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BR-102024017754-A2 - DEVICE FOR MEASURING PIPE THICKNESS

BR102024017754A2BR 102024017754 A2BR102024017754 A2BR 102024017754A2BR-102024017754-A2

Abstract

The invention is situated in the field of inspection technologies, materials, equipment and corrosion, more specifically, in the field of equipment for measuring thickness in submarine pipelines. To this end, the present invention describes a device for measuring pipeline thickness (100) comprising: a manipulator (110), configured to be the contact region with an ROV; an impact absorber (120), configured to absorb the horizontal impact of the device (100); at least two rotation devices (130, 140), configured to be the devices that enable the rotation of the device (100); a “c” shaped joint (12); a measuring adapter (150), comprising: a support (13), a prism base (17), a magnet prism (20), at least one pair of rectangular magnets (18), and at least two pairs of circular magnets (19); a “T” shaped support (15); and a mini-camera support (16). Thus, the invention, by not requiring an electrical or hydraulic system, is considered more robust and less prone to failure, as well as being safer for the environment. Furthermore, it allows for easier manufacturing, maintenance, transport, handling by the ROV, and general flexibility of use, in addition to providing greater safety in operations.

Inventors

  • JOAO PAULO URBANO
  • Samuell Costa de Souza

Assignees

  • Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras

Dates

Publication Date
20260310
Application Date
20240829

Claims (10)

  1. 1. Device for measuring the thickness of ducts (100), characterized in that it comprises: a manipulator (110), configured to be a contact region with an ROV; an impact absorber (120), configured to absorb a horizontal impact of the device (100); at least two rotation devices (130, 140), configured to enable rotation of the device (100); a “c” shaped joint (12); a measuring adapter (150), comprising: a support (13), a prism base (17), a magnet prism (20), at least one pair of rectangular magnets (18), and at least two pairs of circular magnets (19); a “T” shaped support (15); and a mini-camera support (16).
  2. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the female fitting of the manipulator (110) is fixed to the shock absorber (120) by means of welding.
  3. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a second fixed guide of the shock absorber (120) further comprises a link to the first swivel device (130) of at least two swivel devices (130, 140).
  4. 4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the shock absorber (120) is fixed in an external fixing of the first rotating device (130), wherein a bearing fixing is fixed to the “c” shaped joint (12).
  5. 5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the “c” shaped joint (12) is fixed in a bearing housing of the second rotating device (140).
  6. 6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the “T” shaped support (15) is fixed to an external attachment of the second rotating device (140).
  7. 7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support (13) is fixed to one of the two outer surfaces of the second rotating device (140), and in that it has an end where the base of the prism (17) is fixed by means of a pivoting fastening.
  8. 8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base of the prism (17) receives the magnet prism (20), and in that the magnet prism (20) is fixed by means of a pivoting fastening on the base of the prism (17).
  9. 9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnet prism (20) further comprises at least one pair of rectangular magnets (18) and at least two pairs of circular magnets (19), and wherein the magnets (18, 19) are preferably made of neodymium.
  10. 10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mini-camera support (16) is fixed to the prism base (17) by means of screws.

Description

Field of invention [001] The present invention is situated in the field of inspection technologies, materials, equipment and corrosion, more specifically, in the field of measuring equipment. The present invention, more specifically still, is situated in the field of equipment for measuring thickness in pipelines and subsea equipment. Fundamentals of the invention [002] Subsea structures (ANM, manifold, PLET, etc.) periodically require thickness measurements to check for internal corrosion, some of which are ducts and pipelines. Therefore, thickness measurement is one of the most important structural integrity management activities for ensuring operational safety, whether for people, property, or the environment. [003] Currently, only part of the regions programmed in subsea equipment to have their thicknesses measured using ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) are being measured, due to the difficulty of accessing more restricted locations. Thus, most of the inaccessible regions are opposite generatrices of pipelines in relation to the ROV's position. For example, in subsea structures, measurements are needed on four generatrices of the pipelines: the frontal, the two lateral, and the opposite, always in relation to the ROV's position. The opposite position, that is, "behind" the pipeline in relation to the ROV, has always been a challenge to measure. [004] The tools commercially available on the market were developed to measure regions more exposed frontally to the ROV, therefore depending on the degree of freedom and movements of the ROV to be able to inspect the lateral regions of the pipelines. Consequently, with current resources, it has not been possible to measure part of the opposite regions (generatrices) of the pipelines. [005] Only a portion of these opposite regions are currently measured. This creates risks for the integrity management of these subsea structures, as it limits knowledge about the internal quality of the pipeline. Even the lateral regions of the pipeline are not always measured, depending on nearby restrictions or obstacles. [006] Thickness measurements are performed with the ROV mostly docked, in order to achieve sufficient stability to obtain a reading of the measured thickness. [007] Thus, the objective of the device of the present invention is to access these and other more restricted regions through a robust, adaptive, practical, low-cost and easy-to-implement tool. [008] Thus, the percentage of regions inspected in relation to those programmed would increase disruptively, to an expected reach in almost all of the programmed regions. [009] The device of the present invention will also allow inspection with the ROV without being docked, due to the spring-loaded solution device, and can be applied in any area that uses ROVs for ultrasonic thickness measurement. State of the art [010] In the state of the art, documents can be observed that reveal technologies related to the technology of the present invention, as described below. [011] The state-of-the-art document CN 105158336 A describes a multifunctional ultrasonic circumferential weld detection equipment for phased array piping comprising a main body, a magnetic pressure wheel mechanism, an auxiliary support, a clamping device, a left flaw detection probe holder, a right flaw detection probe holder, a left flaw detection probe holder and a right flaw detection probe. [012] The state-of-the-art document US 2016320282 A1 describes systems, apparatus and methods for measuring submerged surfaces. The embodiments include a measuring apparatus comprising a main structure, a source positioned outside a tube and connected to the main structure and a detector positioned outside the tube at a location diametrically opposite the source and connected to the main structure. [013] The state-of-the-art document US 2016231281 A1 describes systems, apparatus and methods that include a pipe inspection apparatus containing a carriage, a first member including at least one first and one second sensor configured to perform a first round of measurements of a pipe, a second member including at least one third and one fourth sensor configured to perform a first round of measurements of the pipe and a multiplexer. [014] The state-of-the-art document US 2020173879 A1 describes devices and methods for conducting pipeline inspection operations. Embodiments may include a robotic crawler or other devices with a plurality of arms, which carry imaging equipment such as radiation sources and linear detectors arranged or coupled to the arms of the plurality of arms. [015] The state-of-the-art document US 2014260705 A1 describes an apparatus for inspecting the outer surface of a pipe. The apparatus may include a carriage adapted for rotating a pipe to be inspected and includes a pipe inspection head. [016] Considering the subject matter described in these documents found in the prior art, firstly, it is important to note that all the documents and tools cited