Patent Description:
In general, the disclosure describes a pipe isolation and monitoring system for pipelines. The pipe isolation and monitoring system has a pipe isolation device used to seal a pipeline and a monitoring system to monitor operating conditions of the pipe isolation device locally and at remote sites and to provide information on operating conditions of the pipe isolation device.

When performing pipeline maintenance or servicing, such as during hot tapping procedures, it is necessary to provide isolation of a "live" section of pipe. One such technique is use of a "double block and bleed" apparatus. As the term double block and bleed is known in the art, it refers to the setting of two seals in a pipe with a bleed port located therebetween. If fluid leaks past the first seal, it is contained by the second seal and forced to exit the pipe through the bleed port. The double block and bleed apparatus when in the engaged position in a pipeline blocks fluid flow past the pipe isolation device to isolate the pipeline downstream of the pipe isolation device. The pipe isolation device allows maintenance and other operations for the pipeline to be performed downstream of the pipe isolation device. <CIT> concerns a pipeline isolation tool for plugging a pipeline at a predetermined location. <CIT> concerns a double block and bleed plug.

What is needed is a pipeline isolation and monitoring system providing information on the operating conditions of the pipe isolation device that allows data for the operating conditions of the pipe isolation device to be monitored at a local site and/or a remote site.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of sealing and monitoring a pipeline according to appended claim <NUM>. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a pipe isolation and monitoring system according to appended claim <NUM>. Preferable features of the invention are defined in the appended dependent claims. However, many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limited the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Devices and methods to isolate and monitor a pipeline are described herein. Embodiments include conveying a pipe isolation device into the inlet section of a pipe, the pipe isolation device having a carrier, a primary sealing head, and a secondary sealing head; engaging the pipe isolation device to block flow through the pipeline; and measuring data values with a plurality of sensors with a means for transmitting acquired data to at least one data acquisition device.

One or more embodiments may include the method of the preceding paragraph wherein the engaged pipe isolation device forms a live pipe zone sealed by the primary sealing head, an isolated zone disposed between the primary sealing head and the secondary sealing head, and a zero-energy zone disposed adjacent to the secondary sealing head.

The plurality of sensors comprise a live pipe zone sensor, an isolated zone sensor, and a zero-energy zone sensor.

One or more embodiments may include the method of any preceding paragraph wherein the data acquisition device is disposed locally to the pipe isolation device.

One or more embodiments may include the method of any preceding paragraph wherein the data acquisition device is connected to the sensors by a wired connection.

One or more embodiments may include the method of any preceding paragraph wherein the data acquisition device is disposed remotely from the pipe isolation device.

One or more embodiments may include the method of any preceding paragraph wherein the data acquisition device is communicatively coupled to at least one edge device.

One or more embodiments may include the method of any preceding paragraph wherein the data acquisition device is communicatively coupled to at least one edge device and the at least one edge device is communicatively coupled to at least one remote application.

One or more embodiments may include the method of any preceding paragraph wherein the data acquisition device comprises a processing unit to process the acquired data, a non-transitory memory to record the acquired data, and a user interface to display the acquired data.

One or more embodiments may include the method of any preceding paragraph wherein the acquired data is processed to determine if an operating condition of the pipe isolation device has reached a selected threshold.

One or more embodiments may include the method of any preceding paragraph wherein the data acquisition device triggers an action when the operating condition has met the selected threshold.

One or more embodiments may include the method of any preceding paragraph wherein the operating condition is a temperature of a fluid in an area of the pipeline.

One or more embodiments may include the method of any preceding paragraph wherein the operating condition is an error in the functioning of the pipe isolation device.

A system to isolate and monitor a pipeline is described generally herein. Embodiments include a carrier with a primary sealing head and a secondary sealing head, the primary sealing head and the secondary sealing head capable of creating a live zone, an isolated zone, and a zero-energy zone within a pipeline; a plurality of sensors configured to send acquired data; and at least one data acquisition device coupled to the plurality of sensors and configured to receive the acquired data.

One or more embodiments may include the system of any preceding paragraph wherein the data acquisition device is communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors with wires.

