydraulic accumulators 4, 5. Upstream of the first hydraulic accumulator 4, the hydraulic fluid supply is isolated using a pair of back flow check valves 6, 7. Another pair of back flow check valves 8, 9 are located downstream of the second hydraulic accumulator 5 as shown.
  • a pressure and temperature sensor 11 is connected to the control system and takes measurements of pressure and temperature at a point between the flow meter 10 and the first hydraulic accumulator 4.
  • the subsea control system also includes a first pair of pilot isolation valves 12, 13 actuated by a first hydraulic circuit 14, and a second pair of pilot isolation valve 15, 16 actuated by a second hydraulic circuit 17.
  • the subsea control system operates on a "de-energise to trip" philosophy, i.e. both the first pair of pilot isolation valves 12, 13 and the second pair of pilot isolation valves 15, 16 must be energised by the first and second hydraulic circuits 14, 17 to prevent the transmission of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic input 2 to the hydraulic output 3.
  • Each of the pilot isolation valves 12, 13, 15, 16 are resilient ly biased into their respective open positions as shown.
  • Fig. 2 schematically shows a diagram of the data collection components of a monitoring system according to the invention.
  • the flowmeter 10 and pressure and temperature sensor 11 correspond to those shown in Fig. 1, and so their reference numerals have been retained.
  • the measurements taken by the flowmeter 10 and pressure and temperature sensor 1 1 are fed to a subsea electronics module (SEM) 18 on the sea bed, which multiplexes the measurements together for transmission to the surface. Once multiplexed, the measurements are transmitted via an umbilical 19 to a master control station (MCS) 20 located topside.
  • MCS master control station
  • a reeler 21 is also shown in Fig, 2, which is operable to deploy or recover the umbilical 19.
  • a well operator can monitor the flow rate, pressure and temperature measurements and determine whether or not one of the accumulators 4, 5 has leaked hydraulic fluid to the environment. For example, if a high flow rate is measured after the accumulators 4, 5 have been charged with hydraulic fluid, then this is indicative of a leak in one or both of the accumulators 4, 5.
  • the MCS 20 can also be programmed with software to trigger an alarm if measurements indicative of accumulator failure are detected. Such an alarm could be configured to trigger if one or more of the measurements taken is outside a predetermined threshold. The alarm could also be configured if a combination of two or three of the measurements are outside respective predetermined thresholds. Software in the MCS 20 could be configured to save a record of historic flow rate, pressure and temperature measurements, so that these can be reviewed by a well operator in the event that an alarm is triggered. Advantages provided by the invention
  • An advantage of the hydraulic accumulator monitoring system provided is that the stored volume and pressure of accumulated hydraulic pressure within a hydraulic accumulator can be inferred from sensor measurements taken in the hydraulic circuit to which the accumulator is connected. This eliminates the need for on-accumulator sensors, which can be costly and not compatible with all accumulator types (e.g. bladder-type accumulators). Such sensor measurements are routinely made in existing hydraulic circuits, and so in some subsea control systems it may be possible to implement the present invention using existing control system sensors, without the need for additional sensors to be deployed. Various alternatives and modifications within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, while Fig. 1 shows a pair of hydraulic accumulators 4, 5 the invention is not so limited, and any number of accumulators could be used in practice.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Testing Or Calibration Of Command Recording Devices (AREA)
  • Supply Devices, Intensifiers, Converters, And Telemotors (AREA)

Abstract

A hydraulic accumulator monitoring system comprising: a hydraulic input 2; a hydraulic output 3; at least one hydraulic accumulator 4 connected between the hydraulic input and the hydraulic output; a flowmeter 10 connected between the hydraulic input and the at least one accumulator; and a processor connected to the flowmeter to receive measurements taken by the flowmeter, wherein the processor is operable to infer the stored volume of accumulated hydraulic fluid within the accumulator from the received flowmeter measurements.

