Identification device, corresponding tubular element and method

Abstract

The invention relates to an identification device (40) comprising an electronic chip (42), a communication element (48) suitable for connecting the electronic chip to a reading device (8) and a housing (50) surrounding the electronic chip and the communication element. The housing comprises a container (52) made of a metallic material having a melting point above 150° C., in particular above 200° C. and preferably above 250° C. The invention is applicable to tubular elements made of cast iron.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an identification device comprising an electronic chip, a communication element suitable for connecting the electronic chip to a reading device, and a housing surrounding the electronic chip and the communication element. Background Art

[0002] A tubular element is known from WO 2012 / 152657, which describes a fitting for joining pipes in the field of oil drilling, wherein the fitting has a longitudinal recess formed in its front end. The recess is used to receive a chip for identifying the fitting and / or the connected pipe.

[0003] It is also known to use RFID chips in connection with pipes, in particular with pipe elements for conveying water, as described, for example, in EP 408 320 , EP 875 006 , DE 10 2004 053 731 and EP 2 453 264 .

[0004] It is also known, for example from WO 2006 / 041306, to equip a drill string with a chip which is inserted into a housing arranged in a concave section of the pipe.

[0005] There are also tubular elements comprising a cast iron base body covered with a coating comprising a fusible material, such as a synthetic material, applied in the solid state, for example by spraying solid particles onto a preheated base body, the synthetic material melting on contact with the preheated base body and then solidifying on cooling. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an identification device which is able to reliably read identification data of a tubular element, independently of the thermal conditions during the manufacture of the tubular element, while being cost-effective to manufacture.

[0007] To this end, the invention has as its object an identification device as described above, characterized in that the housing comprises a container made of a metallic material having a melting point above 150°C, in particular above 200°C and preferably above 250°C.

[0008] Depending on the specific implementation of the identification device, the identification device may include one or more of the following features:

[0009] - The container is made of a metal material less noble than cast iron or less noble than iron;

[0010] - the container is made of aluminium, zinc or magnesium, or

[0011] the container is made of an alloy containing aluminum, zinc and / or magnesium, in particular a zinc / aluminum alloy, for example ZnAl with 85% by mass zinc and 15% by mass aluminum;

[0012] The container comprises a bottom and preferably a wall, in particular around a rim of the bottom, the container preferably being a drawn cup;

[0013] - The identification device comprises a housing encapsulating the electronic chip and the communication element, in particular a ceramic housing;

[0014] - the housing comprises a filler which surrounds the electronic chip and the communication element and, where applicable, the casing;

[0015] The filler is resistant to temperatures above 150° C., in particular above 200° C. and preferably above 250° C.;

[0016] - the filling is arranged in the container;

[0017] - the filling is made of a refractory material, in particular a refractory cement, which is poured into the container in a non-solid state and solidifies; and

[0018] The shell is in contact with the container, in particular with the bottom of the container, and the filling surrounds the shell.

[0019] The invention also relates to a tubular element having a base body made of metal, in particular cast iron, and having an outer surface, the base body comprising a recess formed in its surface, characterized in that the tubular element comprises an identification device as defined above, and the identification device is arranged in the recess.

[0020] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a tubular element as defined above, comprising the following steps:

[0021] - providing a tubular element as defined above,

[0022] - heating the tubular element to a temperature above 150° C., in particular above 200° C. and preferably above 250° C., obtaining a heated tubular element,

[0023] - applying a fusible material to the heated base of the tubular element, and

[0024] - Solidifying the fusible material on the substrate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The invention will be better understood from the following description, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] [ Figure 1 ]- Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for identifying a tubular element and an assembly of a tubular element according to the present invention;

[0027] [ Figure 2 ]- Figure 2is a partially extracted view of a portion of a tubular joint comprising a tubular element according to the present invention;

[0028] [ Figure 3 ]- Figure 3 yes Figure 2 an enlarged view of detail III; and

[0029] [ Figure 4 ]- Figure 4 Is used to identify Figures 1 to 3 Cross-sectional view of the device of the tubular element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Figure 1 Shown is a device 4 for identifying tubular elements and an assembly 2 of a tubular element 6 according to the invention.

[0031] The identification device 4 comprises a contactless reading device 8 .