One or more embodiments may include the system of any preceding paragraph wherein at least one edge device is communicatively coupled with the data acquisition device.

One or more embodiments may include the system of any preceding paragraph wherein the at least one data acquisition device processes the acquired data from a live pipe sensor, an isolated zone sensor, and a zero-energy zone sensor and stores the acquired data in a non-transitory memory.

One or more embodiments may include the system of any preceding paragraph wherein the at least one data acquisition device is at least one instrument communicatively coupled to the sensors and operable to upload to an information network, the at least one instrument with a user interface, a data acquisition component, and a data processing and store component.

One or more embodiments may include the system of any preceding paragraph wherein the data acquisition device is at least one instrument communicatively coupled to the sensors with a user interface, a data acquisition component, a data processing and store component, and the at least one instrument is operable to upload to a remote application with configuration and administration modules.

One or more embodiments may include the system of any preceding paragraph wherein the data acquisition device is configured to trigger an action if the acquired data meets a selected threshold.

Certain embodiments of the disclosure will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. It is emphasized that, in accordance with standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying figures illustrate the various implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope of various technologies described herein, and:.

In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the system and/or methodology may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments are possible. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but rather made merely for the purpose of describing general principles of the implementations. The scope of the described implementations should be ascertained with reference to the issued claims.

Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition skilled persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

As used herein, the terms "connect", "connection", "connected", "in connection with", and "connecting" are used to mean "in direct connection with" or "in connection with via one or more elements"; and the term "set" is used to mean "one element" or "more than one element". Further, the terms "couple", "coupling", "coupled", "coupled together", and "coupled with" are used to mean "directly coupled together" or "coupled together via one or more elements". As used herein, the terms "up" and "down"; "upper" and "lower"; "top" and "bottom"; and other like terms indicating relative positions to a given point or element are utilized to more clearly describe some elements.

The present disclosure generally relates to a pipe isolation and monitoring system for monitoring operating conditions of a pipe isolation device having multiple seals in a pipeline. The pipe isolation device may have a primary seal formed by primary sealing head and a secondary seal formed by a secondary sealing head. The pipe isolation device in an engaged position forms a live pipe zone on the pressurized side of the primary sealing head, an isolated, depressurized zone between the primary seal and the secondary seal, and a zero-energy zone adjacent to and downstream of the secondary sealing head.

A monitoring system is used to monitor operating conditions of the pipe isolation device. The monitoring system includes sensors to measure values or parameters of the live pipe zone, isolated zone, and the zero-energy zone. Acquired data based on values measured by the sensors may be sent and processed by the monitoring system locally and/or remotely. For example, the acquired data from the sensors may be sent and processed to a local site in the location of the pipe isolation device and/or to a remote location with a device for accessing and/or processing the acquired data using an information network. The acquired data may be processed to analyze any deviation from set operating conditions. The monitoring system may generate alarms on-site and/or at a remote site if the monitoring system determines that values from the zones being measured deviate from the set operating conditions. In addition, maintenance and inspection of the pipe isolation device may be scheduled by the monitoring system. This identification of deviations from the set operating conditions may be used to more effectively schedule maintenance and inspection of the pipe isolation device, and to provide alarms on the operating conditions of the pipe isolation device.

The pipe isolation and monitoring system of the present disclosure provides a system and method to achieve two or more seals inside the pipeline with the pipe isolation device and to monitor operating conditions of the pipe isolation device. The pressure in the space between the two seals or the isolated zone can be bled so that one seal is a primary seal and the other is a secondary backup seal. The pipe isolation device is set by traveling through a tapped access hole inside a fitting branch on the pipeline and product flow can continue through this fitting if a bypass line is set up.

<FIG> illustrates a pipe isolation and monitoring system <NUM> including a pipe isolation device <NUM> and a monitoring system <NUM> disposed in a pipeline <NUM>, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Monitoring system <NUM> is configured to monitor operating conditions of the pipeline <NUM> and the pipe isolation device <NUM>. An access connection to pipeline <NUM> is formed by an access fitting <NUM> disposed over a tapped access opening <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, inside the access fitting <NUM>. The access fitting <NUM> may include a mating flange <NUM> that is attached to an access housing <NUM>.