Description

HYDRAULIC ACCUMULATOR MONITORING SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hydraulic accumulator monitoring system, for example for a hydraulic accumulator in an underwater (e.g. subsea) fluid extraction well facility. The invention also relates to a method of monitoring a hydraulic accumulator.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Many subsea control systems include hydraulic accumulators. To ensure continued functionality of the system, it is desirable to know the stored volume and pressure of said accumulators, for example, to determine whether an accumulator has leaked hydraulic fluid to the environment.
Prior art subsea hydraulic accumulators exist that have means to measure the pressure and / or volume in the accumulators by using sensors on the accumulators (for example, which measure the position of a piston within the accumulator, or measure the weight of the accumulator). However, such sensors are generally not suitable for use with smaller, lighter and more cost-effective bladder type accumulators.
Therefore, it is desirable to have a hydraulic accumulator monitoring system which can infer the pressure and / or volume of accumulated hydraulic fluid merely by using sensor measurements taken from the hydraulic circuit to which the accumulator is attached, rather than from sensors attached to the accumulator itself. In some subsea control systems this may allow the use of pre-existing local sensors in the hydraulic circuit to measure accumulator fluid pressure / volume.
As prior art there may be mentioned US20130305829, US9145751, US8437975 FR2585086 and EP2653731 which each disclose a hydraulic accumulator assembly in which a hydraulic accumulator is associated with at least one means responsive to the weight of the accumulator to provide an indication dependent on the weight of the accumulator. As further prior art there may be mentioned a Subsea Accumulator System BOP Intervention sold by Envirent, in which a subsea display allows an ROV operator to monitor pressure and flow when the ROV operates a valve.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a hydraulic accumulator monitoring system comprising: a hydraulic input; a hydraulic output; at least one hydraulic accumulator connected between the hydraulic input and the hydraulic output; a flowmeter connected between the hydraulic input and the at least one accumulator; and a processor connected to the flowmeter to receive measurements taken by the flowmeter, wherein the processor is operable to infer the stored volume of accumulated hydraulic fluid within the accumulator from the received flowmeter measurements.
The system could further comprise a pressure and temperature meter connected between the hydraulic input and the hydraulic output and the processor could be connected to the pressure and temperature meter to receive measurements taken by the pressure and temperature meter. The processor could be operable to infer the pressure of accumulated hydraulic fluid within the accumulator from the received pressure and temperature meter measurements. The system could further comprise multiplexing means to multiplex together measurements taken from the flowmeter with measurements taken from the pressure and temperature meter. Said multiplexing means could be located within a subsea electronics module. The processor could be configured to trigger an alarm when a received measurement is outside a predetermined threshold.
The processor could be located within a topside master control station.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of monitoring a hydraulic accumulator, said hydraulic accumulator being connected to a hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulic input, a hydraulic output, with the hydraulic accumulator being connected between the hydraulic input and the hydraulic output, the method comprising the steps of: connecting a flowmeter between the hydraulic input and the at least one accumulator; and connecting a processor to the flowmeter to receive measurements taken by the flowmeter, wherein the processor is operable to infer the stored volume of accumulated hydraulic fluid within the accumulator from the received flowmeter measurements. The method could further comprise the step of connecting a pressure and temperature meter between the hydraulic input and the hydraulic output, and the processor could be connected to the pressure and temperature meter to receive measurements taken by the pressure and temperature meter. The processor could be operable to infer the pressure of accumulated hydraulic fluid within the accumulator from the received pressure and temperature meter measurements. The method could further comprise the step of multiplexing together measurements taken from the flowmeter with measurements taken from the pressure and temperature meter. Said multiplexing could take place within a subsea electronics module.
The processor could be configured to trigger an alarm when a received measurement is outside a predetermined threshold. The processor could be located within a topside master control station. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a monitoring system according to the invention; and
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the data collection components of a monitoring system according to the invention. Fig. 1 schematically shows part 1 of a subsea control system for a subsea hydrocarbon extraction facility. The subsea control system includes a hydraulic input 2 and a hydraulic output 3. Between the hydraulic input 2 and the hydraulic output 3 there are connected a pair of hydraulic accumulators 4, 5. Upstream of the first hydraulic accumulator 4, the hydraulic fluid supply is isolated using a pair of back flow check valves 6, 7. Another pair of back flow check valves 8, 9 are located downstream of the second hydraulic accumulator 5 as shown.
Also located upstream of the first hydraulic accumulator 4 (but downstream of the back flow check valves 6, 7) is a flowmeter 10. A pressure and temperature sensor 11 is connected to the control system and takes measurements of pressure and temperature at a point between the flow meter 10 and the first hydraulic accumulator 4.
