Distributed control system
First Claim
1. A method for distributed control of equipment comprising:
- operating an input device at a master control station to transmit control signals from the master control station across a non-real-time network to at least one local control panel (LCP);
converting and transmitting the control signals from the master control station across a real-time network to at least one distributed control unit (DCU) to control the operation of the equipment;
sensing sensor data and transmitting the sensor data across the real-time network from the at least one DCU to the LCP; and
converting and transmitting the sensor data from the LCP across the non-real-time network to at least one output device at the master control station.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A distributed control system permits local or remote control of equipment. The distributed control system provides a communication bridge through a local control panel between a non-real-time network, such as an Ethernet, and a real-time network, such as a controller area network. Both soft real-time and hard real-time networks are suitable, but hard real-time is preferred. The system uses multiple distributed control units to control various equipment components and is thus highly expandable. The distributed control system may be applied in any environment. When applied to a skid-mounted coiled tubing unit, the distributed control system reduces the amount of hydraulic hose required and therefore makes set up and take down shorter and more economical.
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Citations
53 Claims
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1. A method for distributed control of equipment comprising:
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operating an input device at a master control station to transmit control signals from the master control station across a non-real-time network to at least one local control panel (LCP);
converting and transmitting the control signals from the master control station across a real-time network to at least one distributed control unit (DCU) to control the operation of the equipment;
sensing sensor data and transmitting the sensor data across the real-time network from the at least one DCU to the LCP; and
converting and transmitting the sensor data from the LCP across the non-real-time network to at least one output device at the master control station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for distributed control of equipment comprising:
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a master control station, including at least one input device and at least one output device, to operate the equipment;
at least one local control panel (LCP);
at least one distributed control unit (DCU);
a non-real-time network to transmit signals between the master control station and the LCP; and
a real-time network to transmit signals between the at least one LCP and the at least one DCU. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for distributed control of a coiled tubing unit comprising:
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operating an input device at a control station to transmit control signals from the control station across a non-real-time network to a local control panel (LCP);
converting and transmitting the control signals from the control station across a real-time network to at least one distributed control unit (DCU);
transmitting the control signals from the at least one DCU to at least one piece of coiled tubing unit equipment;
sensing sensor data from at least one piece of coiled tubing unit equipment and transmitting the sensor data across the real-time network from at least one DCU to the LCP; and
converting and transmitting the sensor data from the LCP across a non-real-time network to at least one output device at the control station. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A system for distributed control of a coiled tubing unit, the coiled tubing unit including a power pack and associated components, a coiled tubing reel and associated components, an injector head and associated components, and a BOP and associated components, the system comprising:
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a master control station, including at least one input device and at least one output device, to operate the coiled tubing unit;
a local control panel (LCP);
a power pack distributed control unit (DCU) to control operation of the power pack and associated components;
a coiled tubing reel DCU to control operation of the coiled tubing reel and associated components;
an injector head/BOP DCU to control operation of the injector head and associated components, and the BOP and associated components;
a non-real-time network to send signals between the master control station and the LCP; and
a real-time network to send signals between the LCP, the power pack DCU, the coiled tubing reel DCU, and the injector head/BOP DCU. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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Specification