Pipe isolation device <NUM> includes three main components: a primary sealing head <NUM>, a secondary sealing head <NUM>, and a control bar head <NUM>. Control bar head <NUM> is a carrier for the sealing heads <NUM>, <NUM> and is used to convey the sealing heads <NUM>, <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the two sealing heads <NUM>, <NUM> can slide with respect to each other, and with respect to the control bar head <NUM> to place the pipe isolation device <NUM> in an engaged position, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In other embodiments, pipe isolation devices <NUM> may have a primary sealing head and a secondary sealing head that pivot with respect to one another to position the pipe isolation device to the engaged position in the pipeline <NUM>.

When the pipe isolation device <NUM> is in the engaged position shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the primary sealing head <NUM> provides a primary seal to fluid in the pipeline <NUM> and the secondary sealing head <NUM> provides a secondary seal to form an isolated zone <NUM> between the primary seal and the secondary seal. Any leakage of fluid past the primary seal flows into the isolated zone <NUM>. Control bar head <NUM> is attached to a control bar of an actuator, typically hydraulically powered, and translates through the access fitting <NUM> and the access opening <NUM> of the pipeline <NUM>. Primary sealing head <NUM> includes a primary seal element <NUM> and the secondary sealing head <NUM> includes a secondary seal element <NUM>. Primary seal element <NUM> and secondary seal element <NUM> may be made from elastomeric materials.

Pipe isolation device <NUM> when in the engaged position establishes, as shown in <FIG>, three zones in the pipeline <NUM>: a live pipe zone <NUM>, the isolated zone <NUM>, and a zero-energy zone <NUM>. Live pipe zone <NUM> is on the pressurized side of the primary sealing head <NUM>, the isolated zone <NUM> is between the primary sealing head <NUM> and the secondary sealing head <NUM>, and zero-energy zone <NUM> is downstream of the secondary sealing head <NUM>. Fluid that leaks past the primary seal element <NUM> flows into the isolated zone <NUM> and pressure from the fluid in the isolated zone <NUM> is bled out of the isolated zone <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, to bleed pressure from the isolation zone <NUM> between the two sealing heads <NUM>, <NUM> when the pipe isolation device <NUM> is engaged, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a bleed port <NUM> in the pipeline <NUM>. Bleed port <NUM> extends through a wall of the pipeline <NUM> to form a passageway to the isolated zone <NUM> in the pipeline <NUM>. A bleed joint <NUM> is formed over the bleed port <NUM>. Bleed joint <NUM> may include a fitting, such as a valve. Bleed joint <NUM> may be formed by a T-joint over the bleed port <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the bleed joint <NUM> is fitted, and the pipeline <NUM> is tapped at the bleed port <NUM>. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, an internal passageway is connected to a hose which leads to a port on the tool's housing (not shown). This internal passageway (not shown) passes through the primary sealing head <NUM> and into a port that goes through the control bar head <NUM> which then connects to the hose. The port (not shown) between the primary sealing head <NUM> and the control bar head <NUM> is only concentric once the pipe isolation device <NUM> is engaged. The port may be sealed with a face seal (not shown).