The subsea control system also includes a first pair of pilot isolation valves 12, 13 actuated by a first hydraulic circuit 14, and a second pair of pilot isolation valve 15, 16 actuated by a second hydraulic circuit 17. The subsea control system operates on a "de-energise to trip" philosophy, i.e. both the first pair of pilot isolation valves 12, 13 and the second pair of pilot isolation valves 15, 16 must be energised by the first and second hydraulic circuits 14, 17 to prevent the transmission of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic input 2 to the hydraulic output 3. Each of the pilot isolation valves 12, 13, 15, 16 are resilient ly biased into their respective open positions as shown. Fig. 2 schematically shows a diagram of the data collection components of a monitoring system according to the invention. The flowmeter 10 and pressure and temperature sensor 11 correspond to those shown in Fig. 1, and so their reference numerals have been retained. The measurements taken by the flowmeter 10 and pressure and temperature sensor 1 1 are fed to a subsea electronics module (SEM) 18 on the sea bed, which multiplexes the measurements together for transmission to the surface. Once multiplexed, the measurements are transmitted via an umbilical 19 to a master control station (MCS) 20 located topside. A reeler 21 is also shown in Fig, 2, which is operable to deploy or recover the umbilical 19.
At the MCS 20, a well operator can monitor the flow rate, pressure and temperature measurements and determine whether or not one of the accumulators 4, 5 has leaked hydraulic fluid to the environment. For example, if a high flow rate is measured after the accumulators 4, 5 have been charged with hydraulic fluid, then this is indicative of a leak in one or both of the accumulators 4, 5.
The MCS 20 can also be programmed with software to trigger an alarm if measurements indicative of accumulator failure are detected. Such an alarm could be configured to trigger if one or more of the measurements taken is outside a predetermined threshold. The alarm could also be configured if a combination of two or three of the measurements are outside respective predetermined thresholds. Software in the MCS 20 could be configured to save a record of historic flow rate, pressure and temperature measurements, so that these can be reviewed by a well operator in the event that an alarm is triggered. Advantages provided by the invention
An advantage of the hydraulic accumulator monitoring system provided is that the stored volume and pressure of accumulated hydraulic pressure within a hydraulic accumulator can be inferred from sensor measurements taken in the hydraulic circuit to which the accumulator is connected. This eliminates the need for on-accumulator sensors, which can be costly and not compatible with all accumulator types (e.g. bladder-type accumulators). Such sensor measurements are routinely made in existing hydraulic circuits, and so in some subsea control systems it may be possible to implement the present invention using existing control system sensors, without the need for additional sensors to be deployed. Various alternatives and modifications within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, while Fig. 1 shows a pair of hydraulic accumulators 4, 5 the invention is not so limited, and any number of accumulators could be used in practice.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A hydraulic accumulator monitoring system comprising: a hydraulic input; a hydraulic output; at least one hydraulic accumulator connected between the hydraulic input and the hydraulic output; a flowmeter connected between the hydraulic input and the at least one accumulator; and a processor connected to the flowmeter to receive measurements taken by the flowmeter, wherein the processor is operable to infer the stored volume of accumulated hydraulic fluid within the accumulator from the received flowmeter measurements.
2. A hydraulic accumulator monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a pressure and temperature meter connected between the hydraulic input and the hydraulic output, and the processor is connected to the pressure and temperature meter to receive measurements taken by the pressure and temperature meter.
3. A hydraulic accumulator monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the processor is operable to infer the pressure of accumulated hydraulic fluid within the accumulator from the received pressure and temperature meter measurements.
4. A hydraulic accumulator monitoring system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the system further comprises multiplexing means to multiplex together measurements taken from the flowmeter with measurements taken from the pressure and temperature meter.
5. A hydraulic accumulator monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein said multiplexing means are located within a subsea electronics module.
6. A hydraulic accumulator monitoring system according to any preceding claim, wherein the processor is configured to trigger an alarm when a received measurement is outside a predetermined threshold.
7. A hydraulic accumulator monitoring system according to any preceding claim, wherein the processor is located within a topside master control station.
8. A method of monitoring a hydraulic accumulator, said hydraulic accumulator being connected to a hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulic input, a hydraulic output, with the hydraulic accumulator being connected between the hydraulic input and the hydraulic output, the method comprising the steps of: connecting a flowmeter between the hydraulic input and the at least one accumulator; and connecting a processor to the flowmeter to receive measurements taken by the flowmeter, wherein the processor is operable to infer the stored volume of accumulated hydraulic fluid within the accumulator from the received flowmeter measurements.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the method further comprises the step of connecting a pressure and temperature meter between the hydraulic input and the hydraulic output.
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the processor is operable to infer the pressure of accumulated hydraulic fluid within the accumulator from the received pressure and temperature meter measurements.
11. A method according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising the step of multiplexing together measurements taken from the flowmeter with measurements taken from the pressure and temperature meter.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said multiplexing takes place within a subsea electronics module.
13. A method according to any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the processor is configured to trigger an alarm when a received measurement is outside a predetermined threshold.
14. A method according to any of claims 8 to 13, wherein the processor is located within a topside master control station.
15. A hydraulic accumulator monitoring system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.
16. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.
PCT/EP2017/051763 2016-01-29 2017-01-27 Hydraulic accumulator monitoring systems WO2017129741A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1601650.3A GB2546790A (en) 2016-01-29 2016-01-29 Hydraulic accumulator monitoring system
GB1601650.3 2016-01-29

