Patent ID: 7895001
Filing Date: 2011-02-22
Classification: E21B,F15B,G01M

Abstract:
1. A method for monitoring the health of a hydraulic control system comprising: a) capturing a layout and parameters of the hydraulic control system; b) capturing a valve signature during a System Integration Test; c) generating a simulated valve signature to match the valve signature captured during the System Integration Test by using a simulation algorithm and adjusting parameters of the hydraulic control system; d) recording the parameters of the hydraulic control system used to generate the simulated valve signature that matches the valve signature captured during the System Integration Test; subsequent to steps c to d: e) capturing a valve signature for a subsea valve opening/closing; f) generating a simulated subsea valve signature to match the subsea valve signature captured for the subsea valve opening/closing by using the simulation algorithm and adjusting parameters of the hydraulic control system; g) recording the parameters of the hydraulic control system used to generate the simulated subsea valve signature that matches the valve signature captured for the subsea valve opening/closing; h) repeating steps e), f) and g); and i) tracking changes in the parameters of the hydraulic control system over time.