Drilling Rig Gateway Translation for Control System Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of interfacing different rig control systems from various manufacturers without extensive customization, which hinders automation integration in drilling rigs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that includes a supervisory system generating message-based commands, a gateway translating these commands into system-specific instructions, and a system-specific controller executing these commands to control rig equipment, thereby facilitating interoperability across diverse rig control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different rig control systems from various manufacturers are used, then rig equipment can be controlled with specialized features, but interfacing these systems without extensive customization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The supervisory system is designed with a universal message-based command interface that can communicate with multiple different rig control systems from various manufacturers. The system uses standardized message formats (XML/JSON) that can be universally parsed and translated into system-specific commands, eliminating the need for extensive customization for each manufacturer's system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer between the supervisory system and individual rig control systems. This intermediary component receives standardized message-based commands and translates them into manufacturer-specific protocols, acting as a mediator that enables compatibility without requiring the supervisory system to be customized for each vendor's proprietary format.
2Extent of automation
If a centralized supervisory system implements well plan with high-level commands, then automation capability is improved, but integration with existing system-specific controllers becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control architecture is segmented into distinct layers: a supervisory system handling high-level well plan automation and message-based commands, and system-specific controllers handling low-level equipment control. This segmentation allows the automated supervisory system to operate independently while communicating through standardized interfaces, making integration with existing controllers straightforward.
Solution Approach 2:
A message-based communication interface serves as an intermediary between the centralized supervisory system and distributed system-specific controllers. This intermediary layer enables the supervisory system to issue high-level automated commands without needing to know the proprietary details of each controller, simplifying integration while maintaining automation capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If message-based commands are used for supervisory control, then interoperability between different systems is improved, but system-specific controllers must be upgraded to understand these commands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the supervisory system's message-based command interface as an intermediary that translates high-level automation commands into system-specific protocols. This approach allows existing system-specific controllers to continue operating with their native protocols while still receiving automated commands, eliminating the need for controller upgrades and reducing implementation time.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling a drilling rig, of which the method includes receiving a first message-based command from a supervisory system at a first gateway, determining a first system-specific command based on the first message-based command using the first gateway, and transmitting the first system-specific command from the first gateway to a first system-specific controller. The first system-specific controller is configured to execute the first system-specific command by controlling first rig equipment, but is not configured to execute the first message-based command.