[0032] The tubular element 6 comprises a base 10 having a main portion 12 and a socket end 14. For example, the base 10 is made of metal, in particular cast iron, and in particular ductile iron. The base 10 extends along a central axis XX. Hereinafter, the expressions "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" will be used with reference to the central axis XX. In a variant, the base 10 comprises a coating of a zinc-based metal alloy.

[0033] The main body 12 is of hollow cylindrical shape with an axis XX, in particular with a circular cross section, and forms a socket end (not shown). The socket end 14 defines an annular front face 16. The front face 16 extends perpendicularly relative to the central axis XX. The front face 16 is delimited by a radially outer edge 18. The socket end 14 comprises a housing adapted to receive a seal 22 (see FIG. Figure 2 )'s inner annular groove 20.

[0034] The tubular element 6 further comprises a coating 24 of a fusible material such as a thermoplastic or thermosetting material. If the substrate 10 is coated with a zinc-based metal alloy, the coating 24 is a porous pore-filling layer of the zinc-based alloy coating.

[0035] The base body 10 includes a base body surface 26 .

[0036] The base body 10 (in this case, the sleeve end 14) is provided with a recess 28 that opens into the base surface 26 (in this case, toward the front face 16). The recess 28 defines a central recess axis AA, which in this case is parallel to the central axis XX. The recess 28 has a cylindrical shape, for example, particularly a circular cross-section. The recess 28 is a blind recess and has a bottom surface 30 and a circumferentially closed side surface 32, in this case a cylindrical side surface with a circular cross-section. The recess 28 has an axial depth PA and a transverse width LT, which in this case is the diameter of the recess 28. The axial depth PA is measured along the central axis AA, while the transverse width LT is measured in a plane perpendicular to the central axis AA. In general, the transverse width LT is the maximum extent of the recess 28 in a transverse plane perpendicular to the central axis AA. In one variant, the recess 22 has a shape other than cylindrical, for example, a parallelepiped shape. As shown, the recess 28 may be provided with an axial groove, or may be strictly circular or rectangular in cross section along the axis AA. In another variant, the recess 28 may open into the base surface 26 elsewhere than the front face 16, for example in the radially outer surface of the socket end 14.

[0037] The tubular element 6 has a contactless identification device 40 .

[0038] The identification device 40 is arranged in the recess 28 of the base body 10. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The identification device 40 will be described in more detail.

[0039] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment, the identification device 40 is shown in a perspective view, and in Figure 4 It is shown in section along its central axis, which in the mounted state is the axis coinciding with the axis AA.

[0040] The identification device 40 comprises an electronic chip 42 containing an electronic information carrier and connected to a communication element 48 suitable for connecting the information carrier to a physical contactless reading device 8 ("RFID reader"). Preferably, the electronic chip 42 and the communication element 48 are embedded in a housing 46, in particular a ceramic housing.

[0041] For example, the electronic data carrier is an electronic circuit with an associated processor and memory.

[0042] For example, the communication element 48 is an antenna, in particular a coil, connected to the electronic information carrier.

[0043] The identification device 40 comprises a housing 50 which surrounds the electronic chip 42 and the communication element 48 and, in this case, also the casing 46 .

[0044] The housing 50 comprises a container 52 made of a metal material having a melting point above 150°C, in particular above 200°C and preferably above 250°C.

[0045] The container 52 is made of a metal material that is less noble than cast iron or less noble than iron. Generally speaking, the container 52 is made of a material that is less noble than the substrate. Therefore, the container 52 protects the substrate from corrosion.

[0046] For example, the container is made of aluminum, zinc or magnesium. In a variant, the container 52 is made of an alloy containing aluminum, zinc and / or magnesium, in particular a zinc-aluminum alloy, such as ZnAl with 85% zinc and 15% aluminum by mass.

[0047] The container 52 comprises a bottom 54 and a wall 56. In this case, the bottom 54 is a circular plate. The wall 56 extends around the edge of the bottom 54 and therefore has a cylindrical shape with a circular cross section in this case.

[0048] Preferably, the container 52 is a deep-drawn cup.

[0049] Optionally, the container 52 has a connecting protrusion 58, such as a rib that abuts the recess 28 (see Figure 3 ).

[0050] The bottom portion 54 is preferably adapted to amplify the communication performance of the communication element 48, in particular by promoting the reflection of emitted electromagnetic waves.

