Retrievable sensor and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9250149-B2
Application number	US-201313921905-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 19, 2013
Priority date	Jun 19, 2013
Publication date	Feb 2, 2016
Grant date	Feb 2, 2016

Abstract

Retrievable sensor devices and methods are provided that can be easily installed and removed from a sub-sea system without the need to stop the flow of working/process fluid. In particular, a retrievable sensor is provided that can be configured to be located remote from the process fluid to allow for easy access. In other embodiments, an actuator is provided that allows for pressure adjustments to be made during installation and/or removal of the sensor so as to avoid damage to the sensor and/or other system components and to avoid any process fluid/material leakage. Methods are also provided for installing/removing a retrievable sensor, as well as for adjusting a pressure of a retrievable sensor.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A retrievable sensor device, comprising:
a sensing element having a sensor, a separation diaphragm, and a sensor cavity in fluid communication with the sensor and the separation diaphragm such that the sensor cavity is configured to transfer a sensed condition received by the separation diaphragm to the sensor for measurement; and
an actuator in fluid communication with the sensor cavity, the actuator being configured to adjust a volume of fluid in the sensor cavity and thereby alter a pressure of the sensor cavity, wherein the actuator includes a first negative chamber and a second pressurized chamber separated from the first negative chamber.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is at least one of a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes an actuator diaphragm responsive to a pressure of the sensor cavity.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is in fluid communication with the sensor cavity by a fluid lumen extending therebetween.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the fluid lumen has a first end bounded by an actuator diaphragm disposed within the actuator, and second end that is in fluid communication with the sensor cavity.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator further includes a sealed valve hermetically separating the first and second chambers.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the sealed valve is configured to be opened to release pressure from the second pressurized chamber into the first negative-pressure chamber.

8. The device of claim 6 , wherein the sealed valve comprises a one-time valve that is configured to be punctured to release pressure from the second pressurized chamber into the first negative-pressure chamber.

9. The device of claim 6 , wherein the actuator includes an actuator diaphragm bounding the second pressurized chamber, the actuator diaphragm being responsive to a pressure of the sensor cavity.

10. The device of claim 9 , further comprising a fluid lumen having a first end bounded by the actuator diaphragm and second end in fluid communication with the sensor cavity.

11. A method for installing a retrievable sensor, comprising:
inserting a sensing element into a housing to position a separation diaphragm on the sensing element in contact with a transfer diaphragm on a transferring element, the separation diaphragm bounding a sensor cavity in the sensing element; and
activating an actuator coupled to the sensing element to increase a pressure of the sensor cavity in the sensing element, wherein the actuator has a first chamber that applies a negative pressure to the sensor cavity during insertion of the sensing element into the housing.

12. method of claim 11 , wherein activating the actuator comprises opening a valve disposed between the first chamber and a second pressurized chamber to allow a pressure of the first chamber to be increased.

13. A method for retrieving a sensor, comprising:
partially withdrawing a sensing element from a housing to separate a separation diaphragm on the sensing element from a transfer diaphragm on a transferring element, the separation diaphragm bounding a sensor cavity filled with fluid in the sensing element;
activating an actuator coupled to the sensing element to adjust a pressure of the sensor cavity in the sensing element; and
removing the sensing element from the housing.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the pressure of the fluid in the sensor cavity is decreased to a pressure that is less than a pressure of a fluid in a transfer cavity in the transferring element, the transfer cavity being bounded by the transfer diaphragm.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein activating the actuator comprises puncturing the actuator to release pressure from the sensor cavity.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Seeberg Bjorn Erik
• Petersson Johan
• Vagle Paal Martin
• Grinde Christopher

Classifications

• Y10T29/49815

  Disassembling · CPC title

• G01L19/144

  with dismountable parts, e.g. for maintenance purposes or for ensuring sterile conditions (for detachable interface or adapter between the process medium and the pressure gauge G01L19/003) · CPC title

• G01L19/0046 Primary

  using isolation membranes (G01L13/026 and G01L19/0645 take precedence) · CPC title

• G01L19/003 Primary

  using a detachable interface or adapter between the process medium and the pressure gauge · CPC title

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title