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Low frequency inductive tagging for lifecycle management

  • US 8,681,000 B2
  • Filed: 08/03/2010
  • Issued: 03/25/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2003
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system for detection and tracking of inanimate and animate objects, said system comprising:

  • a) a low radio frequency tag carried by each of the objects, said tag comprising a tag communication inductive antenna operable at a first radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, a transceiver operatively connected to said tag communication inductive antenna, said transceiver being operable to transmit and receive data signals at said first radio frequency, a data storage device operable to store data comprising identification data for identifying said tag, a micro processor operable to process data received from said transceiver and said data storage device and to send data to cause said transceiver to emit an identification signal based upon said identification data stored in said data storage device, and an energy source for activating said transceiver and said microprocessor, said energy source comprising a tag energization inductive antenna operable to receive radio frequency energy from an ambient radio frequency field of a second radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz, said second radio frequency being substantially different than said first radio frequency;

    b) a field communication inductive antenna disposed at an orientation and distance from each object that permits effective communication therewith at said first radio frequency;

    c) a receiver in operative communication with said field communication inductive antenna, said receiver being operable to receive data signals at said first radio frequency from said low radio frequency tag;

    d) a transmitter in operative communication with said field communication inductive antenna, said transmitter being operable to send data signals at said first radio frequency to said low frequency tag;

    e) a reader data processor in operative communication with said receiver and said transmitter;

    f) a field energization inductive antenna operable to produce said ambient radio frequency field at the tag energization inductive antenna of said object;

    g) a drilling apparatus operable to drill a wellhole into the earth'"'"'s formations for extracting a natural resource selected from oil, natural gas, and water and to insert a drillstring of interconnected pipes into said wellhole; and

    h) a plurality of serially interconnectable pipes, each pipe comprising a wall portion which comprises an outer surface, said low radio frequency tag being attached to said pipe at said outer surface, both said field communication inductive antenna and said field energization inductive antenna being positioned and configured to encircle a lateral cross-section of each said pipe at said distance therefrom, said distance being at least 1.0 feet.

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