Acoustic frequency interrogation and data system

Abstract

A system, in certain embodiments, includes a subsea acoustic frequency interrogation and data system. The subsea acoustic frequency interrogation and data system includes a master acoustic transceiver configured to broadcast an acoustic activation signal and an acoustic frequency interrogated data transmitter configured to generate power from the acoustic activation signal and activate a sensor configured to measure an operating parameter of subsea equipment.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An acoustic frequency interrogation and data system, comprising:
 a master acoustic transceiver configured to broadcast an acoustic activation signal, wherein the acoustic activation signal comprises a high-power tone and an acoustic message, and wherein the high-power tone comprises at least 10 watts; and   an acoustic frequency interrogated data transmitter comprising a sensor, wherein the acoustic frequency interrogated data transmitter is configured to generate power from the high-power tone of the acoustic activation signal and activate the sensor to measure an operating parameter of a working system using the acoustic message portion of the acoustic activation signal.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor of the acoustic frequency interrogated data transmitter is configured to shut down when the power generated from the high-power tone of the acoustic activation signal is consumed by the acoustic frequency interrogated data transmitter. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the master acoustic transceiver comprises electronic circuitry comprising a power supply, a system interface module, and a communications module. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the power supply is configured to provide power to the system interface module and the communications module, the system interface module is configured to communicate with an instrumentation system of the working system, and the communications module is configured to broadcast the acoustic activation signal and receive an acoustic return signal from the acoustic frequency interrogated data transmitter. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the acoustic frequency interrogated data transmitter comprises electronic circuitry comprising a communications module, an alternating current (AC)/direct current (DC) micropower supply, and a sensor processing module. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the communications module is configured to receive the acoustic message of the acoustic activation signal, receive feedback from the sensor indicative of the operating parameter of the working system, and send an acoustic return signal to the master acoustic transceiver. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the AC/DC micropower supply is configured to receive the high-power tone from the acoustic activation signal, generate an alternating voltage, and supply power to the communications module and the sensor processing module. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the sensor processing module is configured to execute instructions to activate the sensor to measure the operating parameter of the working system and to send feedback indicative of the operating parameter of the working system to the communications module. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the acoustic frequency data transmitter is configured to be partially mounted within an opening of subsea equipment. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the master acoustic transceiver is connected to a subsea instrumentation housing. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 21 , comprising a plurality of the acoustic frequency data transmitters, wherein each acoustic frequency data transmitter of the plurality of acoustic frequency data transmitters is configured to communicate with the master acoustic transceiver. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the master acoustic transceiver is configured to broadcast the acoustic activation signal to each acoustic frequency data transmitters of the plurality of acoustic frequency data transmitters. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein each acoustic frequency data transmitter of the plurality of acoustic frequency data transmitters communicates data to the master acoustic transceiver in series with one another. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein each acoustic frequency data transmitter of the plurality of acoustic frequency data transmitters communicates data to the master acoustic transceiver at a different frequency. 
     
     
         35 . A method, comprising:
 outputting an acoustic activation signal from a master acoustic transceiver;   receiving the acoustic activation signal at an acoustic frequency data transmitter;   converting the acoustic activation signal into electrical power;   directing the electrical power to a sensor of the acoustic frequency data transmitter to power the sensor;   measuring an operating parameter of a working system with the sensor;   sending feedback indicative of the operating parameter from the acoustic frequency data transmitter to the master acoustic transceiver; and   receiving the feedback at the master acoustic transceiver.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , comprising sending the feedback from the master acoustic transceiver to an instrumentation system and adjusting a component of the working system with the instrumentation system based on the feedback. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein converting the acoustic activation signal into electrical power comprises using an alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) micropower supply of the acoustic frequency data transmitter to generate the electrical power from the acoustic activation signal. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , comprising storing the electrical power in a capacitor of the acoustic frequency data transmitter before directing the electrical power to the sensor. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , comprising shutting down the sensor when the electrical power generated from the acoustic activation signal is consumed by the acoustic frequency data transmitter. 
     
     
         40 . An energy harvesting system for a subsea system, comprising:
 a subsea structure of the subsea system comprising a frame and a support structure;   a master acoustic transceiver coupled to the support structure of the subsea structure, wherein the master acoustic transceiver is configured to broadcast an acoustic activation signal using a first transceiver; and   an acoustic frequency interrogated data transmitter coupled to the frame of the subsea structure, wherein the acoustic frequency interrogated data transmitter comprises a sensor, a second transceiver, and electronic circuitry, and wherein the acoustic frequency interrogated data transmitter is configured to receive the acoustic activation signal at the second transceiver, generate power from the acoustic activation signal using the electronic circuitry, and activate the sensor to measure an operating parameter of a working system using the acoustic activation signal.