[0051] The housing 50 is provided with a filler 60 which surrounds or covers the electronic chip 42 and the communication element 48 , in particular around the housing 46 . The filler 60 is arranged in the container 52 .

[0052] Filler 60 is made of a material suitable for withstanding temperatures exceeding 150°C, in particular exceeding 200°C, and preferably exceeding 250°C. The term "withstanding" specifically refers to the fact that the material in question does not deform or undergo a change in physical state. Thus, the filler remains in place within container 52, thereby ensuring that housing 46, containing the electronic chip and communication components, remains in place. Container 52, particularly made of aluminum, also remains in place because it is crimped into recess 28 and does not deform as long as the temperature remains below the melting point of the metal from which it is made.

[0053] Advantageously, the filler 60 is made of a material suitable for withstanding temperatures greater than or equal to the melting temperature of the metal constituting the container 52 .

[0054] The filler 60 is made of a refractory material, in particular containing or consisting of a refractory cement. The non-solid refractory material is advantageously poured into the container and allowed to solidify. The filler 60 comprises a free surface 62 that extends parallel to the free edge formed by the wall 56 of the container and, in particular, is flush with this edge.

[0055] exist Figure 4 As can be seen in FIG. 4 , the housing 46 surrounding the electronic chip 42 and the communication element 48 is in contact with the container 52 , more precisely with the bottom of the container, and the filler 60 surrounds the housing 46 .

[0056] Furthermore, in particular in the case of heating the substrate in order to apply thereto a coating of fusible material, such as the coating 24, the housing 46 encapsulating the electronic chip 42 and the communication element 48 remains completely in place in the container 52. Indeed, since the refractory material of the filler 60 is resistant to high temperatures, in particular to the temperatures at which the substrate must be heated in order to apply the fusible material, it does not undergo any deformation or degradation that could lead to a misalignment or even loss of the housing 46 and thus compromise the proper functioning of the identification device.

[0057] The manufacturing method of the identification device 40 includes the following steps:

[0058] - providing a container 52;

[0059] - providing an electronic chip 42 and a communication element 48 and placing them on the bottom of the container; if applicable, integrating the electronic chip and the communication element in a housing 46 which is arranged in the container 52 in such a way as to be in contact with the bottom of the container;

[0060] - pouring a liquid or pasty filling material 60 into the container 52 until the filling material completely covers the electronic chip 42 and the communication element 48 and the housing 46 (if applicable);

[0061] - Curing the filler material 60 , thereby forming a solid filler 60 .

[0062] Thus, the identification device 40 is obtained.

[0063] The identification device 40 is then inserted into the recess 28 .

[0064] For example, the identification device 40 interacts with the recess 28 in a frictional or form-fitting manner.

[0065] A possible method of manufacturing a tubular element 6 or pipe according to the invention comprises the following steps:

[0066] - providing a tubular element 6 having a base body 10 and without a coating 24 , the identification device 40 being arranged in the recess 28 ;

[0067] - heating the base body 10 to a temperature above 150° C., in particular above 200° C. and preferably above 250° C., to obtain a heated base body 10 ;

[0068] - applying the fusible material to the heated base body 10 , in particular by spraying powder;

[0069] The fusible material is allowed to solidify on the substrate 10 to form the coating 24 .

[0070] The temperature and duration of heating are such that the chip 42 has a temperature below its degradation temperature during the entire process.

[0071] The identification device 40 protects the electronic chip from thermal degradation, in particular during the thermal spraying process. Additionally, the refractory material of the filler 60 is resistant to high temperatures and is not affected during the thermal spraying application, thereby ensuring that the electronic chip 42 and the communication element 48 remain in place and the identification device operates properly.

[0072] Additionally, the metal container provides a strong and reliable connection between the identification device 40 and the base body 10 .

[0073] The bottom of the container improves the efficiency of the RFID antenna, in particular with regard to the reflection of the emitted electromagnetic waves.