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WO2017129741A1 true WO2017129741A1 (en) 2017-08-03

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE2050667A1 (en) * 2020-06-08 2021-12-09 Epiroc Rock Drills Ab Method and System for Diagnosing an Accumulator in a Hydraulic Circuit

Citations (8)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2585086A1 (en) 1985-07-17 1987-01-23 Neyrpic Device for checking the quantity of gas contained in the bladder of an oleo-pneumatic accummulator
DE102007059400A1 (en) * 2007-12-10 2009-06-18 Robert Bosch Gmbh Determining charging pressure in hydropneumatic accumulator, at least approximately, takes pressure measurements whilst pressure medium is introduced or removed
WO2010117853A1 (en) * 2009-04-06 2010-10-14 Vanderbilt University High energy density elastic accumulator and method of use thereof
WO2012095577A1 (en) * 2011-01-14 2012-07-19 Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa System for accumulating hydraulic pressure
US8437975B2 (en) 2006-10-20 2013-05-07 Aker Subsea As Subsea accumulator monitoring system
EP2653731A1 (en) 2012-04-20 2013-10-23 Vetco Gray Controls Limited Hydraulic accumulators
US20130305829A1 (en) 2010-12-08 2013-11-21 Egil Eriksen Method for condition monitoring of hydraulic accumulators
US20140367919A1 (en) * 2013-06-12 2014-12-18 Aes Engineering Ltd. Barrier System for Mechanical Seal

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JP2004156943A (en) * 2002-11-05 2004-06-03 Nok Corp Measuring instrument and measuring method for charged pressure
US8826988B2 (en) * 2004-11-23 2014-09-09 Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. Latch position indicator system and method
US8781743B2 (en) * 2011-01-27 2014-07-15 Bp Corporation North America Inc. Monitoring the health of a blowout preventer

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2585086A1 (en) 1985-07-17 1987-01-23 Neyrpic Device for checking the quantity of gas contained in the bladder of an oleo-pneumatic accummulator
US8437975B2 (en) 2006-10-20 2013-05-07 Aker Subsea As Subsea accumulator monitoring system
DE102007059400A1 (en) * 2007-12-10 2009-06-18 Robert Bosch Gmbh Determining charging pressure in hydropneumatic accumulator, at least approximately, takes pressure measurements whilst pressure medium is introduced or removed
WO2010117853A1 (en) * 2009-04-06 2010-10-14 Vanderbilt University High energy density elastic accumulator and method of use thereof
US20130305829A1 (en) 2010-12-08 2013-11-21 Egil Eriksen Method for condition monitoring of hydraulic accumulators
WO2012095577A1 (en) * 2011-01-14 2012-07-19 Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa System for accumulating hydraulic pressure
EP2653731A1 (en) 2012-04-20 2013-10-23 Vetco Gray Controls Limited Hydraulic accumulators
US9145751B2 (en) 2012-04-20 2015-09-29 Ge Oil & Gas Uk Limited Hydraulic accumulators
US20140367919A1 (en) * 2013-06-12 2014-12-18 Aes Engineering Ltd. Barrier System for Mechanical Seal

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GB2546790A (en) 2017-08-02

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