A zero-energy port <NUM> extends through a wall of the pipeline <NUM> to form a passageway to the zero-energy zone <NUM> in the pipeline <NUM>. A zero-energy joint <NUM> is formed over the zero-energy port <NUM>. Zero-energy joint <NUM> may include a fitting, such as a valve. Zero-energy joint <NUM> may be formed by a T-joint over the zero-energy port <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a zero-energy joint <NUM> is fitted, and the pipeline <NUM> is tapped at the zero-energy port <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the pipe isolation device <NUM> is shown in a retracted position. More specifically, the pipe isolation device <NUM> is shown partially extended through the access opening <NUM> of the pipeline <NUM> with the primary sealing head <NUM> and secondary sealing head <NUM> in retracted positions. An actuator rod <NUM> forms a part of an actuator for positioning the pipeline isolation device <NUM> from outside the pipeline <NUM> and into the access opening <NUM> when in the retracted position. Actuator rod continues a downward movement to position the pipe isolation device <NUM> in the engaged position shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, monitoring system <NUM> includes a live pipe sensor <NUM>, an isolated zone sensor <NUM>, and a zero-energy zone sensor <NUM> for measuring operating conditions of the pipe isolation device <NUM>, including pressure and temperature of the fluid from the live pipe zone <NUM>, isolated zone <NUM>, and zero-energy zone <NUM>. Sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may each be comprised of multiple physical sensors. In some embodiments, a single sensor may monitor conditions in two zones, such as in the live pipe zone <NUM> and the isolated zone <NUM>, in the isolated zone <NUM> and the zero-energy zone <NUM>, or in the live pipe zone <NUM> and the zero-energy zone <NUM>. In some embodiments, sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may measure fluid flow rate. Sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> generate data or values corresponding to operating conditions being measured. The location of sensors <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> may be external to the zones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be integrated into the pipe isolation device <NUM>. In some embodiments, ultrasonic sensors and a camera may be used with the pipe isolation device <NUM> and may be located on the primary sealing head <NUM> to detect obstructions in the pipeline <NUM>. In some embodiments, a sensor for each sliding interface for the pipe isolation device <NUM> may be added to determine if deployment of the primary sealing head <NUM> and/or secondary sealing head <NUM> from a retracted position to a set position has begun and to confirm if the primary sealing head <NUM> and/or secondary sealing head <NUM> has reached the engaged or retracted position. In some embodiments, a sensor monitors flow rate through access fitting <NUM>, bypass housing, and/or main line before and after pipe isolation device <NUM> is engaged.

The live pipe sensor <NUM> measures conditions of fluid in the live pipe zone <NUM>. In some embodiments, the live pipe sensor <NUM> may measure pressure and temperature of fluid from the live pipe zone <NUM> that has flowed into the access fitting <NUM> and mating flange <NUM>. Access fitting <NUM> and mating flange <NUM> are fluidly coupled to the live pipe zone <NUM> via access opening <NUM> in pipeline <NUM>.

Isolated zone sensor <NUM> measures conditions of fluid in the isolated zone <NUM>. In some embodiments, the isolated zone sensor <NUM> may measure pressure and temperature of fluid from the isolated zone <NUM> that has flowed into bleed joint <NUM>.

Zero-energy zone sensor <NUM> measures conditions of fluid in the zero-energy zone <NUM>. In some embodiments, the zero-energy zone sensor <NUM> may measure pressure and temperature of fluid from the zero-energy zone <NUM> that has flowed through the zero-energy port <NUM> into the zero-energy joint <NUM>. In addition, the zero-energy zone sensor <NUM> may measure hydrocarbon gas levels and other gas levels in the zero-energy zone <NUM>. In some embodiments, the zero-energy zone sensor may measure hydrocarbon gas level of fluid from the zero-energy zone <NUM>. The monitoring system <NUM> may determine based on the data from the measured hydrocarbon gas level if the hydrocarbon gas level or other gas levels of the fluid in the zero-energy zone <NUM> has reached selected thresholds, including the lower explosive limit (LEL) for hydrocarbon gas. A selected threshold may be reached if an operating condition exceeds a selected value.

Sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be selected to measure a range of pipeline pressures and temperature ranges. For example, the sensors may measure maximum allowable operating pressures and test pressures for the pipeline <NUM>. Sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be selected to comply with various standard setting and governmental bodies for various standards, including use of a component in a potentially explosive environment. In some embodiments, the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be installed or removed from standard NPT pipe thread and have fluid compatibility with crude oil, water, natural gas, and gasoline.

