Drilling rigs with apparatus identification systems and methods

• US 8,016,037 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2009
• Issued: 09/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Oilwell Varco LP (NOV, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: National Oilwell Varco LP (NOV, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bloom, Robert, Ellison, Leon D., Kammann, Reinhold, McClung, Guy L. III, Lam, Clive, Worms, Manfred
• Primary Examiner(s): GAY, JENNIFER HAWKINS
• Application Number:
  US12/417,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20090188675A1
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 166/381, 166/255.1, 166/250.01, 166/64, 166/66, 175/40, 175/45, 404/84.05, 340/853.1, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 166/255.1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 15/00 Supports for the drilling machine, e.g. derricks or masts
• 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: E21B 19/00 Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 19/16 Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints E21B19/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs

Abstract

Generally, the subject matter disclosed herein is directed to devices and methods for energizing and detecting a wave-energizable apparatus on an item movable with respect to a working surface of a drilling rig. One illustrative device disclosed herein includes at least one mat adapted to be positioned on a working surface of a drilling rig and a plurality of spaced-apart energizing apparatuses operatively coupled to the at least one mat. Additionally, each of the plurality of spaced apart energizing apparatuses of the disclosed device is adapted to energize a wave-energizable apparatus attached to an item that is movable adjacent to the mat and relative to the working surface.

Claims

1. A device, comprising

at least one mat adapted to be positioned on a working surface of a drilling rig, and

a plurality of spaced-apart energizing apparatuses operatively coupled to said at least one mat, wherein each of said plurality of spaced-apart energizing apparatuses is adapted to energize a wave-energizable apparatus attached to an item that is movable adjacent to said mat and relative to said working surface.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising said wave-energizable apparatus and said item, wherein said wave-energizable apparatus is attached to said item, and wherein said item comprises an item adapted to facilitate a drilling operation.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said at least one mat comprises a first piece and a second piece, said first piece comprising a projecting structure, and said second piece comprising a recess structure adapted for receiving and holding said projecting structure of said first piece so as to connect said first piece to said second piece.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said plurality of spaced-apart energizing apparatuses are adapted to provide energizing energy in a volume having a generally conical shape and an apex located above said at least one mat, and wherein said plurality of spaced-apart energizing apparatuses are positioned in said at least one mat such that said item is movable through said volume.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said plurality of spaced-apart energizing apparatuses are further adapted to provide energizing energy in a volume having a generally conical shape and an apex that is located between ten inches and seventy-two inches above said at least one mat.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said plurality of spaced-apart energizing apparatuses are further adapted to provide energizing energy in a volume having a generally conical shape and an apex that is located approximately forty inches above said at least one mat.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein said item comprises one of a drill pipe, a cable, line, tubular, drill bit, top drive, and mud motor.

8. The device of claim 2, further comprising a reader apparatus for reading said wave-energizable apparatus.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein said wave-energizable apparatus is adapted to generate a signal when energized by at least one of said plurality of spaced-apart energizing apparatuses.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of spaced-apart energizing apparatuses is further adapted to detect said signal from said energized wave-energizable apparatus when said item is moved adjacent to said mat.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein said wave-energizable apparatus comprises one of a radio frequency identification tag and a surface acoustic wave tag.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one mat comprises a plurality of mats.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one mat comprises two pieces connected together.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one mat comprises a body and a wave-energizable identification apparatus on an exterior surface thereof.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one mat comprises a plurality of pin holes, wherein each of said plurality of pin holes is adapted to engage a respective one of a plurality of pins positioned on a working surface of a drilling rig.

16. The device of claim 1 further comprising a control system for controlling said plurality of spaced-apart energizing apparatuses.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one mat is further adapted to be positioned above a wellbore during drilling operations.

18. A device, comprising:

a working surface;

an item adapted to be movable relative to said working surface;

a wave-energizable apparatus attached to said movable item; and

a mat positioned on said working surface, wherein said mat comprises a plurality of energizing apparatuses adapted to energize said wave-energizable apparatus when said movable item is moved adjacent to said mat and relative to said working surface.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said mat comprises two pieces, and wherein said two pieces are connected together.

20. The device of claim 18 wherein said plurality of energizing apparatuses are adapted to provide energizing energy in a volume having a generally conical shape and an apex located above said working surface, and wherein said plurality of energizing apparatuses are positioned such that said item is movable through said volume.

21. The device of claim 18, wherein said working surface is one of a rig floor and a rotary table of a drilling rig.

22. A method, comprising:

operatively coupling a plurality of energizing apparatuses to at least one mat;

positioning said at least one mat above a working surface of a drilling rig;

moving an item comprising a wave-energizable apparatus and adapted to facilitate a drilling operation relative to said working surface and adjacent to said at least one mat; and

energizing said wave-energizable apparatus with at least one of said plurality of energizing apparatuses.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising generating a signal with said energized wave-energizable apparatus and detecting said signal with said energizing apparatus.