Claims

1. An identification device (40), the identification device comprising: - an electronic chip (42); - a communication element (48) suitable for connecting said electronic chip to a reading device (8); - a housing (50) surrounding said electronic chip and said communication element, The invention is characterized in that the shell comprises a container (52) made of a metal material having a melting point higher than 150° C., wherein the housing (50) comprises a filler (60) surrounding the electronic chip (42) and the communication element (48), wherein the filler withstands temperatures above 150° C., and wherein the filler is arranged in the container, The filler (60) is made of a refractory material which is poured into the container in a non-solid state and solidified.

2. The identification device according to claim 1, characterized in that The melting point of the metal material is higher than 200°C.

3. The identification device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The melting point of the metal material is higher than 250°C.

4. The identification device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The container is made of a metal material that is less noble than cast iron.

5. The identification device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The container is made of a metal material that is less noble than iron.

6. The identification device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The container (52) is made of aluminum, zinc or magnesium, Alternatively, the container is made of an alloy containing aluminum, zinc and / or magnesium.

7. The identification device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The container (52) is made of aluminum, zinc or magnesium, Alternatively, the container is made of an alloy containing aluminum, zinc and / or magnesium.

8. The identification device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The container (52) is made of zinc / aluminum alloy.

9. The identification device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The container (52) is made of zinc / aluminum alloy.

10. The identification device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The container (52) is made of ZnAl containing 85% zinc and 15% aluminum by mass.

11. The identification device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The container (52) is made of ZnAl containing 85% zinc and 15% aluminum by mass.

12. The identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The container (52) includes a bottom (54).

13. The identification device according to claim 12, characterized in that: The container (52) includes a wall (56).

14. The identification device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The wall surrounds the edge of the bottom, and the container is a deep drawn cup.

15. The identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The identification device comprises a housing (46) encapsulating the electronic chip and the communication element.

16. The identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The identification device comprises a ceramic housing (46) encapsulating the electronic chip and the communication element.

17. The identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The filler withstands temperatures above 200°C.

18. The identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The filler withstands temperatures above 250°C.

19. The identification device according to claim 15, characterized in that The filler surrounds the electronic chip (42), the communication element (48) and the housing (46), The filler withstands temperatures above 200°C.

20. The identification device according to claim 16, characterized in that The filler surrounds the electronic chip (42), the communication element (48) and the housing (46), The filler withstands temperatures above 200°C.

21. The identification device according to claim 15, characterized in that The filler surrounds the electronic chip (42), the communication element (48) and the housing (46), The filler withstands temperatures above 250°C.

22. The identification device according to claim 16, characterized in that The filler surrounds the electronic chip (42), the communication element (48) and the housing (46), The filler withstands temperatures above 250°C.

23. The identification device according to claim 1, characterized in that The refractory material is refractory cement.

24. The identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The filler withstands temperatures above 200°C, The identification device comprises a housing (46) encapsulating the electronic chip and the communication element. The container (52) includes a bottom (54), and The shell (46) is in contact with the container, and the filler surrounds the shell.

25. The identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The filler withstands temperatures above 200°C, The identification device comprises a housing (46) encapsulating the electronic chip and the communication element. The container (52) includes a bottom (54), and The shell (46) contacts the bottom (54) of the container, and the filler surrounds the shell.

26. The identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The filler withstands temperatures above 250°C, The identification device comprises a housing (46) encapsulating the electronic chip and the communication element. The container (52) includes a bottom (54), and The shell (46) is in contact with the container, and the filler surrounds the shell.

27. The identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The filler withstands temperatures above 250°C, The identification device comprises a housing (46) encapsulating the electronic chip and the communication element. The container (52) includes a bottom (54), and The shell (46) contacts the bottom (54) of the container, and the filler surrounds the shell.

28. A tubular element comprising a base body (10), The substrate is made of metal and has an outer surface (26), The substrate includes a recess (28) on its surface, It is characterized in that The tubular element comprises identification means (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 27, and the identification means is arranged in the recess.

29. The tubular element according to claim 28, characterized in that The metal is cast iron.

30. A method of manufacturing a tubular element comprising the following consecutive steps: - providing a tubular element (6) according to claim 28 or 29, - heating the tubular element to a temperature above 150° C. to obtain a heated tubular element, - applying a fusible material to the heated base of the tubular element, and - solidifying said fusible material on said substrate.

31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that Heating the tubular element is heating the tubular element to a temperature above 200°C.

32. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that Heating the tubular element is heating the tubular element to a temperature above 250°C.

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