Referring to <FIG>, data acquisition device <NUM> is coupled to and acquires data from sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Data acquisition device <NUM> may be referred to as DAQ <NUM>. Data acquisition device <NUM> may be locally positioned at the location of the pipe isolation device <NUM>. In some embodiments, data acquisition device <NUM> may be installed locally on the pipeline <NUM>. In some embodiments, data acquisition device <NUM> may record and monitor data acquired from the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Data acquisition device <NUM> may have a processing unit for processing acquired data, a non-transitory memory for recording acquired data and other information, and a user interface, such as a human man interface (HMI) that may include a dashboard and/or screen. The HMI on the data acquisition device <NUM> may display values based on the acquired data from the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, including pressure, temperature, and other operating conditions of the zones <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

Data acquisition system <NUM> may determine based on the data from the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> if any condition value, including an operational condition, of fluid in one or more of the zones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> has met selected thresholds. Selected thresholds may be met when a value reaches or exceeds the selected values. Data acquisition system <NUM> may identify errors including disconnection of one or more sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and improper working of the data acquisition system <NUM> and trigger an alarm when an error has been detected. Data acquisition device <NUM> is configured to notify its active status of monitoring sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, including notification to an edge device <NUM> and/or a remote application <NUM>, for example by sending a periodic message or "heartbeat" message to the edge device <NUM>. Data acquisition system <NUM> may send a signal triggering or turning-on an alarm when a condition value has met the selected threshold, or an error has been detected by the data acquisition system <NUM>. The alarm may be displayed on or audibly outputted by the HMI of the data acquisition device <NUM> or a device located remotely. Data acquisition device <NUM> may display charts and graphs based on the acquired data from sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

In some embodiments, sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may have a wired connection to the data acquisition device <NUM> and be configured to transmit acquired data to the data acquisition device <NUM> over the wired connection. Data acquisition device <NUM> may acquire data from multiple physical sensors forming each of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Each physical sensor may transmit data to the data acquisition device <NUM> over a separate communications channel. In some embodiments, data acquisition device <NUM> may be battery powered and the data acquisition device <NUM> may provide power management, including communicating battery status and power level via the HMI for the data acquisition device <NUM> and/or other device at a remote location. Battery power for the data acquisition device <NUM> may be used because no wired-powered sources may be available locally to provide wired power to the data acquisition device <NUM>.

Data acquisition device <NUM> is configured to transmit acquired data from the sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and processed data from the data acquisition device <NUM> to a remote location. In some embodiments, data acquisition device <NUM> communicates to the remote location using the edge device <NUM> or Wi-Fi to connect to an information network, also referred to as the cloud <NUM>. Edge device <NUM> may perform data processing of the sensor acquired data from sensors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or process other information based on the sensor acquired data. Edge device <NUM> may also include an annunciation system <NUM> providing information to users based on the sensor acquired data, including outputting on an annunciation display <NUM> alarms when values of the operating conditions meet selected threshold limits. Edge device <NUM> may include non-transitory memory for storing acquired data and/or monitoring data associated with the monitoring system <NUM>. Acquired data may be uploaded to the cloud <NUM> by the edge device <NUM>.

Multiple data acquisition devices <NUM> may be wirelessly coupled to the edge device <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The pairing of a data acquisition device <NUM> with the edge device <NUM> may be configured with the remote application <NUM> via the web. Edge device <NUM> may act like an annunciation device and wirelessly communicate with various data acquisition devices <NUM> to display status of active alarms from all the data acquisition devices <NUM> paired with the edge device <NUM>. Edge device <NUM> may upload data to the remote application <NUM> at a predefined frequency, and the edge device <NUM> may be connected to the web or other information network wirelessly, for example by a cellular or satellite connection. Edge device <NUM> may be battery powered and may include power management, including communicating the battery status.

Remote application <NUM> may be used to remotely store acquired data and other monitoring data associated with the pipe isolation and monitoring system <NUM> in a cloud server and/or other non-transitory memory. Remote application <NUM> provides for data storage of acquired data and other monitoring data and generates live dashboards and reporting based on the data. Remote application <NUM> may include configuration and administration modules for managing and controlling the monitoring system <NUM>, and a web display <NUM> may access and use the remote application <NUM>. The configuration module may be used to manage inventories of data acquisition devices <NUM>, edge devices <NUM>, and the pairing of data acquisition devices <NUM> and edge devices <NUM>. The configuration module may create job configurations, assign digital acquisition devices and download configurations. The configuration module may enable a user to tag a job with a project number, list parameters for a project, and identify data acquisition devices <NUM> to be used for the project. For each data acquisition device <NUM>, the configuration module may enable a user to specify active channels and the type of data for each channel, frequency of data capture and upload, and operating ranges per sensor. Remote application <NUM> may be configured to allow a user to view the live status of the currently running jobs showing operating conditions for one or more pipe isolation devices <NUM> and associated values by selecting a job-number, and to view historical reports of various jobs.

Data acquisition device <NUM> may be able to download settings and configurations from the remote application <NUM> via the Web using a Web browser or other connection to an information network. Data acquisition device <NUM> and/or remote application <NUM> may continuously record and monitor sensor acquired data and other monitoring data. Configuration and administration modules may be used to control the frequency of recording and monitoring sensor acquired data and other monitoring data.

Data may be analyzed using the data acquisition device <NUM> and/or other device using the remote application <NUM> for any deviation from the set operating conditions and generate alarms locally on the data acquisition device <NUM> and/or locally on an annunciation device to warn users at the location of the pipe isolation device <NUM>, and generate alarms to remote locations, such as the web display <NUM>, via a web-interface or other network connection.

Reports may be generated by the data acquisition device <NUM> and/or remote application <NUM>. The remote application <NUM> may be accessed by remote devices to generate reports. The reports may include past data analyses for selected time periods and for one or more data acquisition devices <NUM>. The reports may be per job. The reports may be generated and/or reviewed remotely via the web-interface or internet connection to a remote device, for example a web display <NUM>.

Remote application <NUM> may include other modules including: User Management to Add/ Update/ Delete Users and Add/ Update/ Delete User Permissions; Inventory Management to Add/ Update/ Delete DAQs, Add/ Update/ Delete Edge, and Base settings for DAQs and Edge; Download settings on DAQs and Edge; View Status of DAQs and Edge for Heartbeat, System utilization, Memory utilization, and Active channels.

In operation, the monitoring system <NUM> may provide in some embodiments a monitoring operation <NUM> as described in a flow chart shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, a user may login to a web interface to create a job. This web interface may be connected to a remote application with administration and configuration modules. The user may then download the configurations on the DAQs and Edge. The DAQs and Edge configurations may then be sent to the job location, where field technicians may setup the DAQ and Edge. Field technicians may then run a startup test to make sure the sensors, DAQ, and Edge devices are working correctly. When the pipe monitoring device is activated, then the DAQ and Edge will start capturing, recording, analyzing, and uploading acquired data. In some embodiments, the monitoring system allows users at the job site to view and monitor acquired data and be notified of any active alarms. In some embodiments, office personnel at a remote location may view and monitor the data and be notified of any active alarms. In some embodiments, users at the job site and office personnel at a remote location may simultaneously view and monitor the data and be notified of any active alarms. In some embodiments, the monitoring system may initiate or trigger an action in response to an operating condition reaching a selected threshold, for example, scheduling maintenance and/or inspection of the pipe monitoring device or performing an activity within the pipe monitoring system and/or pipeline.

Claim 1:
A method of sealing and monitoring a pipeline (<NUM>), comprising:
conveying a pipe isolation device (<NUM>) into the inlet section of a pipe, the pipe isolation device (<NUM>) having a carrier (<NUM>), a primary sealing head (<NUM>), and a secondary sealing head (<NUM>);
engaging the pipe isolation device (<NUM>) to block flow through the pipeline (<NUM>), wherein engaging the pipe isolation device (<NUM>) forms a live pipe zone (<NUM>) disposed on a pressurized side of the primary sealing head (<NUM>), an isolated zone (<NUM>) disposed between the primary sealing head (<NUM>) and the secondary sealing head (<NUM>), and a zero-energy zone (<NUM>) disposed on a downstream side of the secondary sealing head (<NUM>); and
measuring data values with a plurality of sensors with a means for transmitting acquired data to at least one data acquisition device (<NUM>), wherein the plurality of sensors comprise a live pipe zone sensor (<NUM>) configured to measure conditions of fluid in the live pipe zone (<NUM>), an isolated zone sensor (<NUM>) configured to measure conditions of fluid in the isolated zone (<NUM>), and a zero-energy zone sensor (<NUM>) configured to measure conditions of fluid in the zero-energy zone (<NUM>).