Process and assembly for identifying and tracking assets

• US 8,091,775 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2010
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Marathon Oil Company (Marathon Oil Corporation)
• Inventors: Zierolf, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Labaze, Edwyn
• Application Number:
  US12/725,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20100171593A1
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/385, 235/438, 235/445, 235/487, 343/719
• US Class Current: 235/375
• 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

Abstract

An assembly and process for identifying and tracking assets, such as tubulars, equipment, tools and/or devices. An antenna is electrically connected to a responding device, such as a radio frequency identification device, and this assembly is connected to an asset. The antenna may be positioned about the exterior and/or the interior of the asset and significantly increases the range of signals that may be received and/or broadcast by the responding device. A transceiver may accordingly be positioned a greater distance from the asset without regard to the orientation of the asset and still permit communication between the transceiver and the responding device. In this manner, information that specifically identifies the asset may be compiled in a data base so as to maintain an accurate history of the usage of such assets as tubulars, equipment, tool and/or devices.

Claims

1. A process for identifying and tracking assets comprising:

passing a tubular asset having a responding device connected thereto within a transceiver having an antenna so as to permit communication between said transceiver and said responding device via said antenna, said step of passing occurring without regard to rotational orientation of said tubular.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said responding device is a radio frequency identification device.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein said radio frequency identification device is passive.

4. An assembly comprising:

at least one tubular;

a responding device secured to the exterior of said at least one tubular; and

a transceiver being sized and configured to permit the passage of said at least one tubular therethrough, wherein said transceiver is substantially ring shaped and has a groove formed in an inner surface thereof.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said responding device is positioned within a bore formed in the outer surface of said at least one tubular.

6. The assembly of claim 5 further comprising:

a fluid tight seal between said responding device and said outer surface of said at least one tubular.

7. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said responding device is a radio frequency identification device.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said radio frequency identification device is passive.

9. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said at least one tubular comprises two tubulars, said assembly further comprising:

a collar releasably securing said two tubulars together.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said responding device is positioned within a bore formed in the outer surface of said collar.

11. The assembly of claim 10 further comprising:

a fluid tight seal between said responding device and said outer surface of said collar.

12. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said responding device is a radio frequency identification device.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said radio frequency identification device is passive.

14. The assembly of claim 4 wherein an antenna is positioned within and extends substantially the entire length of said groove.

15. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said groove is generally annular.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein said antenna is positioned within said groove.

17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said antenna extends substantially the entire length of said groove.