OILFIELD EQUIPMENT IDENTIFICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS

• US 20100019886A1
• Filed: 09/24/2009
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edward E. Patterson, Lawrence A. Denny
• Original Assignee: Edward E. Patterson, Lawrence A. Denny
• Inventors: Denny, Lawrence A., Patterson, Edward E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,912,678 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/006 Accessories for drilling pipes, e.g. cleaners wear protectors E21B17/10; handling drilling pipes E21B19/00; thread protectors B65D59/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 13/00 Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices covered by groups G01V1/00 – G01V11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/006 Identification G06F11/2289 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/041 Constructional details G06K19/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener

Abstract

A system for identifying a piece of oilfield equipment having an exterior surface, the system having an identifier assembly that includes an RFID tag storing a unique identifier, an enclosure receiving and retaining the RFID tag, and a reader.

Claims

1. A system for identifying a piece of oilfield equipment having an exterior surface, the system comprising:

an identifier assembly comprising;

an RFID tag storing a unique identifier, the RFID capable of outputting a signal indicative of the unique identifier; and

an enclosure receiving and retaining the RFID tag, the enclosure connected to the exterior surface of the piece of oilfield equipment beyond an external surface perimeter of the piece of oilfield equipment; and

a reader receiving the signal indicative of the unique identifier from the RFID tag.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the identifier assembly is attached to the piece of oilfield equipment via a fastener which is received through an aperture extending through at least a portion of the identifier assembly.

3. A method of installing an identifier assembly onto an exterior surface of a piece of oilfield equipment, the method comprising the step of:

attaching an identifier assembly to the exterior surface of the piece of oilfield equipment, the identifier assembly comprising;

an RFID tag storing a unique identifier, the RFID capable of outputting a signal indicative of the unique identifier; and

an enclosure receiving and retaining the RFID tag, the enclosure connected to the exterior surface of the piece of oilfield equipment beyond an external surface perimeter of the piece of oilfield equipment.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the identifier assembly is attached to the external surface of the piece of oilfield equipment via a fastener which is inserted through an aperture extending through at least a portion of the identifier assembly and into the external surface of the piece of oilfield equipment.