Oilfield equipment identification method and apparatus

• US 7,062,413 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2005
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Den-Con Tool Co.
• Original Assignee: Den-Con Tool Co.
• Inventors: Denny, Lawrence A., Patterson, Edward E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Raymond, Edward
• Application Number:
  US11/269,465
• Publication Number:
  US 20060080064A1
• Time in Patent Office: 217 Days
• Field of Search: 702/188, 702182-185, 702/187, 702/189, 235/449, 235/375
• US Class Current: 702/188
• 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

An oilfield equipment identifying apparatus comprising a computer loaded with an oilfield equipment database. A unique identification code is input into the computer for each piece of oilfield equipment in the drill string to form a reference in the oilfield equipment database to each piece of oilfield equipment in the drill string. A drilling monitoring device receives input signals indicative of at least one of rotating and non-rotating usage of the drill string and output signals to the computer wherein the computer continuously and automatically monitors the cumulative rotating usage and non-rotating usage of each piece of oilfield equipment identified in the drill string.

Claims

1. An oilfield equipment identifying apparatus comprising:

a computer loaded with an oilfield equipment database;

means for inputting into the computer a unique identification code for (1) each piece of oilfield equipment in a drill string to form a reference in the oilfield equipment database to each piece of oilfield equipment in the drill string, and (2) various pieces of oilfield equipment located on a rig floor; and

a drilling monitoring device constantly detecting movement of a drilling device associated with the drill string by automatically receiving input signals indicative of at least one of rotating and non-rotating usage of the drill string and outputting real time signals to the computer wherein the computer continuously and automatically monitors the cumulative rotating usage and non-rotating usage of each piece of oilfield equipment identified in the drill string.

3. The oilfield equipment identifying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer is also loaded with a rental function for tracking parameters of the oilfield equipment related to the renting of the oilfield equipment.

2. An oilfield equipment identifying apparatus comprising:

a computer loaded with an oilfield equipment database;

means for inputting into the computer a unique identification code for (1) each piece of oilfield equipment in a drill string to form a reference in the oilfield equipment database to each piece of oilfield equipment in the drill string, and (2) various pieces of oilfield equipment located on a rig floor; and

means for monitoring a drilling device and outputting signals to the computer wherein the computer continuously and automatically monitors the cumulative rotating usage and non-rotating usage of each piece of oilfield equipment identified in the drill string.

4. The oilfield equipment identifying apparatus of claim 2, wherein the computer is also loaded with a rental function for tracking parameters of the oilfield equipment related to the renting of the oilfield equipment.