Image-Based Marker Detection for Cable Spooling Drum Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spooling systems for downhole tools in wellbores rely on velocity and position encoders that are prone to frequent errors and malfunctions, necessitating a more reliable method for estimating and controlling the rotational velocity of the spooling drum.
Innovation Solution
An image-based system using cameras and markers on the drum to estimate and control the velocity, where cameras capture images of markers on the drum, and a data processing and control system detects and computes the angular velocity based on marker movement through regions of interest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If velocity and position encoders are used to estimate drum velocity and position, then the spooling process can be controlled, but the encoders are prone to frequent errors and malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical encoder system with an optical imaging system. Instead of using contact-based encoders that mechanically detect drum rotation, the system uses cameras to capture images of markers on the drum and processes these images to determine velocity and position. This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact that causes encoder failures while maintaining measurement capability through optical detection and image analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy of the drum's motion through image capture. Rather than directly measuring the drum's physical rotation with encoders, the system captures visual images of markers on the drum and derives motion information from these copies. This allows the system to indirectly measure velocity and position without physical contact, improving reliability while maintaining measurement precision through computational analysis of the visual copies.
2Reliability
If image-based marker detection is used to estimate drum velocity, then measurement reliability improves, but system complexity increases due to image processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for velocity measurement from the image data. Instead of processing every pixel and detail in the camera images, the system focuses specifically on detecting and tracking markers on the drum. By extracting only the marker positions and their movement through time, the system reduces the computational burden while maintaining reliable velocity estimation through the simplified process of measuring marker displacement over elapsed time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides robust and accurate estimation of the spooling drum velocity and position, reducing errors and malfunctions, and enabling precise control of the spooling process.
Implementation Method 1
one or more cameras configured to capture images of the drum as it rotates
Implementation Method 2
computing an estimated angular velocity of the drum using an angle of movement of the one or more markers through the one or more regions of interest during the elapsed time
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods presented herein include a cable spooling system that includes a drum configured to rotate about a central axis of the drum to wind and unwind a cable onto and from the drum as the drum rotates. The cable spooling system also includes one or more cameras configured to capture images of the drum as it rotates. The cable spooling system further includes one or more markers disposed on one or more flanges of the drum. The one or more markers are configured to be in view of the one or more cameras during a portion of rotation of the drum. In addition, the cable spooling system includes a data processing and control system configured to estimate an angular velocity of the drum using the images captured by the one or more cameras.