Process and assembly for identifying and tracking assets

• US 20060175404A1
• Filed: 03/16/2006
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Marathon Oil Company (Marathon Oil Corporation)
• Inventors: Zierolf, Joseph A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,677,439 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/385
• 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 transceiver in proximity to an asset having a responding device and an antenna electrically connected to said responding device and extending about substantially the entire periphery of the asset so as to permit communication between said transceiver and said responding device via said antenna without regard to the orientation of the asset.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said asset is generally tubular, said antenna extends about substantially the entire outer circumference of said asset and said transceiver is passed along the exterior of said asset.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein said asset is generally tubular, said antenna extends about substantially the entire inner circumference of said asset and said transceiver is passed through the interior of said asset.

4. The process of claim 2 further comprising:

passing a second transceiver through the interior of said asset.

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

6. The process of claim 5 wherein said radio frequency identification device is passive.

7. A process for identifying and tracking tubulars comprising:

positioning a transceiver and a tubular having a responding device and an antenna electrically connected to the responding device in proximity to each other without regard to the rotational orientation of said tubular so as to permit communication between said transceiver and said responding device via said antenna.

8. The process of claim 7 wherein said transceiver is passed along the exterior of said tubular.

9. The process of claim 7 wherein said transceiver is passed through the interior of said tubular.

10. The process of claim 8 further comprising:

passing a second transceiver through the interior of said tubular.

11. The process of claim 7 wherein said responding device is a radio frequency identification device.

12. The process of claim 11 wherein said radio frequency identification device is passive.

13. A process for identifying and tracking assets comprising:

passing an asset having a responding device connected thereto within a transceiver having a generally annular antenna so as to permit communication between said transceiver and said responding device via said antenna.

14. The process of claim 13 wherein said asset is a tubular and said step of passing occurs without regard to the rotational orientation of said tubular.