Abstract: Integrated penetrator and proximity sensor probe assemblies are provided for monitoring a position of a rotating target within a subsea rotating device such as subsea motors and pumps. The integrated penetrator and proximity sensor probe assemblies are configured to communicate information related to the position of the rotating target through a wall of the device housing, and can be inserted through an opening in the wall of the device housing and mounted to the wall of the device to position a proximity sensor tip assembly adjacent the rotating target. The proximity sensor probe assemblies are pressure-compensated and configured to withstand subsea pressures and conditions.

Abstract: A gap compensated torque sensing system and methods for using the same are provided. The system can include a magnetostrictive torque sensor and at least one proximity sensor in communication with a controller. The proximity sensor can be substantially rigidly coupled to a sensor head of the torque sensor, either contained within the sensor head or mounted proximate to the sensor head using a bracket or other coupling mechanism. The torque sensor can sense magnetic flux passing through the target and the proximity sensor can measure a gap between itself and the target. The controller can estimate torque applied to the target from magnetic flux sensed by the torque sensor. The estimated torque can be modified by the gap measurement to compensate for changes in magnetic properties of the target due to variations in the gap. In this manner, the accuracy of the torque measurements can be increased.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for determining stress in a conductive target are provided. The systems, devices, and methods facilitate detecting stress in the target using a sensor assembly. Raw stress signals, which can correspond to stress in the target, can be generated by detecting a first magnetic flux that travels through the target. The raw stress signals can be sensitive to a gap between the sensor assembly and the target. A proximity sensor element can be used to determine the size of the gap by generating a magnetic field which can couple with the target. If the size of the gap changes, the coupling can change. By determining an impedance of the proximity sensor element, a corresponding gap signal can be generated. The gap signal can be used to correct the raw stress signals, thereby creating corrected stress signals, which can correspond to values of stress within the target.

Abstract: A pressure compensated sensing system and methods for using the same are provided. The system can include a housing, a seal, an incompressible fluid, and sensing elements. The seal can be positioned within a housing cavity and divide the cavity into two portions. A first cavity portion can be sealed from the fluid environment by the seal and contain the sensing elements and the incompressible fluid. A second cavity portion can be in fluid communication with the fluid environment. The fluid environment can apply an external pressure to the seal that is opposed by an internal pressure of the sealed cavity applied to the seal by the incompressible fluid. When the internal pressure and the external pressure are different, the seal can move in a manner that changes the volume of the sealed cavity by an amount sufficient to equalize the internal pressure with the external pressure.

Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive sensor. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a driving coil configured to receive a first driving current and to emit a first magnetic flux portion through a target and a second magnetic flux portion. The magnetostrictive sensor also includes a first sensing coil configured to receive the first magnetic flux portion and to transmit a signal based at least in part on the received first magnetic flux portion. The received first magnetic flux portion is based at least in part on a force on the target. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a magnetic shield disposed between the driving coil and the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield is configured to reduce the second magnetic flux portion received by the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield includes a composite with a conductive material and an insulating material, a metamaterial, or a mesh structure, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A gap compensated torque sensing system and methods for using the same are provided. The system can include a magnetostrictive torque sensor and at least one proximity sensor in communication with a controller. The proximity sensor can be substantially rigidly coupled to a sensor head of the torque sensor, either contained within the sensor head or mounted proximate to the sensor head using a bracket or other coupling mechanism. The torque sensor can sense magnetic flux passing through the target and the proximity sensor can measure a gap between itself and the target. The controller can estimate torque applied to the target from magnetic flux sensed by the torque sensor. The estimated torque can be modified by the gap measurement to compensate for changes in magnetic properties of the target due to variations in the gap. In this manner, the accuracy of the torque measurements can be increased.

Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive sensor. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a driving coil configured to receive a first driving current and to emit a first magnetic flux portion through a target and a second magnetic flux portion. The magnetostrictive sensor also includes a first sensing coil configured to receive the first magnetic flux portion and to transmit a signal based at least in part on the received first magnetic flux portion. The received first magnetic flux portion is based at least in part on a force on the target. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a magnetic shield disposed between the driving coil and the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield is configured to reduce the second magnetic flux portion received by the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield includes a composite with a conductive material and an insulating material, a metamaterial, or a mesh structure, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Integrated penetrator and proximity sensor probe assemblies are provided for monitoring a position of a rotating target within a subsea rotating device such as subsea motors and pumps. The integrated penetrator and proximity sensor probe assemblies are configured to communicate information related to the position of the rotating target through a wall of the device housing, and can be inserted through an opening in the wall of the device housing and mounted to the wall of the device to position a proximity sensor tip assembly adjacent the rotating target. The proximity sensor probe assemblies are pressure-compensated and configured to withstand subsea pressures and conditions.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for determining stress in a conductive target are provided. The systems, devices, and methods facilitate detecting stress in the target using a sensor assembly. Raw stress signals, which can correspond to stress in the target, can be generated by detecting a first magnetic flux that travels through the target. The raw stress signals can be sensitive to a gap between the sensor assembly and the target. A proximity sensor element can be used to determine the size of the gap by generating a magnetic field which can couple with the target. If the size of the gap changes, the coupling can change. By determining an impedance of the proximity sensor element, a corresponding gap signal can be generated. The gap signal can be used to correct the raw stress signals, thereby creating corrected stress signals, which can correspond to values of stress within the target.

Abstract: A pressure compensated sensing system and methods for using the same are provided. The system can include a housing, a seal, an incompressible fluid, and sensing elements. The seal can be positioned within a housing cavity and divide the cavity into two portions. A first cavity portion can be sealed from the fluid environment by the seal and contain the sensing elements and the incompressible fluid. A second cavity portion can be in fluid communication with the fluid environment. The fluid environment can apply an external pressure to the seal that is opposed by an internal pressure of the sealed cavity applied to the seal by the incompressible fluid. When the internal pressure and the external pressure are different, the seal can move in a manner that changes the volume of the sealed cavity by an amount sufficient to equalize the internal pressure with the external pressure.

Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive sensor. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a driving coil configured to receive a first driving current and to emit a first magnetic flux portion through a target and a second magnetic flux portion. The magnetostrictive sensor also includes a first sensing coil configured to receive the first magnetic flux portion and to transmit a signal based at least in part on the received first magnetic flux portion. The received first magnetic flux portion is based at least in part on a force on the target. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a magnetic shield disposed between the driving coil and the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield is configured to reduce the second magnetic flux portion received by the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield includes a composite with a conductive material and an insulating material, a metamaterial, or a mesh structure, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is described herein. The sensor assembly includes a housing that includes an inner surface that defines a cavity within the housing, and a proximity sensor positioned within the cavity. The proximity sensor includes a first connector, a second connector, and a substantially planar sensing coil that extends between the first connector and the second connector. The sensing coil extends outwardly from the first connector such that the second connector is radially outwardly from the first connector.

Abstract: Sensor assemblies, electrical penetrator assemblies and associated methods are provided for monitoring operational characteristics of subsea rotating devices such as subsea motors and pumps. Pressure-compensated proximity sensors configured to withstand subsea pressures are disposed adjacent a subsea rotating shaft for directly monitoring a position of the rotating shaft during dynamic operation thereof. A sensor tip assembly includes a sensor cap and a sensing element therein configured to produce a signal indicative of a distance between the sensor cap and the rotating shaft. A substantially incompressible fluid is disposed within a fluid reservoir within a sensor housing, and fluidly communicates with the sensor cap such that at least a portion of an internal pressure within the sensor housing is applied to interior portions of the sensor cap. The sensor housing is configured such that the internal pressure increases in response to an increase in an external pressure of the sensor housing.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is described herein. The sensor assembly includes a housing that includes an inner surface that defines a cavity within the housing, and a proximity sensor positioned within the cavity. The proximity sensor includes a first connector, a second connector, and a substantially planar sensing coil that extends between the first connector and the second connector. The sensing coil extends outwardly from the first connector such that the second connector is radially outwardly from the first connector.

Abstract: Integrated penetrator and proximity sensor probe assemblies are provided for monitoring a position of a rotating target within a subsea rotating device such as subsea motors and pumps. The integrated penetrator and proximity sensor probe assemblies are configured to communicate information related to the position of the rotating target through a wall of the device housing, and can be inserted through an opening in the wall of the device housing and mounted to the wall of the device to position a proximity sensor tip assembly adjacent the rotating target. The proximity sensor probe assemblies are pressure-compensated and configured to withstand subsea pressures and conditions.

Abstract: Sensor assemblies, electrical penetrator assemblies and associated methods are provided for monitoring operational characteristics of subsea rotating devices such as subsea motors and pumps. Pressure-compensated proximity sensors configured to withstand subsea pressures are disposed adjacent a subsea rotating shaft for directly monitoring a position of the relating shaft during dynamic operation thereof. A sensor tip assembly includes a sensor cap and a sensing element therein configured to produce a signal indicative of a distance between the sensor cap and the rotating shaft. A substantially incompressible fluid is disposed within a fluid reservoir within a sensor housing, and fluidly communicates with the sensor cap such that at least a portion of an internal pressure within the sensor housing is applied to interior portions of the sensor cap. The sensor housing is configured such that the internal pressure increases in response to an increase in an external pressure of the sensor housing.

Abstract: Sensor assemblies, electrical penetrator assemblies and associated methods are provided for monitoring operational characteristics of subsea rotating devices such as subsea motors and pumps. Pressure-compensated proximity sensors configured to withstand subsea pressures are disposed adjacent a subsea rotating shaft for directly monitoring a position of the rotating shaft during dynamic operation thereof. A sensor tip assembly includes a sensor cap and a sensing element therein configured to produce a signal indicative of a distance between the sensor cap and the rotating shaft. A substantially incompressible fluid is disposed within a fluid reservoir within a sensor housing, and fluidly communicates with the sensor cap such that at least a portion of an internal pressure within the sensor housing is applied to interior portions of the sensor cap. The sensor housing is configured such that the internal pressure increases in response to an increase in an external pressure of the sensor housing.

Abstract: Sensor assemblies and methods of assembling and using the sensor assemblies are provided for monitoring operational characteristics of subsea rotating devices such as subsea motors and pumps. Pressure-compensated proximity sensor tip assemblies configured to withstand subsea pressures are mounted adjacent a subsea rotating shaft for directly monitoring a position of the rotating shaft during dynamic operation thereof. An end of a sensor housing opposite a sensor tip assembly is mounted to a wall of the device housing. The sensor housing defines a fluid reservoir containing a substantially incompressible fluid therein that is in fluid communication with the interior portions of the proximity sensor tip assembly. A length of the sensor housing is adjusted to accommodate a distance between the wall of the device housing and the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A system includes first, second, third and fourth capacitive sensors, each disposed about a longitudinal axis. The first capacitive sensor is disposed along a first axis radial to the longitudinal axis, and the third capacitive sensor is disposed along the first axis opposite the first capacitive sensor. The second capacitive sensor is disposed along a second axis radial to the longitudinal axis, the fourth capacitive sensor is disposed along the second axis opposite the second capacitive sensor, and the second axis is different from the first axis. Each capacitive sensor is configured to transmit a respective signal based at least in part on a position of a rotational component along the respective axis relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive sensor. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a driving coil configured to receive a first driving current and to emit a first magnetic flux portion through a target and a second magnetic flux portion. The magnetostrictive sensor also includes a first sensing coil configured to receive the first magnetic flux portion and to transmit a signal based at least in part on the received first magnetic flux portion. The received first magnetic flux portion is based at least in part on a force on the target. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a magnetic shield disposed between the driving coil and the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield is configured to reduce the second magnetic flux portion received by the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield includes a composite with a conductive material and an insulating material, a metamaterial, or a mesh structure, or any